I tried again this morning to log into MyBloggers and it worked for the first time since Dec. 4. I had been in touch with Jondude, who sent a message to Eddie and if that was you, Eddie, working your magic, thank you.

Meanwhile, I had also called Dish network who is my internet provider and a tech walked me through resetting the modem I found under the desk, lying flat on my stomach with a flashlight and hoping I wouldn’t disconnect something important. But after we did that, I still couldn’t get on. Or maybe it was necessary to shut down and reboot for it to work. I don’t know what … but I am grateful because the next step was a paid-for computer person. And, by the way, I’d like to strangle all manufacturers who think it’s great to have data on equipment etched black on black.

Several interesting events since falling off the radar. I did not give a boat parade party because getting ready for it by the 14th (usually it’s just a week before Christmas - I might have managed that) was too daunting. So I made a deal with Ed, who had the formal dining table covered with guardian projects Alice in Wonderland style, that we would have a holiday brunch that I set for Sunday, Dec. 29. I had a cleaning lady come in to help with the floors and bathrooms. They are not my strong suit. I once told a vacuum cleaner salesman, who unctuously asked me how often I vacuumed, “about once a year”. He did not know how to respond to that. And Ed forced himself to organize and file and clear the table. Thank you, Ed, I know that was major.

I planned the menu = New York style: mimosas, bagels, cream cheese, onions and tomatoes, deli chicken deboned, shrimps with sauce, coffee, lemon squares that I made from a box and were too dry.

Meanwhile, I had written a piece that was printed in the Sound Off opinion page of the Fort Myers News-Press about the misuse of religion in politics. A Pine Island resident, a former CIA operative and, in retirement, an activist in environmental issues, wrote me a very nice note about it so I invited him and his wife. Another reader, who has been in touch a couple of times with compliments about what I have written, and actually wrote a defense when another reader attacked me, also came. I invited new acquaintances from down the street, two delightful former Microsoft workers -- the husband is working as a consultant now. My forever friend, Nadine, and her husband, Mickey, who was able to come although his presence is always iffy because he has not been feeling too good.

Nadine did something so awesome I am still reeling. She gave me a bagel slicer. I mean it is fantastic. Why did I ever doubt that I needed one? Why? It’s 1-2, done. I sliced the leftovers, wrapped each individually in Saran, and froze them.

I invited a local kitchen remodel contractor and his wife who live a few streets away. They are progressive. He has often stopped me during my walks to tell me how much he likes what I have written. And he flirts. What’s better than that? They brought me two huge avocados from their tree. I made a salad last night and froze the other one.

Clare, a lovely friend from Ed’s ombudsman days, came. She stayed here with our kitties when we traveled to NYC a year or more ago. Nobel of her, since cleaning litter for 3 (at that time) is daunting for a non-cat owner.

The total count including us was about 12. They came at 11 and left at 3 and interacted beautifully and it was a great success.

I played Chopin’s Harp Etude for them and knocked their socks off.

I will now get to it and read all your posts that I haven’t been able to access.

Love you all, so glad to be back, hope you had a great Christmas, and a happy new year to everyone.

xx, Teal