a peek inside the fishbowl

Sometimes, on a rainy/hot/humid kind of day I just need to visit a place where I can let my kids (a) run around and (b) learn stuff. You know, just to shake things up a little.

The Canada Aviation and Space Museum here in Ottawa is the perfect place to do this.

The Aviation Museum is where Mark and I first discussed our Museum Survival Strategy (that would be MY mental survival) and put it to practice. You can read about that here. It still applies.

There is lots to see here. And the place is huge; there is lots of room to run around. It was almost empty when we visited earlier this week.

I really enjoy this visual history of Canadian flight. Those early wooden planes – nothing but sticks and canvas – are a wonder. But the other stuff is neat too:

At one point we heard a rumble and peeked outside… and saw this:

Did you know you can get aerial tours of Ottawa? Pick your mode of transport: helicopter, biplane or Beaver Float Plane. The prices aren’t entirely unreasonable. I have a feeling it would make someone a really spectacular once-in-a-lifetime birthday present.

(Remind me to tell you about the time I got to steer a little Cessna over Ottawa.)

There is lots to see and do at the Aviation Museum. We even tried our hand at flying – albeit in a safe computerized environment:

And pretended we were pilots:

And checked out the RCAF Hall of Tribute – which is eerily soundproof. I love the lighting in there:

My only issue with the Aviation Museum is their lack of seating. I find it odd. I couldn’t figure it out. It’s not like they don’t have room for it. My hips have been so sore recently. I was aching for a break.

The bench issue aside, it is a neat place to visit every once in awhile. And maybe someday we’ll find an opportunity to take that heli ride. :)

I was lying in bed looking at one of several huge stacks of books in our bedroom, thinking about my, um, special relationship with books. Basically, I aquire them and cannot part with them. Ever. BUT, on that rare occasion I do give one or two away I like to know they are going to a good home. Like a puppy.

I suspect I am not alone.

All that being said, I was wondering if anyone was up for a book swap? Let’s give our books good homes!

I will get the ball rolling by offering up a book. Up for grabs is a very new-looking soft-cover copy of “Writing Motherhood,” by Lisa Garrigues. It’s a great read, especially for bloggers. It allows the reader to really tap into their creativity, provides great starting points, as well as a much-needed kick in the pants for those who aren’t jotting this mothering stuff down on a regular basis. You can read more about it here.

This part is important: If you want this book (and I will mail it to you for free), you have to (a) be the first to respond in the comments below and (b) offer a book of your own and be willing to mail it to the person who comments after you.

Get it? I am limiting this swap to North American residents only. It’s too expensive to ship stuff overseas.

If you are offering up a book of your own, please link to a description, or a review of it on Chapters or Amazon. That way we can all easily read about it and get some book recommendations! Suffice it to say it should be a book you enjoyed and are happy to share… for keeps!

We’ll figure out mailing addresses later.

I’m putting an end to this thread at noon on Wednesday July 21. The last person will mail their book to me.

Any questions? Just let me know.

Now, who’s first?

The garden is overgrown.

But from the deep

green

tangle

emerges something good: