Dinner at the Maurer's

Sometimes you just have to appreciate the ironies of life. I’ve spent the summer photographing insects of all kinds. I’ve become a big fan of dragonflies. I’ve learned to respect bees. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to discover that insects are suddenly devouring what is left of my meager garden! One of the leaffooted bugs that fascinated me when he was on the wildflowers, must have alerted all of his friends to the fact that my three pitiful tomatoes were about to ripen! At least a couple of dozen joined in the feast last night.

I also commented to Gary that the doves and the bunnies either have a great sense of time, or they are sitting in the woods watching for me. Each evening at 6 I put out food for them and for the raccoons. Within fifteen minutes the doves and bunnies are enjoying their meal! The raccoons arrive at about 7:30.

Gary and I enjoyed dinner together last night. Our meals are becoming a rare treat because he is working the night shift so often. It seems that we have always had schedules at odds with each other. When we first married I was working days and he was working nights. Then he had a traveling job. Then he worked M-F and I worked every weekend for nearly two years. Then he drove a truck for years and was only home a few days a month. Now he is “retired” but working and we still have different schedules. I suppose some day we will both be home 24/7 and drive each other crazy! Lol

Lunch at school is driving ME crazy already! It always takes me a few weeks to get my students to eat with ANY sort of civility. I don’t know if parents just don’t teach manners anymore, or if children don’t eat at the table with their families, or I just forget about this aspect of school over the summer. Children eat with their hands, don’t use a napkin, play with their food, stuff their mouths, spill milk and juice, talk with food in their mouths, touch their classmate’s food, throw food, drop food, and just generally make a mess. They are also very loud and boisterous at the table! Mrs. Maurer gives them two choices- eat or talk quietly. Nothing else. No singing. No hitting. No “hand games”. No hide’n’seek under the table.

Well, I am enjoying a pleasant COOLER morning and I’m looking forward to renewed energy as we move into fall. I hope you have a wonderful day! (Remember to be nice at lunch.)

 

 

Comments

[Megan]

My personal theory is that children are wild animals and if (like at school) they're not supervised by their parents, they do all the things they'd never get away with at home. Just a theory.

Personally, I'd appreciate a meal or two or three without making a child use a utensil, napkin or discourage them from talking by insisting on food go in the mouth every few minutes. : ) Enjoy!