My usual daily routine was interrupted yesterday when I volunteered to babysit my 17 month grandson.

His grandmother, my ex, watches him most days. But she's divorcing her second husband, the man she left me for, and struggling to "find herself" (according to my daughter).

But this is about my little "Johnny" and me, not her. His name is really Jensen, my ex's maiden name. And because of the association (not to mention my own son's middle name is Jensen), I can't bare to call him by his given name.

Anyway, Johnny and I played and read and romped around outdoors. We went to visit my sisters and father. For some reason, he paniced at the sight of my dad--started crying convulsively in fear! He's never done that before, so I was mystified.

Otherwise, he was perfect. I introduced him to the Aldi experience, as I needed groceries! The field across the road from my house was being planted, and he was mesmerized by the tractor and planter. Everytime it would come around, he would point and dash to the window to watch. He knows sign language, giving the sign for driving. His vocabulary is only a few basic "ma-ma" words, but his "signing" is incredible! Too bad I couldn't understand him! Fun day.