Kitmama's Pensieve

Music Monday: 2011 in Review

2012-01-23T01:46:00.003-05:00

One thing I have really enjoyed over the past year has been 'discovering' new music. The internet is overflowing with fresh sound and talent, and it's exciting to come across something wonderful that you've never heard before. Almost as fun is sharing my discoveries with others. I've usually done this through word-of-mouth, Facebook and (less effectively) Twitter. I've blogged a few of them, but it occurred to me recently that it would be fun to blog my favorite music discoveries (new to me, anyway) of 2011 all in one post. So, here we go. . .

** Poison and Wine by The Civil Wars

The Civil Wars top my list of favorites that I first heard in 2011. I bought the whole album, and have been listening to it all year. Not tired of it yet. Second favorite track is Falling.

** Heart's A Mess by Gotye

This is definitely at the top of my list- Gotye's most recent album "Making Mirrors" is one of only four full albums I purchased in 2011. Again, I've been listening to it incessantly and I'm not tired of it yet! I'm excited to hear the single Somebody That I Used to Know is now getting some airplay on a local radio station.

** White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes. . . I just love this song, and the video. It's another one that has stuck with me reliably. Interestingly, nothing else by Fleet Foxes has grabbed my imagination quite like this one has.

** You Will Love This Song by Amber Rubarth

This is fabulous and charming. Check out her other project, too- the band Paper Raincoat- here's Sympathetic Vibrations

** Black Rock by The Infamous Stringdusters

This is an older video, and the band continues to evolve in new and exciting directions. It remains one of my favorite videos of theirs however, and it was key to me becoming enamored of their music last year. I have seen them play live several times now, and it is RIDICULOUS. Ridiculously, astonishingly good. Full disclosure: Billy is producing their next album. . . but I can honestly tell you my appreciation for this band stands entirely on its own. They definitely belong here in my top list.

** Mango Tree by Angus and Julia Stone

I simply adore this song, and a few others of theirs, as well. Check out Hold On, too- just stunning.

** I Don't Know by Lisa Hannigan

This is delightful, and I also love the live version performed at Dick Mac's Pub. Check out her other videos, too- she makes me happy.

** Bouncing Stones by Spoonbill

Very, very cool. I love the groove and the video, too. Also check out Feather Leather:

** Closer To Love by Mat Kearney

This is another full album that I bought, and have thoroughly enjoyed.

For the 10th, here's just a random selection of some other favs:

* I Am Not a Robot by Marina and the Diamonds
* Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People
* Gravity by Sara Bareilles
* Loving Strangers by Russian Red
* A Little Bit of Everything by Dawes

What did I forget? What great music did you discover last year?

Fog

2012-01-22T21:30:00.003-05:00

Foggy, misty, mysterious when
Shimmering halos adorn every light
The very air, soft, kisses your skin
Gentle caresses of water take flight

Unseen things seem to lurk
Just past my eye's periphery
Dancing magic in the murk,
Or just mine eyes' trickery?

"Press Pause Play": A Brief Review

2012-01-17T21:52:00.004-05:00

I just finished watching "Press Pause Play", a documentary on the current revolution in the music and film industries (with a little bit about print publishing and art thrown in). I can't say I think it's a particularly good documentary. It looks and sounds good, but it's terrible at communicating any cohesive *point*. . . other than that the industry is changing and nobody has any clue where the hell it will end up.

Still it's interesting and I already want to watch it again to revisit some of the viewpoints and quotes expressed here and there in the film. I am left with the impression that there are some very valuable things said, if I can just weed them out of the rest of the movie. I want to think further on some of the ideas. I'm glad I watched it, and I recommend it to anyone invested in the music or film industry right now. Maybe you'll be inspired to do this better. :)

PressPausePlay from House of Radon on Vimeo.

New Year's Letter- 2011 Recap

2012-01-16T13:00:00.004-05:00

January 2012

Dearest Family and Friends,
2011. . . it was certainly an unusual year for us, full of new discoveries and deepening friendships, disappointments, struggles and many blessings. As you no doubt remember, Billy lost his beloved parents in 2010. This loss still aches, as it will for many, many years to come.

We hope to move our little family to Billy's parents’ previous home in GA. We must pay Billy’s siblings before we may move into the family property. To that end, we are trying to sell (or possibly lease) our house in Suwanee. The real estate market is so difficult right now, that we are doing anything in our power to help make this happen. To keep the house in Suwanee clean and show-ready, we moved out last April. Since then, we have been the grateful guests of very dear friends, and our combined families (four adults, six boys ages 4 to 12, four dogs and two cats) have been humming along surprisingly well!

Our experiment in communal living has been helpful to me on so many levels- it’s been wonderful to have the added support (both practical and emotional) of other adults, and the kids have enjoyed having more playmates every day. I could go on and on about the experience, but suffice it to say it has been unimaginably valuable, and I am in awe of the friendships we have developed. Though I am very eager to move forward into our home, the parting will be bittersweet.

Even with the added excitement of trying to sell a house, managing Billy’s parents’ estate, new communal living arrangements, and the continuing changes in the music business, our year was also full of fun activities and learning. We’ve had some hiking and camping trips, LOTS of field trips and activities with our fabulous homeschool group, and a road trip to Virginia for Festy, a wonderful camping/music festival.

The boys are thriving. Littleman (8 yrs) displays an unending curiosity of the world around him, seeking always to understand. His latest major interest is skateboarding- he received a skateboard for Christmas, and is determined to ride it well! The Pirate (6) has had a particularly good year it seems- he’s made leaps and bounds in his self-esteem and social skills. He self-identifies as an artist, and continues to practice art often. Babyman (4) is growing fast, of course. He’s talkative and frighteningly adventurous. He loves to hike, climb and zoom around on his scooter. He can turn on the cute charm whenever he wants to, and he knows how to use it!

Billy is still busy at work, which considering the current state of the music business is a testament to his skill and dedication. While the shifts in the music industry have been difficult, they are also exciting and I have high hopes that the end results will be positive, both for us and for new music in the future.

Of course I’ve been busy, what with everyday life and the added variables I’ve already mentioned. I’ve let many things slide, such as my blog, the boys’ blog, pleasure reading, photography, and my Etsy shop. At least I’ve found some creative outlet by practicing my knitting! Also, I’ve put a lot of energy into meal planning and cooking. . . it’s been necessary to help feed so many people, and the experience has been invaluable! I like to cook.

So as you can see, 2011 was an interesting year! We are all doing well, and are looking forward to even better things to come in 2012. I hope this finds you healthy and happy. I miss blogging, and hope to get back to it more this year. Please comment, email, or hit me up on Twitter (@kit_mama) anytime! I love to hear from you!

Kiss your loved ones, and go thank those special people who help you get through your days. They are a priceless treasure in our lives. :)
Brightest blessings on you and yours. . . Love Always,

Kit & Billy, Littleman, The Pirate & Babyman

The whole combined family (minus a couple dogs and cats), pictured Spring 2010

Homeschool Snapshot

2012-01-05T17:10:00.000-05:00

In a sort of continuation of my last post, I am still mulling over various aspects of my homeschool techniques, and the criticisms that are directed at me for them. One difficulty of Unschooling is that, particularly with younger learners, there is very little concrete evidence that learning is actually occurring. By "concrete", I am speaking of something that one can hold and read, that can be seen and filed away, that represents tidy, direct evidence that certain (specific) skills have been mastered.

This is a real problem for me, because I am expected to deliver concrete evidence that I am doing my job well. One way that I have addressed this issue is through yearly standardized testing, but that's not enough. I also try to collect art work and examples of writing, to file away in a portfolio of sorts. It can be hard in the chaos of normal life, but I do hope to get better at it. Still however, the incidental byproducts of our adventurous unschooling existence are seldom tidy little examples of a narrow definition of learning, that I can collect and file away for later scrutiny.

One suggestion that has been made to me very earnestly is that I carry a notebook with me, and every time something of an "educational" nature occurs with one of the boys, I am to note it down. This will enable me to show some sort of record of learning, to keep track of the boys' interests and curiosities, and make it possible for me to test them later on things we have covered.

This sounds very reasonable unless you've lived the unschooling lifestyle. Are there any unschoolers reading this? Am I right? I'm not sure. I know, for me, the thought of carrying a notebook everywhere with me and keeping track of every "learning" moment throughout the day sounds like a gargantuan task. I have a hard enough time meeting everyone's constant needs, without trying continually to put things into words and take notes. Not to mention, much of their learning happens independently. And ultimately, I don't think this task has any value for increasing the efficacy of their education. It's value lies solely in reassuring detractors. Is such a huge effort, then, worth the sacrifices it would entail?

When presented with this idea, I thought of a recent incident of "learning" (they're really learning all the time, not just when the topic is "school"-related) that occurred just a few days ago. We were visiting Charlottesville, Va as a family. Billy was combining work with pleasure, and he was busy for several hours recording while I entertained the three boys. I had walked with them to a nearby playground.

In addition to fun climbing equipment and swings, the playground was abundantly equipped with spinning devices. There was a spinning "Nest" which the boys had no end of fun in, twisty poles, and several "spinner bowls", like these:

The bowls are set into the ground at an angle. Littleman sat down into one, and looked a little bemused.
"How do I make it go?", he asked me.
"You have to use gravity and your own weight to make it spin.", I replied. "Lean forward."
He did, and the shift in weight immediately caused the cup to spin him 180 degrees so that the greatest mass was on the downhill side.
"Good", I said, "now lean back."
Which of course resulted in another 180 degree spin back to where he'd started.
He grinned.
"Now just keep doing that, in rhythm, until you get spinning really well.", I told him.
"Why does that work?", he asked me.

This then, was one of those "teachable moments" when I find myself doing my best to distill a fairly complicated answer into something that will satisfy Littleman while still accurately explaining the concepts at hand. Funny how such a deceptively simple question can really be tough to explain. So I launched into a brief description of rotation, momentum and centrifugal force. . to the best of my ability, because my understanding is admittedly hazy and I did not have my laptop handy for quick research.

Littleman experimented with shifting his weight, spinning, trying different rhythms and trying to speed up or slow down. Those bowls get going very fast! It was perfect for experimenting with rotational physics. Even though my explanation was imperfect, it was enough to plant seeds of knowledge in Littleman's head that he will be able to build on very well. That, combined with the very concrete knowledge of what these forces feel like, will make it easier for him to fully understand when the subject is visited again.

While all this is going on however, I am monitoring Babyman's activities all over the playground, and simultaneously eavesdropping on the conversation that the Pirate is having with a man that we don't know. I am in an unfamiliar place, trying to remain aware of our surroundings. I'm tired and my brain is sluggish from an 8 hour drive the previous day and a persistent head cold. Before I can finish, I am interrupted by Babyman who needs me to push him on the swings. Then the Pirate wants to swing. Then Littleman and Babyman start fighting over the Nest. Next Littleman is introducing me to his new friend. . .

I have trouble imagining myself, with all the other things demanding my attention, simultaneously taking notes in my mind as the conversation unfolded, and then stopping everything to locate my notebook and write my notes down. Then, multiply that by the many, many times that such moments occur throughout the day. This assumes that I even recognize these moments when they occur. . . learning is so seamlessly integrated into our lives that I'm usually not pigeonholing our experiences into "school" and "not school". It would require that I view all my interactions with my children through this lens of "education". I think the ramifications for the kids and me would be far-reaching and mostly negative.

Then again, maybe I am the one being negative. I just don't know.

Unschooling

2012-01-04T11:50:00.005-05:00

Wow, it has been a long time. There are many reasons for my blog absence, and perhaps I will go into them in a later post. For now though, I want to write a few things about homeschooling. They are, of course, merely my own thoughts and experiences. I don't presume to say this applies to anyone other than our own family.

As I've probably mentioned, I homeschool our three boys- now aged 8, 6 and 4. I do not believe in doing "school at home"- if I wanted to impose timed classes and pre-written curricula on my children, I would seek a good school for their education. It would certainly be easier on me. Instead, our learning is very fluid, completely integrated into our daily life. We do not have separate time for "school", or even designated "school days". I do not have an external curriculum for my children to follow. I do not write lesson plans, administer pop quizzes, or assign projects. Instead, I actively seek to create an environment for my children that is varied, interesting and enriching, full of exciting and challenging experiences. I listen to them, and I seek to answer their questions as accurately and completely as I can, at the level (or just slightly above) they can understand.

I often ask questions and introduce ideas or experiences that might spark curiosity or further questioning from my children, but I do not force them to memorize facts in order that they may spit them out accurately later. If, after answering a question, the child is still interested in a topic, I will continue the conversation and often seek media to help me illustrate and expand on the topic. I have been pleased with the information that they retain, but the real payoff is in making connections between ideas and developing a less quantifiable, but more fundamental understanding of how the world works.

My approach is based on the ideas and theories of the educational researcher John Holt, who wrote extensively about education from the 60s until his death in 1985. He is considered by many to be the founder of the "Unschooling" movement- a term he coined to describe learning that did not take place in a school or a school-like environment. (As I recall, despite the fact that he came up with the term he said he felt it was rather inadequate, as it is based on what the method is NOT instead of describing what the method IS. He said it was the best he could come up with in one word. But don't quote me on that. I don't feel like hunting up his exact words right now.)

Unschooling, while still a young and controversial movement, has continued to grow since John Holt first introduced the idea. It is a difficult movement to pin down, since it is still defined more by what it does not practice, than by what it does. This is because the unschooling approach is extremely individualized, responding to the interests and needs of individual children and families, rather than imposing a standardized external model. It's hard to define something that looks different for every practitioner. In addition, unschooling is, in practice, often nearly inseparable from parenting methods, making it that much more difficult to study the effects of the practice without being influenced by the widely varying personalities and familial experiences of the unschoolers themselves. Are positive or negative results of unschooling due to the philosophy and educational practice, or are they moreso the result of parental practices? Is it even possible to separate the two? I don't have the answers to these questions. My concern is, "Is it right for my children?" I think, at least in the realm of "education", that it is.

I am often questioned, sometimes vehemently, about the advisability of using such an untested and controversial model for educating our children. "How can that possibly work?" "Kids don't know what they should learn!" "How will unschooled kids ever adapt to the real world?" "They will have huge gaps in their education." "They will grow up and feel that you failed them." "They will not be equipped to compete in a changing and extremely competitive, cutthroat world." "Show me evidence that this method works." "You aren't challenging them enough." "I need proof that they are learning." And so on, and so forth.

I have been tasked with finding evidence that Unschooling "works". That Unschooled kids can grow up to be successful, productive adults. That they can adapt to a world which seeks to impose external requirements and frameworks, requires one to be on time, and often requires one to work hard at something one does not like, in order to reach a goal. That Unschooling will not leave kids struggling to compete in a world that does not cater to their individual interests. Unfortunately, there has been little (if any) standardized research done on Unschooling and its results. I am continuing to seek and read what information I can find, and I am compiling a list of links relevant to this research. If you have any ideas or suggestions, I welcome the help. :)

* * *

PS- I should note, that I am not strictly an Unschooler in my actual homeschool practice. I do require my children to complete some "educational" tasks, even at their sometimes objections. The older they are, the more likely I am to impose some "forced" "learning" activities. My 8 yr old is in second grade this year (his birthday is in October), so I require him to complete some coursework in an online curriculum called "Time 4 Learning". My 6 yr old is in first grade, and I "force" him to sit down with me and work on reading from time to time. I question them occasionally on topics (such as money value, geography, or subtraction for instance) to see for myself how easily and completely they seem to remember and understand those things. I also administered the standardized CAT test at the beginning of this school year, which is not very "Unschool" of me. ;) I plan to administer a standardized test yearly, to help me keep track of "expected" learning and to help reassure my relevant detractors.

Music Monday: The Civil Wars

2011-05-24T01:01:00.004-04:00

I'm a little late for Monday, since it's now very early Tuesday morning. But I need to share this music with you. So here is a Music Monday post on Tuesday.

"Poison & Wine" by The Civil Wars

This song tears me apart and I love everything about it. Check out their other stuff, too. It's really pretty stunning.

Great website: http://thecivilwars.com/

Storms, Cookies and Giving

2011-05-05T19:54:00.004-04:00

Though it has been largely overshadowed in the news, most of us have still heard about the terrible storms that ripped through parts of the United States last week. We were poised for action here if it was needed, but thankfully the worst avoided us. However not that far away, Tuscaloosa AL was partially leveled by tornadoes. I have family in Tuscaloosa, and though some of them now have serious property damage to contend with I am very happy to say that none of them was seriously injured.

Today I baked up a storm of my own, turning out a small mountain of chocolate chip cookies to ship to friends and relatives in Alabama. If you would like to help out, please consider donating to the Red Cross, to the Tuscaloosa Disaster Relief Fund, or to Epic Church which is providing trailers and supplies for families which have lost everything in the storms. All are worthy organizations that are helping a great deal.

http://www.redcross.org
http://www.givetuscaloosa.com/
http://www.epicchurch.tv

Music Monday: Pogo

2011-04-25T10:20:00.003-04:00

Billy introduced me to this artist, who creates wonderful electronic music from samples, often gleaned from popular movies. He edits videos to go along with the music, combining the source of the samples with imagery to set the perfect mood. My favorite songs are created from "real life" samples, like this one of his mother's garden:

"Gardyn" by Pogo

Or this one from his travels in Johannesburg:
"Joburg Jam" by Pogo

And here is one of his movie remixes, from the Pixar movie "Up":
"UPular" by Pogo

Look him up on youtube to see more videos; there are lots of great movie remixes (including "The Lord of the Rings"!). Also, check him out at http://www.pogomix.net/ to read more about him, about his World Remix Project, and to purchase some of his tracks.

