Ketchup.

I haven't written anything substantive in awhile, I know...I'm sorry. Things have been a little topsy-turvy at times, and just generally busy all the time. I guess I'll start with the biggest topic...my Grandma R passed away two weeks ago after a very short stint with hospice. S'ok, really. She was 89, and it was time. It really was, and she was ready, both mentally and spiritually. We had a nice memorial service in Rochester Hills last Monday, and it was the first time that many members of my dad's family had been together since Gpa died in '93. It was really a great time...emotional, yes, but very good. Plus, we had Greek food for the luncheon...spinach pie, chicken and lamb kebabs, pita, cucumber sauce...from Gma's favorite local restaurant, The Crazy Greeks'. And and and I reunited with my cousin Lucas, whom I had not seen since 1990. I mean, really. My family is ridiculous like that. I kind of wish I had a big tribute, some sentimental words, some photos...but I don't. Almost doesn't seem fitting. Grandma was a very practical woman, and I think she'd want us all to be a little sad, but then just get on with it...and that's all I have to say.

While all this was going on, I had some very persistent stomach pain that, for awhile, appeared to be gallstones. It wasn't, and it's subsided, but it was still weird and scary. I decided that I don't ever want to have gallstones. My gallbladder stores the bile produced by my liver, and I think it's doing a damn fine job of it, so I'd like to keep it, if that's okay.

Hmm, what else? Today I became the most bizarre kind of grown-up and bought professional liability insurance. Yeah, you know, like what doctors get in case their patients sue them. Because, let's face it...my very livelihood entails that I spend time with some people who...erm...have some problems. And some of these people have the potential to engage in projection and transference and all kinds of other fun stuff that could put my professional reputation in jeopardy, through no fault of my own. Did you know that the State of Michigan considers me a Health Professional? Uh-HUH.

And that is all. (This is how one of my young clients ends every story she tells me. It's cute.)

****UPDATED...FOR JON'S SAKE****

Yesterday I went to the Knapp's Corner Meijer and bought ketchup and Saran Wrap. I went home, put the ketchup in the fridge, and put the Saran Wrap in the drawer. The End.