[OT] The magic of grass (the lawn variety)

Work was busy, stressful and demanding. I came home with a headache and sore
feet, exhausted and grumpy. Playing with Cary was a chore rather than
enjoyable, because every single one of his delighted squeals was like a
dagger through my sore head and running after him just made my feet hurt
more.

He got a simple tricycle (no pedals) for Christmas. Its actually a bit too
small for him really, being a tall fellow for his age, but he uses it
regardless and can hurtle down slopes at speeds that puts my heart in my
throat, but he loves it (and, I have to admit, can handle very well).

On days he doesn't go to daycare, it was becoming increasingly obvious that
he needs to let off some of that energy toddlers seem to create without any
effort whatsoever. So, as much as I entirely didn't want to do it, I took
myself, Cary and tricycle out into the front yard where he can ride his
tricycle up and down the driveway. The driveway is a long one, and it has a
decent enough slope so he can get up the speeds he desires. I had hoped that
I coud sit somewhere quiet so not to be on my feet and not to have my head
hurt more, and supervise him from a distance whilst he burned off hte excess
energy and thereby not keep wiggling and squirming long after his bedtime.

It wasn't to be, however, and The Yowlet used the trike to take himself to
his
daycare, which is next door but one from us. Of course I had to go after
him, and found myself running across soft fresh grass with my bare feet.

I had totally forgotten just how good grass can feel under bare feet. I
chided myself, what sort of Paganesque person could I possibly be if I don't
even remember how wonderful and refreshing just plain old grass feels like?
But as said son took it upon himself to visit every single house on our side
of
the street using his trike as an "excuse" I found myself drawing more and
more energy from the grass beneath me, and then the trees above me, and hte
sky, and clouds and wind and sunlight.

And now, every day, I slip off my shoes and go walking in my favourite patch
of grass, watching the clouds scud past. My son and I stand inthe puddles
and stamp our feet, splashing each other. We fling mud at each toher. We
watch the myriad of birds go past. See the different types of ants go
marching by (and sing the song that one has to when ants go marching by).
Its no longer just about burning off his energy so that I can go to bed
early, but now its time spent together, not *out*side but *in* nature. But
the best thing for me, after watching my son smile and laugh along with me,
is to feel the grass beneath my bare feet again.

My head and feet are no longer as sore, and I don't fall into bed so utterly
exhausted. The simple, uncomplicated magic of grass and birds and ants and
trees and wind and clouds and sun even rain is entirely underappreicated,
and I'm so glad my son reminded me of it. When on earth did I forget?

Yowie

Yowie wrote:
Work was busy, stressful and demanding. I came home with a headache and sore
feet, exhausted and grumpy. Playing with Cary was a chore rather than
enjoyable, because every single one of his delighted squeals was like a
dagger through my sore head and running after him just made my feet hurt
more.

He got a simple tricycle (no pedals) for Christmas. Its actually a bit too
small for him really, being a tall fellow for his age, but he uses it
regardless and can hurtle down slopes at speeds that puts my heart in my
throat, but he loves it (and, I have to admit, can handle very well).

On days he doesn't go to daycare, it was becoming increasingly obvious that
he needs to let off some of that energy toddlers seem to create without any
effort whatsoever. So, as much as I entirely didn't want to do it, I took
myself, Cary and tricycle out into the front yard where he can ride his
tricycle up and down the driveway. The driveway is a long one, and it has a
decent enough slope so he can get up the speeds he desires. I had hoped that
I coud sit somewhere quiet so not to be on my feet and not to have my head
hurt more, and supervise him from a distance whilst he burned off hte excess
energy and thereby not keep wiggling and squirming long after his bedtime.

It wasn't to be, however, and The Yowlet used the trike to take himself to
his
daycare, which is next door but one from us. Of course I had to go after
him, and found myself running across soft fresh grass with my bare feet.

I had totally forgotten just how good grass can feel under bare feet. I
chided myself, what sort of Paganesque person could I possibly be if I don't
even remember how wonderful and refreshing just plain old grass feels like?
But as said son took it upon himself to visit every single house on our side
of
the street using his trike as an "excuse" I found myself drawing more and
more energy from the grass beneath me, and then the trees above me, and hte
sky, and clouds and wind and sunlight.

And now, every day, I slip off my shoes and go walking in my favourite patch
of grass, watching the clouds scud past. My son and I stand inthe puddles
and stamp our feet, splashing each other. We fling mud at each toher. We
watch the myriad of birds go past. See the different types of ants go
marching by (and sing the song that one has to when ants go marching by).
Its no longer just about burning off his energy so that I can go to bed
early, but now its time spent together, not *out*side but *in* nature. But
the best thing for me, after watching my son smile and laugh along with me,
is to feel the grass beneath my bare feet again.

