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.
I like to think of it as Daddy’s funny tooth brushing ritual but ok
I actually tell her that I don’t believe she brushed her teeth so that she will get up in my face and gasp at me furiously with her toothpaste breath because I think it is endlessly funny.
A stumble on the ladder to loft bed leaves her breathless; Daddy, a seasoned faller and wind knocker, reassures her; Mommy, who does not knock wind, is confused
It is crazy that this is a thing you can do your body—paralyzing your own diaphragm—but now she knows that she will be okay. Laurea somehow never experienced this in her life? Maybe I just fell a lot.
Publisher’s 9-year-old well visit made even weller by great nurse
Kina doesn’t normally remark on the quality of nurses, but this one appears to have made a real impression on her. Doesn’t mean that she’s forgiven the whole finger prick episode, but five stars otherwise, would patient again.
