While I didn’t have the language barrier to contend with when I moved to America in the 1980s, I had plenty of new words and expressions to learn.
For instance, I once spent too much time walking around a supermarket looking for ‘Single Cream’ only to discover that there is no such thing. Well, there is, but it’s called ‘Half and Half’.
This was just one of many revelations, but one discovery I made very quickly was my love of Denny’s. Good American food in a real American diner, perfect for those evenings when I was just too tired to cook after a typical racing around like a blue-arsed fly kind of a day.
Best of all, it was cheap.
Not to mention the amazing choice of delicious pies displayed in a revolving show-case next to the reception area. Lemon Meringue pie was always my favourite, but I came to enjoy Key Lime Pie just as much, something I had never tried until I lived in California.
So there we were, one early evening after one of ‘those’ kind of days, me and my three school-age children, seated in a booth at Denny’s waiting for our meals to arrive. It was busy and we had to wait a while for our food. My hungry kids grew more rambunctious (I love that word) by the minute.
The puppies boys pawed at each other constantly, giggling and generally messing about, Daughter fiddled and fidgeted, all three sending cutlery flying, a full glass of milk spilling. I hissed at them to behave and settle down. And they did, for a second.
Our meals arrived at last, and from the start, Daughter, who was about four, became obsessed with her garnish of parsley on her plate, deciding not only that it made for a fun ‘toy’ to wave about the place, but also that she wanted to bring it home.
No problem. What’s a bit of parsley to worry about?
Butter Wouldn’t Melt… The kids at Sea World, San Diego, California 2003 (c) Sherri Matthews
Our meal finished, paid for, Daughter skipped happily back to the car singing a song to her beautiful parsley while the boys continued to play-fight. But as they tumbled into the back of the car, disaster struck: Daughter lost her parsley.
She started yelling, “My parsley, where’s my parsley!”
The boys tried to help her find it but couldn’t help laughing, then arguing, then laughing again, all against the backdrop of my daughter crying and shouting about her lost parsley.
Up until then I had not said a word, but gripping the steering wheel so hard that I thought it would break, I exploded.
“Shut up!” I screeched like an out of control fishwife. “Just. Shut. Up!”
Silence.
Nothing.
Whispering in the back, mad scrabbling, Eldest Son taking control, helping sister and brother into their seatbelts, shushing them…”We’ll find your parsley, don’t worry…”
Daughter crying.
Me breathing in and out like a crazed beast, staring wild-eyed at them from my rear view mirror, foam spewing out of the corners of my mouth, steam screaming out of my ears.
And that was that. We drove home in utter silence. When we arrived back home, Eldest Son quickly ushered his siblings out of the car and into the house, whispering, “Keep out of Mom’s way until she’s calmed down…”
Good boy.
I felt awful, of course, for yelling at them like that. I can’t bear it when I hear mothers screaming at their kids to shut up.
Funny though isn’t it? Of all the great things we like to think we’ve done, our kids never forget moments such as these. As in, “Remember that time when Mum completely lost it…” This one became known as ‘The Parsley Incident’ and of course, we laugh about it now.
And what of the dreaded parsley? It turned up, albeit trampled and flat in the back of the car, and all was well. No more tears, I calmed down, the evening ended on a happy note.
The next time we ate at Denny’s things went much better, but my daughter never did bring home another sprig of parsley, which is just as well.
*******
This is the last of my Five Photos/Five Stories posts, this particular story promised especially for lovely mommy of two beautiful boys, my friend Sarah of Lemon Shark. Now you know Sarah!
Many thanks once again to friends Irene and Norah for inviting me to join in, I’ve had a lot of fun with this challenge, and thank you so much to those of you for reading along with this series and leaving such lovely comments. It thrills me to know you’ve enjoyed these posts.
Timing is a wonderful thing in life and as in blogland. My sweet friend Heather from Sweet Precision just happened to post a divine recipe for Key Lime Pie. It seems I don’t have to wait until my next trip to Denny’s in California after all, I can make my own! I’m also nominating Heather for this challenge, and as always, no obligation other than have fun!
