Ed and I have a rule that no media is
allowed during dinner, The kids fussed about missing calls, “And
it might be an emergency, Mom, like Grandpa's fallen and he can't get
up.”
I said, “If he can call us, he can call 911. Whoever it is can leave a message.”
I didn't tell them that when I was
young, we didn't have voicemail, since we got it when I was ten. I
knew I'd get a cross examination, if not the Spanish Inquisition.
This is what it can lead to:
I asked Ed if he put the ketchup on top
of the cheese in a cheeseburger, or if he turned it over and put it
on the meat,
He said he put it on top and added, “What
difference does it make?”
Me: “ I'm just making conversation.
That's all I've got.”
Josh:
“That's a very original question, Mom, It's interesting to hear
how other people do things.” (Seminary, here he comes!) “I
put it on top.”
Cilla wanted to know why.
Betsey: 'Because he's too lazy to turn
the bun over.” (Betsey was having a grilled cheese sandwich to
help save some poor cow's life. Cilla said I was “spoiling her.”
I said it was to make up for all the times Betsey thought I was
spoiling her. )
Josh: “But maybe
it makes the meat taste better. Of course you could put it on both
sides.” (And it's going to be an Episcopal seminary!)
Ed: “Why not
mustard?” (I don't know if he wanted to join in or if he was being
provocative. I didn't care. It was communication.)
Cilla: “McDonald's
mixes ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise! Eeew!”
Josh: ”Everyone's
entitled to their own opinion.”
Cilla:” I bet if
we asked that guy who trashes all those restaurants on television,
he'd have an opinion.”
Betsey: “Why
don't you write a letter and ask him?”
Cilla: “Maybe I
will. It would be very educational.”
Ed: “Well,
Charlie do you turn your hamburger upside down? If anyone did, it
would be you,”
Me: “Actually, I
never did. Not to brag, but I'm probably the only person in the world
who ever thought of it.”
“In the
universe,” Cilla said proudly.
