And that book with flesh-eating bacteria? I had the same kind of terrifying feeling when, some years ago, I accidentally read a book about having children. Humans are crazy survivors.

Nope, can’t say that I’ll read that particular book. DD actually had cellulitis on her forearm and yes, it was debrided. In my book, she deserves a medal for getting through the whole thing in a reasonably adult way (and she was in 5th grade at the time).

As for me, I’ll pass on “Complications”, thank you; I don’t even watch medical shows on TV. (Ok, except for Grey’s Anatomy, which a friend deviously got me into for the people, and I close my eyes during a lot of the medical scenes. Nnnghghhh.) But a book I did love - although this sounds totally morbid - was Jessica Mitford’s “The American Way of Death”, her 1963 expose’ on the American funeral industry. While definitely a little more knowledge than you want sometimes, a lot of it is.. well, pretty damned hilarious. Plus infuriating. And eye-opening. I even read it late at night, embalming chapter and all, and didn’t get the creeps. (She warns you where to skip if you want to for that section. No, I didn’t. [g] And oh man, just checked Amazon, there’s an updated version, yet. Hmm.) Anyway, you just might want to check it out. I promise; no flesh-eating bacteria. Of *live* bodies, that is. Plus it certainly makes you aware of what kind of sharpie practices could lie in wait. Uh, so to speak.

Consider yourself nominated for that MacArthur Grant. You train dogs? And they do what you say? That should qualify you right there. The knitting and the academic stuff are just gravy. Mine train me. They know what all the words mean but comply only when it suits them. There is an eloquent body language that says “I hear you, but I’m busy, maybe later.” My girl also has one (since the day we brought her home) that says “Don’t wanna, not gonna, can’t make me.” Sigh.

Outstanding sweater too, by the way.