The Ants In The Cupboard

My Dear Princess and Dear Fellows,

There are no ants in the cupboard. There could be. Ants are a bigger problem here in NZ. 

I know this because whenever Caro even SEES an ant, she goes ANT-HOMICIDAL, pouring water on them and spraying them and saying, "Effing ANTS!"

"Okay," I say.

We've only had one ant problem so far and that was in the garage. Back when we were leaving groceries in the garage to de-virus them, I left a box of apples in there and the next morning...

"Effing ANTS!" said Caro.

"Okay," I said. 

And Caro went mad with her sprays and I threw the apples out.

But that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about METAPHORICAL ants. 

I remember reading the book "Breathing Lessons" by Anne Tyler years and years and years ago. I liked that book and there was a section in it, in which a character explains the joys of married life. "There's always someone to talk to, when I want to tell someone that the ants have got into the cupboard again."

I'm paraphrasing. But it was something like that.

I think of blip like that. It is my thing to tell about the ants in the cupboard. Just the small details of life that you wouldn't tell anyone in an exciting once-a-year phonecall or a long email. 

And while you might not care about the small details, it makes me feel more in touch with you than if - when we spoke - we had to spend at least that first hour on, "And 'ow's yer mum? And yer dad? Is yer sister still doing that thing? And what's the weather been like?"

You are already all caught up. You even know about the ants in the cupboard. And you feel a little bit closer.

What I'm saying is that I feel justified in posting a slightly out of focus picture of a flower today and talking about nothing. 

And do keep reading. Because one day ants really WILL get into the cupboard. And it will be very exciting.

S.