Debate entertainment

BINGO! Print pages for all those you're watching the debate with. Refresh the page each time you print. Susan's drinking game sounds equally fun over at EBC.

Nothing broken

but I think she's disappointed she doesn't get a cast. Hopefully she won't make that a goal.

Off to the ER....

to have Lil's arm X-rayed. One good thing that comes from having been through major medical trauma with my kid is that when something 'little' happens, I tend to stay calm. No more monkeys jumpin' on the bed!

the photos

You asked for it, Bsti: My feet in a body of water. (Ok, tub) The view from my front door. A prized possession: my grandma's college graduation photo from 1927 and Chasmyn: Favourite shoes with my feet in them (and a new appreciation for Niq's site...not easy to photograph your own feet!) something I made: bundled herbs the inside of my refridgerator Dearest Krista: Don't have a formal altar. Many spots could be considered altars. My favorite piece of art: a photograph called "Book of Shadows" My very small and very floral bathroom. Wouldn't a snowglobe/Madonna theme work?

I wanna play, too!

I'm shamelessly swiping this goofy game from the Purple Goddess: Think of 3 things that you'd like to see from in / around my house, on my person, etc. Keep it clean. Things that I can photograph easily. I'll post the photos as soon as I get some requests. I may choose not to post something you request, keep in mind. Fun game, feel free to join in even if you don't know me. Leave your requests in the comments.

try and keep up with this one....

I posted a few weeks ago about Susun Weed and how much I enjoyed her style. I shared this with the women who came over on Saturday, and heard an interesting story. I've known all the players in the story for 15 or so years, except Susun Weed. Here it is: Susun Weed's sister was the midwife for my friend India's second birth! (India is the friend who died recently) Susun and her sister worked on their first herbal book together. I had no idea they were sisters. Biological sisters. India's baby came so quickly that the midwife wasn't there in time, but her apprentice was. This apprentice was Donna, the woman who taught us Dakini last Saturday. Fun to see how we're all connected...even more than we think we know.

Goodbye Miracle

Miracle

August 20, 1994 - September 19, 2004

Mitakuye Oyasin.... We Are All Related in the Sacred Hoop of Life.

Aho! May It Ever Be So.

The birth of Miracle the White Buffalo fulfilled a prophecy for many Native American people. The Legend of the White Buffalo Woman has been told and retold for generations, and although there have been several white calves born, Miracle's birth was the only one that satisfied all circumstances foretold in the legend. Born in 1994, the Dalai Lama sent gifts, and of course Michael Jackson tried to buy her. Thousands of people have visited the farm in Wisconsin where she lived and left gifts. There are stories of healing, new opportunities, and love from simply seeing her. Just as with any pilgrimage, I suppose.

I have visited Miracle at least once a year since her birth. She lived in my hometown, not far from my family. I am lucky enough to have touched her, and have a bit of her fur. (Brown at that time) I have my own story, but I'll save it. The entire situation of her birth on a small farm and how the circus following her arrival was handled amazes me. Still, volunteers run a small gift shop / museum on the farmer's property.

The Heiders own the farm where she lived, and they have been away for the past week or so. They waited until this weekend to make the announcement, but she died on September 19.

Visit Miracle's site here.

Sunflowers and Dakini

Well, I finally booted the last of the women out of my house at 2:45am. We learned and practiced Dakini, it was short and powerful. (we did not wear bikinis, but several drank martinis) Keri brought incredible herbs and the monster sunflower all from her organic farm. Somehow, everyone brought things in shades of nasturium: orange, red, yellow. We celebrated 3 birthdays this week: 30, 33, and 51 years. I am so lucky to have these women in my life, and I've even more grateful that Lily has a chance to be close to them. And, I'm pretty sure that my husband doesn't mind having a houseful of beautiful women every now and then.

Not quite full moon....

but the women are coming over tonight. We are learning a type of chanting and meditation called Dankini. I'm guessing that anything that sounds so much like bikini and martini must be fun.

What Would Betty Do?

So much fun here, I couldn't choose just one page to post.

