mamma mia!

Cardo has introduced Pic to the world of Mario and Luigi. Right now, there are in the living room playing Super Mario Bros. on the Super NES. Actually, at the moment, Pic is more interested in watching Cardo play than in playing herself.

On a related note, Pic and I watched this video about five times the other day.


"Super Mario Beatbox"

Fun stuff.

blog sprint: oddity

One Minute Writer from Monday: Write about something other people think is odd about you.

Cardo was recently telling me of a conversation he had with a coworker. She thinks it's strange that I don't have a car. (It's been almost a full year now, since we sold my car.) She can't understand that I don't want to drive. I do like to drive, sometimes -- when we're on road trips. Actually, usually I'm the one reading aloud when we drive, as Cardo doesn't like to read aloud much, so it's best if I'm not the one driving, certo. I've gotten into listening to podcasts, so we'll be listening on our next long trip and perhaps I can do a bit of the driving.

Anyhow, we've realized that we spend less money when we only have one car. I know this sounds obvious. We didn't have car payments on either car. Cardo bought his used from a friend who let him make payments. He paid it off long ago. I had my car for about eight years and paid it off in just under six. We did, though, have to pay insurance on both cars. And, we had to pay for gas for both cars. Where we're really saving money, though, is on outings. When I did have a car, Pic and I would sometimes go out and wander in stores and spend money on things we most likely didn't need. Without a car, we have to carry whatever we purchase and it makes any shopping trip something of a trek, so we purchase less.

I haven't regretted selling the car. Cardo keeps saying things like, "When we buy you a car," but I really don't want to buy another car. There are times, like yesterday, when owning a car would be incredibly convenient, but we're getting by. (Kind of briefly: Yesterday, Pic and I needed to go to the post office to send a package for Cardo. We didn't take the wagon, because we were going to take the bus and end up at Cardo's work. The first bus we would have caught was ten minutes late and we had already left the bus stop and started walking down the road when the bus finally passed us. The second bus, at the downtown terminal never showed up for its scheduled stop. Because of poor planning on my part, we hadn't brought snacks and Pic was weepy with hunger by the time Cardo picked us up at the bus terminal on his way home from work. Ah well. Yesterday is over. We got by.)

-------------

Yes, that was longer than one minute. I certainly don't type that quickly. I just think it's funny that Cardo's coworker finds me so odd for this decision.

from the mouth of the babe...

A few weeks ago, when we were walking to the library, Pic and I saw what I now think was a dead snake in the grass. Pic was between me and the snake and I wasn't taking any chances, so I kind of yanked her out of the way. After I explained to her why I reacted the way I did, she told me it was okay and she has, many times since, assured Cardo and me that she will yank us out of the way if we see any snakes. (Cardo is especially not fond of snakes, so Pic is extra-assuring with him.)

This incident has led to plenty of discussions about snakes. She informed me, on the way back home that day, that, "Sometimes snakes sleep long and sometimes snakes sleep around." That took me a minute to get. I thought she meant sometimes they sleep for a long time and sometimes they, well, you get it. It still makes me smile.

A couple of days ago, again on a walk to the library, Pic was wearing a flower-patterned skirt and a flower-patterned top. She informed me, "I'm the flower girl. The bees are going to pollen my shirt. They'll say, 'What a flower woman!' They don't even know I'm not a woman, I'm a little girl. (I'm not really a little girl.)"

We also had yet another snake discussion. According to Pic, "Kitty would like a snake-pet. He'd say, 'Mmm, a snack! Snake-pet!'"

Yes, our lives are being narrated and pondered at all times. I think this is at least in part because I have been doing this with Pic since she was born. I have been narrating everything. And, I'm constantly asking her questions. People used to look at me like I was crazy as I talked to my tiny babe while we grocery shopped. I figured, hey, she's a person, why wouldn't I talk to her? Now, I barely have to do any of the talking.

paging dr b

Pic has decided she wants to be a veterinarian. She doesn't want to be just any vet, either, she wants to be an emergency vet, or, as she refers to the profession, "an animal hospitaler." She's very specific about this.

Here she is at Savers, running her office. She was taking a call about a sick dog.



I think I see 4-H, or something similar, in our future.

drop me a line

I finally, finally got around to adding an e-mail address here. I actually just got rid of one (used for a different purpose) and was relieved, but here I am adding another e-mail address to my life. Ah, well. I did want to have a way for people to get in touch with me, if they chose not to leave a public comment.

So, if you feel so inclined, drop me a line!

----------------

The address is over there on the right: duckpondletters@sbcglobal.net. You can also just click on the "email" link on my profile. Because I don't know how to use the e-mail program that automatically pops up on my own computer (I humbly admit), I thought it might be nice to spell out my own e-mail address for you all...y'know, in case anyone is as technologically clueless as I am.

----------------

Also, about the address: "duckpond" and "theduckpond" were taken (no big shock there). I thought "duckpondletters" would be easier for most of my readers (all one of you) to spell out than "stagnoperanitre."

nourishment

We've been eating, yes, but what? Mexican-inspired cuisine, I guess. We'll go with that. Last night, we had Peach and Brie Quesadillas with Honey-Lime Dipping Sauce. I think they're something of an appetizer, but we ate them for dinner. Pic opted out of this, but she was missing out. I'd definitely eat them again.



(No, I don't ever really pick up the clutter in my dining room.)

Tonight, we made enchiladas. And, by "we," I mean, Cardo. I washed the dishes that had been accumulating since last night, while he made dinner tonight. We dined al fresco, which meant I didn't have to clear up the 550-piece puzzle Pic and I are working on. Enchiladas are becoming one of our go-to meals, as much as we even have go-to meals.



There are so many reasons I love Cardo. A couple: he helps out in the kitchen and, well, just look at his plate presentation!

More and more, I'm enjoying dining at home. Like I said, I have many, many more recipes to work through. I'm looking forward to it.

Are you all eating anything scrumptious lately?

green smoothie

This morning's smoothie was the best color! Whole milk, bananas, frozen peaches, spinach. It was very green, very thick and very tasty.