Muskrat Ramblings

I almost feel ashamed doing a cartoon that ends “You know you’re a (blank), if (blank).” Still, something along these lines actually happened to me. Which probably should make me feel MORE ashamed… **** Speaking of stock, coincidentally, the ever-inspiring Michael Ruhlman posted some great stock tips on his blog today. I haven’t tried his […]

First off, a thousand thanks to the many people who sent condolences and prayers concerning Judith’s dad. It really was very thoughtful of everyone, and it meant a lot to the family to receive well wishes from around the world. Lester would have loved that. *** Up North, when a loved one is lost, neighbors […]

Yesterday afternoon, Judith’s sister called. Their dad, Lester, suffered a heart attack and died, suddenly and unexpectedly, where the family pretty much expected him to die one day: behind the wheel. One day. Not this day Lester had been trucking corn through Redwing, Minnesota. The city of his birth. I have friends who are writers. […]

I’m sitting here, feeling just ever so slightly empty. “Flight of the ConchordsThe Complete First Season” arrived last night, pried from the cold, clammy embrace of Amazon.com into my loving grasp due to a pre-order fixation I have when it comes to television offerings I find life-affirming. “Flight of the Conchords” was easily my sole […]

I’m still in recovery mode from Spiel/Parents’ 50th/Marakech/etc. So, sorry about the lack of updates. Jetlag hit this time worse than it has for a while, so I’m all kind of out of sorts. Being away from home for almost three weeks was a bit tougher than I’d anticipated, especially with so much going on. […]

I’m only saying this. I was in the main square in Marrakech the other night – the one where the smoke from the grill stands wafts into the night air in fantastic otherworldly clouds of salivation-inducing incorpality; where snake charmers and fortune tellers and monkey handlers compete wildly to come up with ever-more elaborate ways […]

Sorry. Lots of things to talk about. Soon. Essen. Amazing mind-fuck of a show. Exhausted. jet-lagged. Brlliant. Huge lines. Wow. Hand hurt. Big announcement to make. Again, soon. Need to work up inner strength to say what needs to be said. Plus news on kittens. ALL have found good homes. Joyous. Heartbreaking. Miss ’em. BUT… […]

I’m in my Pre-Panic Convention Mode. Is it really only four days ’til when I’m back in Essen? I’ll be flying in Thursday, but won’t be at the show until Friday. I’m scheduled to do a couple of signings a day at the Pegasus Spiel booth, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. **** This also means Dork […]

And, speaking of kittens… People who’ve been interested in the kittens have asked us what they look like. “OMG, they are SO cute,” is the standard answer. “You mean. like, ugly cute?” comes the response, which always puzzles us. No, like Kitten Calendar cute. Kitty Kitty has always had hella-cute kittens, and the current menagerie […]

The kittens are in safely, and Kitty Kitty is at the vet, getting a LOT done to her. Not just the spaying, but all the shots, and starting a treatment for lung worms and a bad ear infection. The whole experience was far less traumatic than I feared it would be. I bought a big […]