I know I’m early on this one, but since I’ll be traipsing around Chicago on Monday with my best friend, I thought I’d post today.

Every week, Michelle Pendergrass submits a photography challenge. Photograph this word, she says. This week’s word: bitter.

Let me tell you the story behind this photo. Several years ago, when my grandparents died, I inherited their record player and a few of their records. At the time, my parents did not have a working record player, so they gave me permission to take their records (with the proviso that I record some of them onto CD so they can listen to them–a project which I admittedly have not done).

They have no recollection of this conversation.

Once, perhaps twice a year, the records come up in conversation.

“Wait. You have our Beatles records?” Dad will say. Or, “You have my Handel Messiah?”

Yes, Dad. And I explain to him again when he gave me permission to steal, er, take, er borrow? them. Up until now, they sighed and reluctantly agreed to the already agreed upon arrangement.

A few months ago, they bought a new record player. These discussions now take on a whole new meaning.

Hence my picture for bitter.