Reading deprivation was interesting. I did not expect for it to be as difficult to maintain as it was. It reminded me of the times I have fasted. You get hungry and your hunger serves as an opportunity to remind you of something (whatever the goal of the fasting). So this was a reading fast. It was surprising to note how many times during my day I have a little lull which I meet with reading. It was fun to see what I did with those little moments. I tried to keep a list.
Instead of reading, I...
made a cake (augmented from this recipe),
cut Søren's hair,
concocted a dairy-free blueberry coconut ice cream,
did all my weekly tasks for The Artist's Way,
finished all the neglected previous weekly tasks for The Artist's Way,
invented stories to tell the kids,
enjoyed hearing my husband read to our kids,
watched a couple movies with my husband,
created a soaked granola recipe,
hung photos on the walls,
called friends on the telephone,
wrote letters,
started writing this list,
looked at a new sewing pattern,
explored the neighborhood (a community garden right around the corner!),
planned some structure for my blogs,
went to goodwill and bought children's books (dangerous, no?),
went outside and watched the kids play in the backyard and run in the sprinkler,
went for a bike ride,
went on a long explore downtown with the kids,
washed dishes,
wrote more letters,
talked to more friends on the telephone (voices are so much better than emails!),
made a birthday gift for a friend's daughter,
actually did my morning pages (for The Artist's Way),
sat on my couch and looked around the house,
went to the library and received free kids books for the summer reading program,
organized the office/music room a bit more,
and I probably did other things I forgot to write down.
What was interesting, and mildly comforting, was that it was still difficult to stay on top of the dishes and laundry. I had been worried that I was really just addicted to the internet and that was why I am such a terrible housekeeper. What a week unplugged confirmed for me is that there is a LOT of housekeeping. I am not bad at it, I am simply one person fighting against a mess created by five people (two of whom are talented mess makers). Sometimes (most times?) it is more important to spend time in relationship with those other four people rather that just cleaning up after them. It also reminded me that it is time to jump back on the Fly Lady's bandwagon. I need the added structure.
I cheated with my deprivation a little. Having my husband check my email to publish blog comments felt a little like cheating, for what is the point of having someone else read for you if you are on reading deprivation? Once he went out-of-town (Friday), I took over checking my email once a day (and sometimes twice a day). I also decided that life with out Daddy was difficult enough, and took to reading the boys a bedtime story (which they were itching for after the addition of some new-used books and a trip to the library). What I did not do, was fill the lulls in my day with a reading break (articles shared on facebook, blogs, books I am reading/studying, newsletters we receive, etc). Instead, I paused and then found something else to do. It was refreshing. I did not create any masterpieces, but my days were filled with a lot more living and a lot more little bursts of creative activity.
The time off was so enjoyable that I have not been much inclined to come back to reading online. I simply clicked "mark as read" for a large number of the blogs I follow. It felt freeing. In fact, I think I'll be weeding my google reader list down again (I do this seasonally anyway). I am even thinking of having internet "office hours." A check in the morning and a check in the evening with the goal of writing all my blog posts for the week in one chunk of time during the weekend or one weekday evening. I want to live more and enjoy this time with my kids being delightfully young. We shall see if I can keep these ideals.
In the mean time, I have to re-read The Apology, pick out an interesting segment of something from Ellul, re-read some more Plato and Mr. Kierkegaard, pick back up Anna Karenina (my favorite novel of all time is scheduled for the end of summer book group discussion), find a used copy of Nurture Shock, and read those newsletters I skipped. And if I know you in real life, or even through someone I know in real life, you can be sure I'll still be reading your blog.
What would be the hardest thing for you not to read each week?
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Favorite Things Fridays: Reading other people's favorite things
I have really enjoyed reading about other people's favorite things. It is such a good reminder that the life we live as humans is rich with wonder and beauty and fun. I have learned new things about old friends. I have learned that complete strangers are kindred spirits. Sharing favorite things is a fun way to learn about people and oneself. I have even uncovered things I did not expect about myself simply from trying to think about what my favorite things are, or from reading someone else's list and seeing myself reflected in their favorites.
