My sincerest apologies
My daughter overheard me reading My Near Death Experience to my husband and lodged a protest.
That doesn't happen, mom.

What do you mean, 'that doesn't happen?'

You never swatted anyone with a spatula.
I thought about trying to explain poetic license. But then I thought this would be easier.

So I confess. I have never swatted anyone with a spatula on their fingers or elsewhere on their person. When the little ones running about the house attempt to sneak unauthorized samplings of whatever is being cooked, mom shakes the spatula at them. They actually think it is quite funny.

That is all.

I am sorry.

(Is that better, Mouse?)

She says that is better...