The Painting

I've just been full of creative endeavors for the past couple of months. Writing a novel, (storyline problem, so it's slightly stalled) scrapbooking, and now acrylic painting. The idea is to paint a close up of banners floating in the wind, based on Poe's balled, "The Haunted Palace."

"Banners yellow, glorious, golden / On its roof did float and flow." I like the imagery there. I am about halfway done...my husband guessed that I was painting "a whale? No, an island? What did you say it was?" Maybe painting will be my secret hobby.

The Frog Hopper

I can always tell when people don't have kids themselves. These people would often give my 6-month-old crayons when we went out to eat (wax...yummy!) and guess the gender of my hairless 12-month-old without bothering to look at the color of her clothes.

Recently I was offered the chance to scar Sammy for life in the name of fun. We went on a family outing the other night to the local fun center. A well-meaning teenage employee suggested that Sammy might enjoy Kidopolis (unfortunately she hates tunnels and doesn't know how to climb) or the Frog Hopper.

The Frog Hopper is a ride that takes kids high into the air and shakes them up and down until they A.) Scream with excitement, B.) Puke, or C.), Both of the above. Keep in mind that Sammy is 18 months old. Does she look old enough to enjoy this ride?