"Love Heart"

"hey, how did you do that?!" exclaims Isaac, "it's a Love Heart!"

"OK, I'll hold the apple, but I don't want to eat it" Though he was a little upset when I did start to eat it!
So I set a piece aside to show him what happens when you leave a cut apple out. 'Not only does it turn brown but it changes in taste and texture too, and I simply prefer mine before it changes.'

when tense, tease!

I’ve been walking around with an empty tea cup in hand for the last hour and a half and I’ve hit the reheat button on the kettle for the last time. I’m exhausted, and five hours hence I’ll simply be more exhausted.

I turn on the vent fan to deal with the dinner I’m now burning. Isaac’s response is to turn up the volume on the computer game he’s playing. ‘Isaac!’ I say ‘would you please turn the volume down?! I’m having trouble hearing the lovely sound the fan is making!’ he looks concerned and starts to turn the volume down but looks over his shoulder and catches me grinning. “You’re such a Teaser mommy!” ‘Oh I am, but only because I get it from you!’.

We snuggle and tickle each other and I think ‘life is good, no matter what; this part of my life is good’.

Remembering an Autumn day in 06

Special moments are of course special for varying reasons. And while I greatly enjoy Isaac's unique interests, it’s somehow supremely gratifying to see him get excited over something I’m also passionate about.

It’s easy to be taken in by flashy man made plastics and gizmos, especially through youthful eyes, but to find beauty and amusement in the natural world is (I hope) more nourishing.

I recall as a young girl, standing next to my brother along a rugged coastline. We looked out over the ocean where dazzling shafts of light broke through an impressive cloud cover, appearing and disappearing like the beams of an alien ship. I thought the beauty of it was just too much, that it couldn’t be conceived in its entirety, and therefore repeatedly (and annoyingly) asked my brother “can you see that!? are you seeing this!? Can you believe it!? Look at that! Look at it!

Autumn 06
It was a cool fall day; Isaac and I walked from our downtown apartment along an unusually quiet main street. The sun was getting low and in-between city blocks we caught the sights and smells of the Bay. I’d promised sushi that evening and upon arriving we were greeted with familiarity. Isaac remembered his Japanese which made the owner clap his hands with delight and laugh heartily. The dinner, I’ve already forgotten; we’ve eaten there many times and one meal merges with the rest, but from this evening I take the memory of kneeling in front of a window before being seated.

The shop is set in a subtle alcove off the main street and the dry leaves of autumn rested unperturbed in its corners. We took advantage of our waiting and crouched at a window to see what we could see. The wind started suddenly; hugging the tall buildings till it reached the small cove where it scooped in and twirled about. The initial chaotic burst caught up the leaves and spun them in tight, fast circles. Then in slower, wider arcs that lifted and lowered them till they settled gently on the ground. There, they seemed to pant from the sudden exertion.

I squealed in delight for I’m genuinely taken by such things. Isaac questioned “what mommy, what?” to which I responded ‘the leaves have decided to play!’ I pointed out the shivering leaves readying themselves for another flight and narrated the scene. ‘You can’t catch me!’ and up they went. ‘Yes I can!’ shouted the others as they started to chase. ‘Can you do this?’ asked the leaves, ‘No, but I can do this’ said the others. And on and on they went in such fashion, dancing and playing, lifting in false flight and falling ever gently, trembling with laughter, readying themselves for more.

We were so engrossed that I think the owner dared not disturb us, for it wasn’t till we stood and turned around that he came to seat us. He and his wife, and staff are lovely people and I wish them many blessings.

You can find the Kyo sushi restaurant at 2801 1st Ave, in downtown Seattle. The freshest sushi I’ve tasted, prepared by people who really care, in an unpretentious environment. Walk the extra block (or three) from Pikes Market, you’ll be glad you did.

Who wants the cutesy little bunny?

Isaac's class went on a farm field trip today and I accompanied the bunch. He’s had a small but ongoing interest with “soft, cute little bunny rabbits that are so soft and snuggly you just want to cuddle them” rabbits. So when I’d heard that bunnies would be at the farm for petting, I fully expected to later hear a request that one be added to our growing wish-list of creatures.

The day was beautiful, no, perfect! And we ended up quite near Mt. Rainier which is far more stunning than I’ve realized. This was the closest we’ve gotten to it since having moved here and it was completely shrouded in snow. The air was brilliant and crisp with just the right number of clouds tossed about.