Now it is your turn! You may have already noticed, but I have turned Favorite Things Fridays into a blog carnival and would love to hear from you, my fellow bloggers, on Fridays, when you have time, about your favorite things. It can be a favorite from the week, or simply from life in general. If you post about it, please link in with Mr. Linky (see below) and leave me a comment to tell me you did! If you do not have a blog, feel free to share one of your favorites in the comment section each week.
Now it is your turn! You may have already noticed, but I have turned Favorite Things Fridays into a blog carnival and would love to hear from you, my fellow bloggers, on Fridays, when you have time, about your favorite things. It can be a favorite from the week, or simply from life in general. If you post about it, please link in with Mr. Linky (see below) and leave me a comment to tell me you did! If you do not have a blog, feel free to share one of your favorites in the comment section each week.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Elliot is Three!
I can barely bring myself to accept this, but Elliot did turn three last week. THREE. I could not do justice to trying to sum up all that he has become and all that I have enjoyed watching him come into himself in these past three years. Suffice it to say I am rather crazy about this boy and tremendously excited to be his mother and get to see more and more of his story unfold.
Here is a taste of what we look like at 6:15 am (more transparency than you hoped?). I have continued a tradition began by my mother of leaving birthday presents at the end of ones bed to find in the morning. Elliot was so excited. It was his own personal Christmas, and he woke up bright and early to begin festivities. His favorite gift from the morning: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. I have read it to him enough times by now to nearly have it memorized (which would be handy this week, no?).
Then we had a rather spontaneous birthday party with a few of his friends, and I think he felt rather awed by all the special attention. My dear Summer has posted some lovely photos from the day here. What a gift to have a friend who enjoys capturing my kids on camera.
Here is a taste of what we look like at 6:15 am (more transparency than you hoped?). I have continued a tradition began by my mother of leaving birthday presents at the end of ones bed to find in the morning. Elliot was so excited. It was his own personal Christmas, and he woke up bright and early to begin festivities. His favorite gift from the morning: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. I have read it to him enough times by now to nearly have it memorized (which would be handy this week, no?).
Then we had a rather spontaneous birthday party with a few of his friends, and I think he felt rather awed by all the special attention. My dear Summer has posted some lovely photos from the day here. What a gift to have a friend who enjoys capturing my kids on camera.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Out of the Box
A Winco Experience
(This post is not meant to offend any who regularly shop there. The prices were so good that I am quite tempted to go back for several things. With all the favorite things, I felt the need to vent a little cynicism, for giving occasional reign to my cynical side is also one of my favorite things.)
The building sits next to the freeway, easily seen and easily accessed, so long as you are willing to be herded like cattle. There are two lanes that turn into the street that accesses the enormous parking lot. Two lanes, and still I sit waiting to turn left for five minutes. I feel out of place. The large truck in front of me is covered in various racing bumper stickers. One reads, "This marriage will now be interrupted to bring you RACING SEASON". Now, I mean no disrespect to any of my readers who enjoy racing, but please do not advertise on your vehicle that it is a bigger priority than your marriage. The driver, who later tries to race ahead to get a premiere parking space, but ends up right next to me, looks the part of an old racer - cigarette between his fingers, one of which does still boast a wedding band. His wife must enjoy racing season, too. On this side of town I notice there are just as many bumper stickers as there are downtown. Downtown, the stickers are loudly liberal. Here they are loudly...well...redneck. Score another one for "diversity" in Eugene.