My head and feet are no longer as sore, and I don't fall into bed so utterly
exhausted. The simple, uncomplicated magic of grass and birds and ants and
trees and wind and clouds and sun even rain is entirely underappreicated,
and I'm so glad my son reminded me of it. When on earth did I forget?

Yowie

I think everyone discovers that having a toddler means *you* get to
rediscover being a child all over again. Or at least I sincerely hope
so, that it isn't a gift that is overlooked by anyone too busy to
discover it.
Sit under a tree and read to him. It's great. Let him stay up past his
bedtime and lie on a quilt in the yard and find the Big Dipper. Catch
fireflies in a jar. Fish for crawdads.
What you're doing is seeing the world through Cary's eyes, and the
words you described it are perfect. It is simple, uncomplicated magic,
and entirely unappreciated.
Cary is a lucky boy to have such a smart mom.

Sherry

Yowie wrote:

My head and feet are no longer as sore, and I don't fall into bed so utterly
exhausted. The simple, uncomplicated magic of grass and birds and ants and
trees and wind and clouds and sun even rain is entirely underappreicated,
and I'm so glad my son reminded me of it. When on earth did I forget?

What a lovely post, Vicky. I feel refreshed just reading it. Can't go
walking in the grass myself right now, as it is about -10 C (15-ish F)
outside and the snow is coming down, or rather blowing horizontally, in
droves, but I can dream myself onto the island in summer, walking
barefoot on the smooth, sun-warmed cliffs by the sea.

--
Marina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki.
marina (dot) kurten (at) iki (dot) fi
Stories and pics at http://koti.welho.com/mkurten/
Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/
and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki

That's beautiful, Yowie! It should be published somewhere, maybe in a
parent's magazine.

--
Joy

**Don't believe everything you think**

"Yowie" wrote in message
...
Work was busy, stressful and demanding. I came home with a headache and
sore
feet, exhausted and grumpy. Playing with Cary was a chore rather than
enjoyable, because every single one of his delighted squeals was like a
dagger through my sore head and running after him just made my feet hurt
more.

He got a simple tricycle (no pedals) for Christmas. Its actually a bit too
small for him really, being a tall fellow for his age, but he uses it
regardless and can hurtle down slopes at speeds that puts my heart in my
throat, but he loves it (and, I have to admit, can handle very well).

On days he doesn't go to daycare, it was becoming increasingly obvious
that
he needs to let off some of that energy toddlers seem to create without
any
effort whatsoever. So, as much as I entirely didn't want to do it, I took
myself, Cary and tricycle out into the front yard where he can ride his
tricycle up and down the driveway. The driveway is a long one, and it has
a
decent enough slope so he can get up the speeds he desires. I had hoped
that
I coud sit somewhere quiet so not to be on my feet and not to have my head
hurt more, and supervise him from a distance whilst he burned off hte
excess
energy and thereby not keep wiggling and squirming long after his bedtime.

It wasn't to be, however, and The Yowlet used the trike to take himself to
his
daycare, which is next door but one from us. Of course I had to go after
him, and found myself running across soft fresh grass with my bare feet.

I had totally forgotten just how good grass can feel under bare feet. I
chided myself, what sort of Paganesque person could I possibly be if I
don't
even remember how wonderful and refreshing just plain old grass feels
like?
But as said son took it upon himself to visit every single house on our
side
of
the street using his trike as an "excuse" I found myself drawing more and
more energy from the grass beneath me, and then the trees above me, and
hte
sky, and clouds and wind and sunlight.

And now, every day, I slip off my shoes and go walking in my favourite
patch
of grass, watching the clouds scud past. My son and I stand inthe puddles
and stamp our feet, splashing each other. We fling mud at each toher. We
watch the myriad of birds go past. See the different types of ants go
marching by (and sing the song that one has to when ants go marching by).
Its no longer just about burning off his energy so that I can go to bed
early, but now its time spent together, not *out*side but *in* nature. But
the best thing for me, after watching my son smile and laugh along with
me,
is to feel the grass beneath my bare feet again.

My head and feet are no longer as sore, and I don't fall into bed so
utterly
exhausted. The simple, uncomplicated magic of grass and birds and ants and
trees and wind and clouds and sun even rain is entirely underappreicated,
and I'm so glad my son reminded me of it. When on earth did I forget?

Yowie

"Yowie" wrote
I had totally forgotten just how good grass can feel under bare feet.

Thank you for reminding me/us that there are few ailments that can't be
ameliorated, in part at least, by a close commune with Mother Nature.

