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... and I didn't have to wait too long—just an hour or so since my last post, the mailman drops off the tea from China! And boy howdy, were they nice to me. In addition to the full Downy Dragon Pearls and Lapsang Souchong Smoky Black Tea orders, I got the following samples: Aged Raw Pu-erh Brick Tea 2005 - 10g (ordered free sample) Fuding Shou Mei White Tea Cake 2011 - 10g (ordered free sample) Jasmine Snow Bud Green Tea - 7g (extra free sample) Lapsang Souchong Wild Black Tea - 7g (extra free sample) Organic Lapsang Souchong Smoky Black Tea - 7g (extra free sample) My only regret is that I'd just poured a big, fresh glass of Crystal Light Tea with Lemon. It's okay. I feel a shutdown coming on, so after I wake up, I'll give teas a chance.

I am back and I am sorry for being away for so long. First, I'm certain the weather had many of you were worried about me. Let me assure you that even though Irma made a big mess here in Florida, I was not hard hit. I had to evacuate to a shelter a little farther inland called "Buffalo Creek Middle School". I know I've said this before, but a lot of places here in Florida sound like generic or fictional names. This was certainly no exception. Let me say that the Red Cross, along with the school district, the Sheriff's department, and the National Guard ran the shelter well. It could have been a lot worse. But if you ever look at news footage and see shelters full of cots, don't believe it. I spent three days with just a thin blanket over a cold, tile floor. One of my first purchases afterward was an air mattress with a battery powered air pump. Next, why is a crazy Danish princess attacking Ireland? Ok. I have a lot of comics to read and a lot of threads on which to mindlessly pontificate. This could take a while. But it would probably be unrealistic of me to request No Spoilers, so go ahead and talk about this, that, and the other thing.

Lapsang Souchong Smoky Black Tea. Two teaspoons steeped in 12oz. water for 2½ minutes at 192°F. I definitely need to let it steep longer. The suggestions on the tin said 1-5 minutes, so I played conservative. Got all smoke and little tea flavor. Still, every sip brings back memories of Central Texas barbecue joints that I grew up with, so that's a plus. Yeah, I never thought I'd say this, but it needs to be stronger! Wow.

The potted flowering plant made it to my friend's father's funeral. He called it "beautiful." Told his mother that he wanted it if she didn't. At least some good came from this.

She isn't crazy! She just has anger management issues. There is something rotating in the State of Denmark ...

In modern general parlance, "SF" or "Sci-Fi" can broadly include science fiction, fantasy, and horror. "Science fiction" and "hard SF" can both be used to specify works consistent with the known laws of physics. "Soft SF" can include traditional science fiction tropes such as teleportation, telepathy, or faster-than-light travel and communication. "Space opera" or "galactic fantasy" is stuff that openly and unashamedly embraces fantasy elements within a space setting, like the Force. One reason for the broader definitions is that it's almost impossible to figure out exactly where the border between "science fiction" and "fantasy" lies. Some authors, like Piers Anthony or Anne McCaffrey, love to deliberately play with those borders, putting both settings in one novel or creating dragons through genetic manipulation.

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There is nothing strange about that, old friend. You have been through medical hell and it is hard to believe that it may finally be nearing its end. I can relate to it -- all too well, in fact.