"Me an' the old lady are gonna pick up the pieces and retie the knot, mixaphorically speaking."
Ulysses Everitt McGill (O Brother, Where Art Thou?)
Monday, May 31, 2010
People with three names rule!
Paul Thomas Anderson, director of "Boogie Nights", "Magnolia", etc...is making a movie with Phillip Seymour Hoffman about Scientology. This is my dream movie in the works. Reese Witherspoon is said to play a woman named Mary Sue, coincidentally the name of L.Ron Hubbard's wife. All I have to say is "Yes please!." I love Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and have watched particular films just because he was in them. Although the Truman Capote movie was someone of a non-starter for me, he is walking talent, one of those people that walks the fine line between creepiness and sympathy.
Let's do it, P.T.! We have missed you!
Let's do it, P.T.! We have missed you!
Memorial Day
Take time today to take your children or yourself to a local Memorial Day parade or ceremony. My children will know about the sacrifices so many have made for this great country they live in, and how proud they should be of the life they are blessed to live. Freedom does not come free (cliched but true!). I hope my children will realize how many people in their own family (even recently) and in their family past have left the comfort of their homes to defend this country. There is a special honor in knowing my own husband put in many years in the Air Force, and many close relatives spent time overseas during the past decade, fulfilling a commitment of duty, no matter how entangled the political, moral and personal idealogies have become over the past 10 years. I am proud.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Things that happen in Zenith, WV
1. You paint gourds, really- it's fun and actually a relaxing moment where everyone just kindof chills and dips into acrylic paint. We painted our own images of WV...ended up with some pretty flowers, mountains, rivers and cabins. Very cool souveniers to take home for us each to put in our gardens.
2. You throw apple pieces from a front porch about dusk and wait for the deer to come out. They are more abundant in high summer but they still snuck around and ate them up like a bear on a beehive.
3. You walk through trails and wish so badly the bright green moss could grow in your own backyard- but this will not happen, ever in our bright but tropical backyard.
4. You count how many cars pass while sitting on the front porch, and wave to every one, and they wave back. You wonder how they could drive so fast on those hairpin turns, but they do. I drive like an old granny up there, holding on the to wheel for dear life while looking down at unguarded steep mountainsides on either side. flatlander!
5. You sit around a fire, and look at a coconut sitting on a table. I am not allowed to talk about this particular family ritual as it has deep ancestral meaning, and is within our circle of trust (which I also have been sworn not to talk about).
6. You look for the recently spotted bear while walking on the trails behind the house, hoping to see him, but realizing that really, you don't need to see him at all. Or for him to see you.
7. You buy cheese, spices, dried fruit, dried meat and various items from local Mennonite shops and ponder what really goes on in those innocently dressed female minds as they watch us tourists hoard their goods like hungry wolverines.
8. You search out cemetaries with really old gravestones, and take pictures. Cuz, you know, America's (Caucasian) history isn't like Europe's- anything from the Revolutionary war is worth a photo. Even though there are sites just as old in the South- it's not the same to me.
9. You wait till all the babies are asleep and play "the greatest game ever" or some such name- a very fun game similar to Password that you only need pen and paper for. It's fun, and we enjoyed it.
10. You enjoy the fact that your phone has been turned off for 7 days and although there is a tv- most only watch it early in the am for a half an hour for news, and then- it's off. Too much stuff to do outside!
11. You wash your clothes and hang them out to dry. You take short baths because the hot water cannot last for 6 adults and 3 children. You don't even try to wear sandals, and you don't worry about what day it is.
12. You wonder why alot of the local farmhouses have ominous looking metal stars hanging on them. Woodland cult members? Church of Mother Earth? Pentagrams R' Us? Makes you wonder.....and that's cool if they want to anyway....
13. You realize you are one of the highest peaks north in the state, and revel in the cooler air at night.
14. You also know that you and your husband could buy a house with many acres in a second, because it's not overpriced Florida...and move there real quick.
