Stone Soup by Jan Eliot for August 13, 2015

Don’t give that sofa to The Salvation Army or any other second-hand store. They just won’t have the means to really fix it up. Even if you turn the cushion cut-side down, it still won’t be acceptable.

I really think Val just doesn’t get angry enough about these things. A week of no desert or a couple of days of helping them move stuff instead of frolicking outside would probably help Alix remember that big nail in her pocket next time.

I think we also need to patch Alix’s jeans.

Accidents do happen but some lessons on caring about others wouldn’t go amiss. I know it’s a comic strip but people are seeing this in their own lives. Interesting.

OMG what was she going to DO with that nail?

Let the girls help unpack. At least Phil is gracious about his furniture.

This is why little old ladies cover their furniture with multiple layers of quilts and blankets.

I agree Val hasn’t taught her children to appreciate things. I would be hopping mad if I were Phil even if I did just marry their mother.

What was Alix doing with a big nail in her back pocket?

I think Phil is seeing the value in family rather than a bunch of ‘stuff’ yes, the girls could use a little more discipline but in the end it’s all replaceable, whereas a family truly happy family is not

A small victory last night while I was Skyping with the 9-yr.-old and her mom: The 15 1/2-year-old strolled through their living room, said, “Hi, Grandma!,” and waved. I don’t know what brought that on. She hadn’t done anything like that this year. All things come to she who waits.(For a discussion of “he who waits” vs “him who waits,” seehttp://www.quora.com/Which-is-correct-All-things-come-to-him-who-waits-or-All-things-come-to-he-who-waits

Val is a bit of a slob, lovable, but that transfers to the kids. Phil knows this and still loves them.

Uh oh!

I notice that Alix didn’t apologize, either.

She probably had the nail in her pocket because they were hanging pictures, or moving pictures, or it fell on the floor and she didn’t want people to step on it. They have a house in chaos and “I was trying to help get my new stepfather moved in and picked up a nail, and then got tired and sat down for a minute” does not deserve punishment. It isn’t the flying ball but an accident. And if she was trying to help and gets no dessert for a week because she didn’t want people stepping on the nail, not giving her experience with a new family arrangement a happy start

A child should have a pocket!Supposin’ on the roadHe should come across a beetleor a lizard or a toad?However would he carry it,whatever would he doif he didn’t have a pocketto put it into?