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Rut Roh is Grendel talk for “oh shoot, Mommy is going to kick my butt for dragging that dish out of the sink and leaving the chewed remains in the living room.” He does talk like that, really. He got it from the Jetson’s dog, Astro.

Grendel’s been suffering a bit from cabin fever. The rain here in northern Virginia has been relentless. So we got together and decided on a topic for today. Words that begin with the letter “R.” Why? Because Grendel only understands a few words (bone, dinner, walk) and I want him to learn to say, “I ruv roo, Rommy.” 

There are actually more “R” words than this, but here are a few for today’s vocabulary lesson.

  • Rabies—Grendel has been vaccinated, no worries.
  • Rawhide—another word for bone. Grendel loves these.
  • Razorback—a kind of pig. See swine flu post.
  • Reefer—refrigerator? No. Double breasted wool coat? No. What Clinton didn’t inhale? Maybe.
  • Rufa—as in Garra rufa. A flesh eating fish that gives pedicures. (Btw—I’ve been told by a health official that this is not a good idea if you want to remain free of infections and other nasty stuff. It may seem fun to have a fish eat the dead flesh off your toes, but think about it people. Gross.)
  • Recover—hoping this happens soon with the economy.
  • Recruitme please.
  • Refinance—what the bank won’t let me do until I get a job.
  • Recriminate—what members of Congress do on a regular basis.
  • Read—what most people need to do more of. See Whut? post.
  • Reflect—on the beauty of what is around you and those you love.
  • Ruf—duh. What Grendel says when he wants dinner, or anything else for that matter.

Have a great weekend. We are off to the beach! Ray! Ree ruv ruh reech.

That’s how I like to pick out teams for those office pools. And whenever I go to the steeplechase races out in Middleburg, VA I pick horses with names that sound cool. It’s very scientific and much more fun than reading stats and playing the odds. (Just a note—this is not how I pick my stocks.)

So I’m loving that a 50 to 1 long shot won the Kentucky Derby. Mine That Bird won while I Want Revenge (a bad way to live your life by the way) was out before the race started. I really don’t know anything about horses and racing but I love underdogs. I’m from Philly, it’s in my blood.

Now out of all the contenders, these are the horses that I would have picked based purely on their names.

1. Chocolate Candy. Need I say why?

2. Mr. Hot Stuff. Again, need I say why?

3. Pioneer of the Nile. Because I took an awesome trip to Egypt in 2007.

 Do you have a favorite team, horse, champion, or underdog and if so, what color does he/she/they wear?

I came across some of the Bart Simpson chalkboard quotes and decided to analyze some of them and see how relevant they could be to my day-to-day life. So here we go.

I will finish what I sta
Coming up with blog entries each week is challenging. I also want to be a professional photographer, write a novel, lose 80 pounds, fix my ceiling, etc., etc., etc. I’m usually pretty good at finishing things, with some exceptions, but I think it’s a good lesson for all of us.

I will not celebrate meaningless milestones.
I can’t say I agree with Bart’s teacher on this one. Sometimes it’s good to take little steps toward a goal or even to remember and celebrate what’s good in your life. Obviously taking it too far—like celebrating the loss of 8 oz. of weight with an ice cream cone may be a bit much. Balance people, balance.

“Bagman” is not a legitimate career choice.
I think in this economy, to each his own. Everyone needs to make a living right? In any case, I did some background checking, and I’m pretty sure Bart was referring to a person designated to collect money in a protection racket. There are several other definitions though, including a traveling salesman (hmmm, same thing?), a company out in the Midwest that sells farm equipment, and Tiger Woods’ caddie, Steve Williams. This last guy’s job doesn’t sound so bad. Evidently he’s such a good guy that Queen Elizabeth II made him a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Bart’s teacher should be a bit more careful about busting on people’s choice of work.

I am not deliciously saucy.
Yes, I am. Everyone is special. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not.

I will not aim for the head.
Unless you’re Jack Sanderson playing dodgeball against the Sioux campers at Camp Tockwogh.

Nobody likes sunburn slappers.
I must agree. Good advice as we go into the summer and you’re all pale from the long winter.

Hope these were good lessons for you. Thank you Bart—you boy genius, you philosopher and observer of life.

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