Nikki's Blog

Rain

2009-05-02T16:57:00.001-05:00

4.5 inches this week

Planted 4th Seedling Tray

2009-04-25T22:53:00.002-05:00

Herbs

Soaked Fenugreek seeds and will add in the morning.
Basil Greek Dwarf
Basil Sweet-Ferry Morse
Basil Dark Purple Opal
Basil Thai Holy "Kaprao"
Hyssop Blue
Hyssop Anise
Wormwood
Lemon Balm
Bee Balm Lemon
Summer Savory
Borage

Kohlrabi!!!!

2009-04-25T18:48:00.004-05:00

James requested only two things be planted this year. And one of them was Kohlrabi.

I planted seeds directly in garden bed 2.

From Baker Creek Seeds:
Early Purple Vienna Kohlrabi
Early White Vienna Kohlrabi

Now I am on my way to a morel mushroom party! (all by myself!)

Shopping at Eileen's Greenhouse

2009-04-25T18:41:00.005-05:00

After we went to Eldo today, I went shopping in Eileen's greenhouse. We filled out one of Debbie's cool Ozark certificates. I am going to give Eileen $42 worth of fabric so she can make durable shopping bags. And she also lent me a heating mat to see if it will help my poor eggplants. They are coming up slowwwwly.

Put all these flats under the grow lights:
Strawberry Spinach
Malabar Spinach
Parsley
Perilla Shiso
Sage
2 Geraniums
Lobelia
Coleus
Plains Coreopsis
Golden Giant Amaranth
Nicotiana
Tomato Rutgers
Tomato Roma

Planted these as soon as I got home! It's very exciting to have some real plants in the ground besides the potatos!
Cabbage
Purslane
Broccoli
Swiss Chard
Lettuce

Eldorado Springs Garage Sale

2009-04-25T18:39:00.004-05:00

Eileen and I went to Eldo today because we heard about a guy growing heirlooms and selling them out of his garage.

Tomato Pretty Princess
Tomato 4th of July
Tomato Roma very large
Very large cabbage
Tomato Patio Princess (2 large plants in one pot!)
A bunch of Naked Lady flower bulbs

All this for $6

Heirlooms from John

2009-04-23T23:47:00.001-05:00

Now this is pretty cool--

John brought to the Sustainable Cedar County meeting tonight-- some seeds he and his family have saved for multiple generations. We brought home--

Bloody Butcher Corn
Uncle Glen's Climbing Bean

Now we just have to figure out how to isolate the corn so it breeds true.

Today also happens to be James' birthday. 42. Damn, he looks good for being so gosh durn old.

Finished the chicken run

2009-04-23T23:45:00.001-05:00

We finished the chicken run. So far so good.

The kids and I stapled and stapled some more. Believe it or not, it is harder work than it sounds.

Jerusalem Artichokes

2009-04-23T23:28:00.002-05:00

Jerusalem Artichokes are one of two items James specifically requested that we plant this year. Little did I know he was going to buy 600 pounds of Jerusalem FArtichokes. Seriously these are gassy stuff!

We spent the whole week planting and now we are all officially pooped. Okay, actually we were all worn out the first day. Has some help from some teens- Markie and Derek-- they were great help.

James made an implement for the tractor that worked pretty well despite the soggy soil. We got an inch and a half of rain right before we started tilling. Lynn was kind enough to lend us his tiller.

We gave away to various folks, about 50 pounds or one bag. We still have 2-3 bags left. (I'm afraid to go look and see.)

Hopefully, interplanting the three sisters (corn, beans, and squash) and other nutritious plants (sunflower) and beneficial flowers (zinnias) will not be as time consuming.

Sad chicken news.

2009-04-21T23:40:00.000-05:00

So the lesson we learned today is never leave the chickens unattended in the coop until you are positive it is predator proof.

The kids and I worked real hard to build this run and all we have left to do is put the wire "skirting" on the grass next to the wooden 2x4 base. Well since we didn't do it, the dogs dug under the door and got three baby Barred Rocks.

Needless to say, Malone was devastated and a little pissed.

Bees are here!

2009-04-18T23:25:00.002-05:00

John picked up our first colony of bees for James' new hive design. I'm not sure the paint was dry! The kids helped James paint it.

Italians--- and so far the queen looks alive and well. We have three more colonies coming from an Amish guy in Arkansas.

Tomatos

2009-04-16T18:35:00.003-05:00

Bought nice looking transplants from Marc and Cheryl Andra

Box Car Willy
Tropic
Roma

Grapevines from Tammy

2009-04-13T18:45:00.001-05:00

Tammy gave me some grapevine cuttings. I thought I had killed them off because the peat moss got moldy--- but low and behold, I see buds on the wood!

Planted First Seedlings in Flats

2009-04-12T18:51:00.001-05:00

James and I planted seedlings this morning:

From Baker Creek Seeds:
Chrysanthemum Shungiku Edible
Oregano Wild Zaatar
Elecampane
Oregano Vulgare
Thyme Common
Lavender
Stevia
Eggplant Applegreen
Eggplant Rosa Bianca
Eggplant Pink Tung
Eggplant Long Purple
Eggplant Thai Long Purple
Eggplant Thai Yellow Egg
Eggplant Round Mauve
Eggplant Turkish Orange
Tomato Purple Russian
Tomato Sub-Arctic Plenty
Tomato Thessaloniki
Tomato Carbon
Hot Pepper Long Purple Cayenne
Hot Pepper Santa Fe Grande
Hot Pepper Cayenne Long Thin
Hot Pepper Anaheim
Sweet Pepper California Wonder
Sweet Pepper Mini Red Bell
Sweet Pepper Red Cheese
Sweet Pepper Purple Beauty
Sweet Pepper Red Marconi

From Seeds of Change:
Basil Genovese Sweet
Parsley Italian Flat Leaf
Tomato Ropreco Paste

From Ferry-Morse Organic:
Tomato Sweetie
Tomato San Marzano

Daffodils

2009-04-03T18:43:00.004-05:00

I spent the afternoon rescuing daffodils over at Tim and Janet's new place. I had some help from Rose and her son Taylor.

We filled up a third of the pickup bed with sodded clumps and I brought home 3 packed grocery bags without dirt. And we left a goodly share for Janet.

I plan to line our driveway with them. :-)

A gift!

2009-04-01T18:38:00.002-05:00

Ann Grotjan brought me tomato transplants!

Orange Cherry Tomato
Red Cherry Tomato

Fungusy mold on seed potatos

2009-04-01T14:53:00.004-05:00

Before we planted potatos, James, Malone and I cut them up-- making sure each chunk had at least two eyes.

Then I set then out in a sunny window for a few days. Some of them got kind of fuzzy. Well actually carpeted fuzzy. I know some of that is normal, but this seems like too much.

This discussion makes me think I'll be okay?

Making a garden nook in the shed

2009-03-31T16:33:00.001-05:00

Tried to put down paper under planting boxes. Too cold and windy. Everyone cranky. :-)

Decided to focus on getting seedlings started. Cleaned out part of the shed and organized all my gardening supplies. This created a lot of space in the studio! Kind of difficult because the shed is open and I am worried about stuff blowing away or stuff getting wet. So I have all my lightweight planting flats and containers organized into trash bins.

Found enough material to blend up some potting soil for the seeds trays.

FOUND SEED TRAYS!!!!!!

Seeds Organized!

2009-03-29T04:38:00.004-05:00

Finished organizing the seeds we got from Baker Creek Seeds.

The 5 gallon bucket just wasn't enough for me.... I stopped by their mercantile Thursday on my way home from St. Louis and picked out (cough cough) a few herbs and flowers.

More Potatoes!

2009-03-24T04:49:00.000-05:00

Planted potatoes in round wire cage. Laid down blueprint paper (let's hope it isn't toxic), formed chicken wire into a cylinder, staked down with one tent stake. Put a smattering of not yet finished compost. (Pennington Seed Fescue Hulls)

With the help of Malone and Diana, we tossed the potatoes on and spread 6 inches of straw.

