Citizen Wausau

Carbohydrates

by Billie on October 26th, 2008

I ran away from home yesterday… to my mother’s comfortable little nest in WI Dells.

For the drive, I turned my introspection off, plugged Johnny Cash’s American III album into the CD player and sang along.  I stopped at Starbucks (cinnamon dolce lattes are a balm for the soul), purchased a huge sack of bagels (since I don’t know where to find good bagels in Wausau these days) and just cruised.

I was invited to my mother’s boyfriend’s family birthday dinner – and actually accepted.  I had a hard time connecting with any of the adults, but had a terriffic time being taught to play Wii games by the under-10 set.  I am not a bowler in real life, but I rocked it on the Wii. 

We arrived back at mother’s with a 12 year old fellow in tow, to make caramel apples.  Two hours and an incredible mess later, we had created two dozen apples liberally slathered with caramel and nuts.  We laughed as my mother bit into one, still warm, leaving behind a mess of stringy caramel on her face, hands, and clothing.  It stuck to her teeth, leaving her unable to communicate except through a series of grunts.  We brought out cameras to capture the late-night silliness.  We then melted both milk and white chocolate which we then flung with great enthusiasm all over the apples to provide that upscale decorative touch. 

This morning, we woke to apples denuded of their caramel and chocolate – somehow it had slid off during the night.  Rather than trying to actually remedy the problem, we buttered our hands and packed the messy puddles of goo back onto the apples – Martha Stuart be damned.  We also coated a pair of small onions in the confection for special recipients…

This was a really nice, short break from routine, for which I am truly grateful.