So, turns out I’ve been saying the word “ragoût” wrong for my entire life, but that’s fine because I’ve never actually said the word out loud until I had to help Hailey practice a million spelling words, and then Victor was like “Seriously? Did you just say ‘rag out‘? That’s not even a word. It’s pronounced “ragú“. Which seems insane, because I was like “No, that’s a brand-name” but turns out that “ragú” may have come from “ragoût” and they’re pronounced the same, which is just intentionally confusing if you ask me.
Anyway, today Hailey competed in her second spelling bee and she did fantastic. She came in 4th, and by round 20 she was the youngest person left and the last girl standing. It was farther than I’d have gotten and we were very proud.
The mom sitting next to me patted my arm consolingly when Hailey left the stage but I shrugged and said, “Meh. It’s not her fault she didn’t know the word. Frankly, I blame drugs.” She looked a little uncomfortable, but in my defense, the word Hailey missed was “hydroponic” and I only know that word because of pot. Maybe if pot was legalized in Texas she’d be exposed to it more and would have won. After all, exposure to illegal drugs can limit your learning potential, but apparently so can a lack of exposure to illegal drugs.
I guess my point is that I blame myself. And drugs. And Texas.
PS. Victor thinks it’s weird that weed is the first thing that comes to mind when I hear “hydroponic” so I asked twitter, and (aside from several people venturing “Water pony?”) most everyone else is saying “Pot. Please share.” Also, quite a few people are saying “DISNEYLAND” for some reason. I suspect that means they’re high already. Or very, very sheltered. Much like my daughter, who now wants a water pony.
PPS. I was just looking up “ragout” and wikipedia gives two recipes. One starts with “Take a quantity of pig’s ears and boil one half in wine and the other water.” The other recipe includes lamb’s testicles and boiled cock combs. It ends with the instruction: “Use it when called for.” Who is purposely calling for this?