Finally, I’m squeezing in a photo of a bench. And what does this have to do with the above post you may well ask? Well, absolutely nothing (sorry for the unabashed cheating here), but I promised my friend Jude a bench for July’s theme of ‘Unusual Details’, before she sets a new theme for August.
Stone Sofa Bench – Dordogne, France, July 2012
(c) Sherri Matthews
The day I took this photo at a market in the Dordogne in France a few years ago, it was a blisteringly hot day, not unlike the kind of temperatures of a Californian July. No Denny’s in sight, but plenty of cafes. This stone bench caught my attention. A bit hot to sit on, but the cat didn’t seem to mind one bit.
Have a great weekend everyone!
A View From My Summerhouse 
I’d heard of half and half but always thought it was some strange low fat coffee whitener or something, so there you go….I’m sure it was awful at the time, but you did a great job of conveying the hindsight humour of the parsley incident – those are the kind of memories that make family! What a great bench, though I expect it isn’t as comfortable as it looks 🙂
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Yes, it took me ages to figure that out Andrea, and you are right, it is often used for coffee! That bench was far from comfortable, hard as a rock! Quite deceptive indeed 😉 Thanks Andrea, I’m glad you enjoyed the hingsight humour, even though I felt awful at the time 😮
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Denny’s! I had to laugh at this, Sherri. When I was in college, Denny’s was the late night stop after a night on the town. For some reason, I had an easy time picturing you behaving like an ‘out of control fishwife.’ ❤ You know I can relate to the language barrier. I'll never forget the first time I heard you say "Shut your cakehole!" I thought you were crazy! xoxo
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Haha…good old Denny’s 😀 My ‘out of control fishwife’ moments were few and far between, but boy, when I blew I blew, but at least I never yelled ‘Shut your cakehole’ across my hedge to my neighbour, LOL 😀 😉 xoxo
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What a stunning bench, Sherri! Loved your parsley memory. I’m sure all moms have an “I totally lost it” story. We’re only human most of the time, even though we can be superhuman on the odd occasion. 😇. Have a lovely weekend. 😘 xx
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Haha…sometimes we have to make up for all that superhumanness… 😀 Thanks so much Sylvia, glad you enjoyed the bench and the story and we did have a lovely weekend. I will be blogging about the ‘Bloggers Bash’ a bit later on and also of course heading over your way 🙂 xx
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I could of course relate to your linguistic difficulties having had to figure out what single cream was 🙂 And so funny to hear you wax nostalgic about Denny’s! Perhaps most valuable though was your sharing the story of your outburst. My kids have their version of that story and it makes me cringe to remember how I lost control at times. Ah well, good for you for finishing your 5-day challenge! Your and Charli’s blogs are one small treat I allow myself right now. (Working against deadline on a book proposal and revisions for a client.) I read them and sigh, wanting to get back to my own flash pieces and blogging. “Well done”! Or as some gals say here, “You go girl!”
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You go girl! Love that 😀 And yes, of course, always in mirror image we are Jeanne! I can just see it now, you in London, me in California, looking for the same thing but using a completely different name 😉 Ahh…yes, those cringing moments we as mums/moms share universally. Not proud of them, but hey, we are indeed only human. When our kids are parents, they too will understand, right? 😛 Oh I’m thrilled that you take the time to read my blog and great to see you over at Charli’s too, when you are up to your eyes with a deadline. I hope it’s going well, thinking of you. Looking forward very much to your return, but meanwhile, thanks so much Jeanne, always a pleasure to hear from you and have you visit the Summerhouse 🙂
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Oh Sherri what a funny story! Our family has it’s own “parsley moments” that we still chuckle about to this day. My mom tells the tale of when I went out to eat with just her and behaved like a maniac. I’ve eaten at Denny’s a couple of times and can never convince Matt to set foot in the restaurant 😉 I’m sure you had several cultural differences and obstacles to overcome when you first moved to America. I’m so glad that Key Lime Pie became a favorite of yours and thank you so much for the shout out in your post! Happy Friday and hope you have a wonderful weekend : )
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Haha…not everyone is as keen on Denny’s I guess! My ex never liked it, but I loved it, as did the kids 🙂 Maybe Matt will come around, and when he does, you must let me know! I just can’t imagine you behaving like a maniac Heather, not at all, lol 😉 Many differences for sure, I will have to do a few more posts about it. Some are quite funny, one in particular about the first time I made American potato salad… ! Oh Heather, you know how I raved about your recipe, I’m thrilled to give you and your blog a shout out. As I said, I can’t wait to make it and hope others will too! Had a lovely weekend, thanks so much, and hope you did too 🙂
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That’s a great shout three-member team that you had to contend with Sherri. And your hindsight wisdom musings here in this post. Parenting around cultures and the world is the same, filled with occasional ‘parsley’ episodes…best wishes… Raj.
