I’m big on giving my children autonomy. They choose their clothing (within a 15 degree match of the temperature outside), they choose their snacks in the afternoon, and they choose their haircuts.
So when I was designing a children’s garden in my backyard, I let them choose the path.
I thought they would pick square stepping-stones, which would go from the brick path through the (soon to grow) wildflowers, take a left at the azalea bushes and arrive next to the shed.
They didn’t even choose square stepping-stones.
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- I’m going to put the red rocks in a single line like mama NEVER SUSPECTED.
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- Sounds good. I’ll just scatter gray rocks around them.
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- Let’s curve a little to the right for no reason.
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- Don’t forget to go directly through the small ditch from a massive old lettuce head.
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- Go left again!
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- Great work guys.
When I’m not keeping my mouth shut and wondering what to do with the other 15 pounds of red rock we didn’t use, I’m becoming more popular by reading and writing elsewhere.
My Other Hangouts (don’t tell my blog):
- Virtual Glasses: On This Blogger Makes Fun of Stuff, I test out a virtual eyeglasses widget from GlassesUSA. The widget still had some bugs, but you get to see hipster Alex. And you can go to their website to play around like Walt did (yes, he’s featured prominently).
Favorite posts I didn’t read, I mean, write:
- Under ‘suspicion’: The killing of Trayvon Martin and Florida Teen’s Killing: A Parent’s Greatest Fear: These posts from The Washington Post and NPR document the “rules” these journalist were taught by their parents as young black males to avoid the suspicion of others devolving into something even worse. (compelling)
- No Apologies: On The Killing Of Trayvon Martin And Being ”Good”: From Black Snob, raw and powerful response to why the “rules” don’t help. Because it’s not about being black, it’s about bigots. (important)
- Sign of the Times: From Distriction, a college student tells President Obama, “I’m proud of you,” in his first language, American Sign Language and Obama signs back “Thank you.” (high-five)
- A (Knitted) Uterus For Every Congressman: From Care2 Causes, if you’re a knitter or crocheter, send a uterus to congress. (fun)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I would totally go down that path- totally! I may get some stones in my sandals, but who cares? I’m sure it was fun, and left them with a sense of pride.
Also, I would like to take up knitting just so I can make a uterus.
Also, I’m too lazy to probably take up knitting.
Haha OmG your captions are so funny!
I’ve heard many NPR stories about Trayvon Martin this week. So sad. But wow, that “No Apologies” article was incredibly powerful (and heartbreaking). Thanks for sharing it.
I had not heard about Obama and ASL. Love it!
Love that you let them do it however they want to do it. I let Gus color his trees purple.