Groundhog Day

As I heard what the blog exchange topic would be, I was immediately reminded of Bill Murray’s movie entitled Groundhog Day. How day after seeming day, Bill’s character, Phil, kept waking up in the same bed, same Bed and Breakfast, in the same town, and it was ALWAYS Groundhog’s Day.

At some point, Phil asks, “Is God really omniscient, OR, has He just been around for so long, He knows everything?” And this becomes the theme of the movie: With enough time and experience would a person be aware he/she IS creating his/her life and already living it? And if that person has that awareness, would that person become a conscious creator of that life choosing differently so the outcome would be different?

My son isn’t a particular Murray fan, however, I cannot tell you how many times he’s seen this movie. Since it’s not the actor he’s so passionate about, I believe it’s the topic he finds so intriguing. Me too. To be an aware creator of my own life--what a concept.

The main character begins as a very superficial person. One of his lines is something like “Enough about me. Now, what do you think of me?”

Like the several steps a terminal patient goes through when told death is inevitable, Phil, who is trapped in this unending Groundhog Day cycle, begins going through fairly well-defined “steps” of personal growth. He first finds ways to amuse himself at others’ expense, which is very similar to how he‘s been conducting his life already. Next he tries to see how life looks without consequences, which allows him to push the envelop on ways to amuse himself.

The “games” soon grow tiring, though, so he begins to see if he can set “larger” goals for himself--trying to make a conquest of his co-worker, whom he’s not been able to gain any ground with previously. Try as he might, it does not go from better to better, to winning--instead it begins to get worse; he loses ground, and finally realizes, he’s not going to be able to get the gal through trickery.

There is a saying that goes: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results. Phil finds out rerunning his old “tried and true” gags over and over again, really doesn’t get him where he wants to go.

Stripped of all he used to count on and thought he knew, his next “step” is depression. Not thinking he has other options, he decides to end it all.

However, at the “end” of every death scene, he once again awakens, back in the same bed, same life. So he discovers, not even Death is the answer.

Then he’s left scrambling. He’s tried looking inside of himself, and none of that worked--so he finally has to start looking outside of himself. If he finds no happiness doing things for himself, then perhaps he will find happiness making someone else happy. If he can’t change his life, perhaps he can make a difference in someone else’s.

He finally realizes the only meaning his life holds is what meaning he attaches to it and how he chooses to live it. He must make the most of the day he’s living, even if he’ll have to live that one day for eternity--it is, after-all, the only day he’s got. It’s a bit of a twist on “Live today as if it is the first day of the rest of your life” to “Live today as if it IS the rest of your life”.

If something in life has value, it’s because value has been placed in it. If a person wants respect, that person must give respect. If a person wants friendship, that person must be a friend. And if a person wants a life worth living, then that person must live it worthily.

Groundhog’s Day--there's more to this movie than might first meet the eye--it is a repeat treat that can be shared more than once a year!

Wholly Burble is hanging with SMID today. Normally she writes at Rocking Chair Ruminations, and that is where you’ll find SMID today.

Wholly Burble is a student of Life, and hopes she’ll get to keep on learning for years to come. Oh yes, and occasionally she teaches, writes, and plays with her four dogs.

Check out other Blog Exchanges here.

** Hostess note: I didn't give Wholly Burble my best piece. I've been sick (the throwing up kind) so I feel terrible that she hasn't gotten both the attention and quality she deserves from me. Go commend her for joining the Exchange. And for tolerating me.

We listen to your wishes

The story I'm about to tell you is the time I was a Black Lab named Crow. It is really easy to do my job when I'm a dog. Well I think so. Some of the others complain that it is hard to heal, to grant wishes to the worthy, unless you can speak their language. I prefer being subtle, and having them think they made the change for themselves. That is the true sign of healing.

I strutted into the ignored yard of a family. The mom worked full time and had two high school kids. Julie was pretty swamped at work, and trying desperately to save for both her kids' college educations and her retirement. She longed to spend more time traveling and taking photographs. She loved to travel on her own since it meant she would meet new folks. Meeting new people brought her true joy.

Sarah was like her mom. Not quite as warm with strangers but really put herself on the line with the things she loved, especially sports. She was always named captain and everyone relied on her to be the ultimate team player. When I knew her she was 14 years old and still liked being the tom boy she had been as a young girl, although she longed for someone to talk to her about what it meant to become a woman. She was nervous, scared of it and Julie was too distracted to notice.

The one Julie did pay attention to was Andrew. He was a mystery to her. He was the oldest at 16 and kept that crazy, hyperactive energy of his 7 year old self. Julie kept rationalizing that each year he would calm down. He never did. He loved watching old science fiction movies on television and building models of World War II airplanes. He hated school and being with his peers.

The day I appeared, Sarah and Andrew were literally on the floor of the kitchen beating each other up. Sarah had a bloody nose and Andrew had a scratch on his cheek that would've made a cat cringe. I watched them from the kitchen window, having reached up my front paws into the planter full of dried dirt and even drier remnants of flowers. I always had a hard time getting used to the body I was in at the beginning. My last one had been a club kid in Wales in the 1990's. My favorite was as a turtle during the French Revolution. But after being in human form, I needed to remember the front appendages weren't hands.

They both stopped fighting and opened the door. I started licking her nose then went to his cheek. They forgot the fight and found me some chips. While stale potato chips weren't my idea of an ideal meal, that was all they had.

"We've got to get him real food" said Sarah.

"Mom won't go for this" said Andrew.

She got a look in her eye. "I bet she won't notice the dog for days. Let's not even ask."

So they pooled their money and Andrew ran down to the corner store to get dog food and a collar. They agreed that the unused rope for the clothing line would make an appropriate leash.

"I think her name is Crow" said Andrew after I ate a bowl of food and drank water.

There was a pause. Great, he thinks, another fight. His shoulders start to rise.

"I like it" his sister nodded.

My first task was complete. I had them united in a common effort. Taking care of me. And I hadn't used any magic.

***

It took Julie three days to notice me. And while I had calmed things down between Sarah and Andrew, there was still that simmering tension. Sarah made friends easily and Andrew wishes he could too. He feels his little sister has and gets everything. And Julie just didn't notice.

But she did notice when I needed to go for a walk. She told the kids to take me to the park across from the corner store. Sarah brought a ball to throw and Andrew had me on the leash. I did the pull really hard thing I've seen other dogs do. I kept forgetting the slobbering tongue part but I new at being a dog. I was going to be with this family for a while so I would have some time to get it all down.

We got to the park and Sarah saw one of her teammates with her golden retriever-poodle mix. Sitting on a bench was another girl Andrew recognized. Sarah ran off with her friend to kick a ball, leaving Andrew alone with a tennis ball, me and this really weird looking dog also wanting to play ball.

"That's a beautiful dog" said the girl. "Where did you get her?"

"Uh" he looked at the ground "um.... she found us."

