DUCK AND COVER

“NO! NO! NO! NO!” I yelled as I looked out the front window watching a small chipmunk casually go from clover flower to clover flower as if it didn’t have a care in the world.

“What’s wrong?” My son Alex said as he quickly came out of his room and into the living room where I was standing.

“There’s a young chipmunk in our front yard!” I cried as I pointed to the little fur-ball scampering around the yard.

Alex looked confused. “First off, how do you know he’s young? And second, what’s wrong with that?”

“Because there’s no cover. No place to hide!” I looked up in the sky waiting for a hawk or even a blue jay to swoop down and grab him. “He has no idea the danger he’s in!”

“Okay.” Alex came over to me, patting me on the shoulder. “It’s going to be okay.”

I looked over at him and sighed. “I’m just worried about him.” I looked back out as he peacefully munched on some clover flowers.

“He seems fine.” Alex tried to reassure me again.

“I know, but anything could grab him.” I sighed again. “He’s got to be one of the first of the spring litter that’s been kicked out of the burrow.”

“They get kicked out?” Alex asked.

“Yup.” I nodded as I held up my fingers and began counting off. “The first four weeks they stay underground, blind and helpless.” Another finger up, “By week six they’re weaned and start taking short trips out of the burrow.” I held up my next finger. “Week eight Mom gets a little aggressive trying to stop them from being dependent and by week ten…” I shook my head and pointed out to the front yard. “They’re completely out on their own.”

“So he’s ready.” Alex reasoned looking out at him.

I laughed. “Does he look ready to you?” I began shaking my head. “Clearly he missed the seminar about ‘duck and cover’ when Mom was going over it in the burrow.”

“Well, maybe we could get him a little army helmet to help keep him safe.” Alex laughed.

I didn’t reply.

Alex looked confused. “You know I wasn’t being serious, right?”

“Oh, I know.” I laughed. “I was just picturing him wearing one.”

We watched as he quickly scampered across the yard and under my car.

“See?” Alex reassured me. “He knows when he needs to hide.”

I looked at the other side of the yard where a small bunny was getting his share of clover.

“He ran away from a bunny.” I said shaking my head. “Bunnies aren’t the ones he should be afraid of.”

“Well,” Alex reasoned. “He’s still learning.”

“Better learn fast little man!” I called. “It’s a crazy world out there!”

Alex laughed as he patted me on the shoulder again. “He’s lucky that you’re looking out for him.”

LUCK OF THE CLOVER

We were over at my brother-in-law Donny’s house, walking around the back yard looking at all the planting he’d been doing, when I realized we were walking in the middle of a clover patch. I just had to stop.

“I feel one in here.” I said looking down.

“What?” Donny asked.

“She’s looking for a four leaf clover.” My husband Steven explained.

I was scanning the immediate area.

Seconds later I reached down and plucked one out of the patch. “Ta-da!” I said holding it up.

“You know…” Donny began to say.

“Nope.” I shook my head. “You’re not going to tell me it’s just a mutation.” I had to laugh. “You’ve told me that before.”

I placed it in the middle of my hand. “I consider it a marvel.” I gently spread out the leaves so you could see the four of them. I touched each leaf as I said “This one is for faith, this one is for hope, this one is love, and the fourth one…” I looked at them both. “Is for luck.”

I cradled it in my hand as I looked back at the clover patch. “Now that I know you have a lucky clover patch in your yard I’ll be looking for more.”

“Help yourself.” Donny said as he and my husband began to talk.

I really wasn’t listening to them as my eyes scanned the area again.

A few seconds later I was plucking out another one from the patch. “Love it!” I said as I placed it in my hand next to the other one. “That’s enough luck for today.” I said as we headed back to the house.

“What are you going to do with them?” Steven asked as I placed them on the table next to my purse so I wouldn’t forget to take them with me.

“What I always do with them.” I said, “I’ll get a piece of wax paper and press them between some books until they dry out.”

