tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46080079457746593162023-11-16T08:08:35.732-06:00Deviant DispatchesAllisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.comBlogger686125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-7771253561040982492022-09-30T23:16:00.001-05:002022-09-30T23:16:50.308-05:00Data in Social Science<p>The science aspect of social science work is central to improving social systems. Data inform whether we are moving in the right direction or need to adjust our course. However, data and science must not be the center of our work; we must keep focus on children, families, and individuals, whose experiences are nuanced and filtered through systems that hold innate bias, which <a href="https://hbr.org/2019/10/what-do-we-do-about-the-biases-in-ai">rests within the data</a>. By maintaining awareness of these biases and their potential, we can keep people at the center of our work and focus on the true causes of injustice and pain that many families deal with. Lack of awareness can be a slippery slope to believing that individuals or families are themselves at fault for their situations, be it lack of housing, interpersonal violence, or other abuse. With data that are conscious of systemic issues and biases, we can examine the true issues at hand, such as <a href="https://imprintnews.org/opinion/child-welfare-is-not-exempt-from-structural-racism-and-implicit-bias/33315">racism</a>, financial instability, and ableist policies. </p><p>What good are any manner of properly applied scientific formulas if the data we feed into them are inaccurate? Can we truly know the effects that being removed from the home have on girls if we do not take into account their status as cisgender or transgender individuals, or whether they are actually <a href="https://www.evidentchange.org/blog/beyond-binary-expanding-gender-identity-representation-data-collection">nonbinary</a> instead? Many of these problems come back to systems within communities themselves, whose collection methods have been in place for decades and are in sore need of updates. Often, external analysts have little control over these methods, and we must expose these data gaps as we aim for accuracy; doing so can push change in the necessary direction.</p><p>Admitting to our lack of knowledge is one of the first steps in exposing holes in the systems that we work within. Once we have acknowledged these limitations, we can begin to bridge the gap between the data we have and the data we need in ways that will encourage the unraveling of systemic biases.</p>Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-23607759418799150622021-09-18T11:34:00.005-05:002021-09-18T11:59:27.570-05:00Lemon Blueberry Breakfast Cake (aka, Creating My Own Wins)<p>Let me start with this: Life is fucking hard and I don't blame you for skipping right down to the recipe.</p><p>Lately (as in, since March 2020), it's been one thing after another. Staying home, avoiding people, doing what we thought was best for the kids, realizing that was not best for them or for us, and trying to survive hour to hour in the onslaught of anxiety, uncertainty, and decision fatigue. The kids are dealing with reintegration now, and it's hard in different ways for each of them. One is loving school and hates being at home, and the other doesn't know how to be social anymore.</p><p>This morning, I felt tired, unappreciated, guilty, and broken all before 8 a.m. So I made cake for breakfast.</p><p>The kids love pancakes, but the youngest only likes them with syrup or honey, and the oldest is never interested in a healthy side dish. Drop the "pan" though, and it's a different story. I added an extra egg to my favorite pancake mix, and poured it over a layer of frozen blueberries in a 9x13. Being a disaster of a human, it took way longer to bake than I thought it would. But once it was finally done and drizzled with lemon icing, breakfast cake was a hit among all of us. </p><p>I'm pretty bad at following recipes, but that's how delicious abominations like this get invented. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiuS3lQBc6q_q7wFc4lJz8W-lWwMpiKwl0ol-zlQI8BJlhTta1p3vD85terQDLjZIJ1YyIvG8Y4PKXvVAwCVqVFxKUS9M7e7FFicrrMGkl7Tx3Knv8NfAEmwfPNHRLaoJYK8CX5EUcFZH//" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zuko's Uncle Iroh impression is terrible and I love it." data-original-height="589" data-original-width="750" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiuS3lQBc6q_q7wFc4lJz8W-lWwMpiKwl0ol-zlQI8BJlhTta1p3vD85terQDLjZIJ1YyIvG8Y4PKXvVAwCVqVFxKUS9M7e7FFicrrMGkl7Tx3Knv8NfAEmwfPNHRLaoJYK8CX5EUcFZH/w320-h251/image.png" title="Take a bite of the silver sandwich that is this easy win of a breakfast." width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Lemon Blueberry Breakfast Cake</u></div></div><p></p><p>1 1/4 c. flour<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 1 T lemon juice</span><br />1 tsp baking soda 1 1/2 c. milk<br />1 3/4 tsp baking powder<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 2 eggs</span><br />1/2 tsp salt<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 1 T oil</span><br />1 T poppyseed<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 1/2 t each vanilla and lemon extract<br />2 T sugar<br />Blueberries, fresh or thawed</span></p><p>Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients (not the blueberries). Combine the wet and dry ingredients; don't overmix. Spray a 9x13 cooking pan (I lied; there's still a pan with this cake). Cover the bottom in a single layer of blueberries. Pour the cake mix over the berries and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Probably. I don't make the rules of science.</p><p>When it's cool, drizzle lemon icing over it.</p>Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-52214017671938979902020-07-06T10:48:00.000-05:002020-07-06T10:48:28.611-05:00Clairvoyance and the Coming Fall<font face="arial">I'm about to reveal that I'm even weirder than you always suspected.</font><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Sometimes, I've just <i>known</i> something. As certainly as you know an apple thrown in the air will hit the ground, I've (impossibly) understood a future truth. </font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">When I was 19, I barely knew a thing about this boy in my band class. Despite that, I felt a connection and knew that if he gave us a chance, we could last a long time together. I'd never even had a boyfriend before. </font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Ten months later, we started dating. We've been together 15 years.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">When we lived in New Mexico, I knew about our future daughter. I saw her dark hair, her dimples. At that point, I didn't even know if I wanted kids, but the image of her was so clear. </font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Ten years later, she is five and as vibrant and full of personality as I saw then.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">I share these as a precursor so that you can fully understand. When I say I had a Feeling, I want you to know what I mean.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">When Trump came down the escalator four years ago to announce his candidacy for president, people around me laughed, as seemed appropriate to them. News outlets rolled their eyes at his ridiculousness, at the idea that he could have a shot. </font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">I knew the second I saw the news clip that he was a threat and nothing good would come of this. </font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">As he runs for his second term, I fully believe that the November election is a threat as well. This is less a premonition and more an understanding of our current political atmosphere. I cannot foresee a situation in which this <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/06/when-does-trump-leave-white-house/613060/" target="_blank">power-hungry dictator relinquishes control</a> - he's not what anyone would call humble or a gracious loser. </font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Whether there is or isn't voter fraud, whether he wins or Biden does, I can't imagine that November will bring anything but more pain. Losing would cause him to cry foul and tighten his grip; he would incite his base to commit more hate crimes and sporadic violence, and the blind loyalists he has installed will do their worst to secure his position. Winning would do much the same.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">The Feeling I had about him on the escalator has certainly become reality already through his tending of crops sown long ago: hatred, racism, and American egocentrism. He did not herald the coming of these things, but he has certainly allowed them to flourish. While I don't have any sense of whether he will win or lose, whether democracy as we know it will continue, I do know that November is going to be a problem. And if 2020 has shown us anything so far, we should understand that not only can it get worse, it probably will.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">I don't know what, if anything, we can do about this. My family is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD5f8GuNuGQ" target="_blank">privileged</a> in certain ways: we are <a href="https://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/mcintosh.pdf" target="_blank">white</a>, Spousal Unit and I can work from home, we have no preexisting conditions, we are homeowners, we are financially stable. We lack privilege in other areas, but the ones we have are enormous during the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement. </font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="arial"><img alt="No justice No peace mock up 1 .jpg" height="983" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59e33f3d8a02c7d87de608eb/1591324931838-DPCM8RUBVZ7KNHB24MFF/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kNaJWdxGDBXZgnmX4hqNue97gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk725yiiHCCLfrh8O1z5QPOohDIaIeljMHgDF5CVlOqpeNLcJ80NK65_fV7S1UcKXOAi0PKjiDN7O45_3EoEMilZHKWbeCfVMqWBinqRjo7_tlxR_lVQEw-Dp9hs2vg/No+justice+No+peace+mock+up+1+.jpg?format=2500w" width="910" /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.elcesart.com/prints-1/no-justice-no-peace" target="_blank"><font face="arial">El'Cesart</font></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">I encourage you to examine where your privilege lies and how you can best support and lend protection to those who are lacking. My family has decided to donate our government stimulus to <a href="https://www.theokraproject.com/" target="_blank">various</a> <a href="https://freethe350bailfund.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">charitable</a> <a href="https://vdlf.org/" target="_blank">organizations</a> over the course of this year. This is all I know; this is all I can do. I intend to <a href="https://i.redd.it/kmgz4i4gf9n41.png" target="_blank">do good recklessly</a> in these uncertain times and to continue fighting against injustice wherever I see it, because to do otherwise is to allow it to reign unchecked. At the least, I can demonstrate that those in need are not alone, that at least one other person will lift them up and validate them. I can sleep at night knowing I've done my best to fight for right.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Don't let your light go out, America. I have a Feeling about this.</font></div>Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-74492725254104226342020-03-17T22:39:00.004-05:002020-03-17T22:39:35.119-05:00Day 2: All Connections Are IntimateI need to start keeping track of what's going on for my own sanity. I want to be able to look back and say that things really were going that fast - to say, I hope, that we seem to have worried for nothing. To remember the good in all of this.<br />
<br />
I also need way more therapy than I can afford (though I'm still getting therapy, trust me), and so I write.<br />
<br />