While I await my left turn, I turn off the radio so I can enjoy some degree of quiet. (Though if you are in search of silence, you might want to read my friend Abby's recent post on the topic). The quiet allows my mind to wander while I idle. I think about the stress of the Winco shopping experience I am about to undertake. I am long past stressing about the quality of the beef I have resigned myself to purchase. I know it will come from an animal that never walked more than a few hundred yards; and that, likely the path to the slaughterhouse. I stop thinking about the cows themselves, and instead, begin thinking about the whole mass animal feeding concept. I cannot help but see parallels between Winco and a human feeding operation. If the masses who poured through there were actually eating while they filed in and out, it might just qualify (and there is that pizza by the slice place after the checkout line). I reflect on the store's layout and the way the staff restock by racing to get the food to the easiest point of access for the masses, as quickly as possible. They weave in and out, depositing items on shelves, not making eye contact, and weave back to safety behind swinging doors before any animal (read: human with over-sized cart) tramples them. Of course, there is too much activity, and the promise of leaving, but there is still a general feeling of being herded.
I make an awful customer at Winco. I stop; not just slow down. I carefully examine produce to look for the choicest heads of lettuce and test several onions and avocados for firmness. Knowing well the principle of conservation of momentum, Winco terrifies me. I wish I had tail lights, or something to give ample warning to the hurried consumers with soda-laden carts behind me. I read the labels, trying to determine farm sources for the meat, and trying hard not to visibly shudder when I read "Cargill" and then walk quickly away. I read all ingredients on the cans and boxes looking for packages that only contain FOOD. Reading one jelly jar that boasts "100% USA Fruit", I am dismayed that the first two ingredients are high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup. An old man, who cannot make up his mind if he wants strawberry or grape, finds my reading obsession curious.
"How can they claim 100% fruit when the first two ingredients are corn syrup?!" I try to enlighten him to my dilemma.
"Oh that's just for sweetening!" He reassures me.
"Ah," I hadn't realized. So the small quantity of fruit that is present is all grown in the US. Isn't that nice. Not quite what I was hoping. The best I can find is one brand that uses a concentrate of four fruit juices to sweeten their jam. I find fruit to be quite sweet on its own, but I suppose I am in a minority. Undoubtedly so in Winco. I keep shopping. Yes, here, I am a minority
The children in the carts around me have the characteristic, under-developed facial deformities of malnutrition as studied by Dr. Weston A Price. They also display the behavioral problems that accompany that malnutrition. I try to continue breathing deeply as I reflect that I will be feeding my own children from this box store tonight. However, I also notice many quizzical glances at my cart from other passersby. They cannot wrap their minds around what I might be up to with all that whole food. In fact, I am rather sure that some of them do not even recognize several of my produce selections. Yes, even Winco sells whole foods. They might be tampered with (might is a generous word, but there were a couple organic produce options), but not as tampered with as if you pull "shelf stable" products off all the interior isles and miss the outer section with things a step (or 10) closer to the original source (even if it is trucked in from across the country). It comes down to what you choose to put in your cart.
My stomach churns with the knowledge of all that is wrong with the system (primarily the meat system) I am about to validate with a monetary exchange. I remind myself that life is not perfect and that this vote with my dollar will not invalidate all my previous votes against. I whisper a prayer that a time is coming when Cargill and their competition will be out of business. Then, I bag my groceries and get out of the box.
(This post is not meant to offend any who regularly shop there. The prices were so good that I am quite tempted to go back for several things. With all the favorite things, I felt the need to vent a little cynicism, for giving occasional reign to my cynical side is also one of my favorite things.)
The building sits next to the freeway, easily seen and easily accessed, so long as you are willing to be herded like cattle. There are two lanes that turn into the street that accesses the enormous parking lot. Two lanes, and still I sit waiting to turn left for five minutes. I feel out of place. The large truck in front of me is covered in various racing bumper stickers. One reads, "This marriage will now be interrupted to bring you RACING SEASON". Now, I mean no disrespect to any of my readers who enjoy racing, but please do not advertise on your vehicle that it is a bigger priority than your marriage. The driver, who later tries to race ahead to get a premiere parking space, but ends up right next to me, looks the part of an old racer - cigarette between his fingers, one of which does still boast a wedding band. His wife must enjoy racing season, too. On this side of town I notice there are just as many bumper stickers as there are downtown. Downtown, the stickers are loudly liberal. Here they are loudly...well...redneck. Score another one for "diversity" in Eugene.
