The First Commandment of Chemistry Class

David, who just turned sixteen and is over six feet tall, is acting more mature and taking on more responsibility. He actively seeks chores to make a few bucks. He goes on all-day work days with the youth group and has done mission projects in which they repair houses. He is teaching himself the electric guitar (my poor ears). His abstract thinking skills have finally kicked in so Latin, logic, grammar, and math is finally clicking. Instead of waiting around for us to get a cell phone (I don't have one by choice, why should he?), he got a track phone and purchased minutes for it. He is very proud of the fact that he pays for his own cell phone. Maybe if I wait long enough, he'll buy his own car.

Just when I finally started sleeping at night . . . David violates the first rule of chemistry.

No, he did not start a fire with the alcohol burner.

I didn't even need to use the fire extinguisher that I had on standby.

He didn't even kill the parakeet with toxic fumes.

And, what is the first commandment?

Thou shalt not wield thy thermometer liketh a lightsaber!

At least, a brand-spanking new Celsius thermometer is fairly cheap with inexpensive shipping.

I assume the broken one contained alcohol, not mercury, as there was no warning label . . . I don't think I saw any quicksilver on my kitchen floor. . .