Don't Worry...Be Clammy

I was talking to a coworker yesterday and she said "I am happy as a clam." So that made me wonder - "What does it mean to be happy as a clam"? I mean what is it about a clam that makes them sooo happy? Is it because clams are constantly in a state of perpetual bliss? Or maybe is it because clams lead a simple life and that they are just happy go lucky all the time? And another question that should not be overlooked is - what about the other species in the mollusks family - do they not deserve to be happy too? Just what is so special about clams that allows them to be happy and not other mollusks. Does anybody know - anyone...anyone? Well lucky for you Bob does...But before we can get to the explanation we must take a step back and look at the saying in it's entirety. The whole saying is actually "Happy as a clam during high tide". I suppose this makes more sense. There are actually two reasons why a clam would be happy during high tide. First, people can only get the clams when the water is low and this makes it difficult when the tide is in or the water is high. Second, during high tide, there is plenty of plankton and veggie particles flowing through the water and this provides sustenance and hence makes them very happy and mighty plump too I might add. So that answers the why are they happy part but not the why only a clam part. I figure "Happy as a scallop" or "Happy as a mussel" just somehow didn't quite have the same ring to it and also just my guess here...but I suppose clams live in more shallow water than the other species of mollusks. So there you have it. Now the next time someone says they are happy as a clam - you can ask them if they really know what makes a clam happy and if they don't - then you can enhance their knowledge of the true meaning of this phrase...ahem...as I have yours.

But before I go - a special thanks to a corn lovin' friend who turn me to the new craze that is sweeping NYC - Sudoku. It started to get popular in Japan a few years ago and then recently in the UK. These puzzles seem to be all the rage here and are very addictive and fun too.

Speaking of being addictive, I would also like to give another special thanks to my dear friend up north Double D for the wonderful and yummy long promised Canadian delicacy - Nanaimo bars. I have to say mmm...mmm...good and "About Time".

With that being said, I suppose - I too...am happy as a clam!