Toys

This morning, Beloved Husband awoke Offspring the Third before the very crack of dawn so that the two of them could go try out Beloved Husband's new acquisition - a Mosin-Nagant rifle.  Both of them have been looking forward to this tremendously.  For her own contribution to this activity, Herself got up early to make egg-and-bacon burritos for Offspring the Third and Beloved Husband (and coffee for Beloved Husband, as well), and helped Offspring the Third find appropriate winter-wear for the rather unseasonably cold weather.  Off the two Menfolk went, and Herself returned to the kitchen to wrestle a turkey, purchased on sale post-Thanksgiving, into the oven.  She foresees turkey pot pie in the future.

Last night, when Beloved Husband was setting his alarm clock for the pre-dawn hours in order to be able to clean the rifle before today's outing, Herself posed a question.  Actually, not a question -- more a commentary.  Why is it, she wondered, that Beloved Husband seeks out and purchases such "toys," whereas Herself does not?

(Side note:  we shall assume, for purposes of this conversation, that a "toy" refers to something that serves for or as if for diversion, rather than for serious practical use.  We all know that a rifle is not a "toy" as that term is used to refer to children's playthings.)

Herself and Beloved Husband thought for a bit.  Hmmm.  Perhaps, he offered, it is because Herself does not play with toys, much like her beloved ottoman-shaped dog did not.  It was an astute observation -- for while Thorbert enjoyed blankets, and walks, and above all, eating, he declined to fetch a ball or to chew on a stuffed animal or play tug-of-war as other dogs do. Could it be that some creatures, such as Thorbert or Herself, just simply do not often interact with objects solely for the pleasure of doing so?

Beloved Husband then asked:  if Herself were to select a "toy," what would it be?

That's a very difficult question indeed.

She has a few toys which she has purchased for herself:  her box of wooden farm animals, her stuffed pink bear, her miniature zen garden and some small colorful stones to arrange in it. She also recently obtained a Mastermind board game because she remembered it from her childhood and wanted to play it again.  Other toys that she has, she is fond of because they were gifts; she treasures those objects as she treasures the people who have given them to her. As far as other items that might be considered diversions, though, Herself is not particularly interested in acquiring any. She feels no need for them.

Perhaps she is indeed much like ottoman-shaped dog.  He was most content just being near his favorite people -- either out walking and exploring, or enjoying a sit and a think and quiet communion (which, if he could have spoken, would have been either lighthearted banter, or philosophical conversation, or a comfortable silence).  Those were his happiest times.  And they are Herself's happiest times, too.