Expiration States

Milk Carton - Expiration Closeup

Most relationships share a foundation of common interests and beliefs. Ours is no exception. There is however, an area within our marriage in which Caitlin and I have retreated to our separate ideological corners: food safety. The meaning of the phrase “food safety” may not be immediately clear to an outsider, but it is an issue which comes up so frequently within our household, that we’ve come to agree on that as the proper name for that as the area of debate. Specifically, food safety refers to the time period or conditions under which food may or may not be safe for human consumption. Continue reading

The Hot Zone Just Got Hotter

Croup-proof pacifierDropping Ryder off at day care on Friday, there was a seemingly innocuous note tacked to the cork message board with his name on it. Last week there was also a note, it contained a newsletter telling about the employee of the month and offering nutritious recipes for kids. This week was different. The note started off with the heading, “YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO CROUP”. It highlighted symptoms that include…a barking cough & wheezing while sleeping, all announced in an exaggerated frilly font. Really. Good job doomsday-note-author. I was slightly concerned when I read the headline containing news of croup exposure, but my concerns faded as I saw the pleasant and playful typography used in its announcement. Continue reading

Doc Brown is Dead to Me

I have never had the great displeasure of meeting Dr. Brown and my cynical side can’t be convinced that there really is an actual person known as “Dr. Brown.” What I do know, is that his name is attached to a series of products – in particular, the “Natural Flow” bottles that seem to be widely available for purchase.

I have little doubt that Dr. Brown – whether he exists as man or corporation – loves babies. Unfortunately, it has become obvious to me that Doc Brown’s love of babies is directly proportional only to his hatred of the parents of these very same infants. This curious dynamic, admittedly, requires additional explanation. Allow me do the heavy lifting. Continue reading