My twelve year old daughter is doing something called “Brave Writer” as part of her homeschooling curriculum.  (see www.bravewriter.com)  Included in this writing program is what is called “Tuesday Teatime.”  We are to have a special weekly moment to share poetry, ideas and the joy of language. 

Today, instead of doing it downstairs as usual, my daughter set it up in her room as a surprise for me while I was in the office.  We played with similes and metaphors.  Mine: “The pine cones curled like talons at the end of the branch.” Hers (better): “The anemones like palm trees swayed in a watery wind.”

We strayed into philosophy when she asserted, “Life is to be used, not put on a shelf.” Tuesday Teatime has heightened our appreciation of both language and each other.  It’s fun and we look forward to it!