Quick easy and most importantly. Done.

This kind of potato is a later producer and if I keep piling on the straw as the leaves grow, more potatoes will form.

Still need to do the early reds.

Goldrush Russet from Holland Beauty, Westlake's
Late Season Yellow
Maturity 100-120 days
Excellent storage
Good baking and boiling potato

Planted Potatos

2009-03-23T04:37:00.000-05:00

Planted first seed potatoes in two raised beds that Ian Diamond picked up for me. (He managed to pickup 27 pallets for me to use as growing boxes!)

In return I am going to grow lots of green peppers for him. yum. Who needs money in this economy? I just need to find someone to barter chocolate with.

Beds are 6 inches tall. Laid down Southern Trades blueprint paper (it was a farmer's market!) plopped down the boxes and potatos and covered with about 4 inches of straw.

From Westlake's in Jeff City. Not heirloom or organic but AVAILABLE. Since these are early potatos, they will not spread upward like late potatos that need continual straw added.

Superior Seed Potato, Holland Beauty, Westlake's
Early Season White
Maturity 85-90 days
Short storage
excellent chipping and good cooking potatos

Wow, haven't blogged for a whole year!

2009-03-18T04:42:00.000-05:00

Well one week short of a year!

Been a little busy. Don't expect anything too exciting. I plan to blog about growing yummy tomatoes and other delectable heirlooms.

This kind of stuff is not for the faint of heart.

Update about James and Nikki Zitting's Wedding

2008-04-29T09:40:00.000-05:00

Dear Family and Friends,

We are so excited that so many of you are coming to the wedding this Saturday. The weather looks promising, only a 20% chance of rain! Here is a link to weather.com. http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/weekend/65674?from=36hr_topnav_outdoors

If you haven’t rsvp’d, there is still time so we can make sure that we have enough food. Click here to rsvp.

http://www.nikkisimmons.com/Wedding/weddingrsvp.htm

We have made some changes to the weekend because of the weather. If you have already printed out the weekend schedule on the website—please go to this page to print the most current version. Some of the changes include that we have moved the breakfasts to Southern Trades because the weather will by chilly in the a.m. Saturday dinner will be at Orleans Trail Resort.

http://www.nikkisimmons.com/Wedding/weekend.htm

A couple of reminders:

--Please don’t worry about bringing a gift. We are thrilled to spend time with the people that we care about.

--If you are driving in, please bring a lawn chair for each person in your family.

--Dress is casual. I think we will be seeing folks with ties and heels and some in jeans and sandals. Wear what is comfortable for you.

--Directions are located here: http://www.nikkisimmons.com/Wedding/maps.htm

Love,

Nikki and James

417.276.3730 home

417.276.1622 James cell

573.338.0997 Nikki cell

Make your own...

2008-02-13T18:30:00.002-06:00

Teepee

Backpack, sleep quilt, shelter tarp

Tons of Links

Changing perspective

2008-02-13T11:48:00.002-06:00

(attributed to Proust) "The secret is not seeing new landscapes, but having new eyes."

or

picking up a different lens for your camera

Havasupai Trip Logs

2008-02-12T22:11:00.001-06:00

Trip log by Todd--- very informative.

Quote from Yoga Journal

2008-02-12T22:05:00.003-06:00

"Within my relationship, is it my intention to have conflict or is it to find harmony?”

Grand Canyon Trip Links

2008-02-11T14:45:00.000-06:00

Still doing lots of research for our trip to the Havasupai Reservation in the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon- National Park Service Site

Map greater Grand Canyon area

Lesson Plans!!!!

Canyon Sunset Quotes
At sunset the pageant closes amid splendors that seem more than earthly. …the sun draws near the horizon, the great drama … begins. The western sky is all aflame. The climax has now come. The blaze of sunlight … so rich, so strong, so pure that it makes the heart ache and the throat tighten. …the sun sinks…. But its glory mounts upward and diffuses itself in the sky above.
Clarence Dutton, Tertiary History of the Grand Canon District, 1882

Now Nature holds her breath
To see the vital flood of radiance leap
Across the chasm; and crest the farthest rim…
Until the cataract of colour breaks
Upon the blackness of the granite floor.
Henry Van Dyke,
The Grand Canyon, Daybreak, 1914

No Knead Bread

2008-01-31T21:19:00.001-06:00

Remember that No Knead Bread Recipe that was going around? And this version.

I'm on the hunt for gluten free--- here is what I found so far.
http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/2007/01/i-am-stubborn-i-dont-give-up.html
This one has GF Cinnamon Rolls!!!http://justnotdinner.blogspot.com/search/label/Breads
http://delightfullyglutenfree.blogspot.com/2008/01/crescent-rolls-cinnamon-rolls.html
http://glutenfreeheaven.blogspot.com/2008/01/cinnamon-rolls.html
http://glutenfreeheaven.blogspot.com/2008/01/valentines-day-sugar-cookies-to-fool.html

Katadyn Base Camp Water Filter

2008-01-29T15:55:00.000-06:00

Gravity Water Filter

A Camping We Will Go....

2008-01-29T15:41:00.000-06:00

We're planning a 4 day 3 night Grand Canyon hike in May......And I want to take Astronaut Ice Cream!!!

They also have this cool ultralight measuring "cup".

Reconnecting with Malone

2008-01-29T11:13:00.001-06:00

I've been hanging out with a lot of folks lately that are into the "Love and Logic" style of disciplining their children. It has been a valuable experience for me because it is helping highlight where I could be doing a better job as a mother.

I actually took L&L from the Parents as Teachers Educator in my school district. I found some helpful tools and ideas but for the most part, it didn't resonate with me. Incidentally, that was also the light bulb moment when I realized I wasn't interested in disciplining my child--- I was interested in mothering. Huge distinction.

This article on "Natural Consequences" at The natural Child Project is a quick read that explains one of my biggest objections to L&L--- do I want to punish my child or do I want to help facilitate an expansion of her mind?

The problem I have is that I tend to help more than I should and do it for her, instead of being present and available to help as needed. I think both of us are happiest when Malone can learn naturally on her own, or both of us working together.

With the stress/guilt of divorce and trying to sell the house (keeping it looking perfect all the time)--- I started doing more and more for Malone and less for myself. I have been trying to re-navigate and re-negotiate our relationship.

I'm pulling up some of my favorite articles from Natural Child:

From The Power of The Language of Acceptance
"Probably the greatest reward that comes to a parent from being transparent is the relationship it promotes with the child. Honesty and openness foster intimacy - a truly inter-personal relationship. My child gets to know me as I am, which then encourages him to reveal to me what he is. Instead of being alienated from each other, we develop a relationship of closeness. Ours becomes an authentic relationship - two real persons, willing to be known in our realness to each other."

Here is one on "I messages"

Ten Ways We Misunderstand Children
"7. We forget how deeply blame and criticism can hurt a child.
8. We forget how healing loving actions can be.
9. We forget that our behavior provides the most potent lessons to the child."

Last but not least "22 Alternatives to Punishment"
I might call it "22 Ways to Increase Your Learning about Your Child". My favorite is the last one: "22. Ask yourself "Will I look back at this later and laugh?" If so, why not laugh now? Create the kind of memory you would like to have when you look back on this day."

Giving Your Child "Voice": The 3 Rules of Parenting by Richard Grossman, Ph.D.

2008-01-29T11:04:00.000-06:00

I'm searching for articles and books about non-coercive parenting--- I could use a refresher. Age 9 is a new challenge for me.

I love what Grossman has to say "Exceptional parents grant a child a voice equal to theirs the day that child is born. And they respect that voice as much as they respect their own."

and.....

"How can you give your child "voice"? There are three rules:

* Assume that what your child has to say about the world is just as important as what you have to say.
* Assume that you can learn as much from them as they can from you.
* Enter their world through play, activities, discussions: don't require them to enter yours in order to make contact."

