Monday,
January 21, 2008
MLK DAY

There is a sadness in the Fletcher manse

As part of Dusty Rainbolt's suggestion last year, I purchased a rod-and-reel dingus with a little mouse on the end as a toy for JJ to keep him exercised and too tired to kill Jordan. The toy has worked a treat, and JJ gives all evidence of being a fine mouser -- if we had a back yard where he could wander, I believe he would be a content cat indeed. And if there's ever an apocalypse, I'm sending him out to hunt for food.

So there was some consternation today when, during our afternoon play session, the reel part of the toy jammed up. This happens often enough that I know how to fix it, but while I had it apart to unwind the jammed linea tiny piece of the reel mechanism fell out and into the depths of the garbage can. I didn't see exactly what it was, so I had no idea what to search for, and when I put the reel container back together it would no longer wind the line.

Needless to say, the Black Velvet Purrmonster was sincerely bummed when I told him we couldn't play anymore until I bought a new one, and made it clear with one of the best Pitiful Wide-Eyed Looks since DONDI that I really, really should go out right now and pick one up.

Yes, I'm a great big ol' pushover when it comes to the Boys. I also want to see more fur growing on JJ's tum, so if casting and reeling in a neon green mouse will help that along, I'll do it.

The Piemaker was 43 years, 6 months, 24 days, 18 hours and 34 minutes old when his wife asked, "Honey, why is there a large container of whey powder on the counter?"

The Bodacious Brit, who has been doing splendidly on his diet and is currently 14 pounds away from his goal weight, was nonetheless confused when he was told his cholesterol levels were edging into the bad zone. Understanding dawned when he checked the cholesterol levels of his favorite post-diagnosis treat (low-sugar cherry or apple pie). Ergh.

The BB, now referred to as the Piemaker in these parts, decided to attack the issue in typical engineering fashion, and has been experimenting with low-carb low-cholesterol diabetic-friendly pie crusts these last few weeks. One cabinet is now full of almond meal, whey powder, soy flour and other esoteric powders, and he’s thinking of going the scientific route and baking up a variety of mix squares to see which one produces the best pie crust. See, one of his big problems has been the crust being very crumbly (not necessarily bad, but it makes lining the pan sort of tough, and making an upper crust is totally out of the question). Since neither of us are gluten-intolerant, I think he’s going to experiment next with adding wheat gluten as a “glue” for the crust.

And have I mentioned that I'm very proud of him for doing this? Because I am. Besides, the experimental process is delicious.

Calling all Worldcon attendees

No, I'm not bugging you about the Hugo ballot. The Denvention hotel blocks opened today, so if you're going to Worldcon you might want to head on over to the website (http://www.denvention.org/facilities/index.php) and book your room -- they seem to be flying thick and fast this year.

The Bodacious Brit and I are in the Hyatt attached to the convention center -- party hotels are fine and dandy, but at the end of the day I want the shortest route between the convention proper and my hotel.

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