My elem used to do field trips where fifth and sixth graders were partnered to kinder and first. Usually to the roller rink (it wasn't a long walk) but also White Sands and local museums. Everybody pretty much loved it and I can't recall it ever going wrong. Older kids were being asked to be responsible, younger kids got to hang with the cool older kids, and let me tell you, the youngers just would adore the olders, which to any fifth or sixth grader? Being elevated to godlike status by these wee things? Turns them into utter sap. I think there was one badass I remember being unmoved. One.

To be fair, smallish neighborhood school where even the teachers lived.

I have caught up and am now too sleepy to respond to anything. Still have to say how much I deeply appreciate you, JZ, for your insight and your knowledge and your sane and compassionate Catholicism.

Aw, Zen, thanks! Your regard and good opinion are not easily earned, I know, and I cherish them and want to be worthy of them.

I talked another troll down from the ledge on the NCR comment threads -- Lies Of Feminism Lady is now all overwhelmed by gently proffered facts, being nice and concilatory and I-had-no-idea-ish and God-blessing me. So I'm soldiering on, attempting to bring religion and reason ever so slightly closer together, inch by inch, one troll at a time.

Has anyone posted a link to this reaction to the recent lawmaking in Washington? [link]

I'm actually going to shop around for a Sodastream refill. Hmmph.

I saw them at Costco the last time I was there, if you're a member.

Do you remember the price? I'd to a mini cost-benefit analysis against the memership

sorry no, I don't have one, so I didn't really notice. I have to go to costco next week, so I can check then, if you like.

Costco has sodastreams, but I'm not sure they do the refills, right?

I need to figure out if I want to reup my Costco membership. Not sure what would tip the scales for me.

Time to go to the market. Hopefully all my usual vendors will show, but since some come from the north and west, we'll see.