Ok, so once upon a time, I was a wilderness guide. I hiked up big mountains, paddled through whitewater, shinnied my way through sandstone caves, and slept under the stars a whole lot.
But one of the most useful things I learned how to do was pee outside without, um, getting myself all wet. There was a lot of trial and error, and I have to admit, I learned a few things the hard way.
But you don't have to make the same mistakes I did because in The Double-Daring Book for Girls, the newly-launched sequel to the wildly popular Daring Book for Girls by Miriam Peskowitz and Andrea Buchanan, you will find a little section about "going to the bathroom in the woods." I am extremely proud to say that little section was written based upon my techniques. Yes, folks, I provided wilderness bathroom methods consultation for this fine book. (You should have seen me giving a demonstration to the author at our local cafe. Well, maybe you did.)
There are lots of other super cool things in this book, most of them far less scatalogical, aimed at girls ages 7-14. To read an interview with Miriam Peskowitz, read this post at My American Meltingpot.
There are lots of other super cool things in this book, most of them far less scatalogical, aimed at girls ages 7-14. To read an interview with Miriam Peskowitz, read this post at My American Meltingpot.
At any rate, I have a hot-off-the-presses copy of Double Daring to give away to someone who comments on this post with a good story about being (not necessarily peeing) in the wilderness. Comment by midnight on Friday, April 10 to be eligible.
5 comments:
well, since we're on the topic and i have one handy, it seems a shame to have the story not be about peeing....here is an excerpt from last summer's blog/emails about alaska and features our then 4 year old son...
josey's biggest challenge at the cabin is figuring out which direction to stand while peeing. there is often a wind off the lake in the afternoon so we told him to face away from the wind. but he will still come back inside with his pants still down saying, "which way should i go pee pee?"
Peeing? In the woods? How about being at "Ye Olde Colonial Camp" and trying not to splash on your "linen frock" (it's not like you have a whole closetful!) I may be a city girl at heart but I can squat with the best of them!
I can't think of anything specific, but we have had many adventures in the outdoors over the years - before and after kids. Of course since there was the mention of peeing that is what comes to mind - being very pregnant and using a kiddy potty in the vanagon camper, or Nathan's technique with the girls. Let's just say I wish I had an adult that could pick me up so pee didn't run down my legs. My girls really love the Daring Book for Girls, they each have their own copy, and I am sure they will be begging for the new one before we head off to Maine this summer.
Peeing in the woods sometimes
does require a funnel.
But if you don’t use it right,
you might end up in a puddle.
The worst kind of puddle is one that stays with you
And can’t be sopped up with a towel or a tissue,
I speak from experience; it’s a pickle I’ve been in:
You will know me in some crowds as “Pee the Pants Kim.”
It's still before midnight here where I live--hope this makes it in time! That is SO cool that you contributed to the book. I loved The Daring Book and have it waiting on the shelf for when the kids are older.
My humble entry:
One summer weekend my husband and I tried to backpack into our local hills in order to get away from the city and noise and people, etc. Only we ended up being followed in by a group of annoying Boy Scouts who, let's just say, did not share our appreciation for the quiet solitude of nature.
All of which was bad enough. But one morning I trekked off to dig my hole in the ground and do my business (it was a backpacking campground with no sort of facilities). I thought I had found a good spot, with lots of shrubbery that hid me from the campsites. Until, after I had bared my ass to the breeze, I realized I was in full view of two of the Boy Scouts who had, for whatever dumbass reason, wandered off from their group and taken up residence in the bushes.
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