Fun on Springtide Farm

Today we headed to my parents' farm. My 4 sisters and their families were all there and we set about celebrating Fathers' Day with my Dad, my sister Jean's 40th birthday, Trey's 35th birthday, and my neice Molly's 18th birthday.

We started with a scarecrow building contest (we won Funniest Scarecrow, Jean took home Gold) and finished with a delicious meal featuring tamales made with Springtide Farms chicken and cobbler made with Springtide blackberries. Of course, it was all gluten free-have I mentioned that my entire family is gluten sensitive?

Anyway, it was a great day full of good food, laughter, and thanksgiving. It is so special that all the grandkids want to check on their row of corn, potato patch, tree, or chicken. They may be a little late on the mall thing, but they are learning great lessons about where food comes from and caring for the earth.

Blessing #61, June 27, 2010

Today I am thankful that my children are experiencing an organic farm. They plant, water, and tend a new crop everytime they visit my parents. They wake up early to help Mom and Dad feed the chickens and soon they will be watching Tink's 100% grass fed cows graze. (Hey Conyers and Athens folks, check out her website http://www.tinksbeef.com/ as there are retail locations near you) I am afraid that too many young people believe food comes from McDonald's or Kroger. Why would children value the Earth if they don't understand it all starts there?

PS: There is a chance I will be away from internet for the next several days. Trey and I are leaving the country. (If you are a crazy stalker or robber, know that we have an alarm, a housesitter, and a very large dog) However, I will make every effort to continue my blogs. Worst case scenario I will write them out and type and post when we get home!)

Vacation in the Pages of a Book

We were up early today to attend a birthday party, shop at Sam's, and get home in time to watch the World Cup. Those three events hardly amount to an entire day, but it is safe to say that I only accomplished one additional thing. I started and completed the 4th Sookie Stackhouse book.

These books are riddled with supernatural beings, mystery, and romance. Vampires and a telepath play the key roles, and I would say they are R-rated books compared to the Twilight Series that my students love so much. Vampires for grown ups, I guess you could say. I am usually reading books pertaining to biology or teaching or some combination thereof, but this series has been the most wonderful summer escape.

I felt I had no choice today but to keep reading. It has been while, maybe since I first discovered Jason Bourne in Ludlum's books back in high school, that I have been so thoroughly engrossed in a novel. When I finally finished the book today, I felt like I'd been on a crazy adventure. I am tired from all the battles and emotional upheavals in Sookie's life. And, I can't wait to read more!



Blessing #60, June 26, 2010

Today I am thankful that I can read and I am thankful for the imagination of Charlaine Harris. I became so engrossed in her literary world today, that I took a vacation from reality. It felt like a honest to goodness, leave the premises and my worries behind holiday. How awesome that I had a vacation and all it cost me was a borrowed paperback.

Imagination

I have been trying to focus on one blessing for my entry for about 15 minutes, but I am distracted by Katie's intricate imaginery conversation with plastic animal figures. She has been carrying on like this for at least 1/2 an hour, and she has forgotten that I am even here. At this point there is a Mommy horse who is busy mothering a lion, a gorilla, a zebra, a pig, and a cow. The lion and zebra have just begun to argue, and get this, the zebra is winning. Regardless of what she has seen or learned about how these animals relate to one another, she is imagining her own universe without concern for reality or correctness.

As a mother, I am amazed at the detail in her imaginery world. As a high school science teacher, I wonder what happens to children's ability (or maybe it is willingness) to think outside the box. Most high school science students have lost that capacity for tolerating errors. It reminds me of a great lecture by Ken Robinson. He describes our education system-and actually nearly all the education systems in the world-as educating the students right out of their creative capacity. He is one of the most charismatic, thought provoking speakers I have ever heard. Give it a look!



Blessing #59, June 25, 2010

Today I am thankful that Katie and Chip are still able to get lost in their imagination. I am so hopeful Trey and I will be able to nurture and protect their creativity, and that their teachers will as well.

Dance Party

Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.
- Stella Adler

Last night, Chip, Katie, and myself had an all out dance party to Madonna's Immaculate Collection. We were grooving pretty wildly, and I was lip syncing into my hairbrush. It was so much fun, but I am thankful it wasn't caught on video. I am afraid it would have been quite the You Tube sensation, and not in a good way.

Sometimes, I find I have to sing or dance or both. Please understand, there is no technique and very little rhythm, but my emotions require these expressive outlets. I believe responding to life through song, movement, and creation is essential to all humanity. This became clear to me in Haiti. In the village of Terrier Rouge, I watched hungry, sick people drum, sing, and dance. Not a one had been to a dance school-a luxury many in this country enjoy-but their movements and voices were so authentic and beautiful. You couldn't see where their soul stopped and their movement began.

