While on my annual can’t-seem-to-find-it-anywhere-else trek to a local big box store, I happened across a curiosity that must be shared.  It’s late and because I’m in the 10 items or less category I make a bee-line to the nicotine express lane.  You know the one I’m talking about don’t you? The fast lane that’s usually in the middle with the checker who’s in charge of doling out tobacco to anyone of legal age … the one that’s surrounded by a plexi-glass wall so customers can see the goods but can’t reach them?  Anyway, as I wait (the “express” in “express lane” is apparently a relative term) I see, sequestered next to the Marlboro’s and Copenhagen, the Gopher.  I am puzzled.  My grandmother had one these.  Actually both of my grandmothers did and an elderly neighbor.  In fact I’ve only ever seen this item in homes of AARP members or catalogs targeting the over 60 crowd.  So my question is: given that everything else behind those clear walls requires proof of age what must one produce to purchase a Gopher?  A social security check, maybe?

That I made a hat for my thumb or

that I took a picture of it.

I made it a scarf too.

Persil, a well-known maker of laundry detergents in the UK, is touting the benefits of unstructured outdoor play in a new national campaign aimed at parents. The company surveyed mothers, a majority of whom agreed that society had lost sight of the importance of play in a child’s learning process.

— from the Children & Nature Network

Considering the speed of light (299792.458 km/s) and that it takes approximately 50 bajillion years for light traveling at said speed to go the distance from the nearest star to Earth, can you imagine the planning it took to insure that the Star of Bethlehem’s** appearance coincided with a single baby’s birth? 

Sort of puts a whole new spin on Jeremiah 29:11.

“For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”

**more thoughts

Here’s a neat site that anyone with children ought to check out.  There’s a new challenge posted each Saturday and several ongoing challenges as well.  We’ve only participated once so far but you can bet this is going to become a weekly favorite.