Lovely World

dear snow

Dear Snow, You took me by surprise this morning. The tree branches are hanging low from all your heavy, wet weight. You have come down in white out fashion throughout the day. I thought maybe you had lost your interest in us and were preparing to rest until next year. I guess not. I should know better. I have seen snow like this in April. Love, Me

At least the kids are on holiday break this week and did not lose another day of school to the snow. There has been a whole lot of relaxing going on around here. I have been sewing. I made some linen baby shoes, which are very satisfying to make. I hadn't made a pair in a while.

Last night I awoke in the wee morning hours and thought - I need a new rhythm in my life. I have been thinking about going back to work as a midwife in some capacity. It is so difficult to manage a family if both parents have a demanding job (which would be the case if I worked full time). But, I have worked part time in the past and know that this might be a possibility. I feel that I need to look at this seriously. Being home is wonderful in many ways, but it also makes me feel anchorless and unfocused at times. Has anyone else felt that anchorless feeling?

calling cards

Don't you wish you had a calling card? I imagine people handing these out at fancy parties. My favorite is the one with the peacock feather.

How about a merit card? I wish my children received merit cards with their names written out in beautiful calligraphy rather than the plastic crap they pull from the "treasure boxes" in their classrooms.

These cards belonged to my grandparents. There are many more in the collection.

Nice names: Minnie, Lettie, Clyde, and Arthur.

Looking forward to a high school basketball game tonight. My nephew is playing. He has worked very hard and is a strong player. It will be a pleasure to watch.

more snow

We are in the grip of hard falling snow. Again. Maybe two more feet before it is over.

This excessive amount of snow, and a case of crazy cabin fever, has led my family to jump off the roof. Our house is of modern design, with a flat roof. (In New England? What was the architect thinking?) We have to shovel the snow off the roof, and this has made great piles of snow around the perimeter of the house. It is into these piles that the jumping occurs.

Of course, I was not home for the first episode of jumping. I'm sure I would have given my husband the evil eye and put the over-protective mother kibosh on the whole affair. I've relaxed about it now, though.

I think taking (controlled) risks can be good children. Gaining a sense of mastery, and overcoming anxieties, can mature a child in a healthy way. There are so many unhealthy risks for children to engage in. Perhaps building safe risk-taking into my children's lives will make the unhealthy risks unnecessary and less attractive.

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Do you know about wingsuits? Humans flying? Watch this:

 

place of rest

Our sense of the world is shaped by what we experience. A child's first sense of place is the home. Memory is formed in the landscape of home. What must it be like to have no home, no safe place? What must it be like to have to leave a beloved home because of war or persecution or poverty?

I have deliberately created a place my children can rest. All children will come to know the inevitable ugliness that exists in the world. Memory of rest and beauty and play can be a lifelong balm to adult angst. Is this where optimism rises from?

Clearing blue sky, a promise in bare branches. In winter, there are sunny days. In adulthood, childhood can return.

birthday boy

Happy birthday to my little boy.

Today you are 7.

You are busy, kind, a good friend.

I told you to stop growing so fast. You said you'd try, but you didn't think you could. That is okay. I enjoy watching you become the person that you are meant to be.

back home

 

Today I picked my 10-year-old daughter up from her two weeks away at camp in Vermont. This is the first summer she has been away to camp. The first time she has ever been away from home for more than a night or two. She had a fantastic time. It was just the two of us for the entire ride home, and I got to hear about everything. I'm so happy for her. I told her that this is just the beginning of her venturing away from home and family. We will always be here, with our love and support. This is her home. But, she will find many adventures and friends apart from us. I never thought I'd be at this place when she was born a decade ago, but it feels just fine.

kitten

Over the winter my kids and I saw the animated movie The Secret of Kells. One of the main characters is a white cat. We were so taken by this cat that we decided we would keep our eyes open for a white kitten up for adoption. The opportunity finally came a couple of weeks ago when we learned of a kitten in foster care that was in need of a home. We brought home the sweet little 8-week-old fellow yesterday. Even though he has been here just 24 hours, I am amazed at how comfortable we all are together, including our two other adult cats. He has won our hearts.

His name? Albus Dumbledore. We are huge Harry Potter fans and knew we wanted to use a name from the books for the kitten. The bright blue eyes, white coloring, and cleverness led us to choose the name. This name also opens up many possibilities for nicknames, which are quite popular in our family. Have you seen the trailer for the Book 7/Deathly Hallows movie? The first part is ready for release in November.

I'm just getting my bearings after returning from a couple of long trips in a short time frame. The trip to the beach was restful, with sunny weather throughout. I am looking forward to checking out posts that all my blog friends have made since I have been away from the computer. I hope all is well.

birthday girl

Let's jump for joy! 

Happy Birthday to my dear daughter.

You are 10!

You are growing up, and I'm glad to be witness to your journey.

I love you.

birthday

Happy Birthday to my husband.

Here's to a happy and healthy year. I love you.

dad

Happy Birthday Dad.

4/24/31 - 11/17/98

You would be 79 years old today.

I love you.

I miss you.

You were a devoted son, husband, and father.

You had many, many friends.

You didn't like to travel.

You spent your whole life on the farm.

You loved to read.

You loved a good game.

You sometimes sounded gruff, but you had a heart of gold.