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What would life be without those ‘parsley episodes’? 😉 Sometimes it is the most ridiculous things that send us into overload, ha! Lovely to hear from you Raj, thank you so much for wonderful comment, and very best wishes to you 🙂
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Why is it that memories of our bad behaviour are the most remembered? My son always recounts the day I ‘lost’ it with him in our kitchen – probably over not doing his homework – and I chucked a load of his crayons in the air, some of which landed in the toaster.
I love that stone sofa, by the way – I wonder if it’s still there?
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LOL! Oh Jenny, sorry, but it’s a good job I didn’t have a mug of tea in my hand or it would have gone all over my keyboard when I read this! 😀 Haha…the vision I have of you and those crayons is so funny, and in the toaster too? I hope you got them out before the next piece of bread in…! Oh dear…it’s a good job we can laugh about such things now isn’t it, but at the time…yikes 😮 I don’t know about the stone sofa, our friends are in France at the moment and usually go to the market there, can’t remember the name. I will have to see if I can find out from them if they come across it and I’ll let you know!!
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I wish I only had one memory of “when mom lost it”. I had wanted to be a much better parent than mine, some days were better than others. You are not alone. I have a Denny’s memory as well. It was a go-to for breakfasts on occasion. Loved the stone sofa.
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Me too Marlene. This was not the only time…but I never did yell shut up at them again at least!!! Good old Denny’s, gotta love it, the breakfasts are soooo good. Love American breakfasts 🙂 That stone sofa was quite something, and very uncomfortable 🙂
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Loved that story Sherri! I can soooo relate. I’ve my share of “incidents” as well. I’ll choose Key Lime over Lemon Meringue any day! 😉
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Lol! Thanks so much Lilka, so good to know I’m not the only one 🙂 Wonderful Key Lime…I’m still a huge fan of both 🙂
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I suppose anyone who has spent time with Americans has tripped up over the language barrier. At a meeting in our office a young (female) associate was marking up a document in pencil while negotiations continued. Three quarters of the attendees were American. It was tense. I was vaguely aware the young woman had gone to the cupboard and had been rummaging about in the stationary tray. She waited for a pause and in her very cut glass, very RP accent said, ‘I don’t suppose anyone has a spare rubber?’ Ah me. It did ease the tension.
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LOL 😀 This is an absolute classic Geoff!
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Thanks Sherri. So many problems with language!
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Yes, like braces being something you put on your teeth, not to keep your trousers – sorry, pants – up. That’s what suspenders are for. Not for stockings. They’re garters, from what I remember. And of course, we could go on… 😉
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It is hard to believe that sofa is stone Sherri – it looks velvety. The cat gives it away really. I still don’t know what ‘light cream’ is let alone ‘half and half’. [Despite living in the UK and a recent sojourn to the US] Both can still pop up in recipes from your various countries. Here we just have ‘cream’. And ‘milk’ which comes in various forms of tampering with by the corporations nowadays…….. 🙂 I once had a mug from Denny’s – it changed when the hot water was added to it. A student brought it back as a gift when she visited the US in some school holiday or other. It was a long time ago and the ability of mugs to change through heat was a novelty still. So ‘Denny’s’ is inscribed in my memory, even though I have never been to one. The way your kids responded to the smoke from eyes, ears and mouth incident took me back to the day………… Sigh. Ideal parenting eluded me until my kids were grown up and left home. 🙂 Finally I love Lemon Meringue Pie – if I still ate pie that would be the one. I’ve never had Key Lime though…….
