Saturday, November 29, 2014

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Today's Gratitude List

     
  1. Thick blankets
  2. Converse All Stars
  3. Our dog and his exceptionally expressive eyebrows
  4. When the coffee’s still really hot
  5. Mike, the crossing guard by the park
  6. My mom
  7. One dollar coins
  8. Every 864 square foot of our house
  9. Satsuma mandarin oranges
  10. Those clouds that look like they’re in a painting with angels in it
  11. The nicest neighbors
  12. When my kid gets the giggles
  13. Jerry the handyman
  14. Crickets
  15. Playing my favorite song on repeat, over and over
  16. Our favorite waiter at the coffee shop
  17. My swell assortment of amazing friends
  18. The walk to school
  19. Used bookstores
  20. The cousins, the aunts, the uncles
  21. The wind chime way up on a high branch in the tree in our front yard
  22. When Mr. Rosenberg sits on the couch and plays guitar in the afternoons
  23. The DVR
  24. My book club ladies, my blogging ladies, my girl’s night ladies, my soccer mom ladies, my PTA ladies, my sober ladies
  25. Crushed ice
  26. The park by our house
  27. Baby animal videos
  28. My in-laws
  29. A good sneeze
  30. Vegetarian Pad See Ew
  31. Foggy beaches
  32. Cardigans
  33. The smell of a rainy day
  34. Comedy
  35. Right before the movie starts
  36. The red station wagon
  37. The sour part near the skin of the plum
  38. My wedding ring
  39. New school supplies
  40. When I see my suitcase come around on the luggage carousel
  41. You guys
Happy Thanksgiving, my American friends. 
Happy Thursday my friends from other countries.






Wednesday, November 26, 2014

The Day Before Thanksgiving and A Bonus Link


Traditionally, we celebrate Thanksgiving at our place. I love the holiday, but I also love the day before the holiday. Getting the house clean and put together, prepping all of the food, and polishing up the red glass gravy boat turkey are all on the list. There is the last minute rush to the market for whatever has been forgotten and a few panic buys. I am filled with gratitude for the people who will be around our table, crammed into our tiny kitchen and the food we will share. 

Anne Lamott wrote a lovely essay about counting our blessings and saying grace. I'm sharing it with you here and hoping that you will enjoy the slower day before the holiday as well as the holiday itself. 

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

What We Talk About When We Talk About Race


My son and I have an ongoing conversation about racism. We have discussed the horrors of slavery, war, and the holocaust. He knows that he has been born an American white boy, with an accompanying privilege that, as he has pointed out, “isn’t fair.” Why will he be treated differently, better, than many of his friends? I can’t pretend to understand the types of fear, hatred, and ignorance that make this true, but I explain it the best I can. It’s incomprehensible to an eight-year-old and incomprehensible to his mother. 

We have talked about the current reality that our friends and family who look differently or worship differently or love differently are systematically devalued and marginalized. As always, he points out that this “isn’t fair.” We are angry together. 

Because of his Jewish last name and heritage, he hears that there will be times when he is singled out, treated differently, and judged. But still he is a white boy and will not be considered suspicious by simply walking down the street. And that’s “not fair.”


We will continue our dialogue. He will know that with privilege comes power and with power, responsibility. I will lead by example. My prayer for him is that he will give voice to the voiceless and speak up in the face of discrimination. I pray for him to be an agent of change in a world that “isn’t fair.”




Monday, November 24, 2014

Galactic


"Tell me about the game, Bob. Was it exciting?"

"Yeah. The LA Galaxy won, one to nothing. This one main guy from the Galaxy did this awesome goal where he faked the goalie out and then kicked it to the opposite side and it went in. And you know what else?"

"Tell me."

"It turns out I'm really good at making fart noises with my mouth."









Sunday, November 23, 2014

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Thankful Tree


I am thankful for...
food
my house
myself
trees
phones
teacher
adam
shcool
dad
soccer
mom
paper
books
friends
my derpy stuff

"This a great list, Bob. What's that last one mean? 'Derpy stuff'?'

"It means cruddy stuff."

"What cruddy stuff are we talking about?"

"I don't know. I heard someone say it at school."




Friday, November 21, 2014

In With The New


Bob said he was ready for a more "grown up" set of sheets and a blanket. The Star Wars ones are now living in the linen closet. Sigh. Mr. Rosenberg is certain that they will be requested again after the release of the next Star Wars movie. I'm not so sure. If it's ridiculous to let new sheets make you sort of sad then, I am ridiculous. 

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Dave The Chrysalis: Day 10


"Bob, have you checked on Dave today?"

"Yeah. He's still green and hanging there. He seems okay."

"Good."

"Plus I think Teddy likes kicking back with him."







Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Jingle All The Way


"Mom? Did you notice the Christmas song playing in Rite Aid?"

"I did."

"What's your favorite Christmas song?"

"Let It Snow, the Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme version. What's yours?"

"I don't know. Jingle Bells?"

"Good one."

"Mom? Can we put the car radio on that station that only plays Christmas music? I find it really relaxing."






Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Monday Night Footballing


"Mom? Who's playing this game?"

"Pittsburg Steelers versus Tennessee Titans."

"Did you see that one guy? It looks like he pushed that other guy right in the face-helmet!"

"It can get pretty rough out there."

"Oh, man. Look at them all dog-piling up on each other!"

"Yep."

"That just seems so immature."




Monday, November 17, 2014

Oh Dear, Santa


"Mom? I'm putting those new Minecraft Legos on my Christmas list."

"But, remember? Those new ones don't come out until next year."

"I'm not worried. I'm sure Santa has connections."

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Smacksy Sunday Links


A simple thought about how we speak to each other.

This cake art, you guys. Seriously.

