I overheard, took part in, and lingered in deep thought about a recent conversation with an elementary teacher and two third-graders. They were discussing a particular science unit, relating and comparing three different experiences at their respective schools. Having never paid as much attention as I should have while in science class, I began to get nervous, wondering if indeed I was at least as smart as a third-grader. The topic in question was matter. What is it?
    Matter is anything that takes up space, which is what I must have been doing in science class. So when will I ever use this information was my constant question. What does it matter? In a matter of minutes I was reminded in a matter-of-fact explanation that matter has three main physical properties: solid, liquid, and gas. A good way to illustrate this to students and for that matter, make it interesting, is to serve root-beer floats. Root-beer is the liquid, ice cream is the solid, and the bubbles are the gas. None of my science teachers served floats, I would have remembered it, but that is quite another matter.
    Since our little discussion, I've been paying attention to matter. I've been pondering the mass, volume and density of it. I've been hauling some out to the fields. It is an important matter that must be attended to as the physical properties turn from very solid to firm, then to mushy, and finally to liquid, which is difficult to scoop up with any efficiency. My science-deprived brain is puzzled by the gaseous form of the matter to which I'm referring, because although an odor does arise there remains the possibility that it is the result of a chemical change and no longer a physical property. 
    This is a case of mind-over-matter; some unpleasantries have to be tolerated in the execution of certain tasks. It might be a bit late in my life to begin contemplating the theory of relativity, to understand mass and energy. It is an important matter that Albert Einstein and I have each given some thought. He invented an equation to explain it. Here again I must admit that I had some shortfalls in math and algebra. What is the matter with me you might ask? My infatuation lies in words and how we can use them. That is what matters to me. Every morning when I wipe the matter from my sleepy eyes, I wonder what perplexing issue I'll have to deal with. I might have to rely on the expertise of scientists and mathematicians to help me out, but no matter. I get to write about it.