Blessing #58, June 24, 2010

Today, Chip attended his piano lesson. Katie wowed me with a dance routine she made up during dinner. Tonight the family enjoyed catching up with So you Think you can Dance on our DVR. I am already looking forward to seeing my students shine in our fall and spring drama productions. The arts are so important to our society, and I am tremendously grateful that my family is able to study and enjoy them.

What a Catch.....

June is the "month of Trey" at our house. We celebrate his birthday, Fathers' Day, and now our anniversary. Today we have been married 9 years. In that time we have had two children, birthed my 2 graduate degrees (like childbirth, these were exquistely painful, beautiful experiences, but they had no anesthesia option), bought 1 house, sold it, and bought another.

I just can't believe how the time has flown. In my working world, and even among friends, I am (I think anyway) considered to be a modern woman. I have fought hard to "sit at the big table", excel in my professional pursuits, and support my family. At home, though, I am a love-struck girl who gets weak-kneed in her husband's presence. What a catch he is. He assures me that regardless of my ambition to overachieve and prove my worth in a man's world, I can still be and feel like a woman who is madly in love with a man.

Blessing #57, June 23, 2010

I am thankful that my husband called me in March of 2000. It took guts-we hadn't seen each other in years. I am thankful that he wasn't afraid to tell me how he felt early on. I am blessed that he asked and so happy that I had the wisdom to say yes. He is the best decision I ever made.

Going Up....Growing Up

Sometimes my children make me laugh so authentically, it as if the laughter is bubbling up from my soul. Yesterday, the family took a trip to the mall. Trey had birthday money to spend at Belk, so we piled the kids in the very large family car and set out on the adventure. Shortly into the drive Katie pipes up with a shocking question. "Daddy, what's a mall?"

Yes, you read it right. My aversion to shopping is so strong that my daugther has no recollection of ever visiting the mall. Anyway, it gets better. Once we were in Belk, we split up. Katie and I headed to the Ladies' section on the 1st floor, and the boys headed to the Mens' section on the 2nd floor. When it was time for us to meet up, Katie and I made our way to the escalator. She stood at the base of it with an expression of total awe on her face. She squatted down to look at the floor where the next step was continuously emerging. Her little head would turn rythmically-she would watch a step till it got so far, then turn to watch another. Then, she placed her left foot on a stair and kept her right foot planted firmly on the ground, until her legs were spread into an impressive split. I picked her up before she crumbled and hurt herself, and we tried again. After several splits and frustrated moments, I finally convinced her to step on with me, and we rode up together. We may as well have been on a hot air balloon or flying saucer ride. By now, we had attracted an audience and earned lots of giggles.

Once we reached the top, I learned that Chip was just as amused. He was hiding in clothes racks, crawling on all 4s in the pants section, and playing hide and seek in the fitting rooms. Trey looked at me, and said, "We don't need to spend a dime to show these kids a good time. Let's just bring them to the mall."

We were only there an hour or so, but it was the most enjoyable shopping trip I've had. Watching the world through the perspective of my children, I find fun and humor in places I least expect it. Trey and I were both laughing from deep inside-the kind of authentic laughter that comes from contentment.

Blessing #56, June 21, 2010

Today I am thankful for the freshness and fun that comes with my children's discovery of the world. Routinely, mundane parts of my day are made new because of their imaginations, questions, and wonder.

People do this for a Living?

I can't imagine being a writer who got paid in advance. I think the pressure would kill me. What if I took money for a writing assignment and then had a series of days full of this kind of moment I am experiencing now? I am anxiously glancing bank and forth between a blank entry and the time. I have had a wonderful day, but I don't feel inspired to type an entry. Tonight I am thinking I was absolutely crazy to commit to writing everyday. Self-improvement? Self discovery? Weren't those my reasons? Blah, Blah, Blah! What about getting to bed early? Being lazy? Watching TV? Yes, I'm in a real mood tonight. But, commit I did, so I have to plunge ahead. I suppose I can follow the stream of consciousness and see where it takes me tonight. And I'll bet that tomorrow I will go back to believing this is a fabulous thing I'm doing.

I am reading a great book. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert was given to me by a student. It is fabulous-I am amazed at how the author is so comfortable writing about her flaws, insecurities, and dreams. The book is honest. When I'm reading it, I feel like I'm with a sister and we are being 100% real with one another. Oh, and she got paid before she wrote the book. That is brave. She gets a divorce, heads to foreign country because she wants to learn a new language, and takes money on the promise that she'll write about her experiences. She gets the WonderWoman award from me for her fearlessness.

I went to a Rotary meeting today. I am the Interact Advisor for my school, and today we presented the program at our sponsoring club. Two of my officers presented the year in review. I was so impressed with them, and amazed at how much we have done. No wonder I feel so busy in the school year. These two girls were with me in Haiti, and we talked for a long time today about how they can get back. It was a miracle that anyone wanted to go to Haiti with me, and here these girls are trying to go back.

