Smacksy Saturday Photo: Huddle

"What do we do?"
"Work!"
"What do we do?"
"Work!"
"What do we do?"
"Work!"

Conceptual Bob

Circle by Bob Rosenberg. Ink on Paper. 2017.

I Love Picture Day

Today was my last elementary school picture day. Yes, it's technically Bob's picture day, but I really think of it as mine. I adore volunteering on picture day. The party dresses and the bow ties and the awkwardness and the "cheese!" all make for the best tiny-people watching experience ever.

There was a kindergartener who no matter what pose the photographer would set him up with, when it was time to snap his picture, the kid would automatically raise his hands over his head in a "V for victory."

There was the third grade girl who could not smile with out sticking her tongue through the open space where her two front teeth would soon be.

There was the boy who demanded to sit like Rodin's, The Thinker. 

This morning I was explaining my love of picture day to a dad as he was attempting to sew together his third-grade son's clip-on tie. "But why? I don't get why you love it so much," he said. The needle and thread he was wrestling in his hands right then? That's why I love it so much.

And... We're Back

Tomorrow night is the first game of the fall season. Getting ready.

Pals

 They like to be near each other about 95% of the time.

Like near, near. Like no personal space, near.

 Like find the tightest, smallest area of the house and jam in there together, near.

Can you blame them?

And How's Your Night Going?

"The answer is no, no you can not have nice things, Mom."

Smacksy Sunday Links

We are broke in our busyness.

A Hotel Room of One's Own - The Humorist in Residence Program from my brilliant friend Anna Lefler.

Creating a slow corner.

About domestic images.

And capybaras are nice.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Party Photo Booth

Tall Guy Hazard - The top of your head may not make it into most photos.

Waving

He's bigger than the little carousel horse he's sitting on.

A Very Good Time

Way back when.

It's a great time. Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), the autumnal equinox, and the 13th anniversary of my first date with Mr. Rosenberg are all happening right around this minute. I'm a fan of all of these things. With seemingly constant reminders of all of the current peril on the planet, I'm shining a bright light on all of the good things I can. There are always good things.

The Relaxers

They've spent hours perfecting this.

Unsolicited Feedback

"Mom? What did you just call that driver in the blue car?"

"I think you heard what I called him, Bob."

"You really need to be less colorful with your language, Mom."

#36

Ready to roll.

Smacksy Sunday Links

The life changing two-hour rule.

What to say to a grieving friend.

Living lean.

People sitting on their steps in the 1920s.

And a baby bear and a dog.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Retro Bob - Pre-School Orientation

2009. Sniff. 

The E

"Bob? Did you tell Dad how you did on your homework?"

"Oh, yeah! I got an 'E.'"

"What does that mean?"

"'E' stands for excellent. It's the highest mark. It's above 'satisfactory' which is above 'needs improvement.'"

"Oh, well. That's good to hear. It meant something a lot different when I was a kid."

"What did it mean when you were a kid, Dad?'

"Yeah, what did it mean? It didn't mean anything when I was a kid and I'm a lot older than you."

"Well, it wasn't great. It was between 'D' and 'F.'"

"Um, what?"

"You, know - A, B, C, D, E, F."

"Dude. There's no 'E.' It goes A, B, C, D, F. There's never been an 'E.'"

"Really?"

"Are you being serious right now?"

"There's no 'E'?"

"Never."

"Dad, I know you only got A's so I guess it maybe sort of makes sense that you don't really know about the lower grades, but not really."

"Are you guys sure about this?"

"Oh my God, Dad."

Why I Love My Birthday on Facebook

Most years, for as long as I can remember, I have sent holiday cards. Some years store-bought, some years I made them myself, and since Bob was born, they've been photo cards. Each year, one thing remains the same. I always address them by hand. The convenience of printing out labels from the computer is only a mild temptation because the truth is, I enjoy addressing the cards by hand. Each time I write down the name of a friend or family member, I am given the opportunity to think about that person. How we met, or something funny they said once, or the last time we saw each other. I get to hold each of them in my hand for just a minute.