The children were introduced to farm animals and did a wonderful job staying in line, waiting patiently during explanations, raising hands to answer or ask questions, and come forward as called to pet each animal; a father leaned toward me and whispered “if I didn’t see it with my own eyes I wouldn’t have believed it possible to get kids this age to do that, mine sure don't do this at home!” A silent ‘whew’ was my only response for I knew how true his statement was.

After the animals, it was time to take turns washing hands and using the toilet, then it was on to lunch where the kids were entertained by a talkative cockatoo. The energy they expended in the play yard seemed to exceed their caloric intake thus far; I don’t know where they get their energy! Then it was time for the long drive back.

So, by the end of the day, I was surprised and dare I say…disappointed, when Isaac didn’t ask for one (a rabbit that is). I found myself waiting...no...wanting him to ask for one! Come on Isaac don’t you want one!? They’re just so cute!

OK, so it’s me! I want one; I want the cutesy little bunny. Can I have it, pleeeeeeease? They’re just so, so cute! Oh, and that baby pigmy goat! And how about that pony! And those little chicks, and….

Ah-hem, well, like I was saying…I think it was a fairly fantastic day at the farm, and Isaac may have enjoyed himself too.

Where do you fall?

Atrophy, is defined as the shrinking, weakening, or wasting away from lack of use.

Language, that thing we grow up with and abuse so readily, has the ability to transform us, redirect our thinking (our feelings/beliefs), allowing us to grow, or atrophy.

Oscar Hammerstein said “that despair has so many spokesmen, and hope so few.”

I recognize this as true; that good news often equals no news, that negative talk attracts more of the same, that what we hear most often we believe most firmly and too often it’s negative.
I also believe; as communicable as negativity is, there are many more among us who carry contagions of the good sort. Otherwise human kind would have long since disappeared, buried beneath a thick blanket of despair.

It can be difficult to ‘see’ the good stuff; when we are bombarded by negative talk, the part of our being that thrives on positive talk, atrophies. It then becomes easier to see the negative, hear the negative, repeat it, and believe it. Despair begins…and that little voice in our head that says “we’ll never make it” gets louder and louder. Too bad this is what happens to so many couples.

When we have a propensity for negativity we think the motives of others are negative too, this is crippling. The trick is finding a balance; children must learn what behavior deserves disapproval whilst feeling comfortable enough with the world and its people to want to reach out and do good of their own. It’s tricky, you want to keep them safe but don’t want them thinking that every car, dog, and stranger is out to get them.

I am an optimist and a realist (hopeful without being idealistic). I’m happy with this balance and will try to pass it on to Isaac.

Where do you fall? And how has it affected you?

Outwitted

The scene:
Isaac, who is dressed in a bicycle helmet and outfit of his choosing, is wearing two full backpacks and dragging a third, while his other hand holds grabbers and tries to keep the purple cape (blanket) from falling. He’s attempting to run circuits around the couch but is tripping over the mass of toys he's left out. I’m standing at the sink, washing dishes, and enjoying the scene (some people have TV’s, I have Isaac!)

The set up:
“Humph” says Isaac “some little alien left all their toys out... (thoughtful pause)… Mommy, will you be the little alien?” ‘sure Isaac’ and before I get another word out he says “Good. Little alien, you should really pick up these toys before someone gets hurt.”

In closing:
Does he know how clever he is? He’s sure smiling like he does. So I say ‘good idea’ and start picking them up. “Oh, good job” he says, and seems surprised but pleased.


It Continues...

Our house is always quite clean to which a great deal of credit goes to my little helper but today the idea momentarily consumes him.

He sits with his back to the window, a gaze upon his face indicating deep thought, and a pose that shows he’s forgotten all about the backpack pulling from his slackened grip.

As he slowly becomes more and more animated he says “I’ve got a lot of ideas in this fantastic brain of mine.” I brace myself, determined not to be outwitted this time. “I know! Let’s make a robot that can pick up my (he quickly corrects himself) I mean these messes while I’m at school then you could do your chores with a helper. I will be helping too because I will have made the robot!”

‘Tremendous Isaac! What a great idea, and so thoughtful.’ That’s what I say but I’m thinking 'is he already trying to get out of chores?' Of course not! he likes helping too much.