I'm labeling the days in accordance with my workplace shutdown. Day 1 (Monday) was my first day working from home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. I'm happy to overreact so that others will survive, so they don't have to worry about whether a ventilator will be free if needed. I'm also <i>still </i>recovering, three and a half weeks later, from influenza A and am not eager to be that sick again.<br />
<br />
Less than two weeks after my trip to Korea (by the way, I went to Korea!), I got sick. After a little prompting, I requested COVID-19 testing and was told that CDC guidelines wouldn't allow my doctor's office to do so, but maaaaybe possibly they would at the hospital so why don't you go find out (spoiler: I did not do so). I ended up testing positive for the flu after that appointment.<br />
<br />
A week later, I was clearly recovering but still had a nasty cough. I went to the doctor again and, after waiting half an hour for a blood draw, was told to proceed immediately to the hospital for testing (do not pass go; do not collect $200). I spent the rest of the day being stabbed, swiped, scanned, and stripped and was told in no uncertain terms to go home and keep my ass there. Less than a day later, I got the all clear. Congrats, it's a cough.<br />
<br />
I shared this with family, friends, and immediate coworkers who were concerned, both for my health and their own. After a series of events and some Feelings on my part, I emailed all my coworkers to let them know they were safe (at least from me). Looking back, I'm glad to have done so.<br />
<br />
Personal health is only personal so long as it doesn't affect others, and we have entered a different age. In this age, we are forcibly divided and isolated due to something invisible to the eye that we cannot yet control, but this division is <i>because of</i> our connection. We matter to each other in the most minute of ways, linked by our fallible bodies and curious pathogens not yet considered living. We see now the importance of that one friendly face in the hall with a kind word, the neighbor we would usually drop in on, the barista who knows your favorite drink. Our intimate connections are clear, yes, but now we realize: Are there any connections <i>other </i>than the intimate?<br />
<br />
I am privileged. We have defined ourselves as a two-family household, divided among two homes. Our neighbors share in our work and help ease the burden. Our kids play under supervision while the rest of us sit at keyboards, frantically trying to pretend none of this is happening. There are germs here, but our health is generally good. We have food; we have utilities and the ability to pay them; we have internet to connect us to the disasters and glories at large.<br />
<br />
I'd kept myself firmly in crisis mode until today, managing what needed managed and kissing owies and being calm. With bars, restaurants, and schools <a href="https://wxow.com/2020/03/17/breaking-evers-orders-bars-restaurants-closed/" target="_blank">closing</a> indefinitely in the state, it all finally hit me. April 20 as a reexamination date for schools was tangible, comforting; <i>indefinitely </i>is looming, formless, spoken aloud at last and hovering just beyond the fog ahead. I broke down the way I did on September 11 when the second plane hit, when I realized that everything was going to change and the world I knew was quaking seismically under my feet. Somehow <i>indefinitely</i> made it all real.<br />
<br />
And then Europe closed.<br />
<br />
The first two days were fine. The kids played elastically, like kids do; they learned from each other and from nature and from us. I've somehow done my work but haven't taken the time to <i>feel.</i> And I have to make space for that from here on. My feelings are directly connected to my ability to handle all of this.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for everything is connected avatar" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhbR9tRm6_IedFk2UgPN2Yw7SeS91t0PjEQiYlQDe0BLKUvarAouMNUArsth59BnQaBZCovwp8umOoIO_-qKHcrQ3JNN44wGkTS3aUqxiP6NfF4OGypi31q6iK2jk9tPj_9E3iyoZrswgho100k_UtJskEEogt8Z6mU8eev8aQwF3msJHmVBuQMwMQKvAAkUQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The greatest illusion of this world is the illusion of separation. Things you think are separate and different are actually one and the same. We are all one people, but live as if divided." - Guru Pathik, <i>Avatar: The Last Airbender</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In closing: Wash your hands, take care of yourself, and don't be a jerk.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-30044516825637170932019-06-12T12:35:00.000-05:002019-06-12T12:36:00.649-05:00Walnut and Roasted Beet Empanadas (Also, Hi)Been a while. I'm posting this exclusively for the purpose of remembering what I made last night so I can make it again. But not on a weeknight - this was way too involved for that, what with two small and hungry children clawing at my ankles.<br />
<br />
At least the results were fantastic - Child Unit 1 spontaneously said thank you and that it was delicious! They're <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empanada" target="_blank">empanada</a>-like, but I'm pretty damn white so it's likely I missed something vital. Apologies on that front.<br />
<br />
I was going to take a picture, but it didn't end up very photogenic. I didn't bother with the egg wash, so the pastry looked pretty blah, and the cream sauce looked exactly like the "grey stuff" from Beauty and the Beast. Shocking that Child Unit 2 didn't want a bite of it to tide him over.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for try the grey stuff" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2014-07/7/15/campaign_images/webdr09/you-can-actually-eat-the-grey-stuff-from-disneys--2-20370-1404762671-12_dblbig.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmm, grey stuff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u>Walnut and Roasted Beet Empanadas</u>*<br />
2 extra large beets (like seriously, huge), cubed<br />
1/2 c. walnuts, chopped<br />
2 T. olive oil<br />
1/4 c. onion, chopped<br />
Greens from the beets, washed and sliced<br />
4 oz cream cheese, cubed<br />
1/2 c. Greek yogurt<br />
1 tsp. Penzey's <a href="https://www.penzeys.com/online-catalog/mural-of-flavor/c-24/p-219/pd-s" target="_blank">Mural of Flavor</a><br />
Sea salt<br />
1 egg, beaten<br />
4 oz feta<br />
<br />
<u>Crust</u><br />
2 c. flour<br />
2/3 c. butter, cubed<br />
1/4 tsp. salt<br />
1/4 c. cold water<br />
<br />
In a greased 9x13, toss the beets, walnuts, and onion in olive oil. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
Combine all crust ingredients but water in food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles crumbs. While the processor is running, add water all at once; continue to process until mixture clumps together. Remove dough and set aside.<br />
<br />
Toss the sliced greens into the food processor and give them a good spin. The pieces should be fairly small. Add in the cream cheese, yogurt, Mural of Flavor, and sea salt. Process until well mixed, taking a spatula to the sides occasionally.<br />
<br />
Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Split the dough into six balls and roll each into a circle about 8 inches in diameter, 1/8 inch thick. Place on cookie sheets. On half of each circle spread 4 tsp cream cheese spread, about 3 Tbsp beet mixture, and 1 Tbsp feta, leaving about 1 inch of bare dough at the edge.<br />
<br />
Dampen this edge slightly with water (I used my fingers), then fold the other half of the dough over the top. Crimp edges together with a fork. Using a pastry brush, brush egg on each pastry. Cut two 1-inch slits in each pastry to allow it to vent. Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes or until golden.<br />
<br />
<br />
*Disclaimer: I don't measure anything when I cook; spice measurements are my best guesses. Individual results may vary. Be sure to taste as you go. The key to getting them to look nice is to not overstuff them, so err on the side of less filling.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-15925157842112448282017-02-01T21:20:00.000-06:002017-02-01T21:28:04.251-06:00Personal Action Plan: A Rough Start<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8TzKWMIYj7wJe_EZSnB-SS7FatMItmV9K658Hif_7QwC2UsymlwdeXtRdvGslfg54WaUoQ_7OiP9zKVq6EhODRA_LBmjU237p2zZ-GCjgRkdqAVA2udq1ufR8tT6xIi3kBEPRN34E_6w/s1600/25-Trump-laughs-in-racist-humor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8TzKWMIYj7wJe_EZSnB-SS7FatMItmV9K658Hif_7QwC2UsymlwdeXtRdvGslfg54WaUoQ_7OiP9zKVq6EhODRA_LBmjU237p2zZ-GCjgRkdqAVA2udq1ufR8tT6xIi3kBEPRN34E_6w/s320/25-Trump-laughs-in-racist-humor.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pmslweb.com/the-blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/25-Trump-laughs-in-racist-humor.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.234px;"><br />I loved </span><a href="https://medium.com/@mahdialynn/a-nervous-wrecks-disabled-guide-to-stepping-up-a6bdc95553b0#.47w10yb5m" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.234px; text-decoration: none;">Madison Mahdia Lynn's</a><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.234px;"> suggestions, so I'm writing them out here. If you're feeling like a bit of flotsam in a sea of tears, give this a try for yourself - feel free to start from my list. Also, it's often the case that others can see you more clearly than you see yourself. Do you have insights for me? Let me know.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.234px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.234px;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">STEP ZERO: Give yourself a moment to breathe.</span></b></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was the first two weeks. Now I need to multitask.<span style="font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: -0.018em;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: -0.018em;">STEP ONE: Make a list of what you’re good at.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Writing (incl. coming up with effective slogans and bringing humor)<br />Knitting/crochet<br />Empathy<br />Patience<br />Baking<br />Listening<br />Attention to detail<br />Discount shopping<br />Using the phone<br />Passion for ALL THE THINGS<span style="font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: -0.018em;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: -0.018em;">STEP TWO: Make a list of your limitations.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Public speaking (I can do it, and I might be good at it, but it's emotionally taxing)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Inability to directly confront problems ... which is going to be fun for me</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Constraints due to having a toddler (time available, time of day issues)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Limited funds</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Few connections to organizations</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Time</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">STEP THREE: Make a list of people and organizations that need support.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm gonna need another set of tiny hands to count these on.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><u>Children</u></span><br style="color: #1d2129;" /><span style="color: #1d2129;">Boys & Girls Club</span><br style="color: #1d2129;" /><span style="color: #1d2129;">Big Brothers, Big Sisters</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br /><br /><u>Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Prevention</u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">National Coalition Against Domestic Violence<br /><a href="http://rainn.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">rainn.org</a><br /><br /><u>Freedom of Speech/Press</u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><a href="http://propublica.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">propublica.org</a><br /><a href="http://rcfp.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">rcfp.org</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><a href="http://npr.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">npr.org</span></a></span></div>