Equinox activities

Worked on the fall clean-up in the yard and garden today. I like to harvest herbs on the holidays, so I cut the last of the sage, rosemary, and comfrey today and hung them to dry. Thinking of creating some vinegars and/or oils for the holidays with the rosemary, and a new batch of comfrey oil. I can always use sage. The kitchen garden did so well this year that it covered some of the ornaments and rocks we used to decorate in May, it was fun to discover them as we cut back the plants. Mums have replaced the impatiens, and I mowed the lawn (likely for the last time this year). The puppy is all sorts of confused about dangers in the yard. While she's sure that the lawnmower is a giant yellow chew toy, the soccer ball is clearly a vicious enemy to be feared, barked and howled at from the deck only. She won't get within 10 feet of it. The lawnmower, however, she'll chase, jump in front of, and bite. The lawnmowing also gives her a bad case of greenpaws.

Vah! Denuone Latine loquebar? Me ineptum. Interdum modo elabitur.

Oh! Was I speaking Latin again? Silly me. Sometimes it just sort of slips out.

Handy Latin Phrases.

Wishing you a Blessed Autumn Equinox!

ian marke

Autumn wins you best by this, its mute Appeal to sympathy for its decay.

~Robert Browning

One is silver and the other gold

Spent an enormously enjoyable evening downtown last night. Gina (as a Marilynesque pin-up girl here and her bio as a member of Jezebel here) invited me to the Bushnell Auditorium to hear Amy Tan speak. Tan was eloquent and witty, I found myself laughing aloud. We tip-toed out a bit early to go back to Gina's place in Artspace for some girltalk and wine. Also met the enchanting Krista, who is already taunting me in the comments below. She has a daughter as well, and had a similar birth experience. Let me just say that neither of us have ever met another woman with the same physical baggage we have postpartum. Wow, a mom I can relate to in many more ways than the fact that we both parent. But wait! It gets better! Krista is a computer programmer. Yep, she does webdesign. Since my new hobby in the blogworld, I've been slightly obsessed with this topic. And rather inept. Making progress; however. It was fun to chat about 'life', perceptions, and annoyances we encounter in cyberspace. Soooo, we know we get along famously already. How about our preschoolers?

If the world could vote in the US election....

POLL RESULTS (KERRY-BUSH) Norway: 74%-7% Germany: 74%-10% France: 64%-5% Italy: 58%-14% Spain: 45%-7% UK: 47%-16% Canada: 61%-16% Mexico: 38%-18% Brazil: 57%-14% China: 52%-12% Japan: 43%-32% Indonesia: 57%-34% India: 34%-33% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philippines: 32%-57% Nigeria: 33%-27% Poland: 26%-31% Thailand: 30%-33% Source: GlobeScan Inc/University of Maryland PIPA From this BBC article....thanks to Brian for pointing it out.

I went out late Saturday night with my friend Kate. She works weekends at Grant's, a swanky restaurant/bar here in town. She wasn't done yet, so I sat down at the bar to wait. Well, this isn't really the type of place I frequent, so it was a bit strange. But, as I've mentioned, us midwestern gals can chat with most anyone. So I'm seated next to a man, about my age, who seems very tightly wound. He's drinking iced tea to add to the image. I'm doing my best to make conversation, and although he doesn't look at me, he is responding. When he heard that I was waiting for a server, he asked if I'd ever worked in a restaurant. I have. In fact, only in the past four years have I been out of the business. I, of course, still in WI girl mode, returned the question. He said, "no, I have never served. It's not in my blood." And then I was dismissed. End of conversation. I forget what the real world is like sometimes. I spend my time surrounded by such a free-thinking group that I lose track of how obnoxious people can be. On the happy side, the bartender was a former student who gave me hell for recommending him for an honors class, and then bought me a drink. Kate and I went off to a karoke bar and were disappointed by how well everyone could sing. There is virtually no entertainment in listening to people who have talent in those places. Fun night, out too late.

Big week coming up...