15. You realize the locals have to drive about 45 minutes to get near a grocery store, restaurant or even small cafe.
Heaven!!!
2. You throw apple pieces from a front porch about dusk and wait for the deer to come out. They are more abundant in high summer but they still snuck around and ate them up like a bear on a beehive.
3. You walk through trails and wish so badly the bright green moss could grow in your own backyard- but this will not happen, ever in our bright but tropical backyard.
4. You count how many cars pass while sitting on the front porch, and wave to every one, and they wave back. You wonder how they could drive so fast on those hairpin turns, but they do. I drive like an old granny up there, holding on the to wheel for dear life while looking down at unguarded steep mountainsides on either side. flatlander!
5. You sit around a fire, and look at a coconut sitting on a table. I am not allowed to talk about this particular family ritual as it has deep ancestral meaning, and is within our circle of trust (which I also have been sworn not to talk about).
6. You look for the recently spotted bear while walking on the trails behind the house, hoping to see him, but realizing that really, you don't need to see him at all. Or for him to see you.
7. You buy cheese, spices, dried fruit, dried meat and various items from local Mennonite shops and ponder what really goes on in those innocently dressed female minds as they watch us tourists hoard their goods like hungry wolverines.
8. You search out cemetaries with really old gravestones, and take pictures. Cuz, you know, America's (Caucasian) history isn't like Europe's- anything from the Revolutionary war is worth a photo. Even though there are sites just as old in the South- it's not the same to me.
9. You wait till all the babies are asleep and play "the greatest game ever" or some such name- a very fun game similar to Password that you only need pen and paper for. It's fun, and we enjoyed it.
10. You enjoy the fact that your phone has been turned off for 7 days and although there is a tv- most only watch it early in the am for a half an hour for news, and then- it's off. Too much stuff to do outside!
11. You wash your clothes and hang them out to dry. You take short baths because the hot water cannot last for 6 adults and 3 children. You don't even try to wear sandals, and you don't worry about what day it is.
12. You wonder why alot of the local farmhouses have ominous looking metal stars hanging on them. Woodland cult members? Church of Mother Earth? Pentagrams R' Us? Makes you wonder.....and that's cool if they want to anyway....
13. You realize you are one of the highest peaks north in the state, and revel in the cooler air at night.
14. You also know that you and your husband could buy a house with many acres in a second, because it's not overpriced Florida...and move there real quick.
15. You realize the locals have to drive about 45 minutes to get near a grocery store, restaurant or even small cafe.
Heaven!!!
Friday, May 28, 2010
FB quitters and how I may be one
I have a few friends who have quit Facebook, and I completely understand their reasons. Their number one reason is that they feel when they ever write anything political that is "anti-Obama", they are vilified. Trust me, it's not cool or very fun to see. It's actually very ugly to see that others can write whatever they want, but the minute someone disagrees, Oh- snap- they are crucified publicly on the internet and are not given any respect (because they are deemed "wrong") and because others disagree with them.
What happened to our country two years ago? What happened to open- mindness and open dialogue? What happened to our people being about to express themselves without being deemed a racist just because they don't like the current president? How diverse and open minded we have become, right?
It's so sad. Some people I used to respect in my own private world have become somewhat strangers to me, they always instigate negativity, they brush off others opinions and don't allow for any argument against their own when on their grandstand. It's sad because I used to like open debate, and how diverse my own circle of friends were - now those friends live in bigger cities and are still there to talk to, but do not live in the small suburbs where these arguments take place. They don't care- and would love any open debates about anything! Oh, how I miss those days. Sensitivity with allowance for differences... Senses of humour. No sour puss " I know everything because John Stewart or some college told me so" ego.
No fun. God hopes we find it soon.
What happened to our country two years ago? What happened to open- mindness and open dialogue? What happened to our people being about to express themselves without being deemed a racist just because they don't like the current president? How diverse and open minded we have become, right?
