Which Came First?

I've done it again.  My insatiable curiosity has my husband giving me the "are you crazy, of course you are" stare.  I've got thirteen eggs in a popcorn machine in my kitchen.  

So, I've got to tell you how this all got started.  Last Friday night, Aine's bestest, bestest buddy, Ada, accompanied us to a Charles Darwin party at DISCO, a local writing workshop and community center.  The party turned into a sleepover.  Saturday, the girls went out to see the chickens and came back with an egg they were cradling, saying they wanted to hatch it.  Due to the fact that we have a rooster, this wasn't as preposterous as it may seem.  After several hours of them putting microwaveable heat packs in a box with the egg and towels, I suggested we research a less labor-intensive method.  

We looked at several websites.  While there were a multitude of different techniques and contraptions, the basic common factors were - keep around 100 F, turn them 2-4 times per day, keep the humidity up in the incubator to prevent drying.  That's all.  Hmmmmm, I looked around and saw, eureka!!!!  A popcorn machine with a heat lamp was just sitting there, waiting.

Doesn't everyone have a popcorn machine - chicken incubator in their kitchen?

A few adjustments (like taking the popping kettle out and putting an extra light and thermometer in) and it seemed like it just might work.  The girls added as many eggs as they could find (I hadn't collected them in a few days) and a couple of wet sponges for humidity.

Optimum temp is around 100 degrees F.  I've been jostling with the
door to try and keep it in a proper range.

Giant glass windows are perfect for keeping an eye on the temp,
as well as simply gazing in wonder!

 The kids proceeded to brainstorm a list of possible names for all of the eggs they were sure would hatch.  I told them that not all of the eggs may be fertilized, that the temperature might get too hot or they may get too dry, but that we'd try our best.  I reassured them that if this attempt doesn't work, we can keep at it until it does!

Of course they need names.  My favorites are Chixi, Darwin and  Butter.

So we (I) have been turning the eggs and keeping the little chart of dates and turnings updated. Some of our chicken research led us to believe that as soon as day 4, we could "candle" or shine a bright light through the eggs to see if they were developing.  Today was day 4.  Mag Light with fresh batteries, dark landing of the basement and clipboard were made ready.  Each little egg was inscribed (with a pencil) with a numeral 1-13.  We held each one up to the light, peering and straining and guessing if we saw something or not.  Several of them were "maybes" because some of the dark brown shells are so thick that almost no light passed through.  But on lucky number 13, after my little students had retired to the kitchen, I saw this: 

(photo credit to UC Davis online.)

Woo Hoo!  No mistaking the little branching of blood vessels swaying to and fro like seaweed beneath the shell.  Wow!  Part of me thought it might not work at all.  But we definitely have at least one, and probably a few more chicks growing.....in a popcorn machine......in my kitchen.  

Aine summed the day up best when she looked up from the egg and flashlight and said, "Now THIS is science!"

This is a video of Aine and Ada placing the eggs in the incubator on the first day.  Notice the little "happy dance" at the end.

Good night little eggs.

CommUNITY

There are times when blogging about everyday things seems trite, like right now.  Today wasn't every day.

I'm still processing the afternoon, feeling I may have been witness to something big that will ripple through the city, bringing love and understanding.

Darrell called together a group of young, diverse community leaders to brainstorm about how to bring a unified Birmingham into the future.  Lots of topics arose - education, class, race, city and state government.  Plans were made, talents and resources were offered.

But best of all, open-minded and intelligent people sat and exchanged stories, experiences, ideas, all without raising a voice or calling a name.  No "us against them" or "you people."

We all want the same things, don't we?  Security, meaningful connections, freedom to pursue our interests and passions, an accepting place to call home.

Whatever comes of it, big or small, no attempt at understanding another person goes unrewarded.  Try it.  Ask someone different from you about their experience.  Then listen.  You'll learn something about them and also about yourself.

The State of Our Union

Family and friends, fellow Americans, Birminghamians and Crestwoodians - The State of Our Union has never been stronger.  In the areas of economy, physical and mental health, education, domestic and foreign affairs, we are reaching and or exceeding our goals.  While we cannot conquer all areas of development at once, there are several points of focus for the coming year.  