And Dog Beach and a Cat. Maybe I should be tired of this song, but I'm not. And I'll never be tired of dogs. Or a cat.

Happy Sunday.




Friday, November 14, 2014

It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Outlets



This Sunday is the annual holiday outlet mall shopping trip I take with a group of my girlfriends. For eighteen years, armed with coupons and cash, we have made the trek together. The number of us in the caravan fluctuates from year to year. There is some shopping en masse, some solo, and a lunch meet-up. The end of the day always ends at Marie's for pie.

I have been going since since I was digging through the car seats for change to bring on those spare seasons in my early thirties, to now where I qualify for a senior discount. A SENIOR DISCOUNT. There was a time when we shopped for maternity clothes with our friend Karen who was pregnant with twins. This year one of her babies will be coming with us to do her own shopping. That baby has a driver's permit.

I am not much of a shopper, I don't love malls, but I love this tradition. For me it is the real start of the holidays. I may or may not come back with many shopping bags, but I will always return with memories of a day spent with friends. And pie.




Thursday, November 13, 2014

Three Wishes for a Thursday


Through the kitchen window, I saw little girl pass in front the house this morning. She had her father's hand in one hand and a sparkly magic wand in the other.  The wand was the kind with glitter and streamers, the kind that make wishes come true. As I keep one hand in my father's and one for offering up prayers, I have three wishes for today.

I have an elderly friend who has a host of medical conditions and has hit an especially rough patch. She is physically unable to get out of bed. She has twenty-four hour care, but her husband has passed on. She has no other family. She has no appetite and is having a hard time eating. Whether she decides to fight for this life or release it all and go home, my wish is that whatever is next in her journey that it be painless and graceful.

Today I have friends and family in the throes of chronic diseases like addiction and depression and the places where it seems that there is no way out. I wish for a reprieve for today from the despair and loneliness that come from the long hike through these territories, and the care that they need and the hope and help that is available.

As the holidays are speeding towards us, many are feeling a sense of loss, financial stress, and unmet expectations. For them, I wish a looser grip on the coming days and a deep breath for every twinkly light and every lit candle and peace for all of us.

What's your wish?



Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Dave the Caterpillar: Day 3


"Mom? Dave the caterpillar still looks the same - green and hang-y."

"It says here that this is called the 'pupa' stage of the chrysalis."

"POOPA? That's super hilarious, Mom."

"But we'll have to keep an eye on him. Many don't make it past this stage."

"You know what we'll have to do if that happens to Dave?"

"Tell me."

"We'll have to call him Dead Dave."



Tuesday, November 11, 2014

A Stone


"Overnight Wrinkle Repair? Did you just see that commercial, Mom?"

"I did."

"Do you think you need Overnight Wrinkle Repair?"

"Do you think I do?"

"No."

"Good answer, Bob Rosenberg."

"But you know who does need Overnight Wrinkle Repair?'

"Tell me."

"Mick Jagger."


***

Thanking all of our veterans for their service and sacrifice.
Happy Veterans Day






Monday, November 10, 2014

Seasonal


"Are we going to the beach today, Mom?"

"We could but it's only supposed to be 66 degrees at the beach."

"Wow. Is that freezing temperature?"

"Seems like it lately, but no."

"Did it get cold in the fall where you grew up in Northern California?"

"Not that cold. It didn't snow where we were. Just fog and rain and it smelled like fireplaces burning."

"Oh. Here it's a little cloudy but it still smells like sunscreen."






Sunday, November 9, 2014

Smacksy Sunday Links


The empty container concept from Leo Babatua.  Simple and meaningful.

Slang phrases from the 1920s. You blue serge, you.

A tiny apartment in Paris. I think I could do it.

And a nice deer looking for snacks.

Happy Sunday.





Friday, November 7, 2014

The New Chair: Day 8


Teddy has not eaten the new chair yet. Also, he would prefer that you not sit there.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Me and Aaron



"Aaron and Bob are alike in many ways. First we both like pizza next we both like playing vidow games. also we like playing baseball. Finally we dis like mushrooms they are growes."

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Fat Lip


"... And so then Alessandro's head bashed really hard into my mouth and I just started bleeding all over the place and I was crying super hard."

"Oh, baby. I'm so sorry that happened."

"Yeah, then the guys walked me to the nurse and she looked at it this cut under my top lip - see? And she gave me a popsicle because my lip started swelling up really big."

"I can see that."

"She said cold things will help my fat lip, so I was thinking we should get some ice cream."

"Definitely."

"And I think in soccer, next time I won't lead with my face. Smart, right?"




Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Civics


"Mom? Are you voting for president today?"

"No. These are mid-term elections. We have two more years before we vote for a new president."

"Have you ever met a president?"

"Kind of.  About twenty years ago, I was waiting for an elevator in an office building in Beverly Hills. When the elevator doors opened, inside was former-president Ronald Reagan with two secret service men."

"Did you freak out?"

"Well, he said, "Good morning," and the secret service men nodded. I said, "Good morning," back to him and we all rode the elevator down together. Then I went to my car and kind of freaked out a little."

"I can't wait to vote."













Monday, November 3, 2014

Sillies


"Mom! Mom!"

"What are you laughing at, crazy pants?"

"I can't... breathe! I'm laughing... too... much!"

"You're getting a little hysterical."

"Ah ha ha ha! Hey, Dad! Mom says I'm historical! Like George Washington!"

"That is actually not what I said."

"Ha ha ha ha! I'm  historical! I'm historical! I chopped down a cherry tree!"










Sunday, November 2, 2014

Smacksy Sunday Links


What if your life is already the best thing? I love this one a lot.

On updating your beliefs. Just because you believe it, doesn't mean that it's true.

And a baby rhino hopping around with his goat friend.

Happy Sunday.