What Is the Color, When Black is Burned?

I always figured that one of my strengths as a parent would come forth when the kids hit the "why" stage.  You parents know what I'm talking about.  For Adam, the "why" stage hit almost simultaneously with his third birthday.

All of a sudden, EVERYTHING is "why, why, why?"

I tend to know a little bit about a wide range of stuff.  I rarely boast -- trust me when I tell you there's not much to boast about -- but one thing I can say with all honesty is that you want me on your team for Trivial Pursuit.

So I figured I'd be pretty good at answering the "why's?".

What nobody tells you, though, is that you're going to get bombarded with questions to which there is no logical answer.

Here are a few recent examples:

• "Where is the Science Center." 
  "It's downtown -- that way." 
  "Why is the Science Center that way?" 
  Because that's where they built it. 
  "Why did they build it there?"
  "Because that's where they had the land to build it."
  "Why did they have the land?"
  Hey, listen to this song on the radio!
• What time is it?
  It's 10 o'clock.
  Why is it 10 o'clock?
  Because...ummm...you see, the prime meridian...Greenwich Mean Time...umm...you wanna go to the Science Center?

I recognize the importance of this stage in Adam's life.  He'll probably never again be this intellectually curious.  But man, kid, could you ask some questions about the 1960 World Series, or the history of Captain America's sidekicks, or something -- anything -- with a concrete answer?

Meanwhile, there may have been a breakthrough on the issue of Smithers' most annoying trait -- of which there are many.

The dog has been peeing in the house again for a while now. Almost daily. We took him to the vet, who did some tests for kidney problems, bladder infections, etc – and nothing.

We began giving him just a teeny tiny bit of water before we left in the morning, instead of his usual one full bowl – and still nothing, except for a nice big blob of dog pee in the house nearly every day, which leaked down through the floor and onto some heating ductwork in a place that was impossible to reach, but made its presence known every time the furnace kicked on.

We couldn’t figure out how he was peeing, since he had had relatively no water since 8 pm the previous night, and I take him out at least twice before bed, and two or three times every morning before we leave.

Two nights ago I made a discovery. Our new-ish hot water heater has a little spout on the side for drainage. I don’t know why it’s there, but apparently it’s supposed to spew out some water every now and then. I had put a little pink tub there to collect the water. It’s WAY back in a corner, behind a bunch of shelves, and nearly impossible to get to.

Except, apparently, for Smithers. It occurred to me that I hadn’t had to empty the thing in a while. This occurred to me shortly after I saw the hound nose his way back into that teeny, crowded little corner -- obviously on a quest.

So basically, the dog has been drinking water to his heart's content, every day.  And trust me when I tell you that he drinks a lot.  Usually 4 or 5 bowls every night when we get home from work. 

So I've blocked off the catch-basin, and will try to empty it on a daily basis.  We'll see what that does.

Comments

[Library Cat]

Two small children and an incontinent dog, I feel for you. Been there, didn't wanta do it. Lou's (the dog, not the guy over on the right of the screen) problem was extremely advanced age. No one was sure exactly how old, but the rough estimate was around seventeen-eighteen years. No cure for that.

Everyone tells you about how hard it is to be a parent, the sleepless nights, the diapers, the cost. The illogic issue never gets mentioned. And it is the one that will drive you up the wall. Why do you have to tuck in all your stuffed animals and leave yourself three inches of space to sleep? Why do you wear your gloves everyday even though it is summer? I don't know, they don't know, it is just the way it has to be. And questions, ah yes, I've had a few. It's my job, I get paid to answer questions all day. But no, it doesn't help. Sorry about the long post, slow day in the library.

[Julie]

After a particular round of "why" questions, I finally asked him "Why do you ask so many questions?" Surprisingly, he had no answer for that one.

As for the dog, while I will give him props for finding that tiny bit of water (without a divining rod no less), he still drives me up the wall.

And for those who may visit us one day, we have been able to clean up all of the accidents, so no worries.

[deadlytoque]

I am the last person to discuss parenting with any authority, but I was once told that the best response to those really tough and bizarre questions is "I don't know! Why don't we go find out" and then you go try to find the answer. It feeds the inquisitiveness, but it also helps develop their focus and gives them a sense of how to find information for themselves. A good way to teach Internet or library research skills and a love of reading.

[gillyline]

Hey Guys, I can help you out with the hot water heater spewing water. With all the remodeling going on here, Bob recently replaced our hot water heater and we started having the same problem with water deciding to pressurize and spit out. Apparently they are not supposed to do that. Not good for the water heater. Check to see if you have a check valve on the main water line that comes into the house. Little gauge next to the reader. If you do, you need a new item called an expansion tank (installed by a plumber for about $125 - $150). All new waters heaters now need expansion tanks on the cold water line when a check valve is on the main line. When the water pressurizes in the main tank it goes into the expansion tank instead of on the floor. Will take away the need for the basin and if you can clear up the peeing problem for $150 it may be worth it.

[Sarah]

My father's favorite answer to "why?"
"To make little girls ask stupid questions."
I've already begun using it myself.

[Ding]

A Dan-Bob question for me today was, "Why are trees big?" My answer, "You'll have to ask Bob."

[Bob]

DingE -- not sure you want to have him ask me that. My answer: "Because they eat HUMAN FLESH, and plenty of it."

[yellojkt]

The Why Game used to drive me nuts and as soon as my son figured it out he just kept going.