Monday, August 9, 2004

Codename: Sandy Beach

My wife has always had a knack for nicknames. I don’t understand why our pets are not confused about their identity, because they have so many names to choose from. Kiko is regularly referred to as Kikolah (sung to the tune of the Ricola cough drop commercial), Dinky, The Dink, Dinkerpie, and Chiquita. On any given day Nora could be Roo (onomatopoeia of the sound of her howl), Tap Dancer, or Norrita.

This nicknaming phenomenon isn’t solely relegated to our animals. Ruby also has her share of pseudonyms. As you may know, her first nickname was Squidge. It was a perfect descriptor for the creature in those first sonograms.

Since her arrival, Ruby has been known as Munch, Muggs, Rueben, Ruebenstein, and Rubes.

My favorite nickname however comes from a daydream of Ani’s. Geez, I love her so much. She has imagined herself and Ruby in the future. Three or four summers from now, Ani will be getting Ruby ready to go out, and Ruby will ask, “Mommy, what are we going to do today?” Ani will smirk knowingly at Ruby, wink, and as she strokes the tip of her chin knowingly, she will reply, “I don’t know… Hmmm… What do you think we should do, Sandy… Sandy Beach?” I know exactly what this exchange will look like, because Ani enacts it every week when we go to the lake. She is so excited about all the games that she can play with Ruby, and they love each other intensely. She is a great Mom, and I am awestruck when I watch the two of them together. I have never seen anything as beautiful.

When we are going out to dinner, apparently Ruby’s codename will be Patty Melt. Makes the mouth water doesn't it?

I want to thank you all for your feedback. It is so good to have Charis and Charo back! I missed your posts. If I had my way, you’d all comment ten times for every entry I make! Thank you to Ani, Sarah, Mom, Mark, Jim, April, Erin, and Stacey in Brooklyn for your recent comments. Even though that little baby keeps me too busy to post every day, I love it when I see that little comment number go up! I think it’s my favorite part about doing this site.

Check out Dan’s super cool GT40 model at the waxmodels site!