Writing Meditations

My article is finished, turned in after editing and re-reading. I feel good. I ate my Ugli fruit today, feeling the texture of the skin, tasting the incredibly surprising sweetness of the flesh. Ok, Ugli fruit, right? Looks a freakishly overgrown orange trying to disguise itself as a grapefruit-not a chance. Yellow/green with hints of orange skin, peels really easy, and tastes really, really good. It was like a piece of sunshine today, especially with the single to teen digits we are experiencing here in Northern VT. Where does this lovely specimen come from and where can you get it? A tropical fruit coming from the island of Jamaica, and found in most markets. Convenient that I have a market a block away from my house, so walking there is not an issue, even for today.

So, you might be asking where does the meditation come in? See, as a writer after being a stay-at-home mom, eco-bath & body product business owner, urban homestead manager, teacher, chauffer, activities coordinator.....you get the picture. After all the other hats I wear, I find time to be creative in other ways. I'm a self-trained (with some college class help along the way) visual artist, fiber artist, and writer. Although I've not taken up the brush or pencil in a few years, the passion is still there, waiting to be used but becoming acquainted with being a great sub when it comes to my fiber work. The writing? I find its like breathing-very important to the body and the psyche. Check out "Fruitflesh" by Gayle Brandeis; you'll love it!

So, my meditation right now is smelling dinner cook, listening to the fire pop in the fireplace, seeing the alpen glow as the sun sets at this hour, and remembering the taste of the Ugli. A question comes to mind for all of us: Who are you? Ask yourself that, write it down-all the things you do in a day are a part of who you are. Take five minutes, that's it. No more, no less. Sip a cup of tea, coffee, whatever your fix is, if you like. Take five minutes, Mom. And remember, the one question at this time: Who are you? Stay warm. Love, Mom.

Writing

Writing today, and loving the moments when I go through Tristan's pics to post along with my entries. Amazing how fast they grow, so every moment is priceless and worth it all. And I'm doing this again? Yeap!

So, today is about office work; I have an article to finish writing, will probably update a little more here on this page, and find satisfaction in cooking a filling dinner tonight. Its the little things, really. Those moments when you don't realize what you're about to learn, and bingo!!!! It happens just like that-and happens when we least expect it to. That's what I like about my life as a mother, a business owner, wife....you're always in a position to learn, even on those days when you feel like you just can't get out of bed. Flannel sheets and pj's are like shackles but the kind you like to dive into and become corpse-like.

What am a writing about? Can't tell at this time, as I've not finished the article and have to turn it in next week. I'll share when its time. Until then, enjoy the entries I've posted, check out the goodies I've added along the way, and remember to hug your mom today-she'll know why, even with the puzzled look.

Do Nap Times Die Out Like The Dinosaurs Did?

Of course, this picture is almost two years old but I love finding the ones where he's sleeping-where does the time go? Funny how they sleep so much when you first bring them home, and then little by little, as time moves along, the sleeping habits change, actually mutate. You feel like you, as a parent, young or old, new or one down adding more to the brood, you mutate. Your sleep patterns change, and that's even before their arrival. I remember the days of great, corpse-like sleep; where the house next door could have burned to the ground and I would have not even rolled over in my sleep. Sleeping on my stomach was something I did quite a bit, too. Today? Forget it. With Tristan, I slept like there was going to be a sleep famine that started once he arrived, and man, was I right. His favorite hours were midnight to five AM, EVERY DAY for at least the first two or three weeks; maybe even a month. Then, he went through that first mutation. Then another came about four months later. Naps were great, as it seemed like several in the beginning to our present day of "I'll nap when I want to-I might miss something, Mom!!!!"

Now, with my second child on the way, sleep is mutating again. I sleep but don't feel like I've slept. Did I sleep last night? I think so but don't ask me to swear by that thought. What will happen this time? Mutation of a whole other level is coming, and I take each day as a lesson learned on how it might be with two kiddies in tow. A dear college gal pal let me know that I will become creative in finding ways to get things done, how I'll work through each day, each moment, and as always, she's very confident that I'll do well with the transition. Boy, what I wouldn't give to have her here when this huge transition starts to manifest. Whew!!!

So, really Moms out there.....do nap times dies out like the dinosaurs did? And who keeps putting the Cheerios in my shoes?

~Mom

"Love her, as she is the gateway into this world."

Mucha Do About Nothing

Today is one of those days where I've not given myself time to become inspired for a posting. It's the swing of the pendulum, as one day you can become so inspired Rembrandt would pass you a brush or the opposite, where sometimes, it's just a moment to empty out your head. I updated on my business page yesterday, which I found creative and fun. The fun part was what sold me; who doesn't like to have fun? And if you can't have fun doing tasks that always seem brain draining, why are you doing it? Going through the motions? What fun is that? Not that everything need be fun but hey, just the word "fun" alone....makes me smile-try it. Say it with a smile. Say it straight faced, and I'll bet you will smile.....:)

Another snowy day here in Vermont, another day to work on things, and most importantly, have fun. Contrary to the pic above, the sun is not shining here at this morning hour but it is somewhere in the world. So, here's to another day of......FUN.....~Mom

Were June Cleaver & Luci Ricardo Creative Feminists?