“And then?” He asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. “Have them?” I said.

We were ready to join everyone else back at the table for dessert when I stopped Steven and said. “You know, my friend Karen used to press them against beautiful paper then laminate them, making them into lucky charms that you could put in your wallet or even into bookmarks.”

Steven nodded his head. “That sounds like a nice thing to do. Is that what you’re going to do with them then?”

I shook my head. “Nope. That’s way too much work for me.” I laughed. “I’m just going to press them between some books and months later when I come across them I’ll be surprised all over again!”

Steven laughed. “That sounds like a plan.”

“One I can accomplish with ease.” I agreed. “Besides the thrill is when you originally find one.”

“Kind of how I feel when I find pennies on the ground.” Steven offered.

“Exactly!” I looked over at him and smiled. “Lucky pennies, lucky four leaf clover! You totally get me!”

“Remind me, we need to stop on the way home and pick up a lottery ticket.” Steven said as we were back at the table ready for dessert.

I was pulling my chair up to the table when I leaned over and whispered. “I’ll even let you borrow one of my clovers when you go in and buy it.”

ARE YOU SICK?

I’d just come in from the backyard and I quickly went over to the tissue box on the counter, pulled two sheets out of the box, and began to blow my nose.

“Are you sick?” My son Alex asked as he came into the kitchen.

“I’m pretty sure it’s allergies.” I said as I tossed the tissues into the trash and went over to wash my hands.

“Are you sure?” Alex asked looking doubtful. “You sound pretty stuffed up.”

“I was fine when I woke up this morning.” I assured him. “But as soon as I went outside I was done for.” I shook the excess water off my hands and grabbed some paper towels.

I could feel my nose begin to fill again. “Oh, great!” I sighed as I grabbed another few tissues. “This is going to be a fun day.”

“What are you allergic to?” Alex asked as he stepped away from me as I blew my nose again.

“Oak trees in the spring.” I said as I finished blowing my nose and once again headed to the sink to wash my hands. “Wait. That’s not completely true.” I added. “I’m also allergic to them when one gets cuts down, so that could be anytime of the year.”

“I don’t remember you being allergic to them before.” Alex said as he leaned against the counter-top. “When did it start?”

“When we moved here.” I sighed. “I had no idea that this neighborhood is filled with oak trees.” I began to cough.

“You really do sound sick.” Alex looked doubtful as he handed me some more tissues.

“I am!” I said as I blew my nose again. “Sick of those oak tassels falling from the trees and landing in big clumps around the yard!” Tossing the tissues away I was once again standing at the sink.

“Are you ready for some breakfast?” I asked drying my hands after I’d washed them.

Alex hesitated. “What are you thinking of making?”

“How about some eggs?” I went to the refrigerator. As I pulled out the carton I began to sniffle again.

“You know what?” Alex took the eggs away from me and put them on the counter. “Why don’t you take the box of tissues and go rest on the couch while I make the eggs.”

“Really?” My eyes lit up.

“Yes, really.” He went over, got the box of tissues, handed them to me and pointed me in the direction of the living room.

“That sounds wonderful!” I said as I sniffled again. I settled into the couch, throwing a blanket over my legs and grabbing my book.

“How do you want your eggs?” Alex called.

“However you’re making them is fine with me.” I called back as I settled into the cushions and breathed a little sigh of contentment.

“Toast?” Alex called back.

“Yes, please!” I reached over and pulled a tissue out of the box, dabbing my nose.

My husband Steven came out of our bedroom. “Good morning!” He said as he saw me on the couch. “How’d you sleep?”

“Pretty good.” I looked up and smiled. “Alex thinks I’m sick so he’s making breakfast for me.”

Steven looked confused. “He thinks you’re sick?”

“It’s my oak allergies but he’s not taking any chances.” I reached over and grabbed another tissue. “You know I’m not nearly as upset with the oak trees as I was twenty minutes ago.” I snuggled back into the pillows. “Especially when I’m being waited on like this.”

