Kid has weird interaction with Piccolina the dog, who seems inexplicably to adore Mommy
I am not saying that this headline is accurate, but I have never met an aggro dog that doesn’t like Laurea. Jury’s out on why, but Kina has a point of view.
Visiting philanthropist feels deep sense of obligation to local stray dogs
The answer is that the dog rescue on Turks and Caicos that cares for the many strays (and can facilitate adoption!) is called Potcake Place. We did not adopt.
Ocean-drunk child waxes rhapsodic as Mommy snuggles her to sleep
This spring break trip is special, juxtaposed as it is with Kina’s growing independence and all the things happening in places—very much like the one we are in now—that are inhabited with brown folks. I feel immensely aware of the entitlement of America right now, and Laurea and I have taken great pains to point out to Kina the strangeness of empire in this place and this moment. We are lucky to have been able to spend a week in the home of the people of these islands, to float in the water and breathe in the air. Kina’s wistful little murmurs, uttered at the edge of sleep, are gifts from this place, too. Thank you to all the good people of the Turks and Caicos islands—Belongers and those from away (including the 2,000 or so Filipinos here), who have treated us so well. We hope we have been better visitors than most.
In the fine, bonelike pebbles where the surf breaks, she finds spiral fractals of conch
There is something about watching Kina thrash about in the two feet of water where the enormous ocean meets the sand, looking for signs of life and other shiny things, that gives me perspective on how stupid the rest of the world is.
Publisher, at 9 years old, more patient than most adults at JFK
It is a testament to how much Kina loves the beach that she waited so patiently in line for security. I think it actually made me calmer.
Also, she has wished every professional adult that has helped us on this trip “Happy Spring Break!” which makes me think that she believes Spring Break is a global holiday for all ages.
If you look real hard, you can still see a 3-year-old between the lines.
Kina asked me tonight if she could paint the nameplate of today’s edition—her first contribution to an anniversary issue, now the sixth of its kind. I thought I might do this for a year, and then maybe until kindergarten, and then maybe for five years, and here we are. We’ve been through COVID, three (somewhat horrid) presidential administrations, now several wars, countless markers and pens and watercolors and pads of paper (details available upon request), and seven school classrooms (including one living room for a good part of the first year).
Every year I think, “Next year is when I will announce that this is the last edition of The Daily Kina”, and every year there’s another tomorrow to draw. I suppose that’s nice to remember—we get by.
Thank you for reading this. I hope it helps. It helps me.
Speedy publisher beats all comers in race from coffee shop to cooking school
She is especially proud to have won the race in sandals. I haven’t been able to beat her in a race for years now, and because I can’t accept that I am maybe slow, that means that Kina is really fast. Even in sandals.
Publisher refuses to confirm or deny that flowers were plucked from playground
Five bucks for purloined blooms. A true Kina classic. Also a Kina classic: all the illustrations today. Lots has changed since she was three, including her having developed the ability to draw things. Love to see it.
