back from the farmers market.
buy anything?
oh, yes.
purchased some local clean beef.
anything else?, you ask?
no.
No!
organic veggies?
zuc, cucs, tomatoes. yeah. same things as in my garden.
any fruits?
nope.
sprayed.
sprayed, sprayed, sprayed!
(and not even pretty!)
dh tries to hide his laughs from me in the car while I grumble and vent... he says it's more evidence of my idealism.
fine. call it what you will.
i'm not interested in going out of my way to support people who won't even try to do the right thing.
pff. You'd think farmers would be more willing to take care of the earth (and water and air and children), wouldn't you???
I'll just make jam out of my Mirabelle's, can my pears, wait for more raspberries and blackberries, and wait for my cherry tree to grow tall.
I'm going to make a shirt this week to wear at the early a.m. market next week that says "Organic First!" so there.
i'll try to move on, now....
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
lammas weekend: mellow yellow
in the ways of the Old Country,
it's a holiday.
the first of the harvest holidays
-the summer yellow harvest, i think of it as-
time for jams
and collecting leaves for winter potions
and reaping the wheat.
I have a lovely weekend planned for myself -
gathering calendula petals
a trip to the farmer's market
and i've got my eye on a powerful potion...
Mirabelle Brandy.
aaah, bliss.
a lovely weekend to you, everyone.
it's a holiday.
the first of the harvest holidays
-the summer yellow harvest, i think of it as-
time for jams
and collecting leaves for winter potions
and reaping the wheat.
I have a lovely weekend planned for myself -
gathering calendula petals
a trip to the farmer's market
and i've got my eye on a powerful potion...
Mirabelle Brandy.
aaah, bliss.
a lovely weekend to you, everyone.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Juice and Worries
So I scooted off to the store this morning to get a couple of book cases.
My philosophy is that if it's in cupboards and storage boxes we don't see it, and therefore can't be Juiced (inspired) by it.
So our materials (art, science, crafts, and obviously books, etc) are on shelves.
Often in little plastic cubbies. And they get rotated through different areas of the house and bedrooms.
So.
Back to the Rumpus Room.
It's been a disaster for months.
Since about the time I decided I needed the shelves for upstairs... as an extension/shelf area of our kitchen table magic.
You know... science projects, ongoing craft projects, stuff we've been diggin' lately, etc. Things that we don't want looming on the end of the kitchen counter for weeks at a time.
So I dumped off one case full of musical instruments, and another one with dress-up things, puppets, and all the paraphernalia that go in that particular imagination station.
So... the room got messy.
Chaotic and crazy and a dumping ground through the holidays, etc, etc.
(The room is in the basement, and we never spend that much time down there, anyway.)
But...
The last little while I've been feeling the need for Juice.
Things seem a little stagnant-- certainly not particularly sparkly.
Always, when we clean and re-organize and shuffle things around, we get totally jazzed.
It's like we're seeing things for the first time-- or at least the first in a loooooong time. (Which, admittedly, is sometimes the literal truth.)
Today as I was cleaning Maddie was super eager be down there with me, and was so excited!!
She built with a wooden carpenter set, played Ned's Head, played with stickers, made lots of different music, did different puzzles (that are not currently residing in the livingroom cabinet), all kinds of things!
She was exploring and discovering and creating and having a wonderful time.
As I watched her, I started getting a little worried.
I was reminded that while this room and its materials is a paradise for a little one, we have another whom is quickly outgrowing such things.
Oof.
That sort of stopped me in my tracks.
I thought about how he isn't quite as crazy about our Children's Museum anymore.
I started thinking about how he has spent his last three days.... conquering his new game.
In a decidedly dedicated manner.
I got a little panicked.
What for Trev?
What for Trev?
What's here that is interesting and educational and intriguing and inspiring for an eight year old boy?!?
What kind of supplies can I buy?
Do I need to completely re-do things???
I called for Trev to come downstairs so I could feel him out a bit.
While I was waiting for him to answer my summons, :), my head went immediately to taught school subjects.
Reading.
Pff. Check. (I'm not worried even a little about this.)
The technical side? Language Arts?
No problem! We'll just break out the Mad Libs. 'Got plenty of 'em. And the child speaks beautifully and has an outstanding vocabulary... not a problem.
Math.
Seems to be interested and asking questions... don't think this is something to be worried about. What else ya got?
I started settling down quite a bit at this point.
Science?
Pff. Even my questioning self says Piffle to that. Not even on the radar. We breathe science around here.