 Believing in the individuality of students, we are launching an education initiative by which students will be able to plot their own course and rate of advancement by choosing topics that interest them to meet state and national standards of education.  

In the interest of improving health and lowering potential future healthcare costs, we are launching an initiative to walk and ride our bicycles whenever possible for recreation and well as commercial purposes.  

Believing in the values of self-sufficiency, environmental health, good nutrition and fiscal responsibility, we will be growing more food for our personal consumption this year than in any years past, including raising chickens for eggs.  Efforts will be made to share and trade produce with other hard-working neighbors and those in need.  

Efforts in domestic affairs are highlighted by Darrell's launching CommUNITY, a group of a diverse, young, local leaders and community planners who will talk openly about the challenges of living in a city with a divided past.  Together, they will listen to and respond to the needs of our Birmingham brothers and sisters as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement and move forward with hope into the next 50 years. 

We know that we don't have all the answers, but gain strength in the knowledge that our community, a real community of people who care for each other will keep us moving forward, without fear, into the future.  Thank you and may the deity or spiritual practice you gain direction from grant you wisdom in your own personal journey for meaning.

Last Summer's Salad

I'm so missing my garden now.  I had a small plot of bok choy, greens, onions and broccoli.  The chickens pecked it half down on the day of their coop makeover.  They were on walk about for a bit while the new roof went on.  

Time to get planting!

                                                            

Fun At the Park!

Today was just too gorgeous to not get out and enjoy the city!  Aine had an invitation to play with a friend this afternoon, so Darrell and I took Jacques to Railroad Park.  He chose to bring his bike and I picked up my new, custom made hula hoop I recently purchased from fellow Crestwoodian, Nichelle Hoskins.  While Jacques played on the playground, I got some muscle toning in.  There were a few funny comments about how I could multi-task by talking on the phone (with my brother, Grant) and hoop at the same time.  I think I set a new personal record of about 25 minutes, but something tells me I'm gonna feel that in the morning.  

No T.V.

I'm not sure when Darrell and I effectively stopped watching television.  I think it had something to do with him getting more involved in community planning and working late.  I'm usually doing something with the kids, housework or errands, so I don't watch t.v. either.  

In the evenings, after Darrell comes home from work, eats dinner, reads to the kids and puts them to bed, we talk with each other.  Every day brings new topics, events, recounting the day's ups and downs, or funny anecdotes from friends on Facebook.  It's not a constant banter between us, but the open "space" of no frenetic programming to take our attention away means that our minds are available.  I have come to cherish these conversations with him and wouldn't trade them for all of the shows on t.v.

Grandmommy

This photo is from last summer when we went to Delaware to visit my Dad's mother, Grandmommy.  While we were there, she suffered a series of medical situations that eventually caused a move to a nursing facility.  This post tonight, if for no other reason, is to remind myself to call, write, and most importantly, plan a visit, soon, to see her again.  The older I get, the more precious these connections to my family and past are.  My father passed away when I was twenty-six years old.  Grandmommy is a living link to my Dad.  We don't know how long we'll be blessed with her here, but I've got to take these opportunities while I can.

This Man

This man.  Human.  Lover.  Father.  Brother.  Son.  Neighbor.  Seeker.  Helper.  Friend.

This man is the person I start and end every day with, hopefully, until the day I die.  

Learning from and being challenged by him, partnering with, and evolving with him every day has been the most amazing journey.  A journey I'm on for the long, hopeful haul.

Pictures With Maw Maw

We went down to visit Darrell's parents in early January.  Part of our tradition is getting some snapshots with Maw Maw.  There's always a hesitation.  Is everyone wearing the right clothes?  Is their hair brushed?  Weather, lighting, etc. etc. etc.  But I've learned to listen to the little voice in my head (which is usually benevolent) that says, "Now.  If not now, then never."  So I tossed them out on the porch after church and these are the raw shots.  

Grumpy Cat?

Sirens

9:38 p.m.  text from Darrell - "I'm leaving(work)."

I read the text and continue watching dvr of the Super Bowl.  I had paused the game while putting the kids to bed.

