- One of my all-time favorites, a must-read for parents or anyone who "compares and despairs"--Glennon Melton's "Quit Eating Your Avocado at Me": ""I am telling you that I decided right then and there that this mother was feeding her child avocados AT ME. And that also she had matched her child's clothes that morning AT ME. And also that she had likely disciplined her child effectively for years AT ME. And that as icing on her (likely homemade and gluten-free) cake she was enjoying a lovely, peaceful, well-planned, healthy lunch AT ME. I felt judged. I felt like her approach to parenting was maybe developed solely to shine a big old spotlight on my "not good enough" parenting. She was parenting AT ME, I tell you!"
- An argument for Zeus?? (NYT)
- On Jerusalem, the cookbook--I would love to read this (NYT)
- "I do not want my daughter to be nice" I see the point, but I think nice is still ok (NYT)
- A dark expose on assisted living (NYT)
- Beautiful (and not as creepy as it sounds)--a journalist live tweets his mother's last days (Buzzfeed)
- "Can Sewing Change Your Body Image?" (Guardian)
- A modern version of white women and their black cooks, more on Paula Deen (NYT)
- What your bed says about you--just make it! (Karen Maezen Miller)
- Changing definitions of cancer, esp DCIS (NYT)
- "Profiling Obama" navigating racism in America and Trayvon Martin verdict (NYT)
- A modern exploration of an 1852 article on the heat wave (NYT)
- "Hating on Fat People Just Makes Them Fatter" (NPR)
- The Guardian: 100 best non-fiction and 100 best fiction
- Full moon's effects on sleep (BBC)
- A touching missing twin story (NYT)
- On cento verse: a quilted poem on cancer (NYT)
- Another article on white women and black cooks (NYT)
- "I'm tired of reading to my son, OK?" (NYT)--esp if it was the Bearnstein Bears!
- Famous but misattributed quotes (Toni Bernhard)
- Exploring Islam with children (UU)--a good book recommendation
- Mormons, the Web, and doubt (NYT)
- On Trayvon Martin here and here (NYT op eds by Charles Blow)
- Arthur Miller on the heat of 1927 and another person on the heat wave of 1953 (NYT) and modern ways to beat the heat (Guardian)
- Alternatives for back pain--or not (NYT)
- Genes and weight (NYT)
- Living with debating death with dignity--a scholar's personal experience (NYT)
- Great PSA video "Am I Suspicious?" by Howard University students
- Jewish history in Rome (NYT)
- On a TED talk where a doctor asks forgiveness of fat patients he blamed (NYT)
- A controversial look at Teach for America
- How not to be intimidated in a doctor's office (Toni Bernhard)
- Brooks and Collins on being old (hilarious! NYT), responding to Oliver Sacks
- Don't let the kids stay up late! (BBC)
- American Births--so expensive! (NYT)
Thursday, August 22, 2013
More Links I Like
More great reads . . . .from July!
Familiarity Breeds Fondness?
Me: Do you want to go to Bud's kung fu performance or to the wedding?
Sis: Kung Fu.
Me (surprised): That's great, but can I ask why? I thought you might be tired of that.
Sis (also surprised): Because he's my brother.
Sis: Kung Fu.
Me (surprised): That's great, but can I ask why? I thought you might be tired of that.
Sis (also surprised): Because he's my brother.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Links I Like
Some things I've read that resonate . . . (yes, FB friends, these are the links I've shared there.)
- "3 Books Offer a Way to Cut the Cord" (NYT): "“This is not your computer — I know it has your name on it, but this is my computer (or your school’s computer). I’m your parent, and I reserve the right to see everything that’s going on there. You need to be on the computer in an open place. I have the right to know what your homework assignment is. You can’t be in your room with the door closed. You can’t take it to bed with you. You can’t collapse a screen when I walk by. We have a code of conduct and we expect you to stick with it: Don’t be mean, don’t lie, don’t embarrass other people, don’t pretend to be someone you’re not, don’t go places you’re not allowed to go. Don’t post pictures that Grandma wouldn’t love. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t approve of.” from The Big Disconnect by Catherine Steiner-Adair
- "What Should a 4 Year-Old Know?" Know they are loved, know they are safe, know they can color outside the lines, etc. A good list for all ages.
- "Always Go to the Funeral" (NPR): ""Most days, my real battle is doing good versus doing nothing."
- "For Whites (Like Me): On White Kids" (HuffPost): I really liked NutureShock for its discussion of the uselessness of general liberal responses to race such as "everyone is equal" and "we're all the same", mentioned in the article, but like that book was frustrated that the article gave no guidance just responded about "pat answers" being a cop out. I think they'd be a start, though, since as the article mentions white families have such trouble talking about race. We started talking about race directly right after I read NurtureShock, esp because the kids are bi-racial. But those conversations are hard because there's no guidance. I've come up with something along the lines of each person's race is very important to that person and it's important to respect that and learn more and realize how that changes how they experience the world, just like they are proud to be half Chinese and how being immigrants has affected their grandparents.
- "It Gets Better" on Momastery: On life after the last child starts school!
- "13 (Better) Questions to Ask Your Child About School": What was the best thing you did at school? What didn't you have at school today that you wished you had? Who did you sit near in class? in lunch? Whose locker is near yours? Etc etc etc
- "George Saunders's Advice to Graduates" (NYT): Kindness. It's all about kindness. And "failures of kindnesses."
- "How to Fall Forever into the Night Sky" (NPR): A new way to imagine our place in the universe.
- Frank Bruni on death with dignity (NYT)
- On doctors discriminating against people with mental illness
- On 500 new fairytales discovered in Germany (Guardian)
- Interesting history of abortion in American, including colonial times
- Fascinating profile of "The Weather God of Oklahoma" (NYT)
- Hundreds of artexhibition catologues available FREE online!
- "Addicted to Prayer" (NYT): benefits even for atheists!
- Interesting discussion of the legacy of Jaws (NYT)
- Book Love and finding the lost gems of childhood--"One Book in . . ." (NYT)
- Camping (lack of electric light) resets body clock (BBC)
- Toni Bernhard's "A Not-To-Do List for the Chronically Ill"
- High heels for kids? Ugh (NYT)
- ICU PTSD (NYT)
Summer Fun 2013: A Week of Playdates
Sis is a single child this week while her brother is at kung fu camp. And she's loving it!
But not with me.
While I had visions of lots of mother-daughter activities--crafts, baking, American Girl dolls, just hanging out--she had visions of playing with all of her friends. ALONE.
