Klowns in my Koffee

We drove to school with our box of wrapped cocoa-filled coffee mugs. Princess Potatohead was wearing pajamas in celebration of "Pajama Day" - the last day before vacation where they watch a movie while eating popcorn. This seems to be a relatively recent development in education. About fifteen years ago, preschools started the practice. Since then, it has age-progressed to elementary and middle schools. In another ten years, I expect to see college classes attended in footed flannel.

The Princess was wearing a hand-me-down red onesie that has a football helmet embroidered on the left front. Anticipating the inevitable uproar about the appearance of "boy stuff" in the tiara universe, I pinned a small Christmas stocking over the helmet. She declared it appropriate and fashion forward for the occasion when worn with Fancy Nancy slippers.

In the summer, being home was not so isolating. During the periods that the kids were not in school, I wished at times for more isolation.

Winter is different. I was itching to go somewhere with people. The library wasn't going to cut it. I suppose that I could have lugged my laptop to some coffee shop to sit near the propane fireplace. "Retail therapy" is not an option, both on the basis of frugality and also Mr. T's statement, "We don't need any more junk here."

So the natural choice was ribs.

The other members of my family do not favor meat on bones. Their various "eoows" and "yucks" erode the kick of even the best barbecue sauce. I can live with boneless wings if forced, but the term itself jousts at logic. Any barbecued meat item meant for gumming loses in the translation.

I sat by the propane fireplace and drank my coffee ... with a combo plate of ribs and wings with a corn muffin and drunken apples. You deserve to be famous, Dave!

Lingering with my (paper) notebook, I jotted and listened to the blues.

And, when I was ready to go, the only blues were on the sound system.

When I'm taking a bath, I'll consider not locking the bathroom door and then telling the kids that "the door must be stuck."