rike52

cast

I’m sure you’ve realized by now I like to distribute Bobby McFerrin’s 1988 hit “Don’t worry, be happy” very frequently (1). I think it’s often the appropriate response to news I’ve just conveyed, like the latest on Omicron (2). One of my dear friends and faithful readers Sandy asked about the characters in the video. Continue reading “cast”

my mom the babe

My sister Jolene gave all of us a wonderful Christmas gift, a framed reproduction of a photo of our mom lounging on the beach – with her mom! – on Santa Anna Island (now Anna Maria) – a seven mile barrier island off the Gulf coast of Florida – where they used to escape toContinue reading “my mom the babe”

it’s over

It’s a good doctor who can explain things. I’ve been trying to do that with Mr. Corona for almost 2 years. But Dr. Ted Noel, a retired anesthesiologist/intensivist knocked it out of the park today (1). I’ve been emphasizing the high rate of errors coronavirus makes in replicating its RNA genome as source of allContinue reading “it’s over”

dandy dozen, revisited

Happy Boxing Day, my friends. In the U.S., only Massachusetts takes it as an official holiday, and the employees don’t even get to take it off. But those in the Queen’s realm are busy seeing that those who have served them over the year, and some of the poor, are getting their boxes of thanks.Continue reading “dandy dozen, revisited”

Lit’l Christmas Eve

Twisted how our Christmas traditions develop. Perhaps because they are so varied shows how rich and wonderful our traditions really are. Following a tradition we made years ago – nothing to do with Christmas – got us into a situation that tangled up our traditions and introduced us to some new possibilities. All of itContinue reading “Lit’l Christmas Eve”

…comin’ to town

I disagree with the message, but this is still fun: Ever the jerk to be sure, but Merry Christmas nonetheless

stew!

The sleet and ice falling on us Saturday morning sure didn’t get us dreaming of a white Christmas, but it did that magical Michigan thing of helping us enjoy the great indoors all the more. With the fireplace roaring and the lights on our 11’ tree twinkling, the hygge was like a scented oil engulfingContinue reading “stew!”

burn on

Here’s a look at our beautiful fireplace in all its glory, centerpiece of our living room and greatest source of the hygge we seek in these winter months. Whenever either of us is home, it’s burning. Both of us have always loved a fireplace, and I think the only times we didn’t live in homesContinue reading “burn on”

from the UK

One of the joys of blogging is connecting with like minded folks. Some bloke from the U.K. caught one of my blogs on Omicron and offered up a bit of his work. He describes himself as a retired Chartered Building Surveyor with no medical background other than dealing with his own ailments. He blogs underContinue reading “from the UK”

Go Blue!

We diehard Michigan fans are stuck waiting the weeks till New Year’s Eve and the Orange Bowl. This is uncharted territory for us, who haven’t tasted a Rose Bowl since 2004 (back when it mattered). Now we wait and see if Aidan Hutchinson can win an improbable Heisman and cower in anticipation of our SECContinue reading “Go Blue!”