Kathi, I just watched the video clip on USNews. Really well done and so sad. I was watching and crying. Thanks for telling us about it.

Hi. Finally managed to get into the blog--by mistake I think. Why'd they make it so complicated? I've been pressing every button in sight....

So, Richard, did you tell us your travel plans just to tease us?-- that you'll be nearby, but you don't have time for us? Every time people mention screaming kids, I get a little nervous cuz my youngest was a screamer. He was okay on airplanes, though. And now he's fine. But he had the worst scream, and I didn't handle it too well. I either screamed back or gave into him.

No, I didn't smell the fires from here, Karen.

Apparently its only working for the "older" folks...not 3 year olds.

that is funny. i don't whine and i definitely don't scream on airplanes. i did hit some bumps over tennessee that were as big as any i have ever experienced. also, i slept extremely well up to that point. i think that one of the unexpected adaptations to screaming kids on planes is that they are cutting the oxygen levels back to make everyone fall asleep. just a thought.

Richard try to bring some warmer temperatures back when you come. It is 5 degrees here now at almost 8 pm...wind chills are suppose to be 25 below or some such thing. Guess we can't complain too much....January is almost over! (except that you will notice I am complaining....especially when its indoor recess with 18 5 year olds...who can't get outside and get rid of excess energy.) Anyways, have some good flights...make sure you buckle in...we don't want to read about a VT guy getting kicked off any flight. happy Thoughts and good reading....

karen, i am reading "father and son" by larry brown. i may also read "fathers and sons" by ivan tergenev. i don't think there is any connection between the two, dunno- but i have both next to my bed. i have read a few detective, who-done-its, and books of intrigue lately. i can recommend: "motherless brooklyn" (a great one), "the confessor" (murder in the vatican) and i like walter mosley's stuff.

hi bloggers. this is as close as we will get over the next week- which is a little weird. i fly to atlanta this afternoon. i would love one of karen's home cooked meals- but noooo. i will be locked in a hotel with sales people from 7:30 am until 11:00 at night for the next three days and then a quick flight back. if i were locked in a hotel room in winooski for three days it would at least save the plane flight. then i go to san francisco from tues pm to weds pm, then to LA until thursday night when i "red-eye" it back to b'ton. no time for drinks with lori. this is not how i like to plan trips. where is the time for tour guides that i can follow and learn about the wonders that lie out there? well, i guess my mother would be happy. i will read some books during the quality time that i have on airplanes with snotty nosed kids- screeeeeming all around me. i think the payback of the kids is what she would like best.

You know Pat...you have to do what you need to do to get through this. No one can tell you...they'll try but its up to you on how you deal. Just concentrate on getting through one day at a time. Iwish I could remember the book that Hospice gave us to read on death and dying....it was a very enlightening read. Maybe you could check with your local office to see if they have a copy. I'll email you with the name...I think I lent it to someone and haven't gotten it back so I can't check that way.....sorry. The video brings up all kind of things with me too....try to remember something...and smile.

Kathi I just came back from the US News and World Report site. I'm glad you mentioned it. I watched the movie and I used the interactive video. The memories are so fresh for everyone. The mom who said that if her son wasa watching her or around her tht was fine but it didn't matter to her if she couldn't touch him, really struck a cord with me. A lot of people have said that Daddy is watching over me and that sort of thing. But if I can't hold hands with him while we watch TV and I can't call to tell him gas prices have gone down then I don't care that much about the rest of it. Maybe that will change with time.

Some husbands were very disappointed at 10:00....Big Patroit fan here. I tried to be supportive and watch with him but once they started on the downhill slide I retreated to my craftroom to do something productive! He didn't come home tonight and turn the sports talk show on right off, so that was a good thing! There is always next year....
It is winter for sure here. We (in Springfield) only got a dusting of snow over the weekend. There have been squalls but nothing significant.
If any of you read US News (or go to www.usnews.com) there is a article about Vermont Fallen where they interviewed my sister-in-law and some other parents. On the website there is also a video clip on some of the documentary they are making.
Happy Thoughts.........

husbands went missing all over america today. then they suddenly re-appearred at 10:20 pm. the nacho stains on t-shirts were a dead give away. i resisted the professional football playoff magnet for a little more than half of each game. did some good work on my luv shak model in the basement (i know how that sounds- not sure how to say it in a less provacative way). hope you are all well.