My daughter Julia came to live with me a year ago for school. It isn't easy for me to raise someone who is practically my nine-year-old clone, but that is exactly what I find I am doing with Julia. Through our judo and soccer practices, reading, writing and arithmetic, Girl Scouts, and Japanese language classes, we occasionally have a conversation that connects us both in a sometimes deep and usually humorous way. Hopefully, you will be as entertained as we are.

The Green-haired Elf

It's morning, just before breakfast...

Daddy: Julia, would you like for me to tell you a story?

Julia: (smiling) Yes.

Daddy: Once upon a time, there was this green-haired elf and she, one evening, before bed, came to the master of the house and asked if she might have dessert before bed. The master of the house said that was fine so she went to the kitchen but there were no cookies or brownies but only magic-cicles in the freezer. The little green-haired elf, grabbed the box of magic-cicles, ate one, brushed her teeth and got in bed, where the master of the house met her, tucked her into bed, and kissed her goodnight. The next morning the master of the house went into the kitchen to make breakfast and found the box of magic-cicles on the counter and all the magic left them, causing them to go "pbsssst" on the counter. The end.

Julia: Is that a real story?

Daddy: Do you think I'm being literal or figurative?

Julia: Figurative.

Daddy: ...maybe, a little of both.

Julia: I don't know anyone with green hair.

Daddy: What's your last name?

Julia: Greene.

Daddy:  Hmmmm....