QUIET PLEASE

“I love that you’re back guys.” I said as I was looking out my front window at the dozens of robins hopping around my front yard. “But could you not start singing until at least dawn?”

My son Alex came into the room. “Who are you talking to?” He asked as he came to stand next to me.

I pointed my tea cup toward the window. “Them.” I said as I brought the cup to my mouth to take a sip. “They got me up at 4:30 this morning.”

We watched as each robin scurried across the lawn in different directions, abruptly stopping and tilting their heads listening for something that only they could hear.

“The way they move I can never decided if they’re in a game of red-light-green-light or freeze tag.” I said as I took another sip of tea.

Alex laughed. “I’m pretty sure the worms underground are hoping the robins are playing games and not hunting for them!”

I thought about that for a moment. “You know you’re right.”

Alex looked confused. “I’m right about what?”

“About them hunting for worms. I guess there’s a reason for the saying that ‘the early bird gets the worm’.” I looked over Alex raising my eyebrows. “Worms are more active from dusk to dawn so….” I pointed out to the robins. “They have to be up pretty early to be able to find some breakfast.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I guess I can’t be too mad at them for getting me up so early.”

Alex nodded his head. “Okay.” He patted me on the shoulder before heading to the kitchen to make his coffee. “I’m glad you figured that out.” He called over his shoulder.

I continued to watch the birds out the front window when a rabbit hopped over from the neighbors yard.

While the rabbit was munching on some clover I noticed one of the robins hop closer to the rabbit, it’s head tilting to the side. Moments later, the robin stabbed its beak into the ground, right next to the rabbits foot and came up with a worm. A quick head flip had the worm disappear down the robins throat in less then a second.

“Okay, that’s enough of that.” I sighed as I headed for the kitchen.

I put my teacup down and went over to the butcher block where a plate of vegetables and fruit were in a bowl. Picking up an avocado I gave it a slight squeeze. “This one’s ready.” I said going to the silverware drawer to get a knife.

“Would you like some avocado toast?” I asked as I began to cut into the avocado.

“Are you sure it’s not too early?” Alex asked as he looked at the clock on the stove. “It’s only

5:30?”

“Hey, I’ve been up for an hour!” I said moving to the cabinet with the bread. “The early bird might get the worm but the first one to the ripe avocado gets the avocado toast!”

WHAT TIME IS IT?

I was laying in bed, reading my book, when I finally got the wave of exhaustion washing over me that signaled I was ready to fall asleep. “That’s enough of that.” I said as I closed my book, put it on the nightstand then clicked off my bedside light.

I was asleep within moments.

What felt like hours later I woke up. Giving a big stretch, thinking it was close to morning I looked around the room feeling a bit confused. It seemed too dark to be close to my alarm going off.

That’s when I rolled over and looked at my clock. “Midnight.” I sighed. “That’s just great.” I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling. “Okay, if I fall back asleep right this second I can get six more hours of sleep.” I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and hoped sleep would come quickly.

It seemed several hours later I was awake again. “Okay, that’s better.” I thought as I stretched my arms before noticing that the room still looked too dark for me to be getting up.

Rolling over again to look at the clock and I saw it was 2:00 AM. “Oh, come on.” I moaned, rolling onto my back again. Why was I waking up every two hours? “So, if I go back to sleep right now I’ll get 4 more hours.” I thought as I closed my eyes, trying to stop whatever racing thoughts were popping up trying to stop me from being able to continue sleeping.

Again, it seemed that several hours had passed when I was awake again. “This better be it.” I said as I looked over at my clock. It was 5:00 AM. “Close enough.” I sighed as I rolled out of bed, looked over at my husband Steven who was fast asleep, and headed for the bathroom.

Making sure the door was closed before turning on the light I looked in the mirror noticing that with a little make-up I could hopefully cover up the dark circles under my eyes.

Splashing some cold water on my face, before grabbing a towel to pat my face dry, I looked in the mirror again. “Good enough.” I sighed as I switched off the light before opening the door.

