After some people asked me what had happened to that tooth of mine in 1969, I started to wonder. Why was I sorry?
It occurred to me that it could be from the time I chipped my front tooth on one of those merry-go-round things that used to be in playgrounds and backyards. Dangerous whirling metal objects causing childhood trauma and trips to the dentist! No wonder they've been banned.
But I didn't open up the little folded up piece of paper to see if it was merely a chip. Anyway, it probably isn't that at all - wouldn't the chip have gone flying?
Photo found at 1000 Awesome Things.
11 August 2009
That Tooth Of Mine
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7 comments:
I broke my foot on a merry-go-round trying to save a little girl from flying off..when I was about twelve.
I know ;) I am a hero, what can I say?!
These things were banned? For real? We live in a small town in the middle of nowhere. There has been one of these twistarounds here forever and a day. I remember visiting here and thinking, holy shit, are they ever lucky. It's still here. My kids get sick on it now. It'll be a sad day when they pull it out. It's the best part of our pathetic little playground.
We still have one at a park in town. Here's my picture of Fiona on it.
At Wickham Park in Manchester, CT, there is an old-school playground that features many of my favorite pieces of playground equipment from my childhood -- including that merry-go-round. It is the only one I've seen anywhere since becoming a parent. I still love that thing!
But I loved those merry-go-rounds! Maybe it's because I never was injured on one. On the other hand, I don't know if I could handle seeing my kids playing on one.
merry-go-rounds are still all over Portland, and they repair them when they break rather than just take them out. we also still have the insanely tall, hot metal slides.
the merry-go-rounds seem to be a good lesson in patience for the older kids. when Harper approaches and wants to ride, the older, bigger kids slow down, let her on, and make sure they don't go so fast that they scare her. it's really sweet.
Those have been banned here in Wisconsin, but on our trip to Alaska, the kids found one in one of the school playgrounds. They loved it. Absolutely loved it and were very angry that such merry-go-rounds were not available back home!
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