Sunday, February 15, 2009
Valentine
My darlings were home for Valentines. I love having them near me. It is comforting. I get the whole animal thing now, more than before. I feel like they are back in the nest. I find myself hovering and protecting more than ever. I growl when people are harming them - literally growling. It is sort of embarrassing for them - but it is my job after all. BACK OFF!
They are both trying to find their way and it is lovely and precious to watch. It is also painful and terrifying. Of course I know the path they are on and I know most of the twists and turns that are coming up for them - but when I try to describe that to them, to warn them, and ease their burden, they don't hear me. It's just the way it is. We all have to find our own way. Sometimes I just want to yell, "HEY - YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THAT WAY! THERE IS AN EASIER ROUTE!"
I'm sure my parents tried to help me too, but those years between 18 and 25 or so, you're really on your own. You can't hear much advice even though you ask for it and want it. You are on your own. Forging you own path.
They will be okay because they are smart and strong. It's just hard to watch them go through the brambles and swamp waters. It's hard to see my children hurt.
I'll get more popsicles.
They are both trying to find their way and it is lovely and precious to watch. It is also painful and terrifying. Of course I know the path they are on and I know most of the twists and turns that are coming up for them - but when I try to describe that to them, to warn them, and ease their burden, they don't hear me. It's just the way it is. We all have to find our own way. Sometimes I just want to yell, "HEY - YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THAT WAY! THERE IS AN EASIER ROUTE!"
I'm sure my parents tried to help me too, but those years between 18 and 25 or so, you're really on your own. You can't hear much advice even though you ask for it and want it. You are on your own. Forging you own path.
They will be okay because they are smart and strong. It's just hard to watch them go through the brambles and swamp waters. It's hard to see my children hurt.
I'll get more popsicles.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
These Are The Days
The sun is shining and it is warm but please don't be stupid about it. I mean, really, don't start saying things like, "Yeah, we're heading into spring." Or, "We probably won't have any more below zero days." It's talk like that that brings us all into a deep depression when it hits -5 at the end of February. Just keep the mouths shut about the temperatures. Be good Minnesotans and act like you actually enjoy the winter.
Each year I privately ask myself, when is it safe to say we won't have any more super cold days and we won't slip on the ice or have to get ticked off when digging for our keys in our pockets with gloves on? I believe, here in Minnesota, the safest date is May 1. I know - even that is risky. But April - that's all in your face about spring time and Target pastel crap, but it snows and it's freezing cold in the mornings. So - forget about April. It's May and keep in mind that's a real long time from now. Keep the long underwear on. Don't be shy about layering well into March in April. Believe me, I've been there.
The great thing about winter is that it is similar to childbirth in the fact that we forget about it once we see and feel the beautiful face of spring.
Please keep your weather comments to yourself.
Each year I privately ask myself, when is it safe to say we won't have any more super cold days and we won't slip on the ice or have to get ticked off when digging for our keys in our pockets with gloves on? I believe, here in Minnesota, the safest date is May 1. I know - even that is risky. But April - that's all in your face about spring time and Target pastel crap, but it snows and it's freezing cold in the mornings. So - forget about April. It's May and keep in mind that's a real long time from now. Keep the long underwear on. Don't be shy about layering well into March in April. Believe me, I've been there.
The great thing about winter is that it is similar to childbirth in the fact that we forget about it once we see and feel the beautiful face of spring.
Please keep your weather comments to yourself.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
February in Minnesota
There are days when I feel my head filled with creativity. Stories for my blog! A creation waiting to be formed. And there are days like today when I feel my head crammed with ideas and general stress - but no clear thoughts. Just all jumbled up. So - it is times like these when I make lists.
Things that bother me:
1) Running into people because they don't follow the unspoken rule of "stay to the right".
2) Running out of napkins.
3) Having to figure out grown-up stuff like taxes and insurance.
4) Not having flying cars by now.
5) Cake with nuts or fruit.
6) Cookies with raisins, nuts, or fruit mixed in.
Things I find hilarious:
1) Lisps on the radio.
2) People trying to be serious about things that don't matter - like taxes and insurance.
3) Witty jokes that are left unexplained.
4) Middle school students.
Things that matter:
1) Relationships
2) Finding ways to be kind
3) Being kind
Things that don't matter
1) Everything else
Things that bother me:
1) Running into people because they don't follow the unspoken rule of "stay to the right".
