"It's not a bad way to spend the day. Beats the hell out of Patient Safety."

My mom recently retired. She's gone from an important career at a local hospital to someone who has time now to enjoy other pursuits.

I'm proud of her. She's earned it.

So what's next, Ma? New York? Paris?

Mom: I took a class at church last week. We learned how to make Butter Lambs.

Me: You made what?

Mom: A Butter Lamb.

Me: What the hell's a Butter Lamb?

Mom: I took four sticks of butter and made my own little Butter Lamb. Don't you remember when we lived in Buffalo and I'd get one every year at Easter?

(long pause)

Me: I remember a whole lot of things from Buffalo. Chocolate bunnies in my Easter Basket. Sunrise Mass where we blamed the Jews instead of the Romans. Bio Dad drinking a six-pack before breakfast. And a meal filled with dead animals. But I don't remember Butter Lambs.

Mom: Butter Lambs make the most delightful little centerpiece for the table. Here. Look at what I created. Isn't it something?

Me: Wow. So this is what retirement is all about, huh? Workshops on how to turn condiments into edible works of art.

Mom: I'm no Michaelangelo, but I did a good job.

Me: You sure did. I mean, it doesn't taste nearly as good as the Chocolate Obama I was hoping to find in my Easter Basket this year. But it is something.

(long pause)

Me: That's for sure.