Birthday boy about to blow out what were supposed to be 19 candles, but we seem to have miscounted and put 20 instead. He didn't notice.

The graduate (grad is tomorrow) checks out his rented duds in the store mirror this afternoon:

And last but far from least, Everett's face and neck were swollen and dry and his hands and forearms were bumpy and itchy when he got up this morning. The only thing we could figure was that he'd applied a comfrey lotion to these areas the past two nights; something he hadn't used before. I took him to the doctor anyway.

She didn't think lotion should cause these symptoms and said not to put anything at all, even shampoo, on his body for the next 48 hours, then bring him in to see her Friday morning. If he isn't better, she'll send him back to the hospital in Saskatoon.

Trying not to worry, trying not to worry ... however, puffiness, swelling, and itchy skin rashes are some symptoms of kidney problems. If he's not better on Friday, this possibility will have to be investigated seriously.

His neck is swollen enough that he cannot comfortably turn his head. His ears are red and swollen (no lotion was applied there). It's a mystery.

I've laughed at him a few times because his puffy face reminds me of the fat face of Peter from Family Guy, one of his favourite programs.
But it's more nervous laughter than actual amusement, believe me.

***

For a visual treat, visit Corey Amaro's webpage,
Tongue in Cheek. It's a lengthy download for those of us still saddled with dialup, but worth the wait. Corey is a California girl who married a French man over 20 years ago, and has lived in his country ever since. They've raised two children together, and Corey has an eye for beautiful things and for a good photograph, and she loves antiques. I spent several hours poking around, reading her old entries about life in France and seeing the country through her eyes.

*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,

If you're wondering why you don't receive notifies like you used to, it's because -- well, don't make me explain, just sign up again: