Thirteen-year-old Anna laughed when she read aloud the cover of my September Outside Magazine, “Rewilding the American Child.” “What’s this about, Mom,” she said, “How do you ‘rewild’ a kid? Can I read it?"…
Ten years ago, our children claimed the empty lot before we did. You could say they took advantage of the “freedom to roam” act, an act which allows the public in some European countries, including the Czech Republic, to access public and private land for recreational purposes (as long as those purposes do not damage or destroy the land). When we first moved to our house in a village on the outskirts of Prague, I didn’t know such an act…
Ever since I survived my first Czech winter (more than 15 years ago), spring has become one of my favorite times to live in the Czech Republic. As the weather grows warmer and the days get longer, Czechs linger outdoors (perhaps to make up for time lost during the grey winter months). For parents, leaving the playground before dark can become a battle of wills. …
Despite my strong attraction for being outside (in any season), I am at my least-best when asked to work in my garden. I feel particularly conflicted about my lack of gardening enthusiasm because many friends who live in apartments in the center of Prague or high-rises on the city’s outskirts would long to get their hands dirty in the green space that causes me wakes me up on otherwise beautiful spring Saturday mornings in a cold sweat.…
When Radek mentioned he’d like to take me to Paris to celebrate my 40th birthday (which happened to coincide with Easter weekend), it sounded too good to be true. I imagined walking hand in hand along the Seine, visiting Trocadero at sunset to see the Eiffel Tower, and climbing the steps to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre. Afterward, we’d drink champagne and eat mussels cozied up at a table for two in the Latin Quarter. It would be the perfect way…
It’s Saturday night at our local microbrewery. Radek and I are chatting about the recent Czech presidential election with our neighbors. (Truth: They’re making jokes. I’m listening in hopes of improving my Czech humor.) The younger children have lined up plastic soldiers and army tanks on the wooden table and are preparing for battle. And my 13-year daughter is hunched over in an armchair at an empty table. She’s not pouting. She’s reading. …
