Page Scrawler

Hey, Gary. How's Falkor? And Cookie?

Hey, Clo. Things are good. We had tacos last night. Carne Asada braised in Dr. Pepper, with Oaxaca cheese and pickled veggies. Cilantro-lime rice on the side, and sopapilla cheesecake bars for dessert. Tonight, it's leftovers. Everything tastes better, because the flavors have had time to develop.

Hey, Xander, Dennis, Jordan, and Ash! *waves to the foster kids*

Hey, Albert.

I've mentioned previously that I've "dated" friends before, and once it was over, we were never able to go back to that same comfortable place we had before. Believe it or not, I've actually lost friends-turned-ex-boyfriends, because it was too awkward to keep seeing each other, and eventually we fell out of contact. If I could go back and do it over, I would tell myself to STOP and focus on something (or someone) else before getting serious about this person or that one. I'd like to think I would rather sacrifice any romantic desires for the sake of our friendship than lose that person later. Of course, things are a bit different now that I'm married, LOL. If my husband and I ever agreed to an "open" relationship, he'd still be the only man I'd ever want.

Hey, Dugh and Thistle.

I was referring to Cassie's inspiration.

Yeah, I am. I got a bit of writing done today. No, sorry. Just thought it was amusing that you'd write a story, using a joke that Dugh made as "inspiration". Hey, Cassie.

Hey, Albert. How are you and Steve?

"Coming Out" Daughter #1: "Dad, I've been waiting for the right moment to tell you I'm a lesbian. It's very hard for me to tell you this, so I hope you'll understand and won't get mad." *makes a cute face* Dad: "It's okay, honey. I'll always love you." Daughter #2: "I'm a lesbian, too." Dad: "Jesus Christ! None of my kids likes boys?!" Son: "I do..."

Hey, Caz. We're having tacos for dinner. Dr. Pepper Carne Asada with pickled vegetables and Oaxaca cheese. Cilantro-lime rice on the side, with sopapilla cheesecake bars for dessert. So, I'd say we're doing great right now.

Hey, Drewberry Pi! How's life?

@Headstall Hey, Gary.

Hey, Dugh, Mum, and Thistle. Have fun!

Good luck, buddy.

Hey, Tea Bat. I made Blueberry-Hibiscus green tea today.

We're having scalloped potatoes and ham for dinner. Watching Holes on TV. (No, Dugh, it is not a drilling documentary.) I like Sigourney Weaver.

Martin McLean, Middle School Queen, by Alyssa Zaczek Seventh-grader Martin McLean has always been surrounded by people who can express themselves. His mother is an artist, his colorful Tío Billy works in theater, and his best friends Carmen and Pickle are outgoing and don’t care what other people think. But Martin can only find the right words when he’s answering a problem at a Mathletes competition—until his tío introduces him to the world of drag. In a swirl of sequins and stilettos, Martin creates his fabulous drag queen alter ego, Lottie León. As Lottie, he is braver than he’s ever been; but as Martin, he doesn’t have the guts to tell anyone outside of his family about her. Not Carmen and Pickle, not his Mathletes teammates, and definitely not Chris, an eighth-grader who gives Martin butterflies. When Martin discovers that his first-ever drag show is the same night as the most important Mathletes tournament, he realizes that he can only pull off both appearances by revealing his true self to his friends—and channeling his inner drag superstar.

Hey, Cutie Pi. Sounds like an interesting job. You're a very smart man, so I have confidence you'd be a great tutor. Hey, Dugh, Mum, and Thistle. *scratches for Thistle*

Nope, it's only part-time, so I only get paid for the hours I work. I don't know that I'd go that far, but I definitely want to write something, and soon!

Hey, Xander, Dennis, Jordan, and Ash! *waves to the foster kids* So, my boss left me a text, a few hours ago. Monday through Wednesday, the restaurant is closed for unspecified reasons, so I have a five-day weekend.

Happy birthday, Cassie!

I prefer pickle chips over pickle spears. But thanks for reminding me. Gonna make grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner, with pickle chips. I don't have an air fryer, but my new deep dish pizza pans have an "air fryer" configuration.

Hey, Dugh, Mum, and Thistle. *scratches for Thistle* Hey, Albert. Hey, Gary. Hey, Cassie, my lovely queen. Congrats, Tink.