I walked over to her and nudged her leg. "What's her name?"

"Crow" as the other dog kept jumping on Andrew.

"Because she is so black?"

"Yeah."

"I'm Teresa's sister, Collette. You're a junior right?"

The dog nearly knocked him over. "Right."

"Look why don't you give me the ball and I'll throw it. I think my dog is going to eat you if he doesn't get a chance to chase it."

Andrew grinned as he sat down on the bench.

I played along until I realized he wasn't going to join in. So after Collette threw the ball I ran in the opposite direction and knocked her over.

"CROW!" shouted Andrew. He ran up to me and shoved me off. Collette laughed as he helped her up.

"Now we know what it takes to get you up. Your dog has to maul me."

Andrew apologized, shot me a grateful look, then joined in throwing the ball. He and Collette talked.

***

This was an easy one. Andrew got his bearings and started leaving Sarah alone. He hung out with Collette, not in a romantic way but as friends. It was a relief to see him feel comfortable with another person. Sarah too started talking to Andrew. Asking him about his day, learning about him as a person.

Getting Julie to notice either of them was trickier. A year later, I had to do something drastic.

I ran in front of a car.

Once I'm freed from a body I only have one day to see what happened. Julie woke up. She brought her crying children into her arms and hugged them. Kissed the tops of their heads. She asked them about me, what was special about me and then started to hear what was special about them.

She stopped dreaming about meeting the perfect strangers in far-away lands. She pulled close the strangers in her house.

So now I'm back in the stars. It is where we go to recover and listen. We listen to your wishes. We have been since time began.

***

I'm playing Jen in Michigan's Writing Game. Go to a brand new website, The Writing Game, to read all of our stories. The ideas and characters for my story came from Capitol Lady. This is what she wrote for the story:

Black Lab- named Crow, with the power to heal, a grant wishes to worthy people.

Owner Julie - 40 something woman, 2 kids and a full time job in heath care. Loves computers, photography, quirky fun loving, happy go lucky, never met a stranger because she talks to everyone.

Sarah - Daughter of Julie, same traits as mom but not quite as out going. Loves and is good at sports, a tomboy of 14 trying to find her way in the world

Andrew - Son of Julie,16 yr old hyperactive, tv/movie enthusiast. Loves science fiction and building models. At home very out going but a recluse in the
world.

conflict-Sarah and Andrew hate each other as siblings can, Sarah is outgoing and makes friends easy a trait that Andrew wishes he had. Andrew feels that Sarah has everything and gets everything.

Crow wants to heal everyone but can't her powers are limited to healing only 1 worthy person a month. She If she chooses someone in her immediate family she can't use the power again for 2 years. If she has healed a person she can't grant wishes to them. she can't be bribed and if she uses her power for evil it is taken from her.

This was fun and definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. Feel free to tell me never to do this again. But I won't listen. I'm a Writing Game junkie now. Jen, can we do this next week?

Answering the call at the bowling ally

Last month I went bowling. I couldn't believe what I saw in the vending machine. Look closely under the 3rd e in Refreshments.


There are two copies of of the 1903 novel Call of the Wild by Jack London.


I asked an employee why the books were there. Apparently the owner was frustrated seeing kids hanging around - having lost interest in the lanes - while their parents or grandparents kept bowling. So he stocks the top row of one of the vending machines with books. He charges $2.00 per book.

"I see we need more books" said the employee.

***

Be sure to come back tomorrow evening to see my second (public) attempt at fiction inspired by Jen in Michigan's Writing Game. My writing will also be posted at a new site to be unveiled on Thursday, January 31st along with the fiction of 16 other writers.

Who ARE you people? again

Hello everyone visiting from Bemidji, Chattanooga, New York, Fe Warren Air Force Base, West Hollywood (really?) and Kuala Lumpur.

Those are just a few of the cities you all are from. Don't panic, I don't know who you are (although I have my suspicions with some of you). I looked at Google Analytics for the first time in a while.

Back in April of last year I shared a list of keywords that lead some of you to my blog. Lately (really since the summer) I just haven't been tracking my hits or visits very much. I like the space I've staked out here in the blogosphere and don't feel any particular need to expand.

A few of the ways folks are finding me are obvious, like my name, the name of the blog and variations on the soccer (or soccor as some of you typed) mom theme.

Some of these are just too funny:

• Soccer mom feet - huh?


• The Paper Bag Princess - so glad there are others of you looking for that terrific book.


• Dress like a soccer mom - again? Didn't I explain before that I don't want to BE a soccer mom, never mind dress like one! I'm in denial here in suburbia!


• Blind Boys of Alabama Blogs - wow, what an honor to be pulled up with that list.


• Worms in Clementines - someone typed that, and other combinations of worms coming out of other things, A LOT. I hope you got that taken care of because it was gross when it happened to my little guy last winter.


• Sugar cereal in schools- yup, I'm still mad about that one too.


• Fetch - A bunch of you are looking for the auditions for the 3rd season, Nina, Rosario and Maddie.What none of you like Mike?


• Maya and Miguel porn - oh dear, you are kidding? Porn between two PBS cartoon characters? WHO ARE TWINS!? That is just nasty.


• Centerfold Moms - I'm sorry, I can't stop laughing over that one. If you saw me, you couldn't stop laughing either.


• Red snakeskin cowboy boots - yup.


• Your loyalty is a virtue, but not when its wedded to blind stubbornness - You got that fortune in a cookie too! No Way!!


• 14 year old boy stomach ache 10 days - you wrote that into a search engine? Get off the computer and get the kid to a hospital!


• 39th birthday cards for adults - I didn't know there were 39th birthday cards for kids.


• Dealing with bitchy soccer moms - oh oh oh how do YOU do it? Really, what is your secret? Mine is gin. And a fake smile. And just not caring what they think.


• Denial is good - isn't it? Helps with those bitchy soccer moms.


• Transgendered boys who are flower girls at weddings - now THAT is awesome!! Truly awesome! Brava to the couple and the kids' parents. Braaaa-vvva!!

But my absolute favorite two lines typed into a search engine that led to my site are:

unreadable, turgid, overwritten and obscene

and on another day

I married a fag hag.

Hey, Amazing Guy? What are you doing?

***

So now that I've outed my husband (hi honey!), who are you lurking on the other side of the screen? Come on, I know you are out there. Why not say "hi" and tell me how you got here?

Unless you were the one who typed about the PBS porn. I don't want to know about you.

Our current favorite song...

Sara Bareilles' tune Love Song is our current family favorite. The kids are constantly walking around the house singing it. I often have to delay whatever urgent computer task I have so we can watch the actual music video several times. We've had deep conversations about why she is inside a music box, how the actor looks like their Uncle - if the Uncle had hair on his head - and if it is a real story.

My three-year-old will put on one of her costume gowns and plastic heeled shoes and bang away at our upright piano singing

I'm not gonna write you a love song
'cause you asked for it
'cause you need one

So I can only imagine the eruption my poor dad dealt with in the pizza shop last week.

