An interesting evolution is underway; Michael has long been a story teller, and his preferred medium for his tales were in the illustrated pages of comics. However, for his latest endeavor he was taken a new path, weaving his plot and characters in the more traditional prose format.
When he first divined his new story ideas he created illustrated artifacts, such as renderings of the cast, equipment and maps. It seemed that a new comic series was eminent, but at some point he decided to sit down and craft it on the laptop, letter by letter. He chose this path on his own; we did not suggest, hint or prompt it at all. Now, he is always asking for the laptop, and wants to work on his story all the time. So far, it is a solid tale told "in media res," a somewhat advanced technique, which makes we wonder what his next metamorphosis will be as an author.
RAP(10.15.2008)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Thank You Sir, May We Have Another
Last year Michael lacked the altitude, and for a year he waited; Saturday eve his moment arrived, and this year he did posses the height that allowed him to fly across the farmland, speeding along a zip cord with a youthful exuberance that Peter Pan would be pressed to exceed.
Alex never thought twice about the riding the zip cord after last year's festival; he prefers to remain grounded. With the slightest encouragement, he remained in line with his brother and watched his friends make their trips unscathed. Right up to the final moment his trepidation was palpable, but with a fateful step he overruled his fears and surrendered himself to a faith that everything will be alright. At the end of his journey, Alex may not be ready to enlist in the Lost Boys, but his smile made me wanted to fly.
RAP (10.9.2008)
Alex never thought twice about the riding the zip cord after last year's festival; he prefers to remain grounded. With the slightest encouragement, he remained in line with his brother and watched his friends make their trips unscathed. Right up to the final moment his trepidation was palpable, but with a fateful step he overruled his fears and surrendered himself to a faith that everything will be alright. At the end of his journey, Alex may not be ready to enlist in the Lost Boys, but his smile made me wanted to fly.
RAP (10.9.2008)
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The Power of Advertising
Monday afternoon Michael, Alex & Jenny spied a white car pulled over with its hood up, smoke pouring out of the engine with its owner surveying the situation. Michael proclaimed, "I sure hope that guy has Nationwide, because Nationwide is on your side." Michael is a bit innocent and trusting, and things that others might be skeptical of he accepts, so for a moment his intentions were unclear to his mother. However, they were never mysterious to his partner in crime, Alex, who quick as ever, responded, "I agree. Plus Nationwide gives you $500 cash back. Mom, do we have Nationwide?" Smirking in response to the surreal conversation she informed them, "No, we have Allstate. We're in good hands with Allstate." To which Michael mischeiviously queried "You mean State Farm?" It may not be "who's on first," but it amused everyone and is illustrated a more sophisticated side of Michael that should please the Mad Men everywhere.
RAP (10.8.2008)
RAP (10.8.2008)
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Food Comes from the Land
Saturday we made our annual pilgrimage to the apple orchards and pumpkin patches of Lynd's Fruit Farm in Pataskala. There are similar places closer to our house, but we have so much history that it has a hold over us. Michael so heavily associates it with October. It will be quite a moment the autumn that we do not return. Alex has just as much fun, but he is not a child of October like his brother.
We picked up hay, jam, candy sticks, kettle corn and a variety of things. However, it is always the pumpkins and apples that matter in the end; they ensure the boys understand that food comes from the land and not from aisles of concrete and linoleum of the market.
RAP (10.7.2008)
We picked up hay, jam, candy sticks, kettle corn and a variety of things. However, it is always the pumpkins and apples that matter in the end; they ensure the boys understand that food comes from the land and not from aisles of concrete and linoleum of the market.
RAP (10.7.2008)
Monday, October 6, 2008
Denied or Spared
Due to Michael's allergies, Alex has been, depending on your point of view, denied or spared the fast food that is a staple of the modern diet. However, on Saturday mornings when his practice finishes before his brother's we indulge him with cini-minis from Burger King.
Alex is a someone who likes to do things with style and an ordinary snack for team would not do; he promised his teammates that he would bring them cini-minis for his snack. His game is after the hours they are sold, so we were a bit incredulous. However, we agreed that if he could get them to do it, we would do it.
Yesterday he went to the establishment on Sawmill Road and talked to the manager, Missy. She said that they couldn't do it, but after explained his story and flashed her his baby browns. She dialed the regional manager and relayed the story and age. Alex carried the day once more, and his team will not be denied or spared his largess.
RAP(10.6.2008)
Alex is a someone who likes to do things with style and an ordinary snack for team would not do; he promised his teammates that he would bring them cini-minis for his snack. His game is after the hours they are sold, so we were a bit incredulous. However, we agreed that if he could get them to do it, we would do it.
Yesterday he went to the establishment on Sawmill Road and talked to the manager, Missy. She said that they couldn't do it, but after explained his story and flashed her his baby browns. She dialed the regional manager and relayed the story and age. Alex carried the day once more, and his team will not be denied or spared his largess.
RAP(10.6.2008)
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Days are Cooler, Darker and the Colors are Richer
The days are cooler, darker (making us play in the velvet of twilight) and the colors are richer: autumn is arriving. This weekend we will embrace the season fully as we expect to go the pumpkin patch, gather apples in an orchard and partake of a hay ride in two.
An integral part of our autumns is the boys' birthdays; at the moment our biggest activity is planning the celebration for Michael's eleventh. He has asserted control over it this year, and I am glad he has decided to return it to our house. I've always thought that those were the best parties and had the most character, plus I can't wait to break out the dark lights and dry ice. Michael's best friend Jon moved to Louisiana and that has been hard on him; it is my hope that his party can be a tonic and help him connect with others as well as he did with Jon. Aiding him socially is one of the biggest reasons I have always put so much into their parties, and for the most part I think it has worked. With some good fortune perhaps this party will help autumn's days be bright and warm for Michael.
An integral part of our autumns is the boys' birthdays; at the moment our biggest activity is planning the celebration for Michael's eleventh. He has asserted control over it this year, and I am glad he has decided to return it to our house. I've always thought that those were the best parties and had the most character, plus I can't wait to break out the dark lights and dry ice. Michael's best friend Jon moved to Louisiana and that has been hard on him; it is my hope that his party can be a tonic and help him connect with others as well as he did with Jon. Aiding him socially is one of the biggest reasons I have always put so much into their parties, and for the most part I think it has worked. With some good fortune perhaps this party will help autumn's days be bright and warm for Michael.
RAP(10.3.2008)
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Just Two Boys and Ball
Things are very busy for the boys; football, piles of homework and never ending demands all eating into their ever important playtime. Sunday night while I was baking cookies, the boys were horsing around in the backyard, allowing me to capture a few photos between batches.
Nothing special really, just two boys and ball playing a keep away chase me game like boys have always done. On the other hand, maybe that makes it really special; in this era of pixels, bytes and high speed internet boys still choose to spend their ever dwindling free time running around playing made up games that require no electrons.
RAP(10.1.2008)
Nothing special really, just two boys and ball playing a keep away chase me game like boys have always done. On the other hand, maybe that makes it really special; in this era of pixels, bytes and high speed internet boys still choose to spend their ever dwindling free time running around playing made up games that require no electrons.
RAP(10.1.2008)
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