May I recommend
Sometimes you have a little sister and she arrived four and a half years after you’ve already established yourself as the adored youngest of your family, so it takes a few years to get used to her. More importantly, you must now adjust to your diminished status as one of three middle children — and not the boy or the really smart one who glamorously faints every now and then — just the other middle kid.
By then this little sister is a pot-bellied, curly-haired cutie pie and though she can be enraging (like when she deliberately chopped the electric cord of your beloved Sony Boombox) mostly she’s your trusted shadow, thinking your every move is incredibly cool.
Listen, you can get that promotion, publish a book, win at dominos, but literally nothing is as ego-gratifying as having someone unquestioningly follow your orders when, without a lick of experience, you point your brother’s old bike down a very steep hill, ending in a stone wall, which you are planning to jump in the manner of Evel Knieval soaring over Caesar’s Palace.
“Get on,” you bark and that big-eyed, freckle-face climbs on the banana seat behind you, clinging with all her might as you point your death trap down the hill, and plow it directly into the wall without gaining even the tiniest hint of “air”.
Of course, the teenage years and early adulthood will hit and everyone will grow up and mature and start to be scared of rollerblading, let alone leaping stone walls like beloved 70s stunt driving icons. When you come out of that confusing time and look around, you will discover that the little sister is grown up and has her own ideas and has figured out that you are actually just a regular person, as disappointing as everyone else. And maybe that’s a little bit sad, but it’s also kind of nice because now the two of you can be actual friends instead of Big Boss and Acolyte.
Except, even though the little sister has figured out that you’re full of shit, you still sometimes struggle to take what the little sister says seriously. After all, what does she know, she’s the little sister (never mind that she’s now in her forties). So. When your little sister tells you how great this leash is for dog walking, you ignore her.
“Look dude,” she insists, “you click it around your waist and bam! The dog moves around you and you’re hands free. Just get it. Ugh.”
Nope, you think. My little sister knows nothing. She’s a little sister, for God’s sake! People who wear these leashes around their waists look like dorks. I have a very suave image to project and I can’t afford to look uncool for even a second. I will not buy such a dumb leash. My little sister is wrong again.
Except, when you walk Sweet Daffodil it’s very annoying because you have to carry the poop bags, plus this parcel you must send and you’ve picked up some milk and you can’t swing your arms and what are you, some sort of overburdened donkey? Evel Knieval would never find himself in such a situation! It is untenable!
It turns out, your little sister was right all along! (Just like she was right about eating more fibre, how much fun escape rooms can be and electric cars).
If you have a dog, get this leash. You’ll look like a dork but it doesn’t matter. It’s wonderful… as are little sisters!
Do you walk your dog? Unfairly dismiss your little sister? Tell me all about it in the comments!
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Book Stuff
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The Lady is a Sleuth Event!
AUTHOR DISCUSSION
MAY 2, 7:00PM
KATIE TALLO,
AMY TECTOR
The Lady is a Sleuth
Calling all crime lovers! Join us for a discussion of strong female leads in mystery novels with two local women authors.
@ Octopus Books, 116 Third Ave
Barry’s Bay Library Event
I’m heading up to beautiful Barry’s Bay Saturday April 27th at 1:30 pm for a fun discssion of murder, writing and much more. Come join if you’re in The Bay!
Opeongo Seniors Centre - 19 Stafford Street Barry’s Bay
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Well, we're all full of shit, aren't we? Except when we're not and that's the beauty of it; SOMETIMES most of us are not. Notable exceptions exist, of course, and some of those ascend to the most powerful political positions in the world, only to squander any potential good that the non-shitty elements of our character could ever achieve. About that leash recommended by l'il sis. I think I shall heed her advice. Speaking, as you did, of middle and book-ending siblings, I hope alls y'awll's (plus families) doin' real good.
Happy spring! It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood.
Thanks for this. What a wonderful way to start this day! Yes, adored, always. All of you, all five. ❤️