Muffin, having taught first grade and kindergarten, thinks phonics is an indispensable part of reading instruction. This is far from my area of expertise, but I agree as an amateur. This is not to say that other methods shouldn't be incorporated into learning to read, which obviously is something we all approach differently, but it really seems unfair to present small children with a code and deny them the codebook.

We are going to Oakland for a week to spend Thanksgiving and some extra time with one of the Quirtlets. The other is coming, too, and we'll be eating with extended family who are reputed to be very good cooks, so we are looking forward to an excellent time.

If anybody wants to feel old, Muffin just turned 29. (Ack!)

They are singing in a community choir and I was just down there Thursday to hear a performance. It is so lovely to live nearby.

I had a party in Florida, but it was in 2007 and that's not my house. I'm pretty sure it was at Plays' house in Virginia.

I believe the video of Muffin and me was made at Plays88Keys' piano party. Jon was there and he's in the video. Do you recall, Jon?

She had a Steinway at the time, so you're probably right that it was a New York Steinway.

I still have my Yamaha C7, and I still love it.

This one really resonates with me.

I'm doing a lot of order-making as the process of unpacking and organizing the new house continues. I also get that kind of comfort from playing the piano, writing, cooking, and gardening. Various household chores can do it, too, but the knowledge that the floor/dishes/bathroom/laundry are just going to need doing again dims the glow a bit.

Good luck! This will be fun!

I imagine we'll watch.

I'm a very light drinker, so but I'll need something to get through the evening. I'll have to titrate it very carefully so that I don't go to sleep too early, so no drinking games for me, although it would be fun to design one: "When somebody says "Let's go to the map," drink!"

My moisturizer comes in a tube looks amazingly like my preferred brand of toothpaste, if you're sleepy when you grab it.