I did something odd a couple weeks ago. I looked up at the sky and realized that the sun was in its place and all was right with the world- at least no dark clouds threatened. I looked around my house and noticed the usual array of stuff, but it was the copious amounts of sidewalk chalk that drew my attention. Apparently, when left alone, buckets of fist-size chalk produce smaller boxes of slimmer, artier colors. I did what any sane person would do with this chalk blessing; I made a maze on our driveway.

We have a long urban driveway that stretches to the detached garage at the back of our lot, so this was a large maze- the kind that made passers-by stop and ask, “What were you thinking?”

My anecdotal experience had told me that pretty much everyone likes a good maze. Certainly, the corn farmers of America would agree. Satisfaction abounds in watching the neighborhood stroll through a maze that is as ephemeral as the arboreal autumn explosion.

This winter I look forward to trying out a very old maze game: the Fox and Geese. Everyone mashes down a knot of paths through the snow plus a den and a nest. One of the players is designated the fox and must pursue the geese through the maze. When captured, the goose must go straight to the den and await consumption. Another goose can rescue them, but only at the greatest danger to themselves.

The nest is sacrosanct.

September, 2005

City: So what are you reading right now?
Random 9-year-old: Freddy in Peril, which I am near finishing.

What is that book about?
It is about a golden hamster that knows how to read and write.

So it’s a true story?
No.

No?
No, a golden hamster learns to read and write in the first book and in the second book he’s trying to escape Professor Fleischkopf who says that hamsters are capable of reading and writing if certain nerves are connected in their brains. He dissected hamsters’ brains while they’re still alive.

How did Freddy feel about this?
He was scared. Fortunately, he escaped. He got his head shaved by Professor Fleischkopf right here (motions down the center of his scalp) and Enrico and Caruso [Freddy’s friends] made pretend bald spots and put them on their head. Enrico and Caruso made fun of him a little.

There’s a first book?
I, Freddy. It’s about the hamster Freddy learning to read and write.

Why does he want to read and write?
I don’t know. I haven’t read it in a long time.

I thought you read it only two months ago.
Yes, but that’s a long time ago. He wants to learn to read and write for the good of golden hamsters.

A hamster dipped in gold?
Noooo, it isn’t. It’s a type of hamster. As you can see in the picture, his hair has a kind of golden color.

Who wrote the books?
Dietlof Reiche. He knows how to write a good story.

Would you recommend these books to someone else?
Um-hm. It’s a funny book. Kids who like animals and silly animals would like the book.

November, 2005

One of the delights of summer has to be the 33rd Annual Pigeon Droppings from the coops atop the Xerox Building in downtown…

— WE INTERRUPT THIS BROADCAST FOR A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT —

Oooo, sends chills up and down your spine doesn’t it? I know, I know. You need to be in a very surreal existential place for mere typography to make you go all Noah. But what about the rest of your family? For a little fun on those long car trips, wait until everyone’s happily dozing and then slip in a tape of the Mercury Theatre’s War of the Worlds broadcast. (You know, the one that caused mass panic up and down the eastern seaboard about 70 years ago.) When your children wake, start the tape and watch the magic of radio drama unfold (keeping your eyes on the road, of course)
And don’t limit yourself to frightening your lads and lasses. A wide array of old-time radio is available, from libraries, websites, and retailers.
A long car ride is also a great time to expose the youth of today to some not-so-old-time radio. Many popular tales have been dramatized by the BBC, including: Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (which started on the radio). Modern domestic radio offers a few choice selections, notably Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion programs. The youngest of your clan will doubtless enjoy any of the radio stories produced for the defunct Rabbit Ears Radio show (recently re-released according to Audiofile magazine).
Finally, some folks even produce audio dramas without a broadcast signal. Angels of this sub-genre, the Words Take Wing Repertory Company, have produced wonderful adaptations of numerous youth titles.

August, 2006