Failure to Communicate

Grandpa Stretch learned a valuable lesson this past Saturday. He came over to our house to build a fireplace (so for once we won't freeze this winter). He cut about a one foot square hole in the side of our house to accomodate the venting from the gas unit. While working on the outside of the house he found himself face to face with Patrick, whose face was just big enough to fill the newly cut hole. After asking a dozen rapid-fire questions about what my Dad was doing (ala Macauley Culkin in 'Uncle Buck') Patrick hit my Dad with something he hadn't expected.

"Grandpa Stretch, I just farted." He said, deadpan.

"Congratulations" My Dad replied.

"Grandpa Stretch?" Patrick asked. "Why did you say 'congratulations'?"

Lesson learned: Kids take everything at face value. Facetious responses to unwarranted information are not understood. We learn how to be smart-asses as we grow.



Speaking of Patrick, he had his second to last soccer game this week, and they lost for the second time in three weeks. But theere are two upsides: 1) He got his team pictures and 2) His streak of consecutive games without a goal is still alive. One more week and he can complete the season without scoring. If he pulls it off he will match a record I set when I played soccer at age seven.





P.S. I saw a movie this weekend called 'Zwarkboek' (aka 'Black Book'). It was top notch. If you get a chance I highly recommend it. If you look it up on imdb.com you may be turned off because it was directed by Paul Verhoeven (Showgirls, Basic Instinct, Starship Troopers). But don't let that sway you. This is one of the best films of the year.