One goal I have for my future child is that he likes to read. After receiving a facebook post about which 6 out of 100 books listed by the BBC have I read , I started contemplating all the really good books that have been in my life. So I am starting a chronological lists of the books that have shaped me and my life. Perhaps these could become a list of what to read if you want a bibliophile for a child.
Books from 0-6 months
1- The Old Man and the Sea- Hemingway
I have never read this. I just felt I should start here because this is the book my father read while I was being born. It was a diferent time then, so he sat and read this book in the waiting room of the hospital until the nurse announced that I had arrived. Don't fel too bad for my mom though. She has stated that she slept most of the day. Awoke. Had 5 contractions and I was delivered. (My head was actually delivered before my mom buzzed the nurse to let her know I was coming.)
2- The Odyssey- Homer
My dad always said one of his goals as a father was to have me enjoy reading. He also stated that he was utterly clueless about what to do with a baby. Case in point- first day back from the hospital, my mom asks him to check on me in my crib. He returns to say that he checked and I am still there. He had no idea what he was suppose to check on.
So to get to know me, he would sit by my crib and read the Odyssey to me. Why the Odyssey? I don't know, but I have assumed it was a book he had been assigned to read for one of his college classes. As a story that was part of the oral tradition long before it was written down, it was probably an excellent choice.
I have wondered if the influence of the Odyssey lead me to take Latin and Greek Mythology in middle school. I read the Odyssey on my own during hte summer before 7th grade, which led me to chose the mythological name of Calliope for Latin Club. I also convinced my eventual best-friend to take the name Penelope.
Obviously I don't remember being read these books, but they are part of my family legend/history. It's a reading legacy I hope to pass on to my child.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Food of the Gods
Since becoming pregnant, many people ask me if I have any strange cravings. Nothing strange so far, but there are some specific foods that I crave for a period of time, and then stop caring about. What is strange, is that I have gone from liking pretty much all foods (except oysters) to having some very distinct dislikes.
Early on,when the morning sickness was horrible, the most delicious thing I could imagine eating was a cheeseburger. As a result, Tom bought lots of Bubba Burgers so he could grill them at home for me. We still have two left, because I am now totally indifferent to cheeseburgers. Cantaloupe enjoyed its place in the spotlight for a fortnight. Other foods, like Mexican food and tomatoes have always been my favorites and continue to be. Eggs on the other hand, disgust me, when once I could easily eat 6-12 deviled eggs by myself.
Most recently, I have been craving my mother's potato salad. This is an issue. You should know that my mother makes the best potato salad in the world. Now I know you may think your mother or someone else you knows makes the best potato salad. It is normal to believe that because typically one's family sets the norm for what you consider to be delicious, so I accept that you believe your mom's potato salad is the best. Just suffice it to say, that when my mom makes her potato salad, she must make it in 10-20 pound batches because people send containers over to get some of her potato salad. It is truly that good.
Now those that don't know my mom may wonder why this is an issue. Well my mom is in Oklahoma and I'm in Maryland. She can't safely ship her potato salad to me. I am also sad to admit, that I have never made her potato salad. (When you have Michelangelo painting your ceiling, do you grab the paintbrush? No, you sit back and marvel at the genius.)
Well this weekend I took potato peeler in hand and made my first attempt. First, I received directions from mom, not a recipe, but directions. You must understand that there is no recipe, just Do's and Don't's and tasting for perfection. I have to declare, the potato salad a success. It is creamy, but still has chunks of potatoes. It isn't dominated by one ingredient, like mayonnaise or mustard, but instead is a harmonious blend that shows of the potatoes. Thankfully Tom agrees, because I made 5 pounds of potato salad. It is so yummy and reminds me of home and love and my mom.
That's a relief. It would be horrible if Ii had disliked it or been indifferent to it. The other strange food response has been chocolate. Before becoming pregnant, i adored chocolate. I love dark chocolate, because it was just extra chocolate. Now I am completely indifferent. I see it, I acknowledge it, but the passion, the cravings that have been a constant in my life are gone. I have joked that this means I'm having a boy, because if i was carrying another female, that would only increase my love of chocolate. Today Tom and I found out that I was right.
Early on,when the morning sickness was horrible, the most delicious thing I could imagine eating was a cheeseburger. As a result, Tom bought lots of Bubba Burgers so he could grill them at home for me. We still have two left, because I am now totally indifferent to cheeseburgers. Cantaloupe enjoyed its place in the spotlight for a fortnight. Other foods, like Mexican food and tomatoes have always been my favorites and continue to be. Eggs on the other hand, disgust me, when once I could easily eat 6-12 deviled eggs by myself.
