A brief conversation with my new nieces, one of whom seems to be a better judge of character than I am.

Lauren (age 7): We didn’t like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Me: Why?
Sophia: It was scary.
Me: How was it scary?
Sophia: I don’t know, it had real people.
Me: That makes it scary?
Lauren: Well, it had real people, and that’s scarier than cartoons, but it’s also like, when they were talking? They sounded mean, but the words they were saying were nice. So that was too scary.

-What the hell is that crow eating?
-A human heart?
-I’m pretty sure that’s bad luck.
-Or it mean’s someone’s getting married.
-Or, like, early crop?

-Look, riblets!
-Tiny little girl ribs. They serve them garnished with tutus.
-Gross. Now I can’t order those.
-I think you’re thinking of riblettes anyway.
-Yeah riblets are client-side ribs.

It’s July, and that means Blogher in San Jose. Are you coming? If so, I’m moderating a panel on Saturday, July 29. It’s called “Is the Next Martha Stewart a Blogger?” and I’ll be talking to designer Andrea Scher of Superhero Designs, gardener and author Gayla Trail of You Grow Girl, foodie Pim Techamuanvivit of Chez Pim, and knitter Marnie MacLean of MarnieMacLean.com. If you’ll be there, come introduce yourself and join in the conversation.