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I'm Clean

The dentist had noticed that I had some significant bone loss around a few teeth, so he scheduled me for an extra-long session with the hygenist. I was not looking forward to that, either... but went in today to get it done.

Lucky for me, the bone loss is mostly from my habit of grinding my teeth. Even with a toothguard, the loss has been pretty significant, but it's not periodontal disease, thank goodness. I don't have the inflammation, nor do I have significant plaque buildup, and my gums are healthy as can be. The hygienist was amazingly thorough, delved into places that she was even surprised she was able to get to, and ended up finishing half an hour early. She also cut the bill to just two-thirds the original quote, simply because I didn't need anything more than what she'd done. She also gave me the usual goodie bag of brush, floss, flossers (for my bridge), and toothpaste. Plus, she gave me the added assurance that my bridge was on solid, and no worries there.

So it's all good news and I'm grateful.

I was doing all right, so I made a zucchini bread that uses a pound and a half of shredded zucchini and is lovely, dense and moist without being gummy at all. It's modified from an American Test Kitchen recipe, partially for taste preferences, partially for altitude, and partially for how I like to put together a quick bread. I also made a pot of butternut squash soup from a squash I'd gotten at the Farmer's Market a few weeks ago. It's a little like fall in a bowl, and the recipe was in the American Test Kitchen's Home Cooking cookbook that I really love for the teriyaki chicken and the sweet potato casserole.

A rainstorm swept in from the West, and has made for a very cool and damp evening, perfect for a mug of warm herbal tea and just contemplating things. I managed to read The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker and loved it and all its intricately beautiful bits. Set in the turn of the century New York City, it's really good storytelling. Seemingly unrelated bits, all falling in on their own, ending up all to connect at the juncture of the climax. Very very nicely done.

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