Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Last Child in the Woods

Its obviously been quite a while since I've posted anything here.  Every parent knows, that sometimes life doesn't allow time for anything other than whats absolutely needed.  Work, family, sick babies and everything else really add up.

On a bright note, I've finally gotten the chance to sit down and start reading "Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv.  It's an enlightening look at the deterioration of our connection to nature, and how we're raising a generation of children that are disconnected from the natural world.  In a time where we're constantly told to get our children to excersize to fight childhood obesity, to get them outside, we're still missing something.  Gone are the empty lots we played in as children, the woods behind the house, and the natural spaces where children should be able play freely.  Louv does a great job of connecting unstructured outdoor play in natural settings with child development, and their adult connection for the natural world.

 The book definitely has me thinking and re-evaluating the importance of Levi playing outside.  Luckily for me, the outdoors are already a magnet for him.  Any open door is quickly used to get himself outside, and he makes it crystal-clear that he does NOT want to go back inside!  He's 17 months old now, and we're really going to make sure than he's outside as much as possible, as if we have a choice in the matter!

I will be posting some more thoughts inspired by the book, and also, as Levi gets older I hope to have even more to post.  For now, I'm working on a goal of mine that will allow me to spend that time with my family, doing the things we enjoy.  My focus will be away from this site for a while, but hopefully not for long.  In the meantime, make sure to check out the links on the left, and stay outside.

Friday, January 22, 2010

17 Year-Old Climbs the 7 Summits

If pop culture has taught us anything, it’s that high school seniors are worried about two things: where they’re going to go to college and whether or not they will still be a virgin by the time they get there. But seventeen-year-old Johnny Collinson has spent his high school years focused on other, more dangerous activities. In June 2009 he summitted Everest. And yesterday, after reaching the top of Antarctica’s Vinson Massif (16,067 ft.), he became the youngest person in the world to complete the Seven Summits, a mountaineering challenge that involves climbing the highest mountains on each of the seven continents....

Read the rest at Wend


Tuesday, January 5, 2010

The Season

The Season Trailer from Fitz Cahall on Vimeo.



This looks like it's going to be a great project. You can follow it at www.theseasontv.com .

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Surfing the Arctic

Found here...

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merrry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Danny, Levi, and Laura!

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Times A-Comin...

Got a new post on The Outdoor Parent!

As we’ve passed Levi’s first birthday and moved into fall, the milestones are coming fast and furious. Crawling, which didn’t happen until 11 months, and walking is already coming on fast. Words are beginning to pop out of him with a rush of semi-intelligible grunts, shrieks and adorable ooo’s and aahhh’s. He knows a duck says quack, and Rasta (our dog) says Ow Ow Oowwwooooooooo! ...
Read the rest here...

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Drifter Trailer

Drifter Trailer from Poor Specimen on Vimeo.

Friday, 7pm Patagonia Cardiff screening! Now I give myself a 20%chance of making it down there after work, but I'm definitely going to try.