I just got off the...finished...stopped...well, you know what? There's really no good, elegant way of saying that you have just concluded sending a series of e-mails back and forth to someone. I didn't hang up, or get off the phone, so it wouldn't work to say "I hung up the e-mail." I didn't say "over and out," and any other broadcastish term just doesn't sound homey enough--everything's too jargony, although I suppose we could use 10-code like Broderick Crawford--"I just did a 10-3 with..."--nah. I didn't really just get through talking to someone, I was writing them, even if it is nearly instant, like passing notes in class.

There needs to be something for this phenomenon. Something distinct and catchy and all 21st Century and something that will catch on with young people in France and give their language minders fits as they try to coin a suitable official Frankish version that everyone can ignore. Any suggestions?

Anyway, I have just "concluded sending a series of e-mails back and forth" to the Vidalia Homemaker of the Year, Janis Gore of Gone South fame, who initially sent a message full of good cheer, which eventually made its way through several backs-and-forths to a point where she allowed that she was going to be having company tomorrow, and has had precious little time for blogging. Curious about the vittles, I foolishly asked what she and Lyman were a'preparing:

Shrimp cocktail, seafood gumbo, a lovely green salad, Oysters Bienville, Oysters Rockefeller, garlic bread and chocolate mousse. My charming other half will do most of the cooking. I will do most of the cleaning up. Which includes handwashing about 60 pieces of his grandmother's Havilland china (Apple Blossom) and Fostoria crystal because it was made before dishwashers were common.

I am SO STINKING HUNGRY! And this is for LUNCH tomorrow!
posted by Terry at 12:11:00 PM