Little Boy Projects

2011-04-22T17:33:00.003-04:00

I'm afraid I have not been very good at making a note of all the various projects and adventures all our boys have got up to in the last couple weeks. I can't remember them all, but here is a small sample:

- The kids turned the mulch pile at the end of the driveway into "Mulch Mountain", a replica of Stone Mountain complete with buildings and a functioning cable car, all fashioned of gardening tools and assorted paraphernalia gleaned from the garage.

- Many insects have been captured, followed each time by impassioned petitions to be allowed to keep said insects as "pets". If they survive long enough, they are released back into the wild backyard.

- The kids have planted a garden, set out avocado pits to sprout, and planted several flower pots' worth of seeds.

- One kid has learned how to ride his bike. He also lost a tooth. The tooth came out when another boy sat on his face.

- Many forts have been built and deconstructed. One of the forts was a radio station. Sample playlist: Queen, That 1 Guy, Evanescence, Rush. . .

- Three boys decided to play "Robbers", and to that end began building a ladder with which to climb into Mama & Papa Bears' bedroom window. They were wearing helmets and life vests, which apparently somehow made this idea OK. THAT project was halted post-haste.

- One boy created a calendar on the dining room wall out of sticky notes. "ESTR" Sunday is clearly labeled. The month started out with 30 days, but now April has 44 days, divided into 13-day weeks. Nice of them to give us the extra time, don't you think? I could sure use it to get this blog back on track. :)

Co-Hab Project: Week One

2011-04-11T20:47:00.007-04:00

Um.

I hardly know where to begin.

Things are humming along in my corner of the world, sometimes with a few more RPMs than I can handle. All in all though, I am feeling most excellent about our days here in our new abode with the Bears.

I will try to get blogging more often, because every day is an adventure around here and there is a lot going on. How could there not be, with no fewer than 6 young, active boys running around all day, 3 (sometimes 4) dogs, 2 cats, 2 vibrant mamas, 1 Dad working (mostly) onsite and 1 Dad in and out at odd hours. Throw in a perpetually evolving full slate of projects and a near-constant stream of visiting friends, and you might begin to form an idea of life in La Casa de los Osos. My dear friend Mo is a blogger too, so you can read about some of our shenanigans over at Five Bears A-Blogging.

Our first week of co-hab went very well indeed. Our families mesh amazingly well, and even the dogs (because I had to bring our Gypsy with us) settled in together with very little fuss. Household rules and schedules, chores and study time are being assimilated pretty well. I only have a couple laundry baskets' worth of stuff left to unpack. The kids are delighting in a greater freedom, which I can afford to allow because there are other responsible eyes helping me keep watch. And I have had to adjust quite a bit to accommodate this newfound sensation of having other adults (and older kids) to help me accomplish everything that needs to get done in a day. It's pretty damn wonderful, actually.

This week has been a week of finding rhythms, of learning our place in a larger system and how best to work together for mutual benefit. It's an exercise that our small nuclear families often never get the opportunity to fully engage, and one that I think is extremely valuable. It's also eminently sensible: I continue to be amazed at how much I can get accomplished with the simple addition of a few more responsible caretakers who can help carry the load. With other folks around to answer questions, take care of Babyman's needs, keep an eye on creative activities, help with chores, help keep kids on task, and stay home if I need to run an errand, my days run SO much more smoothly than before. When I think about all the things that the other adults and the older kids are helping with, and consider that I used to do all those things by myself, I am impressed that I ever accomplished anything at home before.

Now, this doesn't mean I have turned into Supermom, nor did I accomplish everything I set out to do last week. But there have been many, many times that I completed a task and looked around with a strong sense that I was forgetting something. . . only to realize that I hadn't forgotten it, it had simply been taken care of by someone else. Thus I was free to move on to the next task, whether it be mopping the kitchen, reading out loud to the kids or baking some cookies for bedtime snack.

In addition to my new ability to accomplish things, I am thrilled with the effect this has had on my kids' daily activities. They are engaging in very creative projects, and playing outdoors a lot. It's the sort of thing I couldn't afford to allow before, because there simply wasn't enough of me to keep an eye on things and still keep our days moving forward. I love that every time I give the boys a bath they are filthy. They've been doing things. It's great.

So, I officially declare our first week to be a success. I could definitely get used to this co-hab thing. It may not be for everyone, but if you can hit on the right chemistry of folks it's a divine way of raising families.

Changes!

2011-03-12T17:03:00.003-05:00

I just want to check in with a quick update, since things have been so quiet here on the blog. I have been absent here because I am focusing all my energy on MOVING. Billy and I are putting our house on the market, and to that end we will be moving out so that these 1280 sq ft are not overrun with messy kids and dogs while potential buyers check it out. We are immeasurably blessed to have wonderful friends who are opening their home to us while the house is on the market. It will be an adventure!! I am actually looking forward to this experiment in cooperative communal living. :)

So, to that end I have been completely immersed in sorting, purging and packing. It's really astonishing how much STUFF we have accumulated in 11 years since moving into this house. Of course, we had 3 babies in that time period, and I also have all the paperwork associated with owning our own businesses. It's A LOT. But we are making good progress.

I'm sorry to have to set my blog aside for now, but I can only do so much. :) I am sure I will be checking in next month if I do not find time before then.

Happy Spring!!

Music Monday: Marina and the Diamonds

2011-02-28T18:42:00.004-05:00

I'm a little obsessed with this song right now. Fresh in pop music, and I LOVE it!

Marina and the Diamonds with "I Am Not A Robot"

A Painting From my Past

2011-02-04T13:09:00.009-05:00

Years ago, I was a penniless undergrad (art student) at the University of Georgia. I spent a lot of time in the Athens coffee shops, reading, writing and studying in between classes and work. My beloved Blue Sky Coffee house (OH! The Dancing Goats blend!) is gone now, and so is the downtown Jittery Joe's. But Espresso Royale, a stalwart landmark of downtown Athens, still sits just down the road from the old Lamar Dodd School of Art location. It was there when I first explored UGA as an option for higher education, and it is still in business now.

Sometimes I did not have even enough money to get a cup of coffee. Those days, I would buy a bagel for 75 cents (but not the 50 cent package of cream cheese) and get a cup of hot water to go with it. I'd brew my own tea with a teabag from home, and use the complimentary honey and butter for my bagel. I felt a little guilty, but at least I was buying something in exchange for taking up a table. Funny how fondly I remember these times. (And funny to think a bagel only cost 75 cents!)

Espresso Royale, like all the coffee shops and many other Athens businesses, served as a gallery space for local artists. The walls hosted an ever-changing display of local talent from painters, photographers, fiber artists, illustrators, printmakers. . . I loved to see what would turn up.

One day I looked up to spy this:

Well, I spied the painting on the wall, not a blurry reproduction of the painting on a magazine cover. Sadly, this is the best image that my limited internet skillz can reproduce for you here.

I was captivated by this painting. There's just something about it, something inspiring and beautiful, that spoke to me immediately and stuck with me ever after. I have never forgotten it. Many times over the years I've thought about it, and wondered who painted it (I'd checked, but had forgotten the artist's name), and where it was by then.

Yesterday I was making assorted phone calls that needed making, and during frequent hold times I started idly searching the internet for this painting. I had little to go on: girl in a yellow dress, Athens GA artist, surrealist style. But guess what? I found it! I found the artist!

His name is Terry Rowlett, and his portfolio is an inspiring collection of interwoven dreams and realities. You can browse the portfolio here:
http://www.terryrowlett.com/portfolio.html
And this painting from my past, called "Flight of Angela", is there on page 7. Click on it to view it larger- you can actually see it well.

I love the internet. :)

Photo Blog: Friends on the Chattahoochee

2011-01-26T00:32:00.000-05:00

One lovely day in September, Billy and I took our boys and two friends out for an afternoon of fun on the Chattahoochee River. Here's just a few of the pictures from that day.

Music Monday: Fleet Foxes

2011-01-24T01:00:00.001-05:00

This song was introduced to me by a couple of the Dads in our awesome homeschool group. I love the tune, and the video is brilliance.

"White Winter Hymnal" by Fleet Foxes

Tempest

2011-01-21T18:42:00.004-05:00

Our ship is tempest-tossed, the gale is raging endlessly on. Every slackening of rainfall is but a brief respite before the next wave crashes down. A year we've been riding this storm. Unlike some storms we've weathered before, there is little about this to quicken the heart and feed our wildest spirits- this tempest beats down relentless, and all the frantic tasks to stay afloat merge into an exhausted dream.

Still, I can marvel at the waves, towering majestics, great kings of water rolling and crashing. I gasp at the explosion of light sparkling briefly from the school of fish below. The lightning is a deadly gift, dangerously beautiful, and the thunder reverberates down into my toes. And there, look! Do you see? A break in the clouds, however brief, to reveal the moon shining ever on, separate and eternal in the velvet night beyond. Do you see it, love? Can you see?

But you feel you've been washed overboard, and you cling desperately to what lifeline you can hold, separate now from our floating haven, mercilessly shoved about by forces beyond your control. You cannot catch your breath, and you cannot see. I am reaching my hand out to you, as waves wash you near. Can you catch my fingers, love? Can you climb back aboard with me, and share this journey again?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-19T00:09:00.000-05:00

Huckleberry Knob Adventure

2011-01-14T15:12:00.000-05:00

The next morning of our Robbinsville trip dawned grey and very rainy. We'd expected to hike, so a change of plans was in order. We hunted up a great little bookstore/cafe/wine store (yes, really!) in Andrews, North Carolina, and spent the morning browsing books before enjoying a delicious cafe lunch. By the time we'd finished, the weather had cleared up enough that we decided to go for a hike after all.

We drove up to Huckleberry Knob on the Cherohala Skyway in the Unicoi Mountains. Huckleberry Knob is the highest point in the Cheoah Ranger District, at 5560 ft elevation. It's a nice easy hike with a stunning panorama at the top.

We set out for the first bald, Oak Knob. The views there were already gorgeous, but we noticed some threatening rain clouds moving in. Billy and I decided to press on anyway- we wanted to get to the top!

We hurried to Huckleberry Knob, but prudently decided to skirt the summit and remain closer to the treeline. Lightning can be unpredictable and quite dangerous in that area! We stopped for a quick snack.

Just seconds after this photo was taken, I turned to Billy as we were packing up. "Do you hear that?", I asked. We listened intently for a moment with a dawning realization. "Is that wind in the trees, or is it. . .", and POW! We were slammed with the approaching wall of rain.

We scrambled to get the boys into ponchos and rain jackets as fast as we could. We did pretty well, except we were one jacket short. So I grabbed Billy's BC Australian hat to keep the rain out of my face, and swam through the atmosphere in my jeans and shirt. I was soaked, but it was a blast!

By the time we'd slogged back to Oak Knob, the rain was already leaving us. One horizon sported billowy clouds breaking apart to reveal blue sky behind, and the other revealed a full arch of rainbow, stunning against the retreating grey storm.

We stopped, reluctant to end our outing if the weather was going to dry out.

Soon enough, the rain ended altogether and the afternoon sun transformed the wet grass into a stunning display of scattered diamonds. We dried out for awhile in the sun and mountain breeze, and then decided to try again for Huckleberry Knob's summit.

The view was appropriately stunning. 360 degrees of mountains greeted us, complete with rich cream clouds running over the peaks and puddling into the valleys. Everywhere around we could see the weather changing before our eyes.

We settled in to enjoy ourselves, admiring the views, running and playing, communing with the wind, taking pictures, relaxing and (for Billy and I) making a toast to a fabulous couple of days.

It was absolutely a transformative experience, a time that I will never forget.

Finally, reluctantly, we packed up and hiked out, tired and fulfilled.

* * * * *
The next day would bring a drive home, and a meetup with Billy's Mom and two Aunts for dinner. It was a wonderful little visit. It would be the last time we saw Nora alive. This trip turned out to be an essential repairing and rejuvenating tonic for our souls that helped us to weather the storm ahead.
* * * * *

See more Skywatch photos from all over the world! Visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

River Rocks, Waterfalls and Joy

2011-01-07T22:23:00.008-05:00

Last September, Billy and I took the boys up to Robbinsville, North Carolina for a simple, laid-back little getaway. No camping but nothing fancy, either.

The days were shining like new copper, early autumn sunlight pouring whiskey-golden through leaves still clinging to bright summer green.

We drove to the river, and climbed out on the rocks, draping ourselves over the sunniest places and trailing fingers or toes in the cold mountain water. We delighted in our plain little picnic and the joy of the moment together.

There was wading (that water was cold!), rock hunting, rock skipping and silliness aplenty.

After awhile we drove a little piece further down the road, to Bald River Falls.

It's a stunning spot, and popular with folks who like to stop for pictures.

We goofed off and climbed around. I felt relaxed, present, open and happy. I think everyone did. The sun soaked our tensions out and the water carried it away. Billy and I had especially needed something like this.

(see how great The Pirate's picture of us turned out?)
A renewal, a cleansing, a reconnection. Somehow all the right pieces fell together and that's just what this trip became.

After a long day we piled back into the van. We drove around a little to explore- you never know what interesting places you might find.

In fact, we found the "Hotel California" of campgrounds. Or at least, that was our impression of the place.

". . .Relax, said the night man, We are programmed to receive. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave!"
We had a good laugh, but still left in a hurry. ;)

As night came we stopped for dinner and fell into bed, looking forward to some hiking in the morning. It had been a fabulous day.

100 Days

2010-12-30T16:27:00.003-05:00

I'm not trying to be maudlin, here- mostly I have not posted in some time because we have been so very busy. Also, it's hard to get back into the swing of posting when I have been out of the habit for so long. However I could not let this anniversary pass without sharing this song. Yesterday was 100 days since Nora died. I thought of this song, a favorite of mine. Beautiful, and eminently appropriate.

"100 Days" by King Konga

Find more artists like King Konga at Myspace Music

Music Monday: Johnny Mathis

2010-11-08T11:09:00.006-05:00

In honor of Grandma, here is a favorite song of hers: "Eres Tu", which was performed so beautifully at the memorial service by Queenie. This version is performed by Johnny Mathis, with Carlos Calderon on piano.

Wow, um. . .

2010-11-07T11:16:00.003-05:00

So, my last post was almost 2 months ago. A great deal has happened since then. Much of it was good- The Pirate turned 5, Littleman turned 7, we had a wonderful trip to the mountains, we went camping at a music festival in Virginia, I led a Tie Dye workshop. . .

However some of it was tragic: we lost Billy's mom suddenly; she drowned in the ocean while vacationing in Florida. She died September 20. It was an awful, awful shock, and has been so difficult, especially since it was only 4 months since we'd lost Billy's Dad.

Billy's mother was vibrant, healthy, active and ALIVE. And now she is not. It's hard to remember that, sometimes. Now she is not.

She was very special to me, to all of us. My consolation is that she went quickly, on a happy day, doing something she loved, and (after having to witness the long slow decline of her husband) she did not have to experience the long slow decline herself. However it was just. Too. Soon. Sigh.

There have of course been a great many things that require attention since then, and there are changes in the works in many areas of the family's life. Billy's mother was the glue, and it will take some trial and error to find a new paradigm for our relationships. I hope we will all emerge stronger and closer for the experience.

So, I apologize for my lengthy absence. I usually keep up with my Twitter, so look me up there if things get too quiet over here. @kit_mama . I will be trying to sort and post my pictures of some of our adventures soon.
Thank you.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-18T09:41:00.000-04:00

Music Monday: John Williams (guitarist)

2010-08-15T23:28:00.002-04:00

John Williams performs Bach's Prelude From Lute Suite 4 in E Major on classical guitar.

Just gorgeous.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-11T12:20:00.002-04:00

Summer Night's Implosion

2010-08-08T22:46:00.005-04:00

The other night, we ate out for dinner. Afterwards, Billy took all the boys to go to Grandma's house, and I came home. All. By. Myself. Ahh.

Driving home, I had the windows rolled down to catch the cooler night air. The temperature gauge read 84 degrees F, but compared to daytime temps it was right refreshing. The dense summer air was a sun-warmed stream washing over me, not icy but still wonderfully cool and pleasant, caressing my face and arms and tossing my hair.

The peace of being by myself is almost overwhelming. I really have a rather solitary nature, though I have learned to be a lot more social since becoming an adult. My solitary tendencies are viciously squashed during this stage of my life, as I spend every moment with other people, mostly small persons who depend on me heavily. From the outside, it must seem fairly simple to carve out a little alone time in my days- stealing some moments while the children are sleeping or busy. However even in these brief respites, I am in demand. At any instant, I am likely to be called upon. At every instant, I am calculating, managing, thinking ahead. It is only when they leave my presence entirely, safe in responsible hands, that I'm suddenly reminded what it's really like to be by myself. My bodily needs are the only bodily needs I must concern myself with. Other duties may call, but my thoughts are my own. It's really quite drastic.

I slowed down along Main St, admiring the old overhanging oak branches and the golden glow of the streetlights. The intense humidity refracted the lights, giving each one its own halo, softening the light into something more akin to fireflies than lightbulbs. I smiled, picturing the regimental parade of fireflies, marching down Main Street in celebratory fashion. The crickets chirped a jaunty summer rhythm in time.

Suddenly, all these elements came together in my awareness, the peacefulness of my own company, the wash of the summer night air, the soft glow of the lights, the trees, the crickets. Everything condensed with a bang, a little implosion of perception. It felt a bit like stepping into a parallel, enchanted universe, one that I used to frequent but that I'd somehow left behind. The night around me was positively alive with magic, bursting with impossible possibilities.