It's so sad. Some people I used to respect in my own private world have become somewhat strangers to me, they always instigate negativity, they brush off others opinions and don't allow for any argument against their own when on their grandstand. It's sad because I used to like open debate, and how diverse my own circle of friends were - now those friends live in bigger cities and are still there to talk to, but do not live in the small suburbs where these arguments take place. They don't care- and would love any open debates about anything! Oh, how I miss those days. Sensitivity with allowance for differences... Senses of humour. No sour puss " I know everything because John Stewart or some college told me so" ego.
No fun. God hopes we find it soon.
how may I be of service to you, stranger?
Tomorrow, at a nearby library, I will meet with the person who needs my help learning more about the English language, and any other helpful lifestyle, social and cultural tips that someone new to this country may need. I have been excited to be a newly oriented LCUP (a program under the Literacy Council of America) tutor in training, and will be meeting with this new person once a week to further their education in our wonderful land.
There are many routes to take that I have learned about "teaching" someone, or how to "communicate", but I know that it will only be them who "educate" me on what skills they need best. There are many hours of helpful tutorial guides I have completed to learn how best to offer them my help, but the most helpful is this- listen.
Listen- wouldn't we all be better off if we just listened to others once in a while. I have been around many folks who love to hear themselves talk, or when they talk- think that what they have said is so "right", so "educated" and so "informed", that they don't realize the only people listening are their own church members (so to speak, you know what I mean).
Diversity is great, when you can make it happen in your life- do it. Some people preach about diversity and helping, but when they look around- don't all their friends hold the exact same opinions, and do they not live in very similar lifestyles? Only talking about change, or talking about diversity, but not actually placing themselves out of their element?
Once again in my life, I have found a way to give back, not just by anonymous charity, not just by the clothes and food donations, but by really being active in some very small way. It's never enough, of course. And it's only a way I can find some small time away from my own family who needs me to help someone else's loved one who needs a little practical help without any preaching or self-righteousness. They don't care about someone's inner "pat on the back" do-goodiness, they just need to learn more, in order to help themselves.
It's not about my own need to help, it's about their need for help- that lit that old fire once again.
Welcome back to the world....
There are many routes to take that I have learned about "teaching" someone, or how to "communicate", but I know that it will only be them who "educate" me on what skills they need best. There are many hours of helpful tutorial guides I have completed to learn how best to offer them my help, but the most helpful is this- listen.
Listen- wouldn't we all be better off if we just listened to others once in a while. I have been around many folks who love to hear themselves talk, or when they talk- think that what they have said is so "right", so "educated" and so "informed", that they don't realize the only people listening are their own church members (so to speak, you know what I mean).
Diversity is great, when you can make it happen in your life- do it. Some people preach about diversity and helping, but when they look around- don't all their friends hold the exact same opinions, and do they not live in very similar lifestyles? Only talking about change, or talking about diversity, but not actually placing themselves out of their element?
Once again in my life, I have found a way to give back, not just by anonymous charity, not just by the clothes and food donations, but by really being active in some very small way. It's never enough, of course. And it's only a way I can find some small time away from my own family who needs me to help someone else's loved one who needs a little practical help without any preaching or self-righteousness. They don't care about someone's inner "pat on the back" do-goodiness, they just need to learn more, in order to help themselves.
It's not about my own need to help, it's about their need for help- that lit that old fire once again.
Welcome back to the world....
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
hello out there
Zenith, West Virginia... not on a map. Population two people (married) and a relative that lives across the tiny road from their compound (that happens to have a special cave behind it with a spring that Mennonites use for their fresh water). My parents have a home down the road, a short walk. A walk of green beauty in the spring, and the last time we all convened their for a another of our special family reunions - a walk of red beauty of fall leaves in October, a few years back.
My third trip there was fantastic. Even my own children chilled out, letting my husband and I sleep through most nights, catching up on much needed sleep with the sound of NO SOUND (road noise, planes, headlights, etc) and owls hooting through the open windows. The sound of wild animals scurrying around, the light noise of house fans, the comforting tiptoes of people walking around upstairs taking care of children and then going back to peaceful wildnerness sleep. It was magical, and better than I thought it would be. I am going to bore you with a detailed post of the trip tomorrow if possible, and then on to fun topics like movies, songs, politics and the various human observations I enjoy reporting on.
