This poem is a favorite of my mother's and was told to us often (straight from her memory I might add) throughout our childhood. Now, I see it applying quite well to two certain children in our family...(hint: they're both of the same gender). "Boys will be boys" is what I'm told, but really, my favorite vase? I don't even know the full story (I was in another room taking care of Elyse)...just heard some running, screaming, (you know, the usual) then some furniture moving, some shattering, then silence. Seconds later came the gasping and of course, each of them blaming the other. No one got hurt and I didn't get mad (I don't have it in me anymore) just separated them, picked up the pieces, and sighed....

In many ways I'm proud I no longer care so much about things, but in other ways I think woah, what next?!!

The Duel

Eugene Field

The gingham dog and the calico cat

Side by side on the table sat;

‘T was half-past twelve, and (what do you think!)

Nor one nor t’ other had slept a wink!

      The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate

      Appeared to know as sure as fate

There was going to be a terrible spat.

            (I was n’t there; I simply state

            What was told to me by the Chinese plate!)

The gingham dog went “Bow-wow-wow!”

And the calico cat replied “Mee-ow!”

The air was littered, an hour or so,

With bits of gingham and calico,

      While the old Dutch clock in the chimney-place

      Up with its hands before its face,

For it always dreaded a family row!

            (Now mind: I’m only telling you

            What the old Dutch clock declares is true!)

The Chinese plate looked very blue,

And wailed, “Oh, dear! what shall we do!”

But the gingham dog and the calico cat

Wallowed this way and tumbled that,

      Employing every tooth and claw

      In the awfullest way you ever saw—

And, oh! how the gingham and calico flew!

            (Don’t fancy I exaggerate—

            I got my news from the Chinese plate!)

Next morning, where the two had sat

They found no trace of dog or cat;

And some folks think unto this day

That burglars stole that pair away!

      But the truth about the cat and pup

      Is this: they ate each other up!

Now what do you really think of that!

            (The old Dutch clock it told me so,

            And that is how I came to know.)