A life's end

Well, K's grandpa passed away today. He was 100 years old. K and I heard he wasn't feeling well and went to see him on Sunday during our trip home from the Twin Cities. Not exactly a direct route, but now we are very glad that we did so that he got to see Kathy while she is pregnant (and now showing some). He was a little sleepy when we were there, but he definitely knew us. He was sharp as a tack right up to then end, although I hear he did a lot of sleeping during his last day or so, due to the pneumonia. He was a farmer for his entire life.

I asked him Sunday if he missed his farm; if he missed his pigs. He said "Oh yes, I miss a lot of things." Even though I don't believe in a religious-themed afterlife, at times like this, it's nice to think he's out there somewhere with his pigs.

Joe in the house

I am in the house today. No, really. I am working at home. I have been doing this for a few days now (actually, I should say weekdays, as I have been in the lab on the last two weekends). The idea is to avoid interruptions from the otherwise fine people at work. I get way more done here, but it is a bit isolating, as I am a very social person by nature. Really. Anyway, it's just me and the K9 unit and the cat and Sergei Prokofiev in the basement, hacking out an NIH grant (two, really) for a March 5 (and 12) deadline. Also, we are washing clothes, burning incense, and thinking about lunch.

Kathy is travelling for work, which she does about 30%-40% of the time. She was in Baltimore this week (still is) and last week was South Car'lina. This coming weekend we are heading to Minneapolis (first time! yay! Wait.. it's colder there than here.) to see the Minneapolis Opera's production of a new opera: The Grapes of Wrath. Our friend is an administrator with the opera, so we scored sweet tickets. In the back.

Snowing here today. We are supposed to get somewhere between 2" (which we already have) and 12". Kathy is supposed to be coming home tonight, but we shall see if her airplane stays on schedule. Her birthday was yesterday, so it will be nice to have her home and take her out to celebrate tomorrow night (reservations as the French bistro a bit down the road).

Ok, I feel like I have talked to someone now and I will return to typing for the seeming entertainment of my mammalian menagerie.

Clearly cold

Today is a clear, sunny, freezing day in Chicago. Right now, my thermometer says -3 degrees (F). Coupling that with the wind, it feels like -15 or so outside. You know, I never had this problem in Florida. I'll be sure to cover all of my skin, except, perhaps, my eyeballs, as I find those useful for navigation.

All is well in the lab, aside from pushing like crazy for two grant deadlines (have I mentioned that?) which are coming up in March. I am on my way in this morning to meet with my mentor regarding one grant (her grant), which she is too busy to work on much during the week.

Chicago is all excited about the Super Bowl, which is happening this evening in Miami (Bears vs. Colts, in case you've been under a rock for the last month or so). People here who normally don't care about anything regarding football are now rabid Bears fans. I'm sure the same is true in Indiana. I won't get started on how we're only interested in these competitions because they mimic war (of which we have way too much already). I'll just take a chill pill, metaphorically, and sidle up to the "pick and pay BBQ smorgasbord" being held at a local club, where they will be showing the game in HD on a 16' by 9' screen (no cover!). After I get back from the lab, that is.

OK, I need to leave here in about 15 or 20 minutes, so I had better go try to start the car.

Brr.