Yes, I feel I have those moments....had to use this photo of a calendar photo that I have to go with today's entry. I was in the midst of a morning yoga session today, trying to let go of all those buzzing noises, otherwise known as thoughts, stress, differences of opinions, etc...when suddenly I was struck with this idea: was June Cleaver a creative feminist? Then Luci came to mind as well. Here we have two women, characters in two shows from another time in our history, portraying the typical 50's housewife. Who were these women? Why is there perception that a tv portrayal of life to be considered "the perfect housewife/stay-at-home mom?

Luci didn't do laundry-Ricky's clothes went to the dry cleaner and she starch ironed everything when it came to the NYC apartment. June had dinner on the table when Ward walked through the door from work, wearing those infamous pearls and little starched apron. Life was full of laughs, slap-stick comedy, men being in charge, and women smoking that last cigarette at least 30 mins before her husband got home. Of course, there was the hour to powder her nose, make sure she looked great in her house dress and apron, and greet her husband at the door with a smile and "How was your day, dear?" question. Did these women have time to be creative? Or should I call for the camera to "CUT!" now?

Today's women are most definitely not the icons of yesterday. Working mothers, single mothers, stay-at-home mothers....we all wear a different hat. Not all of us who stay at home-I get to be one of those moms-agree with the sterotype that has been nailed to our backs. Sit at home and watch tv all day? Clean house with conviction and meet the mail carrier with a cheeriness that could rot teeth from the high sugar content? Lucky I don't meet you at the door wearing a bathrobe, curlers, and smoking a cigarette.....omg!

Staying at home has its perks and those moments when you could snap your fingers and be back in the work world where you punch in, you punch out. Staying at home gives me the ability to spend time with my son, being a part of his educational and developmental process; for me, if I had to work and he was in daycare, I know I would miss these milestones and that makes me sad just giving it a moment's thought. Staying at home gives me the chance to own and operate my own business, where I'm the boss of me; yet, I'm the one doing ALL the work and no one to delegate tedious tasks off to. I've started my creative process again, realizing my creative ability in all that I do, every day. Going back to school IS an option, as more and more academic institutions are going online to reach out to more people who are looking to further their education but not having the time or money to be on campus full time or go part time and feel like a life time student. Keep in mind, for those of us who can stay home, there's always laundry to do, dishes to be done, activities to engage in, places to go, errands to run, etc...those moments of bon-bons and an afternoon of nothing? Like a paradise vacation....

June and Luci were women of their time, and I'm a woman of my time. Feminism has existed since the beginning of time, even before the 60's bra-burning, equal rights fems. A woman is a multi-tasker, mender of hurts, coach and driver, cook, gardener, money market manager, party coordinator, teacher, receptionist, lover, mother, and the list goes on and on and on....

So, a tidbit of advise to all the women in our lives: remember to give her a hug today. It will mean more than you could ever know. ~Mom

"Quiet women do not make history." -Unknown

New Day, New Projects

New day, new things to do. Well, nothing really too new but now that I've got my link set up to my new creative project, I can move ahead. I posted the link as a blog I'm following on this page, and if you go to my business page, which is listed at the bottom of this page, the creative link is with my business page. I gave myself time to think which page would I like to put out there foremost, and the biz page won. I do have my two pages linked, so you can access both without issues. I also felt the biz page would be the best option, as my new endeavor is about being creative every day, and my business is a creative endeavor. I post once a week on my business page typically but I may be moving up to two days a week; one for the featured product of the week, the other post for the creative project I've worked on. Don't be surprised to find that my product/project postings may be tied tightly to each other; as I mentioned, my biz is a creative endeavor. Of course, you all know that but I believe affirmation of that fact, for me, is finally settling in and I can own up to it. I'm headed into my third summer-yeah, its January-of creating and Farmer's Markets. This year's pursuit of markets will take an interesting twist, as my second child is due early to mid-July; so I will be missed for a bit this summer. I'm staying positive about how it will all work out, as things in my life have a way of turning in interesting directions that aren't necessarily upsetting. I believe that there is purpose to all we do and the outcome of each step we take. NO coincidence and NO luck. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think that's called mysticism. So, here we go into another day, and we're getting more snow here today. Life in Vermont....Mom

Following Directions Are NOT Just for the Man Behind the Wheel

Ever wonder if women can be as blind to thoroughly reading over instructions or directions as we often point to men being the ones not willing to take a moment to let it sink in? Well, that's what happened to me over this weekend-& I still have hours to go before its Monday again. Tristan has taken one nap over the course of endless days since the last day I remember him taking a nap, so maybe its the brainfog that settles in now and then. I'm attempting to sign up for a little project, the little caption you see to the right here on my posting. As soon as I've completed the sign up and keep in mind the blog goddess for this awesome page is entertaining family and I have to be patient to receive my confirmation emails, I'll have the link on my page for anyone who's interested in checking her site out-it is really cool. So, keep in mind, ladies, gents, and the occasional "What am I doing here?" that you must read the directions, instructions, road signs, etc...before proceeding-it helps. Stay tuned, check in about Tuesday or Wednesday to confirm the link has been added, and stay sane-partially.

Whenever the road seems unfamiliar, stop and take a deep breath. Look for road signs. Just keep the doors locked if there are no street lights....Mom