2) Running out of napkins.
3) Having to figure out grown-up stuff like taxes and insurance.
4) Not having flying cars by now.
5) Cake with nuts or fruit.
6) Cookies with raisins, nuts, or fruit mixed in.
Things I find hilarious:
1) Lisps on the radio.
2) People trying to be serious about things that don't matter - like taxes and insurance.
3) Witty jokes that are left unexplained.
4) Middle school students.
Things that matter:
1) Relationships
2) Finding ways to be kind
3) Being kind
Things that don't matter
1) Everything else
Thursday, January 22, 2009
How Can You Not Be Excited?
It is a new day. This is the moment. It's all about hope and virtue. What a week! What a country! What a man!
My sweet daughter and I had dinner this evening and we talked about the historic nature of our times - this week in particular. And she was struck by how much everyone is talking about how historic this is - she wondered whether it's allowed to talk about history and to "mark it" as history as it is unfolding. It seems a little like cheating.
She wondered if people really realized the importance of those days of dreaming and hoping with Martin Luther King. It was before the internet and cell phones and 24/7 CNN updates. How did it all unfold and when did people really realize the power and importance of those moments and those words and actions?
I am glad that I am here now to live these moments. I am ready to do what I can to help this country along. We are excited to see it unfold and to be apart of creating and working toward something better.
What will it look like?
My sweet daughter and I had dinner this evening and we talked about the historic nature of our times - this week in particular. And she was struck by how much everyone is talking about how historic this is - she wondered whether it's allowed to talk about history and to "mark it" as history as it is unfolding. It seems a little like cheating.
She wondered if people really realized the importance of those days of dreaming and hoping with Martin Luther King. It was before the internet and cell phones and 24/7 CNN updates. How did it all unfold and when did people really realize the power and importance of those moments and those words and actions?
I am glad that I am here now to live these moments. I am ready to do what I can to help this country along. We are excited to see it unfold and to be apart of creating and working toward something better.
What will it look like?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Is It Really A Good Idea to Live Here?
I think living in Minnesota is sort of like childbirth. It's extremely painful, but astonishingly wonderful. I'm cold from about October to April. I'm freezing at this moment even though I am wearing long underwear and two layers on top of that, I have the heat cranked, and a space heater blowing on my legs.
In May and June we forget about all this pain and revel in the beauty of Minnesota spring. I can't wait to forget this January. Brrr.
In May and June we forget about all this pain and revel in the beauty of Minnesota spring. I can't wait to forget this January. Brrr.
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Blown Fuse
Do you remember the first time you blew a fuse and had to figure out how to fix it? I remember distinctly. I was living in one of my first apartments - it was groovy because it was very old. The coolest thing about it was that it had one of those Wizard of Oz basements - you know, the kind where you had to go outside and lift up a door to get in? There was a dirt floor and lots of monsters and critters in there. I had never even gone in the basement - I just knew it existed. But then of course, I blew a fuse and I had to replace it. I had to do a lot of positive self talk to get myself to go down into the dungeon, but I did it. Did I mention it had a dirt floor and one of those naked light bulbs that sort of clanged and buzzed?
Later in life, after I bought my own house, I would often call my dad when I had fuse or electrical problems. There were times when even replacing the fuse didn't fix the problem - so I called Dad. He lives within walking distance and I always told myself that he wanted to come over to visit, so why not give him an excuse to do so?
Today when I got home from work, but 18 year old daughter tells me she blew and replaced a fuse. I was flabbergasted. She said it with such a nonchalant attitude, as if it was the simplest thing ever. I asked her how she fixed it and she said, well I went down stairs and took a look and replaced it. And then I asked her how she knew how to do it and this is where the magic comes in... she googled it!
I call Dad, she googles. Progress.
Later in life, after I bought my own house, I would often call my dad when I had fuse or electrical problems. There were times when even replacing the fuse didn't fix the problem - so I called Dad. He lives within walking distance and I always told myself that he wanted to come over to visit, so why not give him an excuse to do so?
Today when I got home from work, but 18 year old daughter tells me she blew and replaced a fuse. I was flabbergasted. She said it with such a nonchalant attitude, as if it was the simplest thing ever. I asked her how she fixed it and she said, well I went down stairs and took a look and replaced it. And then I asked her how she knew how to do it and this is where the magic comes in... she googled it!
I call Dad, she googles. Progress.
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