I’m making some changes. First of all, it’s time for a new haircolor. I’ve avoided it this long, but now I cannot ignore the gray. I’ve been yanking them out but if I keep it up I’m going to be bald. I mentioned the fact that I seem to have more gray than ever to my son, who said, “yeah, you have a ton of it. You’re old.”

I’m leaning toward a shade of reddish brown/auburn. I’m warning people in advance so there’s less shock, less omigoshwhatdidyoudotoyourhair?

Secondly, and this is purely an experiment, but my son and I have decided to go vegan for seven days. It was a spur of the moment grocery-store conversation that began,

Me: I wonder how it would be to go vegan for awhile.
Son: Let’s do it.
Me: Seriously?
Son: Yeah. For seven days.
Me: Lots of tofu, you know.
Son: I know.
Me: And beans.
Son: I can do it.

So starting Sunday, we’re meat and dairy free for seven days. I found a great resource to plan our Vegan Week that allows me to choose recipes, plan a menu and convert it all to a grocery list. I’ll be posting updates on how the experiment goes.

Outlet malls dot the frontier like seeds in a watermelon. Vacation spots just don’t seem complete anymore without acres of “shoppertainment.” Every road trip we’ve taken in the last few years reveals giant sprawling outlet complexes, just off the highway, sometimes in the middle of nowhere.

This week’s edition of Shop Talk, inspired by the recent Jaggers’ Family Reunion, covers outlets, particularly those within a day’s drive from St. Louis.

My best friend is pregnant (yippee!) and so I find this the perfect time to share with you Bad Baby Names an absolutely hilarious, gut-clenching, eye-tearing read. Truly, even if you’re total non-maternal/parental and just need a laugh.

I have a circle of girlfriends for whom I’d drop anything. They know who they are, and I’m pretty sure they’d reciprocate.

Thing is, two of them have breast cancer. That’s two among roughly a dozen women under the age of 36. One has been at stage four for two years. The other was recently diagnosed and will have a masectomy this month.

This frightens me to death. Take this as your reminder to get a mammogram, do a self-exam and keep some people you don’t even know in your prayers.

For Mayuri and Stephanie, you are in my thoughts and prayers every day.

OK, that was bad but I couldn’t help myself. Check out the new DQ “Killer Bee” commercial that’s cracking everyone up.

Survey Pegs Missouri Workers as Top Slackers

We’re #1! We’re #1!

From the outside, the world is seeing us as fat, STD-infected, smoking slackers. Joy.

A good time had by all — the 13th annual Beer Float was a success with great weather, 90 degree days, 60 degree nights. The river was super crowded though, so we’re thinking maybe not July again. In late August the crowd clears out considerably, so BF14 will likely be then.

A few hilarious fireside moments were inspired by the Muppets’ Swedish Chef. Check out the site I found with the “enchefizer” that converts ASCII text to mock Swedish.

Bork, bork, bork.

A reader of today’s shopping column wrote to say: “Until we women decide that we are going to stop acting and dressing like teenagers in professional workplace settings, we will never be taken seriously. I say, ladies, wear whatever the heck you want but do not be surprised if you are judged because of it. ”

While I’m not sure I wouldn’t have worn exactly what I’m wearing today when in my teens, I’m also pretty sure I’m being taken seriously, despite my flipflops. As far as the writer’s last sentence, Amen, sista!

I’m getting ready for the annual excursion: Beer Float. This is the thirteenth year and the weather looks like it’s going to cooperate. No matter what, I always get fired up during Beer Float week, the anticipation, the acquiring of new, groovy camping gear, the meticulously planned packing. Yes, even the packing.

This year sees the return of expatriates, the Floatmaster himself and his lovely wife, Mel. After their Thanksgivingtime move to Colorado Springs, they’re back for this fairest of weekends to dip a paddle and sip a brew, or a few.

If you’ve never experienced canoeing, rafting or tubing down Missouri’s rivers, I recommend it, and the following:
http://www.currentrivercanoe.com/
http://www.missouriscenicrivers.com/

Southern Missouri is beautiful and well preserved. I consider the campground and the 9 miles or so of the Current River my home away from home.