And Now, for Something Completely Different

My mind wanders now and then. Lately, it's been hanging out where mome raths outgrabe:


(From John Tenniel (1871), via Wikimedia Commons, used w/o permission.)
(John Tenniel's illustration for Carroll's "Jabberwocky.")

"Jabberwocky"
Lewis Carroll

" 'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

" 'Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!'...
(From Project Gutenberg (www.gutenberg.org/files/12/12-h/12-h.htm))

I'm a Grandpa

It's been an interesting week.

A few hours ago, two inadvertent keystrokes wiped out four day's of work. I was not a happy camper. Most of it's recovered now, and #3 daughter suggested a common-sense way I can avoid this sort of thing: back up frequently. Obvious, in 20-20 hindsight.

My wife and I are now grandparents. #2 daughter and son-in law satisfied all legal requirements, and are now the proud adoptive parents of Elizabeth, a baby girl on the east coast. We've seen her via an Internet-based video link: Skype, I think.

Those three will stay where they are for — however long the state they're in sees fit. Legal requirements are met, I understand: but not the bureaucratic ones. This was expected, and they made necessary arrangements in advance for a long stay.

It's frustrating, but I remember the 'good old days,' and the reasons we've become increasingly careful about the adoption process.

I'm looking forward to meeting Elizabeth face-to-face.