"Mom! We heard Love Song at the pizza shop!" it was loudly reported to me when I walked into the house after working late.

"Did you start singing?" I asked.

"Yeah" he said with a grin.

***

Singing along? Please remember to both post the cute little button of the phonograph somewhere in your tale of tunes AND link back to me. Doesn't really count if you don't site the source.

These folks are making music:

Jenn in Holland (who gets extra points today for helping me track down a version of this song I liked since the official video cannot be inserted)

Luisa Perkins
Mariposa
Flower Child
Cablegirl
Jen in Michigan
Wholly Burble
Hilary (yes, she didn't actually post for Music Monday but Cablegirl asked that we visit her friend and think about the message in the posted music video. And anything Cablegirl wants, Cablegirl gets)

We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in...

JOY.

- Joseph Cambell

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Did you hear me scream?

Seriously, while I was riding the train, did you hear me? I saw this in the newspaper.

Oh, maybe I should get a little closer.

That's Vince Clark of Erasure. Wait you can't read what's printed under his photo?

Not close enough?

YAZ IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, that wonderful combination of Vince Clark and Alison Moyet who created Only You, Situation, Don't Go and Nobody's Diary are releasing a boxed set and going on tour. One of my first posts was discovering that a birth control pill was named Yaz.

Can you hear my heart beating?

But it appears that their tour will only be in England. So those of you who can, go see them. And tell me how wonderful it was.

Yazoo Reconnected: Live

Wed 04 June - Glasgow Clyde Auditorium
Sat 07 June - Manchester Apollo
Thu 12 June - Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Sun 15 June - Brighton Centre
Wed 18 June - London Hammersmith Apollo

Hits the mark

I love when I get a blog award I've never seen, much less heard of.


So it was particularly exciting to get an award I had never heard of from Aimee at Greeblemonkey. She wrote:

Allison from Soccer Mom in Denial works hard every day to make the world a better place and I am so proud of her. She reminds me to speak up for what is right.

For Aimee, one of the smartest, funniest and talented bloggers out there (really, I only can only long for such a dynamic site), to think of me like that is, well, humbling. Sometimes I feel like I'm just yelling at the top of my lungs from the soapbox. I greatly appreciate that she listens.

I would like to clarify that for me something that involves an award, a public acknowledgement of something good, funny or thoughtful, doesn't strike me as a meme task. It's these list-your-favorite-fruit-snacks type activities that drive me a tad batty.

So now, without further ado, I pass this little award on to...

Jen in Michagan who writes at A2eatwrite. She is a writer and it shows in the pieces she gives us. Each post is like a present, a thoughtful and well thought out present. She does not just write, she composes and reading her work makes me a better writer.

How much has Jen inspired me? I've tried writing fiction and will be doing it again on January 31st for Jen's Writing Game. So come back and see what silliness Jen has me doing. It will involve a dog with special powers.

And Aimee? She is also an amazing photographer and has given Jenn in Holland and me another photo to share at Looking Into. So go look. It is lovely.

Letter from the red boots

Dear SMID,

We just wanted to let you know how unhappy we are in the closet. The dark and very cold closet since it really is just the stairs to the attic. But that isn't the main reason why we're unhappy.

Sure we're the image you put on every blog you comment on. For some folks, we are the only image people know you by.

You took us to Vegas earlier this month. We were your footwear of choice in the Valley of Fire in Nevada, your night of multiple cover bands and we even experienced the indignity of going through an airport scanner next to someone's smelly flip-flops (now THAT was nasty).

But when you walked into the cowboy boot store on the Vegas strip, we started to get worried. You asked about a particular style of boot and the saleswoman explained she only had a size that didn't fit you. Then she showed you a pair that took your breath away.

You took us off.

You put those other boots on. You practically danced around the store, touching other boots lined up along the walls, talking to the woman. She did compliment us saying "you clearly wear those boots" and you smiled.

You put us back on your feet as the woman put those other boots in a bag. With us on your feet you skipped out of the store swinging the bag. You wore us for the rest of the trip and even on the flight back home.

And we haven't been out of the closet since.

Oh sure, you tell us it is for our own good. That you never took us out when there is snow on the ground or even a hint of rain, even before Vegas. You don't want us to end up looking like your first pair of red snakeskin cowboy boots that are missing half the skin and showing this white under fabric. You tell us you're protecting us.

Meanwhile the new boots - the plain brown boots - are being worn to your office, the State House, the kids' schools, a night of drinking wine with other moms, coaching the boys' basketball team, the town diner, a children's story hour in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and church. You've never worn us when coaching a game. Never. Have you noticed we're sulking here in the dark?

So this is it. We're leaving you. If you want to put your feet in a boring pair of brown cow leather boots then you deserve them. We - who are red and made from python no less - are going to find someone who will appreciate us and let us brave the elements.

First, though, could you put us on and walk us to that person? We can't get out of the closet.

Sincerely,
The Red Snakeskin Cowboy Boots

(Mis)using Dr. King's words

My sophomore year of college, a (white) fellow I knew came running down my hallway after finishing an exam yelling "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty I am free at last!"

A dear (black) friend came tearing out of her room and pointed a finger at him declaring "Boy, don't you be usin' the good Doctor's words like that!" This caused the fellow to yelp, turn on his heels and run.

While the above could be funny (especially if you saw my girlfriend's grin as she watched the fellow run), the following isn't:

"Several years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King gave a magnificent speech in which he spoke of having a dream. Ladies and gentlemen, I too have a dream. I have a dream that one day, as President of the United States, I will be able to put a 'Going out of Business' sign on the Internal Revenue Service."
- Mike Huckabee, Fair Tax Rally, Columbia, SC, May 15, 2007

There's even a video (the above quote is around 2:20 in the clip).

He's kidding right? He is absolutely, positively kidding, right? To use the Doctor's words, to refer to his historic speech about race, in describing tax policy?

The 1963 speech by Dr. King to which Huckabee referred to (which was several decades ago, not years) cited an old spiritual:

Free at last, free at last
I thank God I'm free at last

Free at last, free at last
I thank God I'm free at last

Way down yonder in the graveyard walk
I thank God I'm free at last

Me and my Jesus going to meet and talk
I thank God I'm free at last

I found a version of the song in this video montage. Perhaps Mr. Huckabee should take a look.

And finally, a excerpt from 1963's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" which was Dr. King's response to a statement by clergy complaining of his tactics during the fight for racial equality.

We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God given rights. The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jetlike speed toward gaining political independence, but we still creep at horse and buggy pace toward gaining a cup of coffee at a lunch counter. Perhaps it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say "Wait"....but when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six year old daughter why she can't go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in her eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children, and see ominous clouds of inferiority beginning to form in her little mental sky, and see her beginning to distort her personality by developing an unconscious bitterness toward white people; when you have to concoct an answer for a five year old son who is asking: "Daddy, why do white people treat colored people so mean?"...then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait.

