I was inspired by the moment when I wrote about being at Tootsie Nani's on Saturday, but that doesn't excuse being remiss about mentioning Kate's graduation from Tulane Medical School. Did I mention of the 9,000 some-odd people who apply to Tulane Med each year, fewer than 200 are accepted into each class? For the Class of 2001, Kate was amongst the top 10% of that 200. Not too shabby, eh?

The very best part of the graduation was seeing Dad all dolled up in full academic regalia so he could be the one to present Katie with her hood. The second best part was the neato mosquito Nawlins jazz band which started the ceremony off with a rousing rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In" and finished it off with a bang as well, followed out of the auditorium by almost 200 new doctors waving blue and green umbrellas. Other highlights include drinks at Pat O's on Friday night (after the first third of your first Hurricane, you're feeling pretty darn drunk, after the second third, you just don't care and are ready to order the next one!), the rooftop pool at the Omni Royal Orleans, and Dad's wonderful toast at Kelsey's Restaurant (As Mike says, when did Dad get so eloquent? Not a dry eye in the house for that one). I'm a relative newcomer to the Kate Wasylik fan club compared to the rest of the folks in attendance, and I really enjoyed meeting Kate's circle. Great people.

Now, it's off to the trenches for Katie -- she starts her surgical internship at Tulane just after Father's Day.

Can I tell you how cool it is to have an 80-something grandmother with high speed Internet access? I'm typing on her Mac, she's beside me in her recliner singing along with Dad, who is practicing his high notes by singing "Eleanor Rigby" and accompanying himself on the guitar. Mom's making tea in the kitchen. Life is good. (Gotta go, Dad's singing "Here, There and Everywhere," and I can't type and sing along at the same time!)