Emotional Quotient of a pin head

I rush around the kitchen like a thing possessed, prior to the arrival of our guests. It is already hot, so I must prepare now or pay later. Due to the heat, it is Nonna's habit to wear a housedress, loose cotton comfort in outrageous 70's colours.

It's the only way. We fashion icons must stick together.

I reach above my head for a saucepan from the rack, which is mysteriously empty. I pause. My son is still silent, “mute” but hopefully voluntarily. I notice a footprint on the cooker where the pot of wooden spoons should be. Someone is trying to derail the cook, a conspiracy campaign no doubt.

Nonna appears in the kitchen, I beam “good morning, did you have a better night's sleep?”
“Eh?”
“Sleep. Did you sleep?”
“Am I o.k.?”
“I don't know. Are you?”
“Am I, you know……..?” She smiles hugely with a little shimmy.
I beam back none the wiser.
“I am dressed!”
“Ooo so you are.”
“So?”
“So?…….well done!”
“No…….am I……..….you know……….o.k.?”

I push back my bifocals and take a better look at her, all dressed in immaculately laundered white, with a speck of childish innocence.

Oh of course! A special occasion! Guests!

“Yes, you look lovely.”

To see and hear someone who is the real deal when it comes to  psychobabble, pop along and say “hello” to “Barbara.”

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Posted on August 14th, 2008.
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12 Comments

  1. Mary-LUE:
    August 14th, 2008 at 11:13 pm

    A footprint on the cooker? Did you dust for prints and run them through the crime database?

  2. JoyMama:
    August 15th, 2008 at 4:22 am

    Ah for the days when “dressing for guests” meant donning nicer clothing! ‘Round here, it mostly means making sure that the kiddos HAVE a full set of clothes on…

  3. Suzy:
    August 15th, 2008 at 6:10 am

    You are the kindest person I know.

    Love,
    Suzy

  4. bonnie:
    August 15th, 2008 at 6:26 am

    That’s so cute that she dressed up. I can relate to JoyMama, getting dressed up to me is putting on makeup and actually leaving my hair out of a ponytail!

  5. furiousBall:
    August 15th, 2008 at 6:31 am

    you’re a saint Maddy

  6. Memphis Steve:
    August 15th, 2008 at 7:22 am

    A footprint on the cooker? Hmm

  7. Niksmom:
    August 15th, 2008 at 8:06 am

    Footprint on the cooker?? You must have an even better climber than my Nik! LOL

  8. Bobbi:
    August 15th, 2008 at 12:24 pm

    How sweet~ Awww!

  9. Osh:
    August 15th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    Even though Nonna drives you batty at times, I like her tons.

    And who did the footprint belong to?

  10. Jayne:
    August 15th, 2008 at 6:23 pm

    Dressing up for special occasions is fun in itself :D
    So who was the cooker-climbing culprit?

  11. rhemashope:
    August 15th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    Yes, I have one who likes to get dressed up for company and one who likes to strip for company.

  12. drama mama:
    August 16th, 2008 at 6:04 am

    She reminds me of Mum from Ab Fab…brazilliant.