Om...

I took down this morning's post because I want to be more conscious of what I put out into the world. Perhaps wishing death upon the husbands of certain friends is not the way to go. I was trying to say that it is sometimes hard to meditate. And it is sometimes hard to forgive those who hurt people we love. It is sometimes easier to be cheeky than to admit how hurtful it is that women are still so denigrated in our society and in the world.

Sometimes, death wishes temporarily feel better than victimhood.

And then you move on.

Happy Birthday Hot Toddy!

The sweetest man alive turns 43 today. Here he is at Janet's wedding.

Thank you doll, for "all this." Picture me looking around our messy house, arms out wide, taking it in.

"All this," we say.

You're a good man.

Don't ever leave me.

And if you do, take the kids.

Former Top NIH Researcher says....

"credible published, peer-reviewed scientific studies support the idea of an association between vaccines and autism."

Click here if you'd like to read more about the Healy interview.

Chapter 15, The Adventures of Diane and Friends, by Riley O'Neil (7 years old)

Diane Goes to College

It was Diane's first day at college and Diane couldn't wait. She had to get ready. She bathed, moussed, put her make-up on, and then she was ready.

In college, Diane met a friend named Mika. Mika was a mouse with skin the color of silver glass slippers. She had braids as blond as canaries. And bows the color of a purple sunset. Her braces were as blue as crystal clear water and her nose was as pink and rosie, as roses. Her lipstick was as red as apples, and her teeth were as white as the moon.

Diane and Mika worked together in college. They studied projects, took tests and spelled long words, like "catastrophe." They even studied a project called the Relax-o-Matic Back Scratcher, as seen in David Slonim's Oh, Ducky.

Who'd Have the Time?

There is an old man on our street who is often outside as I walk the kids home from school. Today he stopped us and we got to chatting. He told me about his recent hip replacement.

As we parted ways he said, "Take care, darlin'."

Riley tugged at my arm as we walked away. I leaned down and she asked in a whisper, "Is he your second boyfriend?"

"What do you mean?" I asked incredulously.

"He called you darling," she said.

~~~~Asperger's~~~~

So, ...this gave us the opportunity to talk about "endearments" as we walked along home.

Relaying the story to Todd this evening, all he asks is,

"So who's your first boyfriend?"

My Mother's Day

Woke to the smell of bacon. HT made breakfast and before zipping off to work, presented me with a meditation bench I'd been courting but would never justify spending money on for myself. Seth had accompanied him to the "new age" store and pointed out the one I liked.

Seth also colored a picture for me. A dog giving his mom a bone. "A yellow bone, 'cause yellow is your favorite color," he said in his little nasally voice. [private wink to Laura,thank you]!

Riley read to me from the book she is working on. She's just completed chapter 14, and in this one, Diane (her main character) is afraid of growing up, because she's scared to leave her mother. In the end, Diane resolves her ambivalent feelings and goes off to college.

Let us pause here for a moment of reverence.

We had a lazy day...reading books, listening to talk radio, surfing the net. I showered but got back into PJ's. Clean ones. After, I snuck up in "my room" to try out my new bench while they watched a Charlie & Lola video from the library.

Hi God.

Talked to my mom. Took a call from my sister. My teenage niece is heartroken for the first time. Zipped off a highly inappropriate e-mail to her, telling her what this boy could do if he does not recognize the gift that she is. Rhymes with bucket.

Ate a bowl of ice cream.

Helped Riley study for a math test.

Wiped Seth's butt, twice.

HT is home now. I'm up in my room while he gives me a break and bathes the kids.

We'll put them to bed and then order delicious take out food from someplace. Thai?

Probably spend the evening on the couch, watching a movie.

I'll snuggle in under his arm.

He'll laugh at everything I say.

Not a fancy Mother's Day,

just a charmed one.


* Happy Birthday Clarissa Douglas!
**Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Muse Launch Party

Fed the kids, kissed the man
headed out the door
downtown

Warehouse building
hippie man
worked the freight elevator

Up
Up
Up

Lit world!
Writers
Poets

In it,
not just
reading about it

Happy Mother's Day
to me

Girls and Boys

Riley, is whimpering about a "b-b-b-bee," that is clearly 50 feet away from her.

Seth says, "Riley, who's the boss? You or fear?"

She takes five breaths and tries to calm down.

Later, Riley tries her hand at coaching her brother out of his own little snit.

"Seth, is this a big deal? Or a little deal?"

He kicks her in the shin.

Did that answer your question, Sis?


Have a great weekend!