One thing I took back with me to our home is this-
everything is sacred, especially everyone's unique opinions, lifestyles, and freedoms. I have never been more proud of our country or our personal liberties. I hope we all appreciate how different we can be, how we can live with unique lifestyles without being harmed. We take this for granted and become so insulated to this fact. Too many people I have been around are so pessimistic about their own country, and it used to vex me. Not anymore, they can be that way if they want to...I am a renewed optimist in the short life we are given to appreciate the wildlife we can help protect, the freedoms we have, and the personal lives we are living that most other countries would not dare allow.
Thank you, Allegheny Mountains and Peter's Mountain in particular, for renewing my faith in our incredible history.
My third trip there was fantastic. Even my own children chilled out, letting my husband and I sleep through most nights, catching up on much needed sleep with the sound of NO SOUND (road noise, planes, headlights, etc) and owls hooting through the open windows. The sound of wild animals scurrying around, the light noise of house fans, the comforting tiptoes of people walking around upstairs taking care of children and then going back to peaceful wildnerness sleep. It was magical, and better than I thought it would be. I am going to bore you with a detailed post of the trip tomorrow if possible, and then on to fun topics like movies, songs, politics and the various human observations I enjoy reporting on.
One thing I took back with me to our home is this-
everything is sacred, especially everyone's unique opinions, lifestyles, and freedoms. I have never been more proud of our country or our personal liberties. I hope we all appreciate how different we can be, how we can live with unique lifestyles without being harmed. We take this for granted and become so insulated to this fact. Too many people I have been around are so pessimistic about their own country, and it used to vex me. Not anymore, they can be that way if they want to...I am a renewed optimist in the short life we are given to appreciate the wildlife we can help protect, the freedoms we have, and the personal lives we are living that most other countries would not dare allow.
Thank you, Allegheny Mountains and Peter's Mountain in particular, for renewing my faith in our incredible history.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Will you miss me when I'm gone? Ha.
Someday soon, I will be under the radar for a few weeks, and won't be writing on this blog. I look forward to catching up when I return to it, to share ideas, to share craziness and to feel that electric feeling I get when writing- anything. I feel the past few months have been pretty crappy as far as my blogs go, I get interrupted, I am super tired, and don't have enough time to get into ideas more in-depth as I would like to since having my second child. It's ok- he deserves my attention and he gets it, as does every other member of our increasingly unconventional family.
However, I always miss writing when I can't get to it for a day or two. I don't just write on this, I write in journals (by hand, I know so caveman like these days!). I have poems, stories and other various outlets that have always been my closest friends since about third grade. When I decided to get married, have children, I knew about the "outer" sacrifices to be made but not about the "inner" sacrifices...one of them being the shortness of private time that I have always needed in order to find peace.
Now I do. Now, I know. And now, I have found ways to make everyone happy without feeling guilty anymore. I have found somewhat of a balance.
Where I am going there is no internet, there are only a few channels on tv ( a very recent addition), and the neighbors live a mile or two apart (Mennonites mostly). There is a cave we have explored in a hill with a fresh water spring the Mennonites use for their water. There are deer that come out every evening to eat apple pieces we throw out for them. There are wild turkey and recently spotted black bears that come out to seek garbage can buffets. At night, the stars are out, the air is cooler, and the only sounds you hear are nearby cars on a distant two laned highway and birds saying goodnight. Cell phone calls can be made by walking up a property hilltop and you may find a signal on a good day.
I hope you all find your piece of heaven sometime while on earth. I hope we all can find a place in our minds to go to when things get a little silly out there, but it's nice when we find a piece of real dirt to lay out on and find comfort. Heaven can be found on earth with a little searching and a little letting go....
Peace out, see you in a good ten days. Please catch up then...