While I await my left turn, I turn off the radio so I can enjoy some degree of quiet. (Though if you are in search of silence, you might want to read my friend Abby's recent post on the topic). The quiet allows my mind to wander while I idle. I think about the stress of the Winco shopping experience I am about to undertake. I am long past stressing about the quality of the beef I have resigned myself to purchase. I know it will come from an animal that never walked more than a few hundred yards; and that, likely the path to the slaughterhouse. I stop thinking about the cows themselves, and instead, begin thinking about the whole mass animal feeding concept. I cannot help but see parallels between Winco and a human feeding operation. If the masses who poured through there were actually eating while they filed in and out, it might just qualify (and there is that pizza by the slice place after the checkout line). I reflect on the store's layout and the way the staff restock by racing to get the food to the easiest point of access for the masses, as quickly as possible. They weave in and out, depositing items on shelves, not making eye contact, and weave back to safety behind swinging doors before any animal (read: human with over-sized cart) tramples them. Of course, there is too much activity, and the promise of leaving, but there is still a general feeling of being herded.
I make an awful customer at Winco. I stop; not just slow down. I carefully examine produce to look for the choicest heads of lettuce and test several onions and avocados for firmness. Knowing well the principle of conservation of momentum, Winco terrifies me. I wish I had tail lights, or something to give ample warning to the hurried consumers with soda-laden carts behind me. I read the labels, trying to determine farm sources for the meat, and trying hard not to visibly shudder when I read "Cargill" and then walk quickly away. I read all ingredients on the cans and boxes looking for packages that only contain FOOD. Reading one jelly jar that boasts "100% USA Fruit", I am dismayed that the first two ingredients are high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup. An old man, who cannot make up his mind if he wants strawberry or grape, finds my reading obsession curious.
"How can they claim 100% fruit when the first two ingredients are corn syrup?!" I try to enlighten him to my dilemma.
"Oh that's just for sweetening!" He reassures me.
"Ah," I hadn't realized. So the small quantity of fruit that is present is all grown in the US. Isn't that nice. Not quite what I was hoping. The best I can find is one brand that uses a concentrate of four fruit juices to sweeten their jam. I find fruit to be quite sweet on its own, but I suppose I am in a minority. Undoubtedly so in Winco. I keep shopping. Yes, here, I am a minority
The children in the carts around me have the characteristic, under-developed facial deformities of malnutrition as studied by Dr. Weston A Price. They also display the behavioral problems that accompany that malnutrition. I try to continue breathing deeply as I reflect that I will be feeding my own children from this box store tonight. However, I also notice many quizzical glances at my cart from other passersby. They cannot wrap their minds around what I might be up to with all that whole food. In fact, I am rather sure that some of them do not even recognize several of my produce selections. Yes, even Winco sells whole foods. They might be tampered with (might is a generous word, but there were a couple organic produce options), but not as tampered with as if you pull "shelf stable" products off all the interior isles and miss the outer section with things a step (or 10) closer to the original source (even if it is trucked in from across the country). It comes down to what you choose to put in your cart.
My stomach churns with the knowledge of all that is wrong with the system (primarily the meat system) I am about to validate with a monetary exchange. I remind myself that life is not perfect and that this vote with my dollar will not invalidate all my previous votes against. I whisper a prayer that a time is coming when Cargill and their competition will be out of business. Then, I bag my groceries and get out of the box.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Reading Hiatus
I will be taking a week of reading deprivation this week starting today. Yep, you read that correctly: No reading. It seems strange to me, and, in fact, I am not sure what might happen to me without my daily dosage of words. However, it should be fun and allow for some extra energy to be directed into creative endeavors with my kids and myself. It might also allow for that final achievement of "totally moved in."
