Esther’s Cultural Journey

Last year Esther elected to be a TOMBSTONE for Halloween, complete with a dramatic R.I.P. emblazoned on her chest. The year before she made an interesting statement dressed as a  FRENCH DIP SANDWICH.  She practiced balancing a bowl of ajus on her head for weeks.  I’m sure we can all agree that these costumes are unusual, so you can imagine my dismay when she announced her intention to be Maria Callas this year.  Esther, with Tom’s help constructed a representation of the balcony in Covent Garden where this famous opera Diva performed.  She also carefully drew and cut out a life-size picture of Ari Onassis, Callas’s true love.  It was agonizing to watch her drag Ari and the balcony construction door-to-door as she trick-or-treated.  She soon fell far behind all the other kids in her group.  I questioned her endlessly about why she chose Maria Callas to portray.  She steadfastly refused to give me a straight answer.

Esther as Maria Callas.

 At the very last house we were able to hear some mumbling that answered all our questions. Esther quietly said, “Aida my last cookie. Aria gonna give me another?” Finally, the whole picture fell into place.

 

Esther Marie, Canoe Dog

When I’m out-of-town, the Big Irishman can barely cope with his loneliness. He wanders around the house aimlessly, mumbling to himself – totally despondent because Esther isn’t much of a conversationalist.  That’s why I was thrilled when he planned a guy getaway for last weekend while I was in San Bruno with the girls. He invited several friends for a fishing, drinking, camping, drinking, eating, drinking, talking politics, drinking, playing poker and drinking trip. They spent most of the two weeks prior to departure discussing location, planning menus and shopping for new fishing stuff. I didn’t realize that a fisherman needs new “stuff” for every trip. I must say I was quite impressed with their organization. 

Tom was in a real quandary about whether or not to take his loyal companion, Esther. She dearly loves to spend time outside with her dad, but can also be a real pain in the ass on camping trips.  She throws up from eating unidentified yuk. She rolls in foul-smelling wild animal dung. And she insists on being a lap dog around the campfire and sharing a sleeping bag.  But after gentle cajoling from Mama, he decided to risk it and Esther was officially on the guest list.  This decision presented a whole new set of problems.   ESTHER HAD NEVER BEEN IN A CANOE.  Scroll down to see how Tom solved this problem.

 
Esther seems perfectly relaxed sitting in the canoe on a local lake

Esther watches as Daddy maneuvers around a dangerous
outcropping of rock.

 
Notice the dam coming up and the dangerous snakes in the
rocks. Are they rattlers? Esther is prepared to take over
the oars if necessary.

 
A panoramic visual of Lake Brennan. I wonder
what the neighbors thought.