"Trev?" he was with me, now, "I've been thinking and worrying a bit, and I'm wanting to know if there are things you'd like to know about or are interested in that we don't have." Which is kind of a silly question, a bit like asking "what don't you know?". But still, he had something to offer.
"I'd like to study cells, and play with Dad, and you know. Do things like that."
"And experiements?", asked I. "And still learning about interesting people, like Davey Crockett, and Helen Keller?"
"Yeah. Is that all? I'm done with this icecream, and wanna put the rest in the freezer, and get back to my game."
"Yeah, okay."
I looked at the shelf that I was sitting twelve inches from, and saw an American Heroes book called Daniel Boone. And one on Thomas Jefferson. And I thought of Captains Courageous that was sittng upstairs. And I spied our books on explorers, and I thought of the huge Historical Timeline book that I just re-discovered yesterday (purchased several years ago for my own studies).
And I thought of my book on kings and queens of Scotland and England, and DaVinci, and The Dangerous Book for Boys.
And I started to really settle and become still.
I'll teach him to play Othello.
And we'll read Shakespeare For Kids. (He loved Midsummer Night's Dream.)
And we'll put Edison on the timeline... and John Henry and Lincoln (favorites of his).
We'll read about kings and Ghengis Kahn and put more dinosaurs and mammals on the timeline, too.
We'll check out cool cdroms from the library, and buy JumpStart Third Grade.
We'll keep looking for new games of Carmen Sandiego, and play Math Blaster, and I'll wonder how soon I can introduce him to the game Master Mind.
We'll read our books about weather, and read again How Mountains are Made and The Spaceship Earth and all the other Let's Read and Find Out books we enjoy.
We'll continue to go to the planetarium, and the natural history museum.
We'll ask questions and watch you-tube and National Geographic videos.
:) We'll take chances, make mistakes, and get messy.
So, then.
We'll continue on.
Same as today.
Tomorrow does not come unexpectedly and disconnected from Today.
There are lots of interesting things and books lying about this home.
And we'll continue to bring in other, new things as we discover them.
It's no different.
So then,
All is well.
My philosophy is that if it's in cupboards and storage boxes we don't see it, and therefore can't be Juiced (inspired) by it.
So our materials (art, science, crafts, and obviously books, etc) are on shelves.
Often in little plastic cubbies. And they get rotated through different areas of the house and bedrooms.
So.
Back to the Rumpus Room.
It's been a disaster for months.
Since about the time I decided I needed the shelves for upstairs... as an extension/shelf area of our kitchen table magic.
You know... science projects, ongoing craft projects, stuff we've been diggin' lately, etc. Things that we don't want looming on the end of the kitchen counter for weeks at a time.
So I dumped off one case full of musical instruments, and another one with dress-up things, puppets, and all the paraphernalia that go in that particular imagination station.
So... the room got messy.
Chaotic and crazy and a dumping ground through the holidays, etc, etc.
(The room is in the basement, and we never spend that much time down there, anyway.)
But...
The last little while I've been feeling the need for Juice.
Things seem a little stagnant-- certainly not particularly sparkly.
Always, when we clean and re-organize and shuffle things around, we get totally jazzed.
It's like we're seeing things for the first time-- or at least the first in a loooooong time. (Which, admittedly, is sometimes the literal truth.)
Today as I was cleaning Maddie was super eager be down there with me, and was so excited!!
She built with a wooden carpenter set, played Ned's Head, played with stickers, made lots of different music, did different puzzles (that are not currently residing in the livingroom cabinet), all kinds of things!
She was exploring and discovering and creating and having a wonderful time.
As I watched her, I started getting a little worried.
I was reminded that while this room and its materials is a paradise for a little one, we have another whom is quickly outgrowing such things.
Oof.
That sort of stopped me in my tracks.
I thought about how he isn't quite as crazy about our Children's Museum anymore.
I started thinking about how he has spent his last three days.... conquering his new game.
In a decidedly dedicated manner.
I got a little panicked.
What for Trev?
What for Trev?
What's here that is interesting and educational and intriguing and inspiring for an eight year old boy?!?
What kind of supplies can I buy?
Do I need to completely re-do things???
I called for Trev to come downstairs so I could feel him out a bit.
While I was waiting for him to answer my summons, :), my head went immediately to taught school subjects.
Reading.
Pff. Check. (I'm not worried even a little about this.)
The technical side? Language Arts?
No problem! We'll just break out the Mad Libs. 'Got plenty of 'em. And the child speaks beautifully and has an outstanding vocabulary... not a problem.
Math.
