Yesterday, Beatrice and I were standing at the sliding glass door that looks out on our backyard enjoying the rich pink hues of the sunset. She and Penny were struck by how pretty it was. It might have been the first time they’ve noticed. We’ve had a lot of moments with the moon, but I can’t recall one with the sunset.
Standing there, Bea and I had a little exchange I thought was so funny, I felt compelled to write it down to share with everyone who reads this. It went a little like this.
Beatrice: What are those pink things on that black thing?*
Joe: What are you talking about?
Beatrice: The pink things on the black thing.
Joe: Point to what you mean.
Beatrice: That thing. Over there.
Joe: Ok, try again. You know the word.
A beat passes.
Beatrice: The chicken toaster!
Joe: Ah, yes, the grill! Those are bricks to keep the cover on in the wind. But I really like “chicken toaster.”
You are now informed that the new, correct term for a grill is “chicken toaster”. Go forth, be merry, and all praise to the chicken toaster.
* It’s worth noting that Beatrice sometimes pronounces “thing” like “sing”. And she did so during this exchange.