<div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://washingtonpost.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">washingtonpost.com</a><br /><br /><u>Global Warming</u></span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://nrdc.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #365899;"><span style="cursor: pointer;">nrdc.or</span></span>g</a><br /><a href="http://earthjustice.org/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">earthjustice.org</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><a href="http://sierraclub.org/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sierraclub.org</span></a></span></div>
<div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></span></div>
<div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Legal Defense</u></span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://aclu.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">aclu.org</a><br /><br /><u>LGBT Rights</u></span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://thetrevorproject.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">thetrevorproject.org</a><br /><a href="http://lambdalegal.org/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">lambdalegal.org</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></span></div>
<div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Political Activism</u></span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.emilyslist.org/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.emilyslist.org</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://runningstartonline.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">runningstartonline.org</a><br /><br /><u>Racial Equality</u></span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://naacpldf.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">naacpldf.org</a><br />The Anti-Defamation League<br /><a href="http://maldef.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">maldef.org</a><br /><a href="http://splcenter.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">splcenter.org</a><br /><br /><u>Refugee/Immigrant Assistance</u></span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://refugeerights.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">refugeerights.org</a><br /><a href="http://nilc.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">nilc.org</a><br /><a href="http://theyoungcenter.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">theyoungcenter.org</a><br /><br /><u>Reproductive/Women's Rights</u></span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://plannedparenthood.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">plannedparenthood.org</a><br /><a href="http://reproductiverights.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">reproductiverights.org</a><br /><a href="http://now.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">now.org</a><br /><a href="http://nwlc.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">nwlc.org</a> - a 4-star charity for 14 years straight</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Madison Area</span></u></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/OpenDoorsForRefugees/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Open Doors for Refugees</span></a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://abuseintervention.org/give-overview/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">DAIS</span></a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://vdlf.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Voces de la Frontera</span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lgbtoutreach.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue;">Outreach</span></a> (LGBT support)</span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">STEP FOUR: Make a list of people and organizations you are connected with.</span></b></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Madison NOW</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My workplace</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My former workplaces (some, at least)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Spousal Unit's workplace</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our alma mater</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Several Facebook mom groups</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My Facebook group for those who want to support each other</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everyone who reads my blog?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And my <a href="https://twitter.com/monkeydances" style="text-decoration: none;">Twitter</a>, which I've been active with for like two days</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">STEP FIVE: Put it all together.</span></b></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Spitballing ideas here for the night - not sure what the best option might be. Some could be long term or short term.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Use my blog as a platform for local resistance issues; reach out to others in the area and work together so that we can be cohesive.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Start knitting scarves for the March for Science.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Make three phone calls to elected officials every week.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Run for office? I've thought about it recently, but I don't know politics well (and also, I hate politics, which could be a problem).</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Work with Madison NOW to host a diversity and inclusion training for a broader audience (this is kinda sorta in the works).</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Make fun of Trump constantly.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Provide slogan ideas for protest signs, etc.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Send cookies to Tammy Baldwin. Because why the fuck not.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-26819866088812900332017-01-28T23:40:00.000-06:002017-01-28T23:43:07.535-06:00The World Turned Upside Down: A Modernization <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFc_Y7ZzzCwy_HHDPa0nuqyqMdJWsc1a9K27mb2v029684TJCnCE4FpfVcyiChXoNbM-fQHO0Hnn3ariy8FAOlyCVVDk4YHJw9SlN1QY-6dfEYODpK37go_sCg0fw-EbnRNvsG2MRi-dw/s1600/1647-01-28_Taylor_WorldUpsideDown_TP474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFc_Y7ZzzCwy_HHDPa0nuqyqMdJWsc1a9K27mb2v029684TJCnCE4FpfVcyiChXoNbM-fQHO0Hnn3ariy8FAOlyCVVDk4YHJw9SlN1QY-6dfEYODpK37go_sCg0fw-EbnRNvsG2MRi-dw/s320/1647-01-28_Taylor_WorldUpsideDown_TP474.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://oll.libertyfund.org/pages/art-of-levellers">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-06c633ed-e89b-5d41-402f-653d4a9fb427"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World_Turned_Upside_Down">The World Turned Upside Down</a> was </i></span><i style="color: #252525; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">written in protest of Parliament. </i><i style="color: #252525; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Legend says that the song, </i><i style="color: #252525; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">referenced in the musical Hamilton, was played by the British Army upon their surrender to the United States. </i></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-06c633ed-e8bc-5dc2-ab6e-0335c667ce24"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Listen to me and you shall hear of government gaslighting, opulence, fear:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Galileo</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in days of yore, you never heard the like before.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The truth is</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> despised, “alt facts” are devised,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And science is kicked out of town.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet let's be content, and the times lament, you see the world turned upside down.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Astrophysicists did rejoice to see gravity waves; others sang with one voice</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That climate change is humanity’s thing, that now genes may receive editing.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let all honest folk take example and note</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That truth is not false, being bound.)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet let's be content, and the times lament, you see the world turned upside down.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Commander thinks himself a king, reddens to hear we’re organizing;</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Upon the border he’ll set a wall; Muslims already are part of the thrall.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He profits on pain: an incubus reign.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His soul’s a moral ghost town. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet let's be content, and the times lament, you see the world turned upside down.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Command is given, we must obey, and quite forget Obama’s day:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For our constitution, a funeral pyre; for those who resist, a narcissist’s ire.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Such fear and such hate (which I won’t advocate);</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Will he gag everyone with his crown?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet let's be content, and the times lament, you see the world turned upside down.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Old white men do sit and whine; fragility works overtime:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Their plan to make America great keeps diversity from the debate.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Wait and see” is their bald-faced decree;</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Democracy’s not his playground.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet let's be content, and the times lament, you see the world turned upside down.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To conclude, stay focused, woke in your vigil: this is not normal, our gilded official.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The barred glass ceiling soon will break as parks declare the change they’ll make.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We’ll protest and plummet this Putinist puppet;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let “we the people” resound. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet let's be content, and the times lament, you see the world turned upside down.</span></div>
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-80226084271668670352017-01-20T14:16:00.000-06:002017-01-23T09:10:35.853-06:00Activism in a "Post-Factual" America<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuKFw7kP3uVtTZhtirAFxe5UPJQGvy9doKM54x8bzJSp1WVDupz5m3BVQy4mbZU7LYv507TCa1M3v_7oNa_xnBKwDEe8L62WhRFz5gWRzdBZyFokFQUOJxvop3vS1AV0kI-vu8ZZ9uQnr/s1600/Night-Gathers-and-Now-my-Watch-Begins-GOT-Wallpaper-1440x900.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuKFw7kP3uVtTZhtirAFxe5UPJQGvy9doKM54x8bzJSp1WVDupz5m3BVQy4mbZU7LYv507TCa1M3v_7oNa_xnBKwDEe8L62WhRFz5gWRzdBZyFokFQUOJxvop3vS1AV0kI-vu8ZZ9uQnr/s400/Night-Gathers-and-Now-my-Watch-Begins-GOT-Wallpaper-1440x900.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://backwallpapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Night-Gathers-and-Now-my-Watch-Begins-GOT-Wallpaper-1440x900.png">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next four years will be hard for this country. Our rights will be hacked at with ice picks, machetes, toothpicks that introduce cracks in the foundation. It is Day 1 and the White House's climate change webpage <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/315284-white-house-climate-change-webpage-disappears-after-trumps">has already disappeared</a>, along with the <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/lgbt">LGBT</a>, <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/civil-rights">civil rights</a>, and <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/healthcare-overview">ACA</a> pages. Trouble is not brewing; trouble is here.<br />
