Ask Pops about South Dakota Sad Stories . . .

It's settled, I'll definitely be in Philly for Christmas. Pluckmeier, I'm missing you already for the holiday and it's still a day away. dontshootthecat, I hope you still have plans to make it to my folks' place in Bentonville for Christmas, they'd Love to see the sprog - and you, too.

E at Hospice, commenting about my 'emotional resiliency' (m'God, if she only knew!) today, drew a few comparisons between me and her late father. She shared this article with me, being the guide that she is for me. I won't be there to instigate it so I ask you to print this article, if you have the opportunity, and share it with my 'rents. Also, Pops has the best stories about growing up in a family of poor Danish immigrant dirt farmers. Even if I don't manage to capture one or more of them through NPR's Story Corps project it's my heart's desire that Lil'D be able to hear them as close to the source as they come.

. . . because we never did get much snow in these here parts, and I only ever had to walk across the mean, mean street in Annan-dull to get to school.

Really . . .

It's important!

(Edit: Ah, shitrific! That article is only available online through a subscription. Remind me to get a copy to you!)