Boyhood
I'm heading to West Virginia soon and one of the best parts of the trip will no doubt be spending time with my nephews Shawn (aged 10) and Dustin (just turned 13). Their pin-headed but loving mother lives in NC and their loving but pin-headed father lives in WV. They are being raised to be God-fearing, video-game playing, extremely sheltered, little hillwilliams.
What amazes me is how much they remember of the short times we've spent together. I think it's because the stuff we do together is so different from what they usually do. We put on a puppet show, read Beowulf and acted it out--I was Grendel and his mother, my best performance yet. Two years ago we started reading Tom Sawyer together and I promised them a caving trip when we finished it. Last night, they reminded me what page we were on. After we watched Dr. No we made a video about the Worst Spies Ever and now they want a sequel.
I suggested Harry Potter, but they explained to me that their mom has forbidden them to read it because it "might make them go to the devil". Sigh. They're still young enough to be obedient.
I kind of stick to books because the nephews need constant encouragement to read; their parents aren't big on books. (I never thought we'd get through Beowulf, but the promise of acting out a battle in a swimming pool carried the day. At the end of the battle we had two Beowulfs and Grendel's mother was exhausted.)
When I was their age, my friends and I spent a lot of time on Civil War battles; the Laird tells me that for his group it was WWII. Of course, we don't just fight and tell stories of violence, but I can handle the softer stuff, cooking, sports, poetry, art (well, I do my best, FSL), even sewing, although we mostly sew costumes to fight in...
So, I'm writing to ask you what were your favorite boyhood tales and adventures. What fired your imagination, made you curious, wanting to read more? What makes a thrilling boyhood adventure?
posted by Corresponding Secretary General at 9:15 AM
8 Comments:
May I suggest the very old: The American Boys Handbook, which is basically the Tom Sawyer Field Manual. This is also highly recommended for Dr. X's little Xs in a few years.
The tree trap for "prisoners" is a classic.
http://www.amazon.com/American-Boys-Handy-Turn-Century/dp/048643138X/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-1316656-4502438?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186681238&sr=8-1
Lots is archaic, but it's fascinating - also a reminder of the genuine independence and resilience we are failing to teach in the Age of Screens and Consumption. Kites, floating hot air balloon candles (best in an area that needs a good forest fire), snow fight rules, wildlife aquariums, oodles of stuff boys (and girls) can make - and when you make it, you really do own it. Some of my best memories are being taught MAKING - but trouble inducing items, ideally, sling shots, etc. I also have fine memories of wheel-thrown pottery.
Our viceroy might suggest hockey, mostly for the social values.
Or archery for that matter, 10 is old enough for a kid not entirely bent on destruction- if you have a place to shoot. It's fantastic for teaching focus and as a gentler introduction to marksmanship. Ask your Laird for tips on cheap bows and kit, as the brits say.
If you get very ambitious, you can fulfill a vicarious desire and build the little flatboat in there with a deckhouse ready for the South Seas, such as they are, down the hollar.
Also useful for the many, many torpedo boat attacks I made on the German destroyers that prowled Kachemak Bay, during the war.
And Do NOT neglect the Hobbit.
But they also aren't too young for a little harsh history - WWII and it's origin. Time to bring up Anne Frank, if they aren't getting it elsewhere.
And - AND guitar hero. It's a video age and best to do it right.
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Dr. X posts this from Syldavia:
Tintin (Red Rackham's Treasure or Tintin in Tibet), and the Dangerous Book for Boys.
Which reminds me: Asterix!
Another book that comes to mind is long out of print. IT is called "Two Little Savages: A Boys book of Woodcraft". It basically is an outdoor survival book for 10-year-olds and involves making traps and teepees. My father cites it as a major reason he survived the jungles of WWII and his Arctic explorations in small planes.
As for me, my best recollections involved anything with a bit of "real" adult danger in it, Full-throttle wrestling where anyone can tap out but full force is used.
One on my favorite memories is the winter day the The Laired, our departed friend JG and I played Zeus and the young warriors at my house. JG played Zeus (of course). Here's how it worked. Zeus got up on the deck of the house with 5 broomstick handles (For lightening bolts). Next Zeus would hurl the lightening bolts at the young warriors (Laird and Viceroy) down below in the snow. The warriors would dodge the bolts (or not) pick them up and hurl them back a Zeus shouting challenges to the god himself! The epic battle ended when Zeus was knocked from MT. Olympus into a mound of snow. No one was critically hurt, but the possibility of serious injury was just a thunderbolt away......Thinking about this, maybe this is a game your nephews should discover on their own!
I concur - risk - or the appearance of risk (which is really hard to fake) is key.
This reminded me of a story of the late Tim, who, from a tree-hidden 2nd story perch at the Laird's window, spoke to a little girl in the park next door:
"Hello, Little Girl. This is GOD."
To which she responded -
"No, you aren't. You're the Devil!"
The only possible response -
"HAHAHAHAHA. How did you KNOW!? HAHAHA!"
I mention this because it sounds like these kids could really use a little, or perhaps further training, in some demi-god like hubris.
Wonderful stuff!
West Virginia in August is no place for hockey, snow fight rules, or hot air balloons, but I'll file that away.
I think I'll just tell them the story of Zeus and the young warriors, maybe paint some sticks, and leave the rest of it up to them.
Also, I think our trip to the caves will now include making slingshots and terrifying small animals.
And, maybe a movie version of the Anne Frank story might spark some good conversation.
Thanks, team, my mind is humming with plans...
Dr. X posts this from that sports bar next to Google (really):
"Yes, and consider also taking them to see Ratatouille. It is not the best animated movie ever made, probably, but it's in the top ten."
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