February, 2023 - Noah's Archipelago

February 28, 2023: Schoolyard Rumors

April 27, 2023February 28, 2023 by Pyra Draculea

Ursula and a bunch of the girls in her class are standing around at recess, gossiping. One girl says, "I heard he dressed up like a cat one year." Another says, "He dressed like Van Gogh, too." A freckled redhead waves her arms frantically and adds, "My big cousin says he dressed up like a geisha in honor of the 'Women in Japanese Art' show." We see Ursula is frowning now, and then another of her friends asks her, "What's your dad gonna wear to the art gallery field trip this year, Ursula?" Ursula scowls and answers, "I dunno, depends if mommy catches him and says 'You can't leave the house dressed like that!' or not."

Poor Ursula… third grade is especially tough and conformist, if I recall correctly. Not that Noah would care (nor should he, really…)

Last Year’s Art Gallery Field Trip

February 5, 2024February 27, 2023 by Pyra Draculea

Ursula's teacher, Beryl Fardemar, and Ruth are in the teachers' lounge on their coffee break. Beryl looks anxious and says, "So our field trip to the art gallery is Friday." Ruth replies, "My condolences." Beryl continues, "I heard your husband made a fool of himself last year." Ruth answers, "Noah insists otherwise." Beryl looks confused and asks, "Didn't he do an interpretive dance?" Ruth looks off to the side and says, "It looked more like a seizure, but sure." Alarmed, Beryl mutters to herself, "Dear Lord..." while Ruth shrugs and says, "Look on the bright side: unlike last year, I won't be there, so he won't be on his worst behavior." We see Ruth's memory of part of last year's trip, in which a laughing Noah lies on his back on one of the sculpture platforms with one leg up in the air and calls out to a pregnant Ruth, "Hey Ruth! Draw me like one of your French guys!" Ruth is mortified and covers her face in her hands while Ursula asks, "Mommy, what's Daddy talking about?"

I think I got the allusion to the Titanic movie rather close. It’s a wonder the Art Gallery hasn’t banned Noah for his antics there, but then again he does help with fundraising for the gallery and the museum and is somewhat of a local D list micro-celebrity, sorta.

February 25, 2023: Driftwood

April 27, 2023February 25, 2023 by Pyra Draculea

Noah and Ursula are walking on the beach (all bundled up for the cold winds, though Noah as always has his shirt unbuttoned, baring his hairy chest). Ursula comes up to Noah with a strangely shaped piece of driftwood, saying "Daddy, look at this neat bit of driftwood!" Noah smiles and says, "Very cool! Now put it back." Annoyed, Ursula asks, "Why can't I take it home?" Noah scowls and answers, "Because driftwood prevents erosion." Ursula surveys the beach, replete with logs and chunks of driftwood, and says, "There's lots of other driftwood and logs." Noah replies, "Still." Now furious at being stymied, Ursula sneers, "This is because it's sandy and you just vacuumed your car, isn't it?" Noah is unmoved, repeating his prior command: "Put it back." Ursula obeys but complains, "Ugh... Grandma lets me keep the driftwood." Noah retorts, "That's cause Agnes doesn't vacuum her own car."

Can’t bring the whole beach home, Ursula. And you guys only live about 20 minutes away, anyway. (Inspired by Island View Beach just north of where the Thorsens live in Victoria, BC, which has signs up all over the place telling people to not take any of the logs or driftwood due to the … Read moreFebruary 25, 2023: Driftwood

February 24, 2023: Noah’s Apple Pie Plans

April 27, 2023February 24, 2023 by Pyra Draculea

Noah, wearing his chef's hat, is carrying a pie to the dinner table where Ursula and Ruth are sitting. Urusla whines, "Apple Pie again?" Noah replies, "I tweaked my recipe. Let me know what you think." Ursula then says, " I think pie is the Brussels sprouts of desserts." This annoys Ruth, who snaps, "Ursula!" Ursula replies, "What? It's got fruit in it. It's practically health food." Noah is annoyed and says, "That's nice, sweetie, but you're not judging at the fair." Ruth laughs and reminds him, "The fair's not til September, Noah," and he replies, "Exactly. Plenty of time to perfect it." He grins and continues, "I'm gonna win the double crust apple pie competition." Then his eyes narrow and his grin turns Machiavellian as he says, "The real one, not the consolation prize 'men only' class." Wide-eyed, Ursula asks, "Can't you try to win the chocolate cake ribbon instead?" Noah laughs and replies, "Where's the glory in that?"

Noah has his eyes on the big prize… one of the fall fairs near me does indeed have a men-only class for the apple pies in the baking category, which I thought was kinda funny… but also gives the dudes a chance, lol. And of course Noah wants to try to win the “real” … Read moreFebruary 24, 2023: Noah’s Apple Pie Plans