My life flashed before my eyes and it looked like Whole Foods

Yesterday, it was just Owen and me doing the grocery shopping. It's been a lousy week. I have no idea why. I was slumping in front of the crowded meat counter wondering whether to defer to pushy people or risk being perceived as pushy myself, and decided this was a "defer" kind of day. You need different strategies for different moods.

Owen: "Can we have clams for dinner?"

 

Tipsy: "Clams? You don't like clams."

 

Owen: "Yes I do. I love them. Steamed clams."

Tipsy: "We're having chicken."

Owen: "Then I won't eat any dinner."

Tipsy: "So, don't eat dinner."

Owen: "Okay I won't. Pleeeaaase?"

Tipsy: "No."

Owen: "Pleeeasse."

Not cute. Not appealing. I decided to teach him a lesson. I bought a handful of clams just for him. Came home, dinner rolled around, I steamed the clams. At first I was going to serve them plain -- gray and chewy --  but I softened and made some garlic butter. I do actually like the boy. I intended to sit and watch him eat them so he'd have to look me in the eye when he admitted he doesn't like clams. 

And I was right, of course. He doesn't like clams. He said these particular clams tasted "weird," and stopped after two. Which was great! All the more for me. I was too busy eating the clams myself to impart any lessons. They were fantastic, dipped in that garlic butter, so much better than the chicken. 

Terrible week.