By way of introduction...

Once upon a time, when the ignomious Mr. Bump and I were buying us some food making supplies, Mr. Bump picked up a can of "Clabber Girl" baking soda, chuckled, and said "hey, this chick* looks like you! ha ha!" and lo, my nickname was born.

On quite a different note, the following nugget of wisdom was mined this morning in my apartment:

Me: well, you know what they say about the mind. [pause] Either you l--use it or you lose it.
Mr. Bump: yes, luse-ing it, or losing it. That sums it up.

This is what happens when you comment on mental alacrity before breakfast.