Comments on: So Long and Thanks to (All) the Fish

By: Theodora

Theodora — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 02:00:39 +0000

In reply to Kelly.

Thank you for your sweet words — and invitation, too — Kelly! I think it is interesting how certain religious elements come to the fore whatever way you raise your child — though I’ve tried to expose him to lots of different religions, i don’t practise or follow any myself. It’s interesting that you say that your daughter thanks the farmers for locally raised meats — I guess when you are close to the source of production (i.e.: food is not something that one buys at the supermarket, wrapped in plastic) a more spiritual sense comes through…

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:56:15 +0000

I think how Z was compelled to say “grace” even when it wasn’t an automatic pre-eating habit, was a beautiful testament to your success in raising a thoughtful, intelligent and observant young man. He is going to be a gem of a teenager and seems to have a huge dose of good sense gained from travel but also obviously your mothering! We too are not the Grace saying or church going crew, but lately, my 9 year old daughter initiates grace as a thanks especially when we have locally raised meat. She says she feels like it is thanking the farmers who are our neighbors. When you don’t raise your kids in a formal religious way, isn’t it fascinating when they naturally pick up the good bits and intentions mostly on their own? Love your site, if you’re ever in Eastern Canada we’d love to host you.

By: MummyT

MummyT — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 09:35:57 +0000

In reply to jessiev. Yes. I wonder whether the catching and releasing is in fact even more cruel than eating them. Which is, at least, functional, and serves a purpose...

By: jessiev

jessiev — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:54:47 +0000

i feel the same way. i just can’t kill a fish, even though we live on a lake, have a cottage on a lake, and i fished when i was younger. somewhere, i realized how painful it is, even to be caught and released. ugh.

By: MummyT

MummyT — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:28:59 +0000

In reply to Ad.

I think you are right about anglers needing a fellow angler to take them under their wing. It’s what we always see in the UK: father and son, under blue umbrellas on a river bank (even by a city pond, canal, blocked river). I am not sure I can think of a candidate, however.

They also seem to do things differently in Asia. It’s pretty simple rod and line stuff, no real casting. Though I’m sure the deep sea stuff is very different.

Grandpa recommended the Old Man and the Sea. But while you can find many marvellous books in Kota Kinabalu, the Old Man and the Sea is not among them…

By: Ad

Ad — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:45:08 +0000

My grandfather was a keen fisherman, only he died before i was old enough to anymore than hold onto the end of a line as a four year old. I believe that all dedicated anglers are taken under the wing of a more experienced fish lover at a critical age (9?), and I missed out on that. i think it’s a dull and messy business.

Looks like grandpa wasn’t the man for the job… but if Z has another go (with someone who does know how to swiftly remove a hook) he’ll be hooked too.

My sons learned to love fishing with an uncle… and it is lovely to share in the catch when they are so excited about it all.