Thursday, April 14, 2011

A Noise by Any Other Name

I was playing Kings in the Corner with my parents the other night.  It’s a fun little tradition we have and that night it was just the three of us.  There is no skill whatsoever involved in this card game.  That evening I won 4 hands, Mom 2 and Daddy one.  It’s on those nights I say the game may involve some skill.  We were having our usual enjoyable time when, after a few hands, I started making a rather obnoxious noise. 

Now those of you who know me well can attest to the fact I have a habit of doing such things unconsciously, and quite innocently I might add.  Had my sisters or any of my friends been there they would have commented on it the first time I uttered the strange string of sounds.  And they most definitely would have put a stop to it had I gone on for too long.

This particular noise was a new one for me and a difficult one to describe.  Normally I would just burst into song because of something someone said.  Or I’d make a brief sound effect mimicking some racket in the room.  But that night it was a strange, throaty chant I kept making over and over again.  I have no earthly idea why, so don’t bother asking.

After I few minutes, I finally became aware of what I was doing.  I looked up at my parents and they were busily planning their Kings in the Corner strategy.  Surely they were hearing this.  Daddy is 93 and needs a hearing aid but for heaven’s sake even he should be able to hear my strange gurgling.  Mother didn’t even glance up.  So of course that challenged me to make the sound even louder and more obnoxiously.  Still there was no reaction.

Finally, when I could take it no longer, I asked why I wasn’t irritating them to the point of kicking me out.  They had no idea what I was talking about.  I then proceeded to make the noise for them.  They began laughing, and my sweet mother said, “Oh honey, we started tuning you out years ago. We don’t even notice things like that anymore.”

Parents are a strange and special breed.  It takes a certain unconditional love, that’s for sure.  Since I never married and had children of my own I often wonder what kind of parent I would have been.  Hopefully I would have been the kind that let my daughter win at silly card games and loved her in spite of any annoying quirks.

Question:  Any habits you have that others may or may not tolerate?

6 comments:

Katelyn said...

Bahaha! I love this!! First because of the fact that you randomly make strange noises (not to mention your fascination with whatever sound you were making. Amazing.) Second, because you frequently burst into song (I knew we were kindred spirits!). And third, because of your mother's brilliant comment.

Dana said...

Hi Katelyn,
I am still new to the blogging world and trying to figure everything out. I noticed I had a new follower named Freaky Froggy about the time you left this comment. Are you one in the same? How did you find me?

It's nice to know there are other folks who randomly burst into song. One of my favorite sayings is, "Be careful what you say to me. It might remind me of a song I need to sing to you." Love that!!

Thanks for the comments. I shall check out your blog too. :)
Dana

Susie Turner Free said...

Hi! I finally remembered to find this and member-up :) Your posts are delightful to read; filled with humor, thoughtful
insights, and that unique question at the end of each post for us to ponder. Love it. Love you!

Dana said...

Thanks, Susie!!

Cheryl Hart said...

Your post made me laugh, Dana! How funny. :) Your profile cracked me up too.

Thank you for visiting my blog today. (I left you a msg there as well.) Please let me know how your trip to Italy goes! Perhaps you'll have a fun adventure I can use in the Italian romance novel I'm currently writing. haha Have a fabulous time, and eat some gelato!

Lana said...

I seem to remember a rather unique kazoo sound you could make, particularly upon listening to a certain Dan Fogelberg song...