Most recently, I have been craving my mother's potato salad. This is an issue. You should know that my mother makes the best potato salad in the world. Now I know you may think your mother or someone else you knows makes the best potato salad. It is normal to believe that because typically one's family sets the norm for what you consider to be delicious, so I accept that you believe your mom's potato salad is the best. Just suffice it to say, that when my mom makes her potato salad, she must make it in 10-20 pound batches because people send containers over to get some of her potato salad. It is truly that good.
Now those that don't know my mom may wonder why this is an issue. Well my mom is in Oklahoma and I'm in Maryland. She can't safely ship her potato salad to me. I am also sad to admit, that I have never made her potato salad. (When you have Michelangelo painting your ceiling, do you grab the paintbrush? No, you sit back and marvel at the genius.)
Well this weekend I took potato peeler in hand and made my first attempt. First, I received directions from mom, not a recipe, but directions. You must understand that there is no recipe, just Do's and Don't's and tasting for perfection. I have to declare, the potato salad a success. It is creamy, but still has chunks of potatoes. It isn't dominated by one ingredient, like mayonnaise or mustard, but instead is a harmonious blend that shows of the potatoes. Thankfully Tom agrees, because I made 5 pounds of potato salad. It is so yummy and reminds me of home and love and my mom.
That's a relief. It would be horrible if Ii had disliked it or been indifferent to it. The other strange food response has been chocolate. Before becoming pregnant, i adored chocolate. I love dark chocolate, because it was just extra chocolate. Now I am completely indifferent. I see it, I acknowledge it, but the passion, the cravings that have been a constant in my life are gone. I have joked that this means I'm having a boy, because if i was carrying another female, that would only increase my love of chocolate. Today Tom and I found out that I was right.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Food Inspired by Actual Events
Whenever I feel overwhelmed about working and having a child, I think of my grandmother, Dottie. In the early 50s, as the mother of 3 boys (each 2 years apart in age) she completed her college degree in 3 years and began her career as a teacher. During this time she and my grandfather were constantly working on their house. (My dad's former bedroom was in the present day basement of a house that now boasts a garage apartment t-that's how much work they did.) They were both constantly busy.
Dottie has shared with me that she never knew how many would sit down at the dinner table each night, but she did know that they would all be hungry. She learned to be a flexible cook, even though or maybe because, her mother had never taught her to cook. Dottie says there are times that she has dreams that large groups of friends are coming to dinner unexpectedly, and she needs to make dinner with no idea of what ingredients she has in the house. She says these dreams aren't stressful, just pleasantly familiar. She is fearless about substitutions.
Which brings me to my cooking. My mother is an excellent cook. Her mother actually won ribbons at the county fair and had recipes featured in regional cookbooks. I consider myself a good to okay cook, but rarely use recipes, unless they are for something that my mother never made, like risotto. This summer however, given the heat and the non-stop morning sickness , I have not been able to face making food most nights. Luckily, Tom is often happy with Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches.
(Side note from my inner feminist- Tom and I made a deal when we moved into our house with no dishwasher- I'll cook, if he washes dishes. I HATE washing dishes, so I am not renegotiating. Besides, with the pregnancy, he is now cleaning the catbox too.)
Well this past week the tide has turned and I have begun cooking again.
I was looking for inspiration (often the greatest hurdle I face in my cooking) and feeling homesick, so I checked out a blog my aunt Gail recommended, The Pioneer Woman Cooks. I found a "16-minute meal" that looked good Bowtie Lasagna . I read it over, and decided I would make it that night.
The recipe called for:
Cooked Bowtie Pasta
Jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
Browned Ground beef
Garlic powder and Italian Seasoning
Mozzarella cheese
Sour Cream
When I got home, this is what I made
Instead of Bowtie Pasta, I used Penne Pasta (What i had in the pantry)
Instead of Jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce, I made my own (I always make my own with fresh garlic, canned whole tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. It's easy and I know exactly what's in it)
Instead of Browned Ground Beef (which I didn't have any thawed out) I used some cooked chicken breasts I had frozen to use in salads . I defrosted in the microwave and then just cubed them.
