Since the summer holidays have started, we’ve all been trying to entertain ourselves and do productive things amid the insanity the world is experiencing right now. None of us have gone outside unless absolutely necessary. But obviously, I think some of us are going just a tad bit crazy from staying home for so long. As the eldest, I’m usually in charge of keeping the younger two entertained and smooth over any fights(and try not to cause any). And make sure nothing ends up in blood and tears.
Along with that, I also have to entertain myself. I mean, I already finished 2 out of the 3 books that I have to read for my Pre-Honor’s English class,(both of which making me question everything I know about literature,). If I’m bored, then I’ll usually draw or watch my favorite YouTube channels. But even then, boredom can still reach it’s peak. I mean come on, I can’t just sit around like a cone of melted ice cream and expect myself to stay sane that way.
There have been times where I have been considering mass producing pictures of my face and my sibling’s faces, and then sticking them around our house. But of course, that would involve a lot of printer paper and ink cartridges. As well as having the constant worry of wondering if a small child’s face will greet you when you are doing something as innocent as brushing your teeth.
We’ve basically reached the point where everything we didn’t really do that much before(when we were all busy with work and school), have now implemented themselves into our daily lives to keep ourselves from having the same exact experiences everyday.
My siblings and I, for example, have been taking cardboard scraps and turning them into art projects. My sister is currently infatuated with the one and only Minnie Mouse, while my brother is immersing himself into the world of drawing out robot blueprints. Naturally, they would both go to me to help tailor what they created in their whimsical minds. Which leaves me to tell you all that I know have light bruises in between my fingers from holding scissors in uncomfortable positions for far to long.
As for my parents, they’ve become very meticulous with they’re plans on activities and such, and always insist for us all to stay outside rather then holed up in our house.
(Now this is the part where I will tell you why the title of this post is relevant to today’s rant. )
A couple weeks back, it was around 9 or 10 o’clock at night and I had stayed up reading while my parents were relaxing in the living room and watching television. Then my dad called me to the living room and said he wanted to show me something. And there I was, wearing pajamas and rubbing my eyes sleepily as my parents point and do there own commentary of whats going on in the video.
The video consisted of a sweet couple demonstrating how to make a brick stove within 10 minutes; using very few materials. The video itself made the project look very simple and doable, and I assumed my dad would want to try it for himself. With that in mind, I bid goodnight to my parents and squashed myself into the bed sheets. I didn’t think much of it until the topic arose once again.
A few days later:
My dad had gotten quite a few bricks and instructed my mom on how to stack them properly, while my dad grabbed a tool from the garage to sever a couple of the bricks in half so they would fit on the corners of the brick stack properly. Meanwhile, my brother was in a complete panic because he didn’t like the prospect of having smoke anywhere near us and our house. And just as my mother started setting the sticks we place inside the stove, he lit a match and dropped it into the squat little stack of brick. And just as that happened, smoke started to curl around us as little flames made themselves known before
There it was, our own homemade “rocket” stove spewing smoke everywhere as wind blew in our direction as little flames licked the surface of the brick. My sister and I went back and forth trying to find sticks to feed into the stove to keep it going. And so far it seemed to be working little by little. It was obvious that there were some improvements that had to be made in order to have the stove work properly instead of just spew smoke directly at out faces. But my mom still managed to boil something in the stove and experiment with it as time went on.
I think my parents have found the perfect technique that works for us because we were finally able to use the stove in a way that allowed us to have things cooked constantly rather then the flames just giving out in random intervals. But I admit that finding the right way to construct the stove can be a bit difficult. You may have to add in different components in order to get it working the way you want it to, but that doesn’t mean it still isn’t a great way to live outdoors.
Long story short(well, this wasn’t really a long story but you get what I mean), we’ve reached the point where we are now starting fires in our backyard. But we’re all happy, so that’s what matters.
Our entire family has taken to staying outside for the entire day and only go inside when it’s bedtime. For one thing, it’s just too hot to be inside where you’ll be burned into a crisp. Not to mention that there is much more space outside and fresh gusts of wind; as well as the constant symphony of the surrounding wildlife.
In this time when a lot of things may leave us unsure or frightened, lets take a moment to enjoy the happiness that being outside can bring us. Even if you’re just looking out a window, take the time to appreciate the beauty that we are nestled in.
As usual, stay happy, stay healthy, and don’t forget to give yourself moments to just breathe.