Caitlyn finished reading her book this morning. With a lot of prodding. It was due to the library today. Our library allows two renewals and that’s it. Times up. Hubby says, “just remember where you left off and then check it back out in a week or so.” That just doesn’t fly with me…read the book…you’ve had 6 weeks. Get it done!!! Caitlyn is a very capable reader, but it is not one of her true passions. She has so many other things vying for her attention. She has her arts and crafts, iPad games, and way more television options than I had growing up, even with us getting rid of cable.
Caitlyn is a very capable reader, but it is not one of her true passions. She has so many other things vying for her attention. She has her arts and crafts, iPad games, and way more television options than I had growing up, even with us getting rid of cable. Reading just doesn’t always rank for her like it did for me growing up.
I am coming to grips with this reality.
In the meantime, a library trip was on the schedule today so we could return the book. We got some schoolwork done and then headed to the library. As I was parking the car, I said, “did we remember the library book bag??”
Um, no. So back home we went–to get the books. On the plus side, I hadn’t put money in the meter yet and we don’t live 45 minutes from the nearest library like I did growing up.
Growing up. I lived “out in the country” where it is still actually “out in the country.” We had a big garden. We had farm animals. We grew our own food. The local butcher lived down the road from us. Meal planning wasn’t trendy, it was necessary because grocery shopping happened once a week, if that. My mom did a great job of canning produce so we had a lot of staples throughout the year and she kept the pantry well stocked.
One food I don’t remember us ever growing, though I think my aunt does now, was potatoes. Those got bought from the store. And somehow, making potato salad for my dad became my job. It was always a big job. Remember the extra humungous Tupperware bowl and lid set? We had a yellow one and a batch of potato salad filled it.
I was super proud of making my dad his potato salad. He liked it pretty bland by most standards. A massive amount of potatoes boiled, peeled, and cut up, another massive amount of eggs boiled, peeled, and cut up, a little bit of onion cut up and added, and just a smidge of mustard to give it extra color. That must have been its purpose because it sure wasn’t enough for flavor.
I made that potato salad over and over during the summer. I loved making it. I was so proud that my dad wanted me to make him his potato salad. So proud, but I hated eating it. It was just yuck to me. And it stayed that way until I was in my 30s. I just hated the stuff.
Until I was pregnant with Caitlyn.
Then, I loved it so much. I literally dreamt of potato salad. Any version, any brand. Just hand over the potato salad and nobody would get hurt.
And I still love it!!! It is even one food I can have on the low FODMAP diet.
So don’t mind me, I’ll just be over here wolfing down potato salad while the family has ice cream.
This trip was fantastic and I am hoping to remember it for a very long time!!!