And so we've booked playdates for the whole week, here, one a day. Morning to afternoon, lunch included.
And while it's not what I had envisioned, I'm glad she's having a great time.
But not with me.
While I had visions of lots of mother-daughter activities--crafts, baking, American Girl dolls, just hanging out--she had visions of playing with all of her friends. ALONE.
And so we've booked playdates for the whole week, here, one a day. Morning to afternoon, lunch included.
And while it's not what I had envisioned, I'm glad she's having a great time.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Summer Fun: Queens of Weekends
What a weekend! It was our second annual "leave the kids in Queens while we take Manhattan" nano-honeymoon! Cooler than last year, the weekend was also lazier with fewer stops and plans. And it was lovely that way.
But we almost ended before we started because of something called "Summer Streets," whereby cyclists take over the Village and Park Avenue and many cross streets were closed. We could not get to either our hotel or first stop, the Merchant's House Museum. Very frustrating to drive around for what seemed like forever--most of the parking garages are on the side streets so there was nowhere to stop. Yes, yes, I'm sure it's great that the cyclists get the streets--but with no announcements on the traffic radio and with the cops uncertain where all the blockades were (they didn't even know why the streets were closed!!), it was a little difficult. We eventually parked somewhere near enough to our hotel and managed to get the bags there, where they would hold them while we made our first outing to the Merchant's House Museum, via the subway. Look, beavers at the Astor St station! Maybe the Astors were fur traders long, long ago?
The Merchant's House Museum, built in 1832, is the only family home preserved intact from the nineteenth century in NYC. And it's a jewel--4 stories right out of The Heiress/Washington Square, complete with kitchen and family room in the "garden apartment"/below street space, formal first floor with two parlors separated by pocket doors, bedrooms on the second floor, and then the only existing Irish home from 19th-century NYC where the servants lived on the fourth floor (current museum staff on third)! With sparse visitors, unobtrusive staff, a big binder of information, most of the original furnishings (it became a museum right after the youngest daughter of the family died, aged 93, in 1933!), and natural lighting, you really could immerse yourself in the place and imagine the time. Though, going from basement to fourth floor was a haul--those poor Irish girls! We also liked the little garden in the backyard. I would highly recommend this to all, both jaded NY inhabitants, seen-it-all regulars, and newbie tourists.
Interestingly, the hotel is two brownstones, linked, almost exactly of the same floorplan as the Mercant's House, with similar mirrors between the windows on opposite end of the formal parlors, the elaborate moldings on walls and above chandeliers, and elaborate mantles.
But we almost ended before we started because of something called "Summer Streets," whereby cyclists take over the Village and Park Avenue and many cross streets were closed. We could not get to either our hotel or first stop, the Merchant's House Museum. Very frustrating to drive around for what seemed like forever--most of the parking garages are on the side streets so there was nowhere to stop. Yes, yes, I'm sure it's great that the cyclists get the streets--but with no announcements on the traffic radio and with the cops uncertain where all the blockades were (they didn't even know why the streets were closed!!), it was a little difficult. We eventually parked somewhere near enough to our hotel and managed to get the bags there, where they would hold them while we made our first outing to the Merchant's House Museum, via the subway. Look, beavers at the Astor St station! Maybe the Astors were fur traders long, long ago?
 |
| Beaver tile in Astor Pl subway--for you, Pop |
The Merchant's House Museum, built in 1832, is the only family home preserved intact from the nineteenth century in NYC. And it's a jewel--4 stories right out of The Heiress/Washington Square, complete with kitchen and family room in the "garden apartment"/below street space, formal first floor with two parlors separated by pocket doors, bedrooms on the second floor, and then the only existing Irish home from 19th-century NYC where the servants lived on the fourth floor (current museum staff on third)! With sparse visitors, unobtrusive staff, a big binder of information, most of the original furnishings (it became a museum right after the youngest daughter of the family died, aged 93, in 1933!), and natural lighting, you really could immerse yourself in the place and imagine the time. Though, going from basement to fourth floor was a haul--those poor Irish girls! We also liked the little garden in the backyard. I would highly recommend this to all, both jaded NY inhabitants, seen-it-all regulars, and newbie tourists.
 |
| The garden at the Merchant's House Museum, a highlight |
This is our hotel, same one as last year, on Irving Place. It's an indulgence, for sure, but we love the Victorian richness and the location.
 |
| Where we stayed |
 |
| Fresh flowers everywhere |
 |
| Our room, rich Victorian decor, especially the wallpaper |
We headed out to the Greenmarket in Union Square to peruse the produce and farm products, coming across a few Connecticut "neighbors"--the cheese guy from Colchester and the garlic lady from Shelton! We sampled goat cheeses and jams, pickles and chutneys. In the end, we cobbled together a wonderful market lunch--farmer's bread, a honey lavender goat cheese, roasted garlic spread, plum chutney, triple fruit marmalade, another goat cheese, two aged Welsh cheeses (a Vivace and a Boomsday??), a slice of mazurka cake, and cups of mint lemonade and mint tea with maple syrup (Mama also got some jerky and sausages for another time.) Of course, we didn't finish it all, but it was a lovely meal. I also picked up some lovely merino in variegated pink.
 |
| A butterfly proving the worth of butterfly bushes, at the Greenmarket in Union Square |
 |
| Gandhi and sunflowers |
 |
| Dozens of chess players set up in the Square (Bud would love to play) |
After an afternoon nap, we headed out again at dusk to do some shopping. Mama replaced her worn out Doc Martens and then we wiled away the evening at Forbidden Planet and Strand Books. It's hard not to buy more books than we can carry! Especially now that we buy kids' books, too. A late dinner was falafel and fixings at Maoz's. Yes, a lot like last year.
Sleeping in. The Sunday NYTimes. A pot of Marbury Rose tea. Chocolate scones. Almond scones. Fresh fruit. A lazy stroll around the neighborhood. Dark chocolate granita. A wonderful, slow Sunday morning in the city.
