One day I am searching and, click-click, there is my face on a conference-going robot. The concept idea is that a robot goes to a conference and the old professor stays home. I tell you I have been to a few conferences when I would have just as soon stayed home. So, this robot goes for you and you still get to participate, e.g. present, talk, ask questions, move around. You can read all about the concept at Andrew’s site. He also explains how he found my photo with an Altavista search.

And isn’t there a law about leaving pets in a hot car?

Later: Jenn solved the riddle. It is a Red Lycoris, or Spider lily. See her comment and link to additional information. I did, and found that at one time it was called the Hurricane Lily because it bloomed in September, hurricane month. It pops out of the ground, blooms and then is gone without a trace. Some consider it a weed. Thanks Jenn.

Later (100206): Dan is going to bring me some bulbs. And the grass is cut. The spider-lily blooms dropped or drooped this weekend and Dan “Bush Hogged” them. Also, my friend Todd tells that his family calls these plants “surprise lilies”.

Later (100306): Found more information at arhomeandgarden.org about the red spider lily, including a new common name, “naked lady”. It appears that this name comes from the fact that the red spider lily blooms without leaves.

Earlier, Jeanne said I could call and she would pick me up but I felt like walking and home is only 1 1/2 miles from work. So, as I said, when I started it was really nice and sunny; then the rain and it was still nice but nice and wet.

I could have ducked into a building and called Jeanne but didn’t; I was in too much of a hurry. All this was earlier last week when Jeanne was getting ready for a trip and I needed to go by the credit union on the way home and get her some trip-cash, and it was 10 minutes until 4:00 which is when I thought they closed and I had time to walk the 3 blocks but probably not enough time to call Jeanne and have her come pick me up and still get there by 4:00; which I did with a few minutes to spare. (breathe) The teller expressed concerned when she discovered me wet but I just smilled when I discovered they didn’t close until 4:30.

With cash in pocket and with it now raining even harder I decided it was time to call Jeanne. I asked to use a phone - it didn’t work - I asked to use another one. Jeanne would be right there. I waited out front under the overhang and the rain sounded good. The cars passing by, splashing by, sounded good. It was great to be alive and I felt good, wet but good. When she pulled in I paused before darting to a door. Good thing. She slid over to the passenger bucket seat so I went to the driver’s side. She does not like to drive, in town, with me in the car; on a trip, OK. She says I make “suggestions”. Just once in a while, maybe. Not every time. Really. She says she knows they are for her own good (but yet she elects to forego them). Do any of you out there know me. You can tell me the truth, do I tend to profess too much. I mean I am a professor but am I guilty of instruction without tuition?

Saturday lunch at Longhorn.

We let the kids be kids. They will grow up all too soon, finding other interests, other toys, like the two on the left.