Susan Beckett

I just finished checking out the political cartoon in the Chronicle’s “Politics” section this last week. It pictures two children with measles asking their mom to remind them why they didn’t get the measles shot. Her reply: “They’re bad for you. I read that somewhere on Facebook.”

Many years ago, I read an article about a local guy who appraised marbles - of all things! It sounds strange, but it was a fascinating piece about agates, cats-eyes, and clay marbles. My father had a large marble collection as a young boy growing up in the 30s, which he held onto. When I was about ten years old, part of his collection was given to me.

Wayyy back in my high school days, we were required to take Spanish. I have to admit being bilingual was apparently not my thing, but this I do remember; whenever our class was getting too loud for our teacher, she would yell out, “Escutcheon por favor! Escuchen!” Translated - listen please. Listen. It seems to be my one big takeaway from two years of Spanish. I even used that line on my own children when they were young.

I was in a store some years ago when I happened upon a mom with two young children in tow. They were being totally grumpy and whiny as only young kids can be, begging just to be let alone to roam the store by themselves. The mother’s young son finally blurted out, “Why can’t we?” to which his mother, in exasperation, shot back, “Because I’m bigger than you are!” End of discussion! Mom’s rules will be followed!

I was talking to a young mom the other day about kids, and the subject of children mimicking their parents’ behavior came up. Parents are so often blueprints for their kids - like it or not. I remember an old TV commercial years ago where a father was washing his car with a cigarette in his mouth.