Thursday. Sunny and cool so far.
Sigh. Have I said recently how very very tiresome it is to have worked for one’s whole life at something one loved, only to have it stolen, and simultaneously declared worthless?
I need to go out in a little while to take my CPAP machine to the sleep clinic for a Talking To. It’s decided all on its own to start blowing a gale, and I seem to no longer be allowed to set my preferred flow rate. What fun.
I’m a little … startled to see that our clocks Fall Back this weekend. Well. Another hour of Halloween. Why not?
The cats are asleep in Steve’s office. I fear that I may be a trifle boring. Or perhaps I’m just not taking the hint to Sleep Through It.
I have here a worrisome document from the US Department of Commerce/US Census Bureau, alerting Current Resident to the honor about to be done them in a visit from a Census Worker, who will need to speak with me for 45 minutes. It’s probably just me, but I would really not be forced to entertain anyone attached to the gummint in my home, whether or not they show me their badge. I’m not told when this happy event will occur, so maybe I’ll luck out and not be home when they call. Or, yanno, we can stand outside. Maybe it’ll be raining.
. . . I do believe that that? Is the morning news.
What’s happening at your place?
Oh. I did undergo defluffling yesterday. Below, the result, with bonus braids.

Regarding the Census letter – the letter *should* say which survey is involved, and you can learn more about it at https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/surveyhelp.html.
For just about every survey they do, you can tell the Census worker that you want to do it *by phone*. You don’t have to let them into your home.
I had a similar problem with my CPAP machine when its air flow decided to go crazy. You can reset the machine as long as you know your original air flow setting–no need to visit the clinic. Here are the instructions from Google AI:
AI Overview
To adjust the air flow rate (pressure measured in cm H?O) on a CPAP machine, you must access the hidden clinical menu using specific button combinations on your device.
Always consult your sleep specialist or healthcare provider before altering your prescribed therapy pressure.
ResMed AirSense 10
1. From the home screen, press and hold the Home button and the Control Dial simultaneously for 3 seconds.
2. When the screen changes to display the clinical menu, select Settings.
3. Choose your mode:
• CPAP Mode: Set a single, continuous air pressure level.
• AutoSet (APAP) Mode: Set an independent Minimum Pressure and Maximum Pressure range.
4. Adjust the pressure value using the dial, press to confirm, and navigate back to Home to exit and save.
ResMed AirSense 11
1. On the home screen, press and hold both the “My Options” and “My Sleep View” touch buttons simultaneously for about 3 seconds until the backdrop turns white and the clinical menu opens.
2. Tap Settings to modify your therapy mode (AutoSet or CPAP) and change your pressure ranges.
3. Tap Okay to confirm your changes and exit the menu.
Adjusting Comfort Settings (No Doctor Visit Required)
If you are trying to fix minor breathing discomfort rather than change your core air prescription, you can adjust these comfort features from the standard user menu:
• EPR (Expiratory Pressure Relief): Lowens the air pressure when you breathe out to make exhaling easier (levels typically range from 1 to 3).
• Ramp Time: Delays the onset of full pressure by starting at a lower, more comfortable air flow for a set number of minutes.
• Humidity and Climate Control: Increases air moisture if you experience dry mouth, dry nose, or congestion.
It is likely that you can fill in a form
rather than talk to a census worker. Tell them you have an unidentified virus and can’t take people in your home.
Not sure what of yours has been stolen or devalued, but please know from me that the lifework of Lee/ Miller is transformative and truly meaningful. I was pleased to see your titles at Re-Book and Ollie & Friends this weekend.
How does the Census work where you are?
Here in Australia, they mail a unique code to the household. You log in to their website on or before census day, fill out the census, and you never see a worker.
They only send them out to people who have not submitted a census by census day.
Does it work differently in the States?
When we lived Out in the Country we were chosen — by name — a couple of times to fill out a paper form. They sent a warning letter, then the survey, then a reminder. I’m not sure if we got an acknowledgment of receipt. However! I have NEVER had a census worker visit my house.
I’m going to ask for an alternative.
Thank you! I KNEW I’d been able to adjust it by myself previously, but when I pressed on the screen, nothing happened. Will re-test today.
This is good to know; I will be calling.
This is, so it says, the American Houseing Survey (AHS).