I Know Nothing

This has been the learning pattern of my life:

Years 0-5: confidence and discovery

Years 6-14: uncertainty

Years 14-19: I'm smarter than my parents.

Years 20-29: I know everything.

Years 30-39: I was an idiot when I was in my twenties, NOW I know everything.

Years 40-49: I know nothing.

So the big question is: Do I ever get to be smart again?  Or is being stupid obligatory ever more after a person has teenagers?

I have to admit there is something illuminating, humbling and not just a little demoralizing about watching my cherished, fawned over babies become independent teenagers who are more than willing to shed childhood to become separate beings from their parents. Who gave them the idea they have minds of their own anyway? Rats. That would be me. What was I thinking????? I'm going to unleash these kids onto the world? Thinking for themselves??!!?? AAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!! (Guess it's a good thing they already know it all.)

What is this anyway? Didn't I already live through the teen years? Why do my kids have to do it too? Isn't there some kind of way to zap them over them? Can we skip those years and go straight to grand-babies?  I mean seriously, there's a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow right?

Isolation vs Connectedness

There is an element to writing that isn't discussed very often. There seems to be two basic types to many characters in writing. Characters who are isolated and characters who are connected.

Isolated are those who seem to live within themselves - they live life with their nose pressed against the glass looking at others who are interacting with each other and they can't quite figure out why there's a divide there. There is also the isolated character who deliberately isolates themselves and knows full well why - usually some bond of trust was broken somewhere.

On the other hand there is also the character that is connected. They have close personal ties to family, friends, and humanity in general. Sometimes they only have a few connections, sometimes many but they seem to really participate in life and invest themselves in others.

I find both types interesting to read. And I identify with both - usually depending on how I feel. If I'm feeling pretty good and my health is well in hand I feel connected. If I feel sick and I'm confined to my room - isolated. I live in both worlds.

Bunnies, bunnies everywhere...

Oh boy! More lists! They say it takes a certain type of person to be a bunny person. We must be pretty far on the bunny people spectrum since we have four of them.

Here's 15 random observations I've made about our fuzzy little critters:

1. A bunny's trust is to be gained. It is not automatically given.

2. Bunnies are highly suspicious of new foods.

3. Our bunnies hate the smell and sound of bacon. They hide when we are cooking it and won't come out again until the smell dissipates.

4.  Bunnies do not perform for strangers. They have this 'I'm a dumb bunny' expression they put on their face and allow their eyes to go glassy and sit in a little ball and pretend they are the most boring creatures on the planet. It's one of their favorite defense mechanisms. Note: this rarely works because they're too cute and furry and people pick them up anyway but it doesn't stop the bunnies from trying.
 
5. Bunnies like fuzzy things. I find this amusing. Do they know they are furry? I think they must. Our plush fleece blankets are their favorites things to hang out on. 

6. Once you have a bunny's trust they are highly entertaining and reveal themselves to have fun, quirky personalities.

7. A bunny senses the emotions of it's owners. Not sure how they do this, but somehow they know. Probably because of #8 on this list.

8. A bunny is an astute student of both rabbit body language and people body language. They have a language all their own and it doesn't take long to know what the bunny is thinking and feeling because they are so expressive.

9. Bunnies love to be sung to. Especially if you sing a little ditty about them.

10. Bunnies don't like it when you invade their living space. It's their space, so if you're going to be in it you'd better follow their rules of protocol. IE don't move the stuff they moved, don't touch their hay, don't pluck them out of there without their consent, don't wake them, and don't ignore them. If you must breach the rules then you'd better have a treat handy, preferably some papaya.

11. Bunnies never have bad breath. Never. And they smell nice - like fresh summer sunshine.

12. They like to do elaborate little dances in the morning and love to show off. They want praise for these feats of speed and agility. The more compliments they get, the more they zip around.

13. Our bunnies are very lovey in the evenings. They lavish us with affection and cuddle and snuggle close to be petted and give us lots of bunny kisses.

14. Bunnies love tunnels and hide y-holes. When they don't want to be disturbed they hang out in them. When they want to be petted they hang out right by the door of the gate.

15. Bunnies have no concept of personal space. This includes with other bunnies and humans as well.

I like animals in general but bunnies are my favorite. They bring a smile to my face and distract me from 'real life' and bring a bit of nature into my home. This is important to me since I'm not supposed to be outside. They are not the right pet for everyone - they are delicate and not good for households with young children or for people who will be ignoring them a lot. But we love ours.