Fly a kite
March 24, 2008
Posted by CindyW in : Green Journal , trackback
So we finally decided not to go to Tahoe, not only because my eco-nut inner dialog, but mainly because my 5 year old had a spectacular wipe out from her bike, causing quite a bit of bruises and scratches. She was not ready to tumble on the slope yet.
It was a beautiful weekend, sunny, high in the 60’s. We decided to unplug for the weekend - no TV, no computer – and enjoy the beginning of spring. Aside from our usual walk in the park, play in the playground, and chase each other around, we decided to do something new – fly a kite.
Somewhere in our garage were two unused and untested kites – one given as a birthday present from a friend and the other one hand-made by my dad during his last visit. When I was a kid, every spring my dad would make a kite from used gift tissue paper, bamboo sticks and colorful threads (pretty flimsy but still operable), completed with a TP cardboard core to reel in the kite line. We would go out on the first windy day of the spring and fly the kite until it dove to its demise. During my dad’s visit a few months ago, I mentioned my kite experience. He was so touched that his homemade kites were one of the most beautiful things I remembered about my childhood. So of course he had to make another one for his grandchildren.
Off we went on our bikes to a park on the bay where adequate breeze could make kite flying an easy and enjoyable event. The store bought kite was easily sent up to the sky and highly maneuverable by my 5 year old.
In comparison, my dad’s homemade kite was clumsy and fragile. But we were all cheering for it to rise up and ride the breeze like in my memory. A few picnicers nearby asked if we made the kite – yes, it was THAT obvious. But they too joined in cheering for the not so elegant kite.
After learning its weight distribution and its asymmetry, we managed to find the balance and send it in the air. With all its imperfections, our homemade kite stumbled and tumbled in the air, and only occasionally glided smoothly, just like in my memory. Eventually it could not handle a sudden and strong gust and crashed to its demise. Not discouraged, the kids said that grandpa definitely had to make another one for next year.
On the way home, we all decided it was the best way to spend an Easter Sunday, unplugged but utterly entertained.
I am thinking, every child needs to fly a kite.
CindyW
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Comments»
Oh, my grandpa used to make them too! They weren’t as pretty-he used newspaper-but it is one of my favorite memories. When we got it up really high, we would make a slit in a corn husk we found on the ground, and put it on the string. The wind would take the corn husk up the string to the kite. We called it “sending telegrams” to the kite. It’s hard to describe; you almost have to see it done. Anyway, thanks for the memories! Such a better way to spend a day than in front of a TV!
Great post, Cindy. It’s so important to unplug and reconnect with traditional artifcats of childhood.
How neat! Coincidentally (or not) a bunch of kids were out flying kites in the field behind my parents’ house yesterday. It was a joy to watch them while smelling the home-cooked Easter meal we were about to enjoy. Thanks for this post!
If you live in the bay area, here is a kite event to consider:
When: Sunday April 27 noon - 4 p.m.
Where: Bayfront Park
Cost: $5 for a kite, hot dog, and soda.