Oh, Maria, my heart goes out to you and your family.

I wish there were anything, anything at all, I could do, to make things even slightly easier for you.

(Just this morning, as I do every day, I mentioned your husband in prayers for his health. And it was already too late.)

There are several Jewish phrases concerning trying to comfort the grieving family members. The one I end up saying, the one that resonaes with me (and I have no idea if it may mean anything to you, and Of course it's completely OK if it doesn't) translates roughly to "Your condolences may come from above". I wish for condolencs for you in wichever way, shape or form it may come.

Peace and love to you. You're very much in my thoughts and daily prayers.

Jessica, Sunday's episode was

the Flu, ending with Bate's arrest.

Is Sue Perkins on Downton Abbey? It's so weird being constantly out of the loop on tv.

She's the host of the Great British Bake Off, which has been a big hit over in Britain. (I only know about it from twitterstalking Tracey Thorn of Everything But the Girl.)

every internet community should have a Nilly, that is all.

Jess, all that's left to air is the Christmas special.

If there were more Nillys, the world would be a much better place.

Maria, my heart goes out to you. I am so, so sorry. You and your family are in my thoughts, and I am wishing you peace and comfort in whatever form they may take.

Nilly is so very wise and loving. This is not news, but it is always a thing of wonder.

Tracey Thorn of Everything But the Girl

Oh man, I used to love them. I wonder if I still have those cds?

Oh man, I used to love them. I wonder if I still have those cds?

They are reissuing their first four CDs as deluxe versions in the Spring.

The Bloggess acquired a taxidermied weasel [link] which led to this exchange with the long-suffering Victor:

My assumption is that Victor didn’t appreciate my weasel/alligator diorama because he assumed that the weasel was a boy and didn’t understand that the alligator is a transvestite. I understood his confusion and so I attempted to make things more obvious for him, but when he asked if I would help him button his sleeves I said, “I can’t right now. I’m trying to put a dress on this weasel” and then he just walked right out of the house. Which is unhelpful and also sloppy because no one outside can button those sleeves for you either, Victor.

I love this woman.