On our way out of Manhattan after noon checkout to get the kids in the Rockaways, we drove around the Village a bit now that the roads were open. We located my old office on 13th between 5th and 6th (it housed the museum staff before the museum building opened.) And serendipitously came across famous Brit teashop Tea and Sympathy! I've always wanted to take Mama there, having been once myself, but we never seemed to be in the right place at the right time. And we even got a parking space! We weren't ready to sit for tea but went into the shop next door, where we spoke at length with Sean, husband of T&S founder Nicola Perry (whose portrait, Lambeth, was recently at your NPG.) He told several jokes--about Texas, his wife, and even alluded to something funny surrounding the Dalai Lama--and was very friendly. We bought two kinds of tea, Garibaldis, pickled onions, wine gummies, and a copy of their cookbook. While I waited to pay, Mama nipped next door and ordered us some fish and chips at their companion store, A Salt and Battery. Hmmmmm! With extra vinegar on the "chips." Mama also got some mushy peas, a few pies, and who knows what else. She wanted to get a "chip butty," or french fry sandwich, for Sis, but we didn't imagine it would keep. We'll have to take them there, especially because we're very seriously considering a trip across the pond within the next year (what do you think, Lambeth?) to see the Harry Potter studios, London, and of course Lambeth.
After polishing off our lunch, we headed, late, off to Queens, past the construction of the new World Trade Center tower and then under the Verrazano Bridge and past the cannons in the area (Fort Hamilton.) The kids had an equally wonderfully time with Ma and Gong--Chinese soup bun lunch, the beach, watching the movie Spaceballs not once but twice, a fancy homecooked seafood dinner with prawns and lobster (and chicken for Sis), pancake breakfast made to order by Goo, dim sum, and even ice cream from the truck twice!
We sure know how to have a fun weekend!
 |
| World Trade Center/Freedom Tower, but with ominous cloud |
 |
| Driving under the Verrazano on the way to fetch the kiddos |
Friday, August 16, 2013
Summer Fun 2013: A Week to Go
With about a week of summer to go, I've been reviewing and updating my list of summer activities. We haven't done as many as I expected, probably because of the trips--Philly, Texas, NYC, camp if that counts--and, more than that, reading five Harry Potter books in July. Still, it's been a good summer and they've had a lot of fun doing whatever they liked, which oftentimes was not on my list!
Activity-kit-a day: Make a snow globeWell, not exactly, but Sculpey came to the rescue and the kiddos made bunny and penguin snow globes.- Activity-kit-a day: Make your own birdhouse.
- Activity-kit-a day: spin art
- Activity-kit-a day: My first Chemistry set
Activity-kit-a day: Magic Science kitWhat a mess mixing water, oil, citric acid, baking soda, and red cabbage dye!- Activity-kit-a day: Make a stepping stone
- Activity-kit-a day: Etch a tag engraver set
Activity-kit-a day: Pottery kitNo way a kid can make the pots pictured on the box. Kinda discouraging.- Activity-kit-a day: Potato Clock Bud is really excited about this one. I just have to remember to buy the potatoes.
- Activity-kit-a day: Mandala maker
Activity-kit-a day: Lava Volcano kitThe mold of the volcano worked, but the explosion didn't. All the blood red liquid just leaked out the bottom no matter what we did. The instructions needed pictures.- Activity-kit-a day: Disgusting Science kit
- Activity-kit-a day: tie-dye kit We haven't done our kit, but we did tie dye at the family picnic and at camp. Love to tie dye!
Activity-kit-a day: Eco crafts kitWhen we opened this again, we realized Sis had done all the interesting parts.Activity-kit-a day: Sound studio kitSome kits just aren't what you think they'll be.Activity-kit-a day: drawing kitDitto.- Activity-kit-a day: light kit
- Activity-kit-a day: Sun prints kit This is the one I've been waiting to do.
- Activity-kit-a day: friendship bracelets Sis has done some at camp, but we still have the kit.
- Activity-kit-a-day: thread art
- Activity-kit-a-day: pom pon bunny
Host a sleepover with friends. I'm going to count the sleepovers with Gommie and Pop and Ma and Gong.Join swimming pool.Well, more like we've been mooching off friends, like Mrs. S and Miss K!Start Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Yep, started on June 30. Finished July 1. And now they're reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.- Make ice cream in a roly ball.
- Have a no-electricity day.
- Have a backwards day.
Have a pajama day.We've done this a lot now, but I'm not sure it gets old.- Paint like Jackson Pollock.
Help at historic house.They helped prep for a program and even posed for publicity shots! Then Sis helped out at the event.Work on woven placemats on loom. Does weaving potholders count??- Learn how to clean bathrooms.
Learn how to weed garden.Well, Sis has, anyway.Practice scooping litter boxes.Yep, they don't like it. And with stuff I've recently read about certain bacteria in some cat feces causing schizophrenia, I think I'll be doing the litter boxes.- Play putt-putt golf.
Sort and donate books.We gave 6 bags and boxes away to Read to Grow. And that's just the kids' books.- Go strawberry picking. Nope
- Go blueberry picking. Nope
- Make jam. Nope
Purge and donate toys in basement.It's a process. But we've started.- Visit Miss S.
- Write to a pen pal.
- Organize school papers.
Go see a movie in a theater. With Gommie, Monsters U.- Go to one library event.
- Make popsicles.
- Have an astronomy night. We tried. Meteors didn't cooperate.
- Have a lemonade stand.
- Host a Luau/Hawaii party.
- Build fairy houses.
- Scrapbook.
Make brandied fruit a la Bloodroot.I started this before our summer, technically. But we've added to it and also stirred it everyday.Go on a sketching outing. At Aunt Sis's!Celebrate July 4th. With fireworks and a crawfish boil!Celebrate Solstice.The kids celebrated Solstice on their last day of school by staying up as late as they could; they even put on a performance of Grease for us at 9 p.m.!Celebrate Mama's birthday.We ate rainbow cake and played a Lego game.- Make ice cube candles.
Host a culture night.Hogwarts culture? We made Butterbeer!- Make fudge.
- Go to concert in the park.
- Visit a new museum.
- Hang pictures.
- Make treats for animal shelter.
Bonus:
Go fishing. At the bay!
- make soap
- go to a local festival
- do 1000 piece puzzle
have a backyard weenie/s'mores roastWell, sorta. We had a playdate with a friend and hosted a hot-dog supper. And we made s'mores at the family picnic.- make a family songbook I'm working on a GS one..
- have a kids-in-charge day
have a no-cooking day. Otherwise known as, "pie for dinner" when it's too hot out. We shared a small apple and a small cherry.- have an all-outside day Would camp count?
and did I mention go to Texas?!Yep!
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Summer Fun 2013: Camp Finale
I just love camp.
Hearing "Princess Pat" sung by young campers as the late-day sun sparkles through the tree cover just brings me a lot of joy and peace. I could almost smell the s'mores.
