[posted to am when Spawn was 2 yo. -- TR]

It's not often that The Spawn does something that brings a tear to
my eye (in proud admiration) but today was the most recent.

We hit a local Mexican restaurant that I've been whining to (and
brow-beating at) SWMBO to at least TRY before condemning the
place. I'm sure you all know the type of dive I'm referring to;
its exterior gives testimony to the vermin that reside within but
the food is truly killer. The lot was filled with Chevy's, so our
lone Ford sort of stood us out right away.

We walked in (past the iron-grill doorway) and into the darkened
lobby. Spawn was anxiously dragging SWMBO forward -- I'm sure She
was convinced that we were going to die very nasty deaths and
never be seen again -- while I was bringing up the rear ["Hee-yah,
Mules! Hee-yah!"] Daughter-units Alpha and Beta were in school so
I'll have to take them back at a later time to experience this
place's ambiance!

We were seated immediately and served chips and salsa. The first
salsa-laden chip engulfed my mouth in liquid crimson, tearing my
eyes and causing me to pause before dipping another chip; it was
smuh-ooth... Spawn, apparently thinking I was being melodramatic,
dipped her chip (and hand) into the bowl and then noisily slurped
away. She didn't even blink an eye! She looked like a bear that'd
found a honey supply. Spawn couldn't eat enough salsa! She did
everything but lick the bowl. Needless to say, I got my own bowl
of salsa.

I have a PETA-in-training with that one so the menu was kind of
limited to cheese and bean burritos, chimichanga, and chips. The
hotside was very accommodating and did an enchiladas in a mole
that was every bit as toasty-warm as the salsa. Given the
urchin-like plate licking that we witnessed, it was quite obvious
that we don't feed her. Once she'd finished the enchiladas, she
went back to polishing off my salsa. It was quite impressive.

She fell asleep on the way back home and is currently sleeping off
her gorging [three hours of free time!]

The Ranger
--
"Here's to your enemies' enemies." Gaelic Toast