...Homemade Rainbows...


Saturday, March 14, 2009

raising little guardians

You know you are doing a good job of raising and encouraging budding naturalists when you encounter their work almost everywhere you pass....when their fascination, bordering on obsession, with everything wild, living, dirty and good drives their very being.

You know you are doing a good job when you find yourself eating french toast at the breakfast table with not one, but up to half a dozen male rhinoceros beetles for guests... and you don't mind. (In actual fact in addition to being quite fascinating miniature beasts, they have quite sweet manners and don't eat a lot.)

You know however you can be a nervous Mama when their pursuit of and desire to touch anything fungus makes you slightly uneasy.
But if encouraging your little guardians of the earth involves bedside tables littered with river rocks, crystals and gum nuts....
the kitchen bench scattered with plucked flowers and pine cones and sea shells....
the cabinets topped with birds nests.....
glasses taken to accommodate handfuls of collected berries.....
boxes being made and lined for dead lizards (yes, dead lizards) and snails.....
and lunchboxes being emptied at school and refilled with feathers, leaves and other strange nuts, then I'm sure I must be doing a good job......

And if I smile much much more than I cringe (because secretly I do love it too) doing a great job of raising little naturalists.... little guardians..... is certainly a good good thing.... don't you agree?

16 comments:

Tammy said...

It is a good thing, I SO agree!

And you are a very special MAMA. :)

Lisa said...

I absolutely agree with you! Your home sounds a lot like mine, except for the rhino beetles...our little crawlers are black swallowtail caterpillars and pill bugs, Oh and 1 slimy slug! :)

Megan.K. said...

I agree!!!

Sabrina said...

Yes, yes I heartily agree! They (and you!) will have so many treasures and precious memories for nourishment in the coming years. So many of my happiest and most vivid memories of childhood come from exploring nature's playground and the imaginary worlds my siblings and I created.

Madeline said...

I most definitely agree! They will have beautiful and happy memories full of nature and love--the best kind of memories.

Melanie said...

A little award for you over at my blog to do with as you please. I honestly do enjoy your blog and just wanted to show my appreciation. Have a great weekend!

Lisa said...

Leanne, I'm having a felty giveaway....don't count yourself out b/c your overseas!

littlechrissy said...

Your blog always makes me smile. Thank you for posting these beautiful photos and thoughts.

Amber said...

Oh how lovely, yes i agree. They have a way of reminding us beauty is alive everywhere..Love it..xx

Amber said...

Oh and most of all you are doing a magical job creating gentle people for our planet. Thank you..xx

Melanie said...

I agree and I have actually filled vases with rocks and gravel and acorns, so many acorns that my kids have brought home for the last 18 years so that i can always treasure the moment they shared their find with me. My son would be so jealous that you have rhinocerus beetles and he doesnt. He is totally fascinated with them.

Jules said...

i certainly do agree
... and nod sympathetically, understanding all to well the balance between chaos & beauty

Lisa said...

Hey lady, you won the ginkgo brooch. Email me your address and I'll mail it out this weekend.

Stephanie said...

We would love to invite rhinocerous beetles for breakfast!

A lovely post.

Sherrin said...

That's SO lovely!! ^_^

pink and green mama MaryLea said...

ABSOLUTELY!! Wonderful post.