How has it become so easy for me to look past this wonder, blind to the beauties all around me? How have I become a person who can't see the forest for the trees? I am always striving, striving to meet a thousand worthy goals and a thousand more. I forge ahead, doing my best though I know there will never be enough of me to go around. In trying always to do better, to be more on top of things, I have shuttered my awareness of the finer wonders of the world. Somehow I, one whose very identity was wrapped up in magic, have managed to shelve that openness in favor of perceived efficiency.

Somehow in trying to improve, I am quashing the only parts of me that I felt truly sure of. My own personal wisdom, if you will. It is so very, very hard to be efficient and be open, relaxed, aware at the same time. Efficiency leaves very little room for serendipity. I hope I will be able to find that balance, to pole the deeper waters down the middle, where the current runs fast and sure, and I can sit back and enjoy the ride.

Skywatch Friday: Midwinter Night

2010-07-29T20:42:00.008-04:00

I took these late one night in midwinter last year. We were passing through Athens, GA and stopped for coffee and a stroll around UGA North Campus and downtown.

I loved the mysterious quality of the night shots, full moon and streetlights glowing against wintry tree branches and scudding clouds.

It was a magical evening.

P.S.- I did not adjust the color or contrast in any of these shots- the odd green-golden (or reddish, in the last shot) quality is all from the streetlights.

See more Skywatch photos from all over the world! Visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Make A Father's Day Picture Frame!

2010-07-27T11:19:00.000-04:00

So this is a little belated, but I do want to share the fun craft we did for Father's Day this year. We made this for Billy:

It was simple and really fun to do!

You need:
- Fimo, Sculpey or a similar polymer modeling clay in whatever colors you and the kids prefer. Babyman chose green. We used about 3 1/2 packages for three handprints.

- A suitable unfinished wood picture frame- it needs to have a wide flat surface for decorating. I found this one at a craft store for a few bucks.

- Liquid Nails Small Projects adhesive glue, or a similar permanent bonding agent.

- Thin strong wood scraps- I used a paint stirrer.

- Utility knife or small saw to cut the scrap wood (paint stirrer).

- Rubber stamps in designs suitable for layering. I found a set of 4 stamps that depicted pinecones and evergreen branches, perfect for overlapping and layering. The set was on sale, plus I had a coupon. Score!

- Stamp inkpads in whatever colors you want. They can match or contrast with the clay colors. Also remember that the stamps will be overlapping, so keep this in mind when choosing ink colors. Some blending will occur.

- A rolling pin, small knife and a baking sheet. (Optional: baking parchment paper)

- Some fine sandpaper, if necessary.

- A permanent marker and a pencil.

Ready? Let's get started!

First, the polymer clay needs to be softened up.

For the Pirate's, we tried blending equal amounts of light and dark green, thinking we'd get a nice medium green. Instead the dark green was much stronger than the light, so The Pirate's handprint looks the same color as Littleman's dark green one. Oh, well!

The kids pushed, rolled and squished to their hearts' content. It's really hard at first!

But soon it was ready to be rolled out.

We rolled the clay to a thickness of approximately 1/4". Try not to get bubbles! Then one at a time, the kids pressed their handprints into their color of clay. The clay is still hard, so I helped by holding their hands still and pressing them down firmly to get a good clear impression. Next, I cut around each handprint carefully.

Next it was time to bake the handprints.

I used parchment paper on my cookie sheet, and followed the Fimo package instructions for baking. Meanwhile, we cleaned up our clay mess.

When the handprints were baked hard and cooled, I sanded a few edges that I'd missed smoothing out before baking. Then, we arranged the handprints on the frame until we liked the arrangement.

Try to keep as much of the handprints on the actual frame as possible, without obscuring the place where the picture goes. Some overlap off the outside edge is OK. Lightly trace the hands with a pencil.

If the handprints hang off the outside edge of the frame much, they will need to be reinforced. You don't want to lose a finger sometime later! This is where the paint stirrer (or other strong, thin scrap wood) comes in. Cut small pieces of the paint stirrer and glue them strategically onto the picture frame, where they will support the outside edges of the handprints but remain hidden beneath them.
Like this:

Be sure to rearrange everything just the way you want before gluing, so you can be absolutely sure you've got it right!

Once all the supports are glued securely and the glue is dry (it takes awhile- you might want to leave it overnight) then you are ready to decorate the frame! Give the kids the stamps, inkpads (and some scraps of paper for blotting in between colors) and let them go to town.

Remind them that a lot of the decoration will later be covered up with the handprints, but it's OK to stamp in the hidden spots just for fun.

"Wait- why are we doing this, again?"

Once the stamping is completed to everyone's satisfaction, it's time to glue the handprints on permanently! Again, leave plenty of time to dry.

Next the kids get to sign their handprints with a permanent marker (well supervised, of course!) and "Happy Father's Day" is added with the year. Finally, put your chosen picture into the frame and voila! A fun little gift for Daddy on Father's Day.

(Of course, this can be modified as a gift for anyone- Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts, even from one friend to another.) Enjoy!

Music Monday: Michael Franti & Spearhead

2010-07-26T07:15:00.000-04:00

I just love this. I love you! Beautiful, happy faces. Dance a little. Feel good.

Our Plan for Household Chores

2010-07-25T01:58:00.005-04:00

Like lots of parents, I have struggled to find a good way to get my children to help out with household chores. Sometimes I felt like I was expecting too much, other times like I was being too lenient. Almost all the time there was resistance, arguing and resentment over doing chores. It gets very old very fast. (I hazard a guess here, that you know exactly what I mean.) I have been feeling my way along for some time now, looking for a system that will be effective: that will get my kids doing necessary chores with a minimum of fuss but without violating some of my parenting philosophy. I have recently implemented a plan I've been brewing for some time, and so far I am very pleased.

First of all, I wanted the boys to have some chores that they simply must do. There is no reward, it is simply their responsibility as members of this family. I wanted the chores to rotate, and to be spread out as fairly as possible. However I did not want to spend a lot of time each week writing out a chore schedule. At some point I stumbled upon Chore Buster, which I have been using ever since. It takes care of the "have to" chore charts automatically, and even allows me to key in all sorts of variables that refine its methods for our family. (For instance, I can mark chores as only for certain people, I can rate the relative difficulty of each chore, and note which family members should do more or fewer chores in general.) I tweak our system often so the computer generates just what we need.

So, each day at breakfast (except Tuesdays, their day off) I look online and see what the kids' chores are for the day. Generally it's just one or two things for each older boy, besides "brush your teeth". (Babyman doesn't really participate in chores yet.) As soon as breakfast is done the boys are supposed to complete the day's chore list. We've been doing this for some time, so by now the whining is minimized. We are still struggling with focusing on the job at hand, so it can be completed in less than oh, say, all day long. Two things have helped speed things up a bit: first, that there will be no computer time until chores are complete. Second, they cannot earn any points for extra chores unless their daily "have to" chores are completed first. These are the only two positive incentives I've found that actually have motivating power.

Now, on to those "extra" chores. I created a long list of chores that are within the abilities of the boys. Each chore earns a certain number of points. For instance, "Pick up and sweep the kitchen" is worth 12 points, and so is "Sweep the deck and porch". "Dust the bookshelves" is 10 points. "Brush the dogs" is worth 5 points, "Fold laundry and help put away" is worth 5 points per 1/2 load, and "Clean your bathroom sink, counter and mirror" is 10 points. "Comb your hair" is worth 3 points, and "Pick up and vacuum your room and the hallway" is 10.

I chose points based on how much the kids hate the chore (thus hated sweeping is worth a bit more than fun vacuuming), how difficult or time-consuming the chore is, and how much I will need to be involved- the more I have to be involved, the less the chore is worth. (Thus folding laundry isn't worth a lot because I have to "help" so much- but it's on the list because they need the practice.) I tried to keep each chore of a manageable size, breaking them up by room or task when necessary. Also, some tasks are worth less but can be repeated several times to earn more points- brushing the dogs and folding laundry, for instance, and also "Pick up toys".

Underneath each chore is an explanation of what needs to be done for it to be completed to my satisfaction. For instance, to earn 5 points for brushing the dogs, the kid has to fill the dog brush with hair. "Clean the bathroom floor" means pick everything off the floor and put it away, shake out bath mat, sweep well, put all dirt and hair in the trash and replace bath mat. (It's an easy job, worth 5 points per bathroom.)

I pretty much stuck with just household chores. "Comb your hair" and "Read a book to Mommy or Daddy" (5 points for Littleman, 10 for the Pirate) are the only exceptions. This is because personal hygiene is not optional, and I don't want to tie our "school" tasks to a rewards system.

Finally, I made a list of rewards that the boys may redeem their points for. Here it is (subject to plenty of future revisions, I'm sure):

* Play with Play-doh - - - - - - - 15 points
* Get one fruit roll-up - - - - - - 20 points
* Make popcorn - - - - - - - - 20 points
* Earn $1.00 - - - - - - - - - 25 points
* Go to Sonic for a slush - - - - - - 30 points
* Go to the library an extra visit - - - - 35 points
* Get 30 minutes of computer time - - - - 40 points
* Watch a movie of your choice - - - - - 50 points
* Make cookies with Mommy - - - - - - 60 points
* Go to our favorite playground - - - - 70 points
* Buy a book at the bookstore - - - - - 80 points
* Go out for ice cream - - - - - - - 85 points
* Visit a new park with [their Grandmothers] - 90 points
* Have a friend spend the night - - - - 100 points
* Go play mini-golf with Daddy - - - - - 165 points
* Get a family field trip to the aquarium! - - 200 points

So far this seems about right- some things may be more or less "expensive" than they ought to be, but we will see. I tried to keep the list heavy on the "activity" rewards as opposed to "give me" rewards. This puts a greater burden on me, but I feel better about it. As you can see, earning money is still an option. If one of the boys wants to save money to buy a toy (or whatever), they may do so by earning dollars. However if they want to buy a book, they only need to earn 80 points and I will purchase a book for them. I wanted books to have a distinct advantage, here. :) Each boy has a chart with days of the week, in which I use tally marks to record how many points they earn each day. They've been using a lot of math skills keeping track of their points, and figuring how many points they still need for various goals.

Obviously if you choose to try something like this in your home, the lists can be customized every which way to fit your family.

I realize this is a bit complicated, but it combines a lot of elements that I really like:
- there are daily chores that are not optional, but the list is short
- there is an incentive to complete non-optional chores quickly (so they can have time to earn points afterwards)
- if they choose not to do any chores beyond the daily list, it's OK. The burden does not fall on me to force the issue
- if they choose to do extra chores they are rewarded
- the more they do, the more they are rewarded
- they can earn money, but the focus is not on money in particular
- saving points and patiently working toward goals is encouraged (a good habit), but there are faster rewards if needed
- they practice their reading and math skills (and more!) while interpreting the charts
- the system is very flexible for our busy schedule
- it is also easily edited as our needs change or problems arise
- I now have the ability to occasionally reward points for unrelated things, at my discretion
- other family members can get involved by offering prizes or outings the kids may choose to earn
- and probably more benefits I'm not thinking of right now :)

The boys are actually enjoying it thus far (though we've only been doing the "extra" chores and points system for a few days, so we'll see how things progress in the future.) The Pirate has only earned a few points, but Littleman has enthusiastically racked up 31 points in a couple days. His goal is a trip to the bookstore to buy a book about Legos.

Sorry for the long explanation- I know several of you were interested in finding out more, so I hope this helps! :)

Photo Blog: Cloudland Canyon

2010-07-23T09:56:00.000-04:00

Cloudland Canyon Campout: Days 5 & 6

2010-07-22T11:37:00.002-04:00

Day 5 (Friday) was set to be another scorcher, leading to possible rain later on. I'd intentionally left this day open for everyone to decide what they'd prefer to spend time doing. My Dad left early to go to work. Most of our group piled into one big van for a little road trip to nearby Chattanooga, TN. Billy took all the kids up Lookout Mountain to watch the flyers at Lookout Mountain Hang Gliding, then to McDonald's (a special treat). Others chose to relax or go hiking. My brother had returned,

and I got to go hiking with him, which was really nice. Since he'd not been down to the waterfall yet, we headed into the canyon.

It was great being able to hike along with my brother, no kids or anyone else. That hasn't happened in a long, long time. We chatted or just walked in blessed, companionable silence, listening to the birds and the far-off creek and our footfalls sliding in sandy, rocky soil. The air was close, heavy and hot. Wild blueberries provided an occasional burst of flavor. The sun shining through the leaves was pure magic.

Before long, we found our destination. My brother remarked that it reminded him of a similar waterfall he'd seen in Costa Rica, except there the locals had been diving off the top of the waterfall! (This swimming hole is not nearly deep enough for such a dangerous stunt.) We cooled our feet in the water, just taking in the day.

Before we left, I just had to stand under the waterfall. I was cautious, because I didn't want to encourage other visitors to take the risk if they weren't up to the challenge. Finally, the moment seemed right. It really wasn't that difficult, and some views can only be experienced from a closer vantage point.

I can hardly describe the wonder of sitting beneath a waterfall in such a beautiful location. The guys who had tried it all said the water hurt a lot as it beat down on their skin- I guess I was lucky to be wearing a shirt because to me, it felt absolutely wonderful. I could have sat there much longer than I did. This was the crowning moment of the whole campout for me. I will ever be grateful that I did it, and did not choose to sit on the sidelines and just observe.

After awhile, we decided to hike over to the other waterfalls in the canyon. They were nice, but I didn't really think they were nearly as lovely as the first waterfall. We headed back up the many, many stairs to the trail, and back to camp. On the way, my brother talked me into driving to a roadside grill for sandwiches and a milkshake. It was a longer trek than we'd intended, but DAMN! That fried chicken sandwich was good. I wish I remembered the name of the place, because it's worth a visit. I plan to go again sometime. On the way back I could clearly see the storm clouds rolling in. It looked like a big one, with heavy threatening clouds, flashes of lightning on the horizon, and a quickening breeze. Between sucking down my milkshake and feeling the wind on my still-wet clothes, I was actually shivering a little. It was bracing! I love a good summer thunderstorm. With full tummies, tired muscles and the wind in our hair we raced the storm back to camp.

My brother headed home, and Billy and I began preparing for that night's traditional yearly group campfire. Once ready, we lay plastic over the wood to keep it dry in the intermittent sprinkling of rain. We were worried the imminent thunderstorm would rain out the campfire plans altogether, but at least we had a nice big area sheltered under our tarps, lit beautifully with Christmas lights. It would be fine.

As it was, the storm skirted right on by us, and never dumped any real rain on camp at all. By nightfall the fire was lit, and friends and family (including some kids from a nearby campsite that Littleman had befriended) began wandering over with chairs and drinks. We toasted hot dogs, then marshmallows (for the traditional s'mores, of course!) and played story games until everyone had arrived. We closed out the night with our yearly round, everyone offering a favorite thing or a particular memory about this year's campout. We took a moment to miss Billy's Dad, who died in May. And we simply enjoyed the moment, watching the sparks dance up toward the stars emerging from the dissipating storm clouds. I read local ghost stories as the moon emerged and the barred owls added their nightly chorus.

Finally, we gathered up the sleeping little ones and everyone bid each other good night. Time to go to bed.

Saturday we packed up and drove on home. The kids slept all the way. Another year's family campout completed!

Now to plan next year- I need a good coastal location!

Cloudland Canyon Campout: Day 4 Cont. (Thanksgiving in June)

2010-07-21T10:28:00.001-04:00

Billy's Mom, her friend (Billy's sister's mother-in-law, to be precise) and our niece were staying in one of the park's many nice cabins nearby. They had invited us to a potluck dinner for the night, so everyone wandered off to prepare supplies and drive over. My Dad arrived to stay for the evening, too. Billy's brother-in-law was frying a turkey, and the rest of us provided appetizers and side dishes. It was like Thanksgiving in June!

I threw together some potatoes, cooking them in the microwave first (because I was short on time) and cutting them up, then tossing them with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and fresh thyme. Finally I browned them in the oven before serving. Yum!

Some of us sat on the screened porch to eat and chat, and everyone else had fun groaning and offering commentary on some terrible TV movie. Billy's brother had brought their little dog, who was leashed with us on the screened porch. (Dogs were not allowed in the cabin.) One of my nephews' friends sat under the stars and practiced some songs on his acoustic guitar. It was a mellow, relaxing little family gathering.

As we were clearing up and washing dishes, there came a knock on the cabin's door. Yes, it was a park ranger. Yes, we were breaking rules again. What was the problem this time? Apparently we had too many people in the cabin. We weren't making too much noise, we hadn't bothered a single soul, and we weren't damaging any property or otherwise causing a disturbance. The fire regulations limit cabin occupants to 8 people, so apparently that means no more than 8 people can be physically inside the cabin at any given time. The ranger had stopped because there were several cars in the cabin driveway. Bonus for him: we had an illegal dog leashed on the porch. (Who had behaved beautifully, by the way.) Such was the end of our little family gathering. Luckily, we'd been preparing to leave anyway. Oh, well. We returned to camp that night mostly without incident (Except for my sister-in-law, who missed a turn and ended up outside the park gate. Can you believe, they totally lock the park down at 10 pm? It took her 5 phone calls to get the code to get back in. Every time we turned around we felt like adolescents getting caught: breaking rules, having illicit parties, breaking curfew. . . It was a bit ridiculous.)

