Deep in the Heart of Texas

Joel's folks were visiting us for Jack's birthday and they had to leave today. Both boys were eager to snuggle with their Grandpa this morning when the woke up and came downstairs. Jack suddenly went to our picture window and said "Wow, that is a huge black cat walking up the road. I hope it's not Scout (our large black cat)." I told him it wasn't as I'd just seen Scout upstairs so he was safe inside.

"Maybe it's a cougar!" said Grandpa teasingly.

"No, there aren't cougars in Vermont. Cougars live in Texas." replied Alex

"Yup and it's one, two, three, four, five states away. A nine day drive to Texas!" contributes Jack.

"Actually, there are way more than five states between us and Texas, but at the same time it wouldn't take nine days unless you chose to make a lot of stops." I added.

"Yeah Jack, you were really wrong." Alex scolds. "And there are lots and lots of cougars in Texas. Lots."

"How long do you think it takes to get to Texas?" asks Grandpa innocently.

"152 days." Alex replies seriously.

Grandpa and I exchanged a knowing look and mutually realized we probably weren't going to get very far explaining the lack of cougars in Texas. Although, I suppose if they were talking about older women dating younger men, perhaps Texas does have a lot of cougars . . . if they are out there, Alex will surely find them.