Instead of Mozzarella Cheese, I used shaved Parmesan Cheese (I may not be required by law to have always have Parmesan Cheese in the house, but I might as well be. I think of it as Italian salt, instead of additional salt I just add fresh Parmesan.)
Instead of sour cream, I had Greek yogurt, so I just threw a spoonful of it in at the end.
Tom loved it! I then told him I got the recipe a website, except instead of this, I used that. As I went through the list, I realized what I had done.
I am my grandmother's granddaughter.
At this point, I'll just say that I was inspired by the recipe on the Pioneer Woman Cooks website, but I can't really say it's her recipe. Besides, it is my core belief that quick meal, shouldn't require a special trip to the grocery store.
Happy eating!
Dottie has shared with me that she never knew how many would sit down at the dinner table each night, but she did know that they would all be hungry. She learned to be a flexible cook, even though or maybe because, her mother had never taught her to cook. Dottie says there are times that she has dreams that large groups of friends are coming to dinner unexpectedly, and she needs to make dinner with no idea of what ingredients she has in the house. She says these dreams aren't stressful, just pleasantly familiar. She is fearless about substitutions.
Which brings me to my cooking. My mother is an excellent cook. Her mother actually won ribbons at the county fair and had recipes featured in regional cookbooks. I consider myself a good to okay cook, but rarely use recipes, unless they are for something that my mother never made, like risotto. This summer however, given the heat and the non-stop morning sickness , I have not been able to face making food most nights. Luckily, Tom is often happy with Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches.
(Side note from my inner feminist- Tom and I made a deal when we moved into our house with no dishwasher- I'll cook, if he washes dishes. I HATE washing dishes, so I am not renegotiating. Besides, with the pregnancy, he is now cleaning the catbox too.)
Well this past week the tide has turned and I have begun cooking again.
I was looking for inspiration (often the greatest hurdle I face in my cooking) and feeling homesick, so I checked out a blog my aunt Gail recommended, The Pioneer Woman Cooks. I found a "16-minute meal" that looked good Bowtie Lasagna . I read it over, and decided I would make it that night.
The recipe called for:
Cooked Bowtie Pasta
Jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
Browned Ground beef
Garlic powder and Italian Seasoning
Mozzarella cheese
Sour Cream
When I got home, this is what I made
Instead of Bowtie Pasta, I used Penne Pasta (What i had in the pantry)
Instead of Jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce, I made my own (I always make my own with fresh garlic, canned whole tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. It's easy and I know exactly what's in it)
Instead of Browned Ground Beef (which I didn't have any thawed out) I used some cooked chicken breasts I had frozen to use in salads . I defrosted in the microwave and then just cubed them.
Instead of Mozzarella Cheese, I used shaved Parmesan Cheese (I may not be required by law to have always have Parmesan Cheese in the house, but I might as well be. I think of it as Italian salt, instead of additional salt I just add fresh Parmesan.)
Instead of sour cream, I had Greek yogurt, so I just threw a spoonful of it in at the end.
Tom loved it! I then told him I got the recipe a website, except instead of this, I used that. As I went through the list, I realized what I had done.
I am my grandmother's granddaughter.
At this point, I'll just say that I was inspired by the recipe on the Pioneer Woman Cooks website, but I can't really say it's her recipe. Besides, it is my core belief that quick meal, shouldn't require a special trip to the grocery store.
Happy eating!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Summer Lives
It makes sense that I chose a profession that has such a great distinction between the school year and summer vacation. Starting in first grade, my summer life differed drastically from my day-to-day life. My parents worked in the restaurant business, so summer with it's longer days, was always the busy time of year. My grandmother, Dottie, a high school English teacher during the school year, was the principal of the elementary summer school in Byng. While we lived in Oklahoma, my mom or dad, would drive me the hour drive to Byng to stay with Dottie and George until Friday evening when they would pick me up again.
Monday through Friday, I attended Byng summer school. The days had a pleasant routine. I would wake up at 6am to have breakfast with my grandparents and then get ready for school. The school was only 1/2 a mile from their house, so Dottie and I would walk to school together. There I had classes in art, swimming, math and reading. Class let out at noon, just in time to walk home make lunch and spend the afternoon out in the woods that occupied some of the 13 acres of land they owned.
In later years, there were changes. We moved to Louisiana, a 13 hour drive to Byng, so my summer stay extended to 6 weeks rather than just weeknights. Dottie's nieces, Amy and Cindy, came to live with Dottie and George for a while, but my childhood memory is fuzzy on how many summers they were there.