Mr. Huckabee, how could you in your campaign for president, equate tax policy to racial justice? Or perhaps you are one of those people Dr. King wrote about. Someone who "never felt the stinging dart of segregation".

***

And who else is talking about music?

Marisposa
Jenn in Holland
Luisa Perkins
Jen in Michigan
Wholly Burble
Cablegirl
Flower Child
Jan
Yummy

What else can I feel after the week I've had?

Listless.

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Roar and the Writing Game

So ages, AGES ago Jen in Michigan gave me and 9 other folks the above award for participating in her first ever writing game.

She awarded me because

SMID took Anno's ideas and turned them into a lovely story about an artist breaking away from a difficult mother in "Be True".

Guess what? Jen is hosting her game again. It is a wonderful chance to flex your writing muscles. You send her a set of ideas (based on her simple guidelines) then she sends you someone else's ideas. You have to write a story based on that person's ideas.

I plan to play along again (you have until Friday, January 18th to sign up so please join in). In addition, I need to pass along this lovely, neon lion. One task from receiving this award is sharing the three things I believe are necessary for good, powerful writing and then pass the award on to bloggers I want to honor. They in turn should pass it on to others if they want in addition to sharing what they think is important for good writing (but only if they want to).

Three qualities I believe are important for good, powerful writing:

Consise - I once had a boss who told me to cut a third of what I wrote while editing. Then cut another third. It is painful but I cannot stress how important it is to be brief.

Purpose - Writing should have a point. A clear, consise point.

Emotion - I have been struck by how some posts have either moved me to tears or caused me to laugh out loud. Conveying sadness without being sappy or humor without being cute is a real skill.

So I'm passing along this award to the following folks for their writing. I am a better writer because I learn from them.

Flower Child - her short vignettes just have me in stitches.

Alex Elliot - I cannot pick one of hers to highlight. Every single one is exceptional. Every. Single. One.

Ambassador - his recounting of a childhood memory is still fresh in my mind.

Jen in Michigan - I'm sending this back to Jen. She is a writing idol for me. And like Alex Elliot, every post is brilliant.

So proudly show your neon lion. And either share it with others or not. No pressure.

Fire behind the house

I kid you not. I had to call 911 last night.

Can I just start this week over?

The kids are typically in bed by 8-8:15 and I am settled in front of the television to watch the recording of A Daily Show and the Colbert Report. There is usually a stream of small escapees visitors telling me something they forgot to tell me or to check out what I am laughing about. As the evening progresses I get more testy and eventually yell "enough" and they go to sleep.

So one guy came down and settled on a chair requiring me to change my position on the sofa. Good thing because the new angle meant I saw a flash of bright orange light outside the living room window.

A tall tree on our neighbor's property was on fire.

I immediately called 911 while little guy who was with me ran upstairs yelling there was a fire and unplugging everything upstairs. I turned around to find my 3-year-old in her pink pajamas, waving her pink wand, yelling "THERE'S A FIRE!! THERE'S A FIRE!!" as she ran around in circles.

Eventually we all calmed down and watched the fire from our kitchen. The fire department and police came and I eventually learned the fire was caused by a snow covered tree limb rubbing against an electric wire. As we watched the tree burn we suddenly saw a bright flame shoot up into the sky and then a small explosion. For several hours afterwards we heard crews from the utility company working with chain saws.

First a plague stomach bug. Now a burning bush tree. What's next? A few horsemen?

Can I start this week over? Please.

A Boy in the Hospital (Late Edition Music Monday)

Hush little baby don't say a word
Mama's gonna buy you a mocking bird

I have a "set list" of songs I sing to babies. Occasionally I can sing them to my "big" 3 year old and she'll correct me if I don't go in the correct order.

Fais do do
Colas mon petit frere
Fais do do
t'auras du lolo.

Since Saturday night I've been at the big hospital for children in our capital city. While I thought I was taking him to the Emergency Department to rehydrate after hours of vomiting, by 1:00 AM he was being scanned multiple times for suspected appendicitis.

Christopher Robbin and I walked along
Under branches lit up by the moon
Posing our questions to Owl and Eyore
As the days disappeared all too soon

By 8:00 AM Sunday morning they literally couldn't find his appendix. "That's very common in skinny people" said a pediatric surgeon. "That's a good thing. It means it isn't big and infected" said a nurse.

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side?

There were several points during the night when he was scared. The worst was during the CT scan at 4:00 AM Sunday. I asked him, in front of a radiologist and two technicians, if I could sing to him. He shook his head "no" as tears streamed down his cheeks.

When we were back in our ED room and he had fallen back asleep, I crawled into the bed and held him. I sang quietly to him.

Love
I don't like to see so much pain
so much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away
I get so tired of working so hard for our survival
I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive

***

I wrote this on a piece of paper late last night after we were finally admited into the hospital for in-patient care. The hospital blocked access to all "social networking" sites. Apparently some teen patients were a bit mean on My Space.

However, we're home after nearly two days. He's not tolerating much more than saltine crackers but he still has his appendix.

Thanks to all of you who kept the music playing this week. I could see from emails that you were.

How I feel after all of you took time on Thursday to read...

thrilled.

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

What did you read?

Sometimes the best laid plans just don't happen.

I was all excited, have been for weeks, to cuddle up with a book after the kids went to bed. But then the unexpected happened.

Suddenly two boys became even more excited for research projects they had. There is no clear due date so it wasn't like we were rushing to finish it for today. But I could not stop, nor didn't want to, the drive for knowledge.

• Did you know that it takes nearly 29 1/2 year for Neptune to circle the sun?
• Or that Saturn has 20 known moons and there may be more?

And they kept working on their projects, using books (phew) and the NASA web site, until they fell over exhausted. I couldn't stop the passion. It was exciting, and tiring, to watch.

But instead of plopping in front of the computer to write a post, or visit some blogs, after they finally went to sleep, I plopped into bed to read. While only twenty minutes, it was twenty minutes inside a book.

So, what did you read?

Jodifur is reading both The Wonder Spot and I am America, So Can You

Mariposa's Tales has her "book report" submitted about Veronika Decides to Die

On Dragon Flies Wings read The Giver

Painted Maypole finished To Kill a Mocking Bird and started Jane Austen's Emma

not THAT different finished google sex mp3 britney+spears world+cup

Goofball's World is reading Jan Leyers' De weg naar Mekka (The Road to Mecca)

Bonnie's Books wrote about ALL the things she read yesterday including The Distinguished Guest

Rocking Chair Rumination read the newspaper from cover to cover

The Little Stuff of Life gave suggestions for children's books including The Little Prince

Cats....Books....Life is Good spent her lunch hour reading Bartimaeus' Ptolemy's Gate instead of blogs

A journey of 1000 stiches begins with just one talks about many books including those by my family's friend, Peter H. Reynolds.

