Will TheKiddo™ Have Heroes?

Do you ever look at your children and wonder, "Who inspires them"?

I spend most of my time worrying about her school, her health, her day-to-day wellbeing that I don't always think about her bigger dreams. What are they? Where do they come from? How can I help her?

I caught myself wondering about her inspiration tonight as I shut off the lights and put the bedtime stories away.

Our daughter is interested in such a wide variety of things. It is hard at times to keep track. She swims. She plays drums. She dances. She plays with dolls. She loves board games. She explores with her Girl Scout friends (technically Daisies at her age).

She does all the things that are probably normal for a majority six-year olds. And yet I find myself wondering who her female heroes and role models will be.

Will it be her mami? TheBetterHalf® is an incredible woman (and I'm sure I don't tell her that enough—lo siento muñequita).

Will it be Missy Franklin? TheKiddo™ has made it clear she loves swimming, and that she wants to win gold medals in the Olympics just like Missy.

Will it be Lisa Randall? TheKiddo™ does love math and science (a love I hope to foster for as long as I live).

I have no idea from where TheKiddo™ will draw inspiration. Mine came from books, movies, and my imagination. I didn't have heroes, or anyone that I truly aspired to be. I wasn't even sure who I ought to admire.

I'll do my best to place incredible opportunities, people and role models in her path. And at the end of the day, that may be all I can do.

Urban Gardening: A Day for Planting

We had a long day at the garden, or rather gardens.

It began with a lot of work at our two plots that are part of Gardeners In Community Development. We had a little bit of harvesting to do. The bush beans are producing, and several other items are growing well. The pole beans are blooming, and the broccoli and brussels sprouts are getting rather large.

Harvesting and tending to the first plot was followed by a whole lot of planting of carrots (multiple varieties), turnips, peas, lettuce, and spinach.

After several hours (and a bit of a sunburn), we ran out of steam and headed for home. Of course that meant a stop at our small plot at the Deep Ellum Urban Garden. (DUG also has a facebook page if you prefer that sort of thing.)

We started the DUG plot to have an herb garden much closer to home. It's going to come in very handy for cooking.