Once in the kitchen I put water in the kettle, clicking the switch to begin heating it. With roughly an hour before sunrise, I went into the living room, sat on the couch and watched several deer nibbling on the grass in my neighbor’s yard.

That’s when my son Alex came out of his room.

“Morning.” I said as I pointed to the kitchen. “I put enough water in the kettle for your coffee.”

“Thanks.” He said rubbing his eyes. “How’d you sleep?” He asked.

“Even though I felt like I got a good nights sleep I was up every few hours.” I sighed.

“How do you know that?” He asked.

I was confused. “Because I looked at the clock.”

“Oh, I never look at the clock at night.” He said as he went into the kitchen to get his coffee mug.

“Wait.” I got up from the couch and followed him to the kitchen. “How can you NOT look at the clock when you wake up in the middle of the night?” I asked as I got my cup out of the cabinet and got a tea bag out of the box. “How would you know how many hours you’d need to get a good nights sleep?”

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. I guess I’ve just trained myself not to look.” He shrugged his shoulders again. “Worrying about how many more hours I’d need would only stress me out if I did.”

I stood there thinking about what he said. I actually felt like I’d gotten enough sleep but the worry about waking up every few hours was the reason I was questioning how I felt.

Breaking into my thoughts Alex asked. “Do you want me to pour the water in your cup?” He was holding up the kettle.

“Please.” I said pushing my cup closer to him on the counter-top. “And to answer your question about how I slept?” I looked over at him and smiled. “Now, I’m going to say pretty good.”

SCENT OF SPRING

I stepped out the front door, heading out for work, when I stopped and inhaled. “Oh my gosh! Do you smell that?” I asked my son Alex who had opened the front door for me.

Alex inhaled. “I don’t smell anything.”

I stepped further out on the porch. “Come out here.” I said as I inhaled again. “You have to be able to smell it now!”

Alex stepped out and stood next to me. “Is that the lilac bush?” He asked.

“It sure is!” I gave a big sigh. “Don’t you just love that smell!”

Alex saw the lilac bush at the end of the driveway. “I can’t believe you can smell that from so far away. It’s got to be at least 30 yards from here!”

“I love all the different flowering plants in spring!” I looked over at Alex. “When I was driving to work yesterday I went past a section of pine trees covered in wisteria vines and the wisteria’s in full bloom, too!” I sighed. “There’s another smell I love.”

Thinking of that smell triggered a memory. “You know where I saw an entire home covered in wisteria?”

Alex shook his head. “No. Where?”

“It was Washington Irving’s estate on the Hudson River in New York.” I smiled as I thought about the estate he called Sunnyside. “He’s the one who wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

Alex nodded his head as I adjusted my work bag on my shoulder while holding my lunch bag in the other. “The vines covered the entire cottage with those beautiful purple flowers hanging in clusters like grapes.”

“I remember when you went up there with Aunt Donna.” He gently swatted a bee that was buzzing by his head.

“It was such a beautiful estate.” I sighed again. “I love everything about spring!” I looked over at my car with a thin layer of light green pollen on the windshield. “Well, maybe not everything.”

Alex looked at his watch. “Aren’t you going to be late for work?” He reminded me.

“I’ve got plenty of time.” I said as I started to walk down the front step but stopped and turned around. “You know what I’m going to do before I go into work?”

Alex laughed. “No. What?”

“I’m going to pull up by the wisteria, roll down my window, and see if I can’t smell them from the roadside.”

“That sounds like a plan.” Alex laughed again as he stepped towards the front door. “But what if you can’t smell them from the car?”

“Well, then I’ll just have to get out of the car and get closer to them, won’t I?”

I walked over to my car, opened the back door, and tossed my bags in before walking over to the lilac bush, gently holding one of the blooms in the palm of my hand and inhaling deeply.

Lost in their scent I hadn’t realized how much time had passed until Alex opened the front door.

