I have this flower in my garden.
I grew it from seed.
For alllllll to see.
So anyone passing by can admire it.
And stare at it.
And be confused by it.
At which point they inevitably ask me ...
"What is the name of that flower?".
At which point I feign deafness. Or stupidity. At the very least I pretend I only speak a very obscure version of Gnome.
I can't tell them the name of this flower.
I know what it is. I just can't bring myself to tell them.
But I'll tell you.
Try saying that to a curious 16 year old boy.
It's actually called Celosia Cristata, but its common name is Cockscomb. Wonder why? This picture should shed some light on the situation.
Cockscomb. Ick. But I guess it's better than Peniscomb. Or Johnsoncomb. Or Thatolepurplethingcomb.
It's funny what will embarrass me (cockscomb) and what won't (entire video of me testing a frozen yogourt tampon). Don't even get me started on tripping in public or going through the cash of a teenage boy with tampons in my grocery cart.
So what about you? I'm sure there's SOMETHING that embarrasses you.
For instance in the case of my mother, what embarrasses her ... is probably me.
We have a 1960's version of The Tortoise and the Hare, and every time I read this line to my 3 year old, I inwardly crack up....
"the Cock swelled up to start the race"....
ba ha ha ha ha!!!!
@Debbie, my dad is Richard, called Dick. As an adolescent I was intermittently mortified by nothing so much as this fact and that he had a belt buckle which proclaimed his name to the world.
My kids' middle school has a youngish teacher named Mrs.. Titsworth, which I have always considered unfortunate also...
Went to school with a Richard, who was a Jr., who when by Dick as did his dad. So when you called their house ans asked if Dick was there, they always asked, "Big Dick or Little Dick?" I never knew the polite thing to say.
Embarrassing moment: Just recently I sent a picture text to my husband of myself with two balloons stuck up my shirt...did I happen to mention that my husband and father-in-law have the same name? You guessed it...went straight to my father-in-law.Also, my husband thinks it should be called "vag-comb" ...that is one visual image I could have done without.
Hah hah hah! Oh boyyyyy. Could have been worse with the father-in-law. Tell your husband he's gross. :) ~ karen!
Husband thinks that is a compliment :)
Hah! Good for him. :) ~ k
Oh my! You need a tv show! I can't believe I have never stumbled upon your blog before. You have just become my favorite blogger and I want to be at the same parties as you! I love your wit and sense of humor.
Thanks Brenda! I used to have a tv show. I left the tv show(s). Blogging's more fun. Actually I lie to you. I am on a tv show right now. I'm the voice of My House Your Money. But that doesn't count 'cause I don't have to do my hair for it. ~ karen
It is very interesting what embarrasses different people. Not surprisingly many of the comments mentioned tampons or condoms although, for me, I always felt those were the sorts of things you lose your embarrassment over as you age.
If I ever have teenage kids one day, I plan on telling them, "You'll know you're mature enough for sex when you can look the cashier in the eye as you buy condoms."
Which chicken got the do-up? Nice extraction!
That would be Norma. :) And thank you. ~ karen
I love your Cockscomb! You have magical fingers!!! ;-)
Well, I'm not really embarrassed buying tampons, however when my hubby and I shop together at Costco, and tampons are on the to get list which my hubby insists on....that's another story. He yells loud..."hey sweetie don't forget the TAAAAMPOOONS!" And especially when there is a coupon he goes..."SWEETIEEEE WHY DON'T YOU GET 3 BOXES OF TAAAAMPOOONS...we'll save almost 9 bucks!"
I act like I don't know him...and he's cracking up...and so are all the other customers! "hahahaha"
Love,
Ally
Cockscomb is very pretty..You should plant different colors together..They are also very pretty dried and hung-up or in flower arrangements..Notice how I didn't say anything dirty or embarrassing?? Just wanted to show you how sophisticated I am...Ha!
Ha! Every year, my email filter catches me when I offer friends branches from my tree blooms with with fuzzy catkins (pussy willow). Sheesh!
I have always had a problem saying Peonies with out smirking. I grew up with four brothers who called there boy-parts "Pee-nees".
I had to think about this one. Early on buying tampons or birth control was the worst. After giving birth and falling in a gym with first graders, breaking my ankle and wetting my pants not much else really matters. There still is one that gets me to this day. Calling men whose name is Richard, Dick as a shorten name. How that even works I don't know. In my life for what ever reason they all seem to be elderly men in their 80's and its just WRONG.
I shouldn't admit to laughing out loud at that. But I did. A lot. The first graders did me in. ~ karen
Walking farts. Enough said.
I just had a LOL moment! Thanks to the thought that I have gone in several times to any of the DIY stores and asked "Where can I find caulk?" Never once was I embarrassed or even considered it but now I will have to stop myself from cracking up if I ask again!
And then along comes Anne and injects sanity into this dicussion. Crested Celosia. That is a pretty name, much more dignified that Cockscomb, which never bothered me until now. Pussy Willow has always give me pause, but caulk? Not till this very moment. Home Depot will never be the same to me again.
What embarasses me? Finding out I've been asking a 17 year old boy at HD for caulk.
Here's a weird one for you . . . I vacuum daily (with four dogs and four cats, it's a necessity). Dirty carpets would embarrass me more, probably, but I'm always a bit horrified when someone comes to the door and I haven't put the vacuum away. I know it's irrational, but it feels a bit like having my lingerie exposed to public scrutiny or something.
Soooooo.... I'm guessing growing pussy willow is a no-go?
LOL! Nope. Ask my sister. I refuse to acknowledge the existence of it. ~ karen
Even worse one for you....we had a weeping pussy willow. Pretty tree, but the name! Was never so glad to see a tree go so I didn't have to tell anyone what kind of tree it was
If mine were made of willow, I would weep too......
I mean my cat.
@janie farmer. Please don't be embarrassed by that question. You have gone through something and come out the other end a stronger woman for it. Please do not be embarrassed by any scar or mark you have from the experience. Each is a badge of honor, each with their own beauty because you are here to give them life. Sorry if this attention embarrasses you, but I know too many people who live their lives trying to hide their scars, and instead hide themselves from the world.
k, karen, this is the best post ever!!!! you crack me up! vicki :)
I'm not emabarrased to say anything,but my husband won't pronounce CAULK!properly,he says it makes him feel dirty,which BTW I find kind of sexy!!!
http://www.dawnajonesdesign.com/
Dawna - I too have an issue with that at the hardware store. ~ karen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HteJ3MoDQNA
OMG. I couldn't even finish watching it, LOL. I hate to watch situations like that. Stresses me out. I haven't even been able to watch any of the Borat movies because of it! It's that whole funny/mortifying/embarassing thing. ~ karen
OMG. I couldn't even finish watching it, LOL. I hate to watch situations like that. Stresses me out. I haven't even been able to watch any of the Borat movies because of it! It's that whole funny/mortifying/embarrassing thing. ~ karen
Sweet holy Mary! I don't know how that salesman remained so professional! I am going to need to get my inhaler now...
corey
A laugh riot!!! Reminds me of when I asked the very handsome young Home Depot worker guy where his seeds were ;)