The weather has been pretty crummy recently in my part of the country, with lots of rain, snow or simply overcast skies. I've been shocked at how many people drive in these weather conditions without their headlights turned on.

I've been watching the news reports on the Toyota recalls very closely since I drive a Toyota myself. The other day I was at the dealership for a minor repair (my car is not one of the recalled models) and asked the service manager whether it was a relief to be dealing with a problem that had nothing to do with the recalls.
Several weeks ago, a friend told me about her upcoming surgery. For several months, she's lived with constant pain down her right arm and numbness and tingling in her right hand. An MRI showed a growth on her cervical spine (in her neck), which the doctor said was causing the pain. The doctor sent her to a surgeon, who told her that surgery was the only solution.
My husband and I have been opining the decline of good English, hastened by the prevalence of text messaging. When I first started using the text feature on my cell phone, I always composed my texts like a letter -- starting with a salutation, spelling out every word in the message, and even signing my name. For expediency, my children's habits have rubbed off on me.
My children "discovered" YouTube (the popular, free video-sharing Web site) a long time ago, but I've only recently come to use and enjoy it. The exuberant performance of Do Re Mi at a railroad station in Belgium perks everyone up. A Scottish bicyclist's tricks are truly awesome. The Cimorellis' video -- one brother and five sisters singing in glorious harmony -- is a family favorite. And Susan Boyle's singing debut on Britain's Got Talent continues to inspire. It was YouTube's most-watched video in 2009.




