Boys and their Toys

You know that saying every "modern" woman likes to bandy about on how to tell the difference between a boy and a man? (answer: the price of his toys) WELL, let me tell you, that is no longer the case, my dear XX readers.

I got to witness first hand how boy toys are no longer the innocent, "Go get your penny jar" type of investments. What wallet-busting hobby are we talking about?

Why, model trains, of course. I've re-discovered this ancient and respected use of copious amounts of space, time and money.

However, it took an 8 year old to really show me how it's done. He talked like one of the octogenarians hobbling about the train place, with a glint in his eye. Extolling the virtues of "N" scale and how this particular locomotive was a great deal because of the performance(which he then spouted off) and that it was on sale. He then began grilling me over my choice of HO scale track, engine, and rolling stock (commonly called "box cars", etc by the uninitiated). I was struck by irrational fear and the desire to punt this child through the plate glass door. After all, they were MY trains, damn it! Punk sprog was showing me up in front of, well....hmm....

So yes, even the "kiddie" trains command a hefty amount of cash these days. Unless you want to try out the little wooden ones that you push around with your finger...