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choose who drew the scene better. (Spoiler: The kiddo always wins.) One day, we were drawing a farm. I drew a barn, lots of grass and a cow. At least, I did my best to draw a cow. Grayson’s barn and animals were quite satisfactory, particularly considering his age; I enthusiastically praised his efforts. He looked at mine and gave it a “4 out of 10,” then mentioned something about the dog in my picture. I explained that it was a cow. “Really?” he asked. “Well, then it’s a 0 out of 10.” I’m not an artist, admittedly. But this drawing was a new low even for me. It was so ridiculous that I posted it to Facebook and jokingly wrote that I was accepting bids on the “masterpiece.” The comments ranged from “That udder looks infected” to “I see a cat that should be charged with indecent exposure.” Trust me, you don’t want to see it. Fortunately, as we put together this issue of DFWChild, I was reminded that creativity comes in many forms. It can be found in beautiful clothing—and you don’t even have to be the designer; you can feel more alive just by wearing it. (Check out our interview with Mom Next Door Cristina Lynch, founder of Mi Golondrina, a line of artisan-embroidered dresses and tops, p. 15.) Creativity can be found in the way we think about a variety of challenges and problems, and in our resiliency to do better next time. (See our story about how to develop real creativity in your child, p. 9.) You can fill your life with all forms of culture, art and imagination without ever taking marker to paper or paint to canvas. Read on for a lot more ways to do that this fall, from cultural road trips we promise the kids will love (p. 70) to restaurants and markets that will make you feel transported to another country (p. 18). After more than a year and a half of COVID-19 stress, masks, economic hardship and depressing news reports, we all deserve to find ways to bring color and joy and inspiration back to our lives. I hope this issue sets you on the right track. Cheers,
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october/november 2021 | DFWCHILD
Y SON ENJOYS HAVING ART CONTESTS WITH ME. We pick a theme, then have his grandpa
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXIS PATTERSON
ABOVE // Alexis Patterson and her son Grayson on Grapevine's Main Street.
