Mrs. Peel, you’re needed

Diana Rigg, who may be best remembered for her inimitable Mrs. Emma Peel in The Avengers, as well as for a brief portrayal of Mrs. James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, has passed on at the age of 82.

Her daughter, actress Rachael Stirling, said: “My Beloved Ma died peacefully in her sleep early this morning, at home, surrounded by family.

“She died of cancer diagnosed in March, and spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession. I will miss her beyond words.”

Sir Tom Stoppard added: “For half her life Diana was the most beautiful woman in the room, but she was what used to be called a Trouper. She went to work with her sleeves rolled up and a smile for everyone. Her talent was luminous.”

dear diary

Today I did a ride-along on a position for which I am assured I am one of the top candidates. They’re going to let me know sometime next week….after the other top candidate gets vetted the same way. Given my employment history, I can only hope that other person won’t show up.

This comes immediately after I was turned down for an albeit temporary position that would have been great fun and highly educational, enormously hard work, and also included access to an indoor pool and a weight room.

Efforts to teach my young niece to headbutt goodbye instead of kissing were only successful in the short run. She now insists on a ritual of: “Kiss?” “Hea’butt?” “Hug?” “Bye!” whenever I leave.