<br />
So what can we do about it? <a href="https://groundworkmadison.com/get-involved/ways-allies-can-help/">Groundwork </a>has some great starting points on their site, and I listed a few details more below.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PRekK6naaosj1VqLN01TEZkce3ixEGftXZztnlhQx51rwmInedeWcYIxsZ7AGa7fUmN5N64jEjNeDfZfFFjJ1E5Jfm7q_Dm88oprIMQmWxe-3fcYq8GC3F7XHmJramBG9P2CUMggEWim/s1600/16105551_10155002727189306_4052336357262968831_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PRekK6naaosj1VqLN01TEZkce3ixEGftXZztnlhQx51rwmInedeWcYIxsZ7AGa7fUmN5N64jEjNeDfZfFFjJ1E5Jfm7q_Dm88oprIMQmWxe-3fcYq8GC3F7XHmJramBG9P2CUMggEWim/s320/16105551_10155002727189306_4052336357262968831_n.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist <a href="http://ladieswhodesign.com/protest-posters/">Haley Gilmore</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Educate yourself</u>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What issues matter to you? Learn about them. What issues matter to others? Learn, and then fight for those too. "<span id="goog_983130454"></span><a href="http://www.infamousmothers.com/between-us/2017/1/22/your-privilege-will-not-protect-you">A healthy society</a><span id="goog_983130455"></span> is one in which those at the center scream in agony when those furthest away are cut."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Make calls</u>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Phone calls are the most effective method of contacting elected officials. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to call on a regular basis. Keep <a href="https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/">your senators' contact info</a> bookmarked (or on speed dial) so you don't have to look them up every time. Take 10 minutes out of your lunch break, one day a week, and pick an issue. If you're nervous about what to say once you call, write out one or two sentences. That's all you need. Remember to be polite and make a connection with the person on the phone if you can - making a good impression means the staffer is more likely to discuss your call with others.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Protest</u>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When organized, civil protests happen, take part. If one isn't organized and should be, make it happen. Be safe and put everything through legal channels, but remember that change doesn't happen through armchair activism alone. This is going to take some hard work.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Volunteer</u>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pick an issue and get involved. The issue I've chosen is women's rights, and I've joined the National Organization for Women. It's easier to join up with others who are already working on issues than to start from square one, so grab your friends and get involved.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Donate</u>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not everyone has time available to spend, so reach out to the groups that will suffer most in the upcoming years. See the list I've assembled <a href="http://deviantdispatches.blogspot.com/2017/01/activism-in-post-factual-america_20.html">here</a>. You can also donate to organizations in your city/state, such as women's rights groups and domestic violence shelters.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Support political candidates</u>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you don't know of a rock star in office right now, research, find one, and back them up. Learn about up-and-coming candidates for local or state offices whose policies you admire. Vocalize your support through phone calls, letters, guidance about what kind of world you want to see, etc. We need to start putting more progressives in office yesterday. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Run for office</u>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This doesn't have to be a senate position. You can start at a neighborhood level. Get into your neighborhood association. Teach them why it's so important for us to all stick together, why supporting rights for those who are different from us will keep our own rights in place. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Write</u>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Send letters to people. Sure, signing petitions online can have some impact, but you can better effect change by putting things into your own words and sharing your own experiences. If repealing the ACA will personally affect you, tell your senator why. . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Reach out</u>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We need to contact more than just our elected officials. The only way we survive this new administration is together. Step out of your comfort zone. Make friends with those who are different from you. Learn about things that you never realized were under threat. Be a support to those around you so that if we should need help from one another, we all have someone to turn to and know what others need. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/okay-fine-heres-what-you-should-do_us_5825348fe4b02b1f52579f0e?timestamp=1478833508878">This post</a> is from shortly after the election, but is still mind-opening and relevant.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You'll probably make mistakes here and there. That's okay; I will too. You might stick your foot in your mouth sometimes. That's okay, you'll survive. But if we don't speak out, some people might not.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you have other suggestions that I can add to this list, please share. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdP9KlHrba-CIBv9rHhhGTn7xC7BR1Ys5LO2Dg5MTiGkaVvR11M4XU5YHtF82EjWZawgWEVD4nouseL0Y7RDq7zGCp2KHeD8osWZHp-4JMsRUzPK1a_NKRDcmMomGXnctRrGmaSkbQqqp/s1600/16114429_10211682357722580_7643660495338073915_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdP9KlHrba-CIBv9rHhhGTn7xC7BR1Ys5LO2Dg5MTiGkaVvR11M4XU5YHtF82EjWZawgWEVD4nouseL0Y7RDq7zGCp2KHeD8osWZHp-4JMsRUzPK1a_NKRDcmMomGXnctRrGmaSkbQqqp/s320/16114429_10211682357722580_7643660495338073915_n.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist <a href="https://www.micahbazant.com/buy-art">Micah Bazant</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-34634112369072871022017-01-20T13:46:00.000-06:002017-01-23T09:05:36.326-06:00Activism in a "Post-Factual" America: Donations<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">If you're looking for causes to donate time or goods to or volunteer for, here are a few. You can find another list <a href="http://jezebel.com/a-list-of-pro-women-pro-immigrant-pro-earth-anti-big-1788752078?rev=1478710019591&utm_campaign=socialflow_jezebel_facebook&utm_source=jezebel_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow">here</a>. If you want to check these out more carefully, view them on </span><a href="http://charitynavigator.org/" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">charitynavigator.org</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">; I haven't done so for all of these yet. Please share this with others. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><u>Children</u></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Boys & Girls Club</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Big Brothers, Big Sisters</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /><br /><u>Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Prevention</u></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">National Coalition Against Domestic Violence<br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Frainn.org%2F&h=ATO0FZCoxhlAsxKVKT0HurE8saRqJpOe7z85uU7NBD7NgCvHj7UPot_yOY1MZFtgTWWUBSre29VXLyhZgm5_wOwvd_SGayKeGAUxl2lbZpGwYbItx84si2UCdCtPHdjRyg&enc=AZMVMeMELU20CURU-sGRpac6zyxCFpxGIYbTL_Xc8G6YS5hdRRYEJXSA_jLj5NZqLDo5YvpfXVqrWFxGx2O9i2Ay_v4JBqZF_4f0PBljsD8P9dd8M1ckOqjXEGwy3C-0qWA&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">rainn.org</a><br /><br /><u>Freedom of Speech/Press</u></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpropublica.org%2F&h=ATMppJ71kvcf8eIhDJ6Bn32NmDgYlnjqwFOTP9nO13YHKO7Syq-cbKPs_Te0zDzMZbbgDlQHSaZDtScpxG5YB-1iQj-i6S-TNF2YKuluE-vGaZpsmyOYZHZWtP9X85P9YA&enc=AZPSyMG2OmymQ_M4ctBlXCvNmqral8qsLlUjlxQfg0zzKZKdk6gyU_30f2tlAv1MxUyO_NSdxUvLPnQ3Km9bNsRg21Z-_3t8CDSjmVWOfhOo3jYBUlnpyb-EuQqLwfLP3PQ&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">propublica.org</a><br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Frcfp.org%2F&h=ATO8ZfgMHnNSoSLgzuXgV8Rk5SSr8UBhdmi6jfG_wtR-SapJdQF2ZHhI81pbg96olzkcFyXY9QFLZcYpPZKEs51uIMA1FbEzY-YfS0vhq10dRzJ95TRQnAmSyhQkwjiOtg&enc=AZNRN3T-S1RdDAVIJkKx8DpOI4TNdfyIi6WA-BBKaanP0AD3S4njEynVZ0a7hySG3DQVQzGojNG51tXuT6Mj9sz-bmqhMRVR3A2o-PNEhy9h1f_d_uSbJN_b3iprg4z_TOw&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">rcfp.org</a><br /><br /><u>Global Warming</u></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnrdc.org%2F&h=ATM0D8kVWdarHFLlcSUJdw6q2jHWqG-PC5rsLo8JvASHPqa6dEl-QhcHstWHZ2lfB41eaW-6w2E5sU9X2O2dlLJ9A6c0-MMKb1bRpkw6p8VhuNS7zyWu2fkN1nW-XSKMRg&enc=AZNARXJz08pyuretrL4kxPsYLxF4j45hNMubSj-lohvVmaug4krOT51LOf45_n_I3HVbvgH-Sv-X3CTfxc_7U0x3snc6KlV9uLTS7jke6mSNg5j7tKTsmSYOAcE4-WycX6w&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">nrdc.org</a><br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fearthjustice.org%2F&h=ATP8pQiEj1yk9f1Vw4n0rD1TzXUw26u-kbMySLhX7lxiDmQVXvAALafS_QxrSA0WuGJHVOE9z05raMAYekAZX24782QLRpeRjvoWuEyzxgY_qBogAHE5pXhIO69XHz4Ang&enc=AZPDDdCL6NeiA7e91-Mx7PcRcbm0-yVAz15f2TTXHKHSwtC9wIxo6jFFBKPSjoP0ASTXIjA5-MS7bT-_P-npkXdnZxtBsJWzTxFnCJmING1oMyEt6Mws7YjaDtYlhBXfRz0&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">earthjustice.org</a><br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsierraclub.org%2F&h=ATMeOe_eHfBb5RWX7oh18JdFbNPVb0zuyHCh5Z5Euoj3jmdaaMRyCmqtQzNc2QAsLs2YpSWtB28sfJbfgeZ9-vpLqtC8tu8VCMtDgNBbu1CKosE_jdKzqkEL0kDkMBENjQ&enc=AZPzwVHdskBhqqqMOffo5JOjbn4_5LFO7dg-WpgS-g8-aLvR0X0cPgxggyAim_RaDay63fpkqM-dAaApOd95aWRYNItHxchI1768ltwp2QrimtocGolvBPu4mEdnARiXIao&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">sierraclub.org</a><br /><br /><u>Legal Defense</u></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Faclu.org%2F&h=ATP5zmdc-mADBtRhX3od8nSdu7EVxw2yR4teWeRblUfJzpKvi0BGc3RQ6RwMBLu8Fz5DH7XvwDsaaGfTHg0Uh3slEXJ_BLeoY0vTgq5x1Cy_jZgRTAIgsIhK-qvHP41KVg&enc=AZPHbBZP5Ra5AR9a5sFEsOD9bvpqL9L9YL8U5Clonx-jVmYERnAF7pm9Ohcr4v6DvX1NFD6eDS4C66SDpHg4_cg5Rt9oWFxNbEgpRwy6_Wahl8zcG9bh2UTIFPlfcdon8jg&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">aclu.org</a><br /><br /><u>LGBT Rights</u></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthetrevorproject.org%2F&h=ATPHhrPxc9XFZDEu7aH4sFGhcdtACaolXNiIh1qydZxm20BkQKuHNIyvhH_k2xZcCBlefa4JBX0-xQpoQRpRdio_RPpOUKj8FwF7UO4fNNA_k5mLd_eIs4q_TyBhTDcs7Q&enc=AZN9B3tfhmCSUC3a1u6seLKeDM0u0hkHekKMpF-0FGtqBEJhLYjqHWqy2ck7VKlPvISfSRNI_A7rbuLhOkxBvDi2LM8od_l2jOn7xoh-M2MMwsTHpeE1OiKW4MgwQzMfVR0&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">thetrevorproject.org</a><br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Flambdalegal.org%2F&h=ATMtm1u7hDH488hB_yRxCx1JU72GANJEFp7cA44exSssT4jMNv9WzNiH11nRb-6htfcqLtsqexBN7Q9Jf1ApBJszQApqnlxF7gdydV8FunC5xYUzCfhxKNARAE_XlSeuTg&enc=AZM_U-If-zW06anmTPALyJTRREjdkyg-Vu5DyMFjcfXLbO2idyvybLmKjGTj1drzKHR5mBTWIArqjHYYCrLpCyPuIt7Jx15jPVjLD4V9CAotR7St9ilwjKjgTdA4dr9Bhxs&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">lambdalegal.org</a><br /><br /><u>Political