August 29, 2026

August 29, 2026

Hello!

Today Muskrat is I believe 34 and Jalapeno is 27. That most certainly makes me feel old. I was in high school when Muskrat was born. I remember more of Muskrats childhood than I do Jalapeno. Muskrat was the cutest little boy, a crybaby, but cute. Muskrat was a mama’s boy. He always wanted to go with me whenever I went somewhere. Of course I did not call him Muskrat then, but for story’s sake, well, you will follow. We would inevitably get somewhere, and muskrats little bottom lip would begin to quiver, I would say what is wrong muskrat? Turn on the water works, “I miss my mommy”. He would cry so hard every time he would make himself vomit. I was young and full of myself, of course I would tell myself, never again would I take muskrat. That never lasted, Muskrat went with me every time he wanted to.

We grew up poor; we never really knew it until we went to school. I never wanted my nieces and nephews to realize at school that they too were growing up poor. The start of every school year, I would purchase new shoes for the ones that needed them as well as new clothes. Muskrat had to of been in kindergarten or first grade. He wanted this pair of cowboy boots that had silver tips on the toes. Now for a little guy, I thought this was a little flashy, but hey, I get to be the cool aunt. He of course promised to take care of them, (heavy eye roll). In the first week, he had messed with the flashy metal tip on one boot so much that he tore it off. I of course was mad then, aged me, what did I truly expect from a little fella.

Jalapeno, she was and still is a daddy’s girl. My relationship with Jalapeno was not as close as it was with Muskrat. Even though they are siblings, I was busy living my life when she was little. Jalapeno came to live with me when she was 17, she came with her 1-year-old little boy. What a lifestyle shock that was to me. Jalapeno is a people pleaser. She never did well if she thought I was mad at her. Little did she know, I could never be mad at her or anyone else that I love. Maybe I am mad at the actions but not the person. Jalapeno could not cook a lick. She for sure learned, bumps and burns along the way but she is a pretty darn good cook. Jalapeno would always get home before me. She would have the house looking and smelling tip top. I think that makes anyone happy, coming home to a refreshing smelling home. Now her room, it looked like a bomb had been dropped in there. I did not complain unless things began to spill into the hallway. I could never understand how she could keep everything else, so tip top and her room look so badly. Even though I was older, I still had a lot of fun with Jalapeno. I was probably harder on her than some of the other kids. I wanted her realize that even though she had a child while still in school, it did not define her ability to be successful. I am not speaking in monetary values; I am speaking in morality terms. If I have learned nothing else, our mind is either our strongest weapon or our weakest. If you set your mind to accomplish something, you can accomplish anything. That was one of the hardest lessons I had to teach Jalapeno, to believe in herself. I do not know if I ever actually sat down and said Jalapeno, believe in yourself. It was leading by example and encouraging her to step out on the limb, even when I was unsure if the limb would hold. Teaching reassurance that even if that limb does not hold, I will not let you hit the ground. Jalapeno taught me a lot too. She taught me patience, understanding, did I say patience? Several years ago, I was doing something with a cutting torch over at my parents’ property, Jalapeno and Muskrat's mom lived there. It was very dry. I had told Jalapeno to watch for fires. Jalapeno had to go to the bathroom, she swears she told me, I did not hear her. I did not even get that cutting torch lit however I caught the entire back half of the property on fire. What can I say, I am pretty skilled (another heavy eye roll).

I look back on my life often, the older I get, the more I can recognize how much I personally have evolved. I went from most likely coming unhinged when Muskrat ripped the toe off of that boot, to Jalapeno trying my patience to little, not so little SB who I let bring nasty little frogs in the house. Even worse, when they get away from her, I will catch it to give it back. I am not fan of anything that should be outdoors. Now if she brings me a snake, no, just no. Last night she caught a big bull frog. I had to draw the line. She was so upset that I would not let her bring “ribet” home. She cried the entire way home, saying on repeat, “ribet gone”.

Happy Birthday Jalapeno and Muskrat! Always remember to live slowly, life goes by so quickly. I love you both to the moon and back!

Toodle-Lo