super of powers of a free mind

This story is about the solution to a brain freeze, how serendipity may lurk around the corner.

Dad gets something he calls writer’s block.  Just stares at that damn screen, fingers not tapping, and if they are it’s hitting this key called ‘backspace.’ This is inchorement jibberish!” He pounds his fist on the table points at the screen and says, “A total waste of time. Was in the zone an hour ago, poof, now wandering about in the wilderness of nothing.”

Meanwhile I’m getting anxious, just sitting around all day.  So found a solution to both of our problems.  Just sit right next to him, deploy the ‘puppy dog eyes,’ then silent stare.  It’s a Jedi Mind Trick, he’s powerless to my theatrics.  “You win again puppy, voy a paseo.”  YES!  It never fails.

RELAX!

Going for a walk does us both good. Fresh air, meeting some new friends, exercise, it’s el mago de tranquilo y cabeza claro (calm with a clear mind.) And I (and all dogs) create a commonality, a potential conversation starter. We get to practice our Spanish, learn from the gente, not some website.  When my name is Twinkles why do Latinos call me Twinkle?

Well one afternoon on just another perfect day in Medellin we hike it down to the best Parque in town. Then got the ‘icing on top.’ Two Colomibanas look at me and say, “oh que linda” I looked up at Dad and said yes I am cute but my name isn’t Linda, it’s Twinkles.  Colombianas with ear to ear grins, “Como se llame su perrita.”

Well of course Dad responds “Twinkles.”  In that moment we realized no ‘kulz’ sound in Spanish.  Uno momento de mago, we corrected ourselves, confidently Dad replied, “Llame ella es Twinkle.”  Everybody gets it now. Chicas respond, “Oh como, brilla, brilla estellar paqueno.”  Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

Dad, sometimes I don’t like my name, but guess it’s universally known.