Cheers
Gordon (keen countryman)
& the FF (likewise)

Yowie wrote:
Work was busy, stressful and demanding. I came home with a headache
and sore feet, exhausted and grumpy. Playing with Cary was a chore
rather than enjoyable, because every single one of his delighted
squeals was like a dagger through my sore head and running after him
just made my feet hurt more.

He got a simple tricycle (no pedals) for Christmas. Its actually a
bit too small for him really, being a tall fellow for his age, but he
uses it regardless and can hurtle down slopes at speeds that puts my
heart in my throat, but he loves it (and, I have to admit, can handle
very well).

On days he doesn't go to daycare, it was becoming increasingly
obvious that he needs to let off some of that energy toddlers seem to
create without any effort whatsoever. So, as much as I entirely
didn't want to do it, I took myself, Cary and tricycle out into the
front yard where he can ride his tricycle up and down the driveway.
The driveway is a long one, and it has a decent enough slope so he
can get up the speeds he desires. I had hoped that I coud sit
somewhere quiet so not to be on my feet and not to have my head hurt
more, and supervise him from a distance whilst he burned off hte
excess energy and thereby not keep wiggling and squirming long after
his bedtime.

It wasn't to be, however, and The Yowlet used the trike to take
himself to his
daycare, which is next door but one from us. Of course I had to go
after him, and found myself running across soft fresh grass with my
bare feet.

I had totally forgotten just how good grass can feel under bare feet.
I chided myself, what sort of Paganesque person could I possibly be
if I don't even remember how wonderful and refreshing just plain old
grass feels like? But as said son took it upon himself to visit every
single house on our side of
the street using his trike as an "excuse" I found myself drawing more
and more energy from the grass beneath me, and then the trees above
me, and hte sky, and clouds and wind and sunlight.

And now, every day, I slip off my shoes and go walking in my
favourite patch of grass, watching the clouds scud past. My son and I
stand inthe puddles and stamp our feet, splashing each other. We
fling mud at each toher. We watch the myriad of birds go past. See
the different types of ants go marching by (and sing the song that
one has to when ants go marching by). Its no longer just about
burning off his energy so that I can go to bed early, but now its
time spent together, not *out*side but *in* nature. But the best
thing for me, after watching my son smile and laugh along with me, is
to feel the grass beneath my bare feet again.

My head and feet are no longer as sore, and I don't fall into bed so
utterly exhausted. The simple, uncomplicated magic of grass and birds
and ants and trees and wind and clouds and sun even rain is entirely
underappreicated, and I'm so glad my son reminded me of it. When on
earth did I forget?

Yowie

What a wonderfull uplifting story. I can see Cary is going to grow to be an
exeptionally nice person, just like his mother. :-)
--
Adrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera)
A House is not a home, without a cat.
http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk

so wonderful, Yowie. If you and Joel, as parents, can enjoy the feel of
grass under your feet, and the wind in your hair and the sun pouring down on
you, and you and your son can splash in water puddles with no
recriminations, then there is still a lot ok with the world.
Lily & her mama

--

Irulan
from the stars we come
to the stars we return
from now until the end of time
"Yowie" wrote in message
...
Work was busy, stressful and demanding. I came home with a headache and
sore
feet, exhausted and grumpy. Playing with Cary was a chore rather than
enjoyable, because every single one of his delighted squeals was like a
dagger through my sore head and running after him just made my feet hurt
more.

He got a simple tricycle (no pedals) for Christmas. Its actually a bit too
small for him really, being a tall fellow for his age, but he uses it
regardless and can hurtle down slopes at speeds that puts my heart in my
throat, but he loves it (and, I have to admit, can handle very well).

On days he doesn't go to daycare, it was becoming increasingly obvious
that
he needs to let off some of that energy toddlers seem to create without
any
effort whatsoever. So, as much as I entirely didn't want to do it, I took
myself, Cary and tricycle out into the front yard where he can ride his
tricycle up and down the driveway. The driveway is a long one, and it has
a
decent enough slope so he can get up the speeds he desires. I had hoped
that
I coud sit somewhere quiet so not to be on my feet and not to have my head
hurt more, and supervise him from a distance whilst he burned off hte
excess
energy and thereby not keep wiggling and squirming long after his bedtime.

It wasn't to be, however, and The Yowlet used the trike to take himself to
his
daycare, which is next door but one from us. Of course I had to go after
him, and found myself running across soft fresh grass with my bare feet.