“You’re still here?” He called. “You’re going to be late.”

“Whoops.” I headed for the car as I looked at my watch. “I’m still good.” I said as I opened the drivers side door.

“Maybe you should wait until your drive home before you stop for the wisteria.”

“It’s only two minutes from here.” I said as I started the car and flicked the lever that turned on the windshield spray and wipers.

Just then my phone buzzed. I picked it up to see a message from Alex. “I’ll call you in five minutes so you’re not late for work.” It said.

I looked through my windshield at Alex standing at the front steps holding up his phone.

I quickly typed back. ‘You’re the best!’ and added a heart emoji for good measure before putting the car in reverse and pulling out of the driveway.

SIDE TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

My friend Rosanne and I are book lovers so we decided we were going to visit independent bookstores throughout New Jersey. It was only our second trip out when we thought we’d keep it local, visiting a few bookstores in the neighboring town of Asbury Park.

Driving around town, looking for a parking space, I couldn’t help but see how much the town had changed.

“I used to work on Cookman Avenue.” I explained to Rosanne as we circled the block again. “I was just out of high school and got a job as a secretary for Dr. Liebesman. He was an ophthalmologist.” I scanned the buildings looking for the old office. “Everything certainly has changed. When I worked here everything was in decline.”

I pointed to where the old Woolworth’s had been. “There was the sweetest man that used to sell the Asbury Park Press right out front.” I thought about it for a moment, trying to recall his name. “Captain Johnny Richardson!” I cried so proud of the fact that I’d remembered his name. “He’d say hello to everyone who passed by.”

We’d finally found a parking spot and as we were headed to our first stop I couldn’t help but feel excited to see that the town was on the upswing from when I’d worked there all those years ago.

We stopped in front of the Asbury Book Cooperative. “Our first stop.” I said as I opened the door for Rosanne.

As we were browsing I stopped at the counter to ask if they stocked any local writers. She directed me to a section of the store where I found an autographed copy of a book called Greetings from Asbury Park by Luigina Vecchione.

I held the book up for Rosanne to see. “I found my local author!”

After a quick lunch we were back out on the street. We stopped to look in the window of a bookstore called Paranormal Books and Curiosities.

“I don’t know about this one.” Rosanne said pointing to the snow globe with a skull in it, next to the Ouija board and tarot cards.

“It’s still an independent bookstore.” I reminded her as I stood back on the sidewalk and looked again. “You know, I think this used to be Dr. Liebesman’s office.” I looked over at Rosanne shaking my head laughing. “This is where I used to work!”

“Seriously?”

I took out my phone and started to Google. “621 Cookman Avenue Asbury Park.” I said as I typed.

Sure enough a few seconds later it popped up that it had been his address. “Well, now we have to go in.”

Walking inside I couldn’t believe all the renovations they had done. I pointed to a table holding several books. “That’s where my desk was.”

I began walking further into the store. I stood in front of a floor to ceiling bookshelf. “That’s strange. There was a door here that led up to the attic.”

Just then the bookshelf began to move and a woman came out from behind it. I looked in and could see they’d removed the stairs and installed a bathroom. “Well, that’s pretty clever.”

As I moved further into the store, to where the Doctors desk used to be, now stood a glass encased fortune teller named Zoltar.

“Can you take a picture of me with him?” Rosanne asked as she handed me her phone.

“Of course.” I began lining up the shot.

As Rosanne went to stand next to him when he suddenly began to talk to her causing her to jump. “I wasn’t expecting that!” She cried as I quickly took the picture and handed her back her phone.

“I’m not surprised at all.” I laughed. “I always thought this place was haunted and it looks like it found the perfect tenants!”

FLYING BACK HOME

I was out on our back porch hanging our hummingbird feeder when my son Alex came out.

“Isn’t it a bit early to be putting that out?” he asked pointing to the feeder.

