I just think it's rather odd that a nation that prides itself on its virility should feel compelled to strap on forty pounds of protective gear just in order to play rugby.

Giles ,'Beneath You'


Natter 78: I might need to watch some Buffy for inspiration

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, butt kicking, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


Steph L. - Jun 18, 2025 1:47:42 pm PDT #7799 of 7813
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine

So, Tim has a weird lump on his neck that showed up in April. When it didn’t go away, his primary-care doctor had him get a CT scan, and the CT scan conclusion was “Yes, that sure is a lump.” Based on the density and size of the lump, it could just be inflammation of a lymph node from an infection or from his rheumatoid arthritis, or it could be a necrotic lymph node (which is apparently not as horrible as it sounds), or it could be a weird benign cyst like a sebaceous cyst, or it could be a lump of doom. It’s exceedingly likely to be just a benign weird thing, but we don’t know. He has an appointment with an ENT tomorrow, who might poke it once, say “Yup, benign weird thing,” and send him on his way, or the ENT might have the lump biopsied.

Anyway, I am tired of Tim having medical issues and am asking for all the lump~ma for a benign weird lump. (“Benign and weird” really is his personal brand.)

I'm hardly thinking about my carpal tunnel surgery. Mostly I’m trying and failing to not obsess about Tim’s weird lump. Humans do get lumpier as we get older, that's for sure.


Laura - Jun 18, 2025 1:51:19 pm PDT #7800 of 7813
Our wings are not tired.

A world of lump~ma. Yes, we certainly do get lumpier with age. Mine are the sebaceous cyst variety. Very annoying.


JenP - Jun 18, 2025 2:24:12 pm PDT #7801 of 7813

All the lump ~ma Tim's way.

I was thinking I read something like this recently. It was yesterday. On your FB.

Ha, ha! I've had that very same experience with things here that are also there.


Steph L. - Jun 18, 2025 2:33:47 pm PDT #7802 of 7813
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine

Mine are the sebaceous cyst variety.

I have a sebaceous cyst on my head, right above my hairline; since my hair covers it, I haven't been motivated to have it removed. But its existence (and size and texture) is why I'm not freaked out by Tim's weird lump, because it's sure similar to mine. But no matter how I try to talk myself out of worrying about it, I know I won't stop worrying until he has an actual diagnosis.


-t - Jun 18, 2025 2:37:37 pm PDT #7803 of 7813
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

Yay for the sleeping in friendly scheduling, Tep! Benign weird ~ma!

CCL sounds cool, I hope it's a good group

It's hot here. Hot enough that when I looked at my phone to check if it will be this hot tomorrow (not supposed to be) I was gratified to see in numbers how hot it is (92, which does count as proper hot in my mind). And yet, cat keeps needing to sit on me for some reason. I will be retreating to the darkened bedroom with a fan pointed right at me as soon as is compatible with this stupid working for a living thing I seem to be stuck with. Ooh, might be a good time to play the cut out early since tomorrow is a holiday card....


Steph L. - Jun 18, 2025 2:43:11 pm PDT #7804 of 7813
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine

It's hot here.

Cincinnati is right in the OMG Worst Humidity part of the weather map for the heat/humidity wave, so my surgery recovery plan involves my beloved central air, a stack of books, my Netflix queue, and lots of cold beverages.


brenda m - Jun 18, 2025 2:52:27 pm PDT #7805 of 7813
If you're going through hell/keep on going/don't slow down/keep your fear from showing/you might be gone/'fore the devil even knows you're there

Crazy stormy here today but yesterday was 92. Apparently the weekend and into next week are going to be beastly all over.

and the CT scan conclusion was “Yes, that sure is a lump.”

I had a lump pop up on my thigh and when I told my doctor that I figured it was a benign fatty lump because it was just like the ones that dogs get, she gave me a funny look but confirmed my diagnosis. Hopefully Tim’s goes roughly the same way.


Steph L. - Jun 18, 2025 2:57:33 pm PDT #7806 of 7813
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine

when I told my doctor that I figured it was a benign fatty lump because it was just like the ones that dogs get, she gave me a funny look but confirmed my diagnosis

Ha! My first reaction was "Is that just a lipoma, like Kato got when he got old?" Tim was a little offended, but he can't deny that he's getting old. And lumpy.


JenP - Jun 18, 2025 3:05:55 pm PDT #7807 of 7813

My dog has one of those. I'm sure I do, too, somewhere.


JenP - Jun 18, 2025 3:06:35 pm PDT #7808 of 7813

I am currently sitting outside the meeting in a DOWNPOUR that I am not going to smdeal with until it subsides.