Last week I wrote about an experience I had that kind of blew my mind. I called it a “Duh” experience, since it was more than just a revelation – it was a shock to my system.

Duh No. 2: For what seems like years, whenever I have come into the bathroom off our bedroom, from a swim in my above-ground pool, I have left a trail of water and dirt on the bathroom floor. This usually has led to my wife’s complaints, and to my having to use paper towels or toilet paper to wipe up the mess.

Last week we happened to throw away our bathroom mats. With no mats to step on, I decided to lay a beach towel on the floor, so as not to drip on the floor after a swim.

When I noticed small pools of water and patches of dirt on the bathroom floor, I did as I always do when cleaning the kitchen floor – I danced around with my feet on the beach towel and actually enjoyed cleaning up the mess. Then it hit me – duh – the beach towel has found a new home – on the bathroom floor – right next to the new floor mat when it arrives. Somewhat to my surprise, my wife agreed with me. Yahoo!

Duh No. 3: Perhaps you will recall when I wrote about my favorite dessert, alligator cake. I believe alligator cake only became my favorite when I could not easily buy my real favorite cake: an icing-covered almond ring from Solvang.

On the way home from the Bay Area last weekend, we were approaching Solvang on the 101 Freeway. I announced to my wife that I intended to stop there to buy – you guessed it. My wife, in her wisdom, and in her desire to get home, offered me a deal: Skip Solvang and she’ll buy me an alligator cake on the way home. Deal. Once home, I cut up the cake, bagged big pieces, and froze them.

The next day I feasted. Then – duh. I didn’t think the alligator cake tasted much better than my yogurt and fruit concoctions, and I did not like the aftertaste of the sweet cake. Duh again. I did the impossible. I threw out all the cake, and vowed that the only sweets I’d eat from now on would be an occasional ice cream for dessert when I dine with my 95-year-old mom.

Three Duhs in two weeks’ time. Will my life be filled with Duhs now?

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com.