Much Love, Juju
However, I always miss writing when I can't get to it for a day or two. I don't just write on this, I write in journals (by hand, I know so caveman like these days!). I have poems, stories and other various outlets that have always been my closest friends since about third grade. When I decided to get married, have children, I knew about the "outer" sacrifices to be made but not about the "inner" sacrifices...one of them being the shortness of private time that I have always needed in order to find peace.
Now I do. Now, I know. And now, I have found ways to make everyone happy without feeling guilty anymore. I have found somewhat of a balance.
Where I am going there is no internet, there are only a few channels on tv ( a very recent addition), and the neighbors live a mile or two apart (Mennonites mostly). There is a cave we have explored in a hill with a fresh water spring the Mennonites use for their water. There are deer that come out every evening to eat apple pieces we throw out for them. There are wild turkey and recently spotted black bears that come out to seek garbage can buffets. At night, the stars are out, the air is cooler, and the only sounds you hear are nearby cars on a distant two laned highway and birds saying goodnight. Cell phone calls can be made by walking up a property hilltop and you may find a signal on a good day.
I hope you all find your piece of heaven sometime while on earth. I hope we all can find a place in our minds to go to when things get a little silly out there, but it's nice when we find a piece of real dirt to lay out on and find comfort. Heaven can be found on earth with a little searching and a little letting go....
Peace out, see you in a good ten days. Please catch up then...
Much Love, Juju
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Good new music - Sade
Yes, not the Foo, or some other alt rock mood band, or my well loved country writers- but Sade's latest album "Soldier of Love" rocks. It's smooth, hard, jazzy, bluesy and at it's best, the most beautiful melodic music one singer/songwriter has come out with that I have heard in months. It's refreshingly sexy, old school, yet has some nice new sounding timbers to her voice that lend a mature sound without sounding "old". The sound of the entire album is reflective, telling some stories (about having children) but also including those stories we all have about passion, fleeting romance, bitterness, new love, and redemption. She is one of my few female songwriting idols. Sade- after almost 10 years since any big recording hits, beat out all the current pop stars to hit #1 this year upon debuting. Good for her, good for women songwriters, and good for lovers.
bath "time"
The past few weeks, I have been so busy that I had to write this on my list of things to do (on two different occasions) :
Give Jude a bath.
In between, he got baths, it's just that there were some days when I was out of the house for so long doing errands, appointments, etc and was so freakin tired by 8 pm that it didn't get done. So- I had to list it.
When momma "lists" you- beware. It's like the slow opening eyes of the Oracles in "Neverending Story"- beacons of my piercing and unwavering attention.
Tag- your it, Jude. It's bath day!!
Give Jude a bath.
In between, he got baths, it's just that there were some days when I was out of the house for so long doing errands, appointments, etc and was so freakin tired by 8 pm that it didn't get done. So- I had to list it.
When momma "lists" you- beware. It's like the slow opening eyes of the Oracles in "Neverending Story"- beacons of my piercing and unwavering attention.
Tag- your it, Jude. It's bath day!!
Friday, May 14, 2010
FB's dark mood
Passive Aggressiveness has been on the rise on Facebook ever since the election. It's done by a few people pretty regularly, and by the same people who were probably non-confrontational when younger. FB allows people to write whatever they like- but without having to deal with any confrontation or responsibility of their words. Some, like myself, totally invite and enjoy it when someone has something to say about a post I make, or a comment they may disagree with. I always liked open debate and people who are honest about their feelings. I have very diverse friends who sometimes completely disagree with me, and they say so, and that's a good thing!
However, it does allow many to be ugly, then never address the reprecussions of their words, and of course, you can insult someone and never have to see the look on their face in real life.
It allows a few, who would never say some things to someone's face, to spit and run (so to speak).
It's ugly out there at times, folks....say what you mean, mean what you say, and be a nice open book to your loved ones. That way, everyone knows where they stand and there are no suspicions, paranoia or questions about your words' meanings or where they are directed.
Words are a very strong weapon.
