Strewing to Share Passions and Keep Our Bonds Strong

Driving past a cafe in town, I spied a blue racing car.

“I need a photo of the car to send to Callum!” I cried. So Andy turned the car around and headed back to the cafe.

As we parked the car, my husband said, “Do you want to jump out and get your photo while I sit here?”

Of course, that’s not what I wanted. We were outside a cafe. I needed coffee.

So, Andy ordered coffee while I took photos of the blue racing car and talked to the people sitting in the sun in front of it. We all agreed it was a magnificent vehicle.

It might sound strange, but I was swept away by the beauty of the car. I saw it through my son’s eyes. Cars aren’t just cars—they’re beautiful machines.

Later, I sent some of my photos to Callum, and he replied, thanking me for them.

I’m always looking out for cars to photograph for Callum. Recent captures include Mustangs, a Porsche, an Oldsmobile, a classic Holden (I’ve forgotten the model), a tiny Smart car just for fun, and a Rolls Royce. The photos represent connections between my son and me. They prompt text messages in which we share a bit of news. They remind Callum I’m thinking of him. They remind me of his childhood when he worked on his vehicles in our front garden. There are still spare car parts from years gone by strewn around our yard.

The photos also prompt me to research the cars, increasing my knowledge and appreciation of them. I especially appreciate their beauty.

Beauty is found in all kinds of places, isn’t it? The early morning orange sun reflecting off the gum trees in the bush, trees dripping with pink spring blooms, a child’s gorgeous smile, chubby baby fingers, a spouse’s engulfing hug.

And cars.

I have a car photo collection. Do you have one too?

Some More Strewing Posts

Time for Some Strewing

Sometimes life provides my children with more than enough learning experiences without any help from me. A bushfire might be burning on our doorstep, giving everyone a unique learning opportunity. At other times, ordinary life provides one question after another for us to answer:  We might discuss the problem of a broken washing machine or we’re anticipating the installation of a hot water system. We might have a pile of books we’re engrossed in, or we have dozens of projects we’re working on. There’s lots going on. We are discussing and reading and learning heaps without any trouble at all.Then one day we wake up and the day feels

What to Do When Strewing is Rejected

Recently I found all kinds of things to strew in front of Charlotte.  I came across a website and DVD series that has an episode about a man who settled on the uninhabited Cocos Islands, later making himself king over the workers of his coconut plantation. His family ruled for 150 years before Australia brought that rule to an end. Doesn’t that sound interesting?p  I discovered a TV program about Mao’s Last Dancer, Li Cunxin, and told Charlotte about it. I remembered we owned the book. I thought she would love to read it. And then there’s the movie version.

Some Posts for My Fabulous Blog Supporters

Engines, Muscles, and Spending Time with Dad

I remove the engine from Callum’s old ute. It’s no longer needed. “I’m going to fit a bigger more powerful one,” my second son tells me. So he goes on a search and finds just the engine he’s looking for. “It needs a bit of work, Mum, but it’s going to be fantastic!” The new engine sits on our driveway for a few weeks, and then one day Callum says, “You want to help me work on my engine, Dad?” “Go on,” I encourage. “You two men will enjoy working together.” Andy and Callum spend a day outside in the

How to Get Our Children to Trust Us

If we’re going to unschool, we need to trust our kids. We often discuss this. But do we ever think about whether our kids can trust us? It’s not a one-sided thing. Unschooling is built upon a foundation of mutual trust. So how do we get our children to trust us? I shared some ideas in this story which I wrote when Gemma-Rose was nine. My daughter Gemma-Rose shows one of her ballet paper dolls to Sophie, and says, “She’s wearing a Firebird costume.” “I remember listening to that music!” says Sophie, with delight. I also remember listening to The

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So, do you strew for your older kids? Do they strew for you? What things bond you and your children together and give you pleasure?

Why not stop by and share your thoughts!