{when I was 5 I only knew fingerpaints}

just before my sister's wedding. me, I'm in bridesmaid gear. my cousin's 5-year-old daughter, she's in full flowergirl mode.

Claire: I like your tattoos.
me: Thanks.
Claire: But are they going to SHOW?
me: Yep.
Claire: OK. But what does that one SAY?
me: Well, it doesn't say anything, it's um, like a picture.
Claire: What's it a picture OF?
me: Well, it's people, sort of, it's like a drawing of something...
Claire (interrupting me): OH, like abstract?
me (pause): Yes. Like abstract. I think we have to line up now. Here's your basket.

like ABSTRACT? what I should have said was I apologize for condescending. I am quite certain I didn't know what abstract art was until at least fifth grade. of course, I was also the kid who hated fingerpainting because it'd dry too fast for me to get it just right.

I have my first real vacation in probably a decade next week. very very exciting. Roger has the terrible task of flying directly from Jamaica to meet me in New Orleans. poor thing. that has nothing to do with this. oh well. here's the ABSTRACT tattoo: