color mantra

As I write this... we are in our third day of non-stop rain. And this afternoon we had thunder snow. Seriously, go home winter. You're drunk.

Other years at this time we were barefoot on the beach and dancing under the cherry blossoms. We've decided to try to give Mother Nature the hint by playing with as much color as possible hoping she'll imitate.

We like reading about how other cultures throughout history celebrated the changes in season with each solstice and equinox. There are loads of great web sites that talk about this for spring, like this one. And of course we love Wendy Pfeffer's books too. So this year Zach and I thought it would be fun to imitate the Indian Holi celebration by having a bit of a color war with friends on a rare, dry day.

Next year, we need to get more powder. They had a BLAST throwing and smearing color powder on each other.  While it does wash out, this is not something to do in your Sunday best.

While cooped up on the boat during this wicked 3 day squall, we have been painting, and planting seeds, and painting some more. Anything to keep busy and ring in spring time, at least in spirit even if the heaters are still on full blast.

Finger and toes crossed that we can pop the bubble and hatch out into some decent weather later this week. Please.

catch and sketch

As soon as Zach was old enough to catch critters from the Bay on his own he made it his mission all spring/summer/ fall to scoop up as many living things from the water as possible. There was always the issue of what do to with these critters once you have them. Of course eventually they go back in the briney deep, but it never seems like enough. So he got into the habit of catch and sketch.

Crabs and shrimp and fish have come and gone, and all posed for a portrait. The tradition continues. Recently the kids found a first... a newly hatched snapping turtle.

They spent all afternoon building him a proper habitat. And then the sketching.

Traditional fishing continues too. Zach is totally focused on catching the family some dinner. Of course there isn't anything big enough or edible around the marina, but I make a point not to mention that. Naia in her never ending quest to do anything Zach does has taken to "fishing". We got her a little fishing rod and attached a rubber fish to the line and voila. She is pleased as punch to cast plop the fish into the water, wiggle him around, and reel him back in. Endless fun.

And finally there are some critters we merely appreciate rather than catch. Although she has tried, oh yes, she really wants to bring this lovely home. I just keep saying, "She's sleeping, shhhhhh. Don't bother her now."

paint me a song

Just a few photos to savor a beautiful afternoon we had... just the girl and I... painting to music outside in the wind.

~this moment~ coloring

A Friday ritual (most weeks). A single photo capturing a moment from the week(ish). A simple, special moment. A moment I want to pause, savor, and remember. - via soulemama.

it takes a marina

The marina is our village. The village bobs and shifts and changes with the wind, but the bonds are rock solid.
Take for example our dock neighbor Miss G. She's an art teacher. Zach is a drawing machine. He sees her coming home after a long day in the public school trenches and pounces on her. "Do you want to come over and see my latest drawing?" She's never said no.

The other day he busted out his whole portfolio of ship drawings from the last 2 years. And she sits. And she listens. And she takes the time to notice his detail and encourage his ideas. Never did I hear that generic "good job!". She found something original to say about every drawing. Lucky kids at her school.

Then the next day she brings by extra drawing paper and images that she thinks may inspire him. I am not sure how people can get along without community. I am so grateful.

If you give a boy a...

If you give a boy a needle and thread he will stitch up some clothes for his gnome. And then a pillow for his baby sister. And then a bag for his treasures. And time will pass with that quiet hum of a child being busy. And that boy will learn to create for himself.

If you give a boy a paintbrush and sit with him side by side he will spill color and love into the universe. He'll watch the hues run and bleed. The boy will get lost in a rainbow. He'll paint himself a story.

If you give a boy some costumes, some open ended dress up clothes that don't tell him what to be... he'll disappear into another world. His voice will change accents. His smile will fill with mischief. The one boy will become five different characters. He will walk in the shoes of royalty. He will be free to be.

If you teach a boy to bake, his world will be sweeter. He will know how to satisfy cravings. He will unlock the alchemy of eggs and flour and heat and chocolate. He will taste tradition and lick the spoon of memory. He will know the joy in feeding himself and those he loves.

If you teach a boy to sew on the machine he will unlock the mystery of production and figure out the magic of patterns. He will know self sufficiency. He will blend creativity and utility and yearn for more. He will feel power. He will ooze pride.

If you teach a boy music he'll build scenes out of notes. He'll belt out Gene Kelly tunes while tap dancing in puddles. He'll pick and strum out his thoughts. He'll beg to go to the ballet and announce he's putting on a salsa show. Rhythm will be his forever companion.

If you show a boy how to garden he'll become friends with the earth. He'll practice patience first hand and understand how to nurture. He'll taste dedication. The boy will feed his soul and pass it on.

If you teach a boy to love animals he will tread lightly on the earth. He will use his hands for helping. The boy will know trust. And the trust will open his heart. He will connect and consider. He will exude compassion.

Why give a boy a toy gun when every stick will become one anyhow? Must we arm our children for desctruction, can't we teach to use their arms and hands for creation? Why limit a boy to footballs and trucks and plastic toolsets and stories of talking cars? What's the point of plugging him in day after day and tuning out the richness beyond the wires and cords that bind us? Why have him choose between baseball and basketball and leave out ballet and ceramics? Why box him up in blue when you can paint his path in rainbows?

Give a boy the gift of an open mind and a creative spirit and the whole world will thank you.