Something to Say: About Life in the Netherlands writes about strongarming waiting patiently for her 14 year old son to finish the Philip Pullman books and enjoying art with her 4 year old son in I Spy Animals in Art.

I was asked what I read. Look below. I'll write about it when I finish. I learned my lesson not to disparage a book until I'm done. Although I'm a bit disheartened right now...

Reading today

I'm reading today instead of blogging.

City in Amber by Jay Atkinson

Please go read something not on the computer.
A book.
A magazine.
The newspaper.

Why?

Then come back here tomorrow to either tell about it or let me know if you wrote a post about it.

Going back to Vegas?

So now that I have revisited Vegas since 1992 I'm sure folks are wondering if I plan on joining Amazing Guy again for his annual trek to the Sin City.

Ehhhhhh...... probably not. Or at least I'll wait another 15 or so years.

It doesn't have anything to do with Amazing Guy and everything to do with the city. Or at least the Vegas strip. Specifically the gambling.

As I mentioned before, the sight in 1992 of seeing an elderly man in a wheelchair having his shaking arm lifted by another person so he could put a coin in a slot machine made me cry. On the spot. And spend the rest of the night alone in a hotel room.

The image from this trip were children. Children playing along the edge of slot machines as parents sat putting coins in. Children sitting on carpeted walkways behind parents' chairs pulled up to poker tables. They are images that still chokes me up. I don't want to see them again.

However, one extremely positive thing about any trip that doesn't involve my kids (sorry darlings) is I get to read on the plane. Read for hours - uninterrupted. I read The Lovely Bones from cover to cover on a flight to Phoenix several years ago.

The flight over to Las Vegas gave me the chance to finally, finally sink my teeth into The Devil in the White City about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. I am very sorry to have publicly doubted this book. The last 100+ pages flew by and was amazing in the true sense of the word. Did you know that the Chicago World's Fair inspired the look of Oz in the novel The Wizard of Oz? Did you know that shredded wheat was unveiled at the Fair? Walt Disney's father worked at the fair and Disney junior often cited stories about the fair as inspiration for a certain World he created years later.

And how did Chicago "out-Eiffel" the Paris World's Fair? Let's just say an engineer named Ferris won the design competition. The story of how his creation was built is breathtaking.

So, what are you reading for tomorrow's Day to Read? Be sure to come back on Friday and either leave a comment about what you read or write about it on your blog. I will list posts that celebrate reading.

So go forth tomorrow and read. A book. A newspaper. A magazine.

Valley of Fire in Nevada

Part of how Amazing Guy enticed me to come on his annual trip to Vegas was the chance to spend part of or all of one day on a photo tour of a Nevada desert.

To say I'd been looking forward to this part of the trip would be an understatement. I was practically salivating at the prospect of trasping through rocks and sand, photographing cacti, rocks and big skies. A friend came along although I think she came because AG was worried I would be lonely. How can I be lonely with my camera?

The tour guide, Chance, picked me and our friend up at 7:00 am. Now, does anyone else think of Abba's Take a Chance on Me at this point of the story? Chance didn't find my pop culture reference all that funny. Nor did he think the other couple's comment about taking a chance in Vegas was funny either.

After the 45+ minute drive down Interstate 15 we were in the Valley of Fire, a Nevada state park. I was shocked at how few people were there. It was an inspiring place. The valley is made of petrified sand dunes. There are ancient, Native American petroglyphs - carvings on the side of rocks.

So sit back, click the slide show below and enjoy the 60+ photos I'm particularly proud of. Out of the 400+ photos I took in about four hours. And if you sit through the entire thing you'll get a treat - the red snakeskin cowboy boots will make an appearance. With a certain person wearing them. Doesn't that entice you?

And you can see some of the photos even larger at Looking Into.

One last photo-related item - fair Brillig has nominated Jenn and my joint photo site - Looking Into - for a 2008 Bloggie Award. Go to http://2008.bloggies.com/ and nominate us!

Valley of Fire

Cover bands

So now that we've established that Amazing Guy and I spent our couple's get-away in Las Vegas, Nevada, I should tell you what we did. I didn't gamble. Not once. Amazing Guy did place a bet on a horse named Ms. Wonder Woman because I like the name but I want to emphasize that I did not place a bet nor asked him too. She also lost horribly. Only confirming why I don't bet.

We did see three cover bands in one night.

First was an Earth Wind and Fire tribute band which played covers of other bands as well. Both AG and I love Earth Wind and Fire. Their tune September being one of the best songs ever. Lately our sons have been playing a greatest hits CD as they go to sleep so we've been hearing a lot of good '70's horns and funk in the evening.

This cover band, called Showtime, was terrific and we became friendly with the keyboardist, Marvin. He apparently played in Rebbie Jackson's band (she of the famed Jackson family) and ended up in Vegas for her 6 month stint at the Venetian Hotel. He stayed and plays on the same stage Rebbie did.

Next was an awesome cover band at the same roof-top lounge where Prince played this fall. The lead singer wore a t-shirt over his long-sleeve button down shirt with the Penguin books logo (if you don't have a book for Thursday's Day to Read yet check out their site. They publish The Kite Runner, Eat Pray Love and The Adventures of Dr. Doolittle). One of the first songs the band played was The English Beat's cover of Smokey Robinson's Tears of a Clown (are you getting that - they did a cover of a cover).

So I'm happily bopping recalling high school drama club dances in my lounge seat - which was really a glorified ottoman - when suddenly a woman in high heels, black pants and a shiny strap shirt runs ups to me from behind, grabs my arm and takes me on the dance floor. She got her groove on and I had a good time as well. This scene repeated itself several times, me happily bopping only to be grabbed by this woman. My beloved husband and our friends found this entire situation very funny but never found the need to rescue me.

Later when we left she asked where I was from. I asked her the same and she said "Salt Lake City". Which, to be honest, struck me as the last place a dancing fool in a Vegas lounge dripping with booze would be from.

Clearly my face showed my shock because she added "Salt Lake isn't as frumpy as people say it is."

Then the final band (you tired yet?) was Purple Reign. Yes, a band devoted to all things and songs by the little purple one. And they took their tribute very, very seriously. There was no improvising. Every song was a spot on rendition. Which was fun, and a bit creepy.

Kinda like Vegas.

So, singing a song today? The folks below are. Let me know if you are (you've got to mention Music Monday - and me with a link back - in your post) and I will link to you.

Wholly Burble (and go wish her HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!)

A2eatwrite (who wrote about one of my favorite bands songs a broken heart)

Jenn in Holland (who is introducing us to a new blogger)

Flower Child (who writes about remakes, which isn't the same as covers. Huh? Go read her post)

SOS - Vegas, baby

Soap Opera Sunday is back, both here and at Brillig and Walking Kateastrophe's, the co-creators of the day for us to share sudsy tales.

Amazing Guy likes Vegas. Loves Vegas. Really, really loves Vegas.

I, not so much.

