Getting to Know

We are watching each other. We have a lot to laugh about. A lot to learn.

Staying by our oldest daughter who lives in Chicago our days are spent getting to know each other. Coffee? at home no, out? sometimes yes.

Meat? Chicken yes, Beef no.

Oranges, Bananas, Apples? Yes. Watermelon, Cantaloupe? No.

Vegetables? No

They love dogs. Our adult daughter has both a Great Dane and a little “weaner dog”. Love at first sight Instant photo opt. The Great Dane is all you can wrap your arms around and the Weaner"s little wiggling body can be picked up and cuddled as his tong seeks to slap you across the nose.

We are walking through the neighborhood to meet Maxwell our grandson when he is dismissed from school; wieaner dog at the end of his long leash is pulling like a small sled dog. He switches from the sidewalk to the grass for better purchase as he pulls with all his might against his collar; a balance for him of not being able to breath and showing us the way. Our adult daughter has the little plastic bag with her for the doggy business which happens when “weaner dog” pauses for just a moment for his duty as he leads us to school.

I can see this coming, our new daughter has not seen this neighborly tradition before and right on Que she is stunned. Her mouth drops open and everything in her body language says “what are you doing? you must be crazy!” Just one more American tradition to learn. As we again walk down the sidewalk with Herrely pulling noblely I run up behind her and pretend to stuff a plastic bad into her back pocket. She scoots away shouting Het! Het!! (No No)

Later, after Herrely has led us back home. We again walk over a block to greet Madelyn at her bus stop. Alina is eating a golden delicious apple which she has all to herself and is enjoying. She eats the apple entirely, then the core, until the ends are gone and there are only four seeds and a couple of the hard casings; then stands holding the tiny remnants in her hand. Susan motions for her to throw them away on the nearby grass and Alina's look is questioning? After all we collect and save after the dog. Why should she think this can just be thrown down?