As a special treat, I made ice cream, and served it up cold and soft with strawberries and syrup. We shared it out under our tarp lit with glimmering Christmas lights, as the barred owls hooted and called all around. A cat came visiting, and I gave it a few licks of half and half and some good ear scratches. It was another pleasant end to an adventurous day.

Cloudland Canyon Campout: Day 4

2010-07-20T11:15:00.001-04:00

The next day I was excited to hike down into the canyon and see this waterfall everyone was so thrilled with. Billy carried Babyman down for me.

The hike was pretty as it criss-crossed back and forth down into the canyon, but the trail itself was often very eroded. I loved the rock formations we passed.

Cloudland Canyon's geology is interesting, in part because all the layers of rock are still horizontal, much as they were laid down in ancient times. The flaky shale sometimes yields interesting marine and plant fossils- Littleman has unearthed some in nearby Chattanooga TN before. However (of course), removing fossils from Cloudland Canyon State Park is strictly forbidden.

Littleman climbed up to a ledge for a portrait

(one of the only shots I have of him- he was hardly ever near me long enough for a picture, and he never stopped moving)

and The Pirate just had to climb up for his turn as well.

I caught cousin "Dashi"

before the Three Muskateers trooped on down the stairs toward the bottom of the canyon.

The deeper we went, the cooler and shadier it got. What with all the boulders, and mosses, and dappled shade, I felt as if we were walking into a fairy tale, or stepping back in time.

Billy remarked that it was like being in the Lord of the Rings, which I guess is to say that it was something like New Zealand. ;) I hope one day to visit there, to see what wonders I can behold, and find out if there is any real similarity to certain more familiar landscapes.

Finally we came to the first waterfall (there are a few in the canyon), and it was a sight to see.

The light was so gorgeous, and the colors so vivid, it seemed like we'd stumbled on a tiny tropical paradise hidden in unassuming NW Georgia. The waterfall tumbled approximately 90 feet from a cloudless blue summer sky to an emerald green pool that stretched across the distance to the rocks we were standing on. Several signs were posted forbidding "climbing, wading, swimming or rappelling" but hardly any of the many visitors seemed to care about that. The order of this hot summer's day was a cool wade in the gorgeous shallows, and a few folks swam all the way out to stand under the falls. Our group did a great deal of rock building,

leaving several interesting formations behind for later visitors to enjoy and destroy.

(this last one belonged to Littleman and Dashi. See their "alligator rock"?

Everyone was having a wonderful time.

Littleman got some lessons from Daddy on skipping stones,

and a few of us went swimming. Never have I seen a more perfect swimming hole.

Babyman especially enjoyed the shallow water and the gorgeous day.

It was a perfect afternoon.

It really is a remarkable spot.

We returned to camp by late afternoon, because we had special plans for dinner. I'll continue that story next post.

Photo Blog: Camping Through The Pirate's Eyes

2010-07-19T10:35:00.001-04:00

Photos by The Pirate (except the last, by Littleman), via Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP. I did a bit of editing.

Cloudland Canyon Campout: Days 2 & 3

2010-07-18T19:30:00.007-04:00

Tuesday dawned warm and humid, and the day heated rapidly from there. The kids ran gleefully amok, and I passed the time easily taking care of their needs and taking in the beautiful day. There is so much for them to enjoy, so much to do and imagine and examine.

Babyman especially enjoyed living outdoors- this was a constant sight during the campout:

I tried one more time to get the park rangers to see reason about the tents, or at least to offer some credible explanation of why I needed to move them. It was fruitless, however. I encountered a great deal of sympathy but the oft-repeated phrase was "Well, I don't make the rules." Before long Billy arrived, and since there really was no good place to pitch a tent on our site's driveway, he helped me move our camp to a new site. This one had a level tent pad, and we raked the large gravel aside before pitching our tents on it (ruining several stakes in the process). By evening we were all set, and the rest of our party had arrived.

We settled into an easy routine of camp life and visiting, swapping food and stories. The fireflies set the woods afire and the cicadas buzzed in time as I leaned against my brother's truck, passing a flask of fine scotch back and forth between us. It was an easy moment, a fine way to wrap up my birthday, for birthday it was (Billy's, too). My brother was heading home for the evening ("Wuss" I said), but would return later in the week. So ended Day 2.

We started Day 3 with our annual group picture. Cloudland Canyon 2010!

We did some smaller family shots for good measure,

and then headed out together for a hike along the West Rim.

The trail was great, alternating fantastic rock formations and wild blueberry thickets with canyon-hugging vistas.

I carried Babyman, which is usually a welcome workout. However the heat and humidity combined with my relative lack of practice was kicking my butt. Babyman fell asleep, and when we all stopped for a snack, I was glad to lay him gently down and take a break. He slept on, oblivious to his surroundings.

We turned back at this point, and by the time I reached camp (approximately 5 miles of hiking behind me) I realized I had overdone it. The heat and exertion had caught up with me. After lunch everyone else set out for the waterfalls down in the canyon, but I decided to stay behind. Billy took the two older boys and I did my best to relax by myself with Babyman. We had a quiet time together until later, when the intrepid adventurers all returned with evening's cooler temperatures, ababble with excitement over the first waterfall. They'd spent the whole afternoon there, climbing on rocks, splashing in the swimming hole and building "monoliths" and monuments of stones (all activities strictly forbidden, of course). It was a must-see, so everyone planned to visit again tomorrow.

The boys fell asleep quickly, exhausted. Billy and I snuggled in our tent together, bathed in bright, silvery moonlight which poured down through the open screened roof. It was the kind of camping moment that transcends everything, that makes camping a cherished part of my existence.

Cloudland Canyon Campout: Day 1 (The Trouble with Tents)

2010-06-27T17:33:00.007-04:00

Our 5th annual Family Campout was a success! This year we met at Cloudland Canyon State Park in Northwest Georgia. I'd heard wonderful things about the hiking there, and the campground was very well-reviewed.

I arrived Monday afternoon, meeting some of our party who'd already arrived. Billy would be arriving Tuesday. The West Rim campground was great, with lots of shady trees, friendly camp hosts, tidy sites and very clean bathrooms/showers. I chose a pretty site near my sister-in-law and her husband, and started pitching the tents. The site (#16) had an uneven but adequate gravel driveway with a picnic table, grill and campfire ring at the end. The campground rules state that tents must be pitched on the "gravel tent pads", but since this site had no tent pad and the gravel was rough driveway-grade stones, I looked under the trees off to the side for suitable tent locations.

I found only two small spots that were level and clear, but two spots was all I needed. The ground was sandy dirt with fine gravel mixed in, so I figured that was the place tents were usually pitched. It was a bit of trouble to pitch the tents myself, since that's usually Billy's responsibility, but with some family help to watch the kids I finally managed to have a credible camp set up. We settled in for a relaxing first evening in camp.

Before long the campground manager came around in his truck. He stopped at my site, and thus began the first of several unintentional confrontations with the park staff on this trip.
"You have to move those tents", he said.

I was surprised. "I do? Why?"

"The rules state that all tents must be on the gravel tent pads."

"Right, but this site doesn't have a tent pad", I pointed out.

He looked. "Doesn't matter," he said, "you have to pitch your tent on the gravel."

I was incredulous. "On this?", I asked, indicating the driveway. "Really? I can't pitch my tent on this!" I looked around to see if I'd missed the spot for tents. I couldn't see any place that would work. "There is gravel under the tents now", I added, "it's just fine gravel and it's mixed with sand." He looked incredulous.

"Here, I'll show you", I offered hopefully. We walked over and I pointed out the fine gravel that was visible at the edge of the tent. "It's all the same underneath. That's why I thought the tents should go here."

He made a face. "Noooo, I think that's pushing it", he said. "Tents must be pitched on the gravel."

"That's not gravel?" I asked.

"That doesn't count. It has to be on the gravel tent pad. Here." He indicated the driveway. "You have to move your tents."

I couldn't believe it. "But where?" I asked.

"Anywhere here." He indicated the driveway again.

"But we park there! And the only level spot is smack dab next to the fire ring! The rest is washed out. Surely you don't expect me to pitch the tents next to the fire. And besides, this is rough gravel- this isn't fine gravel like parks put on tent pads. It might even damage the tents, not to mention being very uncomfortable."

He was looking impatient and belligerent at this point. I don't like causing trouble, especially for staff at state parks. They are underfunded stewards of some of our few remaining natural recreation areas, and (theoretically) they share many of my own core values about nature. However I was honestly flabbergasted that this was even an issue. I wondered what could possibly be the reason for the rule. Threatened species of plants or insects? (I was pretty sure that wasn't it.) Erosion control? (Possible, but not likely a problem with my tents in those specific spots.) Maybe there was a good reason I'd not considered. "WHY?", I asked again. "Why can't I leave them there?"

"If I let you do it, then other people will want to, too." he said, as if that settled the matter. His body posture suggested clearly that he was absolutely not backing down and no logic would ever scale the walls of his certitude. I couldn't believe I was having this conversation. I decided to switch tactics.

"PLEEEEASE don't make me move the tents", I pleaded pitifully. I really liked the spots there under the tree branches, and the thought of trying to redo the whole camp without Billy's help and with the three boys running around was daunting to say the least.

He sighed. "I get that a lot." (I wondered if, just maybe, this might indicate to him that rough chunky gravel driveways are not very good for tents, but if such a thought had occurred to him he apparently didn't care.) "Nope, you have to move them."

I sighed. I was getting nowhere. "My husband is arriving tomorrow. Can't I wait until I have his help to move them?"

The campground manager nodded reluctantly. "OK. You can move them tomorrow. But I'll be back to check." With that, he climbed back into his truck and went looking for more lawbreakers.

The rest of the evening passed pleasantly enough, though I was still simmering over the tent troubles. (People who apply rules for the sake of rules, without the leavening influence of logic, tend to piss me off.) The kids were having a blast though, and a nice cold beer (also against the rules, which I have an easier time understanding), enjoyed discreetly, helped bring the day to a pleasant conclusion. The fireflies were out in magical profusion, making the woods sparkle. My brother, sister-in-law and her husband were good company. The boys had trouble going to sleep in their excitement- giggles and rustles (and plenty of fart jokes) spilled from their tent well after dark. Finally, everyone was sleeping comfortably and I was able to drift to dreamland while looking up through my tent's screened roof into the moonlit pines.

(Sorry for the lack of pictures- I was busy!)

Music Monday: The Republic of Loose

2010-06-14T01:06:00.000-04:00

The other day I noticed Littleman was humming a tune. The tune was familiar, but maddening. . . I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I knew it was a song I knew, but not one I listened to frequently. Finally, I got it! It's "The Steady Song" by an Irish group called Republic of Loose. Littleman has heard it on a mix CD of up-and-coming indie Irish bands that Billy passed on to me. The song is ridiculously catchy, hilarious and terribly inappropriate. At least he wasn't singing the words! :)

(The video cracks me up- takes me back to the earliest days of MTV.)

The Great Wall of Plush

2010-06-09T01:00:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, you're cleaning up in the kitchen downstairs. And sometimes, the kids are all playing upstairs. And sometimes you realize that you're downstairs, and they're upstairs, and it's been a really long time since you've seen or heard from any of them. In that case, sometimes you might go upstairs to find this:

The Great Wall of Plush

Which spans your entire bedroom. And conceals a "fort" stocked with books and toys.

At which point, you get the camera to document this incredible feat of engineering. Then you make the boys clean it up.
The End.

Memorial Day 2010

2010-05-31T14:31:00.004-04:00

Honor those who serve.
Remember the fallen.
Recognize your blessings.

R.I.P. Grandpa
Thank you.

Music Monday: Nickel Creek

2010-05-24T01:00:00.000-04:00

In honor of Danny at the Burton 4-H Center of Tybee Island:

Nickel Creek performing their version of the classic tune "The Fox".

Want more? Try this one too.

Elephant Field Trip!

2010-05-22T11:17:00.002-04:00

Have you ever pet an elephant before? I mean, a real, live 8,000 lb African elephant? Thanks to our homeschool group and one awesome mama (and her Dad), we have!

Last week I took the boys down to Zoo Atlanta. They'd never been before, and the last time I'd gone was when I was a little girl. Despite mobs of screaming school groups in the morning, we enjoyed strolling around to check out the animals. (And the crowds cleared out a bit by afternoon.)

(photo by The Pirate)

I brought The Pirate's camera as well as my own, and it was sure a lot of fun seeing things from his perspective. The animals were great but so was the company. We love our homeschool group!

(photo by G)

(photos by The Pirate)

(photo by G) * (photo by The Pirate)

(photos by The Pirate)

Before long it was time to meet up for our elephant experience! It was so cool to meet an elephant up close, to pet and feed her. The zookeepers were wonderful, keeping things calm and organized, answering questions and generally making this a really fun visit.

(photo by A)

One by one each child got to go up and pet the elephant.

(photo by A)
Littleman says she felt wrinkly and looked like dry brown paint. The Pirate thinks she felt like a hairy rock. They both say she felt weird. At first when I asked Babyman what the elephant felt like, he said "blue". But after explaining what I meant with my question, he thought about it and decided she felt like "just a elephant".

(photo by A)

After petting her side, each child stood back and offered a cracker, carrot or apple slices for the elephant to take with her trunk.

(photo by G)

(photo by A)

Everyone LOVED the elephant! Besides that, the Pirate's favorite things were the meerkats and the naked mole rats. Littleman's favorites were the giant pandas, flamingos and the lemurs. I think Babyman's favorites were the handwashing stations (just his size!) and feeding the birds in the parakeet room.
(last 7 pics, except the panda and the parakeets, are by The Pirate)

It was SUCH a great field trip! I hope we get to do it again. Thanks to everyone for making it so wonderful!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-12T12:00:00.002-04:00

Yes, my boys are on the blog bandwagon

2010-05-08T00:28:00.003-04:00

A couple of my monkey men (namely, this guy

and
this guy

with maybe a little help from me and
this guy)

have started their very own blog.

It's about these little plastic bits of magic

(called LEGOs, of course)
and what they build with them.

The blog is Simon & Griffin's Lego Blog. Check it out, follow if you're interested and drop my boys a comment! They're enjoying it.

Chicken with Sundried Tomato (for Camping!)

2010-04-09T16:22:00.008-04:00

I tried a new dinner on our last campout, and it was a delicious success! I got the idea from my brother. So here it is, ready for your next car camping adventure. Unfortunately I have no measurements for you, because I just eyeballed everything and I've only made it once. Start with just enough chicken for your family, and measure out the other ingredients accordingly. Don't let the long explanation scare you- it's super easy!

Chicken with Sun-dried Tomato and Cous Cous

- frozen boneless skinless chicken, partially thawed
- olive oil
- sun-dried tomatoes
- fresh herbs (I had thyme, but rosemary would also be great, or another fresh herb)
- fresh garlic
- salt and pepper
- a box of ready-to-prepare flavored cous cous (I used parmesagn flavor)
- a small (about 1 cup?) container with a tightly-fitting lid
- a large zip-lock bag

Prep at home the night before you leave:
-Snip the sun-dried tomatoes into 1/4 or 1/2 inch pieces, and soak in very hot water for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, slice the garlic cloves very thinly, and snip herbs.
-Drain tomatoes. Put tomatoes, garlic and fresh herbs into the small container. Fill container with olive oil, and close tightly. Pack with camping supplies.
-Cut chicken into bite-size pieces, and dump into zip-lock bag. Make sure it's closed very securely, and put it in the cooler on ice.

At camp:
(You will need a camp stove, a good skillet, a saucepan with a lid, a measuring cup and spoon, and a heat-resistant utensil like a large spoon.)

-Follow instructions on the box to prepare the cous cous, using a Tablespoon (or whatever is called for) of the olive oil from your container instead of butter. Meanwhile, heat the skillet.
-Drizzle some olive oil in the skillet, and dump the chicken in. Then dump the tomatoes, herbs and garlic (and the remaining olive oil, if it's not too much) on top of the chicken. Salt and pepper to taste, but remember the cous cous is already seasoned so don't go overboard.
-Cook, stirring, until chicken is done. Dump the chicken into the saucepan with the finished cous cous and mix well. Voila!

You can serve with a veggie, if you wish. Raw veggies for munching are simple, like baby carrots or sliced bell peppers. I had some kale that needed to be eaten, so I sauteed it lightly after cooking the chicken. It was an easy, healthy, delicious camp meal.

Camping with the 5 Bears

2010-03-29T11:58:00.003-04:00

(photo by a friendly bystander)
We've just returned from a 4 day camping trip in the North Ga mountains. We arrived at Unicoi State Park on Wednesday, and got home Saturday night. Sharing the experience this time were my good friends from our homeschool group and their children (and dogs)- it was a great combination! Everybody got along really well and helped out.

The weather went from gorgeous, to wet and chilly, back to gorgeous. It was colder than I expected, but we managed just fine. The kids had a blast, of course! They ran all over the place, played in the creek, rode scooters and the trike, played ball, and had secret adventures in the woods with a "bear trap". We roasted marshmallows every night over the campfire. The older kids helped watch the younger, and though camping with kids isn't really a relaxing experience, we certainly found the trip to be a rejuvenating one. I'm looking forward to planning the next one. :)

(photo by Billy via iPhone)

Wednesday was warm and gorgeous. Everyone arrived and got set up, and before we knew it we were relaxing around the campfire with full tummies and plenty of happy, excited kids. Thursday dawned cool, grey and misty. Billy got our big tarp up just in time before rain began to fall, and it continued lightly off and on all day. After breakfast the older boys all went to play in the creek. They were having a great time building a dam, when just before lunch someone accidentally dropped a large rock onto Littleman's hand. The results were surprisingly gnarly, and after some hurried triage Billy took Littleman to the nearest ER.

