This is the story of our adventures -- every day and extraordinary; our dreams -- tiny and grand; our gardens -- ornamental and sustaining; this is the story of our journey.  We are a family of four living a mindful, simple life here in Los Angeles County.  We are green, conscious, and forward thinking.  We keep an eye on the past because some of the best things have already been done and bear repeating.  Walk and talk with us, have a glass of wine, taste a peach or a tomato, blow some bubbles and watch them drift up over the canyon ridge.  Enjoy!

Friday, February 20, 2009

It's genetic

When I was a small child I thought that lions were the boys and tigers were the girls. I believed that all dogs were boys and all cats were girls. I don't know where I got this. I just remember, distinctly, believing it, and unlearning it.

Alex, who for whatever reason would NOT go to sleep tonight, just sat here on the couch and said, "I don't think Traveler should be a boy. Cats should be girls. And Stella should be a boy. Dogs are supposed to be boys."

I said, "Really? You think so? Dogs and cats are animals. There are boys and girls of each of them. Traveler is a boy and Stella is a girl."

She thought for some time and said, "WE-ellll, okay. But then we need to get another cat. A girl cat, for me and Greggie. Then you could have Traveler and we'd have the girl cat. And we need to get another dog. A boy dog, for me and Greggie. Then Daddy could have Stella and we could have the boy dog. Dogs should be boys and cats should be girls." Then she laid down, with it all figured out, and went to sleep.

And I know we have had a similar conversation about the lion and tiger, stuffed, in her room. I promise you all, I never told her my ancient thoughts on the subject. What's bred in...

And, NO, we are not getting another dog and cat! What are rabbits supposed to be????

2 comments:

Rachel said...

I'm not sure about the lions, tigers, or rabbits. But I remember very distinctly that dogs were boys and cats were girls. I also thought all boys were Jewish and all girls were Christian...comes from having a Jewish father and a Christian mother, I guess.

Marlyn said...

LOL Rachel!