"Can you relate to the notion," my grandfather asks, "that this could be the high point of your day?"

A couple dozen people are gathered to hear a singer who visits every month, I think he said his name is Hugh. Right now he's singing an old Sinatra tune; a few minutes ago it was a choppy but generally pleasing instrumental rendition of "When You Wish Upon A Star" with moments of flamenco.

You may recall the message I sent in November about my sister Emilie, and how proud I am of her.

Emilie had a baby this morning -- Jordan Samuel Falk, seven and a half pounds -- around 6 AM Iowa time. She didn't know she was pregnant until last night. There'd been a scare, but the test came up negative. Our sister Alisa, who shares an apartment with Emilie in Ames, Iowa, said there weren't any of the usual signs (food cravings, morning sickness, etc.)

My whole family is kinda in shock. I haven't been able to concentrate on work. I guess I'll be flying out there soon.

Since Emilie was adopted, I'm not biologically related to her son...but who cares? I'm excited. Jordan is my nephew. I'm his uncle. The next generation has arrived.

A Monkey Song

Oh, once there was a monkey,
His name was Squeaky G.
And if you pissed him off,
Then squeaky he would be.

Oh monkey, monkey, monkey;
Who loves to be spanked,
Oh monkey, monkey, monkey;
Who’s tail should not be yanked.