@Zivio -- I totally remember that book! It was a huge favorite of mine; I remember that scene where Pagoo has to fend off another hermit crab from a shell they both want. Such an honor to be thought alongside a beloved school teacher too! Nice portrait of you "camping" - Write on, pal!
Ah,
@Lucie Y - you are too kind entirely. I'm parenting on easy-mode these days, with one kid away at university and the younger one driving himself around. I have some regrets about their early years when I was working so hard to get tenure at my university. I barely remember the first couple years of my first son's life! Maybe ultimately it all paid off. Once I had tenure I vowed to be there for them, and my kids have been all over the world with me on research trips. But gosh, Lucie, your comment about falling asleep in random places really brought me back to those days when I'd sleep on the floor of my office sometimes - my grad students would find me in there at 7am eating microwave popcorn for breakfast.
@Erica McPhee and Karl -- I'm happy the little hermit crab brought back fond memories of long lost pets. And also produced such great stories about their names! Creepy Jr! Frisky Coat-Coat! and the Second! It reminds me when my youngest got a plushie turtle toy which he unimaginatively named "Turtle". I said, "Just 'Turtle'? how will we tell them from the other turtles?" Which he then thoughtfully amended to, "Turtle D Turd", and spouse was like "JUST TURTLE WILL BE FINE"
@InkyFingers - your Spencerian is such an inspiration. Getting to see it every day has been a real treat. You definitely give me some Spencerian goals! Also some motorcycle envy, rather like the fancy car envy and also the travel envy I get from
@AnasaziWrites along with the Spencerian admiration.
Karl - I do think you're right about this moment being my favorite. Such a great community (even within a great community) has come together for Inktober this year! Thank you, everyone, for indulging my prodding to do Inktober on Flourish Forum for the second year in a row. It's a little sad to see the month ending!