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Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

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Dinner Conversations

July 21, 2011 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Some days I feel like I cheated on a test to get into this family.

As it often does, the conversation at dinner last night went something* like this:

. . . . .

Small Man: I was thinking, if there is an atom with two electrons in its outer shell and another atom with three electrons passes near it, will it lose one electron to the first atom?

Big Boy: No, because then it would be unbalanced again, so it wouldn’t work like that. Have you been learning chemistry at school?

Small Man: No, I’ve been reading about it in a book.  We haven’t done chemistry in science yet.

Small Man: Also, about organic chemistry – you know how life forms are carbon-based…do you think it’s possible for there to be life forms that are based on another element?

Pete: The reason carbon is important is because it readily forms compounds with a range of other elements and the possible combinations of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen are practically limitless and the complexity of these molecules makes it possible for them to act as locks and keys and catalysts for complex interactions.

Small Man: do you think it’s possible for there to be silicon based lifeforms?

Pete: Some people have written papers on that – they think because silicon can behave in a similar way to carbon that it might be possible, yes.

Small Man: do you think that’s how they came up with the idea in Star Trek?

. . . . .

Sigh…

Over the past fortnight, they’ve discussed supercluster galaxies, communism and the Cold War, the physics behind Green Lantern’s power ring, the chemical structures of noble gases, the use of gyroscopes in rocket guidance systems, and whether or not Schrödinger had an invisible cat.

I can remember a time when the conversation at dinner centered around why Toby the Tram Engine needed a cowcatcher.

I could contribute to the discussion back then, without sounding like a git.

Now I just smile serenely and listen to the three of them in awe.

* Please don’t leave a comment to tell me that the science is wrong – I did my best to remember what was said, but I was having trouble keeping up.  Oh, and I know Schrödinger didn’t have an invisible cat – I just put that in to annoy Pete.

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Posted in Musings | 73 Comments

73 Responses

  1. on July 21, 2011 at 12:03 am scrambledpreservedfriedcured

    Love this post (even though I am a carbon-based life form).


    • on July 21, 2011 at 6:46 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Emily, our friend David tells me we’re all made of stardust…exactly as the Joni Mitchell song says.. :)

      We are stardust…we are golden…billion year old carbon
      And we’ve got to get ourselves…back to the garden


  2. on July 21, 2011 at 12:14 am drfugawe

    Hey, I’ll bet the guys are in the dark when it comes to the secrets of sourdough and tempering chocolate – and that’s science too! Truth is, there’s just too much stuff to learn now – who can even know more than a tiny bit?


    • on July 21, 2011 at 7:03 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Doc, yes, I’ve tried telling them there’s science there too, but only Pete is really interested. :)


  3. on July 21, 2011 at 12:15 am Suelle

    At least you don’t have arguments at mealtimes. My lot ‘discuss’ politics – Hubs is becoming a staid conservative as he gets older, CT is staunchly left wing and FB is a feminist – can you imagine the result?

    As you say – it’s a far cry from Thomas the Tank Engine, and persuading them to eat their vegetables! ;)


    • on July 21, 2011 at 7:02 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Suelle, that sounds like a recipe for some very volatile dinner discussions! Do you try and mediate, or just let them at it?

      I do miss the Thomas the Tank Engine years… ;-)


      • on July 23, 2011 at 2:26 am Suelle

        I wish I could send them all to their rooms and leave me to eat in peace! LOL!


  4. on July 21, 2011 at 12:21 am Pam

    I got a small glimpse into my future reading this. I had a conversation with my big girl (3yrs) the other day about why the moon appeared in a different part of the sky at different times of the day. While I was trying to explain fairly simply to her that the earth spins, she correctly suggested that perhaps the earth moved AND the moon moved. In the mean time however, my small girl (1yr) was eating snails :)


    • on July 21, 2011 at 7:00 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Pam, if you have an iPod Touch or an iPhone there is a wonderful app you can buy called StarWalk which will show you all the phases of the moon on a given day and exactly where all the stars are in the sky. I wrote it up here a while ago – great stuff!