Seems to be interested and asking questions... don't think this is something to be worried about. What else ya got?
I started settling down quite a bit at this point.
Science?
Pff. Even my questioning self says Piffle to that. Not even on the radar. We breathe science around here.
"Trev?" he was with me, now, "I've been thinking and worrying a bit, and I'm wanting to know if there are things you'd like to know about or are interested in that we don't have." Which is kind of a silly question, a bit like asking "what don't you know?". But still, he had something to offer.
"I'd like to study cells, and play with Dad, and you know. Do things like that."
"And experiements?", asked I. "And still learning about interesting people, like Davey Crockett, and Helen Keller?"
"Yeah. Is that all? I'm done with this icecream, and wanna put the rest in the freezer, and get back to my game."
"Yeah, okay."
I looked at the shelf that I was sitting twelve inches from, and saw an American Heroes book called Daniel Boone. And one on Thomas Jefferson. And I thought of Captains Courageous that was sittng upstairs. And I spied our books on explorers, and I thought of the huge Historical Timeline book that I just re-discovered yesterday (purchased several years ago for my own studies).
And I thought of my book on kings and queens of Scotland and England, and DaVinci, and The Dangerous Book for Boys.
And I started to really settle and become still.
I'll teach him to play Othello.
And we'll read Shakespeare For Kids. (He loved Midsummer Night's Dream.)
And we'll put Edison on the timeline... and John Henry and Lincoln (favorites of his).
We'll read about kings and Ghengis Kahn and put more dinosaurs and mammals on the timeline, too.
We'll check out cool cdroms from the library, and buy JumpStart Third Grade.
We'll keep looking for new games of Carmen Sandiego, and play Math Blaster, and I'll wonder how soon I can introduce him to the game Master Mind.
We'll read our books about weather, and read again How Mountains are Made and The Spaceship Earth and all the other Let's Read and Find Out books we enjoy.
We'll continue to go to the planetarium, and the natural history museum.
We'll ask questions and watch you-tube and National Geographic videos.
:) We'll take chances, make mistakes, and get messy.
So, then.
We'll continue on.
Same as today.
Tomorrow does not come unexpectedly and disconnected from Today.
There are lots of interesting things and books lying about this home.
And we'll continue to bring in other, new things as we discover them.
It's no different.
So then,
All is well.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
a mama's heart
the last few days have been of the sighing sort.
you know the ones...
they're filled with lots of kisses from the babes
and you smile so much over their games and conversation
you marvel over the youngest's personality that shows itself so often, now.
you look at your beautiful child...
you know the ones...
they're filled with lots of kisses from the babes
and you smile so much over their games and conversation
you marvel over the youngest's personality that shows itself so often, now.
you look at your beautiful child...
and just sigh and sigh.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
sacred life sunday: beauty
swayed by my surroundings
I'm doing my best to
live
eat
breathe
inspire
exude
and Be
the Beauty around me.
I'm doing my best to
live
eat
breathe
inspire
exude
and Be
the Beauty around me.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Interview with Trevelyn
I got this from Sherry.
I thought I'd face it head on.
I was scared.
Trev came tearing through for a pit stop while enjoying a jumping session with Maddie and our neighbor, Blondie.
"Hey, Bud.... have ten quick questions for you...." (I figured I'd let him off lightly.)
After letting him in on what an interview is, and how they're given to famous people, and that no, this doesn't mean that he's famous.....
Groan. "Alright."
1. What is something I always say to you?
I love you.
2. What makes me happy?
My freckles.
3. What makes me sad?
I have no idea.
Wanna guess?
What does make you sad, Mom?
I don't know. Uuuuuh....
You're just always way too joyful?
God love him.
4. How do I make you laugh?
By tickling me.
5. What was I like as a child?
I don't know.
6. How old am I?
I don't know.
Want to guess?
Um... fifty?
I laughed.
No, 49! (as if that made All The Difference.) 48!
7. How tall am I?
As tall as me. (Close enough.)
8. What is my favorite thing to do?
Spend time with me.
9. What do I do when you’re not around?
Read your book.
10. If I become famous, what will it be for?
I have no idea.
11. What am I really good at?
Teaching me stuff.
12. What am I not very good at?
Giving me some time.
[grin] Go! You're done.
* * *
Round Two, after Blondie went home.
* * *
Will you jump with me now, Mom?
Just a sec, I have eight more questions for you....
13. What do I do for a job?
You don't have a job anymore.
14.What is my favorite food?
I don't know.
15. What makes you proud of me?
Jumping with me.
