Recently in a post, I asked you to ask me a few questions.
I have compiled them below with my answers.
While thousands of you asked me for money, candy and kidneys, please know that I was legally not able to follow through with your requests.
Too much red tape.
Joe asks: Why do I keep forgetting to take my cereal bowl to the kitchen in the mornings after I get done catching up on my google reader?
Great question, Joe. The reason you leave your cereal bowl is so when your wife asks, “Are there any more dishes before I start the dishwasher?” you can say, “No.” That way, when she discovers the bowl almost immediately after having started the dishes, she will smile to herself and remember how hilarious you are with all of your jokes.
It is also because of the dangerous mind-altering radio waves emitted from Google reader.
Rhonda asks: I would LOVE a complete breakdown of all of your children’s complete names. what does each and every element mean to you and Lacey? Bonus question – when you use the Queen’s English in your writings, does it somehow make you feel superiour (LOL) to the rest of us? Yeah – that’s what I thought…
Riley Amber Cook – Riley is our eldest, and we had the chance to adopt her whilst living in Virginia. “Riley” was a name we all liked and referenced James Whitcomb Riley, “The Children’s Poet.” Amber Cook is her birth name that we kept.
London Elizabeth Scout – London’s name has roots in my hometown of London, Ohio. “Elizabeth” was based on one of the best human beings I’ve known and who made such an enormous impact on me – my 3rd grade teacher, Elizabeth Kuenzli. It is also Lacey’s middle name. “Scout” is from To Kill a Mockingbird.
Mosely Elliot Claiborne – When Colleen (her birth name) came to live with us at 3 months old, she made strange sounds in the night. They sounded like the noises of an active gremlin. I then called her “Gizmo,” from the movie Gremlins. It was shortened to “Mo,” and when it came time to adopt, I offered the name “Mosely.” “Elliot” is from the amazing Elizabeth Elliot, wife of Jim Elliot, the missionary killed while serving a remote tribe. Claiborne is a family name on Lacey’s side.
Bergen Hawkeye Norton – Bergen got his name from my grandpa, Bergen McDonald. “Hawkeye” is from Last of the Mohicans/M.A.S.H. (which both apply if you know your television/film history about Benjamin Franklin Pierce). It also allows us to call him “Hawke.” “Norton” is Lacey’s mom’s maiden name.
Piper Finnian Willow Lacey – Piper’s name was just light and fun and tiny, like she was (and still is). “Finnian” is from the Irish folk hero, Finn McCool, who sucked his thumb for wisdom. “Willow” is a tender name from a song by Paul McCartney called Little Willow. “Lacey” is… Lacey’s name, but really named after Lacey’s mom’s middle name.
Otto Fox Wilder McDonald – Otto is just an awesome name and a palindrome. It is also graphically pleasing and fun to write like this : oTTo. “Fox” is also another awesome name and keeping with the animal name lineage of the little Keigley boys (Hawk). “Wilder” is from famed author, Laura Ingalls Wilder and also allows us to call him “Wilde Fox.” And as you know now, “McDonald” is a family name.
…whew.
And for the Bonus Question? I will answer more fully in a later post, but know this – It does not make me feel superiour.
Evan asks: Do you even play the keyboard?
Dang straight I do. The keyboard featured in my blog’s banner, belonged to my daughter Riley, and has been sold to an up-and-coming Mozart/Herbie Hancock.
Here are a few answers to some questions you asked.
If you still have a pressing question, click here and lay it down.
When you were growing up, were you known for something awesome? Did your pals say, “Hey! Here comes ol’ [enter cool name based upon something you do]!” Did you have a moniker on the back of your intramural jersey?
What is a name?