Blackout 2003
I can't believe it's the tenth anniversary of the Blackout.
Ten years ago today, I had been in my office near Union Square when the power went out. So I walked down the two flights, having been sent home by the director. I thought it was just a local outage and was surprised to see that the subway was closed and the shops' lights were out. I pulled out my cellphone and dialed Mama, the one time we connected--her power was out, too. So we agreed on our previously-arranged emergency plan (this wasn't long after September 11, after all): meet at Bryant Park and then we'd go to the Algonquin.
I made the long trek from downtown to 42nd Street on what was a very hot day. People were pouring out of their offices; traffic was at a complete standstill. Rumors flew. Some enterprising shops had closed up but were selling bottled water--$4 a bottle!--on the streets. I think I got one. Soon one of those loud radio vans snaked by on 6th, blaring that the power outage was all over the Northeast and not due to any clear terrorist attack.
When I finally made it to Bryant Park, I was not the only one. One oversight in our plan--we hadn't said where in the park to meet, because, usually, there aren't so many people there. But there were thousands. I circled. I learned later that Mama circled. I even stood in line for a pay phone and tried to call her twice, but by then the circuits were completely shut down.
I decided to head over to the Algonquin and immediately went to the front desk, where I stood in line behind a very grumpy woman who didn't get a room. When I politely inquired, however, they took my name and credit card number and put me on the waiting list. I then headed to the line for the basement bathroom--they'd give you the flashlight one at a time to go. When I got back upstairs and stood outside, Mama crossed the street. I was so happy that our plan had worked!
Eventually, we went back to the desk and got our room key. I think it was 6th floor. High, but not like the Marriott or other area hotels that we heard later had to evacuate all guests for fire safety in such high rises. We were so happy to have a space with beds and a bathroom, even if there was no air conditioning, lights, or hot water.
We ventured out later to look for some food and to see what was going on. It was like a giant party--people walking down the streets, more people than you ever see milling about, but very oddly unlit as dusk settled. A line for the brick oven pizza place snaked around the corner (and with people buying 10 at a time, we knew we'd never get pizza.) We found a corner store that was letting people in a few at a time to shop by flashlight, as long as you had cash (which we did, another part of our emergency plan.) I think we dined on Doritos and candy bars and who knows what else that night. And were happy to have it.
If memory serves, we slept well enough, after cold showers, and woke to lights on the next morning. Outside, the city looked like Mardi Gras had hit--people asleep on the sidewalks, garbage everywhere, and the smell of urine pervasive (the one public bathroom, in Bryant Park, had closed almost immediately out of safety concerns--I had tried there before the Algonquin.) It took awhile for the trains to start running out of GCT and we didn't get home until later afternoon. Our house alarm had sounded when the power went out--we're told it was only out for an hour or so. But it was too long for our cat, Morgan, who didn't understand the noise or why we didn't come home to feed him--he'd thrown up twice overnight.
All in all, it was a fun adventure, once we knew it wasn't terrorism. And to this day, we're grateful to the Algonquin for letting us in.
Ten years ago today, I had been in my office near Union Square when the power went out. So I walked down the two flights, having been sent home by the director. I thought it was just a local outage and was surprised to see that the subway was closed and the shops' lights were out. I pulled out my cellphone and dialed Mama, the one time we connected--her power was out, too. So we agreed on our previously-arranged emergency plan (this wasn't long after September 11, after all): meet at Bryant Park and then we'd go to the Algonquin.
I made the long trek from downtown to 42nd Street on what was a very hot day. People were pouring out of their offices; traffic was at a complete standstill. Rumors flew. Some enterprising shops had closed up but were selling bottled water--$4 a bottle!--on the streets. I think I got one. Soon one of those loud radio vans snaked by on 6th, blaring that the power outage was all over the Northeast and not due to any clear terrorist attack.
When I finally made it to Bryant Park, I was not the only one. One oversight in our plan--we hadn't said where in the park to meet, because, usually, there aren't so many people there. But there were thousands. I circled. I learned later that Mama circled. I even stood in line for a pay phone and tried to call her twice, but by then the circuits were completely shut down.
I decided to head over to the Algonquin and immediately went to the front desk, where I stood in line behind a very grumpy woman who didn't get a room. When I politely inquired, however, they took my name and credit card number and put me on the waiting list. I then headed to the line for the basement bathroom--they'd give you the flashlight one at a time to go. When I got back upstairs and stood outside, Mama crossed the street. I was so happy that our plan had worked!
Eventually, we went back to the desk and got our room key. I think it was 6th floor. High, but not like the Marriott or other area hotels that we heard later had to evacuate all guests for fire safety in such high rises. We were so happy to have a space with beds and a bathroom, even if there was no air conditioning, lights, or hot water.
We ventured out later to look for some food and to see what was going on. It was like a giant party--people walking down the streets, more people than you ever see milling about, but very oddly unlit as dusk settled. A line for the brick oven pizza place snaked around the corner (and with people buying 10 at a time, we knew we'd never get pizza.) We found a corner store that was letting people in a few at a time to shop by flashlight, as long as you had cash (which we did, another part of our emergency plan.) I think we dined on Doritos and candy bars and who knows what else that night. And were happy to have it.
If memory serves, we slept well enough, after cold showers, and woke to lights on the next morning. Outside, the city looked like Mardi Gras had hit--people asleep on the sidewalks, garbage everywhere, and the smell of urine pervasive (the one public bathroom, in Bryant Park, had closed almost immediately out of safety concerns--I had tried there before the Algonquin.) It took awhile for the trains to start running out of GCT and we didn't get home until later afternoon. Our house alarm had sounded when the power went out--we're told it was only out for an hour or so. But it was too long for our cat, Morgan, who didn't understand the noise or why we didn't come home to feed him--he'd thrown up twice overnight.
All in all, it was a fun adventure, once we knew it wasn't terrorism. And to this day, we're grateful to the Algonquin for letting us in.
Summer Fun 2013: Cold Day for a Swim
With morning lows around 60 and a steady breeze at 15 mph, I wasn't sure we were actually going to swim at our pool playdate today. But kids are hardy and that's exactly what they did--swim and swim, between breaks out of the water wrapped in towels to warm up. Thanks so much, girls and Mrs. S, for having us over for swimming and lunch. We all had a wonderful time!
