Hesiod in the 8th Century BC said, “I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today….” Well, I have news for him. And for everyone else who worries about the upcoming generation: We are raising great kids. Who are smart. When our children take over, they are going to bring peace to the earth and end world hunger.
How do I know this? Because an adorable, bright, clever 14 year old girl (not related) said to me, “I love your blog. It’s the funniest thing I’ve ever read. In my whole life. Even before my life. In my pre-mortal life. I even added it to my email.”
She didn’t say that because she knows where we keep the stash of cookies (because we are out), she said it because she is SMART. And has good taste.
Which makes you wonder why we are out of cookies.
My kids have been making something else on Sundays.
Not whole wheat bread. Guess again.
Caramel popcorn.
For Christmas, my mother-in-law gave us an enormous stainless steel bowl, a popcorn popper, and a recipe for caramel popcorn. To a bunch of bakers, that’s like giving someone a recipe and then providing them with the tools needed to follow it.
My 12 year old daughter and 14 year old son found the siren song of the caramel popcorn irresistible and have made some for the last two Sundays. And that is a good thing. A good, tasty sort of thing.
But it doesn’t last. By Tuesday, we are out of popcorn. And how am I supposed to break all my New Year’s resolutions if I don’t have dessert everyday.
At dinner, I said things to my kids like, “You know, it’s a shame we don’t have cookies for dessert.” Or, “You could make cookies and I wouldn’t mind.” Or, “You could put that salt in some cookie dough and bake it.”
But all I got were lame excuses like, “I have 100 math problems due tomorrow.” And, “I have to write a 10 page paper on solving world hunger.” And, “I have to beat the bowling high score on Facebook.”
Even though we are out of cookies, I am not worried about the future of our children. But, as a mom, I have advice for them:
Always wear your seatbelt. And stop at stop signs even if there are no other cars coming. And obey the posted speed limit unless it is snowing, and then go even slower. Don’t answer your cell phone while you are driving. Or change a CD. Or read a text (message– you can read a text book).
Be home by your curfew. Always tell your parents where you are going to be.
And, above all, eat more vegetables and less junk food.
Especially cookies. Because those, once somebody makes them, are all mine.
I think it’s good we live in different states, because otherwise we might have a devastating cookie war on our hands…
Why don’t we get any of the caramal popcorn? Tell the smart children they need to share their talents with everyone else.
Hey how come this post is based on me and the 14 year old? Claudia you dont get any because we hog it all and then we dont have enuff by the time we get to your house!
But I still want some caramal popcorn so you will just have to make more.
Nope that is still not going to happen!
Mmmm…. caramel popcorn! I never can make that stuff. I end up eating all the caramels before the popcorn can even finish popping! So if you have any left over, I sure could use some at my house
Hi… just lurking… don’t mind me…
I suggested to a daughter that she could perhaps, maybe bake something yummy. She looked at me like I had the “nerve” to speak.
No cookies here. Or popcorn.
Royce,
I love lurkers. Especially those that leave comments. Welcome.
And, ftr, my 17 year old made chocolate chip cookies last night. The famine has ended.