“Your Dad sent me an article a few days ago from NJ Fish and Wildlife that said our little friends should be arriving in the next couple of weeks.” I adjusted the bright red feeder so that it was nestled just right on its hook. “I just want to make sure we’re ready to welcome them back.”

“Don’t hummingbirds go back to the same area each year?” He asked as he sat down in the rocking chair.

“Yup.” I sat down in the Adirondack chair next to him. “Our two little jerks should be arriving any day now.”

Alex started to laugh. “I wonder why ours fight so much?”

“I know!” I cried. “Neither one of them will let the other get a drink.” Just thinking about it made me laugh. “When one finally does land on the feeder they have to constantly be looking over their shoulder for the other idiot to come zooming in, making them take off.” I looked out over our yard that was just beginning to show signs of spring. Buds were on the trees, daffodils in full bloom, even the chipmunks had come out of hiding and were scurrying around the oak tree. “I love this time of year.” I sighed.

“Yeah, me too.” Alex said as he pointed to a chipmunk. “Do we have any peanuts that we can toss to him?”

I got up from my chair and went into the kitchen to get the bag of peanuts. Coming back out on the porch I reached in the bag and tossed a fistful out into the yard. The movement scared the chipmunk and they ran further into the woods.

“They’ll be back.” I said as I sat back down placing the bag next to my chair. “Now, getting back to the hummingbirds…”

Alex laughed. “Okay.”

“Why are ours so territorial?” I looked over at Alex.

“Aren’t they all territorial?” He asked.

“I don’t know.” I said shaking my head. “I’ve seen videos where a half a dozen hummingbirds are all at the same feeder.” I pointed to our feeder. “I’ve never seen that here. But I’ve seen videos.”

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “They’re still pretty funny to watch.”

I nodded my head. “Agreed on that one.”

Just then a house finch landed on the top of our birdhouse. “Oh look!” I pointed over to the birdhouse. “It’s nest hunting!”

We watched as its mate landed next to them, taking turns going into the house.

“Good thing I cleaned that out last fall.” I said to Alex before calling out to the birds. “Welcome back!”

“How do you know it’s the same couple as last year?” He asked.

“Because house finches do the same as hummingbirds.” I stated. “Once they find an area they like they come back.” I looked over at Alex. “Did you know house finches rarely nest in bird houses?”

“Then why do they use our bird house every year?”

I couldn’t help but smile as I pointed to our bird feeders, bird bath, and bird houses. “Because I’m a very good yard hostess.”

Alex laughed. “I guess you are.”

WHAT’S FOR DINNER?

It was late afternoon and I was standing in the kitchen with the refrigerator door open, staring inside, when my son Alex came into the room.

“What’s for dinner?” He asked as he went over to the cabinet and took out a box of crackers.

“Good question.” I moved a few things around on the shelves. “I was just in the pantry and didn’t see anything that inspired a meal.” I sighed as I closed the refrigerator door. “Nothing in here either.” I went over to the cabinet he’d just been in and looked around.

After a few moments I closed the cabinet, gave another deep sigh, looked at Alex and shrugged my shoulders. “I’ve got nothing.”

“So, we’ll get take out.” He reasoned.

I shook my head. “No. I have to go to the grocery store anyway. I don’t have any meals planned for next week.” I went to the closet to get my coat. “I think I’ll just go now and see if something looks good for tonight.”

Grabbing my keys and pocketbook I headed for the front door. “Wish me luck!” I called over my shoulder.

My husband Steven came around the corner. “What are we wishing you luck for?” He asked as he came to the door with a look of concern on his face.

“I’m headed to the grocery store with no idea what I’m making for dinner.” I said as I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Why don’t we just get some take out?” He asked.

“I already tried that.” Alex said. “But she seems determined.”

By now I was at the car. “I have to do grocery shopping anyway.” I called. “I’ll think of something.”

As I was driving to the store recipes were going through my head. “Maybe nachos?” Shaking my head. “Steven doesn’t like the spice.” That imaginary recipe card got put back.