9:58 p.m.  Familiar sound of sirens traveling down 56th St. toward the boulevard. Look out the window to see it's an ambulance.  I check the time on the family wall clock, check the time of the text.  I calculate the distance, time, how long until he should be here.  Buffer in time for him going down the elevator of his building, putting on a jacket, traffic lights.  Send a quick text back - "I love you.  Travel safely."

10:00 p.m.  Start the shrimp and mushroom dinner I've been waiting to cook until he was on his way.  It tastes better fresh and I like to eat with him, discussing the events of the day.  I look out the kitchen window every thirty seconds or so.  Do I see his bike lights coming up the hill?  Do I hear someone?

10:10 p.m.  Rattling of door keys.  Sigh.  A big kiss on a cold cheek and I tell him, "It's so nice to see you."  

I hear sirens often.  The only time they bother me is between the text, "I'm on my way," and the comforting sounds of the back door being unlocked. 

Before you start thinking I'm a paranoid person, here's a bit of back story.  A year and a half ago, I received a phone call.  It went something like this.  "Hello?  Is this Mrs. O'Quinn?"  No one EVER calls me that.  "I'm here with your husband.  He's been in an accident."  I stop breathing.  "He's okay, but ....."  My mind is racing.  If you ever doubt the speed of the human brain, try getting a call like this and see how many scenarios you can go through in the space of the caller taking a breath.  Is anything broken?  Can he walk?  Is he bleeding?  Is he conscious?  Is he in pain?  Will he need surgery?  Why can't he talk to me?  Why didn't he call me?  All of these "Are you Mrs. ....." calls start with a sugar-coated "There's been an accident."

I gathered, as best I could, the location of the accident, told the kids we needed to go pick up Daddy because he had fallen off his bike, then proceeded to lose my mind as I drove in circles in the vicinity of where I thought he was.  When I finally arrived (after trying to call back the anonymous helper and getting a wrong number) I felt like I would collapse.  He was calmly sitting on the curb, drinking some water.  I could have broken his ribs, as hard as I hugged him.  I guess he could see how distraught I was and reassured me over and over, "I'm okay.  Really, I'm fine."   He had a gash under his chin, marks on his head from where his helmet had saved him, and a bike shoe buckle smashed to his foot so that we had to rip it off.  The guy who hit him had been out late, turned left in front of Darrell from a no-turn lane and didn't even see him until he was catapulted completely over the hood of the car.

Luckily, some glue and and a negative CAT scan were all he needed to get out of the E.R.  

Darrell choosing to commute by bike and ride recreationally on the weekends is a risk we take.  The benefits are multi-fold.  He's in the best physical and mental shape of his life.  He's saving money on gas, car, car maintenance and parking.  He's doing his part for cleaner air.  He's happy.

But....... whenever I hear a siren, I always check the last text..... and check the clock...... and watch the door.

Remembering Summer

It's been a strange winter.  Spring and summer-like days mixed with really cold days.  Here are a few of my shots from a warmer time.  The first close-up nature shots I saw were my Dad's.  Now I follow the work of local photographer, Larry O. Gay and am inspired by his work to do more. https://www.facebook.com/larry.o.gay

Coffee

 

 

I love coffee.  So much so that when I went camping last fall in a primitive campground, I brought my French press.  I set it up the night before, kettle of water on the grill, kindling ready to light to heat that water.  I don't drink a lot, but that cup in the morning is a sacred thing.

Flash Mob

Do you have participating in a flash mob on your bucket list?

I  always get a little choked up when I see those corny flash mobs on t.v. or you tube videos.  I know.  They're cheesy.  But there's something so sweet and powerful about people getting together to dance, sometimes just to spread a little cheer.

So, tonight I was in the gym of Girls Inc. in Crestwood North, doing the "party move" and the "break the chain."  It was fun and a great workout, but this flash mob is for an undeniably important cause.

One Billion Rising is a global movement to bring awareness to the issue of violence against women.  The song and choreography that I and fellow flash mobbers will be "performing" seeks to empower women and send a message that violence against women will not be tolerated.