Quote in Summer's Signature Line

2008-01-17T08:28:00.000-06:00

I know Summer because of midwifery---- this lovely quote was in her signature line today:

We are the lighthouses in the storm and people are guided by our lights, whether we know it or not. Just by simply BEING, we are changing the world.

Cool Quotes From James

2008-01-16T19:23:00.000-06:00

Abundance is not something we acquire. It is
something we tune into. --Wayne Dyer

The quality of your life is the quality of your
relationships. --Anthony Robbins

Where in the world is Nikki?

2008-01-15T23:26:00.000-06:00

Living my life.

It's delicious, by the way.

Welcome to the world Emmeline

2007-12-20T06:26:00.000-06:00

Today at 3:13 am I had the honor of welcoming Emmeline Blue Westphaling to the world.

7.1 and a quarter ounces. 19 and a half inches.

Devon and Emmeline are doing well. Radiant!

Breastfeeding got off to a great start--- Emmeline nursed on both sides more than once before I left.

After I have napped a bit I promise to post more details!

I'm a felon..... again

2007-11-29T12:55:00.003-06:00

So an interesting thing about Malone getting Scarlet Fever is that it is allowing me to rack up more felony counts--- in the category of practicing medicine without a license. This is civil disobedience at its finest, IMO.

Here is the statute I am willfully, intentionally,and purposefully violating:
http://www.moga.state.mo.us/statutes/C300-399/3340000010.HTM
334.010. 1. It shall be unlawful for any person not now a registered physician within the meaning of the law to practice medicine or surgery in any of its departments, to engage in the practice of medicine across state lines or to profess to cure and attempt to treat the sick and others afflicted with bodily or mental infirmities, or engage in the practice of midwifery in this state, except as herein provided.

The professional medical organizations in the U.S. have worked very hard to convince the legislature and all us moms and dads that they posses some kind of knowledge that we poor common folk don't. A few of the professional medical organizations have even gone so far as to outlaw or thwart traditional medicine and healing. Missouri has not been exempt from this. The Missouri State Medical Association and the Missouri Osteopathic Association are always trying to post legislation that would prevent people from accessing the kind of healthcare they need.

So Malone got really sick last week. Had a scary looking rash. Fever. ETC

When I was researching what condition Malone had, I did what any person in their right mind would do--- I looked in my medical and health books (what? you don't have any???), I googled (not everything on the net is trash, one must learn to discern), and I also conversed with other knowledgeable people. Some were mothers/fathers like myself with an interest in health and healing and others had the modern medical allopathic education.

The key thing I would like to point out is that I didn't wait for something with a title to tell me what was wrong with my child. I took the evidence available to me, and after doing some research, I looked at Malone and said, "You have Scarlet Fever". I didn't need to pay an office visit to a healthcare practitioner to figure it out. I used my God given intelligence to research, think, rule out, and plain ol common sense. Did you know that by doing that, I just made a diagnosis?

So that is another felony count against me--- I am diagnosing without a license.

I find it fascinating that mothers and society in general are willing to abdicate so much power and knowledge to a select few. My own family refused to believe that Malone did indeed have Scarlet Fever until she was seen by the nurse. My Dad kept saying when is she going to the doctor? My own mother kept telling people, "Nikki THINKS Malone has Scarlet Fever." This is quite different than saying--- "The doctor SAYS that Malone has Scarlet Fever."

Well I did take her to the doctor. What's funny is the nurse couldn't remember what "it" was called. I patiently said, "do you mean Scarlet Fever?" "Oh yes," she said, "that's the one."

It makes me angry beyond comprehension that all these institutions are robbing us of our ability to think, discern and use common sense.

Yes I diagnosed Malone with Scarlet Fever dammit. I'm waiting for someone from one of the state medical associations to report me to DFS for being an intelligent, informed mother. As long as they think they can put a stranglehold on midwifery, the common cold isn't far behind.

But I didn't stop there, not only did I diagnose Malone--- I also treated her. Yes, treated her. Heaven help me if the MSMA gets wind of this. We might see legislation this year saying that mothers are not allowed to give chicken soup and backrubs, encourage fevers or use homeopathic medicine and high doses of vitamin C.

hurumph.

I'm just grateful that I have built up a network of care providers that I can rely on when need be. I like my doctor, my nurse, my midwife. But I also like my mother's intuition and knowledge. The best systems, in my opinion, are ones where people can opt in and opt out --- as needed.

Why I read blogs...

2007-11-29T01:27:00.000-06:00

Occasionally someone asks me why I bother to blog or even to read blogs.

Molly is why :-)

Sometimes you can learn lovely things about your friends (Mark is such a thoughtful husband to Molly!) and it is gratifying to share in their basking glow. Other times, bloggers share something deeply personal and it makes us all feel more real and strengthened. Bolstered up. Because their pain is our pain.

I got really emotional when I was reading about Molly's postpartum pain because I was there when she was going through that stuff. The hardest thing about being a La Leche League Leader is that I can't fix things--- I can only provide support. I can provide information. I can be myself. I can be real. I can be authentic. Mothers deserve that and desperately need that. So I admire the courage it took Molly to write about her experience for the whole world to see. That takes deep intestinal fortitude! It is intensely scary, most of us worry if they will haul us off to the nut house for saying what we really feel. Bloggers like Molly further the dialog and makes everyone feel less alone.

In the spirit of reciprocity.....

So here is what I wish I had time to blog about lately. Dare I say out loud that I've met someone that I absolutely admire and have an intense connection with? I am enjoying the openness and frankness of this fledgling relationship. It is deeply healing and rewarding to be around people who want to live authentically. The idea that this person could become a partner, just overwhelms me with emotion. All of us deserve a life that is this good.

*The most fun part* of this has been letting go of what I want the future to look like and focus on the present. ---To be mindful and aware of now, and let love be what it is, without expectation. Its tricky though, because I like dreaming and planning. It's what I do! But I am also good at living in the moment and letting people be who they are. So hopefully all of you can feel all the positive and expansive energy emanating from my being.

The beauty of this relationship lies within our desire to be real around the other and allow our emotions to be and run deep. --To let emotions surface and see the light of day. It takes a great deal of courage to do this because that voice of fear in my head can sometimes say ridiculous things like "don't say that, he might think you are crazy". But I have never been the kind of person to listen to that voice for very long--- and for that I am feeling very happy.

So far, we are the same kind of crazy. I look forward to (but am trying not to place expectations on) seeing how our mutual craziness manifests itself. The journey has always been more important to me than the outcome--- and this wild ride, should be no exception.

So the question I would ask you today--- with whom are you authentically yourself?

Christmas List for Edwards Family Gift Exchange

2007-11-28T10:55:00.001-06:00

My mother informed me that no one likes drawing my name for Christmas.

According to her, I'm too picky. The problem is--- I just don't need a lot of stuff and the things I really *need*, one usually can't buy at Wal-Mart.

So to whomever drew my name--- you will be delighted to hear that even Wal-Mart is catching up with the times and you CAN find things on my list there. Target too!

My Christmas List:
Organic dark chocolate. yummmmmmm. I'd be happy if this was all I received!
Organic Cotton pj's size small (yes Wal-Mart really has these!!!)
CDs---WOW (they put out a new CD every year), folk music, karoke, Beetles
a giftcard to download music
Books--- historical fiction, science fiction, spirituality (think Dali Lama, not Oral Roberts)
--giftcard to Barnes and Noble
DVD-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

And for someone who might want to venture into a healthfood store, I like to make my own lotions, soaps, etc and would be thrilled to get some ingredients like...
bottles of essential oils like lavender, ylang ylang, patchouli, etc.
Organic oils like coconut, olive, cocoa butter, sweet almond, etc
(sometimes Wal-Mart even has organic extra virgin olive oil, many grocery stores carry some of these oils now)

Also I would love cool containers to put my concoctions in. No bigger than 2 ounces--- could be glass, metal, plastic--- Wal-Mart has some things that would work in the kitchenwares section. The 4 ounce size canning jars would be great too.

