Of Kids and Brains

Nikki Dee's first semi-cognizant (meaning that she did experience it less consciously last year and will experience it more consciously in years to come) encounter with the snow did not go over all that well. Perhaps you can tell by the look on her face. It probably wasn't so much the snow itself but just one of dem dere days.

Changing the topic a little, the kid has surprised me twice lately. Last week, we were playing one of her songs, and Cuppa did what we often do at the end of a song; she clapped. Well, didn't the kid give her a weird look as if to say, "What the heck are you doing grandma?" And she was right, for the song picked up again for another line or two before the real ending, and then she clapped. It was a titch humbling doncha know?

And just yesterday, I was sitting with her on the couch watching Elmo with her when she began to giggle. She jumped onto the floor with a big smile on her face. Lo and behold, one of her favourite segments came on next, and she was all primed for it. We have quite a few Elmos taped, and from the spot that I had just seen, I couldn't guess what was coming next, but she knew.

I was shocked. These kids are smart let me tell ya. A lot smarter than we usually give them credit for. That's why we adults need to exercise some care in our words and actions.

First Storm

From our bedroom window ...



As far as winter storms go, it didn't amount to much, but for October it was enough to give us pause. It was also a little worse than it looks because the driveways and roads got pretty icy. SIL is anxious about getting his winter tires on because he does a lot of driving, but, naturally, everyone is thinking the same thing, and tire places are booked. But the snow will soon be gone because temperatures will go up to 11°C (52°F) on Friday, which should result in a decent Halloween for the kiddies. We don't usually bother with winter tires until mid to late November; hopefully, this storm was a one-off, and that schedule will still be viable this year.

Of Absentmindedness and Snowblindedness

What a miserable day: windy, rainy and S N O W Y ! ! ! Yes, you read correctly — snowing on October 28! How dare The Weather Network Network?! They should know better, should know that it shouldn't snow for almost another month. Nevertheless, it has predicted that we can expect 10cm (4in) or more of the white stuff overnight — and it's highly doubtful that it will still be mixed with rain as the temperature drops this evening. Sigh.

To make matters worse, on this contemptible day, I managed to rouse my body enough to brave the elements and take a miserable walk through a parking lot for the purpose of stocking up on provender. And I did what I almost invariably do: played the part of the absentminded professor and overlooked something on my list. This time it was the potatoes.

I don't always miss something on the list, but on those rare occasions when I manage to keep my listy wits about me, I find that I have usually neglected to put something on the list in the first place. This usually happens when I list the ingredients for a recipe. That happened today too, but while in the store, I did remember that I had forgotten [sic — remembered that I forgot] to put beef broth on the list. There was something else too, but I've forgotten what it was ... although I remembered that I forgot it at the time. (There should be a prize for following that.)

It's hard being me, and I suppose living with me ... and perhaps in reading this blog. Fortunately, I don't need the potatoes for tonight as we're having linguine, but it will mean another trip to the store before I am darned good and ready. Grrrr.

(I know it's snowlblindness and not snowblindedness; I just liked it that way.)

Smudge Sings

(Mainly a video clip — mostly for family)

Way back in June I clip of Nikki Dee humming as she ate her lunch. At the time I reasoned that I should capture it before she stopped. Well, she hasn't stopped: still hums through her meals. When she stops humming, you can be pretty sure that she will soon stop eating. If it's early in the meal, you know that she doesn't prefer the dish of the day. However, that happens seldom; she's a pretty good eater. (Here's the whole blog, and just the clip is here if you want to see it.)

Apart from mealtimes, however, she does hum on occasion. Quite some time ago, she attempted to hum along with me as we danced while I also hummed the tune. She has continued to hum along every now and then although not frequently enough that we expect it.

Therefore, we were delighted when Daddy started to sing the Elmo song to her, and she made the attempt to join in. I think she did a pretty good job. And we were there with the camera.

The Miracle of the Shoelace

I changed a shoelace recently: a rather unusual if banal event. You see, one doesn't get to or need to replace shoelaces much anymore. In fact, I can't recall my last incident. (Of course, since I can barely recall what I had for any given meal yesterday, that isn't in itself remarkable.)

There was a time, however, when we were sure to keep replacement laces on hand because the unceremonious breaking-of-the-lace was not an uncommon event. Frequently, I'd be lacing up my shoes when a lace would simply snap in two, and I don't think my Samson-like strength was the cause of the mishap — it was all down to the material. Somewhere along the line, however, that changed. Now, we can own shoes for years, use them regularly, and the laces will most likely remain intact and reliable for the duration. Even in the case of the recent changing, the shoelace in question didn't snap; it simply frayed and weakened but held on, and I left it in that condition for quite a while before I got around to dealing with it.

I'm not sure when it all changed — when the miracle of the shoelace occurred. It seems to me that it might have been the late seventies or early to mid eighties, but I can't be sure. Maybe it wasn't even an overnight shift; maybe they improved gradually to the point where they seldom seem to fail; but, improve they did.

So, I wonder why, we still have to buy them in pairs.

Foto Friday

Let's begin Foto Friday with a somewhat unique photo of Cuppa that I took last weekend as she walked into a patch the sunlight in the woods on a colourful autumn afternoon.



As good Canadians we all endeavour to raise a proper Canadian girl who is devoted to Tim Hortons. Here she is with Mom at Tims and seems to be loving it.



Scenes from around the house this week. Below, I was working in the kitchen and turned to find that she had pulled down her colouring and was going to it. She was quiet and absorbed, which I was grateful for, and I continued to cook. She only coloured the floor a little bit, and it was with washable crayons, so it was all good.



Jill in the Box?



The pint-sized pumpkin that we/she brought home from the outing to the store last week.



Finally, here she is doing outside work with the same pumpkin (with a normal-sized one in the background).

We Succumbed

I guess I can proclaim that pre-winter hath arrived, for we turned the furnace on last night. The house was down to 16.5°C (62°F) when we got home late afternoon, and with the forecast taking us down to nearly freezing, we threw in the metaphorical towel. One hates to give in too soon because winter, which in essence I actually don't mind, hangs around so long. Soon though, I'll start looking forward to Christmas and family reunions, and that's good.