On A Positive Note, You Can Entertain Yourself Making Up Definitions for "Archtin," "Inkyloom," and "Trisu"

I didn't want to do it.

I really didn't want to do it.

But the time has come to turn on word verification, because the Chinese porno comment spamming has gotten out of control.

You'll keep leaving comments, right? You don't mind typing 5-10 extra keystrokes, do you?

Thanks. You're the best.

My Summmer Solstice So Far

I took four kids to 9:00 a.m. swim lessons, including the parent and child class with Ellen. I supervised after swim showers. I pulled Adam away screaming from the showers because no matter how long I let him linger, it will never be long enough in the warm water for him. I spent 5 minutes coaxing Ellen into her carseat. I explained, for the 6th time in a week, amid crying and whining, why we can't buy shaved ice before we go home. I explained, for the 6th time in a week, amid crying and whining, why we aren't making shaved ice at home at 10:00 a.m. I corralled them into an in-depth vacuuming clinic. I cajoled them into helping to fold laundry. I picked up toys. I let them help prepare their lunch. I let them have their lunch outside picnic style. I wiped watermelon juice and peanut butter off of hands and faces and furniture and doorknobs. I let them take countless string cheese packages from the fridge. I picked up countless string cheese wrappers from the house and yard. I took the older girls to art classes, making them gather up their art supplies from ours' and our neighbors' front porches beforehand, making us late. I weeded and dead-headed the front flower bed and watered the planters. I let Jane and Zuzu have a "yard sale" of unwanted toys on condition they pick up their room first. I refereed the fighting that accompanies the picking up of their room. I helped Ellen and Adam to change back into their swimsuits to run through the sprinkler. I supervised them and several neighbor kids in the scrubbing of yellow crayon off of the front porch (no, it didn't all come off). I forgot to put sunscreen on Adam and Ellen. I put aloe vera on Adam and Ellen. I gathered up tennis rackets, towels, clothing, shoes, sidewalk chalk, bikes, scooters, strollers, and paintbrushes from around the neighborhood. I wiped cookie residue off of hands and faces and furniture and doorknobs. I did two loads of laundry. I said "Yes" 20 times. I said "No" 40 times. I closed the screen door 50 times.

And now it's 4:30, the time of day when my patience always seems to wear the thinnest.

Movie time?

Happy Summer.

Games for Geeks

You know how at Merriam Webster Online clicking on the little speaker icon next to a word lets you hear how it's pronounced (like this)? 10 years or so ago, I discovered that if you change the word at the end of the pronunciation pop-up box's URL, the link would then display your word of choice along with the original audio.

Recently I remembered about my little trick and was pleased to find that it still works. Click here for an example.

An endless source of amusement, right?

Well, today Jane wanted me to teach her how it's done, so I did, and later, she left this window

open for me on the screen.

Awww.