Activism</u></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emilyslist.org%2F&h=ATM1lzSJb945Gqbd2FminvsMsC2OM8BYfVwS1EiPXNgywpqgdPug67VbTqw35bjNvaRqegbLb9oInh0M8WL7jZSIR9nd4lfvnu9hQZGJeN_Z159N2kFdxEwj6fWwZe0gkg&enc=AZOsgXcolT4TFtsZkIzljDiiVgJDoh8h-hMqeEDaXXZF7wTScJaA2_Z1ERsLc9b-uvRuLFqKdVU6chfPfYVKJXNGffFlimYTB-QjC58XIq9-GcIM-uaBomcv7Y8DTIPEQqU&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.emilyslist.org</a><br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Frunningstartonline.org%2F&h=ATNdfghvwgK0n5907HvbFLA7SBQPqd0Q-H9eyjHKecKX7AinpyF6iIwxJ-2i2FEZiZnEIgHrbk4U1QRFO0UPjOcbnITxUfvOqnrrOYvB5aL3J17JPfkveypp2JA6XRj-6Q&enc=AZNJtiooMyJHsS-hpmTP7Uiecaw_JrB7D2AWCsHSYlPzM7XEZJ-edrKc0qhX5f_9nPuVtTx61mUhxCzIV6Ws5qPISEOozXFrFvHcOudALM9OgqYyzJCEzNzWyT2oNw0ApeQ&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">runningstartonline.org</a><br /><br /><u>Racial Equality</u></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnaacpldf.org%2F&h=ATO9cHQSvDw5T-2SVLP2U_2MKtI7QHK157e5WO1PC-kpJf0oZhCrn51JlQy49eODz4QvjmhKFSKmIReDWhA0BmL05539NnKyM7yTNcdyC5XkmcY8SYTh8MdSIr2WwnnaCQ&enc=AZOmiAaEqNbgCARBhdTLs0SivGhCJRsKPortlu_oCYNO6eB8gEkNyMBCRKvQiTCum5nXpH-2eGbglngnvPqVbJBGdN4rL1ff33pQ_vRI8v4Qyz0wj-m_br8oPxyD7y9l06k&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">naacpldf.org</a><br />The Anti-Defamation League<br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmaldef.org%2F&h=ATNdJIpKYI91egkI-o28iULxPV5qDwMDCV5GUIKtJHAWp8WAmiEvfJuhlN_KYakqO1brPSeimYytXaog5CQU3L3HESJk_wQ__xdtRtjXMS0HSW6oZclm1aLQOKETsb6A5w&enc=AZOmIsYuPiifkYdIl-STy_BsIbuy4ZdyDrvv12yizutaYiYnj85mCtCHOkTfmZVYuWHtl6YxlbWwGGFyi0DZa6tI9scXGjPmt_IWyRJDp33WthLOh67za1mio-ppbtepxQk&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">maldef.org</a><br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsplcenter.org%2F&h=ATMvy8FvT2wg1zcZRB4tWFctWFrW7f0TGdJM2Yqg__mdmoFODvefNeE-GgPszZqcyq50IFQAJWkOHAlbJUtSkQX8SPBmHPDvnS2D-8Zd4MxWXubpCyNtMEIQR4navvpJAg&enc=AZOWBsC4S_w2wrr-SYWFHcSOfpVGmHSBe6H3mjzrD8-Nbj3oaBMe9Y_Qy1pUt84T3TEij1Vnqz3eN8cYMR_ylppympwW0VXCAqRRwF8lsG097NWxuG6edQh0QljlsZA21Cs&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">splcenter.org</a></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/about">showingupforracialjustice.org</a></span><br /><br /><u style="font-size: 14px;">Refugee/Immigrant Assistance</u></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Frefugeerights.org%2F&h=ATPAuMljWVDk9dVDq7g4-KgUfZpTLd3q_2eAB_140oDApDUHtVEVbKi-Gquwgzc0yL9yaPRlNdAcCHmRrTXb3Ws5mMW1me1REWIHHznreI2_xmwQ0pCpVT8B11XehQK11w&enc=AZPYWiXlqWqDqM5WMG5U0Y1oCzTTuaFIEu13mRrh8T9GxnQ0bTdSGknTpSCciaMr8F_Dkl2OnRV9_yi3mvxHfHb75WTc9lP30ZlA6arA1NMJefyvueNicz4Fbdez8y8mznE&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">refugeerights.org</a><br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnilc.org%2F&h=ATNX9GAQMtQ3WFJV8_-pcppSDqzmemDDlratXCxkM7D9GtpiHHn3-y2Hr59LqDqFBBfmdYNS0NuCBPuBIcUytxemUDnuihes5gXeF01g7yVpGZLiv6rPyAWz_CLc4Rx55g&enc=AZPW43VvihJKQpQaioViAsblfDLug6mblYhE0Pfa57z2AqSNqRLDUqh06sbWzufNf0ytiu5WnFBV-4rhTzIOgWabkJogdQWmjSUqtMb0zvClwl5jq0N1s4-KyHdG5nSf6Ds&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">nilc.org</a><br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftheyoungcenter.org%2F&h=ATMvVbUnP8pGhQbLg-Le3GWcZoNKdRZTNfQTA20SHGHVWbVBkUpg1kcpF796UinkVd_xW1p6eCOqFYRt6-SHYOVUQh6HF500_BgOkgPT3rkrrNsF_9RHTcVJCL-diiZxAA&enc=AZME7GIMeWMIRHpobXI0X2u1AAA38fECAPZh6fmPIgxl7LuDJIlmtTrEXDlSGd-7x-_-j52bwPreuRdJDrMHAjxBG7veSUkILf0QiHHFaP2nxZ3_wXUrxjCIRYB8MvTZS0A&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">theyoungcenter.org</a><br /><br /><u>Reproductive/Women's Rights</u></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fplannedparenthood.org%2F&h=ATMq7TTF2z0si9nIU-mpdRilUg9UZXxEJZlnYQv_kO9HKeIwDEeUrXOf86Pv_A9rC2oW5sTUeKB4288tSv8NKwxbVAZBqXdW6zy3p56V2XPWoMqGBvJCoG8tjFRoFL8UeA&enc=AZMRgyJMU0kOzN_mQY8nNtjk_1FnChT5lygzLf6HLK0Ck-z3wmIbXFDSbdJqyn-xZVP-bfGSYjzRYSB7yQTfiQSYMJatUcYJiMgHqPM30qld6s776EFMfBExJKpU49f_UjM&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">plannedparenthood.org</a><br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Freproductiverights.org%2F&h=ATPbPHt3pSghBmhbua_U53eBfJCq9npd58K2ijVno8COXG4MWitaIDbKP2uTDhtw4BqpXhZKM0oqvkgxwTC3tlh9wTgorHoA8Rwjm-3xDB9bImr3E38VaOOfywtyce2eyQ&enc=AZP399jbthEOdXw9-_nWHJ7XeX9TvaDkewgtvnwtbBvKyaDej1d_5fm-GvGdReW10nqCrqwmTzxkruwSshIQWkr3mIriGcH20ldrJRlpdY7VrgNImFBTCuVEEPtdq3rJUdY&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">reproductiverights.org</a><br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnow.org%2F&h=ATNfz2_lPU7Y0vNQ63QUSSTu0R-iyZYRU0llgHqfgE3DTjZjjr-ybK7VtME8-6bdvpoFW8MiSPVfK_nHPcjYunAZMj5PWaBvv5ug3zHGH0xi5tlXP1Ax208fN72009I0WA&enc=AZPhCvxYAsAh00vKldUl3q8m6U4JiSO5LqrQGaM-bMluJAGo0oZsGH6sJh1XYCghhARRzkEItPiZTKhm2AlGS5NfX0Yf1EsNwA5PB5o2XsgnenIXw_2nVHlzk9cD5rFBGO0&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">now.org</a><br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnwlc.org%2F&h=ATNrF_S84_trUs5z41BYraFA4aVW_Qls_YCtlTXIxoSPtn2Y3Q9UddWG0w6j1gmujPqO_szjEEuDYUg-owcc9BO-oO0m16Ntlhtja0URc4e-UuQrLXXkApckWkmXagSu2w&enc=AZOAZcnguE3qmU8Kp3rTNx4PCy24U_VQhuCs-_Iks98To0O7FDwtIN9oCCS15ZuMMN76mEzmnGI8TwDzchckMxOHt4T6c6kGpbTQ6LeMPRJP04udwAxp-NiE8mxywtGkRk4&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">nwlc.org</a> - a 4-star charity for 14 years straight</span>Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-23110614885309745312017-01-11T14:55:00.001-06:002017-01-11T16:09:11.017-06:00Personal Goals: 2017<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having made lists like this for many years, I'm starting now to better recognize my limits and reasonable expectations. Here are 20 goals for the year; I hope to accomplish 15 of them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The above paragraph makes me feel old.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYMsTmlT0-96h92jLm-N3zOZ5_1RBqiBtn2XzM847wrYZYGyo_OQwe3-GI7x5jXgF7k2uPEjs5XPmc63u8lRUjtEXxFEER7KI0nCaeNiepxc1ZQOpyEr3geT0ZwSIQn5nOLW9yMpIxQRa/s1600/old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYMsTmlT0-96h92jLm-N3zOZ5_1RBqiBtn2XzM847wrYZYGyo_OQwe3-GI7x5jXgF7k2uPEjs5XPmc63u8lRUjtEXxFEER7KI0nCaeNiepxc1ZQOpyEr3geT0ZwSIQn5nOLW9yMpIxQRa/s320/old.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Have specific "me" time once a month</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Complete three home projects from the following list (roughly in preferential order)</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fix the driveway</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fix the toilet</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hem the white curtains that are floating around the basement somewhere (for the bedroom)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have Troy and Sam over for a renovation party (yaaaaay)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paint bedroom trim white</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Get and hang new bedroom blinds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Get an A/C tune-up</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Redo the tea room (more shelves, hang calligraphy)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paint and re-carpet the basement steps</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Replace a window?</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Continue to attend NOW meetings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Go to Dragonfly Yoga regularly and/or do yoga at home once a week </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Knit Ingrid another sweater</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Knit myself hand warmers with a freaking I-cord so I don't lose the damn things a fourth time</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bonus if I also finish the second sock in the pair I started four years ago</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Replace the broken mandolin string</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. Clean out old financial papers</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bonus: Develop a better storage system (meaning any at all)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9. Attend a swim class with Ingrid</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10. Save money through three of the following</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fix the phone plan</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shop at Aldi once a month</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have a "buy nothing" week at least four times to clean out the kitchen cupboards and use up fridge items</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Only get takeout or go out to eat for special occasions - as part of this, keep frozen meals on hand</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ask for an internet service discount (because I definitely won't get one if I don't ask)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Get a clothing rack so we use the dryer less</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep track of pet food deals, look for coupons, and stock up</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Write down personal expenses and amounts</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11. Write twice a month at minimum, with at least one blog post here per month--one post will be about a book I'll read this year</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">12. A personal goal that I don't care to divulge here</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">13. Record Ingrid's reading list on Goodreads</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">14. Get new tires for Yorick (the little car)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">15. Go on a family camping trip</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">16. Make krumkake</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">17. Remember that afghan I made <a href="http://deviantdispatches.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Neverending%20Quilt">three years ago</a>? Sew in the ends and give it an edging.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">18. Have a tea party (much like my friend Sandy)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">19. Send my novel to three people for review (volunteers?)</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bonus: Re-read it myself</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">20. Finally buy one of these </span><a href="http://www.biglots.com/product/gray-square-tray-ottoman/p810304214?pos=1:1&Ntt=ottoman%20tray%20gray" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">ottomans</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> with a </span><a href="http://www.target.com/p/2-piece-metro-ottoman-set-office-star/-/A-15333620?lnk=rec|pdpipadh1|related_prods_vv|pdpipadh1|15333620|7" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">reversible tray</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> that I've been eyeing for months (for the craft corner)</span>Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-36947752949697468952017-01-01T21:41:00.000-06:002017-01-02T10:52:39.556-06:00Personal Goals: 2016 Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/emAe6IClGys/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/emAe6IClGys?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Hi! It's been a while. Consider this my attempt at getting back to it. Um. Again.<br />
<br />
I didn't post it here, but at the beginning of 2017, I made a list of 21 goals for myself.<br />
<br />
1. Reread <i>The Happiness Project</i>'s chapter on clutter - <b>done</b><br />
2. Complete at least three home improvement tasks - <b>done</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Replace front window <b>with a bay window</b></li>
<li>Get tools <b>(jigsaw and sander, not that I used them)</b></li>
<li>Get rid of stuff we don't use, <b>including a lot of clothes</b></li>
<li>Fix the driveway ... <b>kind of. It still needs new asphalt.</b></li>
<li>Paint house</li>
<li>Get/make a file cabinet/bench</li>
</ul>
<br />
3. Do an activity with Tickle once a month over the year - <b>done, including an awesome family vacation</b><br />
4. Exercise more - <b>nope</b><br />
5. Play mandolin more - <b>I broke one of the strings; does that count?</b><br />
6. Create craft corner - <b>done, and I love it!</b><br />
