I take two steps forward I take two steps back

Parenting comes with so many teachable moments. This is just another one.

You've got many more tough conversations in your future. Unless you suddenly don't have a kid.

I basically grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere, and I've been a night owl since I can remember. When I was in early grade school, probably second grade, I was up late and excited to find a cartoon being aired in the middle of the night. It was the animated rendition of Animal Farm.

It freaked me out, but it also planted a seed. I wanted to figure out what that story was, and it led me to explore other classic literature. I'm grateful for that.

Every fucking time I see anyone other than my primary and OBGYN, despite having a hysterectomy three years ago. Read my chart if you don't want me to make it weird for you.

Of course. You get a merit badge for wife beating in those circles.

I'd for sure stuff and fry the poblanos (or whatever your big boys are), but you seem to have a fun mix. I'd personally play around with some unique hot sauce recipes. Super easy to make and store long term!

Don't sleep on alcohol infusions, either. Harvest season means I'm steeping chilis in tequila to give away. Spicy margaritas and palomas are delicious!

The bar code identifies the specific type of product, not a n individual example within that type of product. It's not a serial code.

I ran into this a lot when I worked for a pet food manufacturer. If there was an issue with a product, customers often assumed the UPC could identify when the product was made, where it was distributed, and even where it was purchased. It does not. Otherwise packaging would be incredibly inefficient to make because each bag of the same recipe and size would need its own unique UPC.

It's a damn shame you won't be at the market, because I'm sure someone would have scooped this little cutie up quickly. Nicely done!

My apologies, I didn't see that.

This is so beautiful. It's begging to be painted.

Beer cheese and bratwurst dip.

Duck season?

You're absolutely right, thank you so much!

Suburbs too. In the past five years we've seen a huge influx of rats. At one point they pushed out my resident chipmunks and liked to be dicks in my garden.

When they were at their worst and I found out neighbors were using rodenticide, I did start using bucket traps. I hated it, but I didn't want little poison bombs roaming the neighborhood for predators to ingest. Especially my dogs, who are murderers of small, fast, fuzzy things in the yard.

It's not just the rats we have to be concerned about, but how people respond to their presence.

I love the juxtaposition of sugar free Coke with sugar added Jack Daniels. Dodging and weaving against diabetes.

You can pull the self checkout option out of my rigid, dead, introverted hands.

Oh my gosh, this is so validating! A few different species of birds will flutter in front of the living room window when the feeders are empty to get my attention. They are smart little things!

I'm so sorry. Do you have vet records or adoption paperwork in your name? Pets are legally considered property, and having a paper trail to establish she's yours and help get her back to you. I hope she's returned soon!

I saw the South Park Bigger, Longer, and Uncut movie in theaters as a kid. I lived in a small town adjacent to a small city, and there weren't many other people in the theater. During the scene where the boys are watching the Terrace and Phillip movie and the theater-goers walk out, so did everyone else in our real life theater. It was surreal. We had a great time watching the rest of the movie by ourselves.