Real Life Conversations with JT: Manly edition

The backstory: We watch a lot of sports at this house, which means that JT has a steady diet of beer and Viagra adverts in his life.  He finds both perplexing and I've noticed that these ads lead him to have a certain world view, as was the case Monday morning when he spotted a man on a motorcycle driving the mean streets of New Jersey.

"That guy uses Viagra," JT informed me.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"I watch TV Mama.  I know that guys who ride motorcycles need Viagra."

Note to Erectile Dysfunction drug manufacturers: I think this phenomena is known as an unintended side effect.

Chicken Hooker

Known to the world as Henrietta Chicken, this dog toy is the fave of some dogs of my acquaintance.

T and I dubbed her the Chicken Hooker because……..well, it's obvious, isn't it?

Though she's been known to stay in Florida, she's no stranger to the street corners of greater northern New Jersey.

Henrietta is the frequent companion of Bibi and Sam, though Sam ardently believes he has the market cornered on her affections.

Last Saturday, Henrietta had herself a busy day.

At one point, T tried to offer Hen safe haven, but the Chicken Hooker loves her work. 

She opted for a Saturday afternoon lay-about on the hammock.

If I know the Chicken Hooker, she won't be at rest for long.

Dogwood Monday: Week 3

I had one of those Mondays that confirms every stereotype of the first day of the week.  I woke up late, surfacing to consciousness, glad to discover that the dream in which I had lost my driver's license and debit card was in fact not reality.  That was the good news.  The bad news was that the dark fall morning induced me to sleep an extra 45 minutes that I did not have penciled in to the schedule.

My coffee pot is slowly dying, so it rose to the occasion with the sort of half-assed attitude that I could tolerate on a Friday but that made Monday morning that much more unsettling.  I missed virtually every light on the way to school and then taught three periods in a row before I came up for air.  The afternoon featured papers to grade, one more class to teach, and then a trip to the grocery store.

But when I got home, the dogwood greeted me with a reminder of the cool quiet mornings that will surely be in my future.

I'll take it.

Indian Summer

I spent the weekend in the woods with T and we enjoyed the warmth of two lovely Indian Summer days.  I made some amusing pictures that I will be posting later this week.  In the meantime, this picture makes me smile.

That's happy.  What else?

Real Life Conversations with JT: Baseball Allegiance edition

The backstory: We are baseball fans in the Sassafras family and, among other things, that means that JT has a genetic obligation to disdain the big-money Yankees.  Some days that easier  than other days, as it was on Friday morning, the day after the Yankees were eliminated from playoff contention by the Detroit Tigers.  JT and I were reviewing the game when the following conversation occurred.

Mama:  A-Rod didn't get a hit when the bases were loaded.  That's what 32 million a year can buy you.

JT:   Heck, Mama, I'd could have struck out for them just for 32 bucks a year.

His grandfather is so proud.

'Puter

I got my first Apple Macintosh computer in 1986, when I was in college and Apple made it easy for college students to buy a personal computer.  The typewriter I received as a graduation gift couldn't compete.  That year, my journal went digital and I began to write all my papers and assignments on the computer.  A few years after that, a roommate of mine dubbed the computer the 'puter and I call it that to this day.

A few years later, when I was in grad school, I traded up for a new Mac.  That Mac came with me to my first teaching job and saw me through more writing than I could have ever dreamed possible.  Research, lectures, essays and lessons all came forth from that little box.  It still felt like magic.

Just before JT was born, a third Apple came my way, this one an orange iMac.  In 2002, I switched to the MacBook and became a laptop disciple; it's what we use at my school.  I'm on my third MacBook and cannot imagine life without this little machine.  I jokingly call it my brain,  but it's no joke.  My music, my photos, much of my reading and most of my ideas are on this laptop.   

Last night, as I sat with my MacBook on my lap, working on a lesson for classes next week, JT had his iPad in hand, studying for a Science test and a History quiz.   Thanks to that iPad, he can carry books and school notes wherever he goes.  He makes digital and audio clips with ease, sometimes studying Spanish by hearing his own voice speaking back to him.  It's a marvel.

Thanks, Mr. Jobs.

Apple Envy

The possum ate the apples off of my trees, so I had to comfort myself with some apples from a local orchard.  JT was impressed by the disparity between the largest and smallest of the apples.

As for me, I was just glad of an abundance of apples. 

I've already made a batch of fried apples, T took some to dry, and I've got plans for applesauce and apple pie. I do so enjoy the taste of fall.

Corn-tastic

Last Friday, I persuaded T and JT to join me in a local corn maze. I enjoy myself a little corn maze confusion and this was no exception.  JT and T were patient - sometimes amused, I daresay - and even when we got lost, I enjoyed myself.  At one point, as we tramped through yet another familiar row of corn, T announced that she didn't want corn for supper.  And then we were off and running, reciting every possible corn dish we could think of: corn muffins, corn pudding, corn on the cob, corn dogs, corn relish, corn bean mash, popcorn…..we covered all of our corn bases.  Then we spent the rest of the weekend making jokes about hominy.

Years ago, I read JT a book about a bunny named Willa.  When something made Willa happy, she'd say "that's happy, what else?"  Willa seemed to believe that happiness could be available in abundance.  I feel a lot like Willa these days.  It's so very nice to find myself in a place of easy companionship and easy laughter; of shared jokes and future filled with more of the same.   That's happy, I keep thinking to myself.  What else?

Dogwood Monday

It's week two for the weekly dogwood pictures and a little more fall color can be seen on my tree.  We had a cool fall weekend around here; the sort that puts me in a mind to make chili and grab an extra blanket for the bed. 

I'm hopeful that we will enjoy some cool, sunny, fall days this month.  My folks are coming to visit next week and if the trees in my backyard are any indication, it looks as if they will enjoy plenty of lovely fall leaves.

Real Life Conversations with T: Condemnation edition

The backstory: I have a neighbor who sets off his car alarm nearly every Saturday morning.  And it's not a quiet alarm.  No, it's a honking, blaring, 8:10 am call to arms.  And the car's owner seems stunned when it happens, so we hear the alarm run through the cycle a couple of times before the offender finally manages to turn off the noise. We heard it this morning.

Car:  Honk, honk, honk.

T:  Damnit, that alarm goes off every Saturday. If that guy can't handle the technology,  he can't have a car.  He goes back to a horse and buggy. 

And then we're laughing while the horn is still screeching.  And I'm reminded why this girl won my heart.