What I do remember is having Amy, one year my senior, as a playmate. Dottie got us involved in softball games. I remember spending every afternoon in the above ground pool that Dottie and George put in the backyard. We put on our own production of Jaws with neither of us having ever seen the movie. We would compete over how many underwater somersaults we could do in a row. The record stands at 7. I thought I had reached 8, but I must admit that I blacked out while doing them, so Cindy's official count stands. It was also during these summers that I saw the Empire Strikes Back, which first introduced me to the concept of sequels and that they do not live up to my expectations.
They are simply great summer memories. They also contrasted nicely with my life in Baton Rouge, which had all the trappings of mid-size city life. Because of my time in Oklahoma, i learned about gardening from both sets of grandparents. My love of homegrown tomatoes, summer squash, and snapping beans continues as I grow my own square-foot garden. I remember scrambling to grab the potatoes George dug dug up as if they were buried treasure, before going inside to get ready for church. Eating salads fresh from granny's garden for lunch and then being dumb-founded that the town turned off the water from 2-4:00pm each day to conserve usage. Staying up late with my aunt Gail as she recounted the horror of the movie, The Hitcher, to me. (I finally saw the actual movie 2 years ago. Gail's version was scarier.) Granny buying Gwyn and I matching purple polo-like shirts. I remember marveling at my grandfather, Papa's windmill, that brought water out of the ground in the hot, dry summer of 1980.
And that was the gift of living in a city for most of the year, and in rural Oklahoma for the summers. It allowed me to have a sense of wonder that staying in one place year-round wouldn't have provided. There is a beauty to Oklahoma and to Louisiana, but it is a beauty as different as Louise Brooks and Ingrid Bergman. Living in both worlds gave me an appreciation of both.
I know it was hard on my parents' to have me gone so long, but they were committed to me knowing my family, despite the distance between us. As I prepare to have a child, a timezone away from most of my relatives and lifelong friends, I hope I can pass that gift onto him/her.
Monday through Friday, I attended Byng summer school. The days had a pleasant routine. I would wake up at 6am to have breakfast with my grandparents and then get ready for school. The school was only 1/2 a mile from their house, so Dottie and I would walk to school together. There I had classes in art, swimming, math and reading. Class let out at noon, just in time to walk home make lunch and spend the afternoon out in the woods that occupied some of the 13 acres of land they owned.
In later years, there were changes. We moved to Louisiana, a 13 hour drive to Byng, so my summer stay extended to 6 weeks rather than just weeknights. Dottie's nieces, Amy and Cindy, came to live with Dottie and George for a while, but my childhood memory is fuzzy on how many summers they were there.
What I do remember is having Amy, one year my senior, as a playmate. Dottie got us involved in softball games. I remember spending every afternoon in the above ground pool that Dottie and George put in the backyard. We put on our own production of Jaws with neither of us having ever seen the movie. We would compete over how many underwater somersaults we could do in a row. The record stands at 7. I thought I had reached 8, but I must admit that I blacked out while doing them, so Cindy's official count stands. It was also during these summers that I saw the Empire Strikes Back, which first introduced me to the concept of sequels and that they do not live up to my expectations.
They are simply great summer memories. They also contrasted nicely with my life in Baton Rouge, which had all the trappings of mid-size city life. Because of my time in Oklahoma, i learned about gardening from both sets of grandparents. My love of homegrown tomatoes, summer squash, and snapping beans continues as I grow my own square-foot garden. I remember scrambling to grab the potatoes George dug dug up as if they were buried treasure, before going inside to get ready for church. Eating salads fresh from granny's garden for lunch and then being dumb-founded that the town turned off the water from 2-4:00pm each day to conserve usage. Staying up late with my aunt Gail as she recounted the horror of the movie, The Hitcher, to me. (I finally saw the actual movie 2 years ago. Gail's version was scarier.) Granny buying Gwyn and I matching purple polo-like shirts. I remember marveling at my grandfather, Papa's windmill, that brought water out of the ground in the hot, dry summer of 1980.
And that was the gift of living in a city for most of the year, and in rural Oklahoma for the summers. It allowed me to have a sense of wonder that staying in one place year-round wouldn't have provided. There is a beauty to Oklahoma and to Louisiana, but it is a beauty as different as Louise Brooks and Ingrid Bergman. Living in both worlds gave me an appreciation of both.
