My in-laws live with us.

They have for nearly four years.

Some days the arrangement is wonderful. Some days it is less so. And some days it is downright comical.

Recently, my mother-in-law was lamenting the fact that her two entries in the Elks Lodge chili cook-off had not won. This was the most recent in a string of culinary defeats at the lodge and she was taking the loss a little hard.

“I don’t know what is wrong with those people,” she said. “Last year’s winner came out of of can. I spent hours on these recipes and zip – nothing.” She continued on for a few more minutes in the same vein. “These people have no idea what good chili is. They have no taste at all.”

Suddenly she looked up and smiled at me and completely without irony said, “I know, next year we’ll bring YOUR recipe.”