I have been to Vegas once in 1992. I was driving from Louisiana to Los Angeles in the early summer and my two traveling companions wanted to go to Vegas. I wanted to go see places featuring Native American culture.

I was outvoted.

The one night we spent in Vegas I walked into a huge room filled with slot machines. In front of me was an elderly man in a wheelchair, his arms shaking, as someone helped him lift his hand to place a coin in the slot of the flashing machine.

In tears I promptly turned around to run back to the hotel room and spent the entire night there. My entertainment was watching one of the walls move as some folks in the next room were engaged in some loud, wall-moving activities.

That was my one night in Vegas.

So in 2002 when Amazing Guy announced he wanted to go to Vegas on New Year's Day 2003 and stay for a few days for poker and drinking, I told him to have a good time. I didn't want to go, didn't need to go, and didn't need to know what happened there. Figured he would have his 2-3 days of Vegas and he would be happy for the year.

Of course when he left for the airport he set the alarm to ring when anyone walked in the house, not for when the door was opened. I set off the alarm at 4:30 am.

In 2004 I was five months pregnant with our daughter. Gambling Man Amazing Guy mistakenly took every single key for the house and cars to the airport with him. I got the call at 5:00 am that AG had given a cab driver $70, the keys and our address. I had visions of a cabbie trying to to extort more money from me. Of him not showing up for hours because he was making copies of the keys. Of him forcing his way into the house while the boys were sleeping upstairs.

None of that happened. He showed up within half an hour and was a perfect gentleman.

Then in 2005 I was two weeks into a new job. AG called from Vegas and I told him there was a huge snow storm coming. I suggested he cut short his trip. He ignored my suggestion.

The airport was closed for two days and he couldn't get on a flight for another two. He was gone an entire week.

Surprisingly the last two years' trips didn't involve house alarms, blizzards or house keys in cabs.

So one guess where we went for our couple's trip this past week.

Sing for the New Year

"You can help break the silence.
Talk about HIV and AIDS.
Let us use the universal language of music
to sing out our message around the world."

Nelson Mandela
former President of South Africa
former Political prisoner # 46664

Happy New Year. And please sing just like Annie Lennox does for those who cannot.

None of us are healthy if our neighbors are sick. None of us are strong if some are weak. We are not smart if some are denied an education. And none of us are wealthy if there is poverty.

Sing loud. Sing proud. Sing for all of us.

Who else is singing on this last day of the year?

Wholly Burble

Mariposa

Flower Child

Jenn in Holland

Jen in Michigan

I'll be out-of-town for a couple's get-away for the next few days. Amazing Guy's mom has flown up to stay with the kids. Carry on without me. I'll be back.

How I feel after the kids and I hung out yesterday with Alex Elliot and her family (including Big Giraffe)

Honored.

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

Funny feeling

Not in a "ha-ha" way. In a my-gut-feels-wrong way.

In early September, 2001, the radio reported that Ahmad Shah Massoud had been assassinated by two men posing as reporters. While I wasn't exactly current on Afghan's government ministers - I was the mother of one-year-old twins at the time - the way the news report talked about him made it seem like this wasn't just a "routine" murder.

He was killed on September 9, 2001. We all know what happened two days later.

According to Wikipedia:

"In April 2001, Nicole Fontaine invited Massoud to address the European Parliament. In his speech, he warned that the Taliban had connections with Al-Qaeda, and that an important terrorist attack was imminent. The US and European governments paid no attention to these warnings."

When I heard the conflicting news reports on the radio this morning about the attack on Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto I also said out loud "oh no" which lead to a flurry of questions from my now 7-year-old sons who I thought were listening to their new iPods.

I tried to explain that this woman played an important role in her country. That she was the first woman leader in a Muslim country and that she had only recently returned from exile to be part of politics again.

Benazir Bhutto, 54, did die on Thursday, December 27th from an attack at a rally. She sustained injuries from gun shots and a suicide bomb. She was a complicated and at times controversial leader and both times left the presidency under suspicion of corruption.

In spite of that I am incredibly sad the world lost a leader, and that Pakistan lost someone who was challenging the military regime. I also have a funny feeling that something is brewing.

I hope my gut is wrong.

Choices, choices

What will you be reading on
January 10, 2008?

I'm still slogging through The Devil in the White City. I am almost half-way through the 388 pages. The actual construction in Chicago of the first World's Fair in the United States is fascinating. They were desperately trying to "out-Eiffel the Eiffel Tower" and create a Fair that would top the previous one in Paris, which the famous Tower was built for. However, the concurrent story of the murders perpetuated by a man who may have been one of the first serial killers in the United States in the down the street from this World's Fair is giving me ulcers.

But I have before me the traditional stack of Christmas books that I received as presents. Every year we exchange books, especially among the adults. And it is taking all the will-power I possess to not tear into my pile.


One book I'm looking forward to reading is City in Amber by Jay Atkinson. He is a professor of writing at a local public college. The story is set in Lawrence, Massachusetts, a depressed former mill town that came into national prominence during the 1990's when a set of fires turned into an arson wave. Lawrence was once a shining example of a 19th century industrial city. The novel moves from 1848 to the 1990's.

A brief description of The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta struck me. It described how a high school health education teacher who believes in comprehensive sexual education is confronted and shamed by the local church which believes high school students should only learn about abstinence. It seems like a wonderful piece of fiction reflecting today's politics and inability to listen to each other, especially when faith is involved.

So, my hope is to be done with The Devil in the White City before Day to Read on January 10th. I think one of these books will be what I'm reading.

What books have you recently acquired? What is sitting in your to-be-read pile?

Santa in a Cadillac

My little brother took this picture of the most amazing baby ever. I'm signing off for a few days. Merry, merry everyone.

Well it's Christmastime pretty baby
The snow is fallin' on the ground
Yeah, it's Christmastime pretty baby
The snow is fallin' on the ground
[Blogger's note: he isn't flipping kidding on that point]

Well you be a real good little baby
Santa Claus is back in town

Got no sleigh with reindeer
No sack on my back
You gonna see me comin'
In a big black Cadillac

Santa Claus is Back in Town from Elvis' Christmas Album (released 50 years ago this year).

What everyone (including me) feels for Christmas...

EAGER!

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

The Paper Bag Princess

What will you be reading on
January 10, 2008?

Elizabeth was a beautiful princess.

She lived in a castle and had expensive princess clothes.

She was going to marry a prince named Ronald.

Unfortunately, a dragon smashed her castle, burned all her clothes with his fiery breath, and carried off Prince Ronald.

Elizabeth decided to chase the dragon and get Ronald back.

She looked everywhere for something to wear but the only thing she could find that was not burnt was a paper bag.

And so begins The Paper Bag Princess by Robert N. Munsch.

