Big Feet, Cryptozoology & Common Sense

I mentioned earlier that we went shoe shopping last week.  We decided to try something new and spend more on shoes than we have in the past and hope they don't wear out as fast... we shall see.

I had Jeff's feet measured and found out that his feet are now bigger than mine.  At 15 he's into a size 12 shoe. That's kind of hard to accept at first.  Being the dad I've always been used to being the biggest and although I still outweigh him and and taller I don't think that will last for long.  Pretty humbling.  At least he can't wear my shoes any more.  Clothes are another issue.

Sam is poised for a growth spurt being 11 and his feet are growing, too.  He has routinely measured taller than Jeff at the same age on our family ruler but will likely be thinner as his frame doesn't seem to be as "stout" as Jeff's.  Amazing how similar they are and yet how different.  My ego will really take a hit when he grows bigger than me.

I mention this story about big feet because it reminded me of a period when Jeff and then Sam was in to cryptozoology.  Never heard of it??  Neither has spell check.  According to Wikipedia, Cryptozoology (from Greek κρυπτός, kryptos, "hidden" + zoology; literally, "study of hidden animals") refers to the search for animals whose existence has not been proven.  For example, Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster, Mothman and El Chubacabra to name a few.  Jeff (then Sam) became fascinated with the subject and in particular Mothman seemed to capture his attention.  Jeff at one time wanted to be a Cryptozoologist.  Imagine the looks he got when he was asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  I guess it rivaled one of his other aspirations of being a paleontological entomologist for uniqueness.  At least these are two attainable goals as my mom reminds me often that I wanted to be giraffe when I grew up... don't ask!


There were times when he would see glowing red lights and was certain that Mothman was going to come for him because Mothman has glowing red eyes.  Poor kid.  Even though he read and knew that Mothman supposedly lived in the hill country of West Virginia he couldn't get it out of his head that he just might be outside our window.  Remembering everything he reads can be a good thing and a bad thing depending on what he reads.  He also passes along information to little brother, Sam, and together their imagination can take over.


I remember a couple other instances where Jeff read about lion's being man-eaters and he didn't want to go outside and about jelly-fish and their potentially deadly sting so he didn't want to stand in the standing water in the shower.  Sometimes the intelligence gets in the way of common sense.


I'd be curious to know what some of your kids quirks are.  Please share.