It must be a happy time for Francis to be returning to his

native land, the land of his birth and life until the last few months. (I know how I feel when the plane I'm on approaches my city after even a short absence.- Home!)

And those who have known him in Brazil for those many years will be happy to once again have his presence among them.
May it be a happy visit among friends and family.

Funniest thing I've seen all day!

Laughed out loud!

What level of schooling is this being prepared for?

College course?
AP course?
High school?
I hope not grammar school.

Have you used either "disfranchisement" or "disenfranchisement" in your lectures or course work? If you've used one or the other, in fairness to the students, you should go with the one you used.

Re bonus question: Again I'm presuming you discussed these groups in class. (I'm going with Chinese and Irish immigrants.)

Love it!

What I remember being played throughout the week of JFK's death and burial

was dirge-like music.
Not "Theme from a summer place".
We were more riveted to the television set, than listening to the radio.
Seeing photos of LBJ sworn in with Jackie Kennedy, in blood-splattered suit, looking on.
Then watching Air Force One land and the coffin being unloaded, again with Jackie in same suit looking on.
John-John, in a little dress coat, saluting his father's coffin.
The riderless horse led down the street, with Jackie, Robert and Teddy Kennedy walking the distance to the Capitol.
(Here the only sound was muted drums).
The American people walking by the bier in the Capitol - all night long.
Funeral Mass - I don't remember the specific music, but it wouldn't have been light-hearted.
Jackie lighting the Eternal Flame at Arlington Cemetery.

"Theme from a Summer Place" may have been high on the Hit Parade at the beginning of that week, but I sure don't recall it being played that week. Can't say it wasn't played - but I have no memory of that.
And I was a married adult with children at that time.

Haven't we been down this road more than a few times? nt

I concur re sleep test.

I was in denial when my doc (internist) recommended testing for apnea over 10 years ago. I was waking with a start; had dreams of huge bomb blowing up the world, - impending doom, which I now believe had to do with fact I wasn't breathing at times and must have felt I was suffocating.

Test revealed beaucoup instances of interrupted sleep throughout the night.

I've had a C-Pap for 10 years now and wouldn't be without it. Mostly sleep soundly (also take a few nighttime meds for various purposes (heart, blood pressure, small dose clonazepam for anxiety and to sleep).

A sleep test can't do any harm, though it's not inexpensive. In my case worth every penny.

Good luck

Whatever happened to Kinky Friedman - in the last few years?

He's no Molly Ivins or Ann Richards, but he did have a way about him, a way of looking at life that made you sit up and listen a bit.

I'm aware of his unsuccessful runs for office, but wonder what he's up to these days.

There's nothing wrong with being mistaken for a waiter

Waiters are good people and many people now prominent - actors, lawyers, educators - have served as waiters.
I'm sure the now-President was gracious about the mistake. I doubt he was carrying a tray of drinks or a plate of hors d'oeuvres.
It makes for a good story for both the author and the President.

Yes, I get the point, that the author had stereotyped the young black man based on his color. After all, this is America, and these things happen.
Perhaps the author learned not to be so quick to stereotype - or perhaps he didn't.

While this is a good step, it would have been

nice if someone from the Western hemisphere were included.
Perhaps there ar good reasons for the exclusion, such as availability for meeting on short notice.