This is one of my favorite books to read to my kids. I discovered it when I was a schoolteacher in the early 1990's and think it would've been one of my favorites as a child if it had been published in the 1970's. While it has a princess, a prince and a mean dragon, the roles are switched and it is Princess Elizabeth who uses her smarts to outwit the dragon. Prince Ronald's response to it all is disappointing which leads to an ending that would make any feminist (or, if that word scares you, any person who cares that girls be strong and smart) proud.

My books as a young girl were by Richard Scary, P.D. Eastman, Beatrix Potter and Dr. Seuss. I loved Free to Be You and Me. Today I think I'm as excited as my kids to read Goodnight Gorilla, The Dot and any Olivia or Toot and Puddle book.

What books did you love to read as a young kid (before you were 7 years old)? Any chance you'll be reading it to someone on Day to Read on January 10, 2008?

I just love that people are repeatedly promoting Day to Read (that would be Jen, Jenn and Flower Child) and others are just talking about it without telling me. Both are o.k. I never meant for this to be a day to be about promoting SMID. It is about promoting reading.

Korie wrote a wonderful description of what it is like to have a book - a book you have fallen into - come to the last page. The Golden Compass was just such a book.

Now if you have been promoting Day to Read and you think I know and I haven't written about you, assume you need to tell me again. My brain is a sieve, we've got holiday happiness here in the house and I spent one night writing season's greetings to 200 state legislators instead of blogging. That seems to have set me back a month.

Am I the only one who expects kids to behave?

While my boys' birthday party was months ago, something still to this day really bothers me about the party. It was the behavior of one guest, a six year old boy. It still galls me.

Each boy got to bring two friends as his guest to the ballgame. Yes, it was going to be a blast to bring six first-graders to a minor league baseball game. Little lady has her own special guest. Grandpa.

So I was sitting next to one guy, we'll refer to him as P, for the entire first inning. The clouds opened up on us and rained out the game - prematurely ending the boys' birthday party and causing them not to have the entire ballpark sing "Happy Birthday" while they stood atop the dugout - but that is beside the point. I sat next to this kid I didn't know for over 30 minutes.

Now I know for a fact that if my kids are with an adult they don't know very well - pretty much anyone other than me or a close family member - they behave. They more than behave, they are angelic. I expected these friends of my sons, kids for the most part I didn't know, to be the same way.

Good goodness was I wrong.

"I want something to drink." Was the first thing P uttered within 3 minutes of sitting down.

"I'm hungry" 1 minute later.

"I'm thirsty" he said again about a minute later. I know. I looked at my watch.

Now I know this kid didn't have any health issues. I had asked his parents.

"I'm bored" a minute later. "I'm bored" a minute later.

P sat next to me and complained the entire time. The. Entire. Time.

After 1/2 an hour I turned to him and asked in a firm, low voice, bordering on a growl,

"Do you always complain?"

He looked a little frightened.

"Because you know what? Adults would be a lot nicer to you, and kids would probably play with you more, if you didn't complain

so

much."

He looked like I had strangled a kitten in front of his very eyes.

He shut up.

Funny thing, the boys are now in a different school and the boys have not once mentioned this kid.

Nor have we been called by him.

Couldn't agree more

For more Rob Rogers cartoons, visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Basketball has returned

On Saturday I coached the 3rd basketball game of the season. Me and ten first and second grade boys. For the first time I have an assistant coach who is wonderfully patient and fun. I gave a synopsis of nearly every game during last year's season. This is clearly the year where it "clicks" for the kids who have played a year or two. And for their coach as well.

I have thoroughly lucked out with my team and fellow coach. Sure I have some towering 2nd graders who can just pluck rebounds with little effort. I have kids who are so eager to hustle and shoot they fall over themselves, and a third of the opposing team, only to have the ball roll away.

But I have a boy on the team who is notorious in our town. A tiny guy who is a live wire. Other parents moan about how he won't listen and is easily distracted.

He shares a first and middle name with a folk hero. My sons' know the Johnny Cash song sung at Folsom Prison.

But I love this kid. My 3 1/2 year old daughter is almost as tall as him (more a statement of her height than his) so what he lacks in stature as a 2nd grader, he makes up in speed and sheer, brute strength.

We have to play games on only half of a court (don't ask me why several huge school gymnasiums are closed on weekends and we have to play in an elementary school that is over 100 years old). But this doesn't take away that little guy retrieves a rebound, starts dribbling down the court then at mid-court will toss the basketball with one arm toward the net. And a few times has gotten it in. The dads lined up against the wall just shake their heads in amazement.

So this past Saturday I made a point to tell our team powerhouse to actually pass the ball and to shoot closer to the basket. His dad overheard me and reiterated what I said (Thank you!).

And little man brilliantly passed the ball often during the game. So much so that the other players made baskets. He ended up with three assists by the end of the 30 minute game. His dad congratulated him profusely for being such a "team player" (again Thank you!).

I'm excited to have him on our team. He's a coach's dream.

At least this one's.

Well John Henry hammered in the mountain.
He'd give a grunt and he'd give a groan with every swing.
The women folks for miles around heard him and come down,
To watch him make the cold steel ring.
Lord what a swinger!
Just listen to that cold steel ring!


It's Monday so SMID must be writing about music (like how I got basketball back to a song?). Are you singing a song today? Flower Child is recalling favorite records and even shared some JD with us. Who? Go over to her site and find out.

And Jen in Michigan is bemoaning the quality of Hanukkah music (and she is in a position to moan about it). Wholly Burble is writing about a favorite Christmas song while Jenn in Holland is sharing an evening of gift and song with photographs!

Let me know if you are singing a song today as well and I'll link back to you.

How I feel after shoveling lots of snow with more to come this weekend....

Sore

For more Singular Saturdays go visit Jenn in Holland.

"she needs to get some Beastie tunes"

The following came from the December 3rd post at Mic to Mic, a site devoted to all things Beastie Boys. Seems my post about the Boys was discovered.

"Um, I'm sorry, what is your name?"

He gives me this big grin, as if saying that no one has said that to him in a long time.

"Adam Horovitz. I'm in the band."

Read A Soccer Mom in Denial's story of meeting the Beastie Boys in the early 90s. The story illustrates how special they are.

Posted by Hot Sauce.

Hot Sauce - thanks for finding me. And here are the six comments that this post generated (my replies are in italics).

6 comments:

Danielle said...
I have new respect for the band. I was unaware they donated to help the blockades and make the clinics safe. Operation Rescue was a terrorist group that murdered women and doctors. I will never forget their reign of terror. Bless the Beastie Boys!

And you too, Danielle, for understanding the reign of terror inflicted by those, ahem, "pro-life" activists.

Saber said...
she remembers eating pasta & soda but can't remember the conversation she had with the boys???

Sorry to disappoint Saber.

Hot Sauce said...
You don't forget good pasta.

That is right!

Brody said...
Awwww, I like confirmations they're nice guys!! :)

Awwww I'm glad to give you confirmation Brody.

Kevin said...
Nice story but she needs to get some Beastie tunes.

