Bloom where you’re planted

Modern Art

Cylinders and Spheres on Stainless Steel, 2008
This is a toy they got for Christmas, they’re called Mag-Neatos. They are magnetic and the kids figured out pretty quickly that the pieces stick to the refrigerator as well as to each other. I think Doozer’s creation could be featured in the Museum of Modern Art, right alongside […]

Just call me Shrek

Well, what else am I but an ogre when I say to my kids,
“I am going to punish the next child who asks me for food!”
(For the record, this was in response to their piteous repeated cries of PLEASE-feed-me-mother-I’m-shriveling-into-an-emaciated-pile-of-dust
-for-lack-of-nourishment-and-will-soon-be-featured-on-a-3am-charity-commercial
-for-starving-children! while I’m preparing their lunch and reassuring them that food is forthcoming.)

Self -ish and -less …ness

One of the constraints of writing on the internet is that I can’t take for granted the things you would already know about me if we were friends already. My words can be misconstrued, and I’d never know it if you didn’t comment about it. So if anything in my posts sounds grossly wrong or […]

Loss sucks

I know that this pain was ameliorated by so many kind circumstances that felt like it was Jesus himself plumping the pillow behind my head and wiping away my tears, but can I just say that almost three months later it still sucks to have miscarried? I still miss Baby Peanut, still cry to think […]

Always right

JuneBug always wants to be at least partially right. She was eating an Oreo and noticed that the crumbs resembled coffee grounds. “Look, it’s coffee!” she said. E corrected her, and she said, “It’s LIKE coffee!” in a chipper voice. This is how she always responds to correction of her inaccurate assertions. She’ll say it […]

Long time, no see!

Well, we’re back online after a two month break, and boy, a full two months it has been.

We moved out to to the country to live with my dad. We are adjusting to country-speed internet access, which is partly to blame for our long break. We really enjoy the space and the house and the […]

“Look Mommy, it’s Charlotte!”


Rant on doctors and a PSA

(that’s a Public Service Announcement)
My PSA of the day: Parents, do not ignore snoring in your kids. Snoring is not normal for children and can be a symptom of a nighttime breathing problem. Lou has been waking frequently of late, crying, restless, impossible to soothe. I hate feeling helpless when my child obviously needs […]

Praising my kids

When you compliment my kids, please don’t tell them they’re cute. Don’t go on about how beautiful they are, or talk about Lou’s shiny blonde hair or Bug’s adorable brown curls. Don’t talk about Lou’s smile, or Doozer’s green eyes, or Bug’s sultry eyelashes.
Or if you do, make sure it’s infrequently.
My kids are gorgeous. They […]

JuneBug the Bug-Slayer!

Armed with a shoe and a roll of toilet paper, no insect is a match for JUNEBUG THE BUG-SLAYER!

Beware, dastardly bugs everywhere, for JuneBug the Bug-Slayer is ever-vigilant, ever watchful! She can spot you in the darkest corners, in the highest crevices, and with a loud cry of “It’s a BAD ROACH!” she will run […]