Scarlet Fever

2007-11-22T13:46:00.000-06:00

I am missing my family today because we are home sick. Malone has scarlet fever and you will sympathize with her when I mention that she isn’t even interested in TV!!!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love going to visit my family and eating the homemade, thick, doughy (yes, gluten filled) noodles and the chocolate roll dessert that my Grandma Mildred makes just for me.

I just called Grandma’s house because they are eating lunch and Malone wanted me to remind them to save her some noodles. I got all teary-eyed when Beau told me that the only people who aren’t there are me, Malone, my cousin Drew. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!!

I’ve been thinking about what I am thankful for today. I have so many things to be grateful for--- here are a few that feel very special right now.

1. I am thankful for the abundance of love that I receive constantly from my family and friends.
2. I am thankful that there is not a limit on how much one can love or be loved.
2. I am thankful for new beginnings and that everyday is a chance to renew myself.
3. I am thankful that Scarlet Fever is not as draconian and scary as it sounds.
Apparently Malone will live. And that is a very good good thing!

Many blessings to all.

Shakespeare TONIGHT! and Old MacDonald

2007-11-20T15:58:00.000-06:00

http://www.knighthorse.org/index.html

I'm excited because they are doing Shakespeare Jukebox. We call out the scene and they do it AND include the audience.

And it's free free free!

And in other news:
Old McDonald Had a Farm...and He Got Arrested?
Who knew the greatest act of civil disobedience would be drinking your milk?

Catching up....

2007-11-20T11:21:00.000-06:00

I haven't been blogging lately because the satellite has been out intermittently and I have been very very busy. And my head has been in the clouds, but that's a whole nother blog post that I promised I wouldn't blog about--- yet.

Here are some cool things I've been wanting to talk about:

I want to go to New York!!!!!
Alternet has a writeup about a new play that dramatizes the words of activists, as pulled together by Howard Zinn in his recent book.
In the article, my favorite phrase? "the words still burn".

If you go to the website for the project you can watch videos of previous performances. I couldn't get the video applets to work and had to go straight to youtube.

Lisa sent me this link about x-rays. She heard me rant a while back about some crazy dentist that tried to coerce me into having x-rays done even though I told him I had far exceeded my lifetime exposure. I will not have an x-ray unless it is for a life-threatening situation. period. Though I would LOVE to see a current x-ray of my tailbone--- when I broke it and my sacrum in multiple places-- it healed very wonky. Imagine the letter J or U. ouch!

If you haven't checked out http://www.revbilly.com, the biggest shopping day is only 3 days away. Save yourself. Now.

My friend Molly is famous famous famous. Check out what she's been up to lately. She's a gifted writer and activist.

Another woman I admire is battling cancer. Click on this link to see her photography and send her positive energy.

The pictures are up from the Show Me Yoga Halloween Bash--- Yes, that is me and my luvulee blue hair. The second to last picture in the set is Malone and I with the band- The Bubbas!

First item up for bid on my Christmas List

2007-11-20T09:54:00.000-06:00

Last night my friend Rick told me that he was almost done Christmas shopping!

GASP! Thanksgiving isn't even here yet?!?!!??!

This led to a discussion of how frustrated my mom gets trying to Christmas shop for her eclectic family that wants things that can't be bought at Wal-Mart. Dad asks for climbing gear (which he doesn't get), Scott asks for expensive bicycles (which he doesn't get), Malone asks for American Girl stuff (of course, she gets it--- she's the only grandchild, isnt' she?), and me?

It's always music, baby. Or some cool gadget. I asked for a solar oven last year and Mom just rolled her eyes. I can't blame her-- who wants to do all their shopping through mail order?

So lately she has been getting us each something we actually need (like socks and underwear) and taping notes to cash for us to do the mail order thing ourselves.

Last year I took my money and got every Tracy Grammer and Dave Carter.

This year I am eyeing--
The Weepies Go listen, they have their music streaming. "Somebody Loved" is worth a listen or two. Or three.

I think I'm on listen 1,003.

I didn't vote for Bush either.

2007-11-15T10:50:00.000-06:00

Unbelievable. Seriously unbelievable. Some American women held up a sign at a Bridge Tournament saying that they didn't vote for Bush. They are being threatened with sanctions which include--- wait for it---- bridge related community service. HOWL!!!LOL ROTFL

From the NY Times.

"Robert S. Wolff, one of the country’s pre-eminent bridge players, who has served as an executive and board member of several bridge organizations, said that he understood that the women might have had a legal right to do what they did but that they had offended many people.

“While I believe in the right to free speech, to me that doesn’t give anyone the right to criticize one’s leader at a foreign venue in a totally nonpolitical event,” he wrote by e-mail."

The Importance of Energy Heel Trusses in Straw Bale Construction

2007-11-07T19:29:00.000-06:00

The Importance of Energy Heel Trusses in Straw Bale Construction

Barbara Ehrenreich quote

2007-11-07T08:57:00.000-06:00

Which suggests that optimism, especially about the validity of the conventional wisdom, can be hazardous. What you need is a narrow-eyed, deeply skeptical attitude.

from The Nation
What Causes Cancer? Probably Not You
by
Barbara Ehrenreich

Regulations for Alternating Tread Stairs

2007-11-06T16:44:00.000-06:00

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-24-76555

Alternating Stairs

2007-11-06T13:23:00.000-06:00

Space saving alternating tread stairs or monk stairs:
http://www.monolithic.com/gallery/homes/clark/pictorial2.html
http://www.monolithic.com/gallery/homes/clark/pictorial5.html
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,443801,00.html
http://www.stairplan.com/spacesaver.htm

Handbuilt Ceramic Soaking tubs

2007-11-05T21:02:00.000-06:00

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=6595865517849925232&hl=en

Harry Potter Party at the Library

2007-10-19T01:49:00.000-05:00

The Missouri River Regional Library hosted a Harry Potter party tonight. It was very well done! We arrived a little late because Spanish got over at the same time that the party started. The kids were already sorted into houses and had started their classes.

Malone's first class was Herbology with Professor Sprout. We came home with a cup of something that is supposed to sprout, we shall see since we left it in the car.

Her second class was Potions with Professor Ericus Snape. Professor Ericus actually tutored Malone since we had missed Potions. The potion she had to drink was one part clear liquid called Ambrosia aka "Food of the Gods" and one part "Don't Ask" and one drop of rainbow liquid. She said is was quite tasty and Ericus said it was designed to stop laughter. They were awfully giggly so I think they may have stirred it the wrong direction.

I am a Hogwarts alum and was so glad I could help Malone kick off another year of being a Hogwarts student and close friend of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. While there we encountered Rita Skeeter. Her pen was flying! And I was so pleased to introduce Malone and Luna Lovegood to each other.

I recently heard that Rita's name is a non de plume and her real name is Maria Schulte. I also learned from Luna tonight that her father is printing some new leaflets. They are concerned they might have to go into hiding again. Last time she called herself Maggie Schulte and pretended to be a homeschooler. Very convincing, I thought. Only homeschoolers would think to use radishes for earrings.

I think we all look fabulous (that's me in the blue hair) and we are already talking about meeting up again for a full day of Harry Potter mania.

From The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

2007-10-17T15:53:00.000-05:00

p. 308 "Will longed for that so much that he hardly knew he did. It was just part of what everything felt like. So he couldn't express that to Lyra now, though she could see it in his eyes, and that was new for her, too, to be quite so perceptive. The fact was that where Will was concerned, she was developing a new kind of sense, as if he were simply more in focus than anyone she'd known before. Everything about him was clear and close and immediate. And she might have said that to him, but at that moment a witch flew down."

Hair Cuts

2007-10-17T12:25:00.000-05:00

Malone and I both got our hair cut Thursday. I had an unflattering cut and Malone, well she had a BAD cut! After we cut her hair for locks of love, she wouldn't let me trim it up to make it look nice. I should have taken a picture! The front was a good 3 inches longer than the back and it looked like a big chunk had been eaten out of the back of her head! And well technically it had, 11 inches worth!

