Dinner with my writing student's family was most sumptuous and wonderful. They are an absolutely lovely family, full of intelligence, humor, and talent. Her father works wonders on the stove and cooked my all-time favorite of his creations. Three of the younger kids indulged me in Phase 10 (although I will NOT admit that they regularly beat me at whatever game we chose). We all marveled at those speed skaters...and had a soundly satisfying evening.

The knife is gone and the stiffness and soreness remaining is MUCH more manageable.