>It could fit into the category of adventure. It could be creative problem solving. A more accurate label might be dangerous choices, activities for which you are too old, fun things to do unless you get arrested, or ways to make your mother laugh until she wheezes because she can’t believe what you’ve done.

My younger brother just gave me yet another item worthy of big-sisterly teasing that fits at least one of the above categories; I just can’t decide which one.

My brother and his wife were staying at my mom’s apartment in the senior living complex. Mom left for a morning appointment. Shortly after that, her husband got a phone call for an appointment of his own saying, “We’ve had a cancellation. Can you come now?” He left, too. Brother and sister-in-law were gathering their things and putting their shoes on to drive across town to my house when they realized they would have to leave the apartment unlocked because there were only two keys, and both keys had left with their respective owners. Er, renters. But my ever-creative brother thought of another solution.

He locked the door from the inside and climbed out of their balcony. On. The. Third. Floor.

His route to the ground took him over the balcony, past the apartment below, down one floor to a mildly slanted roof, and from there to a nice, solid wall surrounding the dumpsters. He jumped down from the wall to where his wife was waiting for him. I didn’t see this happen, but I’m sure she was at least grinning, if not laughing out loud. They hopped in the car and came over to visit.

The plot thickens. We went back to the senior living community and had lunch in its little cafe. The downstairs neighbors were eating there, too. They didn’t seem to recognize Brother, so we decided he had escaped the adventure without being seen, despite smiling and waving at the other table.

So, folks, what do you think? Here are a few category options.

• Adventure
• Creative thinking
• Cognitively guided problem solving
• Things you should have learned in school (or not) had you been paying attention
• Reasons to build your upper arm strength
• Are you really smarter than a fifth grader?
• I can do anything, I’m a liberal arts graduate!

Yes, our mother was surprised. And she really did laugh until she wheezed.

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>We traveled to Chicago to see a White Sox baseball game. Husband likes to drive in and near big cities. If he’s in the passenger seat, well, let’s say it’s not pretty. So…I navigated and watched for signs while he drove. Husband is a train buff and models in HO scale. Chicago is a great city for trainwatching. We were getting close to our designated exit when husband pointed off to the right. I read the signs, “Honey, this is exit 21. We need 27 at least.” “No, no. Look at that train!” As we were leaving the park, he pointed again. I looked at the nearest billboard, totally confused. “No, no. The train! Did you see that engine? I have a great picture of that engine. Not just that kind of engine, but that exact engine!”

I guess it’s all in your perspective.

Now, the good/bad comparison.
Good: The tickets were free, a prize Amigo won at a minor league game.
Bad: Gas to fill the tank cost more than $3 a gallon.
Good: We visited my brother and stayed overnight with him, went shopping with his wife, played with his cats.
Bad: I’m allergic to cats. Even sweethearts like these three.
Good: He keeps a room cat free so I can sleep without allergy problems. What a considerate little brother!
Good: We picked up a coffeecake from the grocery store for breakfast. They had Husband’s favorite steak sauce, so we stocked up. (We can’t get it here in the North Country)
Bad: The cats tried to eat the coffeecake.
Good: Haha!! We hid it in the microwave overnight.

Good: The trip to the ballpark was smooth and quick, with no traffic problems.
Bad: We arrived two hours before game time.
Good: We found a good parking space in the handicapped lot, thanks to Amigo’s handicap permit.
Good: We had a lot of time to take pictures, put on our sunscreen, and listen to the live music outside the gates. A small band was playing classic tunes by Chicago and Blood, Sweat, and Tears. They made my babyboomer heart very happy.
Bad: It was hot, hot, hot. Amigo doesn’t do heat well.
Good: There was a strong breeze.
Bad: They don’t call it the Windy City for nothing. The wind snatched both husband’s and Amigo’s baseball caps, causing a minor panic on Amigo’s part.
Good: With my SuperMom reflexes, I caught Husband’s flying cap, while La Petite caught Amigo’s.
Good: Our seats were in the shade.
Bad: Our seats were extremely high up. Husband doesn’t do heights well.
Good: We left after the top of the third inning.
Better: The third inning was the best one, with the Sox scoring like crazy! They won, 6-2.

Score: Good — 12 Bad — 7
Good wins! It was a successful road trip.

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#10: My real name isn’t Rose. Daisy is much, much closer. But in other updates:

I’m clean. Really. At least my blog is.

Ah, what a relief! I guess I can keep allowing my children and my mother to read it.