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Some people think it helps to slap your forehead

We went to the beer garden yesterday to play Scrabble, which we’ve done
nearly every night for the last week. School starts Monday, so spending
every possible evening out of doors, especially for Squire, seems
necessary and important. Although it was the same even temp in the
apartment yesterday as it is every day, it was colder outside, and my
sleeveless dress meant I was unable to spell words other than
"freezing". As Squire was anyway not playing, I called him over &
begged him to run back to the apartment to get me a sweater. The
apartment is less than 15 minutes’ stroll from the beer garden, and I
thought that Squire, running like the wind, could solve my chattering
teeth in about 20 minutes. Bribes were offered. Specific sweaters and
their locations were mentioned.

Slightly over 30 minutes later, he ambles back. He was delayed because
he went to the bathroom at home. He has a letter from the mailbox. He
has his magic wand. You totally know where I’m going with this, don’t
you.

I myself suffer from recurrent destinesia. I will walk into the bedroom
to get my glasses, stand there for a minute, dumbfounded, and wander
back out again with no glasses. Did I walk in there to blink myopically
at the dustmotes, or what? Ten minutes later I may even do the same
thing again. However, if I say the word "glasses" before walking into
the room, it kicks the brain over the barrier with ease. How could
someone have a clearly described item in his mind, go for the specific
purpose of getting it, have a bribe dangling at the end of the line,
and … forget?

Anyway, he went back to get the sweater, and this time it only took 20
minutes. I do understand that it was entirely my fault for forgetting
to bring a sweater (I normally do, even in the hottest months), and I
understand that my physical unease today is a result of my behavior,
not his. However, I am a little worried about this whole "back to
school" thing. Between the early onset destinesia and the new "different teacher for
every class" system, I think we may have a very long year ahead of us.

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One response to “Some people think it helps to slap your forehead”

  1. yr mother Avatar
    yr mother

    You remember the Jack tale about sody salaratus, don’t you? I hope so, because I’ve lost the details – something about a little boy being sent to the store, and coming home with the wrong thing several times – so you see he is just acting out a part of his American/Irish/Endoeuropean heritage. Love, Mom

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