Tuesday, August 4, 2009

The Toothpaste Tube

by Pat Antonopoulos

Boulders roll right over without leaving a scratch. Even an avalanche fails to register on the Antonopoulos-Rumble scale. But that single grain irritates to a Richter 10.

This has been the summer of the revolving door as friends and family have made our days brighter with their visits. We have smiled and laughed our way through long days and short nights.

Grocery and paper product runs have been constant. The stove and refrigerator actually seem to sigh at the approach of yet another meal. Our rural water company is probably planning an event to honor their increased revenue. Sleeping arrangements ebb and flow as our tiny house shifts air mattresses from porch to deck when the extra beds are filled. Cleaning supplies and laundry products are moving from store shelf to our recycle with amazing speed.

Granted there are times when momentary differences need a bit of time and space. But over-all, we have had a terrific summer enjoying every moment with family and friends.

And now to that grain...the toothpaste tube and the Incredible Hulk grip that molds the tube to a five fingered mess. What's with that? A lithe and gentle 15 year old girl re-mangles the tube no matter the number of times I rearrange it to our normal.
OK...we laugh about it. Of course, by now, she probably does it just to get another bit of granny-action. Wonder how I got so toothpaste tube staid when little else seems to get a rise?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Pat,

How Funny! This was my Dad's bugaboo, he just couldn't tolerate a mangled toothpaste tube. I remember him telling me this like "It Was Important" when I was a youngster in elementary school.

Today, I shrug and couldn't care less what the tube of toothpaste looks like. But it just reinforces your note about everyone having their own 'issues'. People are weird...dogs are genuine. Give me dogs anyday!!

Sara in Fairway