I was delighted to receive a text showing my granddaughter Robin’s latest artistic creation, Daffy the Duck, who happens to be my favorite cartoon character, an incorrigible wise-ass duck. I love that duck. Robin and my daughter Emma are coming to visit this weekend.

I accepted Robin’s offer to give me some art lessons. Robin told me on the phone that it all depends on what you already know. I know nothing about painting, I said. She and Maria are also making some plans to do some work together.

Mel Blanc’s Loony Tunes are my favorite. Daffy took no crap from anyone and dropped a lot of beautiful nonsequiturs: “I think you’re pretty tough, don’t I?”

I’ve got neat books and fun art supplies waiting for her; I suspect Maria will come up with some fantastic art projects. Given the storms and all, we won’t be running around outside much, but I hope to introduce her to Laotion food, one of the few kinds of wood unavailable in her part of Brooklyn.

I can’t often bring Emma and Robin to a new food up here.

We’ll give it a shot. I’m also offering her $5 for her painting of Daffy Duck, which would be a great addition to my muse collection.

She’s bringing it with her on Friday; she says she wants to give it to me for free.

I told her artists should be paid for their work. We didn’t reach an agreement.

Emma said she wasn’t getting into the middle of this—Robin and I could slug it when she comes. Emma says she doesn’t know which one of us is more stubborn. I think I know.

As I told Robin on the phone, “this is no way to run a railroad.”