::I CAN DIG IT::

Seen this morning on an apartment complex sidewalk:

A moist pile of sand, dappled with water-craters and marked by shoe-soles, rests in the middle of the concrete. Small ridges and canals are laced through it in a pattern. About a foot away, a die-cast metal model of a green bulldozer slumbers, blanketed in drifted sand.

I step around this landscape, respectful of its status as a kid's Spring Break Work in Progress.

I played similar landmoving games as a kid. Fascinated as I was -- and still am -- with waterfalls, creeks, and rivers, I would landscape-engineer a sublime and faux mini-river in the side of a hill in my back yard. I'd dig its rough shape, first, then embellish it with islands, boats, greenery, and, as a grand finale, a waterfall. The waterfall would be a multi-drop affair (a la the Triple Lindy springboard dive featured in Back to School), and I'd spend hours meticulously crafting its majesty.

When the formation was complete, the water hose would make its appearance at the watershed, and I'd direct my little brother to open the faucet at three-two-one-zero. I'd watch, transfixed. The brown water formed chocolate-milky rapids and picked up the boats which became rapt in its current. The islands almost always immediately eroded away, much to my chagrin.

But the waterfall -- the waterfall was the (ironically downfalling) climax. Usually packed with fluid momentum, the water would power over the first drop. Its breeze would shake the pine-needle palm trees I'd added along the side of the sluice, and I'd hold my breath for a beat. The second drop had its own charm, usually involving a strategically-placed rock or two. And the third drop, the highest and most magnificent, would often make me break out in self-aggrandizing applause.

Why play God by orchestrating Barbie-Ken houseplay? I had the power of gravity, lots of dirt, and a water hose on my side. What more could a scabby-kneed, freckle-nosed girl ask for?

Hats off to you, dozer-truck kid. May your constructions and deconstructions bring you the joy mine did.