-=-=-=-=-=-
M&M Cookie Bars
2 1/8 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
12 Tbsp butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted and cooled slightly
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 tsps vanilla extract
1 12oz bag M&M's, divided
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Adjust the oven rack to lower-middle position. Grease a 9x13 pan and set aside.
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugars until combined. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until just combined; do not overmix. Fold in 1 cup of M&M's and turn the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the spatula. Sprinkle remaining M&M's on top and press in slightly.
Bake 25-30 minutes, until the top of the bars is light golden brown, slightly firm to the touch, and edges start pulling away from sides of pan. Cool completely before cutting.
from What Megan's Making
-=-=-=-=-=-
M&M Cookie Bars
2 1/8 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
12 Tbsp butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted and cooled slightly
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 tsps vanilla extract
1 12oz bag M&M's, divided
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Adjust the oven rack to lower-middle position. Grease a 9x13 pan and set aside.
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugars until combined. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until just combined; do not overmix. Fold in 1 cup of M&M's and turn the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the spatula. Sprinkle remaining M&M's on top and press in slightly.
Bake 25-30 minutes, until the top of the bars is light golden brown, slightly firm to the touch, and edges start pulling away from sides of pan. Cool completely before cutting.
from What Megan's Making
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Summer Fun 2013: Reading the End, Again
Bud has finished the last Harry Potter book today!
It's amazing that they both read close to 3,000 pages in the last month.
No wonder we haven't gotten much else done on our Summer Fun list this year!
Now, to see the last four movies (we watched Goblet of Fire on Sunday, my least favorite because of Cedric Diggory's father's keening at his son's death.)
And, less fun, write up their summer book reports. At least they have plenty to choose from.
It's amazing that they both read close to 3,000 pages in the last month.
No wonder we haven't gotten much else done on our Summer Fun list this year!
Now, to see the last four movies (we watched Goblet of Fire on Sunday, my least favorite because of Cedric Diggory's father's keening at his son's death.)
And, less fun, write up their summer book reports. At least they have plenty to choose from.
Experiment Conclusions
I've been on FB for one year, having started when Mama had her surgery last August so that I could be in touch more easily and quickly with more friends and family. It's been an intriguing year.
Here are some things I've learned:
Here are some things I've learned:
- FB is a lot like sitting at the popular kids' table in junior high. If you aren't on FB, you are missing out on social information that circulates there--who's sick, who broke an arm, who is on vacation, who is selling a piano--information that you otherwise might not get. Or you'd get it too late. Because everyone assumes you saw it on FB. You also are kept abreast of current cultural memes and jokes--"Hey Girl," Grumpy Cat, those e-cards, anything by George Takkei. I have found I like to be in the loop.
- People post a lot of personal information. I have, too. I realize, though, that there is no expectation of privacy and anything I post becomes public knowledge. Though, I kid myself that using the kiddos' initials and never tagging them in photos will protect them down the line.
- In many ways, people show their compassion and humanity--supporting cancer survivors, helping to look for lost puppies, sharing Autism updates--but I wonder if that's all we do? If we are lulled into a false sense of having done something through posting or liking on FB, we really haven't contributed much--and yes, I very much indict myself there. FB doesn't let us off the civic responsibility or social justice hook. Does it really matter if you "like" those things, especially when I have read how often those aren't real cancer survivors or "beautiful kids" just ad companies trolling for likes so they can sell them to other companies? Didn't you wonder why the source of the child with Down Syndrome was "Watch My Weight" or "Ads for Less?" But my FB newsfeed is a beautiful, calm, loving place full of supportive people who care about the issues I care about--but how are we creating that IRL? (That's "in real life.") I worry about the disconnect.
- While there are a lot of political posts, there is almost no real dialogue or conversation on issues. Except of course with the people who pretty much agree with you. Or really don't, at which point they drive you batty (and vice versa, I'm sure.) What can you expect from a "like" or sound-bite format? It is reassuring, though, to engage with and see the pet issues of my liberal friends online and shocking to find out which of my friends are not (there are even some Bush lovers in the mix! GASP. There are things I've learned on FB that I didn't want to know.)
- I wanted more give and take. I'm often without adult company for long stretches of time, especially not that Mama works late several days a week. I'm not a phone talker much of the time and few of my friends are emailers. I don't text, finding it worse than FB for meaningful exchanges--it's like a digital answering machine that demands constant attention. Anyway, I do like to exchange ideas based on current events and essays I'd read. So I started posting my links to FB, like I sometimes do here (which is funny, in a sad way, because my best correspondents are here on this blog and not on FB!!)--like op-eds on Trayvon Martin or Russian anti-LGBT policies and the Olympics including Stephen Fry's call for a boycott or something on Roman forts uncovered in Wales because of drought or discrimination against people with mental illness by medical doctors--and no one engages. Sometimes they don't even "like" it, or they post an agreement; rarely has it gone beyond that. Granted, I don't always post it with my own take, probably should, right from the get-go. I think I was looking for intellectual engagement; that was naive. But it compounded my isolation because I'd put these things out there and not hear back--I even posted that I was unplugging FB for awhile and no one commented. The opposite of sitting at the popular table, more like being a wallflower at the dance.
- I spent an incredible amount of time on FB, looking for said interaction, liking things and posting on people's status updates, even looking for neat things to include on my own status update. The interaction--the approval!--was there, sometimes, and really who doesn't like a lot of comments? But the time-reward ratio was skewed. And I realized that's a little desperate and lonely, even for FB.
My conclusions:
- I'm going to stay on FB. I like to be in the loop locally and culturally and this is the dominant and socially-acceptable way to do it in real time.
- I no longer like cancer survivors or beautiful children unless the source of the page is clearly "real" and not an ad company.
- I'll probably do even fewer posts with pictures of the kids.
- I've taken FB off my phone so I can't aimlessly check updates and post things. I can check my account 2-3 times a day when I'm on a "real" computer. That's more than enough to satisfy the above.
- I will look for other paths to intellectual engagement and personal interactions and not the superficial quick-fix of FB. I will try yet other ways to connect with people to discuss issues and events regularly. Maybe even in person! People still do that, right? (Of course, the irony of posting this on a blog doesn't escape me. Especially because my blog readers are the ones who email or call me up for coffee!! Maybe the answer is staring me in the face.)
