Slugbuggin'

     Recently, Muzzy and Oso taught their darling grandchildren the Slugbug Game.  Yep, the same people who used to light up my and my sister’s hineys for slugging each other just taught their grandchildren to play a game historically known for its celebration of violence.

     (If you are unfamiliar with this game, in the original version, should you spot a Volkswagon Bug car, you shout out "slugbug!" and hit or "slug" whomever you are with.  It's great family fun and a perfect example of Americana.  Or something like that.)

     In an effort to minimize the odds of Jake or Emma being kicked out of school for fighting, we’ve modified the game to just calling out “Slugbug!” and the color.  Emma, pretty girl that she is, claims every slugbug that everyone else sees as her own.  Jake has decided that spotting slugbugs should be a team sport – and whomever is ahead is automatically on his team.

     This all seems harmless enough, but for the fact that El Hubbo and I are both VERY competitive.  We’ve each memorized favorite routes that we’ve noted slugbugs in certain driveways.  The decibel level in the car raises exponentially as we pass the Volkswagon car lot.  Unfortunately, our ability to keep the car between the lines on the road has wavered somewhat.  Our reflexes are improving as we have increased our practice of screeching to a sudden stop to avoid rear-ending someone at a stop light.  We are not even above blocking the vision of the other (it doesn’t really matter who is driving) just to claim a slugbug.

     I can just see the insurance report now:  “Rear-ended semi-tractor trailer, but took the slugbug lead 4-3.”  Or the police report:  “Clipped side of building while attempting to confirm cherry red slugbug sighting called by spouse.”  Do you think the judge would let us off lightly if we let him play by Jake’s rules?

     Given our family’s obvious dedication to the game, I do not believe we will be surrendering the thrill of the hunt anytime soon.  So, consider thyself warned dear readers, should you see a silver SUV weaving down the road, do not assume that the driver has consumed too much alcoholic libation – if it is our SUV, it is merely a highly contentious slugbuggin’ battle taking place.