It’s Sunday, Colorado, and I’d Like a Beer from the Grocery Store
Kathleen and I were talking about making dinner tonight and she says, “Oooh, wouldn’t a beer be great tonight?”
Oh, man, yes it would. Especially a bottle of 1554 from the local New Belgium Brewing Company. Boy, that would be tasty. “Why don’t I run down to the grocery store and pick us up a 6-pack?”
Oops, wait a minute. We live in Colorado, one of the last holdouts of the so-called “blue laws” which were created to prevent anyone from doing anything construed as enjoyment on God’s holy day. Laughing counts, so cut it out. And I just now realized the irony that the only states that have blue laws are red states.
This is almost enough reason for us to move back to Seattle. Don’t worry, parents, we’re staying. For now.
But, I swear, if the laws for selling beer, wine, and liquor on Sundays (and in grocery stores at all) are not repealed this coming election year, I’m slapping somebody. How else are we going to get Trader Joe’s to open a store here?
I’ve read that the objections to repealing the laws don’t come from irate fundamentalists but actually from outspoken liquor store owners who have an effective lobby in the local government. And it’s understandable, too. If the laws were repealed they might have to compete like real businesses do and that would be a shame. I mean, I wouldn’t want you guys to have to rely on ingenuity or anything. Heaven forbid you have to alter your business model. (Technically, I guess it does.)
This is starting to sound like a rant against the RIAA.
I Give Thanks for…
…snow covering the ground this morning
…Charlie’s heartwarming smiles and contagious giggles, the way he rests his head on my shoulder before naps and bedtime, the joy he finds in the blue cow saying “moo” (see previous post)
…galloping painted horses that took my breath away yesterday
…opportunity to grow deeper relationships in Colorado
…friends dearly missed in Seattle who made our seven years there so rich and memorable
…support we’ve received from friends, family, and neighbors here to help us transition to our new home
and last, but certainly not least,
…Harry- everything about him. He has been my cornerstone through the intense changes and challenges this year.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Reading Routine
Charlie Chooses Books from kloveoirs on Vimeo.
For about a month or two, Charlie’s been picking out the books we read if we give him several options. This video is of the bedtime book choices.
Lately, whenever he’s given “Barnyard Dance” as a choice, he picks it. Sometimes that means we read it three or four times in a row. And we don’t just read it, we sing it— in a nasal, country, auctioneer sort-of way— so keeping up the enthusiasm can be a bit of a chore come the third read. Charlie sometimes hums along and bounces against our bodies while we read. We’ll have to get video of this next.
Out of the Womb as Long as He was in!
Well, almost. Since I carried Charlie until week 42, he has a little bit longer to go.
In honor of this landmark, I’ve added more videos to our vimeo account that show some of Charlie’s experiences in the past weeks.
Stats for his 9 month mark-
Height: 30 inches; 75%ile
Weight: 20lbs, 11oz; 50%ile (this shocked me—I thought he was much heavier than most babies his age!)
