Sorry about the gap between blog postings. I've been undergoing tests. We're not sure what it is. Something about leafy green vegetables! More after my GI series.

Pieces of columns too short to use . . . .

It will be interesting to see if Martin O'Malley -- or his gubernatorial opponent, Bob Ehrlich -- reacts to the Edna McAbier story on today's front page. Here is a woman who does what the city implores -- she identifies drug dealers in her neighborhood, turns them in and then follows through and testifies at trial and helps put away eight defendants. You'd think today's story would have been her triumphant return to reclaiming the neighborhood she saved. Instead, she is exiled, unable to return because, in some ways, her neighborhood is worse than it was before. This is an important story, and maybe the mayor should get Edna back where she belongs, with 24-hour police protection if necessary. This is Baltimore's war on terrorism, and if Edna goes,the terrorists win. More on this tomorrow.

With the Cardin staffer story, be listening for Michael Steele to revive the one about having had Oreo cookies thrown at him at a campaign event in 2002. Beware: Last I heard, that story had shriveled into myth.

Thanks to reader Jonathan Jensen for pointing out this interesting phrasing from the web site of one of Baltimore's premier restaurants, Sotto Sopra:

"Sotto Sopra bursts a casual, yet aristocratic atmosphere. Within its walls the harmonious feast of shiny mirrors and fancy murals is orchestrated to provide a sense of liberalism and romantic freedom without diminishing the casualty of the dining experience."

Goodbye Rochambeau, home of Rudy Handel, the "Sun Lies/Sun Errs" man who used to hold up that sign in front of our building on Calvert Street at rush hour.

After a million years and countless nuclear wars, only three things will still exist from our epoch: The Great Wall of China, Cockroaches, and that big, stupid Man/Woman thing in front of Penn Station.

The first horse to cross the finish line is always called "Win." Second is "Place." Third is "Show." What do you always call Fourth? "Orioles."

Do you think Stan the Fan's mother calls him Stanley the Fan?

Inappropriate remarks. First Schaefer, now the Pope. How high can this thing go?

Canned and frozen spinach prices skyrocket. Hoarding suspected! Governor urges calm! Film at 11!

You can't get grapenut ice cream in Maryland -- no place that I know of (unless you special order it from Moxley's). If you see it on sale somewhere, please call me at once: 410-332-6166.