Cracklin' Rose

It's not like I've forgotten you. I've just been lazy. Not much to talk about. There are a few articles here and there that manage to get my dander up enough to almost blog, but then I yawn and stretch and decide that a nap will make it all better. Usually it does. But today I do have some exciting news I think.

Lately Bear's been getting into television and for the first time I think we have an inkling that the girl just might be straight. Yes, yes, I know, where is this coming from? Let's just say that until The Sweet Life of Zach and Codie [sic] I have been preparing myself to be the grandmother of either an adopted Asian child named Ophelia or Steven Still's seed if you get my meanin' and I think you do. It's not like homosexuality is a stretch given that J's sister and cousin and quite possibly, grandmother are all gay.

It's not that I would disown her were she to be gay. It's not that I would reject her. She's my daughter and I love her. I simply see the struggle that my sil has, how she has to hide her life from her parents, how she and her partner have no rights, no legal claim to each other, and I don't want that for my girl. I don't want her to be ashamed of who she is. I don't want her discriminated against.

I would bring it up now and again casually to Bear, my questions ("Soooo, do you loooooooooove anyone? Are there any boys in your class that you think are cuuuuuuuuuuuute? Girls?" or "What do you think about girls kissing girls? Do you think it's icky or are you okay with it?")  and she would either look at me like I was insane, or she would nod wisely and not say anything ("I kiss girls, Mom. I kiss you!!").  I'd ask her if she wanted to have babies when she was older and she'd very emphatically state that no, she was never having babies, but that she might adopt a baby girl from China and name her Ophelia. (She's also very emphatically stated that she is never getting married and that she is never moving out. Ever. Her sister has said the same thing as well. Obviously I've made things a little too comfortable around here.)

So, anyway, The Sweet Life of Zach and Codie [sic]. For the first time she said to me, "I like the mischievious one. He's *blush* cute." Normally she says stuff like, "[that character] has pretty hair. I like her best." Always about the female lead. Never anyghing about the male, as if he were an afterthought. I wasn't sure if it was an identification with females (given that she is only 9) or maaaaaaaybe something a little more.  But now I hear more about the male leads, which is... something.

Even if I'm wrong, even if she's as gay as the day is long, it doesn't matter. She's my daughter and I love her. And she'll be in excellent company.

Today marks the beginning of eternal summer with 2 pre-pre-teens. Not that I'm expecting the worst or anything, not with them.

T-2 hours and it will start, the whining, the begging to have a friend over, the whatever new thing they dream up to torture me with.

Pull a Dion Warrick for me will ya?

 

It's been going on for at least a year this neighborhood card club, and last night I was invited to play with them. Okay, I was a sub, and a last minute one at that, but I snagged an invite. Being as I'm not a joiner, and being that I have a low tolerance for most women in my neighborhood, my absolute giddiness at the prospect of playing cards with them for 4 hours surprised me.

Despite my boisterous voice (a term used to describe how you "sound" to your readers [or, in this blog's case, reader]) I really am a quiet, shy soul. I don't get funny until I know you. I don't comment much until I'm comfortable. I mostly sit and smile beatifically; so for the ladies last night it must've been like playing cards with a Botecelli. 

I had a good time. It felt good to be out of my house, to be talking to adults - albeit however superficial the conversations, and to have 4 hours just for me. At night's end I was kind of bummed that I was merely a sub and not a regular at the neighborhood card club. As much as I don't  like a certain neighbor lady and her brassy, me me me attitude, I wanted to be a part of that superficial group.

Alas, it can never be. They are full up, and unless they catch another member cheating like they did that Cheri or Jerri or Merri, it doesn't look like their membership's going down. But it felt good to be a part of the in crowd for a night.

 

You know how when you're just sitting at your kitchen table minding your own business enjoying the stunning 4 part harmony of Abba and trying to decide which of the lead girl singers is prettiest** and your world shifts on its axis? I thought you might.

My daughter's ex-pediatrician, the one who gave her whiplash, and I have always had a different relationship. From our first pre-natal interview I was fairly intimidated by him in much the way I would be if he were a rock star from the 70's. Turns out, HE'S A ROCK STAR FROM THE 70's.

I found this out while swinging my feet to the ever catchy, ever bouncy, surprisingly deep Super Trouper. The Sinister Dr. Doom was once a member of Abba. You can't tell me he wasn't because he is DEAD ON the skinny, tallerish guy.  Not the guy who plays piano and wears a beard, the other one. 

I knew I'd seen him before!

** Hands down the blonde. She has a fun vibe.

 

 

Listening to: weather bug chirping its happy storm warning

What I learned from War of the Worlds

by Cracklin' Rose.

If ever we're invaded by tripod arachnid type aliens with cute heads and sharp teeth I think that people should stay away from large crowds of other people. What better way to be mass destroyed than to be with the masses waiting for a ferry? It's like fish in a barrel. 

Also I learned that it's best to stick to the back roads because angry mobs are going to want your mini van and you want to keep your mini van as long as possible because it's a long way to Boston.

I also learned that it's important to keep cellusomething or other starter type car parts on hand just in case there is an electro-magnetic pulse. It doesn't have to be from aliens. It could be random. If you have one of these super duper things, then you will have the only car that runs and people will envy you. But, as stated previously, you and your mini and its cellusomething or other thingy should stick to lesser traveled country roads unless you want your son beat up and Dakota Fanning nearly crushed by an angry, desperate crowd.

If Tim Robbins offers you shelter in his water-soaked cellar just say no. Tim Robbins is creepy.

I also learned that while in real life Tom Cruise is kinda intensely abnormal, he plays a great action hero. Over and over and over and over and over.