Almost the first on the roster of "experiences" for July 2010 was a little conversation I overheard while on my way to the lab this afternoon. A young woman and her daughter were walking right in front of me. The child looked little but she seemed to be of the age when most children have enough vocabulary skills for everyday communication (well, this one certainly did); and their favorite word is 'Why?'. She had just picked up a small plastic knick-knack from the sidewalk, and her mother was telling her to put it back down.

"But, mummy, I want to put in in the trash can."

"If there is a trash can nearby, you can. Otherwise you don't pick it up."

"Unless I have gloves on?"

"Yes, not unless you have gloves on."

"Or a spacesuit?"

"Or a spacesuit. In fact, a spacesuit is the best thing!"

"Okay."

When was the last time you got spacesuits into a conversation in such a matter-of-fact manner? And, having gotten hold of that topic, did you then dispose of it in the same matter-of-fact tone? I imagine not. It almost makes me believe that child-rearing may be a little more fun than I'm imagining it to be. (Just so you know, I haven't yet gotten over the notion that there is such a thing as having too much fun for one's good ... especially in this case.)