Things one should never outgrow:

s'mores.

#whoneedsgrahamwafers?
#justusechocolate
#marshmallowshooterstoo
#justaddBaileys
#thanksmorris&michelewill&treena

Things that deserve the stink-eye:

hotel carpet.

#cheesy
#coolifyouare8
#secretlylike

Things one should never outgrow:

a care package from your Mom.

#chocolatechipbananamuffins
#gardenveggies
#abookfromdad
#kapo
#universitylife

Things one should never outgrow:

giving bullies the finger.

A Face Like That

Do you ever get the feeling kids look at us adults like we’re nuts? Lately, I do.

I’m not sure who said this recently but it stuck with me: “little kids must wonder why we don’t have more toys.” Think about that. For a little kid it must seem like we have all the power, all the money, all the freedom to do whatever we want and yet, unless we adults have more money than Oprah, we don’t go buck wild.

Instead, we save. And of course we do. I believe in saving because it makes me feel secure and prepared. I guess that’s why I very rarely buy things I don’t need. This isn’t bragging. I’ve made my share of mistakes with poor differentiation between wants and needs. Anyone want to buy my film projector? Anyone? I didn’t think so. Anyway, spending money frivolously makes me anxious. Sadly, being an adult is so darn expensive.

But you know what I need? Not want, but NEED? I need an Argo. That’s right. I need an amphibious all-terrain vehicle. I also need all-season, all-terrain tracks for my spanky new Argo. This means I can drive it in sand, mud, snow, dirt and especially for this: like a maniac, I want to casually drive that sucker down a hill right into a giant swamp while my passengers gasp. And then float, float, float to the other side and do it all over again.

Why do I need this? Why not? It just sounds like pure fun. Think about it. Think about what your face looks like when it’s having pure fun. When was the last time your face looked like that? My face looked like that about two months ago when I went fishing every morning and every evening for about four days. No kid ever goes two months without a face like that. Kids understand the importance of pure fun. That reminds me. I need a boat too.

Things that are most likely the devil:

#chocolatepeanutbutterchunk

Things that deserve the stink-eye:

How not to haul rafters.

#badidea
#whatwashethinking?
#dude
#accidentwaitingtohappen

This is (was) my hood:

I forgot that in Saskatoon, the downtown crosswalk lights tweet when it's time to cross.

#thankyoufortheremindersaskatoon
#alotonmymind

So much.

Many know that famous poem by William Carlos Williams: 

“So much depends upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens.” 

Impossible not to visualize right?

This poem's a photograph frozen in time. It’s also a waving flag tribute to how powerfully simple poetry can be. I’ve sometimes wondered if it has no other meaning than to demonstrate how purposeful word-choice loves nothing better than to waltz an image around the dance-floor for all to ogle at.

But some say, “So what?” People criticize this poem; they question its point. I guess I can’t blame critics for dismissing an imagery feast. Why not eat the feast instead of just stare at its beauty? And that’s fine. People see what they see, enjoy what they enjoy, appreciate what they appreciate.

I’ve known and kept this poem in my thoughts like a note in my wallet for many years. It just stuck with me. Those words bubble up sometimes when I encounter a strong visual, maybe while reading or watching a film or in the everyday actions of all the people around me. I think the heart of this poem isn’t really the image though. It’s the first four words: so much depends upon.” Upon what? Upon who? Why so much?

Picture this simple description for example: instead of loading their patient into the ambulance, two EMTs in a hospital parking lot talk with him for fifteen minutes. No big deal right? From a distance, would most people even notice? But for someone, so much depends upon that act, that opportunity, that momentary freedom from the weight of the world. Just for a little while, just for fifteen minutes in the fresh air among the tall trees on a warm day in late summer thanks to the kindness of strangers. To someone, so much can depend on that. So much.

Things one should never outgrow:

backroading (with the ones you love).