(photo by Billy via iPhone)
Littleman ended up with 8 stitches, a bandaged splint and antibiotics to prevent infection. It was rough on him of course, but he was a real trooper and bounced back quickly.

The rest of us hung out around camp in the light rain, relaxing (OK and maybe worrying a bit) and playing Mancala and Canasta while the younger boys played or read comic books. Billy and Littleman got back in time for our big shared dinner: a traditional Low Country Boil. It was delicious! Billy and I were the last ones awake as the skies opened and dropped a ton of rain. We had fun rushing about to batten down the hatches before turning in for the night.

Friday morning:

(video by Billy via iPhone)

Friday we drove up to Anna Ruby Falls for a short hike. The double waterfall was looking pretty spectacular from the previous night's downpour!

Everyone had a snack before Papa Bear and Brother Bear took one of the dogs and joined Billy, myself and Babyman for a 4 mile hike back to camp. Mama Bear bravely took charge of the remaining 4 boys and one dog, and went back to camp for the afternoon.

The hike was wonderful! It felt amazing. I carried Babyman, who napped most of the way, so I'm pretty good and sore right now! It was just what I needed.

(video by Billy via iPhone)

Saturday we packed up and said goodbye to our friends, with promises to plan this again soon! Billy and I took the boys into Helen so we could visit our favorite rock shop and eat at the Troll Tavern. We stopped at the hospital for an Xray on Littleman's hand before heading on home that night. Whew! What a great trip! And now, it's back to chipping away at the resulting mountain of laundry. (FYI, Oxyclean does a fantastic job on bloodstains.) ;)

P.S.- Find Mama Bear's excellent account of the trip here:
Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4

. . .And Onto the Munchkin

2010-03-15T23:21:00.002-04:00

The little munchkin received his new sweater today. It fit! He'll get a little wear out of it before the weather gets altogether too warm. It was nice to see it on him. :)

Sorry I didn't get a better picture- I thought I had, but when I loaded them into the computer they were pretty blurry. It's too bad, because Mouse is MEGA cute!! That said, there's something quite nice about this picture, I think:

Something about the mood strikes a chord for me. Anyway, just wanted to share the sweater on its new home!

Off the needles!

2010-03-13T19:42:00.003-05:00

I finished it! I knit this sweater for a good friend's son, who is about 15 months old. Luckily he hasn't outgrown it in the many months it's taken me to knit. Unfortunately we've got very little sweater-weather left before Spring arrives in earnest, so he probably won't get a lot of wear out of it. Oh, well. It was fun to knit, and very good practice.

Here's the back:

It's only the 3rd sweater I've ever made- the first is a fun, lumpy concoction for my sons (now quite pilly on it's third wearer), and the second is a super warm, thick and fuzzy colorful thing for myself. I'm getting better. The rib-knit V-neck is a new attempt for me. :)

Here's a detail of the front:

Originally I'd wanted to do the whole sweater in the variegated blue yarn, but realized I didn't have quite enough of it, and it was discontinued so I couldn't buy more. So I matched it with the champagne colored yarn (a different brand and a different texture, but the same weight) and did stripes. I'm very pleased with the color and the softness.

Voila! :)

Skywatch Friday

2010-02-25T16:19:00.003-05:00

These pictures were taken on the drive to Charleston, SC back in November. We pulled over somewhere in rural Georgia to capture the stunning light and color. After pulling back onto the road, we realized that it wasn't the first time we'd found an amazing sunset in that stretch of countryside- this sunset was photographed on almost the exact same date back in 2005! We'll see if the trend continues, next time we head to Charleston for Thanksgiving. :)

Music Monday: That 1 Guy

2010-02-22T10:58:00.003-05:00

Several of you have heard me mention That 1 Guy, especially over on Facebook and in my Twitter stream. Billy worked with That 1 Guy on his latest album Packs A Wallop. (The video is Mustaches from his previous album The Moon is Disgusting, since none of the new songs are on YouTube yet.) Billy and I went to see him play live in Atlanta last Friday, and it was amazing!! I can't recall a live gig where I've ever had so much fun. Mike (That 1 Guy) is a true performer and a great person, and he puts on a phenomenal live show. The energy in the room was fantastic. I danced for two hours- it was FUN.

Check him out- to learn more about his amazing instrument The Magic Pipe (which he invented), check out the Packs A Wallop EPK. And if you ever get a chance to see him live, GO! It's like nothing you've ever seen before.

Green Goodness from Rockstar Farms

2010-02-18T00:42:00.003-05:00

I have been feasting on fresh winter greens lately. Fresh as in, harvested that very morning, and I didn't have to do any of the farming to get them. I joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) by my good friends at Rock Star Farms.

I have been in salad bliss. And I'm learning how to prepare bok choy. :) CSAs are a super way to get amazing fresh local veggies and support local small farms. To find a CSA near you, try localharvest.org

That's all I got for now. . . been busy but having fun!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-17T11:25:00.001-05:00

Five Great Gift Ideas for Your Lady on Valentine's Day

2010-02-13T23:58:00.009-05:00

What sorts of gifts would really, truly be appreciated by almost any lovely lady for Valentine's Day?

The answer is, I don't really know. Because women are vastly different, and I'm not sure I can think of something I can honestly say that most women would like. It's impossible to accurately paint with such a broad brush. But I can come up with a few things that most women I know would appreciate, and there's a good chance your lovely lady would like one of these things very much:

1) Some sort of escape. I asked my friends what the most appreciated, most romantic gift would be for them, and this was far and away the favorite. Usually it's a weekend away from home, without kids. The specifics vary by individual- sometimes it's a few days at a beach resort with warm sun and frosty alcoholic beverages. Sometimes it's a retreat where she can engage in a favorite activity like yoga, writing, arts & crafts, tennis or whatever. It might be a cruise, or it might be a night in a quiet secluded cabin. It might even be tickets to a much loved performance or event, depending on what your lady loves best. Personally, I want a couple nights at the Snowbird Mountain Lodge. :) Oh, and by the way- a wonderful retreat is a whole lot less rejuvenating if she comes home to a mountain of undone chores. Try to arrange for a clean house to come home to.

2) Some sort of pampering. A massage (especially), a facial, a visit to her favorite hairstylist, a pedicure, etc. Gift certificates are an easy but relatively expensive way to give this gift, or you can take it upon yourself to pamper her. An uninterrupted candlelit bubble bath followed by a massage is sure to be appreciated- not to mention the romantic potential for the evening. Really take your time and make her feel wonderful. For myself and many other women, this is a pretty fail-safe gift. If you buy a gift certificate, try to find a spa where they never expire. It can be tough to find time to go, and you don't want your gift to lose value if your lady has to wait to redeem it.

3) A clean house. Seriously. Whether you roll up your sleeves and tackle it yourself, or get a cleaning service out for a day of serious scrubbing, nothing says 'I care' to a tired mama like helping out around the house. (Bonus points: hide little love notes around the house for her to find later.) An alternative is to tackle your "honey do" list. Don't give her a hard time for anything, just get the job done with a smile- and if possible, send her out by herself to relax while the cleaning gets done back home. A couple notes on this: if your sweetheart is not a tired mama, or is super particular about how things are done around the house, this might not be the ideal choice. Otherwise, this is a WONDERFUL choice. Another smaller option is the nice surprise of a cleaned, vacuumed, detailed car. (Many guys would love that, as well!)

4) A heartfelt expression of your love. Sit down with a beautiful card, piece of stationary or pretty blank journal and think about what makes your lovely lady special. Tell her why you are in love with her. Be specific. What does she do that's so wondrous it knocks the breath out of you? How does she make you feel? Why is it that out of all the women on Earth, you choose her? Why did you fall in love with her? Write from your heart. You can also make a video, write a song or a poem if that's your preference, or think of another creative way to clearly express your love and affection. There are many ways to hand-craft a gift for your lady that would be very meaningful to your relationship.

5) If you really want to buy a physical gift, there are a lot of choices but you need to be sure you're getting something that YOUR individual lady will love. The old standbys of chocolate and flowers are pretty great, especially if combined with something else. Personally I love flowers that are delivered when I least expect them, and chocolate is good any time. :) Jewelry is a lovely choice, but be sure it's something your lady would love to wear. Some grown-up classic choices are a strand of pearls or diamond earrings, but not every woman wants those. Lingerie might be a great choice- most women could especially use a great quality, well-fitted bra. She'd need to be fitted in person by a lingerie salesperson who knows what she is doing. Try the department store Nordstrom- they can be expensive but the salesladies in the lingerie department know what they are doing. Then again, maybe your lady would much rather get comfy pajamas for Valentine's Day. Or maybe she has her eye on a new camera, or some climbing shoes, or shrubs for her garden, or a book she wants to read. . . be sure whatever you get, you've put some thought into what your particular lady would appreciate.

That's it- five great ideas to pamper your lady for Valentine's Day. I realize I'm a little late posting this, but keep these ideas in mind for any day you want to do something extra-special for your lady. What would the most romantic, most appreciated gift be for you?

A Quote for You

2010-02-04T00:07:00.001-05:00

"It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they much oftener succeed through failures. Precept, study, advice, and example could never have taught them so well as failure has done." ~ Samuel Smiles

Music Monday: Lisa Hannigan

2010-02-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'm lovin' this. So sweet, so fun, so simple. Lyrics so full of promise. Feels good for a sunshiny day.

Crafting for Charity

2010-01-28T09:00:00.001-05:00

Today, I mailed off a couple packages. One of them has been a LONG time coming, and is in fact about 10 days late for the final deadline. I hope that's OK. . . I finished it ages ago, but didn't manage to mail it before today. C'est la vie. It was one of several craft-related charity/group projects that I have participated in- specifically, it is a contribution to the installation art piece known as the Milkweed Project. No, I don't have a picture of my contribution. Sorry, sorry! I was so thrilled to be finally mailing it today that I forgot to photograph it for posterity. It was a simple thing though, so you haven't missed much. :) There are many photographs on the website however, of contributions from all over the world. I've enjoyed checking them out, and I really look forward to seeing how it all comes together!

The second package I mailed out was a red scarf for the Orphan Foundation of America's Red Scarf Project. I found out about this project from a friend, who learned of it through Craft Hope. Red hand-knit or crocheted scarves are donated to orphaned foster teens. I had some great red yarn leftover from another project, and it knit up very quickly. Again, I forgot to take a picture. I know, I know! Some photographer I am. It is a simple scarf though, mostly straight garter stitch. It's appealing for it's dense, cushiony softness, it's warmth, and it's deep garnet color, rather than for it's design. :) I hope it's new owner likes it. The deadline for this project is Valentine's Day, so there's still time if you'd like to make a scarf, too!

The other craft-related charitable project which I recently participated in was the Iraqi Bundles of Love (or IBOL) project. I blogged about it early on, but never posted pictures of our bundles. ("Our" meaning myself and a couple other wonderful ladies in a craft group I am in.) So, finally, here's a few photos of our finished bundles, ready to send:

(the above photos are by Kyddryn)

In addition, the boys and I participated in IBOL Sundae. It was delicious!

The IBOL project was exciting. It was so gratifying not only to help, but to see so much of the goodwill unfolding in Art's blog. I really enjoyed that. :)

Hmm. . . maybe it's time for a new charitable craft endeavor. . .
There's afghans for Afghans, or Artists Helping Children, or Project Linus, the local charity Tiny Stitches, or Warm the World. . .
Or, maybe I should just finish the numerous projects I've already got going. :P

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-26T23:42:00.002-05:00

(photo by Billy)

Skywatch Friday (Rockbrook edition)

2010-01-07T23:56:00.005-05:00

Back when I was in college, I spent a couple summers as a camp counselor at a wonderful place called Rockbrook. Rockbrook Camp is a girls' summer camp that's been in operation in North Carolina since the 20s, and it's a remarkable experience.

When I decided I wanted to be a camp counselor for the summer, I applied to a ton of promising-looking summer camps. Several offered me the job, and from those I narrowed my prospects down to just four choice spots. Then I roped my Mom into a road trip to look at each camp in person and meet the people who would run the show.

We visited two great camps, and I felt my decision would be a difficult one. Next on the agenda was Rockbrook Camp for Girls, just outside of Brevard, NC. The drive there was gorgeous, on a twisty rhododendron-flanked mountain road. I started to get excited as we drove up the driveway- you could absolutely sense the history of the place, yet it felt very vital and natural at the same time. I took just three steps out of the car, breathed deep, turned to my Mom and said with absolute conviction, "THIS is the place."

And it was. It couldn't have been more perfect. From the setting, to the philosophy, from the campers, to my fellow staff, from the long-held traditions to the lively young enthusiasm all around, it was a brilliant time in my life. I wish I could have devoted more summers to that wonderful place.

At the end of last August, Rockbrook held a reunion retreat, for all alumni- campers and staff alike. Most of the people there had begun as campers, sometimes living every single summer of their childhoods there, then graduating to counselors when the time came. Some women were there with their mothers, who had also spent summers as Rockbrook Girls. It was a delightful weekend. I so hope they do it again. I spent just two lovely summers there, teaching arts and crafts and shepherding unruly bunches of pre-teen girls through camp adventures. Yet somehow, Rockbrook is a part of me, has grown it's roots into my soul just as it obviously does with so many girls and women it touches. I look forward to visiting again.

These Skywatch sunset photos were taken August 29, 2009 from the hill at Rockbrook Camp, NC.

See more Skywatch photos from all over the world! Visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Come on In. I just made cookies.

2009-12-15T23:19:00.004-05:00

Hello? Hello? Anyone here? ~sneeze~ Geez, it's gotten dusty. Where's the vacuum? OH Eeeek! Ugh. Ew. I walked into a spiderweb. Pth. Pbth. Blech. Sorry, spider. I'll open up this window. . . there. Now, let's just dust this off and then I'll build a nice fire and warm things up in here. Hey, hand me a rag, will'ya? Thanks.

* * *

Ahh, there now. Here, have a seat by the fire. Would you like some tea? I've just put the kettle on. Or there's eggnog in the fridge. . . Oh? Yes, I have that too. Excellent. Here, you are. That's better,isn't it? I've been away far too long. You know how it is, over the holidays- you write a post or two in November, and you have all these ideas in the wings, and then BLAM! Holiday preparations hit you like a mack truck and suddenly you're just barely hanging on as you careen on down the highway, trucking along to your destination. No time for a brief stroll to visit the blog, air out your thoughts a bit, maybe have a relaxed conversation. And so the blog sits, abandoned, with no words to mark this passing time. Soon, only memories (and what unlikely photos you've managed to grab) are all that remains of another year gone by. That, and the mess.

Well, at least I've managed to stop in this evening. Thanks for visiting! It's so lovely to find a few readers hanging on against all odds. Especially since I seldom visit your blogs anymore. Sorry about that. I'll be back! Probably next year, but given time, I'll pop by again. In the meantime I've been doing pretty well checking off my real-world to-do list, and hopefully remembering to have some fun, too. I hope things are good for you as well.

Today was a whirlwind. By this evening my nerves were a bit raw. Dinner was rough- the kids pounded me with an unbelievable array of persistent demands, questions, whining, pleading, griping and just general noisemaking. Babyman was hungry, crying, and rejecting everything I offered. Finally he settled on a boiled egg, which he rejected as soon as I finally placed it in front of him. Meanwhile, my soup grew cold. Amidst all of this, the Pirate decided it was a good idea to go empty the wastebasket out onto the living room floor. It made a great big pile of dog hair, random bits of trash and tons of used-up crayon nubs and dried-out markers that I'd cleaned out of the crayon bin. For a moment, my energy ebbed completely away and I just lay my head down on the table in front of me, despair amidst the din.

I bucked up and made the Pirate clean up the mess. Then what did I do? Why, made Emergency Chocolate Cookies, of course!

I did a Google search to find what I was looking for. They were just as fast, easy and yummy as I needed. Perfection!

Emergency Chocolate Cookies

1 box dark chocolate cake mix
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup raisins
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients, blending well. If the mixture is too stiff, add a little water. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute before removing from the cookie sheets.

For altitudes above 3500 feet, add 1/4 cup flour to dry cake mix.

Voila! Tasty. Everyone went to bed happy. Enjoy. And, remember to relax a little. :)
See ya when I see ya.
;)

A Toast

2009-11-28T09:52:00.002-05:00

Warm sun on my face. A lazy breeze shuffles through the magnolia leaves, chilly reminder that even the lowcountry has winter. I watch a cat slink under the camellias, molten, merging into the shadows. Twittering birds erupt in a cloud of scolding. The cat stalks off, disgusted.

Laughter swells as someone backs out the door with arms laden. The storm door slams shut behind them, cutting off the cheerful din. Conversation drifts toward me on the breeze as some of the family stroll back from the nearby pond, where they'd been admiring the resident 'gator. Their voices mingle with the mouth-watering sounds and aromas of frying turkey. Children fly past on bikes and scooters. Somewhere, a dog barks. I stretch my legs out in the grass before me. Another car pulls up, bearing friends and family. The magnolia whispers overhead.

A child bumps my arm as I pour, spilling rich red wine over the rim. Sunlight shimmers in beads of deepest ruby clinging, sliding, as I quietly lift my glass in homage to this day. Thanksgiving, indeed.