I had totally forgotten just how good grass can feel under bare feet. I
chided myself, what sort of Paganesque person could I possibly be if I
don't
even remember how wonderful and refreshing just plain old grass feels
like?
But as said son took it upon himself to visit every single house on our
side
of
the street using his trike as an "excuse" I found myself drawing more and
more energy from the grass beneath me, and then the trees above me, and
hte
sky, and clouds and wind and sunlight.

And now, every day, I slip off my shoes and go walking in my favourite
patch
of grass, watching the clouds scud past. My son and I stand inthe puddles
and stamp our feet, splashing each other. We fling mud at each toher. We
watch the myriad of birds go past. See the different types of ants go
marching by (and sing the song that one has to when ants go marching by).
Its no longer just about burning off his energy so that I can go to bed
early, but now its time spent together, not *out*side but *in* nature. But
the best thing for me, after watching my son smile and laugh along with
me,
is to feel the grass beneath my bare feet again.

My head and feet are no longer as sore, and I don't fall into bed so
utterly
exhausted. The simple, uncomplicated magic of grass and birds and ants and
trees and wind and clouds and sun even rain is entirely underappreicated,
and I'm so glad my son reminded me of it. When on earth did I forget?

Yowie

"Yowie" wrote in message
...
Work was busy, stressful and demanding. I came home with a headache and
sore
feet, exhausted and grumpy. Playing with Cary was a chore rather than
enjoyable, because every single one of his delighted squeals was like a
dagger through my sore head and running after him just made my feet hurt
more.

He got a simple tricycle (no pedals) for Christmas. Its actually a bit too
small for him really, being a tall fellow for his age, but he uses it
regardless and can hurtle down slopes at speeds that puts my heart in my
throat, but he loves it (and, I have to admit, can handle very well).

On days he doesn't go to daycare, it was becoming increasingly obvious
that
he needs to let off some of that energy toddlers seem to create without
any
effort whatsoever. So, as much as I entirely didn't want to do it, I took
myself, Cary and tricycle out into the front yard where he can ride his
tricycle up and down the driveway. The driveway is a long one, and it has
a
decent enough slope so he can get up the speeds he desires. I had hoped
that
I coud sit somewhere quiet so not to be on my feet and not to have my head
hurt more, and supervise him from a distance whilst he burned off hte
excess
energy and thereby not keep wiggling and squirming long after his bedtime.

It wasn't to be, however, and The Yowlet used the trike to take himself to
his
daycare, which is next door but one from us. Of course I had to go after
him, and found myself running across soft fresh grass with my bare feet.

I had totally forgotten just how good grass can feel under bare feet. I
chided myself, what sort of Paganesque person could I possibly be if I
don't
even remember how wonderful and refreshing just plain old grass feels
like?
But as said son took it upon himself to visit every single house on our
side
of
the street using his trike as an "excuse" I found myself drawing more and
more energy from the grass beneath me, and then the trees above me, and
hte
sky, and clouds and wind and sunlight.

And now, every day, I slip off my shoes and go walking in my favourite
patch
of grass, watching the clouds scud past. My son and I stand inthe puddles
and stamp our feet, splashing each other. We fling mud at each toher. We
watch the myriad of birds go past. See the different types of ants go
marching by (and sing the song that one has to when ants go marching by).
Its no longer just about burning off his energy so that I can go to bed
early, but now its time spent together, not *out*side but *in* nature. But
the best thing for me, after watching my son smile and laugh along with
me,
is to feel the grass beneath my bare feet again.

My head and feet are no longer as sore, and I don't fall into bed so
utterly
exhausted. The simple, uncomplicated magic of grass and birds and ants and
trees and wind and clouds and sun even rain is entirely underappreicated,
and I'm so glad my son reminded me of it. When on earth did I forget?

Yowie

Yowie, thank you so much for posting this. I agree that children can make
us remember those things we seem to have left behind in our own childhood.
One of the things I gained from my granddaughters living here for those 4
months last year was the knowledge that it's usually the simplest things in
life that can give us the most pleasure. And when you quit worrying about
feeling like a fool and just have fun, your soul is enriched with joy.


--

Hugs,

CatNipped

See all my masters at: http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/

On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 06:47:22 GMT, "Yoj"
wrote:

That's beautiful, Yowie! It should be published somewhere, maybe in a
parent's magazine.

I agree... what a lovely post. Send the story in to a parenting
magazine and see what happens... (or else to 'That's Life'...)

--
~Karen aka Kajikit
Crafts, cats, and chocolate - the three essentials of life
http://www.kajikitscorner.com
Online photo album - http://community.webshots.com/user/kajikit

Marina wrote:

and the snow is coming down, or rather blowing horizontally, in
droves

Shouldn't that be "in drivens"? :-)

--

Wayne M.