back to labor

[framefolly]

Family Men
After gorging on dim sum, I actually went to an all out Labor Day barbeque: six-layer dip, veggie platter, beer, grilled chicken, grilled steak, vegetarian abalone, roast lamb, champagne, watermelon and birthday cake. The cake was for Uncle George, the host, who will turn 60 this week; or, if one counts the age of his liver, 24; or, if

Comments

[bluebombardier]

Ernestine looks so happy with her new view! Nothing beats natural light as a source of illumination.

Rock on with the makeshift hammer. I usually use a shoe.

The last time I saw your dad was the last time he visited Joyce, and he was doing well. Your mom was especially excited about the new bathroom tiles when she came two weeks ago, and nervous about leaving home without telling him.

Your parents' (your?) piano needs tuning; does your mom play? I know Donna occasionally sneaks a few chords and progressions in; she had some Carrie Underwood sheet music lying about when we bust in and scared the bejeezus out of her.

[framefolly]

Ernestine's terribly unhappy with her new diet, though -- I'm trying to cut down on her eating volume because the experts say that she can grow too fast. I'm also going to add more and more anacharis to her diet, but right now the plants have not grown enough for me to feed them to her wantonly, though.

What kind of shoe?

No one plays that piano regularly anymore, which is a pity, as it is a very good piano. If we tune it it will just get out of tune during the next decade of neglect...but for the sake of the instrument we should probably do it anyway, huh?

[bluebombardier]

Sneaker, usually, or a hiking boot. My fancy shoes are buried inaccessibly at the back of my closet.

[enigmaticblues]

It's interesting how sons are treated differently than daughters in various ways. I think my dad was actually more indulgent with my brother; he was allowed to do more, and at an earlier age. Dad tended to push me harder and be a lot more strict. Then again, he was also very protective, so there were benefits to that.

I do like Despair.com and those sayings. I also love Ernestine! She's beautiful. My roommate's nickname in high school was Turtle, and she still loves them and collects turtle figurines.

[framefolly]

True, boys do get more leeway for lots of things...At Uncle George's party Yvonne performed a "tying a cherry stem in her mouth" trick, and we joked that that was how we know if someone is a good kisser. Uncle George made so many jokes about it, that I almost missed his nervous remark, "Well, I don't know what this matters to you, if it's true as you said that you've never had a boyfriend." Yvonne is my age. I highly doubt that she has never had a boyfriend. But Uncle George clearly has different dating expectations for his son and for his daughter...

Ernestine IS beautiful, and she says thank you! They are very sweet, and so easy to take care of that it pains me that so many are abandoned or ill-treated....

I'm starting to get REALLY nervous about Seasonal Spuffy. How short can an entry be?

[enigmaticblues]

Don't worry! Your entry (or entries) can be as long or short as you like. I've seen anything from 100 words on up. :)

[framefolly]

Phew!

I mean, sometimes short can be good, right? To wit, "Out. For. A. Walk." (and we all know what comes after the pause ;) ).

Tiny!

[anonymous]

After I present for journal club this Fri I will get an account.

I do encourage the rents to read your blog!

I like the turtle desk- I like the many small decorative turtles. I think the superman pose shows well enough! Just to let you know, the rents bought you a giant turtle from Cancun. It's bronze and the size of a small couch. It spews water from its mouth, nose, and tail. It has rainbow colored, glittering shells. This contraption hums a low volume, high pitched electric tone "For Elyse" all day long. They spent a lot of moeny shipping it back. Soon they are going to ship it to you.

Re: Tiny!

[framefolly]

Yay! You are joining the Dark Side of the Force! What do you think of my writer@work icon?

Ernestine is much more active in this spot than she was before. You should visit when you get a chance -- I think the room will surprise you pleasantly.

A giant bronze turtle fountain! Just what I've always wanted! This is too much. I am besides words. It will look so perfect at the center of my circle of 17 pink flamingos right next to my chartreuse gazebo! My "Garden of ColorDreams" will now be complete.

Re: What bronze turtle is she talking about?

[anonymous]

Oh no, Joyce just blew my surprise gift away. And the turtle is a Maya clay turtle, not a colorful/bronze one. Come on, I do have some taste afterall. Maybe Joyce was a little dizzy with her rents around. I'll send him to join your turtle family soon, maybe over this weekend.

I think Ernestine's relocation is a supper idea. Truly she doesn't have to stare at the WHITE wall anymore. I like the pictures, they're great.

I'm very touched by your writing about family men, especially the part concerning your Dad. He's been overwhelmed with work since returning from the trip. Hopefully he can read your writing before bed time. I believe he'll be very happy.

Good night, my dear XKK. Love ya, orow.

Re: What bronze turtle is she talking about?

[framefolly]

Thank you! Actually, YOU blew the surprise gift, because I thought that Bird was just kidding. But I still very much look forward to it :) .

I think it's really time for me to get a real camera, so I can take real pictures, instead of always trying to hold up my laptop to a weird angle to try to take a blurry and ill-composed shot.

Hope Dad doesn't find my writing too schmoopy or critical. How's the bathroom renovations progressing?

[blue_aardvark]

We should introduce our dads: sounds like the pair of them could do some serious damage together.

And, I love that mug! One thing I collect is ugly mugs. My favorite is a coffee mug that has the US postal service logo on one side, and "EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH" on the other.

[framefolly]

Want me to send it to you? I still hate it ;) .

No -- I still want to live! If we get our dads together and the apocalypse results, Ernestine will never forgive me.