Beyond Words....

Every now and again, something just defies comprehension..at least in my feeble mind. Today, I was sorting the billion or so pictures on my computer since Son told me that there was no way possible to save all of them. I had to toss a few..or a bunch. Anyway, whilst I was doing this, I came across some pictures that I had taken of the most incredible feat imaginable. Or at least, it seemed highly incredible to me! A few years back, a favorite nephew of mine was visiting the Little Bayou House. We were in the kitchen when he asked my daughter if she had ever balanced toothpicks. She..as we all did..looked at him as if he was a bit daft! Balanced toothpicks? What in the world was he thinking? After a chorus of "nos", he proceeded to demonstrate his uncanny ability to balance toothpicks end to end. The first (stable) toothpick was shoved in the top of the salt shaker as a beginning point. Then, one by one, toothpicks were balanced pointy end to pointy end at really odd angles. I was impressed! I could not for the life of me figure out how he was doing this! Really now!

While Elizabeth and I oohed and ahhed over his preternatural ability, he went a step or two further. Further..you ask? What more could he do that would exceed his talent in balancing toothpicks end to end? Forks! Forks, I tell you! He balanced forks on the toothpicks! How did the weight of the forks not bring this whole thing crashing to the floor? I have no clue! I am still amazed at this wonderful ability! Or was this just some sort of trick..so sort of sleight of hand?

When he had balanced the forks on the toothpicks that were balanced end to end on the one toothpick stuck in the salt shaker, I was sure that somewhere one of them was wedged into place. It had to be propped in place and that was what was holding all of the other items. Surely this could all be explained. It had to be the angle of which I was viewing it that gave the idea of balancing. I circled behind Daniel...nope..not a one was touching the table nor the salt shaker. Only the points of the toothpicks were making contact. Hmmmm...should I believe my eyes? I asked Daniel how he accomplished this feat and he nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. "I get bored easily?" Bored? Bored? I think he should show the world! Of course, I might just be a proud aunt that is easily amused by parlor tricks, but, hey, I am still baffled!

Daniel has moved on and I only get to see him occasionally, now. He has gone on to balancing far more important things in life than toothpicks. I miss him..not only because he can do amazing toothpick tricks..but because he is so much like a son to me.