Anne mentioned the other day that she noticed I ate half of the last scone.
Half.
Which immediately brought up The Rule.
Years ago — back when Tess and Ezdon were in their tween years — I made a rule. I don’t remember calling a meeting or anything, but somehow it passed without objection. Shockingly uncontested, actually.
The rule was simple:
If there’s an odd number of treats and only one left… it goes to Dad.
It all started one night after supper. I opened the freezer drawer and noticed there was only one ice-cream sandwich left in a box that clearly started with an odd number. I declared the rule on the spot. Confidently. Like it had always existed.
And somehow… it stuck.
For years.
Anytime there was one cookie left, one square, one ice-cream — I’d calmly cite the rule. Occasionally I’d call dibs early, just to remind everyone it was still on the books. No challenges. No appeals. Full compliance.
Fast forward to this week.
I was in town running errands and stopped at our local bakery to pick up something sweet for Anne and me. I grabbed four very respectable bakery-made scones — two cranberry lemon and two maple walnut — and headed home.
On the drive back, I ate one cranberry lemon. (Quality control.)
That afternoon, we had coffee and I told Anne she should have the remaining cranberry, since I’d already tried one. This detail is important. Very important.
The next morning, coffee again. I opened the box.
One scone left.
Now, technically, this was a situation clearly covered by The Rule. One remaining. Two people. Case closed.
But… feeling generous, I decided to only take half.
Later that day, Anne went looking for her scone and noticed something was off.
“Why is there only half a scone left?” she asked.
I immediately cited the rule.
To my complete surprise… it was challenged.
Apparently — and this is news to me — there may be some confusion about whether the odd number is counted when the treats enter the house… or when they leave the store.
So now, it seems The Rule may require an amendment.
Discussions are ongoing. No final legislation yet.
I’ll keep you posted.
Farmer Rod