The Debates

Dear kids,

Last night the Lobels and Reismans came over to watch the debate with us. We drank wine and managed to scarf down a humongous bowl of chips. Definitely a salt overload. On HDTV on CNN there were distracting scorecards from 6 commentators along the sides of the picture, as well as a running "audience response graph" along the bottom. I don't think Lincoln and Douglas had those--but their audience was probably allowed to clap. Anyway, it was really fun seeing our friends, and we decided to dio it again next Thursday for the VP debate. Leo's planning to get scorecards and noisemakers for the next one so we can be loud and rude. I want a moose costume.

Let's see, updates on the Reisman girls. Alex is living at home and about to begin work as a butcher (apparently she loves it), though she also wants to become a chocolatier. Andy is assistant coach for the Weston-Wayland crew. Erica is busy at school but comes up every weekend because she's doing SAT prep tutoring, so her parents get to see her often. She's double majoring in economics and math. And Katie Lobel is teaching 7th grade English in Framingham. So far so good.

Also, my little plan to do a 10K race has now ballooned. Along with me it's going to be Donna, Lenore, Robin Reisman and Pam Fox. The only problem is I haven't been feeling that well and therefore haven't been running. Ugh. We may end up walking.

Carlos Munoz, a Costa Rican friend of the Landys and Lobels who's studying at the Fletcher School at Tufts, is going to rent the cottage along with his wife and 3-year-old son, who are still in Costa Rica. Carlos is studying international environmental management-- he's been director of a large conservation reserve in Costa Rica, and he studied at BU Under Mr. Landy. The family is planning to move in in mid-October (and they know they'll have to move out if we sell), but he's said he's already willing to help with the chores. He even called yesterday to ask if he could take the garbage to the dump, so right now he and leo are off in the truck. Leo asked if he'd ever been there, and Carlos said yes, and he admired it so much that he had tried to get the mayor of his town to imitate it-- i guess he's really impressed with the recycling. So can you imagine our luck--we're getting a tenant who loves going to the dump! I wonder how he feels about mowing? I guess we'll get along without you guys after all.

Anyway, that's the further update from home. Love you all. Rhi, I responded to your request.

xx Mom