After much cajoling, she agreed to go to the salon with me. Worth every penny, the cut is absolutely cute on her.

Bed Bed Bed

2007-10-16T21:44:00.000-05:00

Having trouble getting your kids to bed?

Here is what NOT to do!

Malone and I have decided we need to start getting to bed earlier. Our mornings aren't going as well as we like. The problem is, our evenings go **great**.

We **like** being night owls.

Sunday Vignette 3

2007-10-14T23:53:00.000-05:00

So after watching Malone finish up her pumpkin, I went and picked up Tara for a mom's night out. Tara's kids stayed home with Dad and Malone stayed home with Mema.

On the drive to St. Louis, we stopped at a rest stop and were accosted by a woman who needed gas money. She told us that someone in her family just had a heart attack and she didn't have enough money to get to Columbia to the hospital.

I didn't blink, I just handed her the money. A $20, as a matter of fact.

The woman was stunned. She offered to give me jumper cables, anything in her car that was of value. I told her that someone had done this for me, now I would do this for her. By "this", I meant, someone was kind to me. It never fails, that when I am feeling the most desperate and low--- someone reaches out their hand.

Most likely, she was scamming me. I've concluded that's okay because I gave to her with the best intentions of my heart. It makes me feel hopeful and alive.

Sunday Vignette 2

2007-10-14T23:52:00.000-05:00

Everyday Malone and I try to read out loud. We have been working our way through "His Dark Materials Trilogy" and we are on "The Amber Spyglass".

Malone simply cannot not believe that I am going somewhere without her! We are usually do stuff like this together. She was torn between going-- because she likes live music but she knew it was geared more towards adults. So she painted pumpkins instead. ;-)

Mom brought home a nice looking pumpkin for her-- it's big and round and orange. I read the Spyglass to them while Malone painted these lovely red lips.

Sunday vignette 1

2007-10-14T23:50:00.000-05:00

I like Sundays. Growing up I had a love/hate realtionship with Sundays. they were boring. blech. And they were restful. sigh...

Thankfully there was never anything on TV and so there was napping and book reading. No computers, no cell phones ringing.

My Dad uses Sundays to get things done around the house. As you can imagine, he is always tired. I am finding more and more that if I don't allow time for my batteries to recharge once a week--- where I allow myself to have no commitments or projects, a day of nothingness or non-importance--- then I can start my week off feeling more rested and peaceful.

So today I am breaking my fast from work AND from nothingness by attending a concert in St. Louis. I'm going with Tara and we are letting the kids stay home instead of dragging them with us. So hopefully they feel a sense of rest too.

It's a long drive and we will get home late but I find a resonsance with this artist and am hoping to come home feeling a different kind of recharged. The kind when music fills you up with all kinds of good yet intense emotions.

Quote of the Day

2007-10-13T17:45:00.000-05:00

From the Show Me Freedom in Healthcare website:

"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education." Thomas Jefferson

Here is why I do many of the things I do....

2007-10-11T00:57:00.000-05:00

I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul.

Walnuts

2007-10-10T18:16:00.000-05:00

We just finished picking up 11.5 - 5 gallon buckets of walnuts. Now we wait for the rest to fall.

We filled 4 buckets, then took a break and started reading "The Amber Spyglass". Malone, of course, had to have a snack.

Usually, raking walnuts, IMO, is a complete waste of time UNLESS someone else did the raking. ;-) Of the next 7.5 buckets we collected, 5 were from some piles Dad raked. We just sat on the ground and filled the buckets up. Easy squeezy. Thanks Dad, I hope you enjoyed the workout. We enjoyed the lovely crisp weather.

Still cleaning the drafts folder out...

2007-10-10T13:03:00.000-05:00

"One can't believe impossible things," Alice said. "I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." From Alice in Wonderland

in the words of the ancient Greek, Heraclitus, “Everything changes, a man cannot step twice into the same river; for he is not quite the same man, nor is it quite the same river.”

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
--Aristotle

The future is not the result of choices among
Alternative paths offered by the present,
But a place that is created.
Created first in mind and will,
Created next in activity.

The future is not someplace we are going to,
But one we are creating.
The paths to it are not found but created,
And the activity of creating them,
Changes both the maker and the destination.

-John H. Schaar

Good things take time, great things happen all at once. Rat Race-the movie

Aquamarine quote

2007-10-10T12:56:00.001-05:00

Why go through life un-noticed?

From the Disney movie Aquamarine (yes, I know--- who would have thought a Disney movie would have a good quote?)

SPORK and the minimalist kitchen

2007-10-10T12:49:00.001-05:00

I found this in my drafts folder and thought this would be a good time to post because I am really craving cashew cream.

This article on the 8 things for a minimalist kitchen got me to pondering what 8 things I couldn't live without and use everyday: (as you can see I am not a minimalist!)

1. strainer (can't find a pic of one. mine is a flat piece of plastic shaped like a half moon that you hold against the pot as you drain--- so very handy and not annoying to rinse/wash)
2. paring knife (made here in the Ozarks)
3. flexible cutting board (I know this isn't the best surface for my good chef's knife--not Ozark made--- but it makes it so easy to dump trimmings in the compost bowl and take onions to to the stovetop and slide off)
4. butter knife (good for stirring up nut butters when the oil has separated)
5. can opener that cuts the glue and not the metal
6. a saucepan (Revereware that belonged to my grandmother)
7. any kind of pot with lid to use as a roaster (I will eat ANY vegetable that has been roasted.)
8. stainless skillet that can go in the oven
9. and my handheld stick blender (now that I am obsessed with cashew cream)
10. tea kettle

As for minimalism: yesterday Malone and I embarked on a new adventure. The "one dish, one bowl, one utensil, one glass, one mug" plan. The idea behind this is that there is ALWAYS a pile of dishes in the sink and I get tired of washing them at the last minute when someone calls wanting to see our house. Causes me to stress beyond what I think is reasonable. So far, we are doing great. Neither of us has snuck extra dishes out of the cupboard. You may have noticed I said, "one utensil"--- I found this SPORK in the camping section at Wal-Mart. We think it is way cool--- Malone's is red and mine is orange. Guess what my family is getting in their stocking this year?

Food prep doesn't count--- so I did pull out a butter knife when I was making !!**macadamia nut cream**!!---recipe coming soon---- it kind of tasted like caramel on my fuji apples! yummm!!!

I just sent this to a friend...

2007-10-10T12:40:00.000-05:00

Brrrrrrrrrrr………

I’ve been sitting outside in my p.j.s and it is chilly!!!! My teeth even started to chatter! YAY!

I came in to change clothes and find some gloves---we’re going to pick up walnuts.

Fall is finally here!

2007-10-09T22:28:00.000-05:00

So I blogged and blogged about the 12 days of fall and quite honestly--- it was all a ruse to convince myself it would show up eventually.

Can you feel it? The temperature is finally down to chilly!!!!

wooooppeeeeeeeeeeeee I just came in from listening to every dog within a 3 mile radius howl and bark-- they know it is here too! I sat outside in my favorite fuzzy jacket and bare feet.

Camping and bonfires, here I come!

Blinking eye challenge

2007-10-06T12:10:00.001-05:00

I will pay $49.99 to the first person who can tell me how to KEEP MY EYES OPEN when someone uses a flash taking my picture. Malone and Savannah took something like 27 pictures of me-- not a single one had my eyes open. This makes me crazy!

So the hotel has free internet....

....and it's time for Saturday morning cartoons.

Part of the Circle

2007-10-05T23:59:00.000-05:00

Tonight we are in Springfield at the Nature Center. Malone and I are "with the band". I like to think of myself as either a groupie, or in tonight's case, the road crew. (notice I said THE--- there is only one of me!) Malone has taken on the title of babysitter. We unloaded Ann's pottery, played with Sonya and displayed Lloyd's pictures and then we went and found our seats.

