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Joshua

Our range of stories has expanded.

When I narrate "Little Red Ridinghood," for Joshua, I'm slightly baffled. Who is the huntsman? Why does he happen to visit Grannie just after the wolf has done his terrible deed? After Little Red emerges--intact--from the wolf's gizzard, what are we to conclude? I simply say: "The End!"

I'm puzzled--as well--by "Hansel and Gretel." These two escape the witch, yes, but even if they're successful with their trail of bread crumbs, skipping all the way back home, they have to face the horrifying fact that their stepmother (presumably still alive) chose to abandon them in the dark, dark woods. This knowledge seems to hover between my son and me, and we sit in silence, and we move on.

We are lost in the thickets of Taylor Swift's "All Too Well":

I left my scarf there, in your sister's house....
And you've still got it...in your drawer...even now....

 Does the fateful drive in Hudson happen before--or after--the dancing in the refrigerator light? Does the photo album on the counter appear in the same verse that features the tee ball team? I think, if you sing with conviction, your baby won't really notice any continuity errors.

Joshua watches me. He believes I'm insane. He is fully absorbed. He wants to know what will happen to TayTay. The story continues.
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