Spin Cycle – Page 64 – Lemon Drop Pie

Our family pet keeps me company when I’m home alone.

Some of you may remember that I was opposed to owning and taking care of our pet. I was not happy when Emmy received Stripe and Spotty for her birthday; no one had consulted me about this gift. In the end, I embraced the fish. A week later, Spotty was no longer with us. Stripe proved to be the hardier fish.

Nine months later, I admit that I talk to Stripe when I walk by his tank. Lily runs to the fish tank as soon as she walks in the door after school to say “Hi!” to Stripe. At dinner time, the whole family asks each other, “Who fed Stripe?” He comes up to the top of the tank and blows bubbles when we come to feed hime. He’s one smart little fish.

The other evening, I sat on the couch to read. As I glanced over at the fish tank, I panicked when I thought I saw Stripe floating at the top of the water. As I hurried over to check on him, Stripe swam around and looked at me as if I were a crazy lady. He was perfectly fine.

Maybe I am a crazy lady; a crazy FISH lady.

All I know is, when it’s Stripe’s time to leave this earth, it will be awfully hard to replace him.

Lily contemplating her Aunt Heather's art. — Lily contemplating her Aunt Heather’s art.

Lily has always loved creating art. My sisters helped cultivate her love of art; they gave her a pair of safety scissors before she was three, finger paint, and Lily’s favorite art supply: tape.

When Lily was five years old, she painted a picture that she modeled after her Aunt Heather’s paintings. She called it “Swirly Swirly.”

h and l paintings — Heather’s painting on the left, Lily’s painting on the right

My little Emmy has been singing and dancing since she could walk. When she was about two years old, Emmy’s cousin taught her Our Song by Taylor Swift.

… on your window
When we’re on the phone and you talk real slow
’cause it’s late and your mama don’t know
…
The first date: “Man, I didn’t kiss her, and I should have”
And when I got home … ‘fore I said amen
Asking God if he could play it again

The apples don’t fall far from the trees; Lily and Emmy’s aunts are art and music professors. Das liegt in der Familie!