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Hi Pauline, at last getting to your lovely comment. Phew, what a crazy last few days!! Yes, I thought just the same about the stone sofa! So interesting what you say abut cream. Here we have so many kinds of cream from whipping to double to clotted and single. Milk the same I’m sure as you, with all the tampering…ha! I smile at your memory of your Denny’s mug; it was a big thing back then to get freeby mugs from all sorts of places (and I remember those colour-changers) we still have a few believe it or not, even though they are long past recognisable as to quite where they are from. And yes, if this is proof that I need a jolly good clear out then there it is 😉 Amazing how this connection with Denny’s is so prevalent, whether visited or not. Love it when that happens 🙂 And yes, those cringey moments of parenting that so many of us can relate to…
Mmmm…Lemon Meringue Pie is wonderful isn’t it? I have a feeling you would also like Key Lime…if we ever should meet up (and never say never I always say) I will make you one, using Heather’s divine recipe of course 🙂 xx
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Now I shall hold you to the Key Lime Pie meeting Sherri………….. I’ve got the bags for Siddy and Orlando…………Now where is my passport…………
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Heathrow or Gatwick? See you soon 😀
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What can I say? Brilliantly funny post. I once stood and screamed because my kids were quarrelling loudly. It felt so good but scared the life out of them. Years later they still hark back to the time Mum completely lost it ‘for no reason’!!!
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Oh Judith, they always remember such moments don’t they? And that’s classic, remembering how we lost it ‘for no reason’. As if they had no idea why, we were just raving loonies and suddenly let rip! So glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much Judith 😀
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I love rambunctious too.
The “puppies”- classic! Whew! Glad the parsley was recovered!
Melinda
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It’s a great word isn’t it? Don’t get to use it very often, haha, but for the ‘puppies’ it seemed most appropriate, lol 🙂 Haha…yes, the parsley survived! Thanks Melinda 🙂
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Whew! I was worried about the lil green sprigged guy! 😉
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LOL 😀
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I think all us Moms have had a ‘Parsley’ moment at one time or another Sherri. I cringe at some of the things I did! My granddaughters were shouting at each other one day and I was so fed up of it that I shouted too. The youngest one burst into tears. I felt sooo bad.
And thank you, thank you for squeezing that most unusual sofa in at the end, I love the addition of the cat! I just hope it wasn’t a real one 😉
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Oh Jude, those ‘parsley’ moments certainly do haunt us don’t they? I still cringe at the way I yelled that day
I fully intended to do a separate ‘bench’ post, but the week escaped me, as usual, so I’m glad you didn’t mind me squeezing it in with this post. But it did sort of go with the theme…it was a very hot day when I snapped it, haha 😀 I’m glad you like the pic, thank you, and yes, that cat does look quite lifelike doesn’t it? At least it’s in the shade 😉
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Sherri, I think most mothers, myself included, can relate to your “screaming fit”. Strange isn’t it how when we lose it, the children suddenly go quiet. Here in Canada, Denny’s is a popular restaurant for seniors and they serve a great breakfast. Love their waffles with strawberries!
Lovely photo of the children! But where’s the parsley??
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Yes, they push us and push us and then…silence! My friend in California and I used to joke all the time that we couldn’t wait to be seniors so we could get the discount at Denny’s 😉 And yes, I just love the breakfasts there. I didn’t realise that you had it in Canada too! Thanks Bev…and yes, no parsley in sight! I had a photo of Denny’s in mind that I took years ago, but couldn’t find it, then thought of taking a photo of my growing parsley in my kitchen garden, but ran out of time. So this one from times past had to do, ha 🙂
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I loved the stone bench. I guess it’s true, all cats like it warm, even ones of stone! 🙂
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Haha…guess this proves it 😀 Thanks Donna!