However, it does allow many to be ugly, then never address the reprecussions of their words, and of course, you can insult someone and never have to see the look on their face in real life.
It allows a few, who would never say some things to someone's face, to spit and run (so to speak).
It's ugly out there at times, folks....say what you mean, mean what you say, and be a nice open book to your loved ones. That way, everyone knows where they stand and there are no suspicions, paranoia or questions about your words' meanings or where they are directed.
Words are a very strong weapon.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Fantastic Mr. Fox
If you see nothing else this month, see this movie. By Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbuams, Rushmore, etc), this movie is such a unique experience that words cannot justify it in some dumb blog review. It's not the best movie of the past few years, or some big breakthrough hit. It is just a wonderful, fun, witty story told through old school (yet with modern techniques perhaps) stop-go animation of a fox family who must overcome the evil tyranny of a trio of weird but entertaining farmers. The animals involved (including beavers, rats, and moles) all talk, and are personified with skills of high brow intellect, fast wit, humble musings and human like action that you forget you are watching a bunch of farm animals trying to fight THE MAN.
This is the interesting part which I will leave up to you to decide. Is it a film about chicken farmers and their conquest of the open plains? Is is a morality tale about the wild animal versus the more domesticated farm animal? (The best scene includes a lone wolf in the only scene which includes snow, a heartbreaking second of sentimentality). Is it a film about how George Clooney's voice will never be distinguished from any others in voice overs? Is it a movie about the cycle of life? You decide. It's like watching the Royals without having to deal with knowing the players. You can distinguish the voices (Meryl Streep, Jason Shwartzman, Bill Murray, etc.) but you aren't too distracted by them.
Give this movie about 15 minutes, then you may really like it. It was hard for me to get into at first, with an 8 month old and a 3 year old to get to bed, and I so hoped for extras on the film at the end (there are none that we could find- boo....)
Great entertainment, a very good, smart film for those who enjoy Anderson's style of prose. It's all dialogue, the action just follows along. In fact, the dialogue is so quick, I may have to watch it again- With zeal.
I would suggest, although an animated film, our youngest son watched for about 10 minutes and lost touch. It doesn't really speak to kids, more to adults. And hooray for that! Us adults need some crazy animated movie every now and then that doesn't speak "baby."
This is the interesting part which I will leave up to you to decide. Is it a film about chicken farmers and their conquest of the open plains? Is is a morality tale about the wild animal versus the more domesticated farm animal? (The best scene includes a lone wolf in the only scene which includes snow, a heartbreaking second of sentimentality). Is it a film about how George Clooney's voice will never be distinguished from any others in voice overs? Is it a movie about the cycle of life? You decide. It's like watching the Royals without having to deal with knowing the players. You can distinguish the voices (Meryl Streep, Jason Shwartzman, Bill Murray, etc.) but you aren't too distracted by them.
Give this movie about 15 minutes, then you may really like it. It was hard for me to get into at first, with an 8 month old and a 3 year old to get to bed, and I so hoped for extras on the film at the end (there are none that we could find- boo....)
Great entertainment, a very good, smart film for those who enjoy Anderson's style of prose. It's all dialogue, the action just follows along. In fact, the dialogue is so quick, I may have to watch it again- With zeal.
I would suggest, although an animated film, our youngest son watched for about 10 minutes and lost touch. It doesn't really speak to kids, more to adults. And hooray for that! Us adults need some crazy animated movie every now and then that doesn't speak "baby."
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
11 Extreme Oil Spill Solutions
Garbage, fire, nuclear bomb explosion—these are possible solutions to stop the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico? The Daily Beast looks at 11 of the most out-there ideas proposed so far.
Posted using ShareThis
Posted using ShareThis
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Weed
in order to kill weeds in an Earth friendly way, use one of these methods I have seen and am going to try out this week. I will post results!
Diluted vinegar, lemon juice or salt water in your watering can or weed killer sprayer.
Hope it works!
Diluted vinegar, lemon juice or salt water in your watering can or weed killer sprayer.
Hope it works!
