In the kitchen, on the floor below the counter where my grandson makes his afternoon snacks, is "jam land". My shoes stick. I mumble and quickly wipe away the grape, glancing around for the inevitable peanut butter.

One more day, maybe 2 before I have to mop. Put off laundry and tuck more dirty dishes neatly into the dishwasher.

Stuff of families.

I smile, because I can say anything if I'm smiling when I say it...

"Young Man, turn off that TV and go outdoors to eat your sandwich. Its too nice out there for you to be indoors".

Relieved not to be required to clean "jam land", Buddy grasps his milk glass and his basketball, holding his sandwich gently between his lips. I can't watch.

As he moves out on the porch, I latch the screen door behind him.

"Don't run in and out. Dinner is in an hour".

I sit again before my best friend and place my fingers on her keyboard..." Kids should be required to eat outdoors"...My computer silently agrees.

Two months ago someone wrote the date in the dust on my coffee table. Looking at it now, it still annoys me. I walked into the kitchen and poured the last cup of coffee then sat in front of my best friend, my fingers upon her keyboard and without reservation, told that "someone" what a jerk he is..saving it on disk under "Jerks I love".

Feeling much relieved, I marched back into the kitchen and, wishing the coffee pot were cleaner, made a fresh pot of coffee, before adding more "Jerks" to my database.

What about my neighbor whose trash blows into my yard? The stuff is still sitting there! And the "jerk" whose shopping cart drifts over and hits my van?

My flying fingers re-live the dents and scratches from past parking lot events...my compatable friend the only one listening...I knew dinner would be late.