Sitting Bull - Supreme Chief of the Sioux, holding what I believe is a talking stick. He looks mellow and contented right? It's cos everyone is listening. If your family is anything like my family, when you talk... nobody listens. Also, if your family is anything like my family, you probably have a bundle of sticks in your car, near the front door, under your kid's bed, in the garden and on top of the fridge. Why? Because every time you step outside your kid picks up a sword (stick), wand (stick), dragon (stick), horse (stick), airplane (stick) or even superhero (stick), depending on the depth of his or her imagination. Of course, they might also just be picking up a stick.
The other day I thought, hold on a minute. Let's turn all this excess wood into something functional. I got two words for you: "talking sticks". This does not, as my daughter thought, refer to making sticks that talk. Quite the opposite, it's a system of respect and authority that the Native Americans used to keep order in tribal gatherings. Whoever held the "talking stick", had the word and with that everyone's attention.
Glory days. Imagine having your kids' attention! Ha. Win win. No brainer. Grab me those sticks, where's the paint, we're making ourselves some talking sticks. Better still, everyone can make their own personalised version. Being slightly autocratic, I chose the longest, fattest stick to decorate to make sure everyone knows when I'm holding that big boy. Bobby chose a two-pronged one - what do you reckon that means? We've yet to see whether or not the talking sticks work, but for now, I'm holding on to mine tightly. And if they don't, we can always move onto peace pipes next week.
What you need:
Top tip: If you've got some string or feathers kicking about, you can go crazy with your decorations. Anything goes, glitter, diamante, gem stones. Take it to the bridge. Make Beyonce quake in her moose-skin boob-tube.
Top quote: "You're short on ears and long on mouth," John Wayne
The other day I thought, hold on a minute. Let's turn all this excess wood into something functional. I got two words for you: "talking sticks". This does not, as my daughter thought, refer to making sticks that talk. Quite the opposite, it's a system of respect and authority that the Native Americans used to keep order in tribal gatherings. Whoever held the "talking stick", had the word and with that everyone's attention.
Glory days. Imagine having your kids' attention! Ha. Win win. No brainer. Grab me those sticks, where's the paint, we're making ourselves some talking sticks. Better still, everyone can make their own personalised version. Being slightly autocratic, I chose the longest, fattest stick to decorate to make sure everyone knows when I'm holding that big boy. Bobby chose a two-pronged one - what do you reckon that means? We've yet to see whether or not the talking sticks work, but for now, I'm holding on to mine tightly. And if they don't, we can always move onto peace pipes next week.
What you need:
- Sticks
- Paint
Top tip: If you've got some string or feathers kicking about, you can go crazy with your decorations. Anything goes, glitter, diamante, gem stones. Take it to the bridge. Make Beyonce quake in her moose-skin boob-tube.
Top quote: "You're short on ears and long on mouth," John Wayne
 Work in progress. I don't think Bobby knows who Jay-Z is, but if he did he'd probably like to think he was him? |  Bobby aged 22 months. As you can see, he started his stick collection a while ago. The collection has got so big it might have to be rehoused soon, or sold to Sothebys. This was not shot in the era of black and white photography, I just wanted it to look nostalgic. Innit. |
Bobby's birthday banner is drooping. Oops. It's 4.30 and it's DARK outside. Winter has set in, but I haven't seen my kids this quiet and concentrated for a while... When it's too dark to go out, bring the outside in.
At first I wanted to show you how messy a table looks after a painting project. Then as I framed the shot I thought, "No way, this mess actually looks really cool." So get messy. It looks cool.
I've become slightly obsessed with the colours/shapes the paintbrushes leave on our kitchen towels when the kids dab them clean.
Chief Bobby of the Jaeger tribe. Anyone listening?
I tried to look Chief-ish here, but I think what shines through most is that I haven't had my first cup of tea yet... More importantly, check out the tightness of my fist?! I'm like I'VE GOT THE STICK!!
More wild ideas
 Cracking the creek |  Wax on, leaf off |  Feed the bi-ird |
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