Lloyd's performance of "Part of the Circle" went off without a hitch. He was trying a new digial version of his presentation and it worked perfectly. Savannah provided commentary as usual, but since she is 7-- it is still cute.

Notice in this pic that Lloyd wears all white--- during the show the slides of his photography are shown against him and the white wall and he becomes one with the image while he plays his original music, live. Listen to one of my favorites. And this one really displays his skill at the guitar

Here is Lloyd's friend, Russ, and his son-- they've been friends since second grade!

Tomorrow Ann demonstrates how she does her designs on her pottery from 11-4. Here she is talking with customers--- I like this shot because you can see her colorful glazes. This page gives you an idea what the designs on the front of her pottery looks like.

On the twelth day of fall....

2007-10-04T23:59:00.000-05:00

There is a beautiful syncronicity about today. I started blogging about the 12 days of fall as a way to celebrate the end of heat and drought; the joy of being outdoors during my favorite time of year; and to embrace the promise of new beginnings as the old dies away.

I did not count ahead to see what events would occur and it is an affirmation of the circle of life that the 12th day falls today. We have arrived at day 12, only to be confronted at the deepest levels of soulwork-- the death of someone we love. Today is Iris's 3rd birthday and I choose to remember and honor her. I like to think of her in this way.

So today I spent time with her family and I walked down to the site where she is buried. I drew in the aroma of the cedar trees and the memory of her new baby smell and exhaled as much stress and pain as the light breeze would allow. The comforting breezes encouraged me to hold a little in reserve and save my sorrow for days of indigation, days when mothers and babies need a voice to cry out as their advocate.

I did not argue because I know this to be my calling.

I then kissed all the children in my presence and we went home. I closed my day by going outside and listening to the crickets and calling a new friend. I wasn't in my best form but it was comforting to connect with another human being and simply embrace new beginnings.

On the eleventh day of fall....

2007-10-03T23:59:00.000-05:00

Today I played outside. Just played with a baby and it was absolutely divine. She did raspberries on my knee and I held her hands while she took learning steps round the room. I held this baby while she napped and here is where my heart took pause.

This baby is precious to me and her family I treasure beyond compare. As Enya played, I wept for the joy of holding a baby that lives. I felt very blessed to be able to hold this baby in my arms and feel the gentle rise and fall of her breathing.

I remember holding her sister, whose breath was still, until my arms fell asleep and trying very hard to memorize her features. I didn’t want to ever forget how lovely she was, I didn't want to let her go. The agony was so unbearable I thought I would never breathe again.

This was three years ago, about this time of night--- I lay in the dark with mother of these children. She had back labor and could find no comfort during her contractions unless I pressed and massaged her back. We were in a state of surrealness, the darkness swirling until I began to feel the energy of the work my friend was dealing with. It was strong and intense and unforgiving. By morning, when we had survived then night, we thought nothing else could overwhelm us. It was through my friend that I truly understood how the work of birth is about the work of goddess/god/the universe. And I saw the goddess in my friend. I saw her as a goddess. And I was overwhelmed with the beauty and strength of a woman in labor. Birth has taught me that we each possess the innate goodness and power of the universe within us. We have it within our grasp, we must simply reach for it.

I feel the twelfth day of fall coming and it will be difficult and all too easy. The sun will rise without any help and I will wake with it. Tomorrow I will weep for the baby that did not live. But today, I simply enjoy what goodness the world offers and rejoice that we have not come undone.

On the tenth day of fall....

2007-10-02T18:32:00.000-05:00

Puppy killed a groundhog. I'm sorry to interrupt the 12 blissful days of fall with this announcement but the killing happened right under my window and THAT is what woke me up this morning.

And the morning continued on to be difficult and stressful. Malone fell the other day and really banged up her hip. And she had a real bad stomachache. We were supposed to go to yoga today and then biking the Katy Trail again. Add not enough sleep for either of us to that list--- woooooweeeeee.

So after a lot of discussion we decided to stay home today. After lunch we filled 6- 5 gallon buckets with walnuts. Liz told me the other day that she heard the current rate is about $1.50 a bucket. So today we made $9.00. Usually we fill up a truckbed but this year the walnuts are decent size but fewer in number. So it's not always a very fruitful enterprise but it qualifies as working from home in a stress free environment!

So then I finished setting up the tennis practice area and I hit balls for a while and really got a workout! Then I rode my bike so I could watch the storm from coming in while I cooled off. I've been reading about how to read weather conditions and found the information immediately useful.

As I was riding I spent some time composing a funny email reply to someone who was challenging a tall tale I told and was having great fun trying to use Victorian words and an English accent. And people wonder why I have chosen to simplify my life--- do you all have time to think of really long Victorian words and imagine how to pronounce them in the Queen's English? Just something to think about ;-)

I also composed something similar to this on my bike ride:

The wind quickening to billowy but solid strains, is bringing the scent of rain hitting tired and thirsty soil. In anticipation of the coolness and to escape the ground which will soon be soaked, the gnats have taken up their places as blackened seed pearls on my shirt. I feel bedecked and regal as the wind fuels my speed and the first drops of rain add silver jewels next to the pearls. I turn toward home and am welcomed by the birds chittering a warning that it's time to hunker down.

Quote of the Day #2

2007-10-02T00:21:00.000-05:00

Found in an article written about Elaine St. James

The playwright Jules Renard wrote, "The truly free man is he who can decline a dinner invitation without giving an excuse."

On the ninth day of fall....

2007-10-02T00:08:00.000-05:00

We rode our bikes for a just a bit. We had a long day in town and dinner was waiting for us. But I did make sure that we got loaded up for our Katy Trail ride tomorrow afternoon.

I am on my way out to my favorite moon viewing spot but alas, I think it is completely obscured tonight.

Quote of the Day

2007-10-01T23:37:00.000-05:00

Found at: Marcia Marcia Marcia

Once you start to see through the myth of status, possessions, and unlimited consumption as a path to happiness, you’ll find that you have all kinds of freedom and time. It’s like a deal you can make with the universe: I’ll give up greed for freedom. Then you can start putting your time to good use. – David Edwards, Nothing to Lose But Our Illusions

On the eighth day of fall....

2007-09-30T23:59:00.001-05:00

Scott was home and I had him look at our bikes. There was this grinding/vibration that was really starting to annoy me.

For the record, I would like to state that I CALLED Scott and asked him about oiling the chains and he said one shouldn't do that very often and the chains likely didn't need it.

In his defense, Malone's trail-a-bike's chain was slightly out of alignment (and he fixed that, THANK YOU!). BUT both bikes needed oil pretty badly. We also raised up Malone's seat and handlebars MORE! She won't stop growing!

So we rode the bikes for quite a while and -- my oh my, was that a smoother ride! Except that Malone was pretty torqued off at us for moving her center of gravity. It took us quite a while to get into the groove--- it was so wobbly, it kind of freaked even me out!

As everyone headed to bed, I took my favorite seat on the patio and watched the clouds mist around the moon through blackened trees, backlit by the moon. The leaves were swirling and undulating like moss under water. It reminded me a of the Chinese paper cuttings that are black on white paper. Breathtaking.

On the Seventh Day of Fall....

2007-09-29T23:40:00.000-05:00

I fell asleep outside listening to the crickets under the light of the full moon.

On the sixth day of fall....

2007-09-28T10:58:00.001-05:00

We rode the tandem some more. We both need different seats to protect our tender bottos. (botto, from Eloise, as in: Nanny has a very large botto.) You will notice that Puppy is in the picture--- she chased us round and round the circle drive but got tired of us and went after squirrels instead.

I am sad to report that our crash yesterday banged up my new basket!

On the fifth day of fall....

2007-09-27T23:59:00.000-05:00

I fell. **see below

So something fortuituous happened today. Malone would not go out and ride the tandem with me. So we started horseplaying/wrestling and she seemed to get some weird energy out of her. She announced that she was ready to go outside, she got on the bike and we pedaled away. Just reinforces the power of play and touch to build confidence and chase fear away.

