Not quite clear on the concept

Auntie Eliza recently gave Lily a handy tip.  Namely, if you want people to give you things, it's a good idea to compliment them first.  (Like Lily needs help in the manipulation department).

Lily took this advice to heart, and tried it out immediately on Eliza.

"Liza, I really like your big feet and your colorful teeth!"

Backfire.

Safety First

I saw a fully-dressed ninja at 7am outside the gym today.  I have been watching various fully-costumed adults stream by my window at work all morning.  I began to wonder.

It's the Fanime-con convention (for fans of Japanese anime). Interestingly, the number one tip on the convention website is as follows:

1.  Remember to BATHE. By the end of the day, in crowds of that many people, no one walks away smelling or looking their best despite all the work of the morning. Showers refresh and cleanse us, and both are necessary to remain your best throughout FanimeCon. In relation to that, deodorant should be applied daily, and everyone should have a change of clothes for every day they are attending.

And I always thought the rule was SAFETY FIRST.

Grampa

Himes M. Silin, of Erie and Pittsburgh, Pa., age 95, died at home in Erie. He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Marilyn Lashinger Silin; two daughters, Pamela and Patrick Palmer and Wendy Kopplin; six grandchildren, Amanda and Nandu Madhava, Emily and Shaun Keller, Eliza and Aaron Holmes, Will Kopplin, Niall and Kristie Kopplin, and Jane Palmer; six great-grandchildren, Molly and Lily Keller, Sophie, Colm, and Jamie Holmes, Asha Madhava; a brother-in-law, Donald and Genrose Lashinger; sisters-in-law; Margaret Glover and Kathleen Chulick, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends. Mr. Silin was preceded in death by his parents, Sarah and Nathan Silin, and siblings, I.J. Silin, Abraham Silin, Lottie Levi, Brina Schwartz and Basha Silin. A graduate of Strong Vincent High School, he attended Gannon University and University of Pittsburgh. He proudly served as Captain with the Anti-Tank Company, 302nd Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division during World War II. He was awarded a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Presidential Unit Citation for outstanding heroism for his unit, European African Middle East Ribbon with four Battle Stars for Northern France, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Rhineland and Central Europe, and the French Legion of Honor Medal. Mr. Silin spent his career of sixty years with Lincoln Financial Group in Erie and Pittsburgh. He was active in many civic and professional organizations on local, state and national levels. In addition, he was CEO of Erie Electric Manufacturing Corporation. He was a kind and gentle man with a great sense of humor and will be missed. Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. at the Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 West Tenth Street, Erie, Pa., with Rabbi John Bush officiating. Friends will be received one hour prior to the service. Military Burial will be held Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville, Pa. Please meet at the cemetery. Reception immediately following at Southpointe Golf Club. Memorials to the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 1001 State Street, Suite 1400, Erie, PA 16501 or North Hills Community Outreach, 1975 Ferguson Rd., Allison Park, PA 15101.

Published in the Erie Times-News on May 16, 2010