Monday, August 12, 2013
Summer Fun 2013: Reading the End
Sis has finished all seven Harry Potter books! That's 3,363 pages, the majority of which she read in July. Wow! We are so proud of her reading ability, her persistence, and her interest. Sure, I'm sure there are things she didn't understand, but she is absolutely enthralled by the stories and the world. The deaths affected her less than I suspected; maybe that's why fairytales are for kids--they just see them differently. She's even already started re-reading them, beginning with book 2, I think. And she and Bud were building HP sets for their own original Lego Harry Potter movie. I love that their imaginations are running with it. Still, I think it's a bittersweet thing to have finished the whole set--it's never like the first time. But maybe kids see that differently, too.
Summer Fun 2013: King of Weekends
This weekend, we went to NYC.
Saturday:
 |
| "My little-town blues are melting away." |
 |
| We stayed on the 42nd floor of the kids' favorite hotel. |
 |
| We were in town to see The Lion King, the kids' first Broadway show. It was wonderful! Sis liked Rafiki, Bud liked Zazu. And they "stage doored" afterwards and got autographs of young Simba, young Nala, Mufasa, Zazu, and others. |
 |
| Sunset over NJ and the Hudson River. |
 |
| Here you can see Sis and Mama under the awning of Virgil's, where we got BBQ takeout for dinner. |
 |
| There is a special AG package at the hotel. Felicity got her own bed that she also got to take home. |
 |
| After sunset, we roamed Times Square, perhaps the most crowded I've ever seen it. And remember, I lived there--19 years ago! |
 |
| The M&M store and the Hershey store are their favorites. |
 | ||||||||
| I liked our late-night Junior's snack--Devil's Food Cheesecake, Strawberry Shortbread, poundcake, and Egg Creams!
Sunday:
  
 He also does several of his own sculptures, often with empty cavities, like this one. Amazing and inspiring.
|
Friday, August 9, 2013
Writing the End
During my daily perusal of the NYTimes (and BBC online and the Guardian), I came across a wonderful article on a woman, Jane Lotter, who had written her own obituary, which has now been published (she died of endometrial cancer) and has been making the online rounds. And then I read the full obituary in the Seattle Times. It's worth a read, not only for her direct words and tender sentiments, but also because I invariably started wondering what mine would say.
I think it's an interesting exercise to consider or actually write your own obituary. I'm pretty sure very few people would say they were proud of keeping their houses clean. Some things I might say, a la Lotter:
Okay, not too bad for a first draft! But it would be expensive. Good thing blogs are free.
Let's hope we don't need this for a very long time.
I think it's an interesting exercise to consider or actually write your own obituary. I'm pretty sure very few people would say they were proud of keeping their houses clean. Some things I might say, a la Lotter:
I was born in a small Texas town and, though I don't really remember it, lived in 7 places before my folks settled in suburban Houston. While I'm glad to have spent my adult years north of the Mason-Dixon line in more liberal and urban parts of the country, I am proud to be a fifth-generation Texan of Irish, Scottish, English, French, and German descendant.
Loving school, which is good because I went for a long time, I am proud of a variety of academic achievements, including my 5th-grade Citizenship award, my 8th-grade Service award, my 4.something GPA, going on the archaeological dig in Tunisia, Phi Beta Kappa, passing my Orals with distinction, and being chosen to give a "Frick talk." (And while it wasn't academic, my time as a camp counselor for children with special needs.)
Oddly, finishing my Ph.D. in art history was not as much of a pride thing as a chore. I'd say I'm sorry I spent the time on it, but it took me some great places--friends, colleagues, behind-the-scenes in art museums, knowledge, travel, and, best of all, Mama, whom I met while I was in grad school in NYC. I didn't know it when I met her (she swears she did, but that's a long story that changes with the season), but we would fall in love. And what a love it has been! Mama, I love you so much and am so proud of you and am so grateful for the family and life we've made together. Sis and Bud, you are the lights of our lives. I am so proud of both of you and cherish all our days together (even the ones when there was yelling.) I love you all to the moon and back. Always, just like Snape said. I wish I had some inspiring words--love and help one another and yourselves. (There should be more here about them, but I leave it at that for now. I can't fathom how to sum it all up in words.) For more, read my blog and remember our times together and in that way we're together again.
I like reading, baking, reading about baking, crocheting, volunteering (especially Girl Scouts, hospice, and the historic house), art museums and living history museums, costumes, Ren Faires, eating out, and blogging. I think I'm pretty funny (but like Lotter notes, it's hard to get that across in an obit), often either dry or dirty.
Two things I can say I'm sorry about: all the time I spent hating myself for my weight and judging the state of our house. And never learning another language, though that's not quite in the same category. We all will have regrets, though, and these aren't hard ones. I wish sometimes I'd been more sensitive or attentive in some of my relationships; I'm sorry for the times I wasn't.
Opposite of regret is gratitude. I am grateful for Mama, Sis, and Bud. Also for my parents, who have loved, accepted, supported, and been proud of me; and my sister, who has put up with a lot from me, and her family; all my extended family and friends. Thank you. Also, for chocolate, cats, rainbows, groundhogs, bunnies, penguins, snow, roses, the scent of baking bread, Christmas lights, fall leaves, the first snowdrops, boat rides, meteor showers, singing, poetry, the Indigo Girls, and New York City, among so many others. I am especially grateful for my late-in-life conversion to Unitarian Universalism as well as the four Noble Truths of Buddhism, which have given me a much deeper understanding and connection to this good life that is so hard to leave. I like to think that we are all connected somehow, but how that all works is an unknown mystery, that perhaps I know more about now. Love, Mommy Hungry
Okay, not too bad for a first draft! But it would be expensive. Good thing blogs are free.
Let's hope we don't need this for a very long time.
Thoughts and Prayers
Thinking of the pilot and children on the ground killed in East Haven, CT, when a small plane crashed. And their families, friends, and communities.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Summer Fun 2013: The End is Nigh
Sis has started the final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, today.
Babysitter and I tried to warn her that once she'd read them all the first time, the journey would be over and re-reading isn't quite the same. But of course, didn't all of us Potterheads rush through the last one? I'll admit to reading the last chapters first because I needed to know a.) if Harry lived/won and b.) which side Snape was on. It didn't ruin the book for me to know; I think it actually made it more enjoyable. I could let go of the stress and obsession about the ending and enjoy the whole book.
Well, except the Hedwig-Dobby-Fred-Lupin-Tonks-Colin Creevey-Snape death parts.