      What a smart 3 year old you have! And a gourmet foodie already in the little one! :)


  5. on July 21, 2011 at 12:23 am sallybr

    Wonderful! It must be a complete joy for you to see the boys growing with such sharp minds and curiosity about things! You and your hubby are doing an amazing job raising them, it’s obvious!

    ask if they want to visit our lab one day… I can make a bacteria fluorescent in bright green colors, and a few more tricks they might like to see ;-)


    • on July 21, 2011 at 6:57 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Sally, they would LOVE that! Thank you! :)


  6. on July 21, 2011 at 12:42 am Joanna

    Brian says, ‘What’s Toby doing on there’ ? The trick with science for the non scientists is to read those magazines like New Scientist which present potted versions of newish stuff and sometimes you get a little flashlet of understanding. I remember something called Heisenberg’s Principle of Uncertainty (the one about how a poodle shouldn’t be able to be in two places at the same time – forget that cat) and the business about the wavicles.. and the Second Law of Thermodynamics (all cake gets eaten ultimately). Lovely funny post darling!


    • on July 21, 2011 at 6:54 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      I’ve always been too scared to pick up the New Scientist, but I’ll have to make sure I do from now on. I think Heisenberg had some air time at the dinner table recently .. :)


  7. on July 21, 2011 at 12:47 am thecompletecookbook

    You can be extra proud of your smart boys Celia. Think I would have to take notes spending an evening around the dinner table with them.
    :-) Mandy


    • on July 21, 2011 at 6:52 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Mandy, thank you – I am very proud of them, but mostly because they’re so curious and fascinated with the world. Thank goodness Pete and Big Boy can still field Small Man’s million questions!


  8. on July 21, 2011 at 1:03 am theonlycin

    Good genes, those lads have :)


    • on July 21, 2011 at 6:50 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Cindy, thank you! All three of them are very kind to me, even though I can’t keep up.. :)


  9. on July 21, 2011 at 6:09 am Kavey

    Crikey, that’s awesome!


    • on July 21, 2011 at 6:48 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Kavey, I think so. I just sit there and listen to them bouncing off each other in amazement…


  10. on July 21, 2011 at 7:29 am bagnidilucca

    Good grief!! I got lost after the first couple of words. Just as well sombeody understands this stuff. I can make a dress.


    • on July 21, 2011 at 7:33 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Yes you can, darling. And win a whole swag of awards for it. :)


  11. on July 21, 2011 at 7:35 am teawithhazel

    you have the future movers and shakers of the scientific community eating at your table every day..you must both be so proud..jane


    • on July 21, 2011 at 1:01 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Jane, I don’t know about that, but I do know they have inquiring and curious minds, and that’s what really makes me happy! :)


  12. on July 21, 2011 at 7:37 am Abby

    Wow, I was completely confused almost immediately! I think we’re heading there, as well, as my four-year-old already has a much bigger knowledge of dinosaurs and construction vehicles than I ever will! (Our dinner conversation sounds something like, “Hey, did you like the new bulldozer Daddy found in his old toys?” “That’s an excavator, not a bulldozer, Mom.”) I am totally impressed with your guys. =)


    • on July 21, 2011 at 1:04 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Abby, oh how I miss the dinosaur phase! We went through that too – and I think we still have the models stashed away somewhere… :)


  13. on July 21, 2011 at 8:27 am InTolerantChef

    Poor old Celia! I guess that you’re faking it cause those boys get half their carbon based genes from you too. But I know how you feel, Dr Karl is on the ipad in the car, and blows were almost exhanged last week over theories as to who would be most right- if they were realities, and all we watch is documentaries or the Big Bang Theory after dinner. Littlej is still determined to be Astronaut when she grows up, but Mummy is happy being a Gastronaut- and if you bring me Schrodingers cat I’ll stick that damn thing in a pot and cook it!


    • on July 21, 2011 at 1:04 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Big Bang is the favourite around here too, Becca! :)


  14. on July 21, 2011 at 8:58 am Clare

    Sigh, we used to get complicated maths discussions at dinner that I couldn’t follow – at least this year with HSC girl studying all humanities I get a look in!! Lovely, lovely post :-)


    • on July 21, 2011 at 1:05 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Clare, I couldn’t keep up with HSC English either! Small Man had to read Animal Farm recently – hence the discussion on communism and the cold war – and everyone’s had an opinion on that! ;-)


  15. on July 21, 2011 at 9:46 am MamaVix

    (As I write, little lad is watching Thomas the Tank engine and playing with his train set.) I think it’s important to remember that we played a big part in getting them to this point, and if we catch ourselves feeling a bit dim (that is frequently for me, with a husband who is a walking encyclopaedia and dictionary) we should concentrate on our wonderful achievements elsewhere…in the kitchen, in the art studio, in the garden, for example…
    What an amazing family you have Celia!