Well, the stream just hit a dam.

Blessing #55, June 21, 2010

I am thankful for my resolve. I do not want to be writing, but I believe it is good for me. I knew if I promised to cyber space that I would do it everyday, that I really would. And here I am. Most days I love it...but today is not one of them. My resolve is seeing me through and I know that tomorrow I will be glad it did.

The Most Important Thing a Father can do for his Children...

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is love their mother." I must have heard my dad say that 100 times. I didn't really understand as I was growing up, but now that I have my children of my own I get it. A father who loves his children's mother teaches the children how to love. He shows a daughter what a loving marriage should be, and gives that daughter the confidence and discernment to choose a partner wisely.

Yes, that's the most important, but my Father did so much more.

Blessing #54, June 20, 2010

I am thankful for my Father. His love for my mother and all of his family provided me a safe, secure, and happy childhood. He made me believe that I can accoomplish anything, and he taught me that God is Love. He modeled a fierce committment to integrity, compassion, charity, and service. He worked hard to provide me all the luxuries I have written of in this blog; water, shelter, food, clothing, and education. He empowered me to make a good choice in my husband. My Dad has been, and continues to be, a tremendous blessing in my life.

There are a lot of Dads in my life

Hee Hee! Reading the title makes me think of an opening line on a Jerry Springer episode. Well, that's not what I mean! I have the father of my children, my father, my father in law, brothers in law, and an uncle who are all honored on Fathers' Day by us. Over the next several days I will honor each one in turn. So, here goes volume 1.

We just got home from Trey's parent's house. We had a great time celebrating Fathers Day with his Dad and Uncle! There was steak for dinner, time for swimming, and lots of laughs. In one sense it is hard for me to believe that I have celebrated 10 fathers' days with Trey's family, but in another it feels like we have always been family. Watching his family, it isn't surprising how great he turned out.

Blessing #53, June 19, 2010

I am thankful for my father-in-law. Trey learned how to be a wonderful husband and father watching him, and I and my children are reaping the benefits.

The Blessing of the Broken Blackberry

Well, my blackberry broke today. I will be phoneless until the insurance company ships me a new one. It didn't just die, but it perished in such a way that I may not be able to recover any data. I may have lost pictures, phone numbers, and my to do list!

During the school year this would result in a major panic attack. But now, I find that I am enjoying being out of touch. Being without the phone isn't a big deal, but potentially losing the data and being without internet in my pocket is giving me pause. I mean it is wild that I don't know people's phone numbers or emails anymore. I have almost forgotten how to check on the weather without pulling up that bookmark on my phone. It's not just me! People all over have stopped using real cameras, learning to read maps, or speaking to people because their phone does it all.

What strikes me is that the device seems to be designed to shrink the world and bring folks closer together. I believe it feeds some innate human need for community and connection. Yet, one day without mine, and I feel more connected to friends and community than ever. I had long converstations today with my neighbors, and I didn't need to divert my eyes to check a text, the time, an email, or a voice mail. I was really in the moment. I'm not saying I'm getting rid of it forever, but I am going to be more aware of its hold on me.

Blessing #52, June 18, 2010

Today I am thankful for a few days off from compulsively checking my phone. I have been reminded that what is most important is more likely what is happening in front of my face-than what is happening in cell phone cyberspace.

The Truth

I think that all humans struggle with denial about the harshness of the world. We think, "If I stay active and eat my vegetables, I won't get old, slow, or cancer." The truth is none of us makes it out of here alive. The trick is to embrace that and love life honestly.

Children are fabulous at helping with this. They see things adults try to cover up with makeup, pretense or vitamins. Let me offer an example. A few nights ago Katie and I were rocking in the living room. She was facing me and being very affectionate. It was wonderful, focused time together. She reached up and pointed to the wrinkles on my forehead and said, "Mommy, why do you have those lines on your face? Are you old yet?" Shortly after came another stinger. She told me one day she would have babies, and then I would be "an old Mommy." I think she meant grandmother, but she still spoke a great truth.

She wasn't sad as she alluded to this natural progression, just very matter of fact. I, on the other hand, felt like I'd had the wind knocked out of me. Her comment came right after I realized that an anti-aging cream commercial was targeting me-I mean I was the tired, working mommy with bags under my eyes and wrinkles appearing. When did this happen?

Katie's comments served as a reality check for me. Yoga, walking, Oil of Olay-none of it is going to keep me young forever. So, I can be sad, or I can see it like Katie does. I am here until I'm not. I will get older every day. There will be more lines on my face, more arthritis in my knees, and I can only hope I make it to being an "Old Mommy."

So, I am going to concentrate on accepting life for what it is, enjoying everyday, and not wasting time wishing I could slow down its progression.