Babyman's First Haircut

2009-11-27T10:26:00.004-05:00

Now that Billy has heroically figured out a way to unload pictures from my camera (since I still don't have the USB cable), I have a few illustrated blog posts in the wings. One momentous event was Babyman's first haircut!

He was less than thrilled with the experience.

He cried through most of the haircut.

"Seriously? Why do you guys do these things to me?"

He was beginning to get used to the experience, and Scooby Doo on the TV was fairly interesting. I love this picture.

All done! (Just needed a little fluffing up.) Sigh. At least he still has his curls!

Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T10:04:00.003-05:00

I know your blog reader is probably awash in gratitude right now, but I can't let this day slide by without acknowledgment. Today is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S., and regardless of the holiday's origins it is one of my favorite days of the year. Some argue that it's counter-productive to set aside one day for giving thanks, when gratitude is something we should all practice on a daily basis. While I understand that point, I don't think Thanksgiving (the holiday) precludes thanksgiving (as a daily practice). Thanksgiving is a reminder and an opportunity. (Not to mention a delicious tradition!)

Before we head to my sister-in-law's, I wanted a moment of reflection. My life is so full of blessings. Health, family, friends, food and shelter. . . so many things that fill me with wonder. I won't list them all here- some of my (walking, talking) blessings are very impatient for me to get moving. ;) I will end simply with the best possible prayer, no matter the creed or faith- the closest phrase I can think of to express this sense of fullness, wonder and gratitude:

Thank you.
Thank you.
From the depths of my being, thank you.

Over-Parenting: a Time Magazine Article

2009-11-21T22:44:00.003-05:00

All I have to offer tonight is this EXCELLENT article from the latest edition of Time magazine. Check it out.

Can These Parents Be Saved? - The Case Against Over-Parenting

Two Years

2009-11-19T12:15:00.003-05:00

From this:

to, very shortly thereafter, this:

Then it's just two years. . . two short years, and we have this rascal:

We love you, sweet Babyman!

Superfast Dinner Solutions

2009-11-13T23:32:00.003-05:00

Busy, busy lately- which is why I am offering today a handful of super fast, super easy dinner ideas. These aren't recipes, and I offer no guarantees as far as nutrition goes. They are simply meals that I turn to when I have no time or few ingredients, and three hungry boys. They are kid-approved, at least in this house. What quick meal solutions do you regularly turn to in your kitchen?

"Noodles with Green Sauce"
(at least, that's what the kids call it)

Boil some of whatever pasta you have on hand. Meanwhile, follow the instructions to microwave a package of frozen creamed spinach. Drain pasta, and toss thoroughly with hot creamed spinach. Serve alone, or with whatever protein you can whip up quick. My kids prefer (cringe) bacon. But I prefer boneless skinless chicken, baked up quick, diced and tossed in with the noodles.

Crackers, Cheese and a Chat

We love this one. Grab a cutting board, a block of cheese, a box of crackers, an apple or two and any number of other delights: grapes or other fruit, sausage, baby carrots, a boiled egg, french bread and olive oil for dipping, hummus. . . you get the idea. (Don't forget a glass of wine for Mommy!) Slice, share, much and have a nice relaxed conversational meal.

Smoothies and Popcorn

Sorry. It's a treat, OK? Throw some popcorn in the microwave or popper. Meanwhile, blend up bananas, pineapple, fresh spinach, and frozen fruit such as strawberries or peaches, with vanilla yogurt, juice and a little protein powder. Taste often and adjust ingredients until you have something yummy. This "meal" goes very well with a movie.

Black Beans and Rice

This is the "I'm in a hurry" version. Dump some rice in the cooker or pot, and get it started. Meanwhile warm up a can of Goya brand black bean soup. Combine, mix thoroughly, and serve hot. Yumm. I like to serve with salad, steamed broccoli or asparagus, but that's just me trying to get the green veggies in. :)

Mac & Cheese & Peas

Nothing new here! Follow cooking instructions for whatever brand of boxed macaroni & cheese your kids favor. I prefer the organic stuff. Meanwhile, follow instructions to microwave some frozen green peas. Drain peas, and toss with finished macaroni and cheese. Serve. For protein, I either bake some boneless skinless chicken, or brown some ground beef or bison and toss it in. But I'm not averse to serving this one as is. Babyman tears it up.

Creamy Garlic Baked Chicken

This takes a little longer if you're using the frozen chicken, but needs no prep and just a couple ingredients. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Place frozen boneless skinless chicken in a single layer in the baking dish. Spread one undiluted can of cream of chicken soup over the chicken. Sprinkle on a little fresh ground black pepper, if desired. Peel a few garlic cloves, halve or quarter them, and distribute over top of chicken. Bake until done, but not dry- I usually bake for 40 to 45 minutes from frozen. Serve hot with rice or noodles and a veggie or two. Easy peasy.

Hope these help! Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-11T02:07:00.000-05:00

Samhain 2009: The Fellowship of the Ring!

2009-10-31T13:31:00.010-04:00

(Alternate title: Lord of the Rings Geekery, The Next Generation)

Here I sit, in peace and quiet, sipping coffee and goofing off on the computer. Aaah: a vacation!! It's been a whirlwind getting the boys ready for Halloween tonight, but I've finally gotten them all decked out and sent off for a day of fun with Daddy.

Courtesy of Billy's iphone, I have some pictures for you. I present to you. . . the Fellowship of the Ring!

(photo by Billy)

The Halloween costumes this year have been an adventure of sorts. It all started last Spring, when Littleman apparently decided that he was going to be Gandalf for Halloween this year. (Have you EVER known a kid to plan that far ahead, and then stick with it?!?)

I vaguely remember a conversation:
Littleman: Mommy, can you make me a costume?
Me: I probably can, as long as it doesn't need much sewing. I've never learned how to use a sewing machine.
Littleman: Do we know someone who uses a sewing machine?
Me: Oh, sure- several people! [Here I name a few folks, including my Grandmother.] Grandmother's really good at it, in fact. She used to make all sorts of clothes and stuff.
Littleman: Hmm. OK.
And thus, I thought, ended that conversation. However Littleman remembered what I'd said until the next visit with Grandmother. Unbeknownst to me, he asked her to make him a Gandalf costume for Halloween. She said she'd try. The first I heard of all this was a couple months ago, when she called me to schedule a time for Littleman to try his costume on.

Upon seeing Littleman's cool costume, The Pirate promptly decided that he would be Legolas. Then just as promptly he changed his mind, deciding he'd rather be Spiderman again like last year.

(photo by Billy)
Over the last few weeks, I've checked with him several times- letting him know that he could choose either costume, but if he wanted to be Legolas then I needed him to let me know ahead of time so I'd be able to make the costume. Long story short, he changed his mind at the last minute and on Thursday morning he just HAD to be Legolas for Halloween. Luckily I'd already researched some possible ways to pull that off (just in case), and made a quick trip to the craft store. Yesterday after Littleman's birthday lunch, I got started. Just a few finishing touches this morning, and I was done!

(Last night as I was working on this, he told me he'd rather be Spiderman after all. I decided to forge ahead, trusting that the finished costume would be cool enough to entice him. Luckily, he decided it is.)

We have a cute dog costume that we've used for the boys when they were very small. However, we weren't sure if that was going to work for Babyman because he wanted nothing to do with the thing. Yesterday Billy and I were wondering what costume we could get Babyman to wear, when the obvious occurred to us: he could be a hobbit! He was already short and had the curly hair. I felt sure I could find a ring on a chain and some hobbit-like clothes for him. After a little digging about this morning, here's what I came up with:

He wasn't too thrilled with the picture-taking, but he seems to like his "costume"!

Hee hee. I admit I'm a little proud of Grandmother and myself. Too bad it's too cold and wet tonight for Babyman to trick-or-treat barefoot! But he still looks hobbit-like enough that I think anyone who's seen the Lord of the Rings films will recognize this miniature version of the Fellowship of the Ring. And these fans (Mommy included) are more than a little thrilled with the result. :)

(photo by Billy)

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-28T01:20:00.000-04:00

Showing Love: A Question

2009-10-24T20:43:00.003-04:00

I have been pondering something, and would really love to get some feedback from all of you. This has the potential to reawaken some warm fuzzy feelings in all participants. :) Here's my question:

What does your spouse or significant other do (or did, as the case may be) that replenishes your soul, and shows you that you are loved?

I'm looking for any thoughtful answer to that question, though the spirit of the inquiry leans toward those small things that happen often and truly keep us going. Tiny treasures of actions that mean more than all the words in the world.

Thank you so much for thinking on this, and responding.

Out of the Mouths of Boys

2009-10-21T12:54:00.005-04:00

Overheard yesterday:

The Pirate: (apparently referencing something I told him about yeast) "Did you know that there's tiny little creatures inside bread? And we eat them!"
Littleman: (dismissive) "Nuh uh"
Pirate: "Ah huh!"
Littleman: "Nuh uh"
Pirate: "Ah huh!!"
Littleman: "Nuh uh"
Pirate: (irate) "Ah HUH!! Mommy TOLD me so!"
~pause~
Littleman: (imperiously covering his ignorance) "Oh, yeah. Well that's just in SOME kinds of bread."

The Pirate: "How are oranges made?"
Littleman: "From seeds! Foods that have seeds can grow to make more of them."
The Pirate: "Oh. OK. So how are noodles made?"
Littleman: "I don't know. Someone just makes them."

Today Babyman climbed onto my bed. He arranged himself next to me, sighed mightily, collapsed back into the pillow and said with theatrical weariness: "Oh me, Mommy."

Littleman has been checking his mouth for loose teeth. He thinks he found one, though I'm still not sure. He asked if I have any, and I exclaimed "I hope not!". After I explained how people get only two sets of teeth, and the grown-up teeth have to last the rest of one's life, Littleman then informed me that I was mistaken. "No," he corrected, "we get three sets. First the baby teeth, then the grown-up teeth, and when you're really old, you get your alien teeth." (Dentures? I wondered, but didn't go there.) "Oh, I see," I said, "and how old do you have to be for your alien teeth to come in?" "REALLY old," he said. "Like, older than an old book that's so old all it's pages are yellow and dusty and breaking up." Wow.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-21T00:36:00.001-04:00

Of Birthdays and Spontaneous Forts

2009-10-20T08:09:00.000-04:00

Wow- the end of October is already around the corner. Soon, my big Littleman is turning a great big 6 years old! I am still without a camera cable, so have no new pictures to upload. But, I remembered a bunch of pictures that I took last year, at Littleman's 5th birthday.

(The birthday boy, 5 years old)

(And the Pirate, looking sweet and shaggy.)

It was a gorgeous, perfect October afternoon.

Babyman was having a ball. He was crawling, and loved the warm sun, pinestraw, and all the attention from adoring relatives.

There were bunches of kids running about, and after awhile I noticed a certain "purpose" to their busyness. There was much discussion and collaboration. I looked over, to find an interesting sight.

They were working together to build a small fort. Framed in sticks, "thatched" with pinestraw, it was really an impressive little structure. And, it was growing.

Soon it was attracting admirers. Still, the work continued.

I was impressed with the communication, cooperation and all-around teamwork that was operating to create the fort. Mostly cousins, the kids are a wide range of ages. Everyone put aside differences and simply enjoyed working together to make a great structure and have fun. Older kids let younger kids do their part, while helping ensure that the final product would be structurally sound.

I love thinking about all the skills they were building: teamwork, cooperation, compromise, empathy, assertiveness, problem-solving, creativity, communication, motor skills, hand-eye coordination, leadership. . . Then there's the "school" topics they were covering:

Natural Sciences, Social Studies, P.E., Art, even a little basic Math and oral Language Arts.

Not to mention the pure, healthy benefits of being active outdoors, working with natural materials to create for the pure joy and accomplishment of it.

There were many wonderful artistic touches and details.

It was a perfect project, entirely conceived and executed by the children. The ideal example of the rewards of hours of free play outdoors.

It was my kind of birthday party- outside, in gorgeous weather, with room to roam in natural surroundings, and plenty of wide-open time for plain old play. I'm a slacker party planner- and I like it that way. ;) This year we'll be trying something different, though- hopefully it works out well, and hopefully I'll have my camera working again so I can take lots of pictures!

(sigh) They're growing so fast.

Music Monday: Katherine Wheatley

2009-10-19T06:00:00.000-04:00

Here's a new Music Monday video for you- someone posted this on Facebook (thanks, Luci!) and I really like it! The video is lovely and very fun, too. It's "Water Moves Me" by Katherine Wheatley, a Canadian singer-songwriter. I'd never heard of her before checking this out. Enjoy!

Weekend Links

2009-10-17T00:09:00.007-04:00

I have a couple links today, for your weekend browsing pleasure. First my current amor: my Holy Grail of chocolate bars:
Green & Black's organic Maya Gold chocolate bar. "Dark chocolate infused with spices and a hint of orange". Oooh, baby. Be still my heart. This is perfection. You can find them lots of places. Happy shopping. :)

* * *

Next, an essay for your reading pleasure. Please, don't miss this.
How to Talk to Your 43 year-old Son When He’s Only 13

(from the essay)
"When you speak to your children today, you are also speaking to every day of their future selves. Parenting is outside of time. Take care and take heart in that."

* * *

And finally, just some fun: a great list of some of nature's strangest critters.

October Night

2009-10-15T10:18:00.000-04:00

The air is cool and damp, a soft mist is swirling down so lightly that I don't even notice at first. It simply feels alive, stirring against my skin, the breath of a kiss hovering just out of reach. The saturated atmosphere magnifies the orange glow of the streetlights, lending an autumnal brightness to the soft night. It shines over tree branches and driveways, casting stark traceries of golden light and shadows. I pause to drink in this night. Both intimate and infinite, it stretches endlessly between the cozy pleasures of the hearth and the wild promise of a deeply magical night. The gentlest of breezes stirs. I close my eyes to lose myself in the whisper of leaves and far-off windchimes. What secrets do the branches tell, one to the other, passing wisdom over the Earth? What spell does the windsong weave? I hear a soft tap in the dry leaves behind me, then another to the side. I open my eyes to the swirl of orange light. The air has thickened with promise. Tap, pop, pip. Individual sounds collecting together in soft percussive harmony. Gentle rain. I nod slightly in acknowledgment of this moment, a mental curtsy to the wild spirit of this night. Thank you.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-14T01:00:00.001-04:00

Seasonal Flu and H1N1: To Vaccinate or Not?

2009-10-13T12:01:00.005-04:00

On a couple of the email lists I read, people are discussing the flu vaccines. Parents are thinking about seasonal flu, and H1N1 (Swine flu), and whether getting vaccinated is the right course for their families. I can't answer that question- it's a personal decision with a lot of variables involved, and a lot of strong opposing opinions that I feel have merit. However I have been researching facts that can help me make the decision for my family, and I can share what I've learned and the conclusions that I have drawn. Perhaps my words and these statistics will help you as you decide the best course for your own family's health.

As of right now, I do not plan to get the H1N1 vaccine for anyone in the family, nor do I plan on getting the regular flu vaccine. I am open to changing my mind if the situation changes, however. I've been doing research to help me be more informed in my decision. I live in Georgia (USA), where H1N1 is particularly prevalent right now. The situation certainly deserves my thoughtful attention.

A little background: my children are all vaccinated. (Meaning the "normal" required vaccinations for children.) I have altered the vaccination schedule to delay certain vaccines, and to spread the shots out more so that each visit is limited to one triple-vaccine only, or no more than 3 single-vaccine shots. (I feel that this makes for an easier load on the child's immune system at any given time, and also makes it easier for me to watch for and pinpoint adverse side effects, if they occur.) I have opted out of the varicella vaccine for now. I think I'm a little behind on my schedule right now, but in general we've kept up with the vaccinations pretty well. My decisions are based on a combination of my own bias, research, the AAP recommendations, what feels like common sense, and gut instinct. It's not terribly scientific.

The only time I have gotten the flu vaccine for myself or the kids was when there was an infant in the house. Those years, I had myself and the older brother(s) get the thimerosal-free flu vaccine. All other years we've gone without, and only had mild flu one year. I avoid nasal-mist vaccines, as they have a higher rate of adverse side-effects than the injected flu vaccines. Also, I prefer flu vaccines that are free of adjuvants.

Based on my research, no one in our household is on the list of high-priority candidates for the H1N1 vaccine. The kids, being 6, 4 and 2, are arguably "school-age", so they could be considered high priority. However some researchers think that the higher incidence of H1N1 in school-age children has a lot to do with the fact that most of them are in school, where diseases are spread quickly and easily. Kids are germy. I think that makes sense. So as homeschoolers I feel pretty comfortable that we aren't priority number one in needing the H1N1 vaccine. We are all in good health, and none of us has a neurological or an immunological disease (thank goodness), so that's in our favor. (Mortality rates from H1N1 are higher for those individuals.) I'm pretty sure none of us has a bacterial infection (nasty if combined with flu). I hope to maintain good health and hygiene as much as possible. I am more vigilant about everyone taking their vitamins each day, and I plan to check our vitamin D3 and vitamin C intake and add extra if necessary. So far, H1N1 is mostly a mild case of flu for most individuals that contract it. For now, my risk-benefit analysis tips me toward not vaccinating for flu. However if the morbity of the flu this year starts to look really alarming (not just alarmist, which is what we have right now) then I will certainly consider the thimerosal-free flu vaccines. Also, if I fear the supply here will run out early in the season, I may decide to go ahead and vaccinate just in case.

