1. The horror at Penn State: A Bad Man did a Very Bad Thing. He should suffer the full consequences of breaking the law, and, frankly, I’m not too bothered by him being convicted in the court of public opinion.
The men around him who put the institution above the victims should also suffer the consequences.
However, Penn State students and alumni should not be hated for what happened at their institution. I say this as a practicing Catholic who is horrified by the sexual abuse that has taken place in and been covered up by men in her own institution. What happened is wrong — sinful, criminal, and evil. But don’t hate on the wrong people.
2. Speaking, tangentially, of destroying myths: My husband is incredulous that I once collected unicorn statues. I collected those between the ages of, say, 10-15. I believed in the magic, okay? Which goes against my persona as the tough-girl, punk rock chick that Dan first met in college, and that I still attempt to maintain to this day. For example, see my continued distain for and resistance to buying a minivan.
So when the collection showed up for Flora on her birthday, he just gave me an evil grin, and said, “Oh, it is so over.” “It”, I’m assuming, is my punk rock facade. I’m going to be hearing, “Sure, Unicorn Girl” anytime I want to make him watch a grunge band documentary on public television, which recently happened because of the release of Pearl Jam 20. Which I would like a copy of for Christmas. Please.
3. Confession time! My MIL does my laundry. Dan and I had been haggling over some things regarding chores and our messy house. I put hiring a cleaning service on the table; he put his mom doing the laundry on the table.
She was cheaper. Yes, we pay her. Once a week. And it’s worth every cent because I now have more time for cooking, cleaning, homework and other types of caretaking, and I don’t have to stay up late every night folding laundry. It’s made a big difference.
With inclement weather rolling in, she wants to start doing laundry at our house instead of hers (taking the clothes back and forth is challenging), which is going to be tricky because our washer recently sprung a leak. I’m hoping it’s something Dan can fix (he is awfully handy). I’d like to purchase a new washer and all, but it’s something I’d like to do after all the holiday/birthday hoopla we have going on.
4. I could keep going. But I should just go now and cook dinner.
What’s on your mind?
Red Pen Mama 
1. For whatsoever things you have spoken in darkness, shall be published in the light: and that which you have spoken in the ear in the chambers, shall be preached on the housetops. – Luke 12:3
2. Deflect – lead people to watch Charlie the Unicorn.
3. As long as she is a naturalized citizen at the least, you won’t get in trouble when you run for office.
3. My MIL? Very much a citizen. 😉
I just love your posts. You are thoughtful and funny and likely someone I would want to grab beers with. Penn State is on everybody’s mind I would think – it’s so unthinkable on so many levels. Your random thoughts are great, and I think you’re unicorns add to your personality – and I have a paid mother’s helper for my laundry too – worth every penny!
Hey, come on down to Pittsburgh. I know some great places to grab a beer! Also, I’m blushing a little bit. Thanks.
Good for you for delegating the laundry! (and hooray for a MIL willing to help out, even if she is getting paid for it. Love it!)
Something had to give. Of course, 1/2 the time I don’t know exactly where my clothes are, but we’re still working on the system. 😉
OK, now that you’ve disavowed unicorns, what is your stance on glitter and rainbows? And Strawberry Shortcake?
Did I disavow them? Rather, I think I’ve come out of the unicorn closet. 😉
Don’t get me started on Strawberry Shortcake. She may get her own (negative) post.
Glitter: gets every where. Rainbow: miracles of nature. Love, love, love spotting a rainbow and showing my girls.