7. Send Grandpa lefse - <b>hand delivered, along with cookies made from his grandma's recipe</b><br />
8. Make krumkake - <b>nope</b><br />
9. Start food/garden share with neighbors - <b>sure, I'll allow it</b><br />
10. Craft and hang Germany frames - <b>done, and they look nice (now I just have to rotate out the pictures)</b><br />
11. Frame and hang the Avatar poster - <b>done</b><br />
12. Get a haircut at least twice over the year - <b>done! I think I got three.</b><br />
13. Write for at least two minutes/day <b>- nope</b><br />
14. Finish at least eight books - <b>no ... I read two and half of two others.</b><br />
15. Sew a clothing item - <b>no, but I'm counting it. I knitted a lot.</b><br />
16. Pay up on the mortgage - <b>nope</b><br />
17. Create a mutual fund for Ingrid - <b>nope</b><br />
18. Get a shower clock/mirror - <b>yes</b><br />
19. Cut down time online - <b>I'm satisfied with my online time this year.</b><br />
20. Weed more than twice; put down mulch - <b>done</b><br />
21. A personal goal that I don't care to divulge - <b>done</b><br />
<br />
So I met 14 of my 21 goals (at least sort of). I'm pleased with this. The goals were simple and, for the most part, reasonable. I'm still going to try to keep my list shorter for next year, though. I especially like the way I arranged my home improvement goal, so I'll reprise that.<br />
<br />
I was feeling pretty bummed about my lack of reading this year until a friend pointed out that, while she fell short of her own reading goal, her relationships and job were all going well, and that's substantively more important. So while I met 67% of my goals (great in my opinion, but still a D), I made a lot of good memories and took strides that can't be quantified. I now have thousands more pictures and had lots of wonderful conversations with beautiful minds. I did great things that aren't even listed here, like going to the Weird Al concert and FREAKING KOREA. I read Tickle the same five books way more than eight times each.<br />
<br />
In that sense, it was a very good year.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-49915087258562009722016-01-25T09:22:00.000-06:002016-01-25T09:23:07.399-06:00Subconscious WisdomFirst of all, my postpartum depression post has quickly become the most viewed one I've ever written. You are all amazing - thank you for all the support. I hope that post has helped many of you in some way.<br />
<br />
Here's a bit of an expansion on that. I mentioned that I had two dreams that led to my decision to take meds; they were so vivid and spoke so clearly that I still recall them in detail seven months later.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>The First</u><br />
<br />
Tickle was two and a half months old, and I couldn't admit to myself yet that I was experiencing PPD. And then I dreamed.<br />
<br />
I saw a drawing. That was it: a simple drawing that could have been a cartoon clipped out of a newspaper. It was an alphabet quilt, colored in brown scale on a bright white background. Each square of the quilt was its own letter, with a corresponding animal family: A for alligator, B for bear, and so on. But in each panel, one parent played energetically with the child and smiled happily, while the other parent sat by themselves to one side, either looking away or looking at the other two as they played, wearing an expression of worry or anger or sadness.<br />
<br />
I especially remember the zebra family. The baby zebra was so happy with the little wooden train (with an expression that Spousal Unit calls "unfettered joy"), pushing it while the mom smiled and lovingly rested a hoof on his back. But the zebra dad was sitting by himself, looking away, visibly upset.<br />
<br />
On waking, I immediately realized that yes, I'd been feeling depressed. It's not like I'm a stranger to the feeling; I've dealt with it most of my life. But I was able to acknowledge that it was more than hormones and difficulty adjusting, because the thing that struck me most about the dream was that in each panel of that quilt, a parent was missing out on his or her child having fun and growing up, unable to appreciate the good times.<br />
<br />
I knew I had already missed out on too much and had to do something about it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQmzEMCbxWHhtUws93GkiavXEHcamhi0yNpXcjkZQePG6FTBo3YfrTA40eTRUIW7TPFCirFXimKjxfcNtrS9RRXtdBfMVfi8kngn7yfOxU26YT9O2tpLECWsMZ8cIobU53svj9btqkMZ_/s1600/P1010047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQmzEMCbxWHhtUws93GkiavXEHcamhi0yNpXcjkZQePG6FTBo3YfrTA40eTRUIW7TPFCirFXimKjxfcNtrS9RRXtdBfMVfi8kngn7yfOxU26YT9O2tpLECWsMZ8cIobU53svj9btqkMZ_/s320/P1010047.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<u>The Second</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
Two weeks later, I had been trying to follow a new routine, doing my best (but still failing) to <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6A2F5ky9SELU0Zfd05YMEpyNUk/view">actively hold back</a> the worst of my depression while continuing to see my therapist. If I were to take meds, I had to start right away for them to have any effect before my maternity leave ended. I'd filled the prescription and even brought it home, but still felt unsure about taking them.<br />
<br />
(Looking back, I don't know that I even remember why I was so divided. Part was probably not wanting to depend on a drug for happiness, which is a flawed view - it's more about allowing me to experience a proper range of emotions. I think it mostly had to do with taking them while breastfeeding. My doctor had given me the most well-researched prescription and assured me that any amount that might reach Tickle was negligible and harmless, but still, I worried. Because I'm really, really good at it. If it were an Olympic event, I'd take home the gold every time.)<br />
<br />
And then I dreamed.<br />
<br />
In the dream, Tickle was born as twins and immediately whisked away from me. Birth had been so intense that for a while, I thought it had been a dream, especially without the babies at my side; the nurses and doctors wouldn't tell me anything, either. But after repeated confrontation, they admitted what had happened, and I went off in search of my daughters in the cold, industrial-sized hospital. I finally found Tickle in the dark hospital NICU, which was lit up with awful red lights. I clutched her to me and it was clear that she had no issues at all - she was small and so very new, but healthy as could be. They had only taken her away from me because they (whoever they were) thought it was best for her. But I knew that was wrong. I knew that she needed me.<br />
<br />
Holding her tightly, I left the NICU and encountered the hospital director and a few other staff, who had been trying to chase me down and keep me from finding the babies. I was so upset that when the old balding director provided a weak apology for the situation, I clutched newborn Tickle tightly in one arm and swung out at him with my right.<br />
<br />
You know how in dreams, you always end up moving as though through water? Fighting is completely ineffective and you can never run fast enough. But that wasn't the case with this dream. I gave the director several solid punches, all while yelling at him and holding my little girl close. I was able to defend and protect her, because I would do anything for her.<br />
<br />
I woke up feeling exhilarated and empowered, and knew that desire to do anything for her extended to improving my mental health. I took the first pill immediately, with a smile on my face.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_evR4VvvVdrwJTc1iv6rJtixeizJWKkC_WghngGxgRNsfxaeheobaFuqjRy5hrYe2d9i6JTCWKMu3LX_xIuCNAtgFH_i9ISz4R3BRaCRUzch5qwke-zxtCqz_JmuLbBKMrJsrSLhoVZr/s1600/20160124_113240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_evR4VvvVdrwJTc1iv6rJtixeizJWKkC_WghngGxgRNsfxaeheobaFuqjRy5hrYe2d9i6JTCWKMu3LX_xIuCNAtgFH_i9ISz4R3BRaCRUzch5qwke-zxtCqz_JmuLbBKMrJsrSLhoVZr/s320/20160124_113240.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-61944507297764085622016-01-18T11:46:00.000-06:002016-01-19T12:55:55.878-06:00Saying the Hard Things <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Let me preface: I love my daughter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have loved her since Day 1 (however you might measure that). I'm continually amazed at all the things about her - from the way she stared at everything so intently the moment she was born to all the shifts and changes as she's become a different person over the last nine months. She's incredible and studious and smart and adorable and (yes) perfect.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I thought (hoped) it was just hormones at first. Then I thought it was just trouble adjusting to this big life change. Then I called it by its true name (at least, in my head) and tried to ignore it, and then hoped it would go away on its own. I'm sure many other mothers do this too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I felt so guilty for having postpartum depression. I also felt angry for so many reasons: I couldn't figure out how to do it right (because surely I was doing it wrong). Spousal Unit had (still has) a different parenting style than me and we had trouble compromising (largely because of the depression and hormones). I was also angry because I love being a mom (!) so much more than I thought I would, and I felt like my entire life had been re-written with Tickle (i.e., Child Unit) as the focus ... <i>and I was okay with it.</i> I felt like that made me a bad feminist, or like I was betraying my old self. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a complete 180 from who I once was. Because becoming a mother made me a different person. <i>Is</i> making me a different person. And it's been tough coming to grips with the facts that (a) I would completely give up everything I am in a heartbeat for my daughter, and (b) it's better for both of us if I don't, because I'm a better parent when I take proper care of myself - in all ways.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Medication and therapy have helped a lot. So have Spousal Unit's incredible patience and understanding. So has learning about PPD; it turns out that anger is one of its main symptoms. I had a hard time deciding to start taking meds back in July, but I realized that taking them was, for me, the best way to continue being a positive force in Tickle's life. Taking them was <i>part of</i> being a good parent. The way I felt before and after they kicked in was night and day, and it's noticeable even in pictures.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFG7j57NQnpo1N8npGbmC157bITQi8WS-UCSuRvURl7el2jwaeDBgMczMvZ7fID_wIYOF1nr8ILJzPmw7xy1jAdgD8sFKDZrAlH-uf_UWU1Vmnsx-Ie3ndpycHSJ_HLYyJMScML1BS3CDn/s1600/P6070335a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFG7j57NQnpo1N8npGbmC157bITQi8WS-UCSuRvURl7el2jwaeDBgMczMvZ7fID_wIYOF1nr8ILJzPmw7xy1jAdgD8sFKDZrAlH-uf_UWU1Vmnsx-Ie3ndpycHSJ_HLYyJMScML1BS3CDn/s320/P6070335a.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before - June 2015, 2 1/2 months</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLW74xjvZ3wgprX5xQVffBBOFQy8sMpOnAYpKoXc9_tobUqsZdfW3FRAevFCUCC_dDmdluircwtX0cQOVcIkUkekhGXKcQ8EDz6AXaRkVOQeXU-J9ceKjU-Gzkktx6sOpc6e62Yohn66L/s1600/P8080210a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLW74xjvZ3wgprX5xQVffBBOFQy8sMpOnAYpKoXc9_tobUqsZdfW3FRAevFCUCC_dDmdluircwtX0cQOVcIkUkekhGXKcQ8EDz6AXaRkVOQeXU-J9ceKjU-Gzkktx6sOpc6e62Yohn66L/s320/P8080210a.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After - September 2015, five months</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was like stepping into the wonderful technicolor land of Oz. And hearing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTFUM4Uh_6Y">Nessun Dorma</a>'s triumphant climax for the first time. And catching a whiff of that amazing dish your mom used to make when you were a kid, bringing beautiful memories to life before you.<br />
<br />
All at once.<br />
<br />