Want to have fun, help a cause and feel empowered?  Join me Friday night at Girls Inc. in Crestwood North at 7pm.  The choreography is easy and maybe you can check something off of your bucket list.

Here's the promo video-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fL5N8rSy4CU

And you can learn the choreography step by step and practice at home!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRU1xmBwUeA

And here's the link to the local group's Facebook page - There are several upcoming dates to meet and practice.

https://www.facebook.com/events/320285631405836/?ref=ts&fref=ts

A Picture

 This post falls into the "a few of my favorite things" category.  I love to take pictures.  My Dad was a photographer, so I guess I got it from him.  This one was taken at the latest El Dia De Los Muertos festival in Birmingham.  If you haven't been, I highly recommend it as the most unique community celebration in Alabama.  I was a little disturbed that Aine chose the "skull" theme this year, as opposed to our customary "fiesta" attire.  She's growing up and flexing her independence and individuality.  More aware of the world and that it's not always a fiesta.  This shot sums it all up.

The Power of Words

"You have a hard job."

This is one of the best gifts I've ever received from my husband.
Five small words. 

a

you

job

have 

hard
 
Arranged in a specific order, they were more than powerful to me.

These words came to me when the kids were smaller, requiring constant attention.  No self-actualization going on.  Lots of stress.  I had chosen this for myself and truly loved my role, but it was (and sometimes still is) exhausting.  

These words didn't try to fix anything, explain anything, organize anything.

They proclaimed to me that my husband realized my struggle, acknowledged my contribution to our family, and in doing so, empowered me.

So when I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, I remember the words of a very wise man, 

"You have a hard job."

I couldn't find an appropriate picture, so how about a pretty pear?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty, Snuggly Kitties

Okay, now for something that everyone loves.  At least on the internet:

Cats!  So, they're not doing anything funny, but they are handsome, aren't they?  Remember the song, "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music?  Whiskers on kittens.....mmmmm, warm kitties. 

I love cats.  Always have, always will.  I have adopted five in my adult life.  One from a litter bound for the pound, one from a construction site, another from a ditch while I was biking.  Number four and number five are living with me now.  Here are their stories:

Roadie, my ginger boy, was scooped out of the road (Maysville, Iowa highway) a year and a half ago.  He's always trying to sneak out of the house, loves to climb, and beg for meat.  He has also claimed Darrell as his person.  I tell Roadie from time to time, "Oh, you like him, huh?  Do you know who told me, 'That cat's going to your Mom's house, right?'  Well, I won't tell you, 'cause it would break your heart!"  Since making that statement, Roadie has purred his way into Darrell's heart.

 
Here's the link to his story: A Very Lucky Cat
Hint:  There are some really cute pics of him in his kittenhood!

Albert (Prince Fat Albert Einstein) has been asserting himself (mainly for belly rubs) at Chez O'Quinn since November.  He's a big guy with a tiny squeak of a voice.  He loves Greek yogurt.  He'll tell you, over and over, if necessary, that his bowl is empty.  He purrs like a Harley and hugs your had when he's being petted.  

He's also got an interesting story.  When our elder cat, Poppa John, passed away in September, Roadie became very nervous, following me all around, crying.  He also started eating every few minutes.  He was lonely.  So, I went online and started researching different cat rescues in Birmingham.  When I came across Albert at the Saving Paws Rescue, his story caught my attention.  He fell into the category of least adoptable pets.  He was older than one year, a male, black, and had a medical history.  He had been attacked and nearly killed by his family's dogs when he was only a few months old.  The next six months brought reconstructive surgeries and his family surrendering him to the vet's office.  They felt like their dogs would just attack him again.  Denise Hoyle, of Saving Paws Rescue, brought him to her home to live with eight other cats in a nice two-room suite complete with bathroom.  He lived there for two years without a single person inquiring about or coming to see him (other than Denise.) Because of his trauma, his adoptive family would have to promise to keep him indoors and be a dog-free home.  Since my best cat friend ever, Flea, was killed by dogs, I've had an indoor only policy and felt we would be a good match.  We arranged to meet him at her lovely two-story home.  When the kids and I walked into the cat room, he came right up to me and started purring.  In a room full of cats, we knew he was the right one.  Arrangements were made for a formal adoption and we met Denise at a pet store adoption day to bring him home. 

