Eat Dirt!

It's spring, and anyone reading this knows that means I'm out in the garden as much as possible.  Now with a toddler in tow, there are new and unpredictable challenges.  Namely the eating dirt dilemma.  Some parents out there know of something that goes like this:

1.  Child plays with dirt.
2.  Child determines that some activity resulting in dirt entering mouth is fun.
3.  Parent calculates just how dangerous having dirt in the mouth is.
4.  Child looks to parent sensing that something may be wrong ('testing the waters')
5.  Dilemma unfolds:

Chastising child may cause him to not enjoy gardening.
Is the particular dirt dirty?  (Are there toxic or dangerous items?)
What are the long term effects of eating dirt?  Are there any benefits?
If dirt eating is bad for you, would ignoring the behavior normalize it or speed its demise?
Where is my camera?

So apart from my conclusion on the spot that this is just another good way to build up my son's antigen diversity, I opted to point out to him that he was eating dirt, but not the stop himself from doing it.  I was fully aware of the content of the dirt (no New Haven toxins, no glass, no chemicals) so was able to remove that level of concern. 

But now I'm wondering, is there anything to this antigen diversity business?  Or is that just another excuse from a lazy parent?

Seeing Something New...

We went to the Storm King Sculpture Center today. Wow was it fun. The highlight for Mommy and Daddy was the Andy Goldsworthy Wall. For Michael however, it was...



Enjoy!

G. O. T. O. E. R.

After a refreshing spring bicycle ride in for my 7am shift, I observed the oddest thing I've encountered in a while. (Keep in mind that as an ER doctor, I work amongst oddity.)

In the shadow of Yale-New Haven Hospital, directly opposite the emergency department entrance, a woman was sitting in the driver's seat of her early 90's model subcompact, bundled in a winter parka, surrounded by her belongings, with an Ouija board on her lap. I regret not pausing to read the message being transcribed by the planchette's movements. Would have the divining changed?


I'm trying to craft this encounter into a poem or short story. If only I had more time...

Mayor Heads To Seattle (but then returns to New Haven?)

I turned to the New Haven Independent today to catch this story written by our own Mayor DeStefano.

Mayor Heads To Seattle | New Haven Independent

Evidently, the mayor (as the 10 term incumbent is commonly called around these parts) was invited by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to speak about public school reform. Part of me is jealous that he gets to visit the city that I love, and part of me would like to check out the foundation's new digs.

But mostly I would like to send a message to the mayor: Please leave New Haven in Connecticut. I like Seattle the way it is. Yes, it takes 10 years of multiple acts of legislation and several voters initiatives to do something as common-sense as tearing down an earthquake-incapacitated highway, but come on, it's Seattle! It has mountains. And safe bicycle lanes. And every so often an inch of snow shuts everything down. I wouldn't mind calling it home again.

I hope you enjoy your stay in the Emerald City, Mr. Mayor!