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Sunday, February 09, 2020

Scarcity On A Windy Day

wind strewn eucalyptus bark









The wind was howling during the night and flags were straining at their harnesses, today.  We went to an event in Golden Gate Park.  The almost three year old was allowed to take her scooter.  This irked the five year old no end.  Things that others have seem to become an overwhelming obsession and it lasted pretty much the whole day.  Well, there was a period when the scooter wasn't at the top of his mind.  When the little one was on the swing.  There were two swings and the second one was occupied too.  Suddenly he needed to swing.  She needed to give up her swing for him.

But grandpa was there to remind him how angry he got when she took the toys he was playing with.  His response:  "Grandpa, you're annoying."


The wind had toppled this dead tree in the park and there were lots and lots of branches all over the ground.  (I'm making an assumption here about how this tree landed on its side.  But it looked fairly newly down.)

The five year old appropriated one - about seven feet long - that was a hazard to anyone walking near him.  We pointed this out and sometimes he would drag it off the path on the ground.  When a young lady walked by and got scratched by the branch, I asked him what he had to say.  Nothing.  You need to apologize.  Glare.  "It was her fault.  She walked into it."  Glare.  When you chose to carry the stick where other people were, you took on a responsibility.  Luckily she wasn't hurt much. But you still have a responsibility to apologize.  Glare.

Fortunately at age five, grudges don't last long and he was giggling soon.

redwood bark in Golden Gate Park

We got back home for the three year old's nap and the older brother went with his dad to a friend's birthday party while the scooter owner napped.  

Later I enjoyed this San Francisco sunset.  



2 comments:

  1. Yeah, I really love kids for how they let me see us humans learning -- well that, and just having fun again. It's all a bit like reading ancient history put down in its time. Whacking off that bad guy's head? It's all so much like a videogame!

    My point? We are no different to those living thousands of years ago setting down texts that betray behaviour both long gone & present.

    It's a bit like watching followers of Trump. Who would have thought in a modern democracy so many adults would elevate a ruler? No public servant here. Heck, it's like watching a kid who screams & bullies to get their way.

    Steve, you & I differ a bit on our sense of hope in the human. You and I know who we each are, doggedly trying to become our better selves.

    But sometimes, I just want my own swing just because I do -- I feel my inner Libertarian pushing to the surface.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The almost three year old was allowed to take her scooter. This irked the five year old no end. Things that others have seem to become an overwhelming obsession and it lasted pretty much the whole day.

    Drumpf will do that to people. My eldest Grandgirlie turns 21 today. Fun while they are young and inquisitive.

    ReplyDelete

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