What is it with these hot little temper fits? I had a series of them today. HLTF#1, Came home from my little job only to find the kitchen faucet was leaking . . . again. Except this time the water formed a river and poured over the edge of the counter where the stove sits. The unfinished sheet rock or backer board or whatever it is behind the stove was soaking wet all down one side to the floor. This led me to worry about the actual stove sitting in water and rusting. So of course this led to Hot Little Temper Fit # 2 because I removed the bottom drawer of the stove and drastic unpleasantness met me. How long has it been since you've had the full view under your stove? Mine looked haunted. Which led me to peak down the sides of the stove and there were further drapey dreary cobwebs and similar unfun things unless it's Halloween, which even then I despise that day. Of course, I couldn't face it and tried to put the heavy drawer back in place without removing the cookies sheets and stuff (as you might know, removing a drawer full of junk is one thing, while replacing it is another all together) . This prolonged my temper fit until I stacked (the theme of my life) all that junk on the counter, where I can glance over my shoulder and see it right this very second.

At least being thankful (I think?) all the water was in the wall and not on the floor, I decided to get out with Jazzi and bask in the 70 degree weather. Temper Fit No. 3 was right around the corner because Miss Jazzi Cakes wouldn't do her nice big walk, oh no, she wanted to slice it short and just go around the little triangle. We had a war of wills and after my dragging her a few inches on her leash (and feeling mean and cross), of course I gave it up and she won that little battle. Nothing new there.

After 3 Temper Strikes, I was out and the only remaining option was to take a royal nap. See, I had only 3 hours sleep the night before. News Flash: That Doesn't Work.

But things have improved mightily upon arising because it popped into my head to Google Nathan Laube, young organist extraordinaire. If you want to charge up your soul, then check out http://www.nathanlaube.com/ Click on one of his video organ performances. I have had the privilege and complete joy of hearing this teenager play in person, twice. He came to St. Petersburg College to give recitals once a year for the last few years, as well as other select places. We were fortunate enough that this was part of the strategy to groom him for what will be a superstar concert career. Last year he graduated from Curtis, not only as the top musician, but also as the top scholar. Ain't that pitiful? Well, one year I was all set to go to his concert but got a hot phone call that the concert was cancelled due to a bomb scare. Poor Nathan. He has spent 8 hours setting up the organ -- I found this out because when the program was rescheduled, as in a whole other time, I talked to him. He's so nice. I get the distinct idea that he's a Christian, too.

When I discover someone whom God has gifted to the extreme of human potential, I just get the chills, it's utterly thrilling to me. How 'bout you? Just watch Nathan and you will be thrilled, I guarantee it. Turn up the volume, notice how many things he is doing at once. Where I went to college, I understood that the organ majors were ready for a recital when they could play the pieces while simultaneously pushing a marshmallow across a string in front of them. With their nose. Cute. I'm going to have to try that. Yes, I can see that a marshmallow could be threaded on a string, but I can't imagine it going places, what with all that sticky and goo. Ya think the string was super taut? So, the bottom line was if you could play organ and manage a marshmallow at the same time, well, what more could anyone ask for? Maybe someone was pulling my leg, but then again, maybe not, because at the time I attended this University, Bob Jones University, it's slogan was The World's Most Unusual University. I was a good fit for that, wouldn't you say? CDW and I totally agree that we do things our way, no matter how weird. No melding into a mold for us, dare to be different and all the rest. If everyone else is doing it one way, count on us to find a contrary way. Are you like that, too?

Yesterday is not over because I want to tell you more about Ethel-Val. Standing by her glass doors looking out to the pool, I said, Ethel, there is a great honkin' big toad on your deck, like right in my face. Ethel (even though we hadn't decided she was Ethel yet), all ready being familiar with this toad, said, It's dead -- frozen. Wow. That was sad. It's the weather, people. Florida is being crushed. For example, earlier in the week when I was helping my little lady, we were on her front walk and I said, There is a lizard that is not lookin' too good, in fact, it seems dead. She said, No, not deceased, just chilled to a stiff state. So she picked it up to take it out back where there was some sun. It warmed up in her hand and perked up, thank goodness. I'm telling you, we're losing our crops, oranges, strawberries and who knows what all, fish are dying in the water and the whole cycle of life is being distorted. It's sad but not as sad as Haiti. All of this, of course, is to turn our attention to the Lord. Anyway, SO THANKFUL for normal temps today. When I took a real walk tonight it was simply perfection, it felt so good.

Well, I was interested to realize that toads and Ethel have some sort of connection because Ethel's email address has the word toad in it. How 'bout that?

Tonight I made Wizard Chopped salad. I think I got chop happy because 45 minutes later we were still eating it. Chop-chop. Chop Wizard can chop-a-lot in no time, trust me. I need to tone it down, get the feel for it. Well, at Ethel's yesterday, I was bragging about Chop Wizard while I was admiring her cinnamon-toast-making efforts, such as holding the whole stick of butter to rub butter on the toast. She delved into a drawer and produced HER favorite chopper, which looked good, I have to say. It's a small round number and you put your eggs or whatever in the bottom and push on the handle and chop-chop, the blade rotates and chops things real fine and it's quick 'n easy. But still, I bragged on about CW (if you don't know what that is by now, sorry, I can't help you). Suddenly, I saw the light switch on in Ethel's eyes. She ran across her kitchen and opened another drawer, pulled something out and said, Is it THIS? Well, ding, dang, dong, if Ethel didn't all ready have her very own personal Chop Wizard. I guess I was silly to think I'm the only one in the world who had a CW. But I was so EXCITED, I FELT like I was the only one. Well, I can see in my near future that I will be acquiring Ethel's chopper, bring on the diversity, now that I know how great choppers are, at least ones that are easy to clean. And also in my future is a nut grinder, courtesy of my friend who belongs to AA, Appliances Anonymous. She's given the raves on this one --turn the handle toward you for fine nuts and away from you for coarse nuts. I'm telling you, my kitchen is getting revolutionized, one instrument of pulverization at a time.

Well, seeing that I wrote all the above, I cannot write my stories tonight. But I thought of another one, when DTD was little and got a potato chip stuck in her gums. Wait until you hear about that. Ha, I'm sure your are frozen like the toad, waiting to hear this story -- life ceases to exist until you get the full scoop. BTW, NEVER take me seriously.

KEM, the toad P.S. My friend in OK said that Mr. Meatman went out of business because, after all, how many people are going to order kangaroo steaks?