Packing for Columbus

 

Scot-Michael: And where are you off to with all those suitcases?

Nicholas Sahara: Dear Chance Victor is accompanying Daddy John to the

Columbus Festival, so I offered to assist him with his packing.

Scot-Michael: Why am I suddenly suspicious, I ask myself.

Chance Victor: Er, and why Nanny Wendy's carpet bag?

Nicholas: You won't want to pack everything in your steamer trunk, you know.

The porters will store that deep down in the ship's hold!  You can place

things you'll immediately need in the bag and keep it with you.

Nicholas: I've also railway timetables for when you reach this Ohio place.

Chance: So much to unpack here...

Scot-Michael: I know, but he's got a good heart.

Nicholas: Great Richard the III's Ghost, what have I got wrong now?!?

Chance: First of all, we're flying.  Can you even sail to Ohio?

Nicholas: An aeroplane?  Oh, of course.

You'll still need the railway schedule!

Chance: Daddy John is renting a car.

Nicholas: Oh.

Nicholas: You can still use the bag to pack your clothes.

Chance: We're going to be gone for only 4 days. 

Daddy John is packing my clothes in his suitcase.

Nicholas: Oh.  >Sigh<

Nicholas: Will you at least need the valise?

Chance: Actually, yes!  I'll bring it along for souvenirs.

Nicholas: Lovely!  Happy I could help.

Later...

Nicholas: >Sigh< I try so hard.

Scot-Michael: I know.  You're a good soul.

You're an old one, but a good one.

Fearless Fashion

 

Nathan: Going for a walk?

Pamela: No, just to the kitchen to put the kettle on for tea.

Nathan: Then what's with the shades?

Pamela: Frank and Rhoda are in there, and, well, you how know they have

a rather...>ahem<...fearless fashion sense?

Pamela: Sometimes it can be just a bit overwhelming.

Nathan: Wow, when I close my eyes, I can see flashes of light and color.

Rhoda: We'll take that as a compliment.

Rhoda: Didja hear that, Frank? We have a 'fearless fashion sense'!

Frank: Cool.  I wonder if I could trade mine for a candy bar.

Rhoda: Why don't you go ask Holly Belle.

(from the other room)

Frank: Hey Holly Belle, I'll trade you my fashion sense for a Milky Way bar.

Holly Belle: Go away, you fool!

Frank: How about a Kit Kat?

Rhoda: >snort<

Rhoda: >Sigh< Some things just never get old.

Moving Clothes

Daddy Steve:  In the New York City of olden times, all residential leases expired simultaneously on May 1st, causing thousands of people to change residences all at the same time.  

Here at Gregoropolis, we have a spring rite that's only slightly less chaotic: the changing of the outfits.  Our standards may be a bit lax here at times, but there's one thing that I absolutely will not give up.  All the kids must have their outfits changed seasonally, in spring and fall.  When you have this many kids, it's a major undertaking!

Moving Day in Little Old New York, 1827

Clothes Moving Day in Little Old Gregoropolis, 2025

I actually got an early start this year, changing some of the girls who were wearing more wintery dresses in March, thus buying me a little more time for them.

Sally: We did an early spring change.

Robin: Well, well, aren't you clever.

Farrah: As a matter of fact, we are.

Sally: It's about time you realized that!

Right now, the big push is to get all of the boys in summer clothing.  I make sure to rotate outfits every year.

Frederick: Are you sure I didn't wear this last year?

Lewis: Oh, no, Daddy Steve has a good memory for that kind of stuff.

Logan: He just can't remember anything else.

There are a few exceptions to this rule.  Patrick and Ravi are two of my favorites, so they naturally always wear the same favorite outfits.

Patrick: It's illogical to change a successful strategy.

Ravi: And just plain silly.

Patrick: That too.

Another boy who always wears the same two outfits year in and year out is Rolf.  You see, Rolf is just not big on change...

Rolf in winter.

Rolf in summer.

This year, however, I thought it would be really cute to have him and Hermey wearing matching outfits.

Hermey: But Rolfie, it will be fun!

Rolf: Nein!

Helpfully, Gino provided a little push...

Gino: I'm wearing your outfit now!  If you want it, you'll have to catch me!

>Tee-Hee!<

Rolf: >Mutter, mutter, grumble, grumble<

Eventually, Rolf gave in.

Hermey: Don't we look swell?

Rolf: >Humpf<  I vear it better.