I had forgotten it was possible to feel so good. Best of all, I was still capable of feeling a normal amount of sad or angry when appropriate - a big difference from my last experience with antidepressants, 12 years ago. For several months, life was still difficult sometimes (usually due to lack of sleep), but a thousand times more wonderful. I can't imagine what it would have been like to go back to work while feeling like I did before.<br />
<br />
While my mood isn't nearly as bad as it used to be, I've had more trouble since winter began and the days shortened. I've dealt with seasonal affective disorder in the past, and apparently having PPD doesn't give me a pass on it this time around. I've had to remind myself again that taking care of myself <b>is</b> taking care of my family.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://headspace-perspective.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/emptycup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://headspace-perspective.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/emptycup.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://headspace-perspective.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/emptycup.jpg">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Lately this means renewed diligence with taking the meds (because they're still important, damnit) and making time for my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/NatureBright-SunTouch-Light-Therapy-package/dp/B000W8Y7FY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452795307&sr=8-1&keywords=sad+light+nature+bright">SAD light</a>. It's hard to remember that it's okay to put myself first - when I feel like myself, I tend to give away the last cookie, do five "quick" errands before bed, and forget for an hour at a time that I wanted a glass of water. (Really - when I get caught up in something, I even forget that I'm hungry.) I need to remember that feeling well doesn't mean I can slack off on taking care of myself.<br />
<br />
When I feel like a shadow-cloaked beast has taken hold of my soul, showering is a victory. Recognizing that the words I want to say are fueled by depression - and then holding them back - is a triumph. Through all of this - despite all of this - I have loved Tickle and Spousal Unit immensely. Even when I felt suicidal, my warped brain felt that course was the best thing for my family (again, I'm no longer feeling like this, but I still have rough days). I'm emphasizing this because of how often PPD is misunderstood. I want to be transparent about it so that others know that feeling like this doesn't make you broken. It doesn't make you terrible. And asking for help doesn't make you weak.<br />
<br />
I almost didn't write this post because I don't want Tickle to ever think that my PPD and other depression means I didn't love her during those times. I don't want her to think she isn't enough or that anything other than my biology was to blame. But not talking about it is the easy thing, and I don't want her to think that the easy thing is the right thing. I don't want her to be shy away from doing difficult things or having complicated discussions.<br />
<br />
I don't want her to feel embarrassed by or scared of her own feelings.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-35346525796432493282015-07-20T08:38:00.001-05:002015-07-20T08:58:36.062-05:00The Dichotomies of Parenting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Parenting so far has been an adventure in ups and downs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi9s7G8ypCXfkUTp7rbHwbfEjwPWpVCmLs8QjdjYMY2YA98WW9H3-IX19-NQOWv6w9_cnTO1Hh1fa0N9mxyCKRXog-qDFZH9pxJpE3OLEWn6O81bfnxLRCdGgZ40B4FbHfs6bc9O8ZLIn/s1600/IMG_2358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi9s7G8ypCXfkUTp7rbHwbfEjwPWpVCmLs8QjdjYMY2YA98WW9H3-IX19-NQOWv6w9_cnTO1Hh1fa0N9mxyCKRXog-qDFZH9pxJpE3OLEWn6O81bfnxLRCdGgZ40B4FbHfs6bc9O8ZLIn/s320/IMG_2358.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<u>Strength and Weakness of Body</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
My daughter's birth went well. I was healthy throughout pregnancy and she was born with no complications. I'm still amazed at the fact that after she was born - after birthing a freaking child - they gave me ibuprofen, and it was enough to manage the pain. My body makes food for my daughter while I'm busy doing things like taking pictures or cleaning poop off the floor. I was able to function week after week without REM sleep.<br />
<br />
That said, the first week was a trip. I don't deal well with lack of sleep, even now that I have a three-month-old. In the first week, I got so dizzy from lack of sleep and weird hours that I nearly fell over several times. It was enough to make me feel nervous about carrying her from room to room; thankfully, Spousal Unit was home during that time as well. I also got a painful infection, and later that month, I was sick enough that I had to get two liters of IV fluid just to keep from being admitted to the hospital. Once I was finally cleared to hold my daughter again (10 hours later felt like forever), I had to do it while wearing gloves and a mask. But my setbacks don't seem to have bothered her much. She's grown steadily; I marvel at her ability to do what seems like little things, like holding a toy and taking note that the stuff on the other side of the window isn't like the stuff inside the house.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI4YDWRw-uSNjez4Go7b6vqjecXXMiDQUl3Qz5ErEB0rWboJrhcP-H69CJ1aBgtmGuWLDwhUfEINgnkDa-FnRgH0heyKISFibFgpfzzBjkUeruoQ9dJ-dJ6H7ZBz8DE0CI6f3Cg5BQcia/s1600/P6110398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI4YDWRw-uSNjez4Go7b6vqjecXXMiDQUl3Qz5ErEB0rWboJrhcP-H69CJ1aBgtmGuWLDwhUfEINgnkDa-FnRgH0heyKISFibFgpfzzBjkUeruoQ9dJ-dJ6H7ZBz8DE0CI6f3Cg5BQcia/s320/P6110398.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<u>Joy and Sorrow </u><u>at Gaining</u><br />
<br />
I was in the unique position (though probably not as unique as I think) of having to decide, quite actively, whether or not I wanted a child. (Let's not even start on the idea of more than one.) I was torn. Decision made, this naturally leaves me wondering a bit at what life would have been like had I chosen differently. Everything about this new life seems so strange at times; just the phrases "I'm a mother" and "I have a daughter" still have a foreign ring to them. (Luckily, there's Zoloft for that; see "weakness of body" above.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaSv-whmThueUTFOgGTEW8O7d2abMWfViBwgxGO_hfTAXK36cDHOpkZVHyziwpydydIHWEFESVfCX5YxYpVrLDGbz7l90IsxmIJfH2vZEaHVvqSGxUo8vhezbddI2uUyuR0YM16OYpVYQ/s1600/P4240046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaSv-whmThueUTFOgGTEW8O7d2abMWfViBwgxGO_hfTAXK36cDHOpkZVHyziwpydydIHWEFESVfCX5YxYpVrLDGbz7l90IsxmIJfH2vZEaHVvqSGxUo8vhezbddI2uUyuR0YM16OYpVYQ/s320/P4240046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But I do come back to joy again, especially when every time she wakes up, I get a huge smile and legs that kick in excitement. I remember that she will grow, is growing, and (especially after getting a few hours to remember that I am more than just a parent) I just want to spend all evening holding her and hearing her babble.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvA8HQlsklgfmE26tO164K68L9JnQk6AbCn2N3opqdaaRrYL6e-XsEJFyJzqmb_I-6c7NBe4DEzKWrVRsJlK6F-5v79sk9A7KptsDnsG7MBZkUKHfJDOPcZUUq_OBmgcEo-due_hoSLFV4/s1600/P7160034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvA8HQlsklgfmE26tO164K68L9JnQk6AbCn2N3opqdaaRrYL6e-XsEJFyJzqmb_I-6c7NBe4DEzKWrVRsJlK6F-5v79sk9A7KptsDnsG7MBZkUKHfJDOPcZUUq_OBmgcEo-due_hoSLFV4/s320/P7160034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>I Am a Bad/Good Scientist</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am often mistrustful of my scientific instruments. Last week, I attempted to measure my daughter's length for her three-month records, but ended up not writing it down because some part of me does not believe that she really reaches the number 23 on the yellow tape measure. The numbers are all there in stark black contrast, yet I suddenly disbelieved the tape measure. Perhaps I thought it had skipped a number, or the number order changed in the night. Despite the data, I also sometimes jump to the conclusion that if a mosquito bites her, she is definitely going to get malaria. (She's not.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Similarly, I have a hard time believing that these two pictures are of the same baby.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVAujGMJ7HWuFqDfFzMThTYyOUd7M27FiTnRg7xRozY5CwtkcQ7675Gn5w3NUS-CPTiwGTaDPCa_WUGyqf2eZa764URyqXf3AWqVmt36CcVZbsTs90ceBxgTtGn5yT-0gLeTzHuMMArj3/s1600/P5010007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVAujGMJ7HWuFqDfFzMThTYyOUd7M27FiTnRg7xRozY5CwtkcQ7675Gn5w3NUS-CPTiwGTaDPCa_WUGyqf2eZa764URyqXf3AWqVmt36CcVZbsTs90ceBxgTtGn5yT-0gLeTzHuMMArj3/s320/P5010007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two weeks old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycgNmyjlcbhZPYAnlistmbSF1cXN1oiivJ35PIHuAc1WxFxd5Nk9OfFo7gnJ-IwEPGOYDnhrSBMMpze5aowUXCac2IpLSCFBXXee3xokgIPv4ZQjMbBZ_oHltU1YI2wUXUiDomzn_iK1w/s1600/P7050022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycgNmyjlcbhZPYAnlistmbSF1cXN1oiivJ35PIHuAc1WxFxd5Nk9OfFo7gnJ-IwEPGOYDnhrSBMMpze5aowUXCac2IpLSCFBXXee3xokgIPv4ZQjMbBZ_oHltU1YI2wUXUiDomzn_iK1w/s320/P7050022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleven weeks old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sometimes I even have a hard time looking at her and remembering that she started out so small - that I grew her. That my romaine lettuce salad turned into a heart, and a can of pineapple involuntarily consumed in one sitting became neurons and synapses firing that would eventually yield a smile.<br />
<br />
But I am also reconsidering all the things I once took for granted - rerunning old experiments to be sure I haven't missed anything. Apparently a sweater hanging on a chair is fascinating! Who knew that the cat was such a marvel? Consider the sunlight on wood floor, and the way it contrasts with shadow. I'm documenting everything for future review.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwOaGH7VixXcckalsDP_K2g5t4ju69gIIFoZ3yq6-9r9IQpLKShB1-e3Oh_rXZ2K_w9W7j1d2haj9z1iSKqY-BqczxozJ27HP7m3LAinVvJACx1lzt_ZAko_NgI2lYNG6nTHL0K7w7xKb/s1600/P5310311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwOaGH7VixXcckalsDP_K2g5t4ju69gIIFoZ3yq6-9r9IQpLKShB1-e3Oh_rXZ2K_w9W7j1d2haj9z1iSKqY-BqczxozJ27HP7m3LAinVvJACx1lzt_ZAko_NgI2lYNG6nTHL0K7w7xKb/s320/P5310311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And I find myself running the "boop your nose" experiment over and over again, just to hear her laugh.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-12614936129651147722015-02-04T12:33:00.002-06:002015-02-04T12:44:57.473-06:00PUBLIC HONEY<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWPbVO72y_Rx-Uy09_LJGPItamzX4AVcySeSDE2fQl0_jdaJHRvty2GLPCQj5-ewHqm60mt5WEqm76RuAXXnSED5KTRuS9aykp5I-nz28Tw59BcDEYvTgiNLtRotFTaZSYsjwXaSJAP1q/s1600/peach+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWPbVO72y_Rx-Uy09_LJGPItamzX4AVcySeSDE2fQl0_jdaJHRvty2GLPCQj5-ewHqm60mt5WEqm76RuAXXnSED5KTRuS9aykp5I-nz28Tw59BcDEYvTgiNLtRotFTaZSYsjwXaSJAP1q/s1600/peach+flower.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful label looked something like <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4457662496_384b2e9816.jpg">this</a>. But more heavenly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Long ago at work, we received an incredible stash of gifts from our Taiwanese counterparts. They were provided as we began working with them and included several delicious teas and sweets.<br />
<br />
But the best thing of all was an abnormally sized jar of honey, gorgeous, tall and made of glass with a beautiful floral label and covered in a swooping, elegant font beyond my capacity for understanding. I didn't dare touch it; from whence had these gifts come? Were they available to all, or meant to be parsed out for those who worked on the Taiwan project? I didn't know and therefore let the shining bottle be, though an angelic choir seemed to ring out whenever I saw it.<br />
<br />