I know it was hard on my parents' to have me gone so long, but they were committed to me knowing my family, despite the distance between us. As I prepare to have a child, a timezone away from most of my relatives and lifelong friends, I hope I can pass that gift onto him/her.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Cat's Out of the Bag
It's official. Tom and I will be adding to our household come January. In addition to our cat and dog, we are adding a baby into the mix. I am 13 weeks along and things are going well. Unless you consider overwhelming morning sickness unpleasant. It makes brushing my teeth and driving to work an adventure.
The top two weirdest things about being pregnant:
1- I have absolutely no craving for chocolate. None at all. My entire life I have craved chocolate. I prefer dark chocolate because it is just extra chocolate. I have always despised white chocolate, because it is not chocolate. Yet, when I ate that one piece of chocolate since conceiving, my body responded by a simple, "hmm... food," instead of it's usual "YES!!! Food of the Gods."
2- My appetite is actually less than before. I just can't eat as much before I feel full and not just a little full, but stuffed, it must be Thanksgiving, full. The baby isn't that big yet, just the size of a lemon, so I don't think it should be impacting me that much. However, after seeing it kick my bladder in the ultrasound, maybe the kid just wants some more room. I'm not in maternity clothes yet, so maybe there just isn't enough room for food?
So that's what I didn't expect. The morning sickness, I kind of expected given my mother's experience, but it really sucks.
C'est la vie. It is worth it in the end.
The top two weirdest things about being pregnant:
1- I have absolutely no craving for chocolate. None at all. My entire life I have craved chocolate. I prefer dark chocolate because it is just extra chocolate. I have always despised white chocolate, because it is not chocolate. Yet, when I ate that one piece of chocolate since conceiving, my body responded by a simple, "hmm... food," instead of it's usual "YES!!! Food of the Gods."
2- My appetite is actually less than before. I just can't eat as much before I feel full and not just a little full, but stuffed, it must be Thanksgiving, full. The baby isn't that big yet, just the size of a lemon, so I don't think it should be impacting me that much. However, after seeing it kick my bladder in the ultrasound, maybe the kid just wants some more room. I'm not in maternity clothes yet, so maybe there just isn't enough room for food?
So that's what I didn't expect. The morning sickness, I kind of expected given my mother's experience, but it really sucks.
C'est la vie. It is worth it in the end.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Birthday Bonanza
July 1st has become a big day in my family. It started with my step-father, Richard, whose birthday is on July 1st. Then I met my husband Tom, whose birthday is also on July 1st. Besides sharing a birthday and being wonderful husbands, they are both huge Simpsons fans. Fate? Proof that astrology has merit? I don't know, but it makes remembering their birthdays much easier.
Then last year, Tom and I were talking about my cat. like many adopted animals, I don't know his date of birth. I did get him young enough that the vet was able to determine that he was born in July. (I remember this because we were counting down the days until he could be neutered.) Tom suggested that we celebrate his birthday on July 1st, so he too could be one of the guys. So Larry's 18th will officially be July 1, 2010.
This also means that, excluding blood relatives, the longest relationship relationship I have had with a male is with my cat. Some my say that's depressing , but hey, he's 18 and a really cool cat.
I wonder if I should have him register with selective service?
Then last year, Tom and I were talking about my cat. like many adopted animals, I don't know his date of birth. I did get him young enough that the vet was able to determine that he was born in July. (I remember this because we were counting down the days until he could be neutered.) Tom suggested that we celebrate his birthday on July 1st, so he too could be one of the guys. So Larry's 18th will officially be July 1, 2010.
This also means that, excluding blood relatives, the longest relationship relationship I have had with a male is with my cat. Some my say that's depressing , but hey, he's 18 and a really cool cat.
I wonder if I should have him register with selective service?
Friday, May 28, 2010
The Real World
After a week off work with my mom, returning to work has been challenging. There are the usual rituals after a long absence: checking, deleting and responding to emails, reviewing tasks to accomplish, but this time it was harder. It may be that Hopkins commencement on Thursday usually means a short week this week, followed by another 4 day week for memorial day. This year, however, I volunteered to work commencement. It was hot it Baltimore yesterday. On the lacrosse field there was very little breeze. Everyone was aware and tried to prepare for he heat. Extra water bottles, extra first aid stations, and most importantly shorter commencement addresses. We actually ended 30 minutes early. Michael Bloomberg did a good job in his address, but it was the class president's address that choked me up. I am a sucker for emotional thank yous to family, maybe because I live so far away from mine.