The Facebook tradition of posting on a friend's wall to wish them a happy birthday is one of my favorite things, especially on my birthday. Yesterday I received 219 Facebook birthday wishes. My favorite part? I respond to each one. It's usually just a few words of thanks but, it's an excuse and a reminder to think about every person during our brief exchange.

I am fortunate to know so many wonderful people. It was a happy birthday.

Back Porch aka Dog Office

I spent this morning in my favorite spot - the back porch, with my favorite dog people - Levi and Ted. One of us had coffee, the other two had pumpkin flavored dog cookies because they are autumnal and we love a theme, here on the back porch.

It Might be a New World Record

One selfie. Eight photo-bombs. 

A Prayer for the Fallen of 9-11

Cantor Azi Schwartz. 

O G-d, full of compassion, Who dwells on high, grant true rest upon the wings of the Shechinah (Divine Presence), in the exalted spheres of the holy and pure, who shine as the resplendence of the firmament, to the souls of September 11 who has gone to his [supernal] world, for charity has been donated in remembrance of his soul; may his place of rest be in Gan Eden. Therefore, may the All-Merciful One shelter him with the cover of His wings forever, and bind his soul in the bond of life. The Lord is his heritage; may he rest in his resting-place in peace; and let us say: Amen

Smacksy Sunday Links

Last night.

A lovely exercise about kindness.

This advice about writing can be applied to anything.

Try getting more sleep.

The women who rode miles on horseback to deliver library books.

A beautiful poem.

And a bird who loves drums.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: A Night at Dodger Stadium

Someone was at the Dodger game tonight, not-so-secretly rooting for the Rockies.

This is Only a Drill

Spotted on the office door of Bob's school this morning. Seems legit.

A Little Spicy

"Someone" thought having a little cayenne pepper might be an interesting way to spend the evening. He's ok but there is a gastrointestinal situation that is promising to make for a long night for all of us. Poor little guy.

Inhale

It has been pointed out to me by more than one person that I forget to breathe. I now have an app on my phone that will chime once an hour to remind me to take a deep breath. So far, I've been able to remember to exhale myself.

Save Me From Myself

I've never been comfortable with half-assing things, even things that deserved half-ass treatment. I have always been guilty of doing things, well, full-ass. I have purposely avoided binge-watching TV shows, knowing that I just don't have that kind of time in my life. I have reserved Downton Abbey, Mad Men, Breaking Bad and the rest, for a future flight to the moon or if I should ever be unlucky enough to contract mono. (Okay, I did actually watch Tig Notaro's brilliant One Mississippi on Amazon but there has only been one, six episode season so far. The new season starts on Thursday.)

Last week, I knew I would be staying inside a lot due to the heat. I decided to take Game of Thrones for a quick spin. I didn't count on it holding my attention for more than half an episode. In my longstanding tradition of being really, really bad at moderation, I have just completed the fourth season. Yes, that's forty hours of television. I have been watching it like it's my job, my forty hour-a-week job.

I only have thirty hours to go to get caught up to with the rest of everyone else on the planet. I hope nobody in this house is planning on needing food or laundry for awhile.

A Tad Aggressive

On the right side of this garden bed were two gigantic tomato plants. Unfortunately, they were taken over by some weird little bugs and we could not save them. We cleared out that half of the bed earlier today. I went in the backyard a few hours later and found that the zucchini had already moved in and taken over. I believe the weird little bugs may have been on the zucchini's payroll.

Hope you haven't been working as hard as the squash and have enjoyed your Labor Day.

Smacksy Sunday Links

The moon looked like this.

Helping the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Starting over and over again.

Fifty strict rules the royal family has to follow.

The great cursive writing debate.

And cranes over Venice.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Retro Bob - Got Yer Nose

Me and Small Bob. 2007.

Stories

Sweetest story-time for the cousins.