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Loved the parsley story! We love to head to Denny’s here after a busy day. The food’s always good and also cheap.
My husband makes a killer key lime pie. I think it’s his favorite.
That stone bench looks real. I would never had known it was stone. Great job by the bench maker.
Sunni
http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/
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Thanks so much Sunni! Glad you enjoyed the story, great to know you are as much a fan of Denny’s as I am. I miss it a lot!! Oh that sounds delicious, mmmm, and yes, that bench fascinated me. Great to remember photos like these for times like these! 🙂
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We’ve all been there–Denny’s and the end of our rope. I agree that the strangest incidents enter family folklore. My kids love the one where Mom opened a birthday present about ten or twelve years ago and burst into tears. For no reason.
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Oops, I love the bench, too!
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It’s an amazing bench isn’t it? Glad I took the photo for such a time as this…thanks Luanne 🙂 xo
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I’m so glad I’m not the only one! You know, it is just these exact kind of memories that our kids remember the most isn’t it? They never forget, even though we would much rather pretend they didn’t happen 😮 To a point anyway. At least we have some good stories to tell, ha!
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We have an incident in our family known as the splotchatore incident which involves a dish of chicken cacciatore which ended up splashing all over the place including on the ceiling after someone lost their cool. All I will say is that it wasn’t me!
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Oh Rachel, that sounds wild! Say no more, ha 😀
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A truly enjoyable post to read (I’ve been in worst situations Sherri) my kids knows when mummy is angry they keep quiet, but my daughter Elizabeth, likes to try my patience, and always pushes her luck until I snap. We always made up after that. All mothers goes through that I suppose. Do have a fantastic weekend my friend, and yes, I’ll be back to read the other posts I’d missed!
Much love. 🙂 🙂
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Hi Seyi! Oh I know just how this is. We snap and then we feel awful and then we make up and carry on realising that our children know without a doubt that we are only human and doing the best we can 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the read, thank you my friend, and yes, a wonderful weekend thank you, but nonstop so felt pretty wiped out yesterday. Not complaining though, family gathering on Friday and then to London for the Bloggers Bash about which I blogged yesterday. I hope you had a fantastic weekend and I look forward to catching up with you as the week progresses. With much love back to you… 🙂 🙂 🙂
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You’re pretty busy, hope you had a nice time in London (again! 🙂 ) I wonder when we’ll
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Thanks Sherry, you pretty much had your hands full! My weekend wasn’t that great, I had hay fever and was shivering in bed. I’m fine now and back to work. I had no idea about the Bloggers Bash, I wouldn’t have been able to attend though but would have loved to speak to you. I can’t believe you were in London again, though it was a flight visit and I’m glad you had a wonderful time. Do enjoy the rest of this week my friend!
Much love to you! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I am only just getting to this message my dear friend, I am on the back hoof once again…how quickly it is to get behind isn’t it? Oh I am so sorry you were unwell, I do hope that you felt much better and able to enjoy the weekend. Glorious on Saturday, raining now though. Oh we will meet, I know it. It was a flying visit. When we meet, we will plan and have plenty of time to sip tea and talk of so many things 🙂 Thank you dear Seyi, and I would say just the same to you, a wonderful week ahead 🙂 Much love and blessings and good health to you… 🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤
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Thanks my friend, I eagerly look forward to such a day. Do enjoy the rest of your week dear Sherri!
Much love to you. 🙂 🙂 🙂
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🙂 🙂 🙂
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Yet another wonderful memory written so well I felt like I was there in the car with you Sherri. I love how kids remember our stuff ups.
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Thank you so much Kath, I am always so heartened to read your comments, knowing that you felt you ‘were there’. Encourages me so much in my writing but more so that you enjoyed the read. And I love your saying ‘stuff ups’. Not heard that before! 🙂
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Sherri I guess it may be an Ozzie thing.
