Charlie Bear here.
Mom Peep was peeling a hard-boiled egg the other day.
“Drat. I’m just no good at this,” she said. She gently pushed at the shell with her thumb and the shell tore away a huge hunk of the egg, leaving a gaping hole showing the orangey yolk. “I am not good at peeling eggs. No way.”
I sat on the cool tile floor in the kitchen and watched her at the counter. Her body language said it all. Frustrated. Angry.
“Man, why does this have to be so hard?” she said and washed the egg under a trickle of water at the sink.
She’s really not that good at peeling eggs at all. She’s also not a gourmet cook or a fashion model or an accountant or attorney or a doctor or a nurse. Though she does have qualities of all those things, even the part about peeling eggs.
Here’s the deal: I’m not good at certain things either. I like to think I’m perfect, but really, I’m not. I bark in the house, which makes Mom and Dad Peep super mad cause it jolts their world when my shrill bark bounces off the walls and ceiling. If they were ready for it, they wouldn’t be so startled, but I have no idea when it’s coming. I just hear something, or see something, and I bark at it. I’m only trying to protect them. Geesh.
But I am good at lots of things. Like I go to bed like a really good boy. Rex the big dog taught me how to do that. I chase away anything that dares to come near our backyard, like squirrels, raccoons, and possums. It took a while, but Mom and Dad Peep taught me to lay real nice and quiet by the dinner table without barking or huffing or posturing in any way. After they finish, I sometimes get a few tidbits of meat cut up and put into my food bowl. I love that part.
What I like to remember is what I’m good at, not what I’m not good at. So I tell Mom Peep to think of her good qualities, like she’s a great Mom to me, a great wife to Dad Peep, she knows how to make a mean salad that looks incredibly yummy even to me, and tons of other good stuff. And those things she’s not good at? She dresses nice, she can balance a checkbook, get a sliver out of Dad’s finger, and she can even negotiate at the street fair with the best of em.
Oh, and those hard-boiled eggs?
I say eat ’em fried. lol But seriously, she has to remember that it’s not always her fault and she shouldn’t dwell on it.
Ever do that? Focus too much on the negative parts and not enough on the positives?
How about concentrating on the things you do well? Heck, life’s too short to not feel good about yourself each and every day.
Wiggles and Woofs,
Charlie Bear
www.bjtayloronline.com
Did the boiled egg success tips work? I know it helps too if the eggs aren’t fresh ones–if they’ve been around awhile. How long is long enough I’ve never heard explained. But I know I’ve had my share of troubles with egg peeling. And some successes too. And gentley cracking them on the level, flat part of a counter,sort of bashing them and then rolling them around on the counter or between your palms before you start peeling them works better than a whack on the corner of the counter. I think it helps keep the inner membrane intact while loosening up the shell, which sometimes will come right off with the membrane. All eggs are not the same!
Jan,
I still say eat ’em fried! But seriously, Mom Peep has tried all kinds of things to peel them…some things work and some things don’t…but she keeps trying. And you are right: old eggs, new eggs, crack ’em and whack ’em…we do our best, right?
Wiggles to you,
Charlie Bear
Great one, BJ. One thing that age has done for me is to teach me to accept my shortcomings and enjoy what I can do. I’m also more tolerant of others. Takes awhile to get to this mellow stage. Oh, and by the way, if you belong to Costco, they have hard boiled eggs already shelled and packaged–two dozen in four packs of six each. I couldn’t do without them anymore. Fabulous for a salad or sandwich, for anywhere you want a boiled egg and they last a long time in the refrigerator, Just to let you know you’re not alone in your frustration and someone, bless ’em, has come up with help!
Jean,
I’m telling Mom Peep right away about those hard-boiled eggs at Costco! Amazing. She does see them when she’s on vacation, and marvels at how well someone else can peel a perfect egg. Thanks for writing about how you accept yourself and are more tolerant of others. That’s a big one too.
Wiggles and woofs to you,
Charlie Bear
Ohhhh, yes, Charlie Bear! I sometimes let myself dwell on the things I’m not too good at. But, be sure to tell your Mom-Peep, she’s so good at reminder me (and others, I’m sure) how gifted we all are. Each in our very own ways. Just like you!
Great message, from a sweet, sweet boy.
Julie,
I’ll be sure to give Mom Peep extra licks tonight and a special shimmy and shake when we go for our walk. She loves it when I shake so hard that I come up off the ground in a wiggle. It makes her laugh and I like that a lot.
Mom Peep said to wish you the best of peace and tranquility this week as you wrap up your project. She just knows you are doing a super good job.
Woofs to you,
Charlie Bear
I’m not sure why but this web site is loading extremely slow for me.
Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end?
I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
Sorry you are having trouble. I hope it clears up for you.
Charlie Bear and B.J.
CB & BJ, Mine do not always come out right ALL THE TIME either but I find there are a few things you can try to help the situation along.
1- Never boil eggs right out of the Frig., let them come to room temperature first. 2- Put a little Salt in the water;
3- Bring water and Eggs to a slow boil and boil for about 5-7 mins. slowly. 4- Let Eggs sit in water until almost cold before peeling.. Hope this helps…
But your peep mom is so good at doing almost everything until those little things don’t count. Your & my peep moms need to work on our barking though for I am just like you except I don’t know when to stop, I keep on & on.. Maybe we will slow down one day..
Take Care CB & BJ…
Woofs & Wags,
Beaugie
Beaugie,
Hmmm…sounds like a recipe for hard-boiled egg success. Mom Peep is going to try it. And I’m going to work on my barking. I’m going to try just doing the “huff-huff” thing instead of a full-on bark sometimes. It doesn’t always work, ’cause a bark just escapes me when I’m ruffled up, but I’m gonna try. Let’s work on it together, huh Beaugie?
Woofs (little ones again) to you,
Charlie Bear
Love it. B.J., Charlie Bear, you are so positive and encouraging. Thanks, as always, for the uplift. xxoo to both of you!
Shawnelle,
You uplift me, too! You have a wonderful blog where you share so much of your life. Thank you for that!
Wiggles and woofs,
Charlie Bear
You are so right, Charlie Bear. Although I am pretty close to perfect myself, I know there are a few areas I could improve on. And as terrific as my Mom is, she can’t peel hard boiled eggs either! We just have to concentrate on the things we are good at and not sweat the other stuff.
Your pal,
Jake
Jake,
Woofs to that comment! We love our Mom Peeps no matter what, right?
Wiggles to you,
Charlie Bear