Jeb and I made an early start, taping sixteen fund raising posters across three towns.  It took two cups of coffee and an internal pep talk to myself, but I was intent on making it fun.  Actually, it ended up not being all that horrible.

Jeb got into walking around town and we made a couple new friends in the process.  On our fourth hour and at the end of our poster supply, I was sweating and tired.  (It’s really silly to wear pants after 10am in the tropics – even in November).

One of the last storefronts for our poster was closed but as I looked at the locked sliding doors, I realized I could slide a poster through the thin opening.  As I began to slide it through, a handsome young man from the natural foods store next door approached and offered to help muscle the door open a bit further so the poster could fit.

So intent on my mission, I brushed the assistance aside with a smile, pausing briefly to say ‘ah, thanks, but I’ve got it’, and returned to my task at hand.  (I can feel friends and family cringe now, as they tell me I really must stop doing this).

Only later as we walked back to the car did Jeb say out of the blue, “That man back there thought you were attractive.”

The word ‘attractive’ comes out of his six year old mouth in a way that’s almost surreal.  Big words out of a little body.

“What makes you say that?”

“Oh, he was looking after you and watching you with that ooohhh kind of look on his face.”  Jeb is six again, making silly googley eyes and flashing a big grin.

“I didn’t see that.”

“You didn’t see him but I did and he was looking at you.”

“Hmm.”

We don’t always talk this way, but Jeb’s going on seven and the topic of crushes (mostly stemming from the antics of the girls on the playground) has been more at the fore as of late.  He’s still open enough to talk to me about his experiences, which I welcome.

With these frank conversations come the questions about me – usually about my past with his dad.  The idea of Rex and I sharing any affection is a novelty to Jeb since we separated when he was only 9 months old.  The thought of us ever having kissed is utterly fascinating to him.  So much so that in one of these conversations, Jeb begged for us to kiss just one time for him to see.  Actually requesting it as a birthday present (not happening).

This is delicate terrain.  I have sought professional advice on how best to address any harboring Jeb may hold of Rex and I reuniting and I have spoken the advised verbiage to him lovingly but clear.  I can’t blame him for wanting.  And I understand his curiosity.

If nothing else, I want Jeb to always feel that he can tell me anything.  As long as he is coming from his heart, speaking his truth:  say it.  Respectfully, of course.

And so, there I was in the parking lot and my six year old is telling me that the guy at the storefront was checking me out.  Clearly, he’s more perceptive than I am.

Once we’re home again I take advantage of our renewed hot water access and clear the drain in the bathroom sink.  It’s been bothering me for over a month now.  Not exactly clogged, but not completely draining with ease.  Ever present is the pool of water that sits then slowly seeps down and out over time.  In my tendancy to perceive all as metaphors, this physical manifestation of stagnant water makes me crazy.

Time for the Drainbo.  That’s right, the natural alternative to Liquid Drano.

When I was in my twenties and a bit more close to the pulse of nomads and Rainbow Gatherings, there was a name given to those that were more of the taker inclination than the giver.  The ones that were always the first to ask for a ride, a place to crash or a rolling paper and the last ones to do a dish or pitch in for gas.  These were the Drainbows.  And you didn’t want one traveling with you.

Today I employed the Drainbo – The Natural Solution (no GMO’s and Cruelty Free).  I called in the ‘best natural drain cleaner available’ so I could let my water flow.  No lingering, hangers-oners.  Stagnant pools be gone.

And when that mission was accomplished and the water streamed down the drain in beautiful spiraling swirls, I scrubbed the toilet and washed the sink with scalding hot water.  Water so hot my hand could barely squeeze the sponge.  Why?  Because I could!  Hot disinfecting water, spiraling effortlessly down a sparkling drain.

Almost as beautiful as a rainbow!