Babysitter and I tried to warn her that once she'd read them all the first time, the journey would be over and re-reading isn't quite the same. But of course, didn't all of us Potterheads rush through the last one? I'll admit to reading the last chapters first because I needed to know a.) if Harry lived/won and b.) which side Snape was on. It didn't ruin the book for me to know; I think it actually made it more enjoyable. I could let go of the stress and obsession about the ending and enjoy the whole book.
Well, except the Hedwig-Dobby-Fred-Lupin-Tonks-Colin Creevey-Snape death parts.
Summer Fun 2013: In-Activity Kit
Sometimes, store-bought kits aren't what they're advertised to be. And it's not all user error! We tried to make snow globes today and you had to cast your own critter mold for the figurine inside. Needless to say, that was a messy disaster. Despite sealing it as tightly as we could and even taping it closed, the plaster oozed everywhere. Thankfully, I know to do these things outside. Such a disappointment.
But ever-resourceful (cue "Super Mom" music--I need a cape!), I told them they could make Sculpey figruines to go inside the plastic domes. And so they did--you guessed it, a bunny with carrot and a penguin. They've been baked, glued, and encased in their new homes, with water and glitter in the outer dome.
A salvaged fun experience and now another tchkotke on the shelf.
(Because of the quality of the plastic, two layers of it, I can't get a good picture of their cute creations.)
Final Day of Our Summer Project
Officially, if there is such a thing, today ends our summer project renovating the living room and dining room. The treadmill people are coming to disassemble the behemoth on the porch and move it to the basement, probably by way of the side door to aid in navigating the tiny, turning stairs. At that point, all the heavy lifting and fixing-up is over and we just have to put all of our belongings back in place, either in the house or to Goodwill.
Let's just hope they can get it down there!
-=-=-=-=-=
UPDATE: The mover guys managed, through hard work, persistence, and removing the outer door from its hinges, to get the treadmill into the basement down those tight, tiny, turning stairs. Whew! I really hope I like it down there. Too late now . . . .
Let's just hope they can get it down there!
-=-=-=-=-=
UPDATE: The mover guys managed, through hard work, persistence, and removing the outer door from its hinges, to get the treadmill into the basement down those tight, tiny, turning stairs. Whew! I really hope I like it down there. Too late now . . . .
Summer Fun 2013: Baking Blueberries
We're having a lazy Pajama Day today, starting with a morning viewing of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn ("Mom, sometimes the romance parts are BORING," Bud decided. They both think Olivia de Haviland sounds like Princess Leia--"are they the same actress?" Only two generations apart!) and now moving on to, you guessed it, more reading of Harry Potter. Sis will finish book 6 today, no doubts.
Even though only one kiddo will eat this, I made Blueberry Poundcake this morning, a nod to Blueberry Muffin day earlier this summer and blueberry picking, both of which we didn't get to.
Blueberry Poundcake
This is the recipe for the pound cake. It is really for muffins so just bake for about an hour (checking) if you do the bread.
Even though only one kiddo will eat this, I made Blueberry Poundcake this morning, a nod to Blueberry Muffin day earlier this summer and blueberry picking, both of which we didn't get to.
Blueberry Poundcake
This is the recipe for the pound cake. It is really for muffins so just bake for about an hour (checking) if you do the bread.
1/2 c butter
1 c sugar
2 eggs beaten
1/2 c milk
2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 c fresh blueberries
cinnamon/sugar topping (taste fine with or without)
Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs mixing well. Stir in milk. Combine dry ingredients and add to mixture- stir to combine. Fold in blueberries. Fill greased muffin tins and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar (optional) and bake at 375 degrees for 20 min.
Enjoy!
MIss J.D.
Note: I also added a teaspoon of almond extract.
MIss J.D.
Note: I also added a teaspoon of almond extract.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Summer Fun 2013: The Un-Fun
As I navigate the challenges (and delights) of going from active parenting about 4 hours on an average school day to the summer-time average of closer to 13, I've realized some things about myself. I still expect the kids to need me present and ready to play. Sure, they still like to play with me, but that's occasional, not constant, which is a change from even just a year or two ago. Which means I've found myself unintentionally waiting around to be needed sometimes. And that's boring. Sometimes, after I've tried to initiate activities in the morning when they aren't interested, I'm on to other things by the time they are and we "miss" each other. So I'm finding a way to "parallel play" sometimes. If they read, I read. If they play computers, I have my smartphone. If they watch tv, I nap. It's working out pretty well. Of course, conversely, when I do chores like laundry or dishes, they do, too!
I've also figured out what makes me crazy and angry. If they make more work for me by being messy or careless or lazy--say, leaving dirty underwear in the hallway, spilling water and not wiping up, or not putting their dishes in the sink--I start yelling before I even notice I've opened my mouth. An extension of this making-more-work is how I am also sensitive to their being unhelpful, whether intentionally or un--not holding the door open, not coming when I call for help (like when the cat gets out). Also unhelpful: intentionally making trouble with the sibling. And I'm finding that I give the same directions regarding all of the above over and over and over again, which also tends to make me grouchy and deliver repeat instructions in a louder, less-friendly tone. It's much more noticeable over 13 hours.
And now that these have come into such stark contrast for me in the last three days (our first real days of lazy, at-home, together summer), I can both adjust my schedule so we're all more in sync and also be more aware of my own reactions . . . and help us get through the next few weeks!
I've also figured out what makes me crazy and angry. If they make more work for me by being messy or careless or lazy--say, leaving dirty underwear in the hallway, spilling water and not wiping up, or not putting their dishes in the sink--I start yelling before I even notice I've opened my mouth. An extension of this making-more-work is how I am also sensitive to their being unhelpful, whether intentionally or un--not holding the door open, not coming when I call for help (like when the cat gets out). Also unhelpful: intentionally making trouble with the sibling. And I'm finding that I give the same directions regarding all of the above over and over and over again, which also tends to make me grouchy and deliver repeat instructions in a louder, less-friendly tone. It's much more noticeable over 13 hours.
And now that these have come into such stark contrast for me in the last three days (our first real days of lazy, at-home, together summer), I can both adjust my schedule so we're all more in sync and also be more aware of my own reactions . . . and help us get through the next few weeks!
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Summer Fun 2013: Book "Widow"
The kids are reading.
Still.
Again.
Sis has finished HP 5 and started HP 6 today. Bud is finishing HP 5 so he can start HP 6.
It's all they do.
Read and play Animal Jam.
I'm not complaining.
Well, I might be.
Sure, it gives me lots of time to do my own thing (like write those last two posts), but it's also kinda boring.
