September 30, 2007

I cling to my routine hoping for a semblance of normalcy...

I was reading bedtime stories to my James and my Chase. And I couldn't stop the tears when the final words in this simple children's story were about the importance of friends. Friends are an amazing gift. This is what I know: last weekend was the hardest weekend of my life. I have never felt more betrayed and hurt and sorrow. But, thankfully I felt like I was in the company of angels lifting and consoling and caring. Dear friends in New York. And more than that, with every breath I felt the love of so many people near and far. I never knew how much my friendships buoy me up...but they do. And I'll be ok. I'm here in the arms of some of my closest friends, my family.

September 19, 2007

To be a Nun...



I looked at the car window and saw two nuns walking casually down a little path on the side of the road. They were talking...smiling. And I wanted to be them. I wanted their life. A life of goodness - but somehow sheltered. For some reason, at that moment, they represented a safe existance; and I envied it.

Not two days later, someone in all seriousness asked me, "Are you a nun?"

Am I a nun? Are you talking to me? A nun? Are you serious?

It was actually a teacher I had just met and she was genuinely curious. In all truth, I was taken quite off guard and remembering my desire to be a nun, I wondered about the potency of my wishing power.

"No, I'm not..." my sentance hung just long enough for her to answer.

"Oh, you introduced yourself as Sister Ballard and I overheard. I've actually been thinking about it all morning and thought to myself that you were the youngest, most stylish nun I've ever met."

So, there you go.

I still feel quite flattered to tell the truth, even though it was more a mistake on my part that caused the misinterpretation.

For the record, I wrote Ms. Ballard on the board - but I can't always be responsible for what comes out of my mouth. Sometimes the two seem quite unrelated.

September 18, 2007

Time Keeps on Ticking

The longer I wait in between posts, the more pressure I feel to report something amazing...say something profound. But I've no pictures of Machu Picchu to post or discussions on religiosity to expound upon. I've only to say, that I'm still here. Not really doing much; but we are human beings after all. And I am very good at just being.

September 8, 2007

The Farmer's Market


Irises. Wild Flowers. James. Chase. Peas. Plums. Pluots. Fresh Bread. Crepes. Beans. Colors. Faces. Strawberries. Apples. Eggs. Olive Oil. Salmon. Mint. Basil. Guitars. Bronze Skin. A Feast.

September 6, 2007

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Or I could title this...Attack of the Mary Kay



You need the back story to appreciate this tale. My mother is a rescuer. She has been know to leap from the passenger side of the car to shepherd cats and dogs to safety (even in low traffic neighborhoods). All of our family pets have some history of neglect...a peeing disorder in the case of Poopy the beagle (that really was the dog's name - what did we expect). I can say in all firmness that my mother hasn't brought home a goat yet, but she very well could. Animal or person - the common thread is drama.



Now, Dawn is drama - a very nice woman - but drama. She is the kind of girl who keeps falling in love with the men in jail and hoping she'll turn their drug using ways around. This is a direct quote from my mother, "Junior is such a nice man when he isn't high."



Dawn drives a school bus (sometimes just around town) and seems to always have a new business venture; currently Mary Kay. So when Dawn offered to come over my mother couldn't say no (she never says no). In fact she knows that she will be giving Dawn money, so would rather do it through makeup sales. Well, little did she know that she would be sacrificing her face in the process. When I walked in on the two, I had the hardest time keeping my laughter in. I have NEVER seen my mom look like this. I'm afraid Dawn's hasn't done a lot of makeup on white women - the result is tragedy...or comedy, depending on your eye. Click on the picture to see it in all its glory. Pink lipstick you couldn't use on a corpse. Eyebrows painted like a clown. For two hundred dollars, you too can look this good.







I'm not sure why good deeds have to be punished...perhaps its a reward at the end of the day. A pink, glossy reward you didn't know you wanted.

September 5, 2007

They are Dropping Like Flies

Two teeth missing - James smile is officially a mail box slot. Seriously, you can get packages through the gap. But, here's the thing I am realizing...with the rate these pearly whites are dropping out I am afraid the tooth fairy is going to have to move right in under his pillow -- living in the same house wouldn't be close enough. I already told him that the tooth fairy didn't always come the first night - some nights she is really busy (or forgetful). I think my youngest sister had to wait a week for the tooth fairy to come (or remember). So, we'll she how she does. If she's anything like me, then she's going to miss a few.

September 4, 2007

Let's Go Fly a Kite...

Let Them Eat Cake

Last night at PF Chang's (the lettuce wraps and honey shrimp call every few months and I can't deny them) we were all opening our fortunes. We went around the table reading about good fortune and radiant personalities. And then unsolicted from the head of the table, Chase opened his cookie and proceeded to "read" it. This is what he said, "Eat Chocolate Cake." We of course, were all finishing up the Great Wall of Chocolate. But, it doesn't matter, this is officially the best fortune of all times.