What's For Dinner?

It's mind-numbingly exhausting being in the continued presence of a brace of pubescent girls if you're six-score and ten. Their energy, curiosity, need to be stimulated and amused is energy-draining. Their constant motion, queries, subtle demands are wearying. But it is a rare pleasure, an equally rare grace to be in their presence. To observe their interaction with one another and their reactions to one another.

The unspoken challenges they put out, the competition between them, the banter and the laughter. The bedtime whispers and giggles. The need for instant gratification, the urge to continue going, never to waver in intent and content. The tender lines of their smooth young complexions, their curly, shining healthy, silky hair, their instant, bright smiles, and the tinkle of their laughter.

Their strong young limbs in motion, ever in motion. They race up the stairs. But guess what? I'm still capable of winning the race. As long as I'm racing upstairs next to the banister. And they're alongside, on the inside. Nothing like a good swift haul upstairs with the help of the banister on the way up. So what if that's cheating? I can still shake a leg and get on with it.

And what's for breakfast tomorrow morning? Let's see: how about melon slice and banana, chicken-bacon strips and blueberry pancakes? How about lunch? Well, we could have grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit yogurt and fresh raspberries for dessert...? Bubbie, what're you planning for dinner? Ask your grandfather; he can barbecue salmon steaks or chicken breasts and you can have him do his famous sliced, browned potatoes and corn on the cob.

Watermelon for dessert. Yum.