So we rode around on the driveway at two different times during the day for at least 45 minutes each time. The last time I was getting punchy and we decided to off-road it into the grass. We did fine until we came around the corner of the house and tried to get back ON the driveway. ** BAM! I forgot that my feet were in the foot stirrups! I have a gynormous bump (at least 8 inches in circumference) on my left thigh where the handlebars impacted and I ummmmmmm really hurt my botto. Imagine your anus being stretched too far across your bike seat. ouch.

I am happy to report I am fine today--- I can go to the bathroom without wincing! It is the small things in life that make me really happy, ya know?

On the fourth day of fall....

2007-09-26T23:59:00.000-05:00

We got out the Trail-A-Bike. I had lost a crucial piece to the bike and I found it when we moved. We haven't used it for a year or so. (Yikes! I see that part I found has been recalled!)

So we did some maintenance and hooked Malone up. It has been just long enough that she completely freaked out due to the wonky way you have to balance. So she rode while I WALKED our bikes round and round on the road--- until she stopped hyperventilating. The whole deal was a little stressful so we called it quits and read "The Subtle Knife" aloud outside on the patio in our comfy chairs.

On the third day of fall....

2007-09-25T23:59:00.000-05:00

We went to yoga (come join us!).

Went to Red Wheel to get my sticky wheel fixed on my bike (which turned out to be my kickstand rubbing--- John broke it in two trying to bend it away from my tire!)

Went biking on the Katy Trail (Jeff City access and southward) with Lanette and Audrey.

And when we got back to the parking lot we met this lovely couple that had ridden in from Sedalia and was going to take the train back. Of course, we were all inspired--- so we are now planning a bike/train/cave trip.

On the second day of fall....

2007-09-24T23:59:00.000-05:00

We went hiking with Liz, Lawrence, and Robert to Horseshoe Springs Cave in St. Elizabeth and then went for a dip in the river.

In this picture you can see them standing on the ledge of the cave.

On the first day of fall....

2007-09-23T23:59:00.000-05:00

I took a Benadryl and took a very long Sunday afternoon nap.

Locks of Love

2007-09-23T00:02:00.000-05:00

We just cut Malone's hair for Locks of Love. I will miss doing all those cool hairdos on her hair. Long hair is just fun! Malone is really excited about donating her hair. She got the idea from Savannah. They both look so cute with these short bobs.

Chalking the Walk at the Capitol Jazz Fest

2007-09-22T21:50:00.000-05:00

I love my friends! Lloyd signed his family and Malone and I up for chalking up the sidewalk at the Jazz Fest today. It was a *beautiful* day and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Malone took third place in her age group with her castle.

Malone and Savannah make very good art partners and I think next year they might want to consider doing a square together. Why? Because neither of them could finish the HUGE 4 ft x 6 ft square in time.

This picture was taken after the judging was over and after Malone and Savannah had added some more detail. Click here to see more photos, including Miss Sonya.

Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician

2007-09-22T00:48:00.000-05:00

Malone and I read on the patio tonight until the light has disappeared and we had to hold our books right next to our bleary eyeballs. She was reading several different Junie B. Jones. I finished Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician by Daniel Wallace.

I had bookmarked some quotes to type, but I dropped my book and the papers flew out. But I am still feeling the need to blog about it anyway. But I have not a clue what to say. The storyline is so unique that I would highly recommend it. So Shelly, I think you *should* put it on your reading list. However, upon closing the book--- I had to do some breathwork to calm myself, as it left me unsettled. It wasn't scary, it just sort of leaves you hanging. It is about a magician that has his story told from different vantage points and there is the continuing question of what is more important--- the truth or the facts?

This is the same author that wrote Big Fish. I've seen the movie and loved it. I think it's time to add it to my reading list.

Midwifery in MO - Fox News 9-14-07

2007-09-20T14:37:00.001-05:00

The national news media covers midwifery again. Don't forget to leave a comment and make it a favorite.

Attn: Are you related to me????

2007-09-20T12:12:00.000-05:00

As promised, I am getting family photos uploaded to an online service called Flickr so that all our photos can be shared. I got the pro account so that when you all want to download/print pictures--- you should be able to print a high resolution copy. We will need to test this and get it figured out--- so if you have any problems, please let me know.

Stay tuned, I will be bringing my scanner to a location near you! Most notably.... I think I will start with Mom's office. I know there are several photos that folks would like to have a copy of.

So here is a sample of what I uploaded to Flickr:

www.flickr.com

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to speak in Fulton

2007-09-19T20:51:00.000-05:00

I would really love to go to this symposium in Fulton. But I am quite sure Malone will fall asleep, so I'm debating if I should drag her with me. We could make the day of it and go to the Churchill Memorial.

I've been wanting to take Malone because we know someone who did the restoration. I emailed Nancy to make sure I had the story straight and she typed it up for me...

"My uncle, Eris Lytle, was the head stone mason for the reconstruction of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury. He worked for Shorty Hathman, a local Columbia contractor. Uncle Eris called it the largest jig saw puzzle in the world! They have remodeled the museum, which is under the church, since I have been there but I'm hoping that there is still a photo or two of him and the reconstruction process.

I'm attaching a photo of him in his later years and a photo of where he and his workmen stashed a time capsule. Look for the little arrow on my photo, top left. Uncle Eris suggested to the Westminster people that they put a time capsule into a stone. They had many discussions, committees, blah blah blah.... and fooled around until it was too late.

Eris just quietly gathered some everyday things from his pockets, car, lunch box, etc and some of the other masons did the same, and put it into a corner stone that he had secretly hollowed out. He was a remarkable man. You can find this stone by standing on the west side of the church, looking east. It will be a little secret that very few will ever know!"

For your reading pleasure, I looked up the articles that Nancy's Mom, Sue wrote about Eris in two parts 1 2 --- she also has a longer version in her book. And to add to this bit of history---- Eris also helped Sue build her salt kiln. The last time it was fired, shortly before he died, he sent folks to check on us to make sure it didn't fall on top of us. He was a little worried as it was leaning very heavily, much to his chagrin!

He floats through the air....

2007-09-17T00:34:00.001-05:00

From the archives...Scott 2004--- I'm taking this picture up to the Mennonite bike shop down the road.

More on the Naked Mole Rat

2007-09-16T02:11:00.000-05:00

This email was in my inbox. ROTFL This conversation is almost too much for me. Savannah is 7, in case you were wondering.

----------
That is great about the naked mole rat. The cage will be very expensive. I'm gonna get my gerbils around my birthday and I know what I'm going to name them, Katie and Jenny.

Good bye

Love,

Savannah

Flower Power Game

2007-09-16T01:57:00.000-05:00

I finally got a chance to download this game for Malone tonight. It is a zipped file that downloads to your computer. I was hoping it would be somewhat educational.

:-) Not quite.

The background music is hysterical --- Yodeling remixed. You gotta checked it out. Brought to you courtesy of my favorite salt (yes salt!). The A. Vogel company, the makers of Trocmare.

For Shelly

2007-09-13T19:19:00.000-05:00

On the May Day Blog Nerissa says,

"....the problem with loving your work (be careful what you wish for) is that if you wade too deeply into it, you risk being pulled out by one of the strongest undertows known to man—the undertow of success. .... one of the pitfalls of success is that it says, “See how important you are? All these people are waiting for you to do the next successful thing. They need you! They are counting on you!” And while this sometimes might appear true—people might even write you letters and tell you just this—it’s really not. You are somewhat replaceable. .... The other pitfall is the way in which the best, most delicious, fun “work” takes you away from your feelings, from any kind of pain you might be in and might need to address ....

.... But ultimately, when it comes down to a choice between your work and what for lack of a better word I will call your equanimity, I would hope to chose equanimity every time. By equanimity, I mean that sense of rightness within yourself. That sense of balance."

Some links to stimulate your inner child...