    • on July 21, 2011 at 1:12 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Vix, you’re very kind to try to reassure me, but honestly, I’ve never felt insecure about not keeping up with them. I think that’s all because of Pete, who is never condescending, even when I go on about Schrodinger’s invisible cat. Dinner is always a time of great affection and laughter, and the boys are very appreciative of the things I can do. And if my eyes do gloss over when the conversation gets complicated, there’s only ever very good natured teasing that ensues.. :)


  16. on July 21, 2011 at 9:52 am Linda Woodrow

    The hero in this story is you Celia! Creating a space where people sit around the dinner table having profound conversations for no other reason than that they are interesting is a superpower.


    • on July 21, 2011 at 1:14 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Linda, thank you! That’s exactly what they do – have profound conversations simply because they’re interested in things! (I think we’ll be talking about microbats tonight, after the photo on your blog yesterday!)


  17. on July 21, 2011 at 10:17 am Michael - Moo

    if it makes you feel any better I had a discussion with my 7 year old boy about plasma bottles (oh the plasma as in a state of matter not the blood kind) and if they really could hold a piece of the sun on the way to school. Damn Autobots ;)


    • on July 21, 2011 at 1:15 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Oh your turn is so coming, Moo. Mind you, you’re more than up for it! :)


  18. on July 21, 2011 at 10:23 am Jan

    Having been a fascinated viewer of the wonderful alchemy you create in your kitchen I am not surprised by the fascinating conversations your dinner table engenders! (But I would be tempted to sit there wearing a pair of those funny glasses where they have eye balls on springs:)


    • on July 21, 2011 at 1:16 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Jan, no funny glasses, but I have on occasion wanted to clap my hands to my ears and sing, “la la la la la”… :)


  19. on July 21, 2011 at 10:34 am Christine

    Lovely, lovely! Did your men watch the show on the Universe the other night on ABC? I agree with Linda – you are absolutely the star in this picture!! :)


    • on July 21, 2011 at 1:16 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Chris, thank you! No, didn’t watch the show, but we’ll look out for it, thanks for the headsup! :)


  20. on July 21, 2011 at 1:05 pm Craig

    This was so nice to read.
    The dinner table with all around her makes a meal nourishing in all ways..
    Craig


    • on July 21, 2011 at 1:17 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Craig, thank you. Can’t wait until you’re back and we can have you over again for a meal! :)


  21. on July 21, 2011 at 2:40 pm Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

    Haha well I don’t know which one I would feel more out of depth in, this conversation or a sporting one! :P


    • on July 21, 2011 at 4:05 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      If the topic gets onto sport, my eyes really glaze over! :)


  22. on July 21, 2011 at 3:01 pm Anna Johnston

    Hahaha…. Very amusing. You poor thing having to sit through that. What happens if you try to change the subject?


    • on July 21, 2011 at 4:05 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Hehehe…why would I want to do that? I get to learn something new almost every meal time! :)


  23. on July 21, 2011 at 4:11 pm Marilyn

    I totally subscribe to the invisible cat theory. :-) Our conversations are more about mortise and tenon neck joints for ukeleles and the theme to Starcraft in the Japanese opera version of the commercial. Aren’t dinner tables a bit of heaven?

    Maz


    • on July 21, 2011 at 4:25 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Yep, they’re a gift from God! I’m not surprised to hear there are fascinating discussions at your dinner table too, Maz! :)


  24. on July 21, 2011 at 7:57 pm Tandy

    I read every word – and like you, keeping quiet would seem the best choice :)


    • on July 22, 2011 at 7:40 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Tandy, I do a lot of nodding.. ;-)


  25. on July 21, 2011 at 8:08 pm cityhippyfarmgirl

    I think the only thing I would be able to contribute to that conversation would be to smile politely and probably emit a nervous giggle.
    Dinner conversations are still prodominantly in the Thomas field round here, although Monkey Boy is really starting to ask some curly questions, thank god for trusty google…and Mr Chocolate!