“Chicken parm?” But then I remembered I didn’t have any precooked cutlets and I wasn’t going to make that from scratch. So, another imaginary recipe card bit the dust.

“Maybe just a pork cutlet with some sides?” I shook my head. “This is hard to do when you’re not hungry.”

I’d arrived at the grocery store. Once I parked I grabbed a cart and headed right for the meat counter. “Might as well start with the main ingredient.” I said under my breath.

But as I circled the meat selection nothing was screaming, ‘make me!’ loud enough for me to stop. I was on my second lap around the meat counter when I spotted a fellow shopper who had the same look on her face that I was feeling. “Can’t figure out what to make for dinner?” I asked her.

She seemed surprised by my question. “How’d you know?” She laughed.

“Because I’m feeling the same way.” I laughed.

She was standing in front of the Italian sausage when I reached down and picked up a package. “Wait! What if I made this with peppers and onions, mixed in some tortellini and made a side salad?” I looked back at my fellow shopper. “That doesn’t sound terrible, does it?”

She shook her head. “Sounds good to me.”

“Perfect!” I dropped the sausage in my cart. “Thanks for your help.” I called over my shoulder as I headed for the frozen foods to get a bag of tortellini.

“Anytime.” She called back with a laugh.

I couldn’t help but give a sigh of relief as I was back in my this-is-what’s-for-dinner mode once again.

EGGSILANCE

I was standing by our dining room table, a cloth in one hand and a spray bottle of Windex in the other, when my son, Alex, came into the room.

“What are you up to?” He asked.

“It’s that time of year again!” I said as I picked up an alabaster egg, nestled it in the cloth, and gave it a squirt of Windex.

Alex looked over at the bowl in the middle of the dining room table filled with alabaster eggs. He picked up a green marbled one. “I remember these being out on the table every Easter since I was little.” He recalled.

“I’ve been collecting these since before you were even born.” I smiled as I placed the one I’d just cleaned into the bowl and picked up the next one to be cleaned.

Alex shrugged his shoulders as he put the egg down. “Well, I’m glad you like them.”

“You don’t?” I was surprised.

Alex shrugged his shoulders again. “They’re fine, I guess. I really hadn’t given them much thought.”

“Well, I like the marbled looking ones the best.” I placed the next shined egg in the bowl. “Did you know they make these in Italy?”

“Okay.” Alex nodded as he headed to the kitchen.

“Did you know Aunt Lizzy used to work in a card shop that sold these?” I called to him trying to get him interested in the conversation.

“You don’t say.” Alex leaned against the door frame holding a clementine.

“Seriously. It was right by the Shop Rite we go to.” I put the last one back in the bowl and stepped back to admire their shine. “The first time I went to visit her at her store I saw these and fell in love.” I moved the bowl so it was more centered. “That’s when I started this collection.”

“Interesting.” He said as he began to peel the clementine.

“Yup.” I moved one of the eggs in the bowl so that two of the same color weren’t next to each other. “The card store is gone now.” I sighed. “It got replaced with a liquor store.”

“Seriously?” Alex sounded shocked. “You mean to tell me they can make more money selling liquor than alabaster eggs?”

“Hey!” I laughed. “Now you’re making fun of me!”

My husband Steven walked into the room. “What’s so funny?” He asked.

“Ask Mom to tell you the story about her alabaster eggs.” Alex said.

“Don’t.” I laughed as I looked over at Steven shaking my head. “Clearly I just bored your son to death.”

“It wasn’t boring.” He insisted as he held out a section of the fruit to me. “Do you want a piece?”

“Sure.” I took the piece from him. “Thanks.” I said as I popped it into my mouth, still shaking my head but smiling.

Steven looked confused. “What’s the story with the eggs?”

Alex turned and headed back to his room. “They’re from Italy!” He called over his shoulder. “And for some reason people like buying wine instead of alabaster eggs!”

Steven looked even more confused. “What?”

“Never mind.” I laughed as I moved the bowl once again. “I think they’re beautiful!”