But it's great that they love to read so much, worth every penny we've ever spent on books (that we have then given away in large chunks.)
And I'll be glad when I no longer have to keep the secrets of Harry Potter from them, worrying that they might find out before they finish the series.
At this rate, they'll be done by next week. Easy.
Still.
Again.
Sis has finished HP 5 and started HP 6 today. Bud is finishing HP 5 so he can start HP 6.
It's all they do.
Read and play Animal Jam.
I'm not complaining.
Well, I might be.
Sure, it gives me lots of time to do my own thing (like write those last two posts), but it's also kinda boring.
But it's great that they love to read so much, worth every penny we've ever spent on books (that we have then given away in large chunks.)
And I'll be glad when I no longer have to keep the secrets of Harry Potter from them, worrying that they might find out before they finish the series.
At this rate, they'll be done by next week. Easy.
Clean Bill
As an update to "The Weight is Over," things are going well. I went to my GP last week and got the results of various annual tests.
First, no apnea. In fact, no sleep disorders, though my "sleep efficiency" wasn't great at 72%. ARGH that's a D or even an F. So my doctor, suspecting perimenopause as the culprit, suggested some melatonin before bed; so far, it has worked well enough, I think.
And yep, gotta talk to the gyn about menopause (again.)
As for all my regular tests, I'm doing well. No thyroid issues, no anemia. Sugar is fine but was lower last time. Cholesterol went down 30+ points!!! Yay for being mostly vegan, on average, following Mark Bittman's Vegan Before 6 (except on vacation!) I just need to tweak the carbs some (so easy to eat too many when you're mostly vegan!) But I'm really excited that it's going well, especially with regards to my giving up dieting and weight loss. Blood pressure was great. And while they did weigh me, I didn't inquire or remember how that compared to last year (which is mental progress, anyway.)
But I am going to try a new ENT to see if I can get my constant sinus pressure and ear-dullness under control.
So even with the chronic back/pelvis/tailbone issues (which are much better than earlier this summer, thanks), I'm pretty healthy. And it feels good.
First, no apnea. In fact, no sleep disorders, though my "sleep efficiency" wasn't great at 72%. ARGH that's a D or even an F. So my doctor, suspecting perimenopause as the culprit, suggested some melatonin before bed; so far, it has worked well enough, I think.
And yep, gotta talk to the gyn about menopause (again.)
As for all my regular tests, I'm doing well. No thyroid issues, no anemia. Sugar is fine but was lower last time. Cholesterol went down 30+ points!!! Yay for being mostly vegan, on average, following Mark Bittman's Vegan Before 6 (except on vacation!) I just need to tweak the carbs some (so easy to eat too many when you're mostly vegan!) But I'm really excited that it's going well, especially with regards to my giving up dieting and weight loss. Blood pressure was great. And while they did weigh me, I didn't inquire or remember how that compared to last year (which is mental progress, anyway.)
But I am going to try a new ENT to see if I can get my constant sinus pressure and ear-dullness under control.
So even with the chronic back/pelvis/tailbone issues (which are much better than earlier this summer, thanks), I'm pretty healthy. And it feels good.
Nothing for Granted
I've been keeping a running list in my head for some time now of things, specifically activities, which I do not take for granted after my on-and-off-again "life in a bed." Often, I find myself doing these and thinking, mercy, I couldn't do this three years ago and now I can. Call it gratitude, self-awareness, mindfulness, whatever, I don't ever forget that I can:
- tie my shoes by myself
- rollover in bed
- stand up without help
- getting out of the shower alone
- putting a bag in the garbage can
- pick something up off the floor
- take things in and out of the oven
- stand at sink to do dishes or at stove to stir a pot
- unload dishwasher
- get things off the lower shelves of the fridge
- sit down to eat
- lean over to tuck my kids in each night
- push a store cart
- carry in the grocery bags
- drive for 20 minutes!
- sit in passenger seat instead of reclining in back
- travel in a plane
- sit in pew at church
- attend a show
- weed my garden
- feed the cats
- pick up the cats
- put laundry in and out of machine
- stand to fold clothes
- bend to open drawers to get out/put away clothes
- get down on floor/ground and get back up (like for a picnic in the grass!)
- give a 1 1/2 tour at the historic house
- sit with a hospice patient
- stand for an entire Brownie meeting
- sit at Starbucks for awhile
- open and close the windows
- dance a little
- walk on a treadmill/outside for longer periods of time
- be out and about for up to about 5 hours (with rests, of course)
There are others, I'm sure--and of course a list of things I still can't really do (swim, sit to use computer)--but I like to focus on those above.
Summer Fun 2013: We're Having a "Cold Wave"
The NYTimes has dubbed our recent spate of below-average temperatures (avg. in NYC is 84F this time of year) a "coldwave." Sure enough. And I love it. We haven't turned the AC on in weeks--who needs to with low 60s at night and highs barely at 80F? (And I read that Houston had a heat index of 110F earlier this week!) Which is perfect for airing out at the VOCs from the floor. I even did some gardening this morning and we had a picnic lunch outside yesterday. And I added a blanket to the bed for last night's 57F! I'll admit, though, that this makes it a little cold for swimming. But after 2 weeks at camp, I'm not sure the kids mind. They're just inside reading HP 5, which I imagine one or both will finish today. And then start up the next one. I know it will get hot again, probably just in time for schools without any air conditioning, but for now, I'm enjoying it.
Monday, August 5, 2013
A Study in Yellow
(Imagine picture of yellow butterfly on butterfly push here, because alas it got away.)
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Summer Fun 2013: Camp Wrap-Up
It's been another great week at camp, though the kids are reaching the exhaustion point. They come home and just lump around reading or playing Animal Jam (a current obsession.) It's probably time for camp to be over, even with all this fun:
Plus more archery, swimming, hikes, nature talks, boating, and the like. Lots of fun, but it's time to laze around some, I think.
- Making shortbread cookies.
- Singing "In the Swimming Pool" and the Mrs. O'Leary and the cow song
- Tie-dye day!
- Having a penny carnival
- Family night at camp
- Camp night at baseball game
- Hearing stories of the Green Ghoulie
- Painting a rock face
- Going to the Trading Post
- Camp unit picture
- Making campfire cones (waffle cones with bananas, strawberries, marshmallows, and chocolate chips)
- Gimp
- More tie-dye!!!
Plus more archery, swimming, hikes, nature talks, boating, and the like. Lots of fun, but it's time to laze around some, I think.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)