The posts have been light in recent days. I have nothing to say, because my life has been dull. I’ve been working on work, walking my dog, and eating dull meals by myself. I had thought of trying to photograph these things, that I might share them with you, but I’m guessing you have better ways to spend your Sunday afternoon. You are probably, at this moment, with your families. Whatever delusional logic convinced me that I’d have a fine time at home with my keyboard while my people ventured north for a month has been soundly shamed in retrospect. For the sake of public record, let it be known: I am going to Alaska next summer.
Yesterday I got a letter from the north. In addition to the usual stories and updates from Robbi, the envelope contained a message from my favorite little scribbler. I’m not entirely sure what she is trying to tell me, so I thought I’d share and see if any of you can offer insights. Perhaps the more veteran parents among you will know?
From what I can glean, it says something along the lines of, “Hello Papa. I miss you, but I’ve had a good time up here. I’m learning more words each day and have gotten even more sassy and willful without your steady paternal influence. I am looking forward to returning to the hot, wet funk of Maryland (not). Love, Alden.”
Whatever she means, the truth of the matter is, my clan returns on Friday. I’d count the minutes, but there are still to many to contend with, so I’ll focus on days for now, eagerly anticipating the familiar chorus that will soon be ringing through these old timbers.
Matthew,
I think you’ve deciphered Alden’s letter quite well. Did Robbi start it with the monkey? And, is he surfing? And did Alden add the dolphins riding the wave alongside him?
By the way, start writing down some of her “words”. You will forget them if you don’t record them, and they are so much fun to review at a later date. For a Father’s Day gift, I once gave my husband a framed list of favorites, such as “wop, wop, wop” (which was his word for helicopter), “ooo-bus” (fire-engine, because it looked like a bus but went “oooo-oooo”), “efani” (elephant), “tefano” (telephone), etc.. Of course, Alden and Kato will have their own unique list.
And between now and Friday, hang in there. Perhaps you can come up with a surprise home project that might occupy you until then, and make their return all the more exciting?
I’m not a parent, but I used to be a child. And I definitely see that surfing monkey. It seems that he has stolen the hippo’s surf board, and the hippo is back on the shore yelling “dude, get back here with my serf board.” Judging by all of the blood, guts and chaos, the scene gets a little violent. It seems that the hippo has hired a hit-man, or rather a hit-shark to take out the monkey and return his surf board. The monkey is oblivious to the shark swimming toward him as well as to the man in red drowning in the upper left corner. Kato (K), Alden (A), and an Eskimo (Esk) watch the scene from the opposite shore, as this ocean is particularly small and is probably in reality some kind of inlet or something. I’d day it’s an allegory.
Aubrey,
Okay, okay, I have to admit that my first impression was that those were sharks. I’m a mom, so I guess I’m in the habit of trying to rosy things up. But, now that you mention it, all those buzzards seem to be adding to the mayhem.
I’m pretty sure this is a fan letter to Eskil Ronningsbakken “Extreme Artist” describing what she feels should be his next feat of death defying spunkiness. I can’t presume to say that I know exactly what she is getting at – I imagine there is an unspoken understanding between herself and Mr Ronningsbakken that we who are neither extreme nor artistic will ever know. It looks a bit to the untrained eye that “Esk” (as she refers to him in the letter) should dress as a monkey and balance on a board upon a rock cliff while holding hands with a bear. Of course the cliff overlooks a body of water and rolling green hills, because they create a tranquil back drop to the zany extremity of the act. I like it. I am impressed with your child. She has a good sense of the theatrical.