The Sound of Silence

So, those of you who read my column today, will learn that Warren and the boys went on a weeklong road trip to North Dakota with Warren's parents.

Yes, I am all alone.

What's it like, you ask.

QUIET. Crazy quiet!

I've become accustomed to a certain amount of noise. Not only do I miss the sounds of the monkeys giggling, telling silly stories, running across the hardwood floors and jumping off of the furniture, I actually miss the sounds of Lego Indiana Jones searching for the Lego holy grail, Ben 10 fighting aliens, and Aang trying to save the world.

On Monday I went twelve hours without talking to anyone! (Ok, I did say a few things to the TV.)

I've gone four days without having to do a load of laundry, clean a spill, drive anyone but myself anywhere, break up a fight...you get the idea. However, I've also gone four days without a hug, a home cooked meal, or a metaphysical question to ponder.

I think the strangest thing about the kids being away is talking to them on the phone. Hearing their voices without seeing their cute little faces is surreal. Satchel, especially, sounds so sprite-like. Thankfully, he is an excellent conversationalist and is keeping me updated on their adventures.

Yesterday we had this conversation:

Satchel: Want to hear something funny?
Me: Of course.
Satchel: When I was getting ready to go to the hotel pool, I was looking in Daddy's bag for my (red) penguin shirt and I pulled out Daddy's underwear instead.
Me: (Laughing) Did you put them on your head?
Satchel: (Laughing) No!

I also found out that the hotel pool has a giant water slide that the kids love. Across the street is a restaurant that has bicycles hanging from the ceiling and they serve hot dogs that are bigger than Satchel's arm.

Jiro hasn't shown much interest in talking to me on the phone. Yesterday he said, "I went down the slide with Daddy and Satchel goodbye."

Warren promises that he's taking pictures and he may even write up the giant hot dog place for Dining with Monkeys. He asked what I'd been eating for dinner while he was gone and when I replied Memphis Pizza Cafe (Monday), Memphis Pizza Cafe leftovers (Tuesday), and a turkey sandwich (Wednesday), he actually seemed surprised. "What, did you think I would take up cooking while you were gone?" I asked.

Overall it sounds like they are having a great time, and I can't wait to see them next week.

In the meantime, anybody want to meet for drinks?