Park musings

[mollyringle]

When I was a little kid I liked to stand in big shallow puddles on the playground on our frequent overcast Oregon days, and stay as still as possible, gazing down at the reflection of the clouds until my perspective did an inner flip. At that point I would get an exhilarating vertigo-ish feeling that it wasn't a reflection but the real thing, and that I was standing on a plane of glass looking down through the air into a world of clouds.

I had forgotten that for years. Decades probably. But strolling around the park with my son and watching him explore puddles made me remember. Ever since finding out I was pregnant with him, long-submerged childhood memories have been coming back. It's one of the sweeter and subtler effects of having children, one you don't hear about as much.

Ask me for a recent and fairly important name or phone number, though, and I probably won't be able to remember.

Speaking of the park, I always found this sign sort of amusing:



"And don't do anything else, either." Or so it seems to say. I know they mean "There's other stuff that's illegal too, but we don't have space to list every last thing." I just have a way of noticing unintentional double meanings in signage.

It wouldn't be a modern LJ post if I didn't add the following: Yes, I have the new Harry Potter book. No, I haven't read it yet. Yes, I'll let you know when I do. Over and out.

Comments

UCMJ

[thomas-a-kempis.livejournal.com]

The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) in a similarly abbreviated form was posted on the inside doors of restroom stalls aboard ship for meditative purposes during my time of service in the US Navy.

Lemon drop must be enjoying life with Mom.

+

[astroman-rich.livejournal.com]

I have the same reaction to the signs that have sprouted up in playgrounds. I took Junior to one yesterday, and encountered ( from memory ):

o No running
o No horseplay
o Do not climb up the slides. Only go down, feet first, in an upright position.
o Do not twist the chains on the swings.
o Do not stand on the swings.


My usual comment when I see these things is: "And, above all, do not act like a child or have any fun."

Re: UCMJ

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Rules, rules everywhere. Lest we forget. :)

I hope he's enjoying it. I worry sometimes that we should be exposing him to other people more. But I suppose I should wait till he's at least 2 before fretting too much about that.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Indeed. Similarly, my older sister was at a lake once with her kids, and her toddler son was throwing rocks into the water. Due to his being so little, the rocks were getting thrown perhaps all of three feet in front of him, and nobody was particularly nearby anyhow. But a lifeguard came over and informed her that there was no rock throwing allowed. Whee.

[dirae.livejournal.com]

It wouldn't be a modern LJ post if I didn't add the following: Yes, I have the new Harry Potter book. No, I haven't read it yet. Yes, I'll let you know when I do.

I was at a bookstore in Gatlinburg, TN on the 25th and saw a display for the new book. I mused aloud to Kevon, "I wonder is Molly has finished it yet?" Kevon bet you had.

Funny how LJ seeps over into real world experiences. :)

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Only just started it today. Steve got to read it first, since I was already in the middle of a different book anyway. :)

Incidentally, I screwed up your address on the baby shoes and they got returned-to-sender. Turns out I used an old one I had for you, for some reason. So I found the right one (from the perfume-mailing email a few months ago) and sent it again. Should get them soon. Go me! :)