my mom has called me four times in the last hour and a half. the first went a little something like this:

"hey, it's just me... i was wondering if..... (deep, long pause - is she still there?)...... shit, i forgot what i was going to say. total brain fart. umm... well.... i guess i'll call you back when i remember? ahokaybye."

the third:

"so i know you're at work and i didn't expect you to answer but i was just driving down green bay road, on my way to pick n' save........ (string no. 2 of silence).... oh my GOD, what is my problem...... alzheimer's? i mean, holy shit. ok. well...... i'll call you back... again."

i sort of made a rough-drafted decision to go home this weekend after i talked to her this morning. she was on her way to Madison for one of cam's monthly check-ups. but after listening to her batch of voicemails, i was thoroughly persuaded. i love Neenah in the fall. South Park Avenue to be exact. i could use a little olive-colored-couch relaxation. drinks at the St. James. make fun of my dad for his almost violent passion of changing seasons (and to critique this year's front-stoop gord and pumpkin arrangement). to see the blushing sumac that grows along our propery line. it's blooming season, and by Thanksgiving i will have missed it.

i'm taskless in the office today. i cross-checked an article i already called on last week. better safe than sorry, and the little Friday faculty meeting had a weird affect on me. like, fact-check it, or die. and i sort of want to live to travel, taste Tuscany, and fall in love, you know? so i'll be fact-checking.......