    • on July 22, 2011 at 7:41 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      We’re lucky to have husbands who can field the tricky questions, Brydie! And google and wikipedia! ;-)


  26. on July 21, 2011 at 8:59 pm J Cosmo Newbery

    Very impressive dinner conversations!


    • on July 22, 2011 at 7:41 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Cosmo, means a lot coming from you! :)


  27. on July 21, 2011 at 9:34 pm Mrs Bok

    That is some dinner conversation!


    • on July 22, 2011 at 7:43 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Mrs Bok, it’s so varied – last night’s discussion was on how the special effects in the latest Captain America movie were done.. ;-)


  28. on July 21, 2011 at 10:03 pm PeteA

    The only thing I’m certain of (other than Heisenberg being the most profound of the Copenhagen School) is that you’re doing a wonderful job of parenting. I’m nearly certain that was the only conversation of its type at any family dinner table last night.


    • on July 22, 2011 at 7:44 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks dearheart, that is very reassuring coming from someone who’s known the kids since they were born! :)


  29. on July 21, 2011 at 11:39 pm Peter Bryenton

    Buy them a professor Brian Cox DVD. And remember that his wife says he’s a nerd.


    • on July 22, 2011 at 7:45 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Peter, we like nerds at our place! :)


  30. on July 21, 2011 at 11:51 pm Hwa

    Hahahaha…bazinga ;) You do know what this means, right? You’ll just have to come over and hang out with our lot a bit more; we can bake, paint, braid each others’ hair, do our nails… :P


    • on July 22, 2011 at 7:45 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Yeah, yeah, I know, I should have had a girl or two.. ;-)


  31. on July 21, 2011 at 11:52 pm heidi

    Celia-
    I read your post with smiles and remembered the many texts of philosophy, religion and now law that I’ve read to keep up with the very thread of conversation! I think I’ve taken courses in everything my sons have and some my nieces have too!
    No one is very interested is my area of interests past eating it or a quick read- but then- I wanted them to go in their directions, anyway!
    You are the mother that they need to fuel their discussions with your interest( even when your eyes glaze over)- I’m sure they like to break it down a little so you can keep up!
    I now know more about certain aspects of the law than I ever wanted to- and J is only at the end of his second year. :)


    • on July 22, 2011 at 7:49 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Heidi, they’re remarkably non-condescending. I just love listening to the banter – almost nothing makes me happier.

      In the car a few weeks ago, I heard this from the backseat..

      SM: Why is the temperature on Venus hotter than on Mercury, if Mercury is closer to the sun?

      BB: Good question! It has to do with the atmosphere on Venus trapping the heat in…Mercury doesn’t have an atmosphere, and therefore…

      :)


  32. on July 22, 2011 at 7:54 am Sally

    Priceless. I will be much more grateful and a lot less irritated when my teen (girls) have conversations about Justin Bieber and MCR.


    • on July 22, 2011 at 8:00 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Sally, you made me smile – the only time I mentioned Justin Bieber, Small Man said, “who?”. :)


  33. on July 22, 2011 at 10:59 am Abbington

    We are fans of the CSIRO’s ‘Science by email’ that you can subscribe to – lots of cool, topical science stuff explained clearly! (and super-cool ‘experiments’ to do, too… we are thinking of having a Mad Science birthday party for our eldest one year)


    • on July 22, 2011 at 11:40 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thank you – we’ll check it out! :)


  34. on July 22, 2011 at 7:33 pm Tes

    You guys are like the Big Bang Theory series :)


    • on July 22, 2011 at 7:36 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Hahaha, occasionally it feels like that! :)


  35. on July 22, 2011 at 9:20 pm Lisa D

    Hey Celia,
    My 15yr old has resorted to grunting most days – but hey, it could be some ancient dialect and i should be proud! While the younger knows everything there needs to be known about starwars and the planets. How I crave some down to earth dinner conversation – maybe I should feed them more sourdough!?
    Cheers :)


  36. on July 22, 2011 at 9:24 pm Lisa D

    Oh and nerds rule!!


    • on July 23, 2011 at 8:21 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Lisa, they do! :)


  37. on August 6, 2011 at 8:50 am Platanos, Mangoes and Me!

    Great post..thanks for thesmile. I needed to smile.



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