Just got off a call with my parents, during which I learned:

1. If you are unemployed, you might want to get together with your unemployed neighbors for a job seekers’ support/co-coaching group. You might want to give it a very glamorous, motivational name. You might encourage each other to just get that damn teaching certificate if you’ve always wanted to teach (Dad: “and don’t think of it as something that’s going to box you in!”); you’ll want to open yourself up to hear what the others in the group have to say; oh, and you should probably let your daughter blog about it through her work platform in order to spread this brilliant idea. (Er, I may have added that last part. Stay tuned.)

2. If you have a cough, you might want to try rubbing Vicks on the soles of your feet before bed. (Dad: “I heard this on a radio show about home remedies the other day. And then I vaguely remembered my mother doing it when I was a kid!”)