Bon mots from my little son
There's nothing like a linguistically advanced 3 year old to advance language itself.
During a recent bath as we discussed the subtleties of human anatomy:
"Girls have vaginas and boys have brains." Hmm. I think girls might put things slightly differently.....
Somehow, in a discussion of collective terms (I'm not sure if he knew how clever he had been--possibly).
A group of women is called?
"An emergency of chicks."
I love that little gaffer.
During a recent bath as we discussed the subtleties of human anatomy:
"Girls have vaginas and boys have brains." Hmm. I think girls might put things slightly differently.....
Somehow, in a discussion of collective terms (I'm not sure if he knew how clever he had been--possibly).
A group of women is called?
"An emergency of chicks."
I love that little gaffer.
posted by Colin at 11:35 AM
2 Comments:
You'd think this was my blog...my comment is so long.....
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First of all, this is a beautiful thought, beautifully written...
"The best part of this strangely black fantasy was the feeling of relief that after a few days of tears, giggles and wonderment, the ripples in the great pond would be smooth, and life would go on and on for those left behind."
Thank you.
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Second, I'm glad you're writing here more often again....
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Third...oh, third. You're about to turn 50. I did that about a year and a half ago. I think that's kind of when we met.
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First of all, do you like the ponytail? I do, by the way.
I have predominately gray hair and have had for years (thanks, Dad....). I used to dye it, and that does make me look younger. But eventually I realized it was too much trouble and too expensive to take care of...and hell, I was 50. Yet again, I'm thinking of coloring it again because I'm looking for a job and it might help. Probably would thrill Jay, as well.
So, if I do color it...I'll be doing it for other people.
It looks to me as if you are an ingrained, long-haired boy. Stay that way, if it makes you happy.
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As for the aging stuff...the realization that I could become a card carrying member of AARP was a bit off-putting.
My parents were my age now when I got married at the age of 21. I don't feel like they looked to me at the time, and I imagine they felt just as young as I do now...and were just as freaked out by what age they really were.
I do think more about death, illness, leaving this lovely planet for who knows what.
I wonder if early peoples did? Though they surely knew what death was, I don't know if aging played so much into it. They died in so many ways and often early, due to a variety of things. They didn't have this benchmark pounded into them day after day by the media, insurance companies, their peers, magazines... so maybe their anxiety wasn't as great...or maybe it was non-existent.
I wonder if when they did begin to get older and strange pains, bad eyesight and other things plagued them...if they didn't rejoice instead, that they had made it so far. It explains the cultures that revere the old.
You have done some wonderful things...you've created a family, an entire tiny world that will grow with what you and your wife have given them. You've also taken that mind of yours and expanded it, and offered what you've found with others. Not everyone has been so wonderfully prolific. If I were you, I'd sail excitedly on (with or without the ponytail) to the edge of the world.
One thing. Try to find your way back to Nova Scotia, in less than 10 years. Why?
When I met you, that's where you were, and I had recently experienced my personal awakening in Door County Wisconsin.
The thing that haunts me about not being there, is that there was a subtle realization that
a.) something about the place touched and drew out the very best part of not only me, but Jay.
and
b.) I was home.
That's how you sounded when I began reading your blog. I have a nature table to this day, because of you.
The thoughts you had there, the quiet moments, I think helped you with your work on your book...on yourself.
Go back if you can.
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One last thing. "And emergency of chicks?" Wonderful. My favorite is a 'Murder of crows', but the one time I got to use it, the person I was with, thought I was nuts.
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Sorry this is so long, but it's been a while.....
Hi Robin,
Nice to hear from you. Feel free to leave long comments anytime you like. Yes, approaching 50 is a little strange sometimes (that's when I first noticed that my dad was aging and I look at my kids and wonder what they're thinking) but mostly, as you know, nothing changes inside. Lovely perspective on wearing age's infirmities as badges of honour. I'll have to remember that next time my knee caves on the way up a flight of stairs!
Nova Scotia: you're right it meant a lot that year. I would like to return but can't go for a while yet -- probably more like 12-14 years. I also fear we'd never be able to repeat that magical year. It was a definite turning point for me.
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