Monday, May 10, 2010
being a mother
means...An on and off struggle about maintaining your own "self" and giving yourself to others. For someone built like myself- pragmatic to the fullest, it's been an interesting journey. I like to show others how to do more, how to build, how to figure stuff out, like I've done my entire life- often feeling very silly when having to ask others for help. Not because I don't think they can help, or because I'm too proud, but simply because I truly believe that laziness is becomming the second most worst social disease in our country. I think that everyone should have to work to figure the problem out for a while before they are given any easy answers...
The first worst social disease is self righteousness, by the way.
So, my sons get so much affection, attention, education and love that it's silly. I taught my now 3 -year old the abc's before most kids his age knew them. But, I don't tell him that. I want my sons to never be arrogant but to be willing to learn, to find things that make them happy and when older, find ways like I have over the years, to share their skills with people who might need them. It's not CHARITY I want my sons to learn about, it's LIFE.
Some people tend to seperate the two, like charity is an event, or special learning moment. It shouldn't be, it should be a part of their life, not even looked at as something to brag about, like so many people do these days. I want them to be very successful in something they are passionate about, and to incorporate that passion into a habit of sharing their insights to others so that people may benefit and help their own families. This is a humble prayer from a mother.
This mother has found a peaceful way to seperate her own self from that of being a babysitter...which is what I felt like for a while. I had to come to my own terms, and tune out all the other "mother" opinions. My good friends who know me well always said it would be hard for me in particular (the career woman), and they were right. My independent and solitude -seeking self took a while to figure out how to be a very good mom while still being a smart business woman who likes to a good bawdy humour, excellent writing, intelligent friends, loud debates, and dancing, of course.
Some people might not like to seperate themselves from the "mother" role, but understand I am always a mother, and love it. My children are my priority, just as my husband is. Our relationship has everything to do with our sons, and how we talk to them right now in their lives will show them how to live, love and be generous to others. Personally, I am totally ok with being a mother most hours of the day, but being "Jennifer, juju, or McCarthy (my old high school knickname) " for a few each day- is such a comfort and a peaceful place to land.
Happy Mother's Day, Mom! Can't wait to see you next week in those hills of the greenest grass and the best sunsets.
The first worst social disease is self righteousness, by the way.
So, my sons get so much affection, attention, education and love that it's silly. I taught my now 3 -year old the abc's before most kids his age knew them. But, I don't tell him that. I want my sons to never be arrogant but to be willing to learn, to find things that make them happy and when older, find ways like I have over the years, to share their skills with people who might need them. It's not CHARITY I want my sons to learn about, it's LIFE.
Some people tend to seperate the two, like charity is an event, or special learning moment. It shouldn't be, it should be a part of their life, not even looked at as something to brag about, like so many people do these days. I want them to be very successful in something they are passionate about, and to incorporate that passion into a habit of sharing their insights to others so that people may benefit and help their own families. This is a humble prayer from a mother.
This mother has found a peaceful way to seperate her own self from that of being a babysitter...which is what I felt like for a while. I had to come to my own terms, and tune out all the other "mother" opinions. My good friends who know me well always said it would be hard for me in particular (the career woman), and they were right. My independent and solitude -seeking self took a while to figure out how to be a very good mom while still being a smart business woman who likes to a good bawdy humour, excellent writing, intelligent friends, loud debates, and dancing, of course.
Some people might not like to seperate themselves from the "mother" role, but understand I am always a mother, and love it. My children are my priority, just as my husband is. Our relationship has everything to do with our sons, and how we talk to them right now in their lives will show them how to live, love and be generous to others. Personally, I am totally ok with being a mother most hours of the day, but being "Jennifer, juju, or McCarthy (my old high school knickname) " for a few each day- is such a comfort and a peaceful place to land.
Happy Mother's Day, Mom! Can't wait to see you next week in those hills of the greenest grass and the best sunsets.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Salt and Lime for this week....