2007-09-13T16:56:00.000-05:00

Show Me Yoga is having a Halloween party this year and The Bubbas are playing. You have to go watch one of their videos, the youngest boy is around Malone's age. They are pretty good!

And... an article on downsizing your life.

Yoga Pics Up

2007-09-13T16:24:00.000-05:00

I just put up the pictures from the Show Me Yoga workshop with Doug Swenson. I recently agreed to help out with computer and web stuff for them. You will notice that some of the pictures are stretched and contorted. I'm waiting for Jan to tell me what program they use so I can get in there and fix those.

The only picture of me that is in focus is me doing downward dog and all you see is my rear end. I think that is very funny! I was sitting in the front of the room, on the far right.

Meanwhile, I am back to working on podcasts and the LLLMO website!

How is this for cool???

2007-09-13T15:54:00.001-05:00

So I am working on the La Leche League of Missouri 2007 Conference Website. I was just putting up some speaker bio links. Not ready to release the website yet, so while you are waiting....

Go to Laurie's webpage to see a photo of cultured airway epithelial cells infected with a paramyxovirus---

Laurie is doing one of the workshops on Friday---

Breastfed or Immune Compromised? The Importance of the Immune Factors in Breastmilk—A discussion of the differences in the adult and neonatal immune system. Participants will learn the components of breastmilk, the importance of antibodies, and examine the latest research on immune response. (CE)
Laurie Shornick, LLL Leader and Ph.D. Immunologist

I know such cool people!

Overhead--- Malone to Savannah

2007-09-13T12:07:00.000-05:00

"Well, I'm getting ready to buy my naked mole rat."

ROTFL

Explorers

2007-09-11T11:25:00.000-05:00

So this morning Dad called.... he had forgot his bunker gear (personal fire fighting gear) and beggggggged me to bring it in to him. Me, being the very nice and pleasant daughter that I am, happily obliged. Besides I wanted to hit the library.

He neglected to tell me that he was with the Scout Explorer Post that focuses on emergency services and that they were *rappelling*. hurummph! I was wearing my birkenstocks (for you non-climbing folks-- not safe) and shorts.

So I stood there and watched and chatted longingly (but happily) with one of the teen girls. I told her I hadn't been in a while and was cursing I was wearing sandals. SHE OFFERED ME HER SHOES!!!! What a lovely lovely girl! Her feet were enough of a different size that I said, I might as well go barefoot. ;-)

So I did. I will admit to being nervous because I hadn't been for a while and my standard way of jumping off was to use the soles of my shoes as protection for my feet, knees, and shins. So as I am standing with my feet bending over the ledge, I am getting the sensation that this may not have been a good idea LOL. So I stood there a moment and thought about how to go down without scraping any skin against the brick fire tower. This is where it gets a little funny.

I thought I would take advantage of the fact that I have been doing yoga. rotfl So I kept my legs as far apart as the opening in the tower would let me, so I wouldn't teeter to the side and kept my legs straight with the intent of bending at the hips (not waist) until the rope was "set" on the ledge. This would also mean that my feet wouldn't have to slide down the brick as far.

insert maniacal laughter...

What I had neglected to take into consideration was the screws holding the piece of plastic on the ledge to prevent the rope from fraying on the brick. One was digging into the arch on my left foot. And because I was putting so much pressure on my feet from bending at the waist (picture me practically bent in half---) I couldn't figure out how to protect my foot!

So I just hung there for a few seconds and tried to think. And true to typical Green style--- I just went for it. ;-)

I am happy to report I am fine and there was no blood. And I just slid on down.

Walking on Custard

2007-09-11T00:29:00.001-05:00

Shelly sent me this. It is a good thing we don't have a pool, or we would soooo try it! I can attest to the fun of corn starch on a smaller scale. Just mix some with water--- it's fun to play with.

http://bakingbites.com/2007/08/walking-on-custard

Stay tuned for Malone's blog--- I'm hoping she will blog about non-newtonian liquids. ;-)

Malone Blogged!

2007-09-10T23:34:00.000-05:00

Please put Malone in your blog reader--- she wants her statcounter to get lots of hits like mine does.

http://maloneo.blogspot.com/2007/09/rock-enon-stream-team.html

Today she blogged about our Rock Enon Stream Team. I forgot there is a Rock Enon Creek further down--- so the name of our team may be confusing. Mom thinks we should change it to Rock Enon/Burris Fork Creek Stream Team.

but back to the whole point of this entry....

Read the label Malone put on her blog post. She came up with that all by herself. This post goes in the Happiness File!

Caffeine

2007-09-09T03:55:00.000-05:00

I'm sure at least one of you, my dear dear friends, will email me tomorrow and comment on the timestamp for my last post. So I will beat you to the punch!

I drank 2 cups of strong black tea today after 5 pm. Oh my! I was hanging out at Panera reading a book about William Blake while I was waiting for Oma to drop off Malone. A chai tea latte with soy kept calling my name SO I happily plunked my money down on the counter. Call it selective memory, if you will--- but I plum forgot it had caffeine in it. :-)

The chai I have at home for drinking in the pm is caffeine free. I save the fully octaned version for when I go to conferences and have to get up early and stay awake through long presentations.

woooohooo! I just yawned! I'm off to bed!

Rock Enon/Burris Fork Creek Stream Team

2007-09-09T03:26:00.000-05:00

We are forming a Missouri Stream Team. I have tried doing this twice in the past two years but for one reason or another we never got properly connected in. I had mentioned the creek and its declining water quality in an email the other day --- this jogged my memory and prompted me to try again.

I was excited to see that this time there was a web form to fill out. We are calling it the Rock Enon Stream Team. ~~Rock Enon~~

Burris Fork Creek is the creek that flows along side our property. The current members are myself and Malone. I also added mom and dad--- Mom are you reading this? I was thinking about doing a Stream Team. I signed you up! Doesn't this sound fun!!!!??? hmmmm..... I probably should have added Scott, just to annoy him. ;-)

I just setup a webpage for it and a blog to report our adventures, findings and results.

The next order of business is to invite other landowners whose property borders on the creek. They are all nice people and I think many of them will welcome this idea. Thankfully we don't have any Tyson chicken or hog operations directly on this creek (or at least I don't think we do) so this will be a great time to really educate my parents on why their **LAGOON** is a bad idea. Yes, that's right, I said lagoon. Did I mention there are no codes in Moniteau County? Good for building straw bale houses, bad for watersheds.

Happy Birthday to Me

2007-09-07T01:16:00.000-05:00

36. (I think, doing math on fingers. yup, 36.)

and very happy about it. I stayed up this late, just so I could welcome this day with some quiet reflection time. Seriously, I love birthdays. Not for the presents. Though my friend Linda, gave me a lovely one today. A BOOK! yipppeeee Really great friends give really great books! This one is about commodity investing. She and I have such great and varied conversations. This book was a follow up to a conversation about planning for the fall of the American economy. We're both optimists, we don't think it will happen this week. ;-)

And now a moment in honor of my Mom who gave birth to me naturally and breastfed me when others did not. She also endured extreme pain after a *not* medically necessary procedure was done incorrectly and for the wrong reason. She doesn't like me to talk about it because it was so invasive and awful. Hugs mom. You endured a lot for me. And I think it is very touching that you will buy an organic chicken just because you know it matters to me.

sniff sniff....

And I would be remiss if I did not honor my Dad. I love that he is sappy and sentimental. He did *not* have a bad medical procedure on my behalf, but he did give up his woodworking shop for me to turn into a pottery studio. He's getting a new tractor out of the deal, so I don't feel quite the pain for him as I do for Mom. ;-)

sniff sniff sniff....

And then there is MalonE-O. Giving birth to you was a second birthday for me. It was the day I dug deep and became a mother and got a glimpse of the woman I knew I was becoming. I think of the long line of women who birthed you, me, Mema, and Great Mema--- an unbroken chain of strong, compassionate women. Smart too!

quadruple sniff.......

I love you all.