So what is so wrong, with alcohol?

Miscellaneous Musings from a Mom

Just some random thoughts for a February evening:

Why did my 3 1/2-year-old son suddenly decide to start calling us "Mom" and "Dad" instead of "Mama" and "Daddy"? It is cute the way he pronounces both titles so emphatically and carefully, but it is sad! Way too grown-up, even our 11-year-old daughter calls me "Mommy" still.

And why do schools need to drum into Middle-Schoolers' heads that alcohol is bad, bad, bad! I had to jointly fill in a health worksheet with her tonight to refute all the myths about alcohol and kids. True, it is not good for growing kids to drink, but telling them it is all evil will just entice them more. Why can't we be like Europeans, and just set good examples for our kids, that good wine and beer can enhance a good meal with good company?

Lastly, why don't Moms get tips for cooking, serving, and cleaning up after dinner? I put this question to my family tonight, after once again cooking a nice supper and having to clean up after they wolfed it down in minutes and fled the scene. I pointedly remarked that at least when I waitressed at Ponderosa I got tips and didn't even have to wash dishes. My daughter at least got my drift a bit, she asked if doing dishes counted (not that she does them, but still). My husband just gave me a weird look and disappeared back down into his basement office. I should have loudly replied that "Yes, I do accept non-monetary tips!" Hah!!

Ratcheting it up

Building on my previous post, I've pondered more about cramming everything you love into simultaneous sessions. I find myself not only watching the DVD set of the The Tudors - Season 2 but needing to follow along with its companion book, which of course I read ahead of time but still felt compelled to consult as I viewed. The director occasionally deviated from the script and it was great fun to compare the two versions. For example, at the end of the season finale when Anne Boleyn is to be executed, Brandon's young son, who claimed he "wanted to see someone die" bravely stares at the impending victim with tears streaming down his face, versus the script, where his father forcibly holds his face towards the block when he tried to avert his eyes. They both work equally well in their respective media. Bravo!

And as for books in general, I find my Amazon.com wish list growing lonnnngggg. It's up to 7 pages now. For every couple books I buy, several more are newly published. I'm a preordering compulsive thanks to Amazon's notification feature. A blessing or a curse? Not to mention all the great ads in the Times and the New Yorker and reviews in my Bookmarks subscription (highly recommend that magazine to all readaholics). So what did I go and do now? Read "Book Lust" and highlighted all the books I MUST read before I die. I better live a good many more years.

My own trifecta

Remember the Seinfeld episode, where George attempts a "Trifecta" (in his case simultaneous food, sex & TV)? I think I caught myself striving for my own version last night&mdash wine, books and "The Tudors" Season 2 on DVD. How insane is that! Sometimes more of what you love is is better ;)