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.”


Posted on August 14th, 2008.
Tagged :


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.

Leave a Reply