Milestones, Migrations, and Mitigation

Last week marked many milestones for my friends. Local parents sending their children to the first days of elementary and high school. College age peoples making their migration. This made me wistful for the days when school started after Labor Day.

Ernest decided to migrate himself. He and his roommate (a friend from Hogwarts) left Wednesday morning on the going-to-college road trip. I am slightly annoyed because Ernest would not let me give or make anything for the trip, while roommate's mother got to make 18 vacuum-packed dinners for them. OK, the other mother does own a restaurant. And maybe the roommate can't say no to her. (Although Ernest seems able to say no to me. But still.)

Packing the car the night before, it was not quite full. There was still room for the cooler full of food and a few more bags, to be picked up in the morning.

My annoyance was mitigated by one of the greatest compliments Ernest has ever given me. "Thank you for being so uncomplicated." This was in regards to the vacation planning and how flexible I am about him being or not being here for holidays. As long as we get a visit...sometime. Handy and I are hoping to take a trip east around the fall foilage foliage how the heck do you spell that time.

Here he has just promised me that I will get my traditional goodbye mom picture the next morning so I should stop taking pictures now. 

OK. I got it! There's a goodbye dad picture too.

And then Tiny had to get in on the action. She LOVES cars.

Ernest had said over the summer that he had a favorite cat. How dare he? I would NEVER EVER say out loud if I had a favorite cat or child or husband (easy on that score since I've only had the one) but STILL.... 

Said cat apparently HEARD him and tried to go along but alas, no room for litter box or food so she had to stay home.

She climbed a tree instead.

We were all grateful for the distraction as Ernest pulled out of the driveway.

On to Zion, Yellowstone, The Badlands, and then some cities on the way.

Saturday PhotoHunt ~Beard~

This was an easy subject!

For the rest of the Saturday PhotoHunt, click here.

Four Dozen

Ernest complained because I only made 2 dozen cookies and gave a dozen to his grandmother: "That's left us only 3 apiece!" So he took matters in hand and made 4 dozen, with no eating limits.

They don't last long.

Neither did his summer. He is leaving on the 19th. That is only a week away.

It's Not a Mouse Any More

I may have mentioned that Ernest and Frank built themselves new computers this summer. About the only old parts they were still using were the mouses. (Yes, that is grammatically correct. You can say either mouses or mice.)

Finally Ernest's old mouse bit the dust.  He upgraded to a RAT. That's the highest tech rodent-like-pointing-device I've ever seen.

Just Checking

I was in line at Albertson's the other day. A 30ish woman was helping a grandmotherly woman shop. Grammy had a bandaged wrist. When it came time to check out, 30ish said she would write out the check and Grammy would sign it. But 30ish didn't know how to write a check! Seriously? Even with everything electronic now there are still times you need to write a check. Both my sons can. How else do you pay parking tickets?

Even young political activists know how to write a check!

Tastes Like Chicken

Handy dined on snake in Shanghai but didn't get a picture of it. He said it was cut crosswise, like a salmon steak instead of a filet, and looked like a sliced sushi roll. Google as I might, I could not find a representative photo.

What did it taste like? What else? Chicken.

This picture popped into my head.

Succulent Wreath

My SIL invited me to a class wherein we made succulent wreaths. It was very enjoyable, held in the garden at a winery.

I hope the succulents will survive my brown thumb and lack of light. I had to move them from their original spot near the window because Francine decided they were salad.

The wreath has been floating around the house since then...but it's been safe from Francine's noshing!

I'm not supposed to water it until it dries out. I'm good at that.

Doodle for ...

Coloring for adults is in the news, but it's not new to me. Besides my anthropomorphic food, I recently did a little something to surprise a friend...it's on its way.

More Scenes from Shanghai (Food and Cats)

In addition to the goose pate and the pigeon, this is the balance of the Handy's Sunday breakfast. The dumplings on the left contained soup. How can you get soup inside a dumpling? Wonders will never cease.

Sesame Chicken for dinner one evening. No feet?

I am disappointed he didn't try the ox penis.

Awww, another cat picture!

This mama cat was teaching her kittens to walk. She would pick each one up by the scruff of its neck, shake it a bit, plop it on the ground and nudge it. She did it over and over with each kitten. Handy says she was very determined. The dog was entertained by it all.

Anthropomorphism

I've been on a roll with my hand-drawn anthropomorphic vegetable/fruit cartoons, what with the happy carrot and the angry avocado. Here are some friendly tomatoes.

Imagine my delight when Handy showed me this picture of a winking bok choy.