Oh, in that case you could wear dark shoes and look just great. Absolutely.

Thanks for this podcast recommendation! I've learned a lot from just a few episodes. The one about college viability was also very interesting.

Me too. The second one is my personal style, but I disagree that the first one is too dark for spring! It's pretty. What if you wore it with skin-tone shoes and a light purse? Would that brighten it up enough? Or even the pink that's in the flowers!

Wonderful idea, thank you! I needed a good idea. Now, we're watching this one over the course of the day.

That was a really good speech. We're analyzing it over breakfast, here.

I'm working on this now, too. I'm having trouble finding options for the test! Our county public schools tell me they won't be including homeschoolers next year because they are making AP testing free for all and won't have space. I haven't quite exhausted the private schools, and the next county may be a possibility if they don't do the same as ours. Aaaagh. Is it worth it to do an AP course without testing?

I'm a cookbook aficionado; there's a designated shelf. The kids sometimes read them, too. 😁

We're always talking about too many separate types of shootings at once in these discussions, IMO. All are horrible; in all cases, there is tremendous unnecessary suffering. Sure, we could prevent them all by melting down all the guns, but will we do that? No. Since we know that won't happen, I think we need to break things down more carefully and move the needle more deliberately. The statistics we most often use to explain the risks of gun injury and death in a home include both accident and murder. I think that's unhelpful, because it makes it hard to see the many, many things we could do to help reduce the different types of tragedies. For example, we can probably reduce the number of what I'll call "true accidents." I'm talking about kids finding a gun in a drawer and shooting a little friend. I wonder if an ad campaign might help move the conversation by asking people to consider, "Are you a responsible gun owner?" It could be a picture of a little kid reaching into a bedside table drawer, and could ask things like, "Could a child find your gun? Could she get hurt?" Really punch those parents and grandparents in the heartstrings, the same way we've made a difference in fencing around pools. Second, I think that if someone's gun gets used without their consent, they should be SO LIABLE. They should get sued up one side and down the other. If they failed to meet a legal standard of securing their gun or reporting it stolen, they should lose their house in the lawsuits. Third, though this one is less likely right now, I think your homeowner's insurance should be able to ask if you have guns in the house, what kind/how many, and how they're secured. That's a really long shot, but the second idea may lead to this. I'm open to all steps in the right direction. No, this wouldn't have prevented last week. But we don't have to do nothing or let the wildest 2A screams dominate the conversation. I appreciate this forum for intelligent attempts at nuance. Thanks for helping me think, all of you.

Oh, yes. I remember. Honesty, my boy isn't a ton better at this age. I think it helps to discuss the hormonal effects when tears aren't actually flowing... and hold on. Sigh.

I think that was a smart way to handle the fear, to provide her a tool. Rock on, well-equipped kiddo.

Do these little kids do the group-dynamic thing where one of them can freak the rest out? My DD has always been a wonderful method actor. 😜 Once I saw her talk herself right into genuine tears, telling herself a story! And I stopped her a few times, at 5 or so, from freaking her little brother out; he'd believe everything she said. So I wonder if the other teacher was just being cute, and a few dramatic kids led the group into trauma. Anyway, no leprechauns over here! I can't deal with all that.

I'm so sorry, Scout.

Praying

I'm just starting to use the metro this year. I recommend that you download the app and look around on it now. There are lots of options. I use the app to plan my routes, and to load money or passes onto our physical cards. It takes several hours for the app to show recent trips, so I use it for planning, not as a substitute for the cards. I don't scan my phone at the turnstiles, or whatever. If there's an issue, I use the station machine. There are 1-, 3-, and 7-day passes, if my memory is correct, and those may save you a fair amount! You need a card for each person. You can order the cards by mail if you have enough time before your trip, or get them at the station. Once you have them, you link their numbers to the app.

We just read it (and watched the Gregory Peck version) in 9th as part of American literature. It was DD15s favorite so far this year.

I think I'd briefly mention to the person who runs the list, or the pastor if it's a free-for-all, that it was only a cold and you hadn't given permission for "Suzy" to put you on the prayer list. I might drop the term "gossip" into the conversation. And then that person will probably pat you on the hand and tell you how they and God care even about small needs, but at least they will be slightly more wary of "Suzy" or will consider tightening the rules for broadcasting stuff without consent.

Are you getting some iodine in your diet? I know almost nothing, but since you're miserable and we're spit-balling, could it be a swollen thyroid? That sounds awful.

I think the retirement party is for him as much as her, and you should go to express your good wishes for both of them. I'm sure you'll be perfectly polite and certainly not have any business discussions at their party; I'd stick to things like, "Do you plan to travel?" And, "That sounds fun!" And talk to everyone else there, too. There's probably a lot going on behind the scenes that isn't about you at all. Retirement is a really tough process for many people.

My goodness, they are cute!

Peach!

Oh, honey. I'm so sorry.

And so it begins! I love having windows open in the beautiful weather. Last year I had the kitchen window open and my coffee maker got coated with pollen. Kachew!

The lavender seeds popped up! Amazing! I've never tried to grow it before, and I stratified them in the fridge for a month, but mold grew on the (overly damp) paper towel they were on and I thought they might be toast. But no! They grew!

I bet the bartender means they don't actually measure! But, hahaha! And, oh dear.

I built (well, assembled, really) two more small raised beds a few weeks ago. I think I tweaked a muscle in my back doing that, and it hasn't quite healed. I planted my seeds indoors a week ago! They are already popping up in the cups near the bathroom window. I have three kinds of tomatoes, various peppers, marigolds, and I'm trying to grow lavendar but it may not work out. What's wrong with Baker's Creek? Did I miss the bad news? I hope not. Their seeds sprout so reliably.