Safety Goggles

Benjamin is very creative, and I never know what device or apparatus will end up on the kitchen counter daily.

Today, he made a carbon dioxide, simple for lack of better term, distillery. Of course, it involved plastic cups, water bottle, multiple straws and a mixture of sugar, water and yeast.

Madeline saw this apparatus on the counter, and in a not so lady like fashion inquired as to the purpose of the device.

Laughing, I advised her to leave it alone. She couldn't resist and squeezed the water bottle.

Later when I was picking up Benjamin, the two of us decided to play a prank on Madeline.

Considering how gullible she is, Benjamin walked in the house and approached Madeline.

Benjamin: "Madeline. You know that thing on the counter? I don't want Mom to get mad, but I need to tell you. Whatever you do, don't squeeze the bottle. If you do it releases A LOT of poison gas into the air. It could be dangerous."

A few minutes later as I enter the room.

Madeline: "Mom? You know how you told us we should never tattle unless it is life threatening? Ummm. That thing on the counter releases poison gas and I squeezed the bottle making it release a lot more."

Benjamin and I burst out laughing. Yes, she is gullible. However, I think I need to keep some safety goggles in the kitchen because who knows what he is going to build. Now that I think about it, maybe a fire extinguisher.

Am I Really Different, or Just Me?

I have been told multiple times that I have changed and I am a different person.

I don't think so.

I think I have become the person I am suppose to be.

The Gift of Poetry

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
and though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love, but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward, nor tarries with yesterday.

--Khalil Gibran

Many years ago, I befriended a geologist at Wayne State University. He gave The Prophet by Khalil Gibran to me as a gift. Every once in awhile, I turn to this book of poetry and find something new, or read something again with new eyes.

His words have soothed my soul and provoked my thoughts. I am grateful to the man who introduced me to this poet, and now, so many years later, wonder what compelled him to give this gift to me.

Definitely, Maybe

In the fall, I wrote about something a priest said that bothered me. Many months later, I stand my ground.

I guess he never saw the love story of Will and April.

Betta Mating Endeavours

Tonight I took Benjamin to four stores in search of a female betta fish. Finally, the last pet store had one lone, remaining female and in minutes she was whisked home as a companion for Zen, the male betta.

Between stores, Benjamin educated me on the successful pairing of the male and female betta, along with detailed description of their reproductive habits. I wish them well in their mating endeavours, although I was informed she may be killed by Zen during the mating process.

It doesn't sound very Zen-like to me.

Sissy Groundhog

Happy Groundhog Day! I can never remember what it means if the groundhog sees his shadow. However, today I learned if he sees his shadow it scares him, he goes back into the ground and the prediction is we will endure six more weeks of winter.

I was told he is a sissy.

The groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Phil: sissy.
The groundhog at the Howell Nature Center in Michigan, Woody: not a sissy.

I wonder who ever came up with the idea?

What a Great Idea

"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it."

- Groucho Marx