By the start of its fourth season in 1979, Eight is Enough was struggling with how to reorient itself. Most of the Bradford ‘kids’ were now adults and its dramedy formula, which previously favored comedy, began emphasizing turgidly dramatic plots and two-part episodes: Susan and Merle’s separation, Tom’s estrangement from his father, Mary’s doomed affair […]

In the words of either Lady Gaga or Deanna Durbin — it’s so easy to get them confused — I’m a free bitch, baby. LSVT is over, done, finito, and the SLP said it might be years before I need a formal refresher if I’m diligent about continuing my speech and respiratory exercises. Crankenstein brought

Consultative exams are ordered by DDS adjudicators when they want to know more about your condition and the limitations it causes. Often this is because your disability application or medical records were incomplete, outdated, or contained conflicting information. There’s nothing nefarious about a CE request, despite conspiracy theories to the contrary; it’s an opportunity to

“It seems fitting that you view Eight is Enough as a form of erotica,” Best Friend recently joked after I mentioned that Nancy, Dianne Kay’s character, attracted saucier subplots — and occasionally wardrobes — in season three. We moved on to other topics and a week later, he was gone. As you probably deduced from

“I’m optimistic that tomorrow will bring a welcome opportunity to move past the gloom and grievances of the last couple days and write something fun,” I wrote yesterday. Famous last words. This morning I learned that Best Friend passed away.* I’ll be back tomorrow but don’t know what to say right now other than I

The manometry results are in and — here I’ll pause to scream silently into the void — further evaluation is recommended. No specific cause of my swallowing issues was identified but only half of the recorded swallows were considered intact; the rest were marked failed, ineffective or fragmented, and the velocity of my esophageal motility

We’re halfway through September and it’s still too hot and humid here for spray painting (and priming) on the patio. I’ve done the prep work on my resin models (some of which will complete the lighthouse interior), I have the paint and the 3M respirator and other supplies, and every weekend I glance at the

It was still dark outside when Crankenstein and I set off this morning for an unfamiliar hospital complex. I’d intended to go by myself but she wanted to come along, worried that memories of a tortured childhood history with NG tubes might resurface as a catheter was snaked down my throat. It was unnecessary, I

It turns out a Trump debate can amuse me after all, as I learned after being sent a link to this tweet. Before anyone clicks it, I should caution you’ll want your sound on — but not turned up too loud. You may also have to unmute the tweet itself. It’s uncanny, this clip of

Zero naps were taken today, mostly because I stayed away from the couch. An early-morning walk was followed by speech therapy, and then I stood while working at my computer, Muriel anchored at my feet to create a dangerous obstacle course. By the time Crankenstein got home I’d finished some housework and was yanking more