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🙂
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Pingback: Bench series #31 | TRAVEL WORDS
Great story, Sherri….. Made me chuckle. And as for that bench – how marvellous! Hard to believe it’s stone 😳😀😣
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Glad it made you chuckle Sue, and also that you like the bench photo, thanks so much! I was really taken with it too, but it’s very uncomfortable to sit on, literally hard as a rock 😀 😉 😮
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😀
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Love this story, Sherri! The image of you losing it just makes me laugh. I can imagine how the children have talked about the incident over the years, and how you all laugh at it now. Of course, their role in the incident is probably forgotten, just the climax of the story is remembered (in their telling), which is often the way. There are a few stories like that in my family! It’s funny how we try to ignore, and can manage to do so for quite a while, keeping our “inclinations” in check. Then all of a sudden and unbidden they explode, like Mount Vesuvius! I know I always feel guilty afterwards, for ever afterwards. But I’m sure a slice of key lime pie might ease the pain.
Thank you for sharing. I’m pleased to know I’m not alone! 🙂
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So glad you enjoyed this story Norah! Haha…yes, you hit the proverbial nail on the head, as they never recount the preamble, just the bit about ‘when mum lost it’ 😉 And yes, I liken such times to a Mount Vesuvius moment, definitely: We can keep the pressure under control for as long as we can, but then comes the moment and when we blow, boy, do we blow 😮 I look back and wish I hadn’t ‘blown’ like that, but what can we do? We laugh now about such times as you say, and the kids are fine, even if we never forget how horrible we felt about it. Still, there it is. And yes, nothing like a slice of that Key Lime, or Lemon Meringue pie to ease the pain 😉 Ahh…thank you so much Norah, you are definitely not alone, and I’m glad I’m not either. Phew 🙂
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Love the photo of you with Sacha, Geoff and Hugh at the Bloggers’ Bash. You all look to be having a great time! No volcanoes in sight!
A while ago I posted a picture of a laundry bag I have had since 1978! The caption says, “One day I shall burst my bud of calm and blossom into hysteria”. I’ve always thought it was a pretty good description. People think “butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth!”. Only those close to me know the truth! After all these years my laundry bag has finally decided it’s had enough. The handles and top edge have torn off. I’m trying to decide whether to repair it, or cut off the quote and hang it on the wall. If the truth be known, I’ll probably do neither, but it’s nice to think about the options!
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Ahh…thanks Norah! Definitely no volcanoes that day! I remember your ‘Laundry Bag’ post, and that caption! It’s hard to know what to do with something you’ve had so long. Options are always good. I hope you keep it, or part of it though, for posterity, it’s a great quote and one I can certainly relate to very well 😀
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I’m not ready to part with it yet. I’ll have to consider what to do with it. Maybe I could find another one and stitch the quote on. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another bag of its type. Maybe my lovely daughter will make something for me. She’s a creative whiz! I haven’t done much sewing since she came along. 🙂
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I’m sure your daughter will find a wonderful use for it Norah. I’m the same, not much sewing at all for a long time. I’ve been wanting to make some curtains for about 5 years…ha!
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5 years! Just as well you saved yourself the bother! They’d need to be replaced again by now! 🙂
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Haha…even better, I ended up buying some instead 😀
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I would never have thought something as benign as parsley would have such an effect, I bet it is really fun winding you up hehe.
