Last in the Rat Race

Just in case the feast at my parents’ house leaves us wanting more…

The Turducken has arrived last night!

…dog approved.

(Paddi caught indulging in Kate’s new bedding.)

The days are shorter and the nights are longer now. It’s awful in my book, but the temps yesterday allowed us some time to still play outside even though dark had set in.

Flipping on the lights, we – Kate, Mike and I – found ourselves in the backyard, engaged in a lively game of Keep-Away from Paddi. The object – one of Pad’s excruciatingly disgusting tennis balls. Everyone was laughing, Paddi couldn’t have been happier and then I had to drop the bomb.

“Bedtime.”

Cries of protest. Howls. Sinking to the patio, Katie pleaded and cried for more fun time.

Standing firm, I tried a number of reasoning tactics with her. I finally had to step away for a bit, went back inside and finished cleaning up the kitchen.

Interestingly enough, not even two minutes later, Kate came tip-toeing in the house whispering something about bedtime.

“Gotta be quiet. It’s bedtime.” I can finally make out her stage whisper. “Let’s go upstairs. They coyotes are coming out really soon! Gotta go upstairs before they get me.”

Holy shit. MRA pulled out the coyote card – the same one he used while in Texas, taking his daughter for an evening stroll on the golf course. She wanted to keep walking; he was ready to go home.

Bottom line: coyotes eat little kids.

And, it worked like a charm.

During our time in Texas, rooting through Gammi’s toy closet, I found a little treasure.

Lite-Brite.

Loved this as a kid. And I mean LOVED… In some ways, this was a great tool for a generation that was to become the Creative Class. So many ways to express your creativity – and, at the same time, risk electrocution.

We’re making things with light.
Lite-Brite makes them glow so bright!
A steamboat, a chicken, a tropical fish.
A lemonade sign or whatever I wish!

I have to admit, though, I was a little more concerned with following the pattern than Kate was. She is all about creativity, that kid…

Sitting at my desk this morning:

MP3 player is charging via USB on my laptop.

iPhone is charging via another USB on the other side.

Headphones are plugged into the mic jack on the same lap top, but in the front (checking out the new Norah Jones tracks on NPR).

Is it just me or does it seem that my laptop is running the show here? Isn’t that MY job?

(1) My husband is like my dog. Both act up when they don’t get enough attention.

(2) Currently, there is a praying mantis in a jar in my car in my office parking lot.