It's been years since I've kept a paper journal of my
thoughts/feelings/experiences and just about as long since I've purchased a
book from an indie bookstore. It felt like GOING HOME when I wandered into
the Alexandria Bookstore with its bookshelves packed floor to ceiling and
the musty odor of paper. There's something magical about holding a book in
your hand and the feeling between your fingertips as you turn each page. I
wouldn't mind buying books again if I only knew where to STORE them. Part of
the challenge for me is letting go of/sharing a book so it's inevitable that
it remains in my home.

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Who was your first celebrity crush?
Submitted by Glory.

Well I was little but would hear my sisters play and dance to Beatles records (yea, vinyl). So my first awareness of celebrities and the flurry that surrounds them was The Beatles. As a young child I thought Paul was the  Beatle. As a teen it was John Lennon. To this day John is the Beatle and inspiration for the masses.

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WiFi

One thing about stealing, I fancy most folks wouldn't do so as publicly as this chap.

He's simply parked himself close enough to the coffeehouse two doors down which offers free wi-fi access with a purchase. I couldn't believe how nonchalant he was about the whole thing. He didn't seem to care that passersby would stare at him and I'm confident more than two knew exactly what he was up to.

Ah well, what's one to do? I sure wouldn't have had the nerve to do it, I know that much.

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I thought I'd take the time to update a couple of things and bring clarity:

• Little Girl has had a follow up appointment where she gained 5 ounces in two days thanks to the medication the  to increase her appetite. Prior to this she wasn't eating and she's always been so petite (seven pounds is the heaviest she's ever been), that any weight loss is not a good thing. The antibiotics will also help her fight off infection.
  

The goal is to build up her weight and stamina so she can survive a biopsy. The vet said if we'd done it a week ago, Little Girl would've died on the table. The inflammation and hardness between the large and small intestines has reduced and softened some, but the doctor wants to see what's causing the hardness/blockage and check for lymphoma. LG has a follow up appointment this Friday.

• My friend's son Joseph was buried Friday 2/23 after donating his organs. I can't imagine her strength, courage and compassion in doing this and providing a healthy, vibrant 22 year old's organs to someone else in need. Parts of Joseph will live on in the body of others. Of course, my friend is devastated by the loss of her son, but she is also hopeful that justice will prevail as they have apprehended one suspect.

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Boo gave me this teapot of rosemary some months back and it is filling out nicely. The scent of spring is in the air!

Boo's garden

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What's the best way to get on your good side?
Submitted by Manon-It-All.

Do not be pretentious. If the real you is average, although we all want to be more, just be you.

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Little Girl

We received very sad and terrible news today: Little Girl, the outdoor cat that adopted us, may  have lymphoma. We will not know until she is biopsied and she can't undergo surgery until she gets stronger.

L.G. is definitely Boo's cat, so Boo took the news very hard. I feel very sad and bad. Sad that she is so ill and bad because there's very little that we can do for now.

The vet's prescribed something to improve her appetite because we definitely want a biopsy. Only then will we know how to proceed: chemo, radiation, ?

Please keep our Little Girl in your prayers.

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Fun things arrive in small packages! I thought his arrival early, but today is Ash Wednesday.

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Who was your best (or worst) elementary school teacher?
Submitted by Minnow. 

My best teacher in fourth grade was Mrs. Helen Crane. She had a reputation for being tough. Harsh. A no excuses kind of teacher. My sister Alice worked in the school's office at the time and she cried when she discovered that I had been placed in Mrs. Crane's class! She tried to get me switched elsewhere to no avail.

Mrs. Crane's reputation was well deserved. She was everything I'd heard and then some. She scared the heck out of me and also taught me to stand up for myself and not apologize for being sharp. She pushed me and helped me realize my potential unlike any teacher ever did.

Mrs. Helen Crane is my heroine!

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...isn't always a bad thing, especially if you don't have to deal with the public. I actually drove the freeway to work, something I am unable to do most work days due to bumper to bumper traffic.

I also accomplished a lot since I was uninterrupted by a ringing phone or calls for help from co-workers. I confess to wishing that I could remain in bed this morning, instead of rushing out the door at 7:20 a.m. I barely had time to return The Departed to Hollywood Video.

And, considering how hard it rained all night I half expected the morning commute to be in a deluge. Thankfully, it wasn't raining though the roads were very slick.

I am very tired. Goodnight.

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