I was assuming that her husband (hubby's brother) was hospitalized or worse. I have written about him before; he is currently on the wagon due to liver disease from years of booze and food abuse.

I will admit I was slightly dispapointed at not learning much new about the area, and the producers didn't turn up much in the way of "quirky" trivia, either. However, I was left with one tidbit of information that made my brain ache all night long.

On another note...

I had a really wierd dream last night; in it deceased U.S. Senator Paul Simon was talking to me-  bow tie and all - giving me some sort homespun "advice" although now I have no idea what the specifics were! Argh! I mean, how many people get nocturnal visits from dead U.S. statesmen?!?!?

I hope it was nothing too important, like how I can save the world from strife or end poverty and disease. I am guessing he was telling me not to feel too badly about driving my internal combustion engine vehicle, since the gas it uses contains ethanol and thus helps the economy of my downstate Illinoisans. Yeah. That's the ticket.

Yesterday I noted to my husband that my hair has been falling out a bit more heavily than normal. Yes, we all lose a few hairs everyday, but this has been more noticable. I am attuned to hair loss after experiencing devastating alopecia, which was an apparent reaction to birth control pills years ago.

Its not as bad as "back when" but I am monitoring it. On the upside, my skin has been GREAT, I am sleeping easily, and virtually all other symptoms of peri-menopause have diminished. Most apparent to my husband, of course, is my revved-up libido which had been running on empty for a few months. I mean, it's REALLY back. High heels and all!  Activities that would make Jack Ryan blush! Well, I'll spare you all any further details, lest that PAM-coated turkey you've gorged on for the last few days becomes ill-digested, but you get the general idea.

I am noting this because on another user's blog, I had reported positive outcome from using a black cohosh and soy-based supplement. While I don't dispute the positives that they brought to my hormonal table, I neglected to mention that I had been simultaneously taking (and still take) one tablet of DHEA each morning, as well. When I went to my local Walgreen's to purchase SOMETHING to alleviate the aforementioned bothersome symptoms, the DHEA was positioned in the section with the other "change of life" products.

Years ago, I took DHEA but got bad skin breakouts, and thus discontinued usage. I have read that DHEA can, for some women, raise estrogen levels, and I think it has done this for me, thus the mostly positive outcome, minus the hair loss setback. However, I have also read research that concludes that this supplement is no more than a bogus "snake oil" cure.

I am still taking it and so far, so gooooooooood. It certainly is inexpensive enough (I am using the version by Natrol, with a purple label) so if you or a lady in your life needs a "boost" then perhaps it's worth a gamble.

This morning my family and I woke up bright and early, gobbled down a quick breakfast and sped to the "downtown" part of the neighborhood to the local movie theatre. This morning was "Movie With the Mayor and Santa" - a free event for the family (you were asked to donate a non-perishable food item for a local food pantry or a new, unwrapped toy, as your admission.) Our mayor cheerfully greeted each entrant and collected the donated items. As my daughter sheepishly handed over a heavy bag of canned goods, the Mayor bent down and said to her, "This is so nice of you to help people who might be hungry and need food to eat."

Inside the lobby, Jolly Old St. Nick sat on a black leather loveseat (!) and talked to children while digital cameras snapped left and right.

I love the way the sweet/tart cranberry sauce accompanies creamy, salty gravies and meats (mmmmmmm...GRAVY!) but I nearly gave it up considering that the quantity I typically consume has more calories and carb grams than many desserts!