This week at the Fords: Our house turned into a child care center. I usually baby-sit Eli Tuesday thru Thursday, but this week I also watched Kate and Claire Monday, Tuesday and Friday. So every day there was someone here most of the day. It amazes me that women over da sort pf thing week after week, year after year. It can be wearisome. Beginning in February I will no longer watch Eli, but if I ever decided not to watch Kate and Claire; Erika would rebuke me. I openly admit that enjoy having all those girls around. They play so nicely with Barbies, beanie babies, and Power Ranger dolls. A girl's world is one of harmonious family living and little strife. Barbies do not get dish pan hands, beanie babies do not need to be fed, and Pawer Rangers don't need guns.
Annoyance of the Week: Monika was ill this with the common cold, a little stuffy nose, some coughing and a slight fever. The cold really seems so minor until the middle of the night. Every night this week Monika had a hard time getting at to sleep and then would only sleep for a few hours before waking again to complain. This meant I too, got very little sleep as well.
Quote of the Week; "Have you heard of the Packers?" Erika asked me on Friday. I guess all the
hype at school finally reached her ears. After I told her that I was aware of the Packers playing in the Superbowl, she informed me that she hoped they would lose. She sounded just like her dad, rooting for the underdog. As you know, the Packers beat the underdog.
JIM'S CORNERL This is an excerpt from _Peregrinatio Helvetica_, which I wrote while in Europe.
"The Alps Call My Name"
How often have I longed to go to the Alps, beholding them outside my window. I swear I could hear them calling my name the other night, beckoning me to come and gaze at their splendor and trek upon their jagged peaks. The voice became loud and clear that I resolved to heed the call. Taking with me only flashlight and day - pack, I gave my wife a kiss, hugged my children, and made my way out into the cold night toward the voice. As I ventured out about 200 yards in the direction of the Alps, I spotted some unshaven guy with a scruffy jean - jacket by the train tracks. He offered me a cigarette. I was so embarrassed. It turns out that He had been calling my name. I had never been so humiliated in all my life. I thought I was following some kind of call of the wild and it ends up being some biker dude with an attitude. Anyway, I took the cigarette but didn't inhale. All of a sudden the guy asked me: " Jim, what do you really want in life? " I had always coveted a managerial position at Pioneer Chicken, but somehow I knew he was getting at something else. Nervously neglecting the question, I responded, "Who are you and how do you know my name?" Before he had a chance to answer, I said exasperatingly, "Look. Let's pretend this incident never happened." Then I shamefully walked back to the house, leaving behind the dark figure by the train tracks and my dreams of an Alpine adventure.
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