August 2, 2008

The word of the day for August 2, 2008 is "maturity" — noun — 1: the quality or state of being MATURE; especially : full development. 2: termination of the period that an obligation has to run.

Laundry day today. I've been putting it off far too long. People will stop in the street and stare. Speedy (aka Bubbles) will hang his head in shame to be seen with me.

Now that Lloyd's dog is a year old, I have decided that "Bubbles" is not a good name. As Lloyd can't remember the dog's name anyhow, and I find it hard to call, "Here, Bubbles," without snickering, I've decided to call him what Lloyd does—Speedy—a more macho name, even if it does derive from Speed Bump.

Speedy checking for desperate kitties.



Speedy in typical pose atop Lloyd's knees—note one ear up, the other lopping over.



Speedy checking out the aftermath of the Independence Day Celebration

I'm thinking of this name change in line with those cultures in which people have "call names." One does not ask, "What's your name?" One asks, "What may I call you?" When the child goes through the tribe's adulthood ceremony (like the Bar/Bat Mizvah or Confirmation) he receives a new name that means something to him or the tribe. A name change is a good marker for the division between childhood and adulthood. Of course, new expressive names for life changes could get out of hand. "Good morning, Kicks-Tires." "Howdy, Watches-from-the-Corner-Window. How's your hubby doing?" "Oh, Dances-with-Prozac is thinking of cleaning out the garage this weekend."

Our quote for the day is from St. Paul, Bible: New Testament, 1 Corinthians 13:11:

     When I was a child, I spoke like a child, Ithought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.

;^) Jan