There are some risks from the H1N1 vaccine (as with all vaccines), and specifically there is concern that it could be linked with a neurological disease called Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). There was an H1N1 vaccine in the 70s that seems to have caused a higher rate of GBS in vaccinated individuals than in the normal population. Whether the newer H1N1 vaccine carries the same risk remains to be seen, although health officials assure us that the new vaccine will be safer. Either way the risk is small, so if H1N1 proves to be a strong danger than the risk-benefit analysis may still favor the vaccine.

I hope you find this helpful as you make your own decisions. I've looked up a bunch of statistics that have helped me come to these conclusions- I cited my sources but didn't bother to keep actual links, I'm afraid. I'll copy and paste what I have, though it will make this a very long post indeed. One particular statistic I looked for was the average mortality rate of seasonal flu in past years. I started wondering, because I kept hearing news reports about people dying from H1N1, and it sounded really scary. But then it occurred to me that probably lots more people die every year from regular flu, but it's not reported. Sure enough:
"normal" flu yearly averages: From WHO (World Health Organization): "With seasonal flu, we see in the United States over 30 million cases. We see 200,000 hospitalizations and, on average, 36,000 deaths." (During the entire fall and winter flu season.)

By contrast:
H1N1 this year: On August 8, 2009 (most recent confirmed data from CDC I could find), CDC is reporting 477 deaths due to H1N1 in the US.
Of course, that number hasn't even begun to reflect the actual cold and flu season here, so expect a much higher number before this is done. However it's quite small compared to the number of flu-related deaths in the US on a normal year. One thing about all my research on this: it may not have made me fear H1N1 overmuch, but it's taught me to have greater respect for the flu in general.

More statistics:
(CDC reports) In pediatric deaths (36 as of Aug 8) due to H1N1:
67% had at least one high-risk medical condition. Among those with high-risk medical conditions, 92% had neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., developmental delay or cerebral palsy).
43% had a laboratory-confirmed bacterial coinfection (usually a staph infection or strep throat)
52% had received at least 1 dose of the 2008--09 seasonal influenza vaccine
and 61% had received anti-viral treatment

(CBS News reports) More than 80% of the pediatric deaths due to H1N1 in the US so far have been children over 5 yrs old. Almost two-thirds of the children who died with swine flu had epilepsy, cerebral palsy or other neurodevelopmental conditions. In a previous flu season, only a third of pediatric deaths had those conditions.

(CBS News reports) Swine flu has caused more than 1 million illnesses in the United States, the CDC estimates. More than 550 deaths and 8,800 hospitalizations have been reported to date.

(CBS News reports) The risk of death from H1N1, CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton said, is roughly 1 in 1000 people. She said you should weigh that risk against getting vaccinated, which, however safe the vaccine may be, the risk is never zero. It is possible that swine flu vaccine could cause GBS (Guillian-Barre Syndrome), a brain disorder. She also says that the risk of getting GBS from the H1N1 vaccine is very low -- one in every million vaccinations. (Earlier in the article the rate of GBS infection is stated as 1 case in every 100,000 to 1 million vaccinations.)

(The Rhode Island Dept of Health reports) The majority of H1N1 vaccine will be packaged in multi-dose vials and will contain thimerosal, a preservative found in some vaccines. . . . because some women are concerned about being exposed to preservatives during pregnancy, a limited supply of preservative-free seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1 vaccine will be available for pregnant women and small children.

That's all I have now. I've been saving it as I have time to look things up. Hope it helps!

Music Monday: The Poozies

2009-10-12T07:33:00.002-04:00

Driving home from my Gramy's on Friday evening, I was thrilled to catch The Thistle and Shamrock on public radio. This song came on, and I'm besotted.
It's "Another Train" by The Poozies. (Sorry the videography ain't so hot. It's the only video of this song I could find.) Just listen. Beautiful.

Another Train

The beginning is now.
It will always be.
You say you lost your chance,
then fate brought you defeat.
But that means nothing.
You look so sad,
You've been listening to those
who say you missed your chance.

There's another train,
there always is.
Maybe the next one is yours,
get up and climb aboard
another train.

You may feel you're done,
but there's no such thing.
Although you're standing on your own,
your own breath is king.
The beginning is now,
don't turn around.
For regrets about mistakes-
they will only drain you.

There's another train,
there always is.
Maybe the next one is yours,
get up and climb aboard.

We crawl in the dark, sometimes
we think too much.
We fill our heads with the craziest things,
that only break our hearts.
And I know you've seen
what the earth can do,
When it's dragging down another load,
Of worrisome fools.

There's another train,
there always is.
Maybe the next one is yours,
get up and climb aboard.

I know it's hard,
when you feel confused.
You can crown yourself with fear,
'til you feel you cannot move.
You're building worlds,
that don't exist-
imagination plays
the worst tricks.

There's another train,
there always is.
Maybe the next one is yours,
get up and climb aboard.

There's another train,
there always is,
Maybe the next one is yours,
get up and climb aboard
another train.

Lyrics and tune: Pete Morton

Do public school students have a "right" to express themselves through dress?

2009-10-11T15:30:00.000-04:00

I came across a news story a few days ago, about a high schooler here in GA that has run into trouble for the way he dresses. Apparently Jonathan Escobar, a 16 yr old student transferring from a Florida school, prefers to wear wigs and women’s clothing. This has caused a bit of an uproar in his public high school, and the school officials have told him to dress more normally or stop coming to school.

Escobar objects, stating that how he chooses to dress is simply a part of who he is, and that the school’s ultimatum is discriminatory. The school points out that it is clearly stated in the school handbook that students should “refrain from any mode of dress which proves to contribute to any disruption of school functions”, and Escobar’s manner of dressing has definitely proven distracting to the other students. (Apparently it caused a fight between other students in the short 3 days that Escobar attended classes.)

I am a little divided on this issue. When I first heard about it, I was fully in support of Jonathan Escobar. It takes guts to be that different in High School, especially when you are new and don’t know many people. Whatever Escobar’s reasons for his choices, I think it’s a positive thing to introduce more diversity to the High School setting, and to shake up the social status quo a little bit. Though many disagree with me, I think more awareness and social acceptance of gender issues is in general a very good thing. So when I heard about this story, I was ashamed of the school officials and wanted to learn more about the situation.

It didn’t take long for me to change my thinking in this particular case. While I still support Escobar’s choice of style if that’s what he prefers, I’m not so sure he has a right to dress that way at school. The school officials are correct: the rules very clearly state that any clothing “which proves to contribute to any disruption of school functions” is off-limits, and no matter what the mode of dress may be, if it’s disruptive it has to go. No doubt this school, like every public school I know of, has a dress code that restricts students from wearing clothes that are overly revealing, that have profane images or slogans, or (in many schools) are deemed to be typical of gang activity. Sometimes there is a judgment call to be made, but all students must adhere to these rules, no matter their color, size, gender or sexual orientation. Why, in this case, should Escobar be any different?

I’d say, if Jonathan Escobar wants to continue wearing “skinny jeans and “flats”, that should be just fine. Once the news hubbub dies down it shouldn’t be too distracting to the other students. Probably he can even get away with dramatic makeup, within reason. However, I think the school is completely correct to enforce the dress code, which probably means he has to ditch the wigs and hats. This is school, after all- not a local teen hangout where kids are really free to express themselves through clothing choices. The school’s handling of the matter lacks finesse and sensitivity (they told him to dress “more manly”), but in essence I think they’re on the winning side here. If Escobar wants to express his “Art” through how he dresses, that’s fine anywhere else- but at school, he is a student like any other, and must obey the rules just like the rest of them.

Am I clueless here? After all, what if a muslim student wished to go to school in a full burka, and it caused disruption? (Is that even remotely analogous?) Check out the article to read more on the story, and tell me what you think.

P.S.- I like how casually the school told Escobar that he should homeschool. It might be a bit insensitive, but I think it’s fairly indicative of how widely accepted homeschooling has become in Georgia. Besides, they might be right: an assertive, freethinking alternative individual might indeed be better served by directing their own education rather than trying to squeeze into the public school mold. But that’s just my own bias coming out. ;-)

http://www.ajc.com/news/cobb/cobb-teen-told-he-156500.html

Over The Top Blog Award

2009-10-10T16:28:00.005-04:00

Look, it's another award! Too, too cool. Grace from Going to Graceland has gifted me with another award! I'm thrilled to add a new doodad to my small collection- what can I say? It makes me feel good. ;)

Aww, ain't it cute?

Here are the rules for the Over the Top Award: Copy, change the one-word answers to suit you, and pass it on. It's quite tricky to use only one word answers! Once you have filled it out be sure to pass it on to 6 of your favorite bloggers. Alert them that they have been awarded! Have fun!

1. Where is your cell phone? Pocket.
2. Your hair? Unsatisfactory.
3. Your mother? Involved.
4. Your father? Searching.
5. Your favorite food? Depends.
6. Your dream last night? Forgotten.
7. Your favorite drink? Water.
8. Your dream/goal? Improve.
9. What room are you in? Bedroom.
10. Your hobby? Many.
11. Your fear? Failure?
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Learning.
13. Where were you last night? Driving.
14. Something that you aren't? Malleable. (For better or worse. . .)
15. Muffins? Yum.
16. Wish list item? Assistance.
17. Where did you grow up? Atlanta.
18. Last thing you did? Read. (to Babyman)
19. What are you wearing? Jeans.
20. Your TV? Unplugged.
21. Your pets? Hairy.
22. Friends? Special.
23. Your life? Blessed.
24. Your mood? Cheerful.
25. Missing someone? Yes.
26. Vehicle? Clean. (Unusual!)
27. Something you're not wearing? Shoes.
28. Your favorite store? Amazon?
29. Your favorite color? Purple.
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today.
31. Last time you cried? Recently.
32. Your best friend? Husband.
33. One place that I go to over and over? Laundryroom.
34. One person who emails me regularly? Anne.
35. Favorite place to eat? Sushi.

Now here are the 6 Bloggers I'm passing it on to:
(I'm going to make an effort to choose different bloggers than I awarded last time, so here goes. . .)

1) Laurie at Foolery Fun!

2) Sarah at Raising Three Thinkers Inspiring.

3) Alicia at Magic and Mayhem Learning.

4) Kitty at Into My Own Beautiful.

5) BHJ at BHJ Definitely.

I know a few of you don't do memes, so accept or ignore as you wish! Either way, your blogs are over the top!

Thank you, Grace! :)

Skywatch Friday

2009-10-09T00:01:00.001-04:00

From Rock City Oct 3, 2009

The flags atop Lookout Mountain, GA in Rock City. They represent the seven states that you can see on a clear day from the Lover's Leap overlook. As you can see, we had a PERFECT blue, blue October sky for our visit! :)
(note: photo taken via iPhone)

See more Skywatch photos from all over the world! Visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

See Rock City

2009-10-08T21:00:00.001-04:00

We've recently returned from a quick family getaway- Billy and I took the boys to Chattanooga TN, to see Rock City. (Yes, THAT Rock City, advertised for generations on the roofs of barns everywhere: "See Rock City"!) I got a package deal on our hotel room and family passes to Rock City, Ruby Falls and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway.

Chattanooga is an easy drive from Atlanta, so we were able to enjoy Ruby Falls after checking in on Thursday afternoon. I've been before, and didn't recall that it was all that special. However I must admit, it's cooler with the kids. :) I'd like to post a video if I can figure out how to get it from Billy's phone to here, so I'll tell more about our Thursday and Friday adventures later.

Saturday we checked out of the hotel and headed for Rock City! The Pirate had been once before with Billy, but it was a first visit for the other boys.

Rock City is an attraction that many people find disappointing- it's fairly expensive, and it's definitely not flashy or exciting. I like it, though. Basically it's a lovely outdoor stroll through a small botanical garden that has lots of wonderful natural rock formations and some gorgeous views. That, plus some good old 40's kitsch and plenty of touristy stuff to buy. ;) It's a lovely outing in beautiful weather.

We definitely had beautiful weather! The boys loved running around and marvelling at the rock formations. The gardens have a "fairytale" theme, and the kids appreciated that too.

There was even a little fall color here and there, which was gorgeous in the early October sunshine.

The waterfall was pretty,

and the view from Lover's Leap was pretty spectacular. Yes, you can see seven states (just like the barn roofs say)!

Near Lover's Leap, there's a pavillion. Now in Rock City they are celebrating "Rocktoberfest", so there was plenty of live German music as backdrop to our wanderings. We stopped in to watch some patrons perform the Chicken Dance. The Pirate thought THAT was weird. Weird enough to hide from.

However he soon recovered.

We really did have a great time, and it was especially fun to see the boys running about and getting so excited! It's a comfortable, beautiful stroll for the grownups and an adventure for the kids.

Soon, we were near "Fairyland Caverns", which is the aforementioned 40s kitsch. I guess they added the black lights in the 60s, when "Mother Goose Village" was built. I admit, they're a little strange. But, hey- the kids liked them, and it gave Billy and me something to joke about. ;)

Before we knew it, we'd whiled away most of the day and it was time to head home. After a quick stop at Starbucks (yup, even at Rock City!) we loaded the kids up and drove off over the mountain.

Bye, Rock City! Until next time!

(note: all photos taken via iPhone)

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-06T22:04:00.003-04:00

(photos by Billy)

Billy takes the Vistoso Bosses Camping!

2009-09-26T00:18:00.003-04:00

Some of you may remember the video I posted recently by the Vistoso Bosses. (If not, check it out!) Billy has been working in the studio with the girls, and we LOVE them.

Not long ago they started asking Billy to take them camping. Billy didn't think they were serious, because they'd had NO experience hiking or camping ever, and in fact were pretty scared of all things wilderness. However they kept bugging him, so finally he consented. Later he jokingly told their manager about the upcoming trip, and the manager thought the idea had big potential- he decided to ask the record label if they wanted to send a film crew and turn the whole event into a youtube video.

Long story short, they did. So suddenly Billy and I were charged with putting the trip together for everyone, sending out instructions and packing lists, borrowing as much gear as possible, and helping the girls buy whatever they needed that we couldn't loan them. It was a lot of work but finally everyone was packed up and driving out to Sam Knob, NC.

The cast:
- Billy Hume (my sweetie, producer for the Vistoso Bosses & fearless leader)
- Littleman & The Pirate (2 very young seasoned veterans)
- my brother (designated sherpa, fire-tender and babysitter)
- The Vistoso Bosses (the stars)
- Marv & Cash (writers who work with Billy and sometimes the Vistoso Bosses) <-- note: Cash had been on only one camping trip ever, a few weeks earlier with Billy and our boys. Marv was a complete wilderness newbie.
- 4-man film crew (or rather, a 3-man + 1 lovely lady film crew)

Here's the video result! It comes in two parts. Enjoy!

Part one:

Part two:

Feel free to go to youtube and comment, and pass these on to anyone you think might like them! :)

Photo Blog: Park Fountain Fun

2009-09-19T01:02:00.003-04:00

From A Day at the Fountain - Aug 2009

Enlightenment

2009-09-11T23:34:00.004-04:00

Throbbing, pounding din of pain, ache so intense it seems to radiate from my head in an unholy halo of suffering. It started innocently enough, just an annoyance of a headache, nothing more- until the depth and intensity built upon itself the edifice of affliction known to me as "migraine". A true, full-blown migraine headache is a trippy experience (not that I'd be able to compare, of course) in pain, a place where loud noises explode before my eyes in visual fireworks, my stomach churns with nausea and any sudden movement I make can just about do me in entirely. Movement leaves me reeling. Normal headache medications are barely effective, if at all- today I never noticed the least difference after taking some. It was homeopathic silicea, and lying still in a warm bed with a cold washcloth over my eyes, that finally tamed the beast. (Plus some candied ginger for the nausea.) It took a couple hours of being very still (thank goodness for Babyman's nap time), but by dinnertime I was up and functional once again.

The night is only sweeter now for all the torment of the afternoon. After the pain, I am so grateful for the peace of this evening. My quiet music mingles with the chirrup and peep of the frogs and night insects, cool air drifts through my kitchen window, little else but the clack of my keyboard meets my ears. The boys sleep deeply, sprawled in little boy abandon across the rumpled covers of my bed. I am not bothered by what mess I see around me- I will tidy some of it, and the rest will patiently wait for tomorrow. Now is taken, now is full, now is a rich study in senses, a meditation, a time for awareness and wonder and gratitude.

Why do we need contrast to bring out the highlights? What is it about our human awareness that so consistently forgets our blessings, until suffering carves our experience into high relief? Is this then the goal of an enlightened existence: to live in a place of meditative, golden appreciation, to be able to bask in the glow of beauty and gratitude without needing darkness to make them apparent? Or does that smack of hubris, to imagine such a thing could be possible? For without dark, there is no light. They are so intertwined, so interdependent, that one shall never exist without the other. The trick then, is to find the beauty in both. We do not find enlightenment through seeking light. It is beauty we must see. Pause now, quiet your mind for just a moment, and find beauty. It is there. Relish it. Appreciate it. Be grateful for it. It is a blessing. Practice this often. You needn't journey for enlightenment. It is all around you.

There is no "seek". Only "see".

Hello, and Kaleidoscope Fun

2009-09-10T12:29:00.006-04:00

I'm afraid I've been a bit absent, around here. This is partly due to the sheer amount of BUSY that's been going on, but also partly due to the fact that my camera cable has disappeared. Someone picked it up accidentally, and it's taking awhile to get it back- which is driving me crazy, because I have all these pictures on my camera just waiting to be uploaded and blogged over! ;) I feel silly too, because I told a bunch of people at camp (more on that later!) about my blog, and I've hardly done a thing with it since! If you're new here, HI! (waving) Please stop by again later, follow the blog or subscribe to the RSS feed so you'll know when I get around to posting new content. (Links in the sidebar to the right) -->

Meanwhile I can toss out a really fun link to play with! I first read about it here at A Magical Childhood.

