Comment from Jim Wile

Excellent

I loved this, T.B! Glutton? Maybe. Bad parent? Nah. You were just protecting your hard-earned treats. I've been known to do that a time or two, myself.

This was very well written and reminded me so much of the time I was making white-chocolate pudding with my daughter who loved to lick the bowl of anything--cake batter, frosting, even instant pudding. This particular day, something called her away from the kitchen momentarily, so I got the jar of mayonnaise from the frig and scooped some of that into the bowl in which there was a little bit of pudding on the side. When she came back, I scooped the rest up, including the mayo, with a rubber spatula and gave it to her to lick.

Unlike you, I was able to keep a straight face, and her reaction was very amusing to watch as she was expecting something sweet and got a tongue full of mayo instead!

 Comment Written 26-May-2023

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reply by the author on 26-May-2023

Hey Jim,
that's hilarious! I so wish I could keep my emotions under control, but it's no use. The anticipation of knowing what is going to happen builds to a crescendo and when she finally started to bring the nasty treat to her mouth, I exploded. Thanks so much for sharing this funny story with me.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from Goodadvicechan

Excellent

The world is not made up of black and white, you won't get a right or wrong answer,

People's character is different
. No two persons can be identical. I have twin girls, their characters are different and opposite to each other.

Don't worry, just be happy

Thanks for sharing your wonderful stories .

 Comment Written 25-May-2023

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reply by the author on 25-May-2023

Hello Chan,
thanks so much for your fine review and comments. This was primarily a humor article, so, of course I didn't really expect any answers, though I got some very good support. If I had room for a little more words the title would have read-Am I a Bad Parent or Just a Glutton. The word just gives it a little different meaning. I have twin boys, and I agree, they are different in their personalities. The older boy is more controlling, and the younger is less sure of himself. Interesting dynamics. Thanks again for your comments.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

Comment from Debra White

Excellent

Hello :)
I really enjoyed reading your post.
You have a warm and engaging tone and your humour is so gentle and enveloping that I did not get a single urge to scroll.
You sound like a great parent and I don't blame you one bit for not wanting to share your delicious, fresh, home baked custard pie! I'd've done the same LOL... besides you made up for it later!
Thank you for entertaining me :)
Best wishes, Debra

 Comment Written 25-May-2023

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reply by the author on 25-May-2023

Hello Debra,
Thanks so much for your very kind words, I'm so glad that you enjoyed this post. We raised seven kids here in Alaska, and the stories have been plentiful and at times humorous, like the time one of my twin sons decided to shave his head. He had multiple cuts on it, so his brother poured hydrogen peroxide on it, and his whole head erupted in white foam. Never a dull moment in my house. Thanks for dropping in.
Have a blessed day gal.
Tom

Comment from Wayne Fowler

Excellent

Neither. I think, though, that I might suggest she stop at the grocery next time and "do us a favor" by picking up a cake (or whatever snack). Maybe she can take a hint.
Good story. Nice writing.
Too bad about your giving away the surprise those times.
Best wishes.

 Comment Written 24-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Hello Wayne,
I suppose if you can't go to your parents home and help yourself, there could be a problem. I used to rib her because, even though she was a world class teacher, spending extra hours preparing for her lessons, she would forget to go to the store, and would often come to the house to "borrow" some sugar, toilet paper, flour, whatever. We love her dearly, but we weren't going to part with that pie, it was just too good. Yeah, I wish I could have had a little more self control, I would have loved to have seen her reaction when she shoved one of those nasty things in her mouth. Thanks so very much for the great review and comments.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from Sanku

Excellent

Just human .I think many of us would have such confessions to make. You trying to trick her and not succeeding was really funny. Hope you will cook more custard pies...

 Comment Written 24-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Hello Sanku,
thanks so much for the kind review and comments. It's been awhile since I've baked a custard pie. I'll probably wait until I have some company so that I'll be forced to share it. I have baked some Mexican Quiche that turned out really good though.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Great wit and humour here, Tom. Of course brownies freeze well, but if you can't have just one there simply isn't any reason not to eat them all. They will never know they missed something, unless of course you post on your blog.

When the children come by I just leave the pantry and fridge accessible to all, with the only provision being, clean up your own dishes, and try not to splash mustard on the floor, or anywhere else for that matter. And if you do, clean it up.

It's interesting all these jelly bean flavours, very appealing to the younger set, but not so much for me. Blech.

Great job here. And a most enjoyable read today. :)

Gloria

 Comment Written 24-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Hello Gloria,
thanks so much for the great review and entertaining comments. Several other people had mentioned that brownies could be frozen. That's news to me. I actually was hoping someone would show up to help us eat them. Well, I mean, I was kind of hoping on the one hand they would show, but when they didn't, what choice did we have? They had to be eaten.
I really don't know the thinking behind the nasty jelly beans. Perhaps sales were down and it was a marketing ploy to attract more kids. I do like Jelly Bellies, especially the popcorn flavor. I'm not planning on buying any though, I can probably live off the fat of the land for awhile without adding to it.
Have a blessed evening gal.
Tom

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

You are neither a glutton or a bad parent. You are just a normal parent who fed and cared for the kids for many years. Now when you get or make something nice, there's no problem with you enjoying it without them knowing. Might have been a bit iffy that you boasted about it on your blog, but it is amusing.

 Comment Written 23-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Hello Carol,
thanks so much for your kind words and great review. I have a habit of telling on myself. I suppose that if I were Catholic, I'd spend hours on end in the confessional.
Have a blessed evening gal.
Tom

Comment from pome lover

Excellent

well, I don't think you're a bad parent. I just wonder if she saw your blog, what her response was?
I make a custard pie, too and chess pie, and one of my favorites is a lemon icebox pie with Eagle Brand. Do you like Eagle Brand? My daughter sometimes does the same thing. I'm torn between thinking she could ask, and glad that she feels at home. (depending on if she finished off something I wanted to finish off :)
I'm so happy you and Jan liked the brownies. Mexican vanilla doesn't have a kick it's just good, kind of like the difference between regular caramel sauce and Cajeta.