 When Roadie saw Albert for the first time, he ran away faster than I thought any cat could run.  What I haven't mentioned is that Albert weighs 17 pounds!  Twice the size of Roadie.  His heavy footfall mimics that of a small child.  Several times I've called out, "Yes, Love?" in the dark, only to be answered by, "Meeeeeep!"  After some warm-up time, the cats are now pals, getting plenty of exercise chasing each other around the house, grooming each other and enjoying their "weight control" cat food side by side.

So, now you know about one of my favorite things...cats.  They keep me company throughout all of my days, whether they be great or not-so-great.  They greet me in the morning, usually by knocking my glasses off the night stand to get my attention.  They keep me company when I'm resting in bed (like this morning with a migraine).  They insinuate themselves into our bed at night.  ("Honey, I feel like something has come between us.")  And they're always available for a rousing game of laser pointer tag.

Sweet Dreams!

Fantasy Land

This post will not be inspirational or helpful.  I'm not looking for answers or how to adjust my schedule, maximize my time, blah, blah, blah.  Just hoping to maybe get and "amen."

Alright.  How many of you hate washing clothes?  How about buying food, preparing the food, watching it get devoured in 1/20th of the time it took to prepare?  What about all that time sleeping?  I'm not saying I don't enjoy the rest that comes from sleeping, but really, what could we do with all that time?

I am just way frustrated with all of the duties required to maintain our pitiful human selves.  Really.  We are fragile.  We have to be fed, cleaned, clothed, rested.  All that time and energy just spent staying alive.  I want more time at the top of Maslow's pyramid, up at the top where "self actualization" is.  Aaaaargh.

So when I'm getting fed up (pun intended) I like to say, "If I were ruler of the universe, eating and sleeping would be done away with.  Unnecessary.  Optional.  If you want to spend hours every day gathering food, preparing it, eating it, cleaning up after it,  then great.  Do it.  If you want to prepare food from time to time in a very thoughtful way and enjoyed in the company of loved ones, great.  Do it.

Sleeping would be optional.  Want to shut the world out for a while and reboot?  Great, do it.  Having to sleep 6-9 hours per night to keep from going insane and eventually dying, forbidden.

Clothing would also be optional.  In my universe, nudity would mean nothing.  Therefore, no need for clothes unless you want to be warm outdoors or keep from getting a sunburn.  Not as much laundry.

As I get older, I realize all sorts of things I want to do with my life.  These nuisances of eating, sleeping and washing stuff just gets in my way.  Ask me about this in a week or so when I don't have PMS anymore and I'll probably be more relaxed about it.  But I know that several times a month, I'll wish for my fantasy land.  What about you?

Build Something!

So, in my quest to not wait until something is perfect, I'll tell you about my chicken coop project, even though it's not all pretty and done yet.

My poor little chickens have been living in a coop that was just not adequate for them.  It was fine when we first got them.  Then they started to grow.  Then a well-meaning friend covered all but a few feet at the end with tin and upcycled campaign and advertisement signs.  The result was that the chickens stood out in the tiny spot open to the sky most of the day, even when it was raining.  I had to cover the run with a tarp when it was raining or really cold.  Then the back door hinge broke and I had to rig a board and rock to keep out marauding critters.  They were scratching around in the yard most days, until one of the little ladies got into the jaws of a neighbor's dog.  She did recover, but their wanderings have been greatly curtailed.  So, I've been collecting lumber, wire, and all sorts of things to improve the coop someday.  Well, someday was today.

Heli Chilca is the man who takes care of my yard and helps me with projects around the property. Over the past year,  I've become friends with Heli.  A native of Peru, we have had many conversations about travel, language, food, chickens, kids, all in my limited Spanish and his limited English.  In my earlier life, I may have been afraid to talk to him.  Afraid he wouldn't understand me or that I'd look silly trying to speak Spanish.  Well, you know what?  When you make an effort to reach out to someone of another culture, they reach back, and you have a friend.  Heli was here on Monday, helping me get my garden ready for Spring.  We talked about Martin Luther King Jr. Day, potatoes and chickens.  I told him about my plans to make a better chicken coop and he told me he'd like to come back and help.  As he was leaving, he said "Hasta Sabado."

