I had a Liam sort of a day today. We started driving in a half-empty parking lot, which was fabulous. I know that a lot of people are nervous teaching teenagers to drive, but I think it’s fantastic. I’m all about achievements, and skilz, and independence, and of course I remember how badly I wanted the keys to a car. Liam is the same, he yearns to drive, to be competent, to make his own decisions.
Admittedly there were a few tense moments; our family car is a V6 Accord, and it’s powerful like a rocket. I mean, dang. That car can shoot away like a bionic eel, and I’m sure it could easily punch a hole in a brick wall. It’s challenging to learn to control it, especially as a first car. But he was really good, and he looked just right behind the wheel. And I know he felt proud. I sure did.
He and Evan have been watching Breaking Bad, which horrifies me. But they say, in their reasonable voices, “a) the show is genius” (which is true, I know, even though I don’t watch it) and “b) seeing these losers makes us even more committed to staying away from dangerous drugs.”
Also probably true. STILL. It’s hard. The time for edicts has generally passed; there are certainly things we are not flexible about, but they diminish.
Liam draws for extra credit in his History class, his favorite subject.
This is his Bored Emperor Constantine.
. . .
I gave an interview today to Mandi Ainsworth, a member of the Dallas Bead Society and the founder of the Bead Circle Network. In addition to being adorable (have you seen her?) she is all about the community aspect of beading, and so the way that Contemporary Geometric Beadwork came together is right in line with what she loves. The podcast will air on April 4th, and I’ll put up a link at that time.
And meanwhile, the great reviews roll in. It’s fantastic, beyond words wonderful. Thank you to everyone who’s taken the time to leave one!
wow! nice drawing…
I received my copy of the book yesterday! It is BEAUTIFUL & VERY INSPIRATIONAL! Thanks for all the work! I can’t wait to get started on a tri-wing. I am a mere beginner, but lover of beads since I strung my first “love bead” necklace in high school. I too am driving instructor these days. My daughter, Emily, (19), has her permit & I am her instructor. We always have a good time out practicing. She is a very good student driver & I also feel proud of her. I long to give her my car & become more dependent on my bicycle for “around town” errands.
wonderful!!!
P.S. “8chickens” is still me, Eileen Stone. “They” made me change it. (although now I only have 4 chickens bcuz of Mr. Coyote)
The best help to me when teaching my 3 kids to drive was what my insurance agent told me. They had to agree and sign a paper saying they promise to never talk or text on the cell phone. And also to never have more than one friend in the car with them while still in high school. It worked really well and, to this day, not one of them has had an accident and the youngest is 25. The one thing I told them is to not be afraid, because that type of driver is far more dangerous.
Have fun, it is definitely a good time for a special bonding.
(I see he inherited your artistic gene…nice job)
Great advice.
I just opened my mail now, I’m sitting here with “my” copy. ..I’m breathless. Gobs of beady of beady thanks and love
Kitte
Oh, how WONDERFUL!!!!! What a nice image to have, as I end this day. Thank you!
The parallels between your son and mine continue. History is Andrew’s favorite class, and he is also learning to drive. But not from me. I spent the time supervising my daughter’s first efforts around a local park, trying to remember if you break the window before or after the car fills up with water. Then I turned the driver training over to my husband. His father is much better suited to teaching driving, as he is blessed with the belief that nothing bad will ever happen
Bill will have to buck up and continue training when I depart… but I’m taking the brunt of it, as the Lord intended.
Also, the book is fabulous, but you already know what I think from my emails.
But it still thrills me to hear it!!!
I am in love with your approach to training your son as a new driver. It’s so healthy, warm and welcoming to our community of drivers. That support will go a long way! (Pun intended)
My Dad’s idea of a good way to break me in was to put me in a 1945 Willy’s Jeep with a beat down highly manual transmission at the bottom of a tall dirt hill. He tossed me the keys and said, “Let me know when you’re up it.” It’s funny NOW.