“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder . . ., he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.”
—Rachel Carson
If you live in Houston, you know . . . This is indeed an exciting and mysterious world! Folks all over town (and throughout the world) have been hovering on-line around the clock for weeks, watching and waiting with bated breath for Lois the Corpse Flower to bloom. Due in part to her sLois development, Lois has become a media darling, earning crazy cash and a frenzy of free press for The Museum.
Earlybird I have never been, but this scientific superstar motivated me to meet a friend at the museum at 5:45 a.m. on a Saturday. (Despite the photo, she was really not so stinky anymore. Only the vaguest Eau de Dead 'Possum pulsating through the air.)
As a teacher (and general nerd), what I love most about all the stink is that so many people have been swept away by a floral frenzy! People are standing in long lines just to see and smell a plant! This is exactly the type of passion (and yes, special brand of crazy) we need more of in the world:
Wake up early just to get a whiff of a wacky flower.
Follow tracks to see where they lead.
Watch caterpillars.
Be amazed!
“He . . . who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.”
—Albert Einstein
. . . and to the mother who asked her sons, "Can we go now?" before they even got to the front of the line: Find your joy!
How absolutely awesome! I would be in line at 5:45am! Thanks for sharing that great picture!
ReplyDeleteI like the look of your new blog, by the way. :)