Patience R.I.P.

In this instant gratification society, with mobile banking, satellite radio (so we don't have to wait for commercials), drive thru everything, microwave food, home delivery, TiVo, on-demand movies, the concept of patience has no home. In fact, I'd say it's been homeless and missing so long that it should be presumed dead.

Take the age-old practice of fishing. No, not the professional kind. Just the take-the-kids-to-the-pond activity. This is supposed to be relaxing, and above all FUN. But how do you convince kids to peel themselves away from their playstations long enough? And even if the go, how do you keep them from dragging along their "DS" or if they're a bit older, their mobile phones? And the kicker - how do you teach the lesson that untangling a line with a $2.00 lure is worthwhile even though you can buy another just like it at Walmart? I took the kids out on such an excursion recently, and I have to say it was eye-opening. There were no fish being caught, either due to the time of day, or the location and desires of the fish did not coincide with our plans. Their interest in rigging the line and casting quickly diminished and was replaced by a rock chucking competition, some sword-fighting with driftwood and some mud-splashing. But in their defense, this was one of those rare weekends when I could peel myself away from my express-brewed coffee and laptop long enough to take them to the pond. Maybe I'll try building a campfire with them next time. Just need my instant light logs and pre-bundled firewood. Oh, and pre-skewered marshmallows. Rock out.