John is quitting his job next week and starting his own business. He bought a truck this past week, and has been working on getting the details of the upcoming jobs worked out. For some reason, I'm not worried. It seems like the most natural step. Originally, he planned on doing concrete and site work exclusively, but setting up the contacts, funds, and equipment for those jobs would take longer than he wants to wait get out of where he is now. He built (well, supervised the build of) the Superman coaster at Six Flags, as well as the whole expansion of the park. Also the Batman coaster, and he designed and built the new foot bridge. He enjoyed those jobs, but he's going to start out smaller here in Hartford and work as a one-man-show on some smaller rehab jobs. Exciting stuff around here! Lily's in preschool, new job for John, and I'm finishing that darn MA. If I do need to go back to teaching, I'm ready. I'm kicking around the idea of opening a women's center with some friends. Finding the space is difficult. But I still have fantasies about an herb farm, becoming a doula, owning a nursery, rescuing more pets, adopting a houseful of kids, traveling through Eastern Europe... many adventures ahead.

theBlueSmokeBand.com

I have lost track of my friend Brian on several occasions. I recently tracked him down again, to find him living happily in CA, engaged to be married, and doing all sorts of interesting stuff....from writing to woodworking to computer programming. We went to college together, and spent many hours in the stupid student center, entertaining ourselves with a vastly diverse group of guys. Philosophy majors, computer tech guys, artists, the politically inclined, and me. The general outcasts of campus. And without a doubt, having more fun than the others. I was poking around there tonight, and it occurred to me that several people who visit here would enjoy Brian's site. I especially like his writing, as articulate as ever: Non-Renewable Resources BTW, I am an official member of the BrawnyLunchboxBand BlueSmokeBand. My responsibilities as a band member have never been discussed.

Top 5 Anagrams

Anagramsite will generate anagrams for whatever word you type. Here's my five favorites from my name: Uganda women new gouda man gnaw on maude gum owed anna gun em now ada Ahh, this is the sort of thing one might do when their kid is at school, huh? I'm probably headed for trouble with this preschool stuff.

8th Grade Activist

Rachel Morris just wants to be left alone, sitting in her seat in eighth grade. But it was sitting during the Pledge of Allegiance that got her in trouble in the first place. Read the whole article on the Wisconsin girl here. As a former WI activist girl myself, I love this kid. I was nearly suspended in high school for protesting the US army recruiting at our school. I sat in the school commons with my signs, and refused to go to the assembly where they told us about the fabulous career awaiting us in the armed forces.(I was later actually suspended for wearing long underwear under a kilt. No showing of undergarments in any form at school, despite WI temps) My first year teaching, I helped an 8th grader in her fight with the administration over her pink hair. She won, and her hair was many more colors over the course of the year.

Where would we be without Margaret Sanger?

"When motherhood becomes the fruit of deep yearning, not the result of ignorance or accident, its children will become the foundation of a new race."

~Margaret Sanger, born today in 1879

Read more here.

You're an agitator! Your kids have grown up on the front lines of rallies and pickets, and chances are that you boycott at least one company for its bad business practices. Your kids are learning what matters to you and how they can change what matters to them. What kind of a freaky mother are you? My title is in Spanish, even. Found this on the Goth Momma's site: Witchymom

Project Censored

Project Censored Exposed I found the top 25 under-reported stories interesting.

First Day

I just left this cute face at school. The anticipation of starting preschool has caused sleepless nights for both of us. And temper tantrums. I've thought about this moment for a full year now, imagining drama and tears. Hoping for a peaceful start, but sorta preparing for the worst. Here's how the parting conversation went: me: "I'll pick you up after class. Have a great time!" kid: "I will!" (without even looking at me, while running off to play in the log house) Should I rejoice or cry? A little of both, I'm thinkin'.