Make Your Own Kaleidoscope Image Online!

See, you can use your own image (or the default floral image provided), set the kaleidoscope parameters, and voila! You might get something like this:

Or these:

(Doesn't that one look like a soft, intricately designed oriental rug?)

Have fun!
http://www.krazydad.com/kaleido/

Checking In

2009-09-03T02:03:00.004-04:00

Somehow Babyman managed to get into the hall bathroom recently. When I finally realized what was going on, here is what I found:

Busy, busy! (Little stinker.)

I'll spare you the pic of the toilet, with half the toilet paper unrolled into the bowl and stretching off around the floor. Oh, yeah, and a sippy cup tossed in too. I'm just thankful nothing else got dunked- he's already put assorted clothing, toys and a paperback book into the toilet, on previous occasions! (I swear, we really do keep that door shut- but his older brothers can be careless, and they also don't close the toilet lid!)

* * *

That's all I've got for you right now- I've had a whirlwind couple of weeks, and I am still cleaning and doing laundry to recover. . . only to have a birthday party coming up this weekend for the Pirate! I promise I'll be back around soon with some posts for your pleasure! Thanks for your patience. :)

August Meditation

2009-08-24T15:31:00.003-04:00

As if someone has reached out and turned the wheel of the year a notch, quite suddenly I sense the birth of Fall. Summer still blazes, but her intensity is waning and she has let her guard down a few times. A couple nights ago I opened the door to let the dogs out, and felt goosebumps prickle my skin. Goosebumps! The air was cool, so cool, sliding hesitantly through the half opened door.

I opened the windows, and cherished every breath of breeze that kissed my cheek. The night insects sent up their prayers to the moon, a hallelujah chorus of sweet summer night, but with the liveliness now came a bare hint of mortality. Like the skull in the still life painting, with beauty lurks death. In death, beauty. The partners may change, but the dance goes on. Summer curtsies, and awaits her next dance with golden anticipation.

Bella Sinclair Award

2009-08-22T13:37:00.000-04:00

First of all, guess what brightened my evening last night? Well no, not that, though it was pretty nice. Oh yeah, and that was great too. . . but no. . . OK so a few little things brightened my evening last night! But I was especially pleased to visit Going to Graceland and discover that lovely Grace has gifted my blog with this lovely award:

Wow! What a happy surprise! Isn't it pretty?

All these blog awards come with instructions, and this one is no different: first of course I link back to the fun, inspiring and wonderful friend that bestowed this accolade upon me. Next I am to pass the love on to five deserving blogs. In the interest of not repeating ourselves, I won't include the other excellent blogs that Grace has already honored- please check them out. I don't actually read that many blogs, so I don't have a huge pool of contenders to choose from. Consequently, my regular readers may spot a couple sites here I have honored in the past- they are well worth revisiting! Without further ado, I award:

- Bird at The Birds in the Meadow. Her site includes an inspiring nature blog, plus a cool store where you can purchase her unique handcrafted jewelry and other creations. I love reading about her nature walks and other adventures- Bird's photos and descriptive style really make me feel like I am right there! I never miss a post.

- Kyddryn at Shade and Sweetwater. Her writing is sometimes funny, sometimes beautiful, poetic, enlightening, and entertaining. Plus lately, there's been plenty of gratuitous kitty cuteness to enjoy! Please consider sponsoring the adoption of Rook, a sweet (formerly feral) kitten. Click on the "tip jar" at the top right, and help pay for Rook's necessary vet visits. Every little bit helps. Thank you!

- Robin at Naked in Eden. Her posts make me think, and it's a refreshing mental exercise. ;) They encourage the sort of self-examination and wondering that is all too easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of being a Mom. I have often been surprised at the level of reflection to be found in the comments, as well- something about Robin's writing really seems to draw insightful thoughts from her readers. A wonderful mix of Nature and Philosophy.

- Alicia at A Magical Childhood. Look here for absolutely wonderful ways to have fun with your kids- that you can realistically handle in your day to day life! So many sites have inspiring crafts, games and other activities for kids, but they are often just too perfect, complicated, expensive or time-consuming to really be useful. Not at A Magical Childhood! Go find something silly and fun to do with your kids today!

- Amy and Sunshine at Rock Star Farms. Rock Star Farm is a very cool project started by a couple of friends, and I've only recently discovered, through Facebook, that they have a blog. Check out the videos on biodynamic farming- very interesting!

So I hope that this will provide you with some enjoyable blogsploring! Begone, and reap the fruits of these wonderful blogs.

(Thanks again, Grace!) :)

Iraqi Bundles of Love

2009-08-19T13:58:00.004-04:00

I just want to use this moment to alert you to an awesome project!

Iraqi Bundles of Love (IBOL)
Here is a quick summary of the project, from the intro on the website:
* * *
Iraqi Bundles of Love is a short-duration project, set to last about six weeks, to surge fabric and sewing (and knitting!) materials into the area around which I live in Iraq. It is timed to coincide with both Ramadan, and the departure of my units from Iraq.

It is intended to be a simple project, requiring little effort and little expenditures from those wishing to participate. It is based upon my assessment that sewing fanatics and quilters and knitters tend to have stashes that far exceed their actual needs, and that sewing fanatics and quilters and knitters are passionate both about sewing / quilting / knitting, and about sharing with others.

The general premise is this. I am in Iraq, and I can get mail through the US Postal System. Willing contributors can send to me a flat-rate box of sewing / quilting supplies, all bundled up. I’d open the box, pull out the fully-contained bundle, and hand it off (with others) to our counterparts in the Iraqi Security Forces (Army and others) or the local police, for them to distribute. The stated intent of this operation is to put sewing and quilting and knitting supplies into the hands of two types of recipients: locals who desperately need such things, and local sewing co-ops who have received grants or loans (typically to purchase sewing machines, rent space, etc).

That is it, in a nutshell.
* * *

So, if you happen to have a bunch of fabric, sewing, knitting and craft supplies laying around, then why not share a bit of it with Iraqi women? I think this is a wonderful project. (Oh, and international donors can help, too! Go to the website and leave a comment requesting information on how to donate from your country, if you do not live in the US.)

Check out the instructions on building a bundle. It's easy! Here's information on what to send. But hurry! Boxes must be postmarked by September 7th.

The website, again:
http://ibol.wordpress.com/
IBOL on Facebook!

Plus, big thanks go to Grace at Going to Graceland and Monique at Five Bears A-Blogging for alerting me to this great way to give! :)

the Life of a Summer Garden

2009-08-15T22:23:00.003-04:00

I'm afraid the summer has slipped past me without ever a blog post about my summer garden! I kept putting off writing about it until I had some good pictures to share. I shot a couple nice ones early in the season, but most of the garden's life cycle has gone undocumented, I'm afraid. So here is the mish mash of pictures that I do have.

(sorry for the hasty editing job)
Here you can see the garden in all its scruffy glory, quite early in the summer. The collards, cucumbers, squash and watermelon I planted as seeds. The pumpkins were volunteers left over from last year that sprouted. The arugula I planted as little seedlings. The tomatoes, eggplants and peppers I bought in pots and transplanted.

Already, my collards were starting to look like this:

and the arugula was just about eaten away. Not only have I gone totally organic this year, I've been very slack about pest & disease control. (and weeding!) So the arugula and collards ended up being a total loss. It's OK- I was skeptical of their chances anyway, since summers are too hot here for greens. I might try some in a month or so, to see if I have better luck with a fall garden.

The volunteer pumpkin vine was very vigorous, quickly taking over one half of the garden plot. My plan had been to send the squash varieties through the fence and off into the yard. This monster grew so fast however, that I was caught by surprise.

It was already too big to retrain, and it's huge leaves shaded the fledgling squash and watermelons. This was to prove too much for the seeds I planted, and so far none of them have borne fruit.

The pumpkin monster made one gorgeous big pumpkin for me, which I harvested last week only to find it had bugs eating it from the inside. Oh, well.

The other volunteers made these little cuties:

The eggplants were not what I expected. They flowered early:

and soon made clusters (!) of gorgeous little variegated fruits.

The variety is called "Fairy Tale Eggplant", and I had to look them up to learn that they are harvested at 2" - 4" long. Cute! Very tasty, too- more tender than other eggplants I've grown. I would grow these again.

I planted three kinds of tomato- a cherry (or is it grape?) tomato, some romas and a slicing tomato. Predictably, the cherry tomato has done wonderfully. It started fruiting early:

and soon I had lots of red tomatoey goodness!

While the plant continues to produce extremely well (WHAT am I going to do with ALL these tomatoes?!??) I am not overly thrilled with the flavor. They're OK, but not the juicy heaven that home-grown tomatoes should be. Next year, I'm looking at heirloom varieties. The roma is producing, though it's been prone to blossom end rot. And the slicing tomatoes tend to feed the bugs. My tomatoes would be much happier if I actually took care of them. :)

Not pictured are the very happy cucumber plants, which have climbed right out of the garden and are making tasty cucumbers like crazy. (WHAT am I going to do with ALL these cucumbers?!??) The red bell peppers are only just now making fruit. We'll see how they do.

I hope you've enjoyed this visit to my summer garden. Over all, I'd dub it a success, despite my neglect. In the past I've gotten a remarkable harvest out of this little patch, with a bit more care and attention. Maybe next year I will be more involved. :)

Break for a Giggle

2009-08-14T13:44:00.000-04:00

The other night I was reading to the boys before bed, and I read this poem (In "The New Kid on the Block" by Jack Prelutsky). The boys started giggling early, and by the time I read the punchline they were both falling over with laughter. It was a highlight of my day!!

Louder Than a Clap of Thunder!
by Jack Prelutsky

Louder than a clap of thunder,
louder than an eagle screams,
louder than a dragon blunders,
or a dozen football teams,
louder than a four-alarmer,
or a rushing waterfall,
louder than a knight in armor
jumping from a ten-foot wall.

Louder than an earthquake rumbles,
louder than a tidal wave,
louder than an ogre grumbles,
as he stumbles through his cave,
louder than stampeding cattle,
louder than a cannon roars,
louder than a giant's rattle,
that's how loud my father SNORES!

Birth of a Pirate

2009-08-13T01:30:00.000-04:00

Screaming, and tears, whining, resistance, defiance. You take rebellion to illogical, emotional levels that your brother's never dreamed of. He'll often start the uprising, but he knows when to cut his losses, and watches in wonder while you seem hellbent for destruction. Time and again I find myself in a frustrating game of chicken with you, the 3-yr old vs this harried authority figure known as Mommy. Logic holds no sway here. 'Damn the torpedoes! I am three, hear me roar! Don't speak to me of consequences, for they hold no meaning in this land, this great eternal NOW. I don't want to, and that should be enough for you!'

Oh, Sweetcheeks. You were such a sweet baby. Just as laid back as could be, you were sent by angels who pitied me after your brother's babyhood. Sweet, sweet, cuddly precious little thing. Who could have imagined you had such iron resolve under those smiles and curls? You've lost those poochy baby jowls that gave you your nickname, and you have earned your new nickname, "The Pirate". It pleases you.

Yet now, shining auburn hair spread across your pillow, framing your peaceful face as you dream your pirate dreams, you are radiant. You are love, pure, fierce and breathtaking. I've never known anyone to utter the words "I love you" as often as they leave your lips. I've never known a more enthusiastic snuggler. I've never chosen to pour myself into anyone as emotionally needy as you are, my wonderful middle child. I love you so much, and you drive me crazy, and you're beautiful.

You are a marvel, my little Pirate. A walking paradox. A small, strong bundle of defiance and overflowing love. Navigate life's uncharted seas with your 3-yr old fearlessness and enthusiasm. Keep loving like there's no tomorrow. Be ever true to yourself. And please, please, to all powers that be, may you grow to temper your resolve with understanding.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-12T01:41:00.001-04:00

From Random Household Glimpses

Skywatch Friday

2009-08-07T00:33:00.002-04:00

From Kitmama's Pensieve

This was taken from the rooftop dining area of a nearby restaurant. Nice way to end the day!

See more Skywatch photos from all over the world! Visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Photo Blog: Daily Life

2009-07-28T23:42:00.003-04:00

From cute to chaotic, sweet to silly, here are a handful of random moments caught on film recently here at home:

(photo by Billy)

U.S. Geography Lesson

2009-07-25T00:00:00.002-04:00

Just popping by to offer a wonderful U.S. geography lesson, courtesy of Wakko Warner, of Animaniacs:

(I've been on a nostalgic bend of Animaniacs cartoons, via youtube. I loved this show!)

Take Your Kids Hiking! -10 Practical Tips for a Great Experience

2009-07-18T00:01:00.001-04:00

I've been thinking of some great practical tips for hiking with kids. I touched on them in my post about our Blood Mountain adventure, but here I'll break my ideas down into a basic list. Hopefully you will find them to be helpful!

(photo by Billy)

1) Keep it simple. Especially at first, be sure to choose a hike that will be fun for everyone involved. There's no need to hike long distances or attempt anything too strenuous- just spending time outdoors is wonderful. As you and your children become more experienced, you will be able to select more challenging hikes, keeping in mind the skill and temperament of your kids. Remember though, that hiking with kids is ALL about the experience- not about impressive accomplishments.

(photo by Billy)

2) Make sure someone knows where you're going, and be sure to check in with them when you get back. This is common sense for any hiking or camping excursion.

3) Think like a boy scout- be prepared. You don't want to be stuck with a bunch of unnecessary weight to carry, but there are a few things you should always bring:

- plenty of water
- snacks
- map
- sunscreen
- wet wipes or tissues, & bandannas or handkerchiefs
- small first aid kit (especially disinfecting wipes, band aids, tweezers and a needle, instant cold pack, benadryl or similar, sting-eze or similar, something [hydrocortisone, Ivarest, calamine, etc] to relieve itching, and any specific medications you or your children may need.)
- whistle(s) (a child can use it to call for help if he or she is lost)
- bag for trash
- your ID
- camera (don't want to miss those great kodak moments!)

We also like to have lip balm, binoculars, a field guide (check out the great Pocket Naturalist guides from Waterford Press), flashlight (even if you expect to be back before dark), compass, pocket knife, natural bug repellent, rain jackets, hiking sticks, notebook and pencil, magnifying glass, dry socks, backpack carrier (for smaller children) and cell phone.

(photo by Billy)

4) Teach your kids what to do in case they get lost. The main thing is to STOP- a child can easily wander farther and farther from the trail when they think they're retracing their steps. Tell them to look around carefully and call for you- you might be closer than they realize. If you don't answer, they should blow on a whistle- the whistle will be louder and carry farther than their voice. The whistle should be reserved for emergencies only- of course that's a hard rule for kids to follow, but do try. Tell them to be sure and WAIT THERE for someone to find them. Chances are you're not far away.

5) Dress appropriately. In winter, always have a jacket and dress in layers- you might be surprised how warm you get while hiking along, but you will want warmer clothes when you're stopped or as evening falls. Don't forget hats and gloves or mittens for everyone! In summer, wear lightweight clothing but again, have layers. Always wear appropriate shoes. Be vigilant about using sunscreen and if necessary, bug repellent (preferably natural). Also, it's a good idea to bring a change of clothes for each child. Leave those in the car, so they'll be ready after the hike- you never know how wet or muddy the kids will get!

(photo by Billy)

6) Give yourself plenty of time, and remember to chill out. No outing with children goes exactly as planned, and hikes are no exception. Just follow their lead, and enjoy the ride! This is SO important when hiking with kids.

7) Stop frequently to sip water and offer snacks. A hungry child is a cranky child, and a cranky child isn't likely to enjoy the hike- not to mention being difficult to get along with! Kids need frequent fueling and rehydration, especially when they're active. Don't forget the adults, either- it's much easier to be patient, relaxed and clear-headed when your blood sugar is stable.

(photo by Billy)

8) Leave no trace. Be sure to put all your trash in proper receptacles- which usually means packing it out with you. On the way back, a great activity is to collect all the litter you can find in a garbage bag, so you can dispose of it properly. Be considerate of other hikers. Try not to damage the plants or terrain too much. Oh, and be sure everyone uses the bathroom before you set out. ;) Even so, you might need to help a child relieve her or himself outdoors. If they need to poop and there is no privy, then it's best to use a small trowel to dig a hole first, and bury the poop. Camping stores sell lightweight plastic shovels for this purpose. Kids can pick the darnedest times to suddenly need to use the potty- don't let the prospect discourage you though; it's really no big deal.

9) Be aware of your surroundings. This is the number one safety rule, but it also enhances any experience outdoors. Teach your kids how to be aware, too. Notice the interesting and beautiful details around you, and point them out to the kids. Stop and listen when they point things out to you. Oh, and watch out for poison ivy!

10) Have fun! Relax, and enjoy this time with your kids. Be silly, have wonder, sing songs, examine nature, count things, pretend, talk, hike and love each other. Do some fun activities, if you wish- one fun list by Environmental Dad inspired me to create this list! Here, we like to combine our hikes with letterboxing. But whatever you do, be sure to relax, be flexible and ENJOY yourself!

So, quick recap:
- Keep it simple.
- Check in.
- Be prepared.
- Teach your kids what to do in case they get lost.
- Dress appropriately.
- Give yourself plenty of time.
- Practice frequent fueling and rehydration.
- Leave no trace.
- Be aware.
- Have fun!
Got it? Great! Now go plan a hike today!