Random bits of our life in the form unconnected paragraphs

Guess who is still alive?

That's right. Against all odds, Spotty/Dotty lives on. And since I am the only one feeding him and changing the ever rank water, I figured suggesting we give him to some friends--who actually have an aquarium and take proper care of their fish--would not be a big deal. But Cambel protested vehemently. When I asked why he said "because I love him so much."

Really? Is total neglect the 6th love language?

Note to Cambel's future wife: Don't be alarmed if you are ignored or neglected. It is actually a sign of Cambel's ardent affection for you.

We put up the Christmas tree on a whim yesterday because we are crazy like that--the Browns are always living on the edge. In the chaos that erupts each year from the Christmas decorations container Cambel and Ada found the bag of snowflake ornaments and replicated a blizzard on an unsuspecting miniature tree. While they were stacking several white flakes on the same branch Cambel asked Ada if she even knew what Christmas was about. Her reply: ornaments. She refused to accept any other reason for the mess of greenery, lights, and decorations scattered all over the living room despite Cambel's best efforts to convince her of the real reason for the season.

Ada was crying this afternoon and Cambel tried to comfort her. We overheard him say "It's okay. I've dealt with this in my life." Life experience is the best teacher. Cambel would never have this much empathy had he not spent the majority of his first years in tears.