Twice in one weekend I felt like I was at a filming of the final scenes of "It's a Wonderful Life."Saturday and Sunday I attended surprise birthday parties for two friends with milestone birthdays. Both ended up being powerful tributes to the guests of honor; the kind that left me yearning to live a more loving, prayerful, generous life.The first struck me at a personal … [Read more...]
Autodidact Ann
Until I stumbled across Mental Multivitamin's blog ("Read. Think. Learn." Oh, how I love that tagline), I never really used the word "autodidact." Given how many books I've read over the years, I must have seen the word several times. It felt familiar. I'd sounded it out at some point in my literary life. But I'd never used the word or even thought about what it means. I'd … [Read more...]
My Kind of Game
I'm no good at baby shower games. I don't really mind, though, as I'm usually more concerned about whether or not remnants of spinach dip are stuck between my teeth from the hors d'oeuvres than if I can accurately guess whether the green goo inside the de-labeled jar is pureed peas or green beans.But just when I'm settling down in my chair and handed a pad of paper and … [Read more...]
Writing and Motherhood–what are we up to, part 4?
This "series" reminded me of yet another excerpt on the topic. This time, from Barbara Kingsolver's High Tide in Tucson (affiliate link). I also long for more time of my own, and silence. My jaw drops when I hear of the rituals some authors use to put themselves in the so-called mood to write: William Gass confesses to spending a couple of hours every morning … [Read more...]
MP3 Accompanist
I've got other ideas that work for me. A whole bunch. Really. Contrary to what my only two Works-For-Me-Wednesday posts may suggest, my life is not all about my MP3 recorder.However, I found yet another application for my much loved recording device.We went to my brother's house this weekend so that my girls could practice their Solo & Ensemble pieces with him. One … [Read more...]
Let Them Eat Cake (slathered with Nutella)
As you know, I poke around the Mamasphere from time to time. Over at Boomama's I clicked to "Toddled Dredge" for a first-time visit.What to my wondering eyes did appear, but a Nutella post!If you thought Nutella was just for spreading on bread and bread-like products, well, there's more. My mom already pointed out in the comments of my own Nutella post that it's luscious … [Read more...]
Writing in the Midst of Motherhood, Pt. 3
I skipped posting the third part of this series on Sunday because with it being the Sabbath and all, I didn't want to link you to this totally secular article at Salon.com, of all places. The author of the article, Dayna Macy, is a writer who is exploring whether or not she should have a child. "I have postponed motherhood in order to get my writing life moving," she … [Read more...]
Be Still and Know
A short serenade for your Sabbath.(turn up the sound, and be patient as it loads)Be Still and Know … [Read more...]
Writing in the Midst of Motherhood, Pt. 2 (I didn't know I started a series)
While writing yesterday's post, I remembered this quote from A Circle of Quiet, by the thoughtful and sometimes controversial Madeleine L'Engle. The various pressures of twentieth-century living have made it almost impossible for the young mother with pre-school children to have any solitude. During the long drag of years before our youngest child went to school, my love … [Read more...]
Writing in the Midst of Motherhood
I'm just finishing up Writing from the Center, a collection of essays from Scott Russell Sanders. In the chapter from which the book takes its title, Sanders seeks "to know where authentic writing comes from; I would like to know the source of those lines that are worth keeping, the writing that brings some clarity and beauty into the confusion of our lives." (p. … [Read more...]
We really do limit screen time
This is what it usually looks like. I promise.As for the books...it's a sickness. An addiction. As my friend Bill B. said, it's "a gentle madness," after a book by that title.Because, you see, several of the shelves you see in this photo are double stacked--two rows of books, one in front of the other. In the family room--two more bookshelves packed full. In each of the … [Read more...]
Kids Need Limits on Screen Time
Oh, yes, we limit technology in our home. Absolutely. … [Read more...]
Make Room for the Universe
My friend John described a wilderness hiking trip he took with his son. "No pop-up campers out there, eh?" I asked. "Only what we could carry on our backs. We even slept under the stars." "No tent?" "Nope." I must have shuddered or made a face, because John grinned and tried to convince me of the beauty of backwoods camping. "It's liberating to realize that everything you … [Read more...]
Give Nutella to the one who asks you
Years ago I came home from Belgium with a jar of Nutella. Spreadable chocolate. What's not to love? Well, if you're allergic to nuts, that's a problem, as hazelnuts are an ingredient blended into the creamy chocolate. But if you like hazelnuts, and hazelnuts agree with you, and you love chocolate and want to justify eating it for every meal, then you … [Read more...]
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