Nefertiti started each day with a striptease to arouse the sun god....accompanied by blind muscians. What a way to start the day. I just started mine with an iced tea. Almost fully clothed. (it's hot here) More ancient Egypt news that caught my eye: a 2,500-year-old hidden tomb discovered under the shadow of one of Giza's three giant pyramids, containing 400 pinkie-finger-sized statues and six coffin-sized niches carved into granite rock. I've always been drawn to Egypt, although I haven't visited there yet. My neighbor's new bumper sticker:

Somewhere in Texas.....

a village is missing its idiot

*off to start the day....today is Lilster's first preschool class without me*

Man shoots puppies, puppy shoots man

Yahoo! News - Dog Wiggles Paw Free to Shoot Florida Man Too bad that puppy didn't do more damage.

Puppy tricks

You can take the girl out of Wisconsin....

I moved to Connecticut at age 18, just finished with one semester at the University. I needed to get away, and arrived in a wealthy suburb to be the nanny for a 3-month old girl at the urging of my roommate. It was supposed to be a one-year gig, then back to my boyfriend, job, and school in Wisconsin. It didn't take long for me to realize that I wanted to leave the old life behind, and I've been here since. That little baby girl is now 17. (I'm no longer her nanny, either) If you ask me where I'm from, I'll still tell you Wisconsin. There are many characteristics of New Englanders that I like, but they are too busy getting things done to be friendly, and I've never adopted that trait. I could easily compete in the Friendliest Person in Hartford pageant. My husband will watch with fascination as I strike up conversation in line at the grocery store. Or with other parents at the park. Once you start chatting with a New Englander, they are open and friendly....but getting to that point is not easy. In NE, you don't make eye contact as you pass on the sidewalk. You don't chat with the seafood clerk at the supermarket. You don't comment on a lovely piece of jewelry or ask for a recommendation on a local restaurant. The most interesting difference is language. People here are dumbfounded by Midwestern lingo. Here's a list: Wisconsonese vs. New Enlandesque a bubbler = a drinking fountain tennis shoes = sneakers pop = soda sack lunch = brown bag lunch teeter-totter = see-saw long-john = an oblong doughnut with frosting a hero = a sub sandwich Add to this this the distinct accents: in the Midwest many speak with a lilt, a sing-song type rhythm. Most of my family sound like they stepped right off the set of Fargo. It is a slightly distracting, slow way of communicating. Here in the Northeast, it's all about the R: leaving it out, or adding it when it doesn't belong. Dresser drawer becomes "dressa djaw". Equally distracting. I often find myself eavesdropping, focusing more on dialect than what folks are actually talking about. One of my favorite people watching activities is to listen to conversations and guess where the speakers come from. Especially in Spanish. What about you, notice any language oddities where you live?

Faire fotos

Lily got to hang out with King Richard and his new bride as soon as we arrived at the Faire. It was a great day, and they've added some new acts, games and rides this year. I showed great restraint and didn't buy anything other than a few items from the apothecary. I don't like to shop in stores much, but events like these have interesting and unusual things. As always, the Gargoyles were Lily's favorite: She astounded the crowd by crawling right up there with the Gargoyle, and gave him a kiss. As if he were Santa Claus at the mall. Then she had to tell him about her stuffed gargoyle at home. Most kids (and some adults) made it a point to walk FAR from these guys. And the Knights in Shining Armor: We didn't see the joust this year, but I like seeing most of these guys without their faces covered during the parade, anyway.

We are off to MA again this weekend, to the Cape and then to the Faire. I am excited to be near the ocean, for the feel of Fall, and to be away from the house for a few days. The Faire is always entertaining; the people watching, food, and general atmosphere are so refreshing. We stay in a condo owned by the company where my hub works. It's furnished, on the Cape, one block from a private beach, and my favorite luxury: 200+ channels on some super-cable set up. I don't watch TV at home much, always distracted by housework and the computer. I don't have either distraction there, AND I have at my fingertips MTV classic (only videos... early 80s through mid-90s), as well as The Independent Film Channel. Last time we were there, I stayed up too late watching TV, and found myself wanting to argue with Lily about what we would watch the next morning: Scooby Doo or MTV.

King George: off with his head!

Your bumper sticker could land you on 'the list'. (maybe this entry will get me there, too.) Salt Lake Tribune - Utah