December 31
Just in case

Listening to: Michael Feinstein – an assortment of recordings

Reading: Jewels of the Sun Nora Roberts

Weather: 48, overcast

Trivia: Why does an "X" mark stand for a kiss?

In medieval times, most people were unable to read or write. When it came time to sign a document, people who could not write usually made an "X" mark. Of course, an "X" is not much of a signature. To add a sense of commitment, it became customary to kiss the "X" after writing it. Kissing the "X" was "performance law," a ritual act that bound the parties the way legal documents bind us today. This act, witnessed by the person who wrote the text, represented a solemn guarantee of the truthfulness of what was written, and an oath to carry out whatever obligations were stated in the document. Over the years, the "X" and the kiss became interchangeable. Today, people who can read and write might still add one or more "X" marks to their letters, maybe with a couple of "O"s thrown in for hugs.

Cool word:revenant [n., adj. REV-uh-nunt]

A revenant is someone or something who returns after a lengthy absence, or someone who returns after dying (a ghost, for example). Something that is revenant is something that has returned after being long forgotten. Example: "I was amazed at how the smell of library paste triggered vivid, revenant memories of fourth grade."

The immediate origin of this word is French, from revenir (to return). The original root is Latin revenire, from re- (again) and venire (to come).

Here are more "coming" words from venire:

  • venue: location for an event or action; gathering place
  • convene: to come together; to assemble for an event
  • convent: a religious community
  • intervene: to come between two things


I’ve decided that I need to carry a bag with me that has all those "just in case" items that I always regret not having at hand.

None of them are essential items, but all of them are things that I wish I had with me every once and a while. It always happens when I see something inspirational or interesting that I wish I could stop and capture. This bag would be filled with things like my I-Zone camera and film, several different journals/notebooks, milky gel pens, colored pencils, stamps and pads, books of inspiration, fancy coffee holders from places like Starbucks, a lap top computer and things to read just for the heck of it.

Obviously I’d need more than a bag. This would be bordering on needing a pushcart. The dumb thing is that even if I hauled all this stuff around with me I’d probably never use it. I just want to be somewhere where I can use it if I want to.



People who sit at outdoor cafes, sip coffee, and write or sketch fascinate me. (Notice that the fact that I can’t sketch isn’t entering into the picture here.) I like how they look, how long and graceful their hands seem, or how absorbed they are in whatever they are doing. They are always dressed in interesting clothes that are chic, but not truly designer, and they carry them off beautifully.

Of course with this body I have no hope. I do generally look fairly put together when I make an effort, but I have to make an effort. I always have the feeling that these people just reach into their closet and grab the first thing that their hand touches, throw it on, add a scarf and a well weathered leather bag and walk jauntily out the door.

I plan for days to try to look casual and put together. I have a secret longing to look like a Ralph Lauren ad.

It’ll never happen.



Michael sent me here for a laugh. It’s worth a look. I got a chuckle out of it.



I spent the early part of the afternoon running around getting things at the drugstore and prescription cat food from the vet. (Yes. We have the intestinal problem again. She doesn’t seem very concerned, just keeps selling me the expensive food.)

I got a stuffed Grinch for half price at the drugstore. Like I need another stuffed anything around here… but he was so cute….

They were also giving away free flashlights, but without batteries. I guess you’d be half prepared if anything happened as part of Y2K.



I spent the better (or is it worst?) part of the day running around trying to find a recording of "The Student Prince" or anything by Gilbert and Sullivan. Futile task. My father announced that he wanted those recordings and in that we can never think of anything to get him, this was a major announcement. Problem is that none of the stores in the area seem to have any of them.

I found a compilation recording of Student Prince, Desert Song (and a third thing, but the name escapes me at the moment), recorded by Gordon Macrae and Kristin something-or-other. Not what I wanted but better than nothing. At least I now have a birthday gift.

I'll have to keep searching. Maybe I'll find them before Father's Day.



I am also a semi-sick person still (physically, we won't go discuss my mental health -- no sniggering!). I keep swigging the cough medicine with codeine, which makes me woozy. To counteract that I'm drinking Starbuck's coffee, which has been known to keep me awake for days at a time. I ought to be a real pip at this New Year's Eve thing I'm going to.

I'm regretting that I agreed to go. It started as a low-key family only type of thing and has somehow grown to include some people I really dislike. The problem is that it hasn't grown large enough for me to be able to avoid them.



Happy Y2K. I'm going to turn on my computer as soon as I get in tonight to see if anything has happened. That's the good thing about having a relatively new Mac, they're supposed to be good until 2040.



A toast to your health and happiness.

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