This morning, I carried the scavenged framing out of the basement, propped it up, arranged and rearranged it.  Then there was the problem of a hill of dirt in the middle of the area where I was planning to build.  Nothing a shovel and moderately strong back couldn't fix in an hour or so.                

 Heli and his friend, Cervando, were here at 1:00, right as I was starting to make a crude attempt at screwing the corners of two framed pieces together.  We planned, measured, cut, re-cut, nailed, adjusted the plan, and had coffee.  My next door neighbor, Beth, came over to check our progress.  We finished the base and were pretty pleased with ourselves.   Just as I was planning a Home Depot trip for three eight-foot-long 2x4's for the roof, Heli looked over and said, "Maybe that one (our chicken run) would fit on top."  We measured it and, woo hoo, it did!  It was just the right width, but longer than the run underneath.  No problem.  One end of the coop just has a "loft" and a porch.  As we were putting supports on the porch part of the coop (on the front), our neighbor, Heather, walked over with a piece of lattice that was perfect to make a door.  Other neighbors stopped their cars in the street to ask what we were doing and cheer us on.  Finally we went around the bottom with chicken wire, donated by the guy (Ben Smolin) that we got the first coop from.  Side by side, with three hammers, we nailed up the wire.  Then we had to tidy up a huge pile of tools and pieces of wood that had spread across our yard and the neighbor's yard.  The chickens, who had been happily scratching about were rounded up into the new house.  I don't speak chicken, but I'm pretty sure they liked perching up high.  We humans finished with a bowl of gumbo and rolls.

So, here's my work in progress.  I'll post more pics as this comes together.  I was so glad to have Heli and Cervando helping me.  We kept changing ideas, trying new things, bouncing ideas off each other.  The final house will have antique windows on the side facing the road, an improved roof and probably another open yard for the chickens to scratch around in.  It doesn't look like that much work, but I'm tired tonight!  It's a "good tired."  All that dirt and wood was heavier than it seemed.  Not sure how it will all turn out, but it's really fun in the middle of figuring it out!

Snuggle

This precious little person is growing up way too fast.  My baby.  He still asks me to snuggle with him at story time.  I used to unload the dishwasher or put a load of clothes washing while Darrell read to the kids at night.  However, in the past few weeks, I'm suddenly aware that this inexplicable sweetness could end in a flash.   One day, not long from now, I'm guessing,  it won't be cool for Mom to snuggle.  Now, every time he asks me to snuggle at story time, I'm dropping the dish towel and holding this little guy as close to my heart as he'll let me.....for as long as he'll let me.  

Move For A Reason

Have you ever gotten a gym membership and gradually just stopped going?  I have.
Have you ever trained for a big athletic event, (like a marathon or 1/2 marathon) then quit the day after the event?  I have.  Have you ever started going to exercise classes (maybe because of a Groupon) and quit as soon as the series was over?  I have.

Darrell and I have been having lots of conversations lately, about lots of things, including "exercise."  We've both come to the conclusion that unless you're doing something for a reason (not just exercising for exercising) and it's something you really enjoy, you won't continue it.  Also, combining multiple objectives into a task tends to increase value, you know, the old "two birds with one stone" adage.  Sorry, birds.

So, some things I've been wanting to do more of lately, because they add quality to my life are:
1. visiting with neighbors
2. walking or biking to go somewhere (park, store, library)
3. enjoying nature
4. and slowing down (mindful being.)

The result of combining these factors = walking to the grocery store.

CRAZY!

Maaaaayyyybe.  Today was gorgeous.  Mid 50's, sunny, blue sky.  The kids had finished their lessons.  We had eaten lunch.  I checked Mapquest.  1.88 miles each way.  Doable.  Backpacks were assigned and we set out.  There was whining.  There were "sit-downs" along the way.  We had to run across Crestwood Boulevard two times (there is no pedestrian crossing at Festival Center.) There was considerable debate over which ice cream to choose.  The ice cream was eaten waaaaaay before we got home.  It took a long time (2 hours).  Twenty-seven pounds of groceries seems to get heavier as one walks along.  Aine had seven pounds, Jacques probably had three.