Blessing #51, June 17, 2010

Today I am grateful for the clarity a child's perspective offers. I realize that Katie is relaxed about my aging because she doesn't put aging and death together. Still, if I can approach life and aging as she does, despite my fears, knowledge, and vanity, then I will have made a great stride toward making peace with my place and time in this world.

Speaking of a Village-#50

Sometimes I'm lucky enough to come across a book that forces me to think about things in a new way. I am even luckier when I get to share that book with my students.

Yesterday I wrote about the importance of creating and nurturing a community. In a community, you know each other, you help each other, and you understand that your actions affect those around you. In my entry I referred to my community as "my village," and it reminded me of a perspective changing book. The book, If the World Were A Village, describes the world as village of 100 people. There are shocking facts about the number of those people who live without clean water, no electricty, and no food. It describes the number of chickens, languages, and computers per 100 people. It is a fascinating read, and it really hammers home that I have a priviledged existence.

Blessing #50, June 16, 2010

I can't believe I have hit 50 already. 50 days in a row of counting blessings. I wasn't sure I could make it this far. It was scary to start to write, however informally, but 50 is a pretty great milestone. Today, I am thankful for making it this far. I am thankful that I am a villager with clean water, food, shelter, and electricity.

Thank God for my Village

Trey and I love living in Athens. We have wonderful jobs here, a wonderful church, and wonderful friends. Our parents are just an hour away, so they are pretty close. We usually get to be with our families during holidays and birthdays. At times, we wish they were closer so they could spend more time with the kids. But, our livelihoods are in Athens and so then are our homes. There isn't really any sense in wishing we could move closer to family--it just isn't possible, so we've concentrated on nurturing and participating in our community here.

Community is a wonderful thing. We have a supper club that we've been active in for 7 years. Several of us had boys within months of each other, and they remain great friends. Yesterday, when I got the call from Vacation Bible School that Katie was sick it came from one of my closest friends from that supper club, Kathie. I ran to pick Katie up, and Kathie offered to bring Chip home when VBS wrapped up. Last week, we carpooled with another supper club family to soccer camp. I picked up their children, and they took mine. Next week, I am attending Rotary to make a presentation with several of my students, and my kids will get a play date with a family in the neighborhood while I'm gone.

The kids and I were at the pool again today (I know, do I have the life in the summer time or what?). I don't even need to schedule playdates, because there are so many families with young children in our neighborhood, playdates are built in to a pool visit. I get to laugh with and visit with the other Moms and Dads, and my children get to enjoy their children.

But community isn't just about visiting and sharing laughs. When I've had babies, or lost loved ones, my neighbors and community have blown me away with their generosity. They have brought meals, sent cards, and just listened while I cried or vented. I have heard it takes a village to raise a family. I believe it, and I am so thankful for my village!

Blessing #49, June 15, 2010

I am grateful for my community. We are blessed with a church family, friends, and neighbors who enrich our lives and our childrens' lives everyday. It does take a village, and these friends, all of us together, have built one.

Feels like 105

My husband called this morning to say the AC wasn't working at his office. He was sweating and miserable. Just after I got the call, I read that the Athens Area was issued a heat advisory that will likely last the rest of the week. Actual temperature and humidity are making it feel like 105.

Meanwhile, Katie vomited at Vacation Bible School. Turns out it was not a big deal-she just got choked on her snack, but I watched her closely this afternoon anyway. In case she was infected with a virus, I canceled our dentist appointments and we just chilled on the couch. It was a wonderful, cool, and comfortable day. We made it through May without using the AC, so when we finally had cool air in the house, it felt like a miracle.

Blessing #48, June 14, 2010

Today I am thankful for my air conditioned house. I wish that all who wanted it could have the opportunity to feel cool, comfortable, and relaxed in a climate controlled home.

Nothing But a Bottle of Ketchup

I am not a huge fan of grocery shopping, but I like an empty cupboard even less. I've been known to say, "There is nothing in my kitchen but a bottle of ketchup," when things get really bare. The expression is based in reality--one stressful time, with kids arguing and hungry, I remember opening the fridge and seeing only a bottle of Heinz. Anyway, hungry children, a hungry husband, and a hungry dog just make any situation more stressful. (Did I mention the classroom pet, a mouse named Jill, has moved in with me? I'm sure she'll be hungry before long...)

This weekend, our family outing was to Sams Club, and our fridge and pantry are overflowing. We've had great meals and wonderful times. Everyone loves being at home and together when there is plenty of good food to eat.


Blessing #47, June 13, 2010

Today I am thankful for a full pantry. I know that people in Athens and all over the world are hungry, and I know there are parents who want badly to give their children enough to eat. It is a blessing that my husband and I can fill our pantry and provide our children with plenty of food and memories of good times around the table.