Topics to Avoid

Currently, I am in a waiting mode in the book publishing process. The next step is not up to me, nor is the date that it will occur. So, what do I do as I wait? I remember some of the fun things that have happened along the way.

A short college holiday found our grandson Sam headed home to his parents and little brothers with a car full of friends. Traditionally, one night of the break would be spent with us having “breakfast for supper” since Sam has been a fan of my biscuits since he was a toddler. With today’s world and a possible generation gap in mind, one of the guys asked, “Are there any topics we should steer clear of with your grandparents?” Sam assured them his grandparents were okay, and they would not have to be cautious about what they said.

When the night arrived, we enjoyed a good time around the table. Judging from how the sausage, bacon, eggs, accompaniments – and biscuits – disappeared, the food was good. Laughter and friendship flowed freely and included the elders at the table until one of the young men rose to go refill his glass in the kitchen. He stopped suddenly, his attention arrested by the display basket behind us with my collections of Keats’ books, featuring The Snowy Day and Peter. He said, “Hey, my mother used to read that to me when I was a kid!”

I popped up immediately and began nattering on about the book and Keats. Being a very nice young man, he listened carefully and at least feigned attention. With my back toward the dining table, I did not see the eye-rolling from my family members who had heard this exposition often enough before. And Sam was kind enough not to say, “I didn’t think to tell them not to mention Ezra Jack Keats or The Snowy Day.

Sometimes there may be reasons for avoiding a topic other than starting a heated argument.