Dear Lodger,

Let me tell you what my grandmother used to do with 'wet blankets.' First, she'd scrub 'em on the washboard, then she'd scrub 'em again, just 'cuz. Then she'd wring 'em out with her really strong hands, squeezing 'em so tight, they'd be almost dry by the time she got through. Then they'd be slapped up over the clothes line in the back yard to hang high and blow in the wind. After a few hours, Grandma would come back with a four-foot wire rug beater and beat the livin' daylights out of 'em to make sure they good 'n clean . . .

So, if that sounds like your kind of a good time, go on and keep bein' a wet blanket -- Otherwise, put a smole on yer face and go write one of yer beautiful songs, dang it!

And I'm not apologizing fer nuthin'! Dang it!

Smoles to all, Áine