 Comment Written 23-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Hello Katharine,
Jen was mildly disturbed, but she got over it quickly. She's got a great sense of humor, which is good, because she's often the subject of family jokes. We had plenty of pie, so it wasn't like she was going to leave us without, I was just being gluttonous I guess.
I'm not a big fan of lemon, but you make the icebox pie sound good. I don't know much about Eagle brand milk. It's sweetened and condensed isn't it? I've never hear of Cajeta either. You're opening a whole new culinary display to me gal. Thanks so much for the great review.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

reply by pome lover on 24-May-2023

Cajeta is Mexican caramel sauce - great, heated up on ice cream.
I thought hiding the pie was funny. We all get a little covetous at times :)
Yep, Eagle Brand is thick, sweetened condensed milk - I could eat the whole can!
Not a fan of lemon? Glad I didn't send you lemon squares. :)
I keep entering these silly contests hoping for points. Did come in 2nd on last one; got a few.
Been working on one of their "Begin story with" contests. Wrote one story, then thought of one that might be better, now trying to decide which to enter when time comes.

reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Hello Katharine,
I need to check out the contests more often. I have so many people that I follow, and with summer coming on, I have less time to read everything, that I forget about reading the contest entries. Good luck!

reply by pome lover on 24-May-2023

thanks. this latest one is turning out to have chapters.
Yes, I guess you are getting ready to leave. When, and for how long do you think?

reply by the author on 25-May-2023

Hi Katharine,
I'm suppose to be leaving Anchorage for Juneau on the tenth next month. Then I have to spend two days sleeping on my granddaughter's couch and catch a ferry to Hoonah. I don't know yet how long I'll be down there. The harbor master called the other day and said I had water in the boat. He ended up pumping out, but I don't know the extent of the damage yet. If I can fix things without too much trouble, I probably will. If not, I'll have to see about making arrangements to scrap it, which won't be easy. I have a lot of valuable aluminum stuff on the boat, hayrack, fuel tanks, bulwarks, mast, trolling poles. They cost too much to destroy, but finding a buyer for those items might be an issue. I also have over two hundred gallons of diesel fuel on board. It's all going to be a hassle. Hopefully, I can get things cleaned up, do a little fishing and sell the boat for a fraction of it's value. I'm just ready to be done dealing with it. I can't live here and take care of a boat 800 miles away.

reply by pome lover on 27-May-2023

wow, that is a big problem and a lot of work and decisions to make. I wish you luck. I hope it's a fixable leak. I didn't realize it was that far from where you are. would the harbor master maybe know someone who'd buy it and or the things onboard - if that's what you decide to do?

reply by the author on 27-May-2023

Hi Katharine,
With one important fishery being shut down by a Seattle judge, it's going to be hard to convince anyone to buy an old wooden boat. I'm not sure what's going to happen. I'll have a better understanding of things once I'm there and can assess the situation. No, I don't expect much from the harbormaster. It's his job to be checking on the boats every day and report on problems before they get out of hand, and he didn't even do that, so I don't expect he'd be any help dealing with my boat. One way or another, it's going to be a stressful situation, but like anything else in life, we need to count on the Lord for direction. That doesn't mean that it will turn out the way I want it to, but sometimes things look bleak because we can't see the whole picture. Thanks for your concern gal.
Blessings,
Tom

reply by pome lover on 28-May-2023

what is it about people in positions of responsibility who don't do their jobs? I am going to be catty, here. I bet he's a liberal!
Good luck with your boat!

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

I enjoyed reading this delightful story. When my grown daughter visits, she raids the refrigerator and cabinets looking for treats, but asks if she can have some of whatever she finds. Of course, I always say "yes." To answer your question, you are not a bad parent. You are a parent who shares, but wants what he created. Fun story.

 Comment Written 23-May-2023

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reply by the author on 23-May-2023

Hello LJ.
thanks so much for the delightful review and comments. Jen always just felt so comfortable in our home that even when she had her own home and family, it was like she never left. She's said many times that she hates change, but, change is part of life. Now we are hundreds of miles north of her, and the only way here is by jet, so we don't see her so often. I'm going down to where she lives for a while, so maybe I'll see what she has laying around that I can snack on. Have a blessed evening.

Tom

Comment from Faith Williams

Excellent

This story made me laugh. Sometimes I buy treats and hide them so I know I will get some of them. I have three sons who all seem to have hollow legs that need filling. I think a bad parent would never share with their children. A glutton? Not sure about that one.
My husband is a high school life skills teacher and has a full kitchen in his classroom. Each week he has his class make a dish. In fact, during Covid when the schools were closed, he held live cooking lessons from our kitchen. I loved it because I didn't have to cook those days.

 Comment Written 23-May-2023

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reply by the author on 23-May-2023

Hello Faith,
thanks so much for the wonderful review and delightful comments. Teens never seem to get full, or at least not for very long. A person almost needs to get a second job just to keep up with the grocery bill. I think it's really neat that your husband teaches life skills. It is such a necessary thing to know, especially when kids graduate from high school. I interviewed a fisherman for a book I wrote once, and he said one of his female crew hands would open a can of Campbell's cream of mushroom soup and would just throw it in the sauce pan to heat up. No water, or milk or anything. He said she did the same thing with tuna. She would open the can and slap some between two pieces of bread and call it a sandwich. No mayo, relish or anything. Life skills are a good thing, as Martha Stewart would say.
Have a blessed evening gal.
Tom