Despite the "difficulties," we stopped to visit with the children's godmother who is going through chemotherapy treatments and has lost her hair.  If we were driving, we probably wouldn't have stopped.  We noticed lots of neighborhood dogs as they barked at us.  We heard another rooster in the 'hood, and noticed that his call is quite different than our rooster's.  We saw robins migrating.  We talked about people who have no cars and have to walk everywhere.  We talked about helping the environment by not driving our car.  On our way home, we stopped to talk with a neighbor who came out to greet us.

We got good exercise, slowed down, visited with neighbors and enjoyed the beautiful day.

I know we can't walk everywhere.  We don't always have such nice weather.  Sometimes we've got lots of activities planned.  But, with a bit of planning, days like this can and will be repeated.

Just Do It!

 
I believe that fear is the single biggest factor that holds me, and all of us, back.  Fear of looking silly, making a mistake, messing up, not being good enough.  I used to wait until I thought the timing was "right" for starting new projects and dreaming big dreams. I was afraid I wasn't organized enough, had enough patience, time, money, on and on and on.  That resulted in many projects getting put aside.  As I age, I am learning that the time will never be perfect for whatever project or plan I would like to implement, and that fear should be left behind.  Far behind.


So.....new strategy.  Commit to the project/plan/idea and the rest will fall into place.  Okay, it's not that easy, but with commitment to beginning an idea or project comes the excitement and energy to arrange the environment for it to come to fruition.

Riding the BMX track at Oak Mtn. State Park with Jacques. 

There are several things that have been in my mind, urging me to come into being, for a long time.  The time will never be perfect, and, as my daughter said while waiting for dinner tonight, "I'm growing a beard over here!"  Meaning, I don't want to wait until my little old lady mustache pops out to realize there were several things I'd really been meaning to get to.....for years. 

So, in the coming weeks and months, I'll be sharing some of these plans and projects with you.  No longer only in my head, but becoming a reality.

One of my "just do it" moments of the past year - take the kids primitive camping for a week.

40 'Til 40!

Yikes!  Forty days until I turn forty, really?!!!   40!

I've been saying for years, "I can't WAIT until I turn forty!"  I've said that partly because I want people to say, "What? You don't look forty!"  Shallow, I know.  But as we women age, that sort of thing just gets into our heads.  Hey!  Don't say you haven't thought the same thing!  So, I'm still excited about turning forty, but it kind of snuck up on me. 

So many things have been going through my head in the past few weeks.  Multiple deep conversations with Darrell, my partner of 24 years, as well as singular contemplation have me thinking... a lot.

About my husband, children, faith, race relations, my body, my home, my city.....on and on.

So....for the next few weeks, I'll attempt to catch those ideas and keep them here as a reminder of who I was in 2013.


Time is speeding up.

 You know when you were a kid and your grandma said something about "Every time I turn around, it's Sunday!"  Or, "Time just flies by!"  Well, it turns out that she was right.  I started this blog almost a year ago to record my feelings (blah, blah, blah) on my way to forty.  Guess what?  I've got a little over a month to go and I've posted nine times, in a whole year!  I guess you can say I've been busy with my kids and my life, but the truth is that I need to cultivate the art of slower living.  Stopping to breathe, savor, remember.  Easier said than done, I'm afraid.   Soooo, what slow living thing did I do today (beside stop to write this blog post)?

I went out in the garden and painstakingly filed a tiny bit of seed coat off of each of many sugar snap peas before planting them. This helps them to germinate faster.  It was cold, for Alabama, so my hands got numb and I kept dropping the seeds.  I kept at it, crouched in the dirt, watching my chickens scratch happily in the newly tilled soil and leaf mulch.  Time did slow down.  The kids played with the chickens and the peas got planted.  I also measured out the area for a new chicken coop that will be built this weekend.  Working on projects that have an ending in the future, like waiting for seeds to come up or planning a building project, does seem to slow time.  New activities...things that require more attention, planning, concentration, seem to slow time.  I'll be looking for these moments, often.