Potatoes in the Mist

So tonight my relationship with Rainer took on a whole new dimension. He was sprawled peacefully in my lap when the bookstore cashier came over with a purple brush in his hand. "Hey there, how do you feel about brushing?" he asked. (It is an eccentric but charming bookstore.) "Does he like it?" I asked. "Depends on who he's with." So I accepted the brush and ran it through his fur, very gently. He seemed to really enjoy it. Later, when he climbed off my lap, he lay down on the floor next to me and I brushed his belly. He stretched out his front legs with pleasure. I also wanted to mention my neti pot. Inspired by Liz , I ordered one from Amazon a while ago, along with some packets of saline soution. At first I was dumping the salt into the water and not stirring. This really burns up your nose. Now I stir the salt and it works much better. I've overcome that feeling of "This is someplace I shouldn't be rinsing," and I've found it...

So I just finished Dream When You're Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg. She is one of my favorite authors and I was looking forward to reading her newest book. Okay, I was apprehensive because it got some bad reviews on Amazon. But I figured she wouldn't let me down. For most of the book, I was right. It was beautifully written and full of interesting historical detail (really) from the 1940s, with sympathetic characters, suspense, humor and all that good stuff. Then she spoiled it with a HORRIBLE ENDING. A lot of customer reviewers at Amazon felt the same way. Really, it's not that hard!! Most books and movies have a natural ending that most of the audience wants. I could supply it for these people. I would do it for free. Note: EB is still awesome and I will read her next book. In other news: 1) Inspired by Liz , I ordered a neti pot and some saline solution from Amazon. I don't know when it will get here, but I am excited! I even recommended it to a woman on the elevato...