Dr. Jiwani decided to remain in Tanzania and is selling his clinic. I took my files and decided to follow Dr. Kamyab. Everyone else in the Romanian community is taking their medical files and returning to that Romanian doctor with apologies for years of neglect.

Ah, sadness, I will never see Dr. Jiwani again, and I have one less tie to my childhood neighbourhood. When am I going to visit Tanzania? I’ve got Ethiopia, Tunisia, Ghana and Nigeria on my list - why aren’t they neighbouring countries?

Non-Arizona Cheryl went to Shambala. She reports that she saw Patrick, a Liger (the offspring of a tiger mother and a lion father), and that a Tigon would be the opposite (a lion mother and a tiger father). The only documented case of the rare ti-tigon (tiger-tigon offspring), one Nathaniel, was born on September 16, 1983.

And what superpower do I have?

“Say what? Your superpower is ANIMAL COMMUNICATION! Many people pretend to talk to their pets, but you can really, truly do it. Have you ever mimicked the monkeys or the penguins at the zoo? If you have, you’re on your way to becoming a great animal communicator, just like Aquaman with his fishy friends. Some people think animal communication has to be vocal. Not so. Any superhero knows that mental telepathy is where it’s at. So while barking at Fido might be fun, it’s not the practice you really need. Instead, try thinking like an animal. When you get into the mindset of, say, a squirrel, you’ll be able to truly communicate with one. Of course it’s a two way street, because you’ll be able to understand everything they say back, too. And they’ve got a lot to tell! Imagine talking to a walrus about the deep ocean or to an ant about life underground. Once you’ve perfected your superhuman gift, you’ll never be without interesting conversation.”

Discover your past life, it said. Alright, what am I?

“Come on out of your shell � in your former life you were a turtle name Gifford. The details are a bit sketchy, but we do have a brief summary based on public records: You were born in a small pond beside a saloon. Despite having an exceptionally athletic father, you seemed to prefer sunbathing and mud baths to more active pursuits. Contrary to the rumor, your favorite color was never green, but actually blue. Few people knew that you were a talented poet because most of your work was destroyed during a flash flood that swept away not only your library, but your entire community. Fortunately you had the pluck to survive, settle down, make some eggs, and live happily ever after with your wife Melinda and your 20 offspring.”

Sona writes: “Please read this article about Delta Airlines and how it treats some of its passengers. This is such an outrage!”

Sometimes canaries escape. If they survive, they usually find their way to swallow colonies and the swallows accept them. Usually these canaries adapt to the wilderness by becoming bigger and more muscular. If you see swallows flying in groups, look out for canaries.

I was reading someone else’s blog and they met a midget. Oddly enough I ran into a midget yesterday. A businessman midget by my old office.

Anisoara enjoys jumping off the dishwasher into the potato bin. She emits a little squeak each time.

Waiting for the light to turn green. “Can I give you a quick palm-reading?” said the stranger. “Make a fist.” He took my hand and told me I will have two boys and two girls. Then he opened my hand. “Your emotional and intelligence lines are very good. And your lifeline almost reaches your wrist. That’s a good sign. You are very fertile.”

The other pedestrians began crossing the street. “The walk sign is green. Time’s up!”

I didn’t neglect my thank-you’s.

Anisoara has taken up residence in a box of Corn Flakes. She has been sleeping there for hours. Whenever I reach in to grab her, she burrows in deeper.