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Haha…I have never looked at a garnish of parsley in quite the same way again! I bet you won’t now either 😀
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I’ve been waiting for this… You made it sound like some hilarious anecdote (which it kind of is now) but…wow. I was actually laughing out loud in the beginning then *wham* you sucker-punched me in the gut. I know, years later, it’s become a family joke but reading it for the first time was painful. These situations seem silly later but can drive you mad. Parents (especially mothers for some reason), don’t talk about moments like this very often if at all. I was in that car with you, lady. You are an awesome storyteller. I’d love to sit around a campfire with you sometime. Or in a castle with some toasties would be good, too. 🙂
Thank you for sharing The Parsley Incident. ❤
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Ahh Sarah…I’m delighted to share The Parsley Incident with you, and you are so right. We don’t talk about such times very often at all. With the passage of time though, when the kids are adults, it is easier to recount such tales as they become part of family lore. We laugh in the recounting but as mums/moms, we still feel the pain, deep down. But there it is. Motherhood in all its glory 😉 Oh I would just love to sit with you around a campfire, what fun that would be! Haha…toasties in a castle, wow, now that could happen! 😀 Thank you so much for your lovely compliment Sarah, wow, that means so much to me you know…. ❤
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Our family has this stories as well. One just has to say one word and the others start to laugh…
The stone bench is unbelievable, it looks so inviting.
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Haha…yes, it’s the same with us! Part of family lore 🙂 The bench is amazing isn’t it, but certainly not comfortable! But I am in awe of whomever sculpted it! Thank you so much for visiting and leaving your lovely comment!
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a cool photo and I loved reading this!
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Hi Lucid Gypsy! I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this and also the photos, thanks so much 🙂
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Ouch! That is a painful confession. Well done, Sheri. But were all only human, and I don’t think there is a mother out there who doesn’t have a similar story to tell. Our less-than-perfect-motherhood stories… Maybe we should make them into an anthology lol!Maybe one day I’ll be brave enough to tell mine on my blog. It was great to meet you on Saturday!
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Hi Ali! How lovely to see you here at the Summerhouse, thank you so much for coming over! It was wonderful to meet you too on Saturday, so great that we can now connect here too and carry on where we left off 🙂
Yes, less than perfect, even though we strive to that perfection, it’s innate isn’t it? But at least we can eventually laugh about such times, even if painful in the memories. LOL…what a great anthology that would be, you might be onto something there Ali!
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Families are so forgiving, too. Your oldest son’s reaction and the ensuing silence shows how rare such outbursts are on your part…its a lovely story, beautifully told. I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog. Xxx
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Ahh…thank you so much Ali for sharing your thoughts. It helps to remember that, I never shouted ‘shut up’ like that, so when I did, that one time, it shocked us all into silence! Lovely to share with you xxx
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Screaming out-of-control mum — been there and done it! Blame it on the hormones. Children are very resilient and often, although not always, surprisingly understanding. Anyway, if Mum loses it, then it gives them a chance to feel morally superior for a moment or two. A boyfriend of mine once said, “How come you’re older than your mother?” I loved how that made me feel (and he wasn’t talking about my wrinkles, as I didn’t have any aged 16!).
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Hi Sarah! Woo hoo, you’re back! Can’t wait to catch up with you over at your pad… 🙂 Oh you are so right, lol! That ‘morally superior’ moment is quite something isn’t it? Very empowering 😉 That is a great story about your boyfriend and his very astute comment…no wrinkles then, none now 🙂
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Hi Sherri, lovely to be back. I still haven’t begun to catch up with people’s blogs. Am so behind. Might have to give up on reading a month’s worth of posts for those who post often and just read the current ones, otherwise I won’t get my novel’s out-loud read-through done. Thanks for your comment about “no wrinkles”, although my eyes are very ancient and red-rimmed today from staring at the computer screen. Have recently purchased a silk pillowcase, which is meant to discourage overnight formation of wrinkles and frizzy hair. We’ll see about that. All I can say is that the feeling of one’s head sinking into that luxurious silk every night is sublime 🙂
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Oh I think I need to get a silk pillowcase if that’s the case! Sublime indeed! I feel like that a lot lately from staring at the computer screen so much. I know that feeling too, when I came back to blogging it was overwhelming. You will get there but yes, you will have to pace yourself though and just do what you can. Bloggers will understand. Your novel has to be your priority, but that’s easier said than done, I know! So happy you’re back, I really missed you my friend 🙂 xxxx
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Isn’t it funny how kids get so into these little tiny objects? I did it all the time -I must have been a nightmare.