It is exciting and a little nerve-wracking to so completely unplug. I have done it a time or two unintentionally (from the internet), but never have I purposefully not read anything. In fact, I do not even know that I have ever gone a day without it in some form. My biggest challenge, I think, will be not reading to my kids. That may sound cruel, as if I am depriving them of something. Do not worry, I have big plans to keep story-telling alive and well, they just have to be from my own head and not from a lovely book. Those are the boys' favorite kinds anyway.
I have a post or two scheduled for this week, but I will not be moderating comments. My husband is not on reading deprivation, so I might coax him to sign in and publish comments on my behalf so you all can talk amongst yourselves. Please do not hesitate to leave your thoughts. I will look forward to responding early next week.
Have you ever undergone reading deprivation? Do you regularly unplug from the internet? I'd love to hear about it.
It is exciting and a little nerve-wracking to so completely unplug. I have done it a time or two unintentionally (from the internet), but never have I purposefully not read anything. In fact, I do not even know that I have ever gone a day without it in some form. My biggest challenge, I think, will be not reading to my kids. That may sound cruel, as if I am depriving them of something. Do not worry, I have big plans to keep story-telling alive and well, they just have to be from my own head and not from a lovely book. Those are the boys' favorite kinds anyway.
I have a post or two scheduled for this week, but I will not be moderating comments. My husband is not on reading deprivation, so I might coax him to sign in and publish comments on my behalf so you all can talk amongst yourselves. Please do not hesitate to leave your thoughts. I will look forward to responding early next week.
Have you ever undergone reading deprivation? Do you regularly unplug from the internet? I'd love to hear about it.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Favorite Things Fridays: Strawberries in June
Favorite Things Fridays is now a blog carnival, please visit the link for more information.
Seasonal fruit is always a favorite. This month it is strawberries, but next month I'll be convinced what I really love is blueberries. Come early september, I will be singing the praises of wild blackberries. However, there is a special place in my heart for strawberries. They are red, and lovely to behold. Their smell holds so much promise AND they deliver (unlike coffee, though I know them's fighting words). Also, they come as the first wonderful fruit after a long winter and spring. Ah strawberry, how I love you.
I recently catered the graduation reception for my Alma mater and made a couple trays of chocolate covered strawberries for the dessert table. The smell of all those berries (about 250) was intoxicating. Perhaps next time I will simply make a heaping mountain of chocolate covered berries and forget about everything else.
(chocolate cooling)
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Ingredients:
Quantities of fresh strawberries, washed and dried
Quantities of semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chips or bars broken into peices
Directions:
Place glass bowl on top of a sauce pan with simmering water.
Add chocolate and allow to melt, stirring together until you reach a smooth consistency
Dip in one strawberry at a time, holding onto the green top.
Let chocolate drip off, and then tilt strawberry to get the last drips on it's side and place on a buttered sheet of parchment paper (if you are doing a dairy-free chocolate, use coconut oil, perhaps I'll have to do a post on making your own chocolate on my food blog sometime soon)
Let cool.
Store in the refrigerator if they will not be eaten within a few hours
Enjoy!
Your turn! Please share one your favorite things. If you blog, please leave a link below for our Favorite Things Friday carnival.Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Settling
My house is coming together with thanks to a lovingly handed-down couch arriving and a weekend spent with my mother. She reminds me, through action, that some things are worth the expense. I cannot always deny myself. I cannot always make it myself. I cannot always keep sane with projects in limbo. Sometimes I need to hear this spoken so plainly. I am breathing more deeply now.
One of my mother's talents is walking into stores that are running a sale on the items she wants. I am not sure how she does this. It is magic as far as I can tell. My house is now supplied with the items we needed to rid ourselves of cardboard boxes as well as cover our windows at night. There are three remaining boxes to unpack, two more to sort through, and two brimming with burnables. Nearly everything has a proper home. This act is coming together.
