Dear Mom,

Thank you.  

For teaching me.

It is because of you that I know the saving grace of a hot bath or a cool washcloth.  I know how to make a couch bed cozy with the perfect blanket and fresh sheets. It is a talent that you have and I have learned so much by watching you.  

There is something about the way that you take care of things.  In the most confident and caring way.  You know what to do.  You show up.  You are brave and you handle things.  difficult things.  with grace.  

You are a true inspiration to me.

Thank you.

A weekend in Food...

This year, a highlight of my yearly girls weekend in the city, with my mom, was an unexpected exchanged between two food lovers and a one lovely chef.

Mr. Ricco gave a small recommendation concerning the butternut squash soup.  Two eaters inform him of their desire to have a vegan meal.  Chef requests they sit back and let him take care of the menu for the evening.  Two novice foodies nervously agree...

This was one of the greatest random moments of my life.  Not only did we discover he was 'kind of a big deal' told by our waiter but we got top vegan treatment!  He said that it posed a challenge for him and that vegans definitely get the short end of the stick.  ;-)

I could gush and gush **note me giving him the BIGGEST hug afterward** but I will just say, it was the best meal I think I have ever had.

 

Thank you Anthony Ricco, that was so kind of you.

The second highlight to this trip... an also unexpected opportunity to pose in a more non traditional Christmas photo...

Sorry mom, you cannot keep this from the world ;-)

An end of the year breakfast.  A gushing mother's dream.  

First on the agenda: explore the classroom beginning with the poetry unit...

An obsession that began a long long time ago, way back in the second grade.  A Noah that was shy and quiet came out of his shell to find his place in the classroom; the comedian of all things.  Noah became the mastermind behind a club, a club of orphans of all things.   They had a pact, a song, a dance, and a signature.  Every paper Noah wrote was about orphans, every signature was signed orphan...  and I never did know where the inspiration for this came from until now...







 I truly thought it was because he didn't like his father and I... but it wasn't.


I really hope his new teachers at SCS get him like the greats at Benchmark did.

Noah's writing, in his poetry unit, reminds me of one of my very favorite authors; Shel Silverstein.

They rhyme and are on the funny side.

  Being a hobo is another slightly disturbing obsession of Noahs.  I think he must have traveled with the likes of Jack Kerouac in his previous life.  

I would not be surprised if he packs a sack, jump on a moving train, and hits the open road one day.  

I hope he tells me first.  I would pack him a lunch and give him my copy of  
 Still Life with Woodpecker.

Comedian award

  So it was award time.  This is the first class that we have been in that has handed out individual awards.  It was wonderful.  Mrs. Shannon was so thoughtful in her comments about each child.  I know she made each and everyone of them feel known.  Was I surprised at the award Noah received?  NO.

I am pleased that his classmates think he is funny.  I think he is funny too.  I loved that all the kids knew who the award was for once the word funny was announced.  I cried.  Couldn't help it.

Thank you Ms. Shannon, for getting him.

Check out Noah's face.  Can you believe I made him take a picture with his teacher in front of everyone?  

 

Thank you Ms. Shannon for all that you do!  I wish we could have you for another year!!

a weekend of goodness...

This tree is currently in bloom right in our very own backyard.  I have had my eye on it; I have had the pleasure of  witnessing its spring brilliance.

This tree represents how I feel, in this present moment.  I am at the fullest I have ever been.  I have bloomed.  I am where I am meant to be, doing what I am meant to be doing, with whom I am meant to be doing it with.  I feel content and at peace. 

 

 This magnificent tree will lose its radiance in the following weeks.  Nature teaches us the great lesson of impermanence. The weather reminds me that change is constant and inevitable. I am thankful for this reminder. When my tree looks tired and feels sort of sad I know that change will come.  And I am overjoyed, then, when it shows up and happiness permeates once again...

My Mother's Day was special...

as special as my kidos.  This day is not about me as much as it is about togetherness.  We all need a day together, once and again, where nothing else is on the agenda.  This is a day where we get to decide just what to do...

Bike riding was on the menu because nothing beats it...

We headed to Stowe, Vermont.  I had never been.  It made for a beautiful country drive and provided a landscape for the ultimate bike ride.  The bike path is perfectly twisty and smooth; following a river at the mountains edge.  Noah was able to test out his new shocks and gears while ascending small climbs leading up to the most amazing wooden bridges. 





Picnic lunch, boat making, and picture taking...

 Watermelon is back!!  Not quite at its peak of course, but oh how I missed that lovely lovely fruit.  Gabrielle lives on this stuff during the summertime, don't know how she would survive without it.  Come on tomatoes and corn, keep that goodness coming!

Thank you Ben and Jerry for a pleasant surprise!  What mother could pass up a delicious ice cream treat on this very special day?  Yes please, one clustrerfluff for this mom!

 As a Mother, on this Earth, what do I wish for?   
Peace.
I must take a moment, as a Mother, to remember the origins of this day, in this country, and pay homage to a Mother who's wish was the same...

 

Arise, then, women of this day!  

 Arise all women who have hearts,
Whether your baptism be that of water or of tears
Say firmly:

"We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands shall not come to us reeking of carnage,
For caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of
charity, mercy and patience.

"We women of one country
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."
  
From the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says, "Disarm, Disarm!"
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice!
Blood does not wipe out dishonor
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war.

Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.

Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.

Let them then solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace,
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God.

In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality
May be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient
And at the earliest period consistent with its objects
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions.
The great and general interests of peace.

Julie Ward Howe - 1870