Digging For Water

One of the many pastimes I’ve enjoyed at Huntington Beach, in my youth and adulthood, is “digging for water”. How do you do this? Well, you find a nice location just up from where the water is surging on the shore and dig, dig, dig until you reach the water table. I know, truly amazing how the simplest of things entertain me. Now on the East coast and continuing to share beach experiences with Xaine, it’s only natural and expected for my offspring to add his own touch to whatever he does. So here we are dig, dig, digging (ok, so I’m doing all the work and Xaine is giving direction)… Eureka, we’ve stuck water. Hole dug, water struck, I’m entertained, Xaine however is not done. Now into the hole he two pad pounces, stomp splashing around and requesting that I fill it in and pack the sand around him. Who am I to deny a child’s request? So I pack him in the hole. “Where’s my legs Dadoo...?” “They are in the hole you goof ball” “No they’re not...they’re right here.” (my creative child has depicted his appendages with a drawing in the sand… ) A smirk and sense of self accomplishment emanating from him a request to be freed is commanded of me. So here I go dig, dig, digging again… and once set loose it is deemed my turn to experience his version of entertainment… “Dadoo…You get in the hole.” Being the good direction follower that I am, I comply. A moment later I find myself locked in a standing position buried up just past my knees. “Great work Xaine… now let’s dig Dadoo out.” Xaine.. Xaine?... Xaine!!!!?…. (my boy has abandoned me for the siren call of the ocean) So here I am, rocking back and forth in an attempt to free myself, enjoying the stray looks/giggles of passersby and the knowledge that this is one of those memories that will have me chuckling through the ages. (Making this event even more meaningful is seeing Xaine’s artwork from school)

Title: ‘Dadoo and Baboo digging for water in the beach sand’