At no time does it become more apparent that I live in a man’s world, than on vacation. At home, I am able to find some small refuge in the womanly (few that they are) aspects of my home. Here, in a camper with 5 boys and a husband (so, technically 6 boys) 34 feet seems mighty absent girl things. The bathroom is replete with about every kind of Axe shampoo, deodorant, shower gel and body spray that exists. Boy stuff is everywhere in the form of ipods, gameboys (yes, they seem to make a resurgence at 13 and 14) and music that makes my ears bleed and which I didn’t enjoy the first time around when I was their age. Yet, there is no screaming or screeching (both of which seem to be everywhere with girls around) and they are relatively low maintenance although I must admit feeding teenage boys is an art form in and of itself. You have to learn to quickly remove your hands, fingers and any other extremities that you might need or later want, in the face of food, particularly if its main ingredients are either fat or sugar.
And yet, as I sit here, I honestly cannot think of having it any other way. Yes, it is frustrating because no one wants to browse the little shops or do other things that another girl around might think was fun. But, I guess that leaves more time for me to spend alone, enjoying my solitude.
3 comments
Comments feed for this article
August 21, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Uncle Lou
Now you know how I feel in reverse, that is why I long for a garage, a fortress of solitude, a “mancave”. Every day is hormonal ranting and giggling and flying off the handle because socks don’t match shirts. And food is always an interesting subject, something they have eaten everyday for years is suddenly no good and they will never eat it again…(think a higher pitch with screaming).
I long for peace and solitude, and a lack of stress, but I know I will miss them when they are gone, away to college or married with kids of their own.
Say la Vie
August 21, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Carol J.
You cracked me up about having to remove your hands/fingers/extremities when food is sacrificed to the boys! You are so right!
And I envy you your peace and solitude, although I, too, miss them when they’re not close by….like, really close by.
August 22, 2009 at 5:55 am
ptcakes
Truly I doubt there is anything manly in the kitchen nook. In our kitchen, there are only mommy things: mommy’s laptop, mommy’s cookbooks, mommy’s pile of papers that need to be address. No one dares enter– for they might be asked to empty the dishwasher, or help with the cooking. The kitchen is my place to find peace.