What was I doing at commencement? Well, after helping the marshals get ready, I and my team-mate quickly joined the other Purell squirters on the field. It was our job to squirt the hands of each doctoral and bachelors degree candidate before they shook hands with the president. That is what we did for the 1000+ candidates. On the upside, several students commented on how cool the sanitizer felt and were happy to use it. The irony of all this is that I don't believe in hand sanitizers.
I traded off with others so I had a place to sit, rest and hydrate. Multiple bottles of water and juice later, we were done when I squirted Purell into Ms. Zhao's hands. It was a great day, but I was exhausted afterwards. I went home, took a 3 hour nap and relaxed until the hubby got off work. Overall, a good day. Congratulations, Johns Hopkins University, Class of 2010.
What was I doing at commencement? Well, after helping the marshals get ready, I and my team-mate quickly joined the other Purell squirters on the field. It was our job to squirt the hands of each doctoral and bachelors degree candidate before they shook hands with the president. That is what we did for the 1000+ candidates. On the upside, several students commented on how cool the sanitizer felt and were happy to use it. The irony of all this is that I don't believe in hand sanitizers.
I traded off with others so I had a place to sit, rest and hydrate. Multiple bottles of water and juice later, we were done when I squirted Purell into Ms. Zhao's hands. It was a great day, but I was exhausted afterwards. I went home, took a 3 hour nap and relaxed until the hubby got off work. Overall, a good day. Congratulations, Johns Hopkins University, Class of 2010.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Lazy Days
Mom got in late last night after numerous weather delays. Arriving at our house after 2:00am, we were all exhausted. Today has been a day of naps, meals and visiting. It's good to have her here.
The cat and dog are in hog heaven having their grandma visit again. They are soaking up the attention, and can't wait to sit next to here or sleep with her. Of course I am the one they woke up at 6:00am to feed them.
The cat and dog are in hog heaven having their grandma visit again. They are soaking up the attention, and can't wait to sit next to here or sleep with her. Of course I am the one they woke up at 6:00am to feed them.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Honfest is Coming
It will be too late for me and mom to get hon-ed, but I'm still excited about this year's Honfest in Hampden.
I love Hampden! My father-in-law is a Hampden native. His sister even danced on the Buddy Deane Show. Mom and I will make her annual shopping pilgrimage there this week to Mina"s and the other shops I adore.
To learn more about honfest check out this link http://findlocal.baltimoresun.com/downtown/community-events/fairs-festivals/honfest-downtown-hampden-baltimore-fair-festival
I love Hampden! My father-in-law is a Hampden native. His sister even danced on the Buddy Deane Show. Mom and I will make her annual shopping pilgrimage there this week to Mina"s and the other shops I adore.
To learn more about honfest check out this link http://findlocal.baltimoresun.com/downtown/community-events/fairs-festivals/honfest-downtown-hampden-baltimore-fair-festival
The Big Day
Mom is coming to Baltimore tonight. We are ready. I have some grocery shopping to do this evening before she arrives, but that's it. Now for a nice long week of visiting.
Maybe I'll try to divide the dog treats into baggies by day, so Mom won't be tempted to overindulge the grand-dog. Toby like other dogs, loves attention and food so getting a treat handed to him is the ultimate prize.
Then again, the ultimate prize may be when he uses Macgiver like cunning to army crawl under the gate to the bathroom to reach and eat the cat's food and then army crawl out without moving the bowl. Sometimes I think the dog plays dumb to lull me into a false sense of security and then he strikes, gobbling down all the cat food he possibly can before I can get to him and the bowl.
Maybe I'll try to divide the dog treats into baggies by day, so Mom won't be tempted to overindulge the grand-dog. Toby like other dogs, loves attention and food so getting a treat handed to him is the ultimate prize.
Then again, the ultimate prize may be when he uses Macgiver like cunning to army crawl under the gate to the bathroom to reach and eat the cat's food and then army crawl out without moving the bowl. Sometimes I think the dog plays dumb to lull me into a false sense of security and then he strikes, gobbling down all the cat food he possibly can before I can get to him and the bowl.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
All My Exes Live in Texas
I've been thinking of ex-boyfriends lately because one of my former students has gone through a rough break-up this semester. It's easy, to forget what those days were like, now that Tom and I have been together for almost 4 years. Everything with him has been so easy, that looking back it is obvious that all my Mr. Wrongs were simply wrong for me. I could make a bad boyfriend behavior list, but I don't because I am sure I could as easily appear on a bad girlfriend list.
