Dodging Crabs and Family Time

**No, I'm not trying to get away from my family! It's just a catchy title that encompasses both topics for this blog**

Dodging Crabs
I don't know if it is caused by the time of year, or the extra rain that we've been having recently, but the trips to and from the office have turned into a wildlife safari! To begin with, the commute involves climbing up a hill that overlooks pristine blue and torquoise water on one side and mountains towering over a valley on the other (and sorry, no pictures are allowed!!). Along the windy, two lane road we have to avoid the iguanas which have the right-of-way. Some days this can include having to wait while two iguanas take up the entire road surface. Normally this is just an issue during the morning, while they are trying to get their morning suntan, but we have to be ready for them at all times. Most recently, however, we have played "Frogger" with the crabs.

These orange-red, six-legged, side walking creatures have been the source of entertainment and dissapointment, but ever anecdotal sources. Some of the tiny things have a false-sense of bravado -- they attempt to scare off the ton-and-a-half vehicles bearing down on them. While I admire their courage, it is a little too unbelievable. Others wisely decide to get off the road and let me pass, while some, thinking themselves clever, race the wrong way to avoid the one tire... and get squashed by the other. (Perhaps they were short-sighted?)
Regardless, we try to avoid all of them, but inevitably some lose the game -- without a reset button.

Family Time
Tonight for dinner we had Pizza Hut (I would have prefered Papa John's, but my choices are limited). That isn't the point. What I found, shockingly, approvingly, but disheartedly, was that the box was filled with conversation starters. It encouraged the kids to start conversations with there parents ("Who were your friends when you were my age?" type of thing). I was surprised to find the box filled with ideas for games and conversations. Then I noted, with approval, the small print advertising that Pizza Hut had been part of providing an atmosphere for families to get together since 1958 (they also advertised their "Book-it!" program to encourage children to read -- which I participated in faithfully in elementary school, earning lots of personal pan pizzas). I found it admirable that Pizza Hut was trying to help families grow together and enjoy themselves.

Yet then I realized the reason for the not-so-subtle nudge for the parents to be with their children. Families aren't spending quality time together. They may spend time "together", eating a pizza while watching tv (or, as one of my friends has reminisced, "the only time I can remember we were together was while playing "Mortal Kombat") but not quality time. Our society is decaying (if not already on it's death bed) because our families are dysfunctional.

I'm glad to see a company trying to make a difference and proud to have, although not purposely, supported that company. Hopefully others (the companies, that is) will try to make a difference so we can rescue the next generation of families. Perhaps the "in-your-face" reminders from Pizza Hut can encourage my generation - the one starting families now - to make some changes.

But I still prefer the pizza, because it's better tasting, from Papa John's.
Until next time...