16. If I were a cartoon character, who would I be?
You.
But if I were a cartoon character, who would I be? What cartoon character reminds you of me?
You.
17. What do you and I do together?
Maddie heard that and piped up from the background and said, "Painting, doing art stuff...." We had just finished up doing our art projects in the backyard.
Painting and having fun.
18. How are you and I the same?
We're both part of this family.
19. How are you and I different?
Skin colors and the opposites of having freckles and the eyes.
I have freckles, see?
20. How do you know I love you?
Because you're my mother.
Any other reason I love you?
No.
[laugh.] That's the only reason I love you?
Yeah. Can we jump now?
* * *
Two things... one, I feel like I passed.
Thank God.
Two....
This was interesting for me, because it said to me that I'm not nearly the failure that I feel like I am, that things are actually going along quite alright.
Rest easy, it seemed to say.
Remember Rule #6.
I thought I'd face it head on.
I was scared.
Trev came tearing through for a pit stop while enjoying a jumping session with Maddie and our neighbor, Blondie.
"Hey, Bud.... have ten quick questions for you...." (I figured I'd let him off lightly.)
After letting him in on what an interview is, and how they're given to famous people, and that no, this doesn't mean that he's famous.....
Groan. "Alright."
1. What is something I always say to you?
I love you.
2. What makes me happy?
My freckles.
3. What makes me sad?
I have no idea.
Wanna guess?
What does make you sad, Mom?
I don't know. Uuuuuh....
You're just always way too joyful?
God love him.
4. How do I make you laugh?
By tickling me.
5. What was I like as a child?
I don't know.
6. How old am I?
I don't know.
Want to guess?
Um... fifty?
I laughed.
No, 49! (as if that made All The Difference.) 48!
7. How tall am I?
As tall as me. (Close enough.)
8. What is my favorite thing to do?
Spend time with me.
9. What do I do when you’re not around?
Read your book.
10. If I become famous, what will it be for?
I have no idea.
11. What am I really good at?
Teaching me stuff.
12. What am I not very good at?
Giving me some time.
[grin] Go! You're done.
* * *
Round Two, after Blondie went home.
* * *
Will you jump with me now, Mom?
Just a sec, I have eight more questions for you....
13. What do I do for a job?
You don't have a job anymore.
14.What is my favorite food?
I don't know.
15. What makes you proud of me?
Jumping with me.
16. If I were a cartoon character, who would I be?
You.
But if I were a cartoon character, who would I be? What cartoon character reminds you of me?
You.
17. What do you and I do together?
Maddie heard that and piped up from the background and said, "Painting, doing art stuff...." We had just finished up doing our art projects in the backyard.
Painting and having fun.
18. How are you and I the same?
We're both part of this family.
19. How are you and I different?
Skin colors and the opposites of having freckles and the eyes.
I have freckles, see?
20. How do you know I love you?
Because you're my mother.
Any other reason I love you?
No.
[laugh.] That's the only reason I love you?
Yeah. Can we jump now?
* * *
Two things... one, I feel like I passed.
Thank God.
Two....
This was interesting for me, because it said to me that I'm not nearly the failure that I feel like I am, that things are actually going along quite alright.
Rest easy, it seemed to say.
Remember Rule #6.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
smiles
raindrops and puddles
seeing my daughter riding horsey on her daddy's back around the house, hollering "red light... green light!"
sodden dandelions
discovering my almost forgotten bleeding heart
raindrops on clover
a blossoming vine
rich, wet earth
tiny tiny tiny leaves of lichen
hearing and seeing my three loves raise a wild ruckus in the backyard
lilacs, still.
and then even more rain
seeing Little Son be thrilled that he earned the SuperGem
seeing the Monet-like view of lilacs out the dripping kitchen window
making chocolate pudding while singing "raindrops on windows and whiskers on kittens...."
settling into a soft seat to watch and help Trev spend his day reading and playing games.
Delicious.
seeing my daughter riding horsey on her daddy's back around the house, hollering "red light... green light!"
sodden dandelions
discovering my almost forgotten bleeding heart
raindrops on clover
a blossoming vine
rich, wet earth
tiny tiny tiny leaves of lichen
hearing and seeing my three loves raise a wild ruckus in the backyard
lilacs, still.
and then even more rain
seeing Little Son be thrilled that he earned the SuperGem
seeing the Monet-like view of lilacs out the dripping kitchen window
making chocolate pudding while singing "raindrops on windows and whiskers on kittens...."
settling into a soft seat to watch and help Trev spend his day reading and playing games.
Delicious.
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