Sneetches, Swimming, and Sneaky Patties

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It really does feel like summer has arrived in Vancouver. Last year it didn't arrive until autumn; and so I am not complaining. We are habitually getting highs into the low 20's now and with only a smattering of rain, here and there. Great weather for swimming and barbecuing.

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Our local pool opened up this weekend and we went for our first swim today. We go to the facility at Second Beach, which is beautifully situated in Stanley Park. Found this online. I have no idea who these people are, but their video does a great show of the pool. Hopefully Hive account@dswigle will accept our trip to the pool as a #MarketFriday offering. They do charge a fee for entry.

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Looks pretty nice, Right. Almost tropical. It's not. The view is superb and the facilities well-kept, but most days there is a rather chill wind blowing in from English Bay. Today was no exception. Things were okay as long as you didn't take a step out of the heated pool. Then it was wishing that you worked a little more and were more of a dull boy.

Minime didn't seem to mind. He was stoked to ride the slide and try out his new mask and snorkel. So much fun.

We did some homeschooling today as well. Sneetches was on the docket. Fortunately there is a movie and the work is in the public domain and can be read online ... at least in Canada; so there was no hunting around a library for a jaundice hardcover. It was time to study the perils of keeping up appearances.

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From our studies ...

The Star- bellied Sneetches would brag. The also rolled their r’s, said -ar instead of -er, had a haughty tone, and spoke with their noses in the air.

They snorted with derision at the Plain-Bellies. If they talked to the Plain-Bellies at all, they talked down to them and insulted them.

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The Star-Bellies practiced elitism and excluded the Plain-Bellied. They believed in their own superiority and exclusivity. They thought they were better because they had stars on their bellies. The Star-Bellies discriminated against the Plain-Bellies.

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At Basketball, a kid asked what brand of shoes I was wearing. Brands like Nike of Adidas are an example of human ‘stars’ or status symbols. The kind of car someone drives is another status symbol, for example a Lamborghini. My Mom says having an expensive purse is a status symbol for many women.

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Many people also get tattoos to fit in or to stand out. It is hard to say what tattoos symbolize these days. Some people will also dye their hair and get plastic surgery. Online people use filters.

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We were asked to give three ways we would help everyone feel that they belonged. What follows are Minime's ideas.

Greet people with a wave or a hello.
Ask people how they are doing if you have time to stop and talk.
Listen to them when they share about themselves with empathy; try to understand their point of view

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We also looked at some literary devices used by Dr, Seuss, but this post is getting a little long, and so I'll leave it to another day, or get Minime to post it on his blog.

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We finished our day with a trip to the beach and another attempt at the Hibachi. This time it was burgers. They were delicious but then I looked at the ingredients and wouldn't you know it? They snuck in bread crumbs and soy. Seriously .. why do they have to do us like that. Next time, its hand-padded patties and no snooty Sneetches.

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