Your Weekly Antics, And That's What You Get Edition 8/21/25...

Well kids, the youngest Kap kid leaves for college today. As any good mother would do, as she packed, I handled this transition by staying out of the way and sitting down to write, hell bent on getting The Antics out on time for the first time in weeks. That's what we do here; we muddle through by finding the humor in mundane things, identifying useless facts, and talking about the little things that go overlooked, hoping to lighten the mood and help us take ourselves a little less seriously. Is it weird that for the first time in 22 years I won't have a kid in this house I'll be seeing off to school every day? Absolutely. Does this mean no first day of school picture this year? Absolutely not. Sam, Reaghan, Kevin, Roena and Meri all know they're on the hook for this yearly event until the very last of them graduates from grad school, so buckle up kids and be ready for the call, because it's still happening. Here's what I've got...

1.  When I was on vacation, I forgot my favorite pillow at home and those supplied by our Airbnb weren’t cutting it. In my slumber-less night, to Amazon I scrolled, and found myself a double pack of down pillows. With two clicks they were secured in my cart, purchased, and promised at the doorstop of our Airbnb by the next day. Next day arrives, as did my pillows. Who knew there were so many directions involved in new pillow care. Is it just me who found it a little weird that the instructions state to put your pillow in the sun to “fluff it up…?” Is this how we’ve always been expected to care for our pillows, or is this a new thing? Exhibit 1, pillow directions.

2. There’s a job for everyone, and if you look around every once in a while, you may just find a new prospective vocation for your retirement years. Exhibit 2, the latest vocation on my list of retirement possibilities…I may just move to a beach community somewhere, buy myself a stretch golf cart and shuttle people to and from the beach all day while snacking and sipping my extra-large, iced coffees. In the winter, I'll transition to my Zamboni driving job. Want to join me? We’ll buy a fleet of them and spend our retirement driving up and down and all around. It could be fun. Exhibit 2, retirement plans.

3. Worcester’s new electric bikes. I have no idea if they’re already out there, being ridden or perhaps stolen and stripped already, but I am here to report we came home from vacation and according to Al, traffic still sucks whether the new electric bike program is up and running or not. I think a better idea would be to implement vehicles like the one shown in Exhibit 2, but no one's asking me.

4. Summer vacation and nightly ice cream trips go hand in hand. If you’re the oldest Kap kid, these ice cream trips call for a list of the best ice cream joints frequented and establish a means of determining which is the best and why. For example, is the ice cream homemade and made in house by the establishment? Flavors are compared…who has the best flavor amongst their favorite ice cream joints? Who has the longest lines? Which places lines are worth the wait? Price, size and flavor comparisons will be made and debated. Ice cream will be purchased, taken home, and taste tests will be had. And God forbid, a place is narrowed down, a call made to the establishment, and it’s learned that the establishment in fact does not make their ice cream themselves in house and instead buys it from a distributor…that gets you thrown right off the list. It’s all very technical and serious business. Exhibit 3, discussing the ins and outs of The Best Ice Cream.

5. I hate to bring this up as this seems to be a regular topic here at The Antics, but let’s talk about woodland creatures. Those sons of bitches are at it again and have infiltrated my safe space, the jeep. Where I relax, indulge in a fancy coffee now and then while traveling to do the work of the people. These little free loading bastards took it upon themselves to find a way to break into my vehicle, move in, and make themselves comfortable. I would find evidence here and there of them stopping by, which led me to exercise caution, careful not to leave anything behind that would entice them to return or give them the impression they were welcome. I eventually resigned myself to being happy that as long as I didn’t see these little critters, I could pretend they didn’t exist, taking a don’t bother me and I won’t bother you approach. Life was fine, going about my business and getting in my car to go where I needed to, until it wasn’t. It wasn’t fine at all. Exhibit 4, Meri rockin a yellow shirt just like Sharon, this photo was chosen because I'm not sticking any photos of rodents in this week's edition...I'm done giving anything of the rodent variety free press.

6. The jeep sat in the heat with all the windows rolled up, not driven, for an entire day last weekend until the youngest and middle Kap kids and I decided to venture out for a leisurely Sunday evening drive. Our destination, Uhlman's Ice Cream in Westboro, one of the top contenders on Sammy's best of ice cream list. The smell inside the jeep so horrid, caused us to rethink our plans, but committed, we championed on and away we went. The top was eventually taken down, in attempts to help dissipate the smell, but no such luck. Turning the air on only made matters worse and was quickly turned off. Top down, windows open, driving at top speeds taking my chances at being pulled over, believing if I were, even the police would surely sympathize and understand my reasoning for speeding to help eliminate the smell. No, no and no, nothing helped, smell remained and ice cream trip ruined. Exhibit 5, Gibson and Loki, on punishment for digging up the youngest Kap Kids garden. Again, no more free press to woodland creatures who are bound and determined to torment me, so dog pictures it is.

7. The next day comes, the smell had only worsened, but I had things to do, and off I went to meet one of Worcester’s finest who was helping me safely conduct the work of the people. I arrive, a little lightheaded from holding my breath while driving, naturally had to ask Walter’s opinion on the matter. Was the smell as bad as I thought, or all in my head? The good friend that he is, immediately confirmed that what he initially thought was dead body odor coming from the nearby dumpster on the property we were visiting, was in fact, emanating from the interior of my vehicle. Curiosity getting the best of us, we popped the hood of the jeep to find hard evidence that said woodland creatures had been taking up residence under the hood and had begun storing their food for winter. Food supply and all the greater comforts of mouse life eliminated, no bodies found, but the smell remained. Naturally we assumed the little critter and his buddies had found their way into parts of the jeep we couldn’t see or open and would require a mechanic to find if the smell continued. Visit done, off I went. Exhibit 6, Evidence of acorns and other tasty snacks for those living rent free under the hood.

8. Wednesday, going to get coffee with the youngest Kap kid and we couldn’t take it. Quick call and then immediate detour to Bravo Auto to see our new BFF’s who found the culprit, dead, right out there in the open in the way back of the jeep. I am sparing all of you the visual I most certainly could have done without and have replaced that visual with Exhibit 7, because everyone needs a candle with my face on it. In the event that this dead critter has friends who continue to live within the interior of my vehicle, let it be known I will be setting fire to my vehicle using one of these.

9. Coincidentally I then saw this on 290, and before you ask, no, I did not scan the code. For starters, I was too busy trying to catch up to the vehicle so I could get a good picture to show all of you. Second, I’d like to think that where we’re all going to end up when taking the dirt nap is somewhere more profound than what's hiding in a QR code taped to the back of a middle aged mans Honda. I’ve got enough to worry about buddy, I don’t need to drive behind the likes of you trying to freak me out when I've got places to be and find myself stuck behind you until my next exit. Although perhaps this information could have been useful to the critters who've been hitching a ride with me all summer. Your story is no good here friend, you're too late. Exhibit 8, more bizarre things seen on the road.

10. To go along with the theme of smelly, dead and decomposing things this week, I received this from the oldest Kap kid. Just in case you’re all wondering what the Phillie’s mascot does to stay fresh, clean and odor free, or if you find yourselves running low on deodorant and toiletries, just hit the bottle. When you get accused of drinking too much, kindly refer your accuser of this article and tell them you’re not drinking it, you’re bathing in it for the greater good. Exhibit 9, Vodka...it's not just for drinking anymore...

And last but not least, to the youngest Kap kid who's off on her next adventure...you're gonna do great, now go change the world. ❤️❤️❤️

Have a great weekend!