Got hiccups? (or know somebody who does?)

here are 2 methods for curing hiccups, one self-administered (Parr style) and one non-self administered and thus a billable service (Becker style)

Parr style: take *DEEP* breath... hold it ... slowly count to 10 while holding ... swallow ... exhale *SLOWLY* (also called the *waiting to exhale* method. ps I snuck into that movie in what year for double bonus points?) Active ingredient: diaphragmatic retraining

Becker style (as treater): ask hiccuper to tell you *right before* they're going to have their next hiccup. Stare them in the eyes and wait with them. They may hiccup once or twice and say 'oh -- I just did.' Gently scold them and say 'no -- you have to tell me *right before* the hiccup.' Active ingredient: unintentional mindfulness

Score one for Dad

Owen was writing sentences using his spelling words last night. He told me to close my eyes because he was going to put me as the subject of one of the sentences. I got a little nervous because two of the words were 'naughty' and 'rough.'

He wrote:
"My dad is tough."

For the record, Mom got:
"My mom used to drink too much coffee."

Area cats enjoy sun

Living the High Line

Have you been yet? it's a retired raised train track in Manhattan that's now a walkway with plantings and people-watching. We had a family outing there on Sunday...check it out -- O is almost as tall as Grandma.

Craziness

The unspeakable awfulness is over at penn state and jerry sandusky will no doubt die in jail so it seems almost trivial to make a fuss over what happens to Joe Paterno now. That said, how on earth do the psu trustees allow him to coach another hour for their school? it makes no sense at all. Paterno says he regrets not doing more and will spend the rest of his days doing more to help this cause, but just after we see if we can get to the gator bowl? it's totally nuts. I have to believe the trustees will right this before Saturday....this just in from Julie...trustees releasing a statement at 10.

Close call

Halloween's a pretty big deal here at 68 Cleveland. When the snow started falling Saturday and the power went out just after half-time of the Husker game, it looked like the best we might be able to hope for was face down snow-worms.



But against all odds, our power came back Monday morning, the snow melted, and Zombie Punk Rockers roamed the streets.

Summer of 2011

With the first freezing slush this afternoon signalling the end of summer, it's time to flash back to slightly warmer times in Acadia National Park in early September.

atop Cadillac Mountain


on the rocks steps from the Atlantic


at the campsite