Ex Patria

True son of his father

I grew up in the countryside.  My husband is aghast that I would know things about cow insemination or that I eat berries off the bush (because I know what kind of berries they are).  He marvels that I know at which time the elderberries are ripe (not now, husband) or that I can identify rapeseed by smell.

He, on the other hand, is very much a city boy.  His mother taught him never to eat anything off a tree or a bush, and he's deeply suspicious of unprocessed foods.  If it doesn't have a wrapper, it might be toxic.

Today, Alan's class went to visit a farm.  Now, Fladungen is rural and that means the kids walked 200 yards down the street and stood in a cow stable.  He had a grand time, taking photos with his new camera which have somehow a distinct 70s feel to them, and came home talking about cows.

Alan: "But I didn't drink the milk straight from the cow."
Claudia: "Why not?  That's the best milk, it's so good for you!"
Douglas, in the background, muttering under his breath with utter horror: "Raw milk? Straight from the cow?"
Alan: "Naw, I like my milk better from the supermarket."

Genes are powerful.

What happens when your Dad is a lawyer

Jacob runs into the kitchen: "More chips, please!"

Me: "No, Jacob, you already had two [little] bowls and it's almost dinner time."

Jacob: "I WANT MORE CHIPS!"

Me: "Jacob, no more chips.  There are no more, all gone.  The bag is empty."

Jacob looks at me, aghast. "I want to see it's empty!"

It's important to know who and when you are or want to be

Conversation at the dinner table.

David: "Mommy, what does 'intangible' mean?"
Claudia explains at length.  Finally:  "So, you understand? Ideas, for instance, are intangible. Or air."
Alan touches Jacob and says, "And Jacob is tangible, see, I can touch him!"
Jacob, exasperated: "I'm not tangible! I'm Jacob!"

Five minutes later.

Claudia: "Boys, upstairs, it's bedtime!"
Jacob: "No, not bedtime! It's Sunday!"