Leftie

Got a phone call this afternoon.
Ciaran fell at school and was sent to hospital.
A green stick fracture of the distal radius.  A broken arm in old money.
There has been some bullying since he started secondary but this was just horseplay. He was chasing someone and slipped, fell and rolled a few times.
He will be in a short cast for at least 4 weeks but since its a short cast its not over his elbow just his wrist and forearm.
Luckily its not too sore, at least not yet, but it will restrict him.
Just now he's somewhat off balance so I've been keeping a close eye on him while we were at cubs as he begins to realise just what he cannot do.
His Oboe exam tomorrow is off and he's quite upset about that but he should be back up and running before his next camp in May.
No model making or painting.
Critically, and this hasn't set in yet and I expect a howl of frustration once it does, he can't hold his controller. SO NO XBOX!!
I may actually get conversations out of him again...

Bare Essentials

I was doing my first 'official' activity with the Cub Scouts tonight as part of my validation of the training already completed.
It was on Fire Safety, prompted by our smoke alarms going off 2 weeks ago while we 'cooked' pancakes.
Calling on my years of providing customer training and doing presentations I put together an instructive, interactive session with handouts and homework.
It was kept lighthearted as fire can be scary to 9 year old, but focused on the seriousness of it all.
I decided to start with explaining the concept of the fire triangle and the idea that if one of fuel, air or ignition are removed you cannot have a fire:

• Bagherra - So there are three things which you must have if you are going to have a fire. Anyone know what they are?
• Cub1 - Logs? or wood?
• B - Yes that's 1. You must have fuel. Another?
• Cub2 - Matches?
• B - Very Good. Matches are a source of ignition. Or you can rub sticks together, or lightning bolt, or electric heater, or lots of other ways. Whats the last thing?
• Cub3 - Marshmallows! You have to have marshmallows with a fire. We always do.

 No matter how prepared you think you are you cannot prepare for the thought processes of a 9 year old sugar fiend.

You can only make them stand outside in the rain while you explain why they have to wait there until they get the all clear.

Leap Day

Its a popular tradition that on Leap day woman can propose marriage. The tradition varies, but in Scotland if a man refuses he is required to pay a  fine of a pair of leather gloves, a single rose, £1 and a kiss.
Given that we had the Honeymoon Suite in Kinross and all the teasing I was disappointed not to be even asked...