I never mean to stay away from these pages for so long. Here we are two-thirds through November and this entry (if I complete it) will be only my third entry of the month.

I had thought to write an entry about Alberto, who is pictured on this page today. We've had a nodding acquaintance for over twenty years. His is one of those local faces that I've been aware of since I first arrived here over twenty years ago, but he has remained a person I haven't known. After I wrote that in an entry a few days ago, I found that I had little more to say on the subject, so I abandoned the entry. Instead, I arrive here today with a short list of excuses for my absence that run from semi-altruistic to downright shabby.

Here we go, starting with the higher un-motives first.

I had volunteered to teach an intro to computers class at the senior center in town this week. His children having bought a new computer for him recently, Alberto enrolled in the class, becoming one of two students. After nodding to each other for the last twenty years at soccer matches for our kids (in his case, for his grandkids), at doctors' offices, and elsewhere around town, we now have names for each other. The classes took place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening, and they subtracted about two hours per night from my inventory of hours available for writing.

The woman of this household, having switched from a baking frenzy after being told by her firstborn beloved that she was providing too many fat-filled treats, has turned into a cleaning demon. Every surface of the house can now be eaten from, including the carpets, which we shampooed yesterday. This frenzy has required my participation beyond lifting my feet out of the way, and more importantly, it has required my tact. Some madnesses must be shared, I suppose. I must have a talk with the firstborn about the way he handles such opinions in the future.

I have had touches of a flu this week. I have no note from my mother, so please trust me on this. This morning, however, the flu symptoms appear full blown, and because I don't wish to infect my friends at the fellowship, I've stayed home this morning, and therefore have time to write this brief entry. Time will tell if this is a disguised blessing.

When I reformatted the hard drive, I lost some files that I hadn't yet backed up. I need those files so that I can complete the current semester. Reconstructing those documents has taken some time away from writing.

I have established new personal bests in my Marbles career (Warning: The game of Marbles has been shown to be addictive. Click at your own peril. Not recommended for couples considering starting a family.)

High game: 635

Best average for 100 games: 265

Greatest number of games played without a pitstop: 175

Those are my excuses, and I'm sticking to them. Right now, however, I'm heading to the shower and the bed, where I'll sweat out this flu.

Reading: I never completed my last rereading of The Name of the Rose; instead I've moved over to Dava Sobel's Longitude, but I'm not really reading it. I'm just touching it occasionally, making certain that it's available to be read.

Watching:
KSU defeated Mizzou (28-24), gaining a berth in the Big 12 Conference Championship game. Then I watched Florida State defeat Florida.

Weathering:
Cold and clear.