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Haha…yes, who would have thought that something like a sprig of parsley could have caused so much mayhem. Your ‘little tiny object’ fascination shows a creative mind I think Denise 😉
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Ha ha ha! I smiled reading about your search for certain products in the USA. Imagine for me!!!
Love your Denny’s story. Even though it must have been hard at the time to deal with the kids, I like that you kept it as a family memory. And of course the stone bench is cool. The Dordogne region is gorgeous. In a funny way I do remember that it was very popular with British people in the 1980s.
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Yes, I’m sure for you it was even more confusing since you also had the language barrier! Yes, of course you would know the Dordogne region very well. Isn’t it amazing how you and I share French, British and American connections through blogging? I love that! Thanks so much Evelyne, I’m glad you enjoyed my Denny’s story. It is good to be able to laugh about such things many years later 😉
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I would never have imagined anybody getting a full post out of some parsley, but you did it, Sherri. Great story, even if you did shout at the kids, and I’m wondering why it was brought to mind?
Of course Parsley also reminds me of ‘Parsley’ the lion from the children’s TV show of the 1970’s “The Herbs”. I loved that show, along with all the rest from that era. They don’t make them like that anymore.
Key Lime Pie is one of my favourites. Such a refreshing dessert, but such a shame I don’t see it very much at the Supermarket or on menu’s.
I love the stone sofa. Looks so comfortable. What a great feature, although I’m not sure just where I would put it.
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Haha! Well, there you go Hugh, you never know what you are going to get over at the Summerhouse 🙂 Maybe it was my parsley growing in my kitchen garden that reminded me, who knows! Oh I adored Parsley from The Herbs too Hugh! I even had a Parsley lion toy, cuddled him in bed for years. I totally agree, all those programmes for kids were wonderful back in the 70’s. I used to love Pogle’s Wood. Did you ever watch that?
Key Lime isn’t that popular here I don’t think, or that common, not sure which. Like you, I adore it and wish it was easier to find…like your lemon curd cupcakes 😉
And yes, that sofa looks comfortable but is hard as, well, stone! Very deceptive and huge! You would need a mansion for it! Thanks for reading and for leaving your great comment Hugh, always a pleasure when you visit 🙂
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I remember Pogle’s Wood, as well as The Wooden Tops. I loved ‘spotty dog’ in that. I always loved it when we were told “He was the biggest spottiest dog you ever have seen.”
My goodness, just goes to show what we can dig up from our memories.
I’m on the ever lasting hunt for Key Lime Pie now. I wonder if Clare will ever have Key Lime pie cupcakes in the shop? 🙂 I hear M & S sell Key Lime Pie, so you know where I’ll be shopping this weekend 🙂
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Oh I love that you remember Pogle’s Wood Hugh! Not many people do sadly! And yes, adored The Wooden Tops…me and my brother when we’re messing about still do impressions of Spotty Dog, ha! I also loved Trumpton, and remember Bill and Ben The Flowerpot Men? Oh dear…we’re going way back now aren’t we?!!
Oh that is great about M&S..I think I’ll be joining you, thanks so much for letting me know, I had no idea! I will have to mention it to Claire 🙂 xx
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As an English major in college, when our family traveled to Europe one summer, I most looked forward to the time we would spend in England. We were checking into a little inn outside of London, and the young man behind the desk smiled and asked me what time I would like to be knocked up.
🙂
(The lady behind me whispered, “He wants to know what time you want someone to come up and knock on your door, to wake you up.”
I didn’t know if I was relieved or disappointed.
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LOL 😀 Oh this is so funny Marylin! I wonder what this young man looked like, haha!! We caught on as a nation as the years went by that this saying meant something entirely different to Americans. You would be asked if you would like a wake-up call now. Being asked if you wanted to be knocked up now would be one helluva wake-up call wouldn’t it? Thanks for sharing your fab story with me Marylin, you’ve made my day 😀
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Every parent has had those ‘lost it’ moments I think. I love that bench!
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So glad I’m not the only one! Thanks Marie! I was fascinated by it, glad I got the photo now 🙂
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