My daughter just had a dream in which she was sitting on the loveseat and sensed someone over her shoulder, so she looked around and saw her Dad.

He had a full head of hair and beard instead of the chemo-baldness of his last several years. He was dressed in the relatively ratty clothes he’d use to work around the house – a t-shirt and shorts.

They talked about things; she asked him whether he saw could see us and how we were doing. He told her that he got impressions about how people were. They talked for a long time and laughed large about a lot of things. (That has the ring of truth, doesn’t it?) She asked him a lot of questions. When she woke up, she wanted to go back to sleep and keep dreaming. Can't blame her.

What a blessing that God would sweeten her life like that.

Human Clock

Fidgets - every student or board member needs one

Games by Ferry Halim - even the mouseover effects are soothing

Thinking Putty

Anti-Ouch Lego System
- subtitled "So your kids have to learn swearing at school"

sorrygottago.com

My friend Michael attests that any day can be counted a success if you have caused someone to laugh so hard that he inadvertently spits on his shirt.

Well, Stephanie at the Yarn Harlot deserves to take a bow. I'm still wiping away giddy tears from this story of one of her recent travel adventures.

I woke up the next morning, and feeling somewhat restored, I decided to tidy the hotel room. I sorted some yarn, and I took up the room service tray to put outside the door. I opened the door, put the tray on the ground and heard a little "Click" behind me. That was the door locking. I was locked in the hall. Was my room key in my pants pocket? Yes it was. However, that realization was of no use to me, because I was not wearing my pants.

In fact, all I was wearing was a bra and underpants. (Not even good underpants. I should really try to do better.) This sick realization swept over me as I stood, pressed against the door to the room trying to pass my molecules through it to the other side. Then I tried to pick the lock with the room service knife. Then I realized that I needed a new plan.

A house phone? Maybe the hotel had a house phone on my floor. I sprinted along the hall looking for it. No luck, and when I heard the elevator chime, I flattened myself against the ice machine until whoever it was went away.

Standing there, in my undergarments, almost naked and sort of frozen to the ice machine, both spiritually and literally, I realized that this was going to end badly. That there was nothing I could do to end it well, and that all I could do was try and end it with dignity, grace and speed. I snuck (in as much as a half crazy mostly naked woman can sneak) back down the hall to the service area and snagged a smallish towel. I wrapped it around me and returned to the elevator. I took a deep breath, stepped inside and pushed the button for the lobby.

Nothing happened. Oh, silly me. YOU NEED A KEY TO WORK THE ELEVATOR. While I was standing there, stunned that I was truly screwed, wondering when I was going to get smart enough that these things don't happen to me, and contemplating the "emergency use only" phone.

A gentleman got on the elevator. He looked at me, looked straight ahead and then said only "Hi." "Hi" I replied, (noticing for the first time that the elevator was completely mirrored - so I could view my humiliation from all angles) . "I appear to have misplaced my key. Would you mind swiping your card for the lobby?" "Sure" he said, and we rode in silence all the way down.

When we got the to lobby, the door opened, the gentleman stepped off and I tried to. I really did. I willed myself to move but was paralyzed, looking at all the people. I stood there. I just stood there. After a minute, the guy was back. "Would you like me to tell someone you are in here?" he asked.

"Oh. Yes. That would be lovely. Thanks so much." I said, with as much of that aforementioned dignity as I could muster, and off he went. I waited, until what seemed like forever later, the concierge popped his head in and said "Excuse me madame. If you could tell us your room number?" I gave it to him, and moments later he was back. I will be forever grateful to him for the way he handed me the key. He simply passed it to me, exactly like I wasn't wearing a towel in the elevator and said "Enjoy your stay." Just like that.

When I got back to the room (after wishing some elderly couple in the hallway a "good afternoon") I had a lie down. A long lie down. Then I put on better underpants.

You never know.

So, chickies, next time you run out of things to be grateful for, remember that this has never happened to you.

Hat tip: Julie.

Which Harry Potter Character Are You? You scored as Albus Dumbledore. Strong and powerful you admirably defend your world and your charges against those who would seek to harm them. However sometimes you can fail to do what you must because you care too much to cause suffering. Albus Dumbledore 65% Hermione Granger 60% Harry Potter 60% Ron Weasley 55% Remus Lupin 55% Sirius Black 50% Ginny Weasley 45% Draco Malfoy 40% Severus Snape 25% Lord Voldemort 15% Your Harry Potter Alter Ego Is...? created with QuizFarm.com

Find more good wishes from Planned Parenthood on Allan O'Canada's blog.

Hat tip: The Curt Jester

My son, daughter-in-law and their dear little bun-in-the-oven are about to move across the country. (Yes I do get verklempht from time to time.) Yogrt-heir will be studying for the ministry and, I think, turning into an entirely new man over the next several years. He eagerly anticipates his studies, becoming a father, and not ever having to shovel or mow, in approximately that order. The Lady Yogrt is a wonderful young woman who was born to be a good wife and mother, but who will miss her family greatly as she launches her own family in a strange location.

The Yogrt Daughters are accompanying their brother across the country to help drive vehicles and unpack the truck at their destination. They'll see some natural wonders on the way and, I hope, receive grace to have fun and be supportive. Meanwhile, the house will be relatively empty for a while; I get the computer and television remote whenever I want.

Cold comfort.