Alright Kevin, what are your top five Beastie tunes? Just five.

Todd said...
Nice story but kind of a bummer that she wasn't a huge fan. I still spaz out whenever I tell somebody about the time I shared a newspaper with Mike D. at the car wash.

Todd, I couldn't agree more that the experience I describe was a wasted opportunity on someone like me. Good thing you didn't notice in my article the signed concert wall sign I can't seem to find.

Sigh. Music fans. Aren't they adorable? I mean, who would be so rabid about a music band to write about them constantly?

I mean who would?

[Note to self - see if erasurefanatic is available somewhere for a blog name. It's not like I have another blog.]

When do you give up on a book?

January 10th, 2008

Really. I want to know.

I've heard the "give it 50 pages" rule. And for Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City, I'm already on page 66 but I haven't fallen into the book. And I want to. It is about late 19th century Chicago and the first World's Fair hosted in the United States. At the same time, the nation's first serial killer was trolling for victims in Chicago.

Juicy history which I usually love. I enjoy reading about significant events that have been forgotten but for some reason I can't get into this book.

Have you read this book? Did you like it? Should I keep at it?

Folks are still coming to Day to Read.

Katluvr is signed on and thinking of reading The Princess Bride. Why? I don't know.

Amy of the Sleepy Reader is signed on and bringing her three kids with her.

Wendy, a self-described "ravenous reader" (are there any others?) has a blog devoted to reading challenges.

Bonnie is also out there promoting Day to Read.

ZAM noted Day to Read to show that reading is one of her favorite things to do!

Melanie wrote about how she may start twitching if she doesn't blog a little on January 10th. Please read blogs! We don't want any withdrawls.

And the beloved (and very huggable) Ambassador in New Orleans reemerged from his blogging hiatus to speak eloquently about The Golden Compass controversy. He wonders if millions of little boys became entitled sexist pigs after reading about a young boy continually taking from a (female) tree in Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree. And he's pretty sure he wouldn't skip church after watching The Golden Compass the movie.


If I didn't mention you and you said you were "in", it is probably because I couldn't (quickly) find either what you wrote about reading or the button on your sidebar, or I completely spaced out and you need to remind me again. I will however list you if you don't have a blog but graciously leave your name.

Oh, and should I keep reading Larson's book? It did take me 150 pages to get into The Poisonwood Bible, which I loved.

Meet the newest member of our family

Sometimes my kids surprise and unnerve me, at the same time.

Part of my job is to go around the state to visit non-profit organizations that are committed to racial and economic justice. Last week I was in the Chinatown neighborhood of our capital city. I spent an hour with a community activist hearing about affordable housing, economic development and neighborhood history. It was an awesome tour. It would have been a bit more enjoyable if it wasn't a windy 20 degrees but the weather wasn't his fault.

My current shoulder bag/purse is made of, yes, red Chinese silk with gold dragons and flowers. My host nearly fell over when he first saw it. He explained the symbolism of the color red, dragons, roses and other images in Chinese culture.

At around the same time last week I was freezing walking around Chinatown, one of my sons went with his class to the school "holiday shop". A PTO fundraiser, nothing is terribly expensive and it sounds like the "high end" section was all priced at a dollar a piece with most items costing a quarter or fifty cents. The kids are encouraged to bring a couple of dollars from home to buy holiday presents for family members.

As I was picking the boys up from after-school care I was informed by the guy who did his shopping today that he had something for me for my birthday (which turned out to be huge cubic ziconias earrings - so cute!) and a present for his little sister. What should he pull out of his white plastic bag but a toy panda dressed in a red silk top.

I'm trying to get the kids to call her xióng māo which is panda in Chinese (it literally means "large bear cat"). It is pronounced "shee-ong mow" and a big thanks to Jenn formerly of China for patiently explaining, via email, how to pronounce panda.

And I'm still floored. Did he sense I was walking in Chinatown?

Which is sadder?

The following are actual email exchanges with my sons' first grade teachers

----- Original Message -----
From: Soccer Mom In Denial
To: Mrs. G, Ms. S
Date: Friday, November 30 2007 01:30 PM
Subject: could W and F's parents have conference on 12/14 in am?

Hi Mrs. G and Ms. S,

I'm writing for a favor. I was contacted by [room mother] to set up the parent teacher conference on 12/12 for F. She told me all the conferences were on the same day and that I may want to wait to see what times were available for W's so I could just be at school once and not multiple times.

I never heard from the other room parent and now can't be at the school during the remaining times.

I was wondering (hoping?) that [Amazing Guy] and I could come to the school on Friday 12/14 before the bell to meet with each of you - say 8:00-8:15 and 8:15-8:30. If that doesn't work, I understand.

And, again, I am mortified their homework was covered in peanut butter this week. Please accept my apologies and it won't happen again.

----- Original Message -----
From: Ms. S
To: Soccer Mom in Denial
Cc: Mrs. G
Date: Friday, November 30 2007 02:21 PM
Subject: Re: could W and F's parents have conference on 12/14 in am?

Hi SMID,
[Room parent] should have or should be contacting you soon, but the 14th works for me. I'll take the 8:00-8:15 if that's ok with Mrs. G??? No worries about the peanut butter it happens all the time! See you soon and have a great weekend!
Ms. S

----- Original Message -----
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:39:03 -0500 (EST)
From: Mrs. G
To: Ms. S
CC: Soccer Mom in Denial
Subject: Re: could W and F's parents have conference on 12/14 in am?

Hi SMID and Ms. S,
That works for me, too. Look forward to seeing you and your husband on the 14th at 8:15. I think it is great that you had F write an apology. That is a first for food on the homework! You are a good Mom!
Have a great weekend.
Mrs. G
----------------------------------------

Now which is sadder, that these first grade teachers often have homework turned in with food on it or there has never been an apology for food on the homework?

Either one is nasty.

Mamma Mia

Long before the musical, the Erasure covers or the vile of turd from Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, ABBA was a singing group that played on the car radio. Specifically the large station wagon my parents bought six weeks before the oil embargo of 1973.

I remember sitting in the back seat, my younger brother always on the left side directly behind my mother and I on the right, wearing lap belts that have the same buckles airplanes still have today. In the mid-1970's ABBA's Dancing Queen would come on the radio and my mom would start clapping and singing, bopping her perfectly coiffed head of hair to the music.

So while many folks associate ABBA with 1970's themed dance parties or the musical, whenever I hear them, I think of my mom driving a huge car, dancing to the music.

Happy Birthday to my mom. The original Mamma Mia!

And my mom shared a birthday with a dearly departed dog. Go read about her at Flower Child's windowbox. Then there is a fun movie soundtrack recalled by Wholly Burble (and a big welcome to her since this is her first Music Monday!). And Jenn in Michigan adds another terrific tale of tunes from her childhood.

The favorite thing about turning 39 years old TODAY is...

Frosting

The idea of Singular Saturday was created by Jenn in Holland.