It is good to have a mother. If everything is her fault, then a lot of good things are her fault. In my case, many more good things are her fault than bad things. I hope I can understand all those things well enough to pass them onto my own children.
One of my mother's talents is walking into stores that are running a sale on the items she wants. I am not sure how she does this. It is magic as far as I can tell. My house is now supplied with the items we needed to rid ourselves of cardboard boxes as well as cover our windows at night. There are three remaining boxes to unpack, two more to sort through, and two brimming with burnables. Nearly everything has a proper home. This act is coming together.
It is good to have a mother. If everything is her fault, then a lot of good things are her fault. In my case, many more good things are her fault than bad things. I hope I can understand all those things well enough to pass them onto my own children.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Favorite Things Friday: Grandparents Who Travel
**Just realized this never posted. I suppose I still have a little work to do in the scheduling department**
Last weekend we were blessed with my husband's mother and step-father coming down for Søren's recital (which went swimmingly, aside from him declaring loudly, while on stage, that he was the most fancy kid present). This weekend (in a few short hours actually!) we get my mother and step-father coming to celebrate dear Elliot's 3rd birthday (Three?! How did this happen?). It will be a "trombone" birthday, as he has requested (don't ask me, I am still trying to figure it out).
This time in life (the time where our days are consumed with caring for small children) is rather stationary but it makes it far easier when the important people still show up for hugs in person from time to time.
Last weekend we were blessed with my husband's mother and step-father coming down for Søren's recital (which went swimmingly, aside from him declaring loudly, while on stage, that he was the most fancy kid present). This weekend (in a few short hours actually!) we get my mother and step-father coming to celebrate dear Elliot's 3rd birthday (Three?! How did this happen?). It will be a "trombone" birthday, as he has requested (don't ask me, I am still trying to figure it out).
This time in life (the time where our days are consumed with caring for small children) is rather stationary but it makes it far easier when the important people still show up for hugs in person from time to time.
(kids seen here with Andrew's parents after the recital)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Favorite Things: Day 31
Finishing a project
Why then, you might ask, have I waited until June 10th to write my last favorite thing? It is a good question. I suppose I was intimidated by a need for it to be extra favorite. As if I might have needed to mention that I like Jesus or something. Don't get me wrong, I do, but listing faith/God/sweetbabyjesus among things like antique sewing machines and baby push-ups seems like it would deeply miss the point.
So I am sticking with "finishing a project". I love finishing a hem, or hooking the last bits of yarn into a finished scarf. I like the domino effect of the last several boxes of Sodoku and the satisfaction of the last puzzle piece. I will be very happy when the last cardboard box leaves my living room! (soon)
I can also decided on "finishing a project" because it not only recognizes the end to the Favorite Things collaboration, but it also allows me to mention that we have not completely finished the project. Cydney has proposed "Favorite Things Fridays" and I think it is a lovely idea. Besides, I have too many favorite things that never made this list.
Stay tuned.
Why then, you might ask, have I waited until June 10th to write my last favorite thing? It is a good question. I suppose I was intimidated by a need for it to be extra favorite. As if I might have needed to mention that I like Jesus or something. Don't get me wrong, I do, but listing faith/God/sweetbabyjesus among things like antique sewing machines and baby push-ups seems like it would deeply miss the point.
So I am sticking with "finishing a project". I love finishing a hem, or hooking the last bits of yarn into a finished scarf. I like the domino effect of the last several boxes of Sodoku and the satisfaction of the last puzzle piece. I will be very happy when the last cardboard box leaves my living room! (soon)
I can also decided on "finishing a project" because it not only recognizes the end to the Favorite Things collaboration, but it also allows me to mention that we have not completely finished the project. Cydney has proposed "Favorite Things Fridays" and I think it is a lovely idea. Besides, I have too many favorite things that never made this list.
Stay tuned.
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