Here's a little salt- while pulling weeds yesterday in my yard, I rediscovered my old friend the black rat snake boldy eyeing me as I walked past our fire wood stash. He lives on, undisturbed by me and left to eat any rats, mice or other non cute critters in our yard.
Here's a little lime- In November, Roger Waters is doing a live show of "The Wall" music here at the St. Pete Times Forum. I have always loved the unique prog-rock sound of Pink Floyd, and though tend to tune in out after hearing that soundtrack my entire high school life, would still enjoy seeing Waters play live.
Hope you are having a wonderful day!! Give your mom a hug, a call or a prayer.
Here's a little lime- In November, Roger Waters is doing a live show of "The Wall" music here at the St. Pete Times Forum. I have always loved the unique prog-rock sound of Pink Floyd, and though tend to tune in out after hearing that soundtrack my entire high school life, would still enjoy seeing Waters play live.
Hope you are having a wonderful day!! Give your mom a hug, a call or a prayer.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Oil
If everyone who is so upset, as I am, about the oil rig explosion, loss of life, and sense of doom over impending oil based devastation in our Gulf, I would suggest we stop using all petroleum based products in our daily lives. This would be- oil for our cars, tires, lotions, makeups, hair products, sunscreens, many food products, footwear, belts, daily attire that has any synthetics in it, and many other products you can research. This is almost hard to do, but you really could do it if you desired to really hit the BP company where it hurts. Most people will not- it's easier to make silly jokes and make it a political issue.
Most people who aren't from the South don't realize how economically challenged most Southern states have been - since the Civil War. If you live in Clearwater, Miami, or Key West, you don't realize how deep the industrial struggle has run for so many decades that it's in the blood, in the family trades and in the history of the South. Some people think they know, perhaps from professors who have never lived there, or from books or articles. But they don't really know how hard it is to find really good paying jobs in states other than Florida that are located below the Virginia line (where all the politicians live and some retire).
Before you throw the politics into the mix, think about all the high risk jobs out there that people do every day in our country- I have met some of them. Miners, for one. Fishermen, condo builders (not contractors, please!) and quarry excavators (there's alot of that in FL that noone cares about of course something bad happens)...but oh how we love our limestone and seafood.
Oil rigs have been there for decades. Funny how people in my little town of Dunedin just now care about them, and make it all about Sarah Palin (what an easy target she is these days!). They don't know any better, and live in an insulated little cacoon of safety, money and family ties that other's just don't have the luxury of having.
If you want to help- then help- physically! Like many others are doing in my hometown- banding together to get ready for the devastation, like we all used to do up there for hurricanes, when power was out for days, there was little food, water or signs of life for weeks. This will be far worse, but blaming some party is silly, because if people looked back far enough, they may find that their own party took part in creating these jobs in the South.
Most people who aren't from the South don't realize how economically challenged most Southern states have been - since the Civil War. If you live in Clearwater, Miami, or Key West, you don't realize how deep the industrial struggle has run for so many decades that it's in the blood, in the family trades and in the history of the South. Some people think they know, perhaps from professors who have never lived there, or from books or articles. But they don't really know how hard it is to find really good paying jobs in states other than Florida that are located below the Virginia line (where all the politicians live and some retire).
Before you throw the politics into the mix, think about all the high risk jobs out there that people do every day in our country- I have met some of them. Miners, for one. Fishermen, condo builders (not contractors, please!) and quarry excavators (there's alot of that in FL that noone cares about of course something bad happens)...but oh how we love our limestone and seafood.
Oil rigs have been there for decades. Funny how people in my little town of Dunedin just now care about them, and make it all about Sarah Palin (what an easy target she is these days!). They don't know any better, and live in an insulated little cacoon of safety, money and family ties that other's just don't have the luxury of having.
If you want to help- then help- physically! Like many others are doing in my hometown- banding together to get ready for the devastation, like we all used to do up there for hurricanes, when power was out for days, there was little food, water or signs of life for weeks. This will be far worse, but blaming some party is silly, because if people looked back far enough, they may find that their own party took part in creating these jobs in the South.
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