However, I was a single woman for so many years, that my natural allegiance still lies with them. Life does get better when you are no longer in your twenties, when you know yourself enough to know what you want. It's easier to weed out the truly suitable as well as the ones you're just not into. But the twenties are still hard. I think there is so much pressure to succeed and make a splash early. I like to think about Ira Glass, and something he said at a presentation one time. After playing a clip from the beginning of his career that he described "as having absolutely no evidence that I had any talent at all." he stated that in your twenties you have to practice, you have to feed your creative nature, and simply have faith in your innate talent, because it probably won't all come together until later. So I guess you just gotta have faith, faith, faith.
Now go listen to some George Michael to try to get that song out of your head.
However, I was a single woman for so many years, that my natural allegiance still lies with them. Life does get better when you are no longer in your twenties, when you know yourself enough to know what you want. It's easier to weed out the truly suitable as well as the ones you're just not into. But the twenties are still hard. I think there is so much pressure to succeed and make a splash early. I like to think about Ira Glass, and something he said at a presentation one time. After playing a clip from the beginning of his career that he described "as having absolutely no evidence that I had any talent at all." he stated that in your twenties you have to practice, you have to feed your creative nature, and simply have faith in your innate talent, because it probably won't all come together until later. So I guess you just gotta have faith, faith, faith.
Now go listen to some George Michael to try to get that song out of your head.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Prepping
As I left the house today, I bid my husband farewell. Instead of the usual, "I love you have a good day," coming from the bathroom, I heard, "Stay. Stay!"
No he wasn't anxious about me leaving. He was talking to the dog, Toby, as he attempted to bathe the dog before work today. Tom is back on the night shift, so as we prepare for Mom to arrive from Oklahoma, we are alternating taking care of tasks. I work on a room in the evening, he takes care of tasks during the morning.
There is some irony in cleaning the house for my mother's visit. She obviously has known me all my life and thus my housekeeping habits. i have been messy from birth despite my mother, college roommate and now my husband. I care about the person I live with, so I try to keep my natural tendencies towards clutter in check. I am a more organized person now living with Tom, the the house now, only midway through the cleaning process is probably neater than when mom would visit when I was single.
But Tom is a new son-in-law, and an excellent husband, so he feels that urge to de-clutter and clean that takes much longer to activate in me. Thus he was washing hte dog this morning. For those that haven't met Toby, he is a wonderful Golden Retriever. Toby loves people, more than going outside and more than his food. He loves to swim, wallow in mud puddles, walk in the rain or through water any chance he gets. He however hates baths, despite the fact that he gets extra attention after the bath, because his fur is so soft, you just have to pet him. (We use Plum Silky shampoo on Toby. He smells so good and feels so soft that Tom has been tempted to use it on his hair.)
Thank goodness the cat is self-cleaning. We have a lot of work before Mom arrives on Friday in Baltimore.
No he wasn't anxious about me leaving. He was talking to the dog, Toby, as he attempted to bathe the dog before work today. Tom is back on the night shift, so as we prepare for Mom to arrive from Oklahoma, we are alternating taking care of tasks. I work on a room in the evening, he takes care of tasks during the morning.
There is some irony in cleaning the house for my mother's visit. She obviously has known me all my life and thus my housekeeping habits. i have been messy from birth despite my mother, college roommate and now my husband. I care about the person I live with, so I try to keep my natural tendencies towards clutter in check. I am a more organized person now living with Tom, the the house now, only midway through the cleaning process is probably neater than when mom would visit when I was single.
But Tom is a new son-in-law, and an excellent husband, so he feels that urge to de-clutter and clean that takes much longer to activate in me. Thus he was washing hte dog this morning. For those that haven't met Toby, he is a wonderful Golden Retriever. Toby loves people, more than going outside and more than his food. He loves to swim, wallow in mud puddles, walk in the rain or through water any chance he gets. He however hates baths, despite the fact that he gets extra attention after the bath, because his fur is so soft, you just have to pet him. (We use Plum Silky shampoo on Toby. He smells so good and feels so soft that Tom has been tempted to use it on his hair.)
Thank goodness the cat is self-cleaning. We have a lot of work before Mom arrives on Friday in Baltimore.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