At some point after the jar's grand opening, a label was affixed to it. A serious label, made with a label maker and declaring in bold, English capital letters beside the swooping Taiwanese that this was a jar of PUBLIC HONEY. I wondered whether, prior to the label being affixed, this had been a jar of private honey, which conjured up questions I dared not consider in the workplace lest the wrath of HR fall upon me and relinquish me of my job. (I'm an editor; they pay me to look for double entendres so they can be avoided. Stop judging me.) Nonetheless, I decided to merely be grateful for the opportunity to enjoy some tasty foreign bee spit.<br />
<br />
It was glorious, a nectar of the gods that somehow missed its flight to Mount Olympus
and wound up in the kitchen instead, between a plethora of
plasticware and packets of creamer. Peach was not only this honey's flavor and scent - it was the core of its being. Where did the peach stop and the honey begin, or vice versa? There was no dividing line. The smooth texture - nay, <i>lack</i> of texture - blended itself thoroughly with any cup of tea. It transformed bowls of mushy oatmeal into heaven-sent ambrosia.<br />
<br />
I am ruined for all other honey.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, being so thoroughly enjoyed as it was, we somehow took its presence for granted and never thought to document that such wonder had once existed in our lives, and we have no images to remind us of yesterday's flavor now that its time has passed. But it lives on in my mind and comes swooping back to memory whenever I taste an inferior blend. You, dear reader, must unfortunately take my word for it: PUBLIC HONEY changed my life for the better, and though it is gone from the jar, it lives on in my mind.<br />
<br />
(And cell composition.)Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-87714775878794169732015-01-04T10:10:00.001-06:002015-01-04T10:10:26.325-06:00A Letter to Michael Jordan<i>*Following is a rather detailed discussion of bacteria and other gross stuff. Finish your breakfast before reading.*</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
Dear <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAr6oAKieHk">Michael Jordan</a>,<br />
<br />
Please be advised that I have within my possession an item that may or may not contain enough of your DNA to clone you. I suggest that you come take it away, because otherwise it may never leave the house.<br />
<br />
Back in his wild and carefree teenage years, Spousal Unit's first job was as a country club <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7YGQjMKNQE">caddy</a>, and one glorious day, he got to caddy not for you, but for your assistant. You spent several hours gallivanting across the course, whacking some balls and talking about others (of the basket/base persuasion, I'd imagine) while Spousal Unit washed your balls.<br />
<br />
He was thrilled, and understandably bragged about it to all his family members upon coming home. (This would have been more impressive to his brother, I imagine, if it hadn't also been his birthday.)<br />
<br />
But back to that DNA sample, from which we might be able to engineer a better baseball player. No, Spousal Unit did not surreptitiously sneak the band aid off your finger - that would have been particularly gross and more than a little creepy. But at the end of the course, you gave him your nearly empty Gatorade bottle to throw away.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFaJr6ZUFSnnkBmgcbFl53U4qBjMa4uSLGbqsQIag_MVNpgQXuXZ84g09Gp3qptUtcqLD2TaOcfjHueZOlbeaT7dCa7JM_-9ultwriDg6xJrD9xaj8FXQV1N8G3EzCfHRpmlk-FGWMkZt/s1600/Jordan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFaJr6ZUFSnnkBmgcbFl53U4qBjMa4uSLGbqsQIag_MVNpgQXuXZ84g09Gp3qptUtcqLD2TaOcfjHueZOlbeaT7dCa7JM_-9ultwriDg6xJrD9xaj8FXQV1N8G3EzCfHRpmlk-FGWMkZt/s1600/Jordan.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjQHpD2WQL4">quenchiest</a>! (<a href="http://ballislife.com/gatorade-michael-jordan/">Source</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Yes, Spousal Unit kept your backwash-filled Gatorade bottle. He didn't even dump out the liquid (which looks like a biohazard even before adding spit to the mix). And he has kept it for fifteen years. For ten years, I've had to either look at or simply be in the presence of this filthy old bottle contaminated by your lip gunk and sweaty palms.<br />
<br />
After the most recent move, I "forgot" to remove it from our battered old car, and it remains on the floor of the back seat along with a frisbee, an ice scraper, and various coinage and dirt. (I considered including a picture, but I don't even want to look at it to aim the camera properly.) However, with an infant soon be added to that mix, I worry that this old bottle will contaminate my child with its fifteen-year-old bacteria just by its mere presence on our property.<br />
<br />
I don't blame you in the least for Spousal Unit keeping it, but there remains the fact that despite my repeated begging and disgusted requests, he will neither relinquish it nor dispose of its contents. I'm of the opinion that he's unlikely to do either unless prompted by your holy self. Please have delivered some worthy replacement item that I can at least surreptitiously wash when he's not looking.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Not a germophobe but just rather grossed out,<br />
AllisonAllisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-85560731626472588012014-11-18T20:37:00.000-06:002014-11-18T20:37:00.629-06:00BalanceIt's been busy at the abode. Spousal Unit turned 30; he threw me a surprise party; I turned 30.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVMLATDvwG7OUgj3rKcInJEg2xakzmXlEEo6_sK42grvrKgdEgyS-tAUXvBKDZ5dOBxZVYJfmCd_HHRWXThCfBCTUa54zLdL3BaOn98Wg56fbol17x6DS44JsbqLbbupwaULdtsBxY_ZU/s1600/Birthday+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVMLATDvwG7OUgj3rKcInJEg2xakzmXlEEo6_sK42grvrKgdEgyS-tAUXvBKDZ5dOBxZVYJfmCd_HHRWXThCfBCTUa54zLdL3BaOn98Wg56fbol17x6DS44JsbqLbbupwaULdtsBxY_ZU/s1600/Birthday+party.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We gained a furnace and a fetus. Oberon had bladder and jealousy issues (he apparently doesn't like my new hormones). We discovered a wasp nest the size of a volleyball (abandoned) and the neighborhood trick-or-treating status (decent). Work has been insane for both of us, to the point where it's a perpetual madhouse.<br />
<br />
But we manage. The anxiety of having a room dedicated to the new stroller and baby clothes is balanced by the excitement of having finished the Tickle's first sweater (Spousal Unit named it; don't worry, that will change).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJw1Kg0BJSvln5g18jx25ZFyau91rlzLQEv7ZWeXDtMoU4h14113fsuZ6JtwOuou7jR3R72tx2pcvwx6vcEebfJHACyJJ-23kIObcKy6HUDPD4aCOXfAXcXgzgbpZJAQhdMoFAdbJg8lLZ/s1600/Tickle's+sweater.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJw1Kg0BJSvln5g18jx25ZFyau91rlzLQEv7ZWeXDtMoU4h14113fsuZ6JtwOuou7jR3R72tx2pcvwx6vcEebfJHACyJJ-23kIObcKy6HUDPD4aCOXfAXcXgzgbpZJAQhdMoFAdbJg8lLZ/s1600/Tickle's%2Bsweater.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.purlsoho.com/_graphics/our-books/last-minute-knitted/childplacketsweater.pdf">Child's Placket-Neck Pullover</a> by Joelle Hoverson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The worry of whether I'm eating enough omega 3s is balanced by the joy of steak. (I promised myself I'd pay attention to my cravings in case they're saying something important. To quote Spousal Unit, the Tickle doesn't know I'm vegetarian and doesn't care.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eyYuExq9snfwl7RhGMooGFmFQVojg8BIOpWnP0XzUCWV8p3-Q1un1WqnlL_DbUZLn4vfnHdI9EGTxT_X8ceVmjDVov8Ji_CqrI_pg93Y-i_SwYbL-OXYK33l0cQ1qytJ1x7s3eTZXJTW/s1600/IMG_1601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eyYuExq9snfwl7RhGMooGFmFQVojg8BIOpWnP0XzUCWV8p3-Q1un1WqnlL_DbUZLn4vfnHdI9EGTxT_X8ceVmjDVov8Ji_CqrI_pg93Y-i_SwYbL-OXYK33l0cQ1qytJ1x7s3eTZXJTW/s1600/IMG_1601.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steak AND lobster!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The stress of whether there will be enough money for three months of maternity leave is balanced by the quiet daydreams of imagining myself out in the garden come springtime, little one in its carrier as we enjoy the sun, however briefly.<br />
<br />
The fear of slipping on our now-icy driveway is soothed by a big bag of salt and imagining this time a year from now, when the Tickle is more than just a light flutter, old enough for its attention to be captured by snow.<br />
<br />
And exhaustion is eased by Spousal Unit's excitement. That's one of the best things about all of this so far: he's so clearly thrilled and devoted and full of love for this little person who's barely half a pound right now. He tells it bedtime stories, calls me his "pregnant Norwegian queen," and jumps to help with anything at all when I so much as sigh (and he helps with visible joy). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytuPQ3zvDU1KpiBB1pFwa3KQbhr3lyH78Zd3IUhTcpHzVhCLaBlkLv-1Z1uoIztJHc32z35VxkKnfPaOQCU_5clxi_L_P5bX53KUokf3nMI3tYC3giKRus0O0WD5R_DYzbezTkDidgWwu/s1600/J,+Tickle,+and+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytuPQ3zvDU1KpiBB1pFwa3KQbhr3lyH78Zd3IUhTcpHzVhCLaBlkLv-1Z1uoIztJHc32z35VxkKnfPaOQCU_5clxi_L_P5bX53KUokf3nMI3tYC3giKRus0O0WD5R_DYzbezTkDidgWwu/s1600/J,+Tickle,+and+I.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
With that in our lives, we will be more than okay.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-2928057461454864322014-09-29T11:26:00.001-05:002014-09-29T11:26:45.287-05:00Letter to OreIda: A Modest Proposal<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfic-qn61m6kp6moP14wZR6pl2nzdD8meaNduMVIctMJ-NWWif3y7483fr4R_jdjwqGo7agY26ah2rVUIMJRkz7QQZHCcGdf98TM-9K8G4Lush118hW9RhPmqm-FbbJ7cpAnR0qPd2ENqb/s1600/Potatoes-Gonna-Potate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfic-qn61m6kp6moP14wZR6pl2nzdD8meaNduMVIctMJ-NWWif3y7483fr4R_jdjwqGo7agY26ah2rVUIMJRkz7QQZHCcGdf98TM-9K8G4Lush118hW9RhPmqm-FbbJ7cpAnR0qPd2ENqb/s1600/Potatoes-Gonna-Potate.jpg" height="314" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a fan of <a href="http://littlefun.org/posts/Potatoes_gonna_potate">potating</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Dear OreIda,<br />
<br />
I write to you with joy in my heart after having consumed half a bag of tater tots. These crispy, chewy, lightly salted pinnacles of starchy excellence are often the highlight of my weary days, when I make it to dinner time only by keeping thoughts of their golden perfection in mind (often accompanied by a heavenly choir).<br />
<br />
It can come as little surprise to you then that I write not only to praise tater tots, but also to request a nationwide french fry ban.<br />
<br />
No, I am not one of those obsessed with calling them "Freedom Fries" instead. I do not stand before you with a flag as my Cape of Justice and a trusty eagle sidekick on my shoulder. I merely wish tater tots to have the rightful respect that is due to them. They deserve a place beside every hamburger, every sandwich, everywhere. For what are french fries but an inferior, long-legged imposter?<br />
<br />
I also request this ban of the inferior potato so that the infamous Spud War of 2014 can at long last come to an end. My Spousal Unit has fallen on the side of evil and is a championer of all things french fry. I narrow my eyes and eat with relish every baked tot in an effort to show him that he's missing the best part of life on this earth. However, he continues about his misinformed lifestyle, and we have not known a peaceful night's rest since this war began yesterday evening. I do not wish to see him succumb to the ways of shepherd's pie and potato soup.<br />
<br />
Should I have the wherewithal and the necessary sticking power, I will one day seek to ban all other forms of potato as well. For who would want the sad squish of mashed potatoes when there could be a crispy, golden tower to illuminate a steak? Who would seek the excessive crunch of hash browns over this starchy idol of all spuds everywhere?<br />
<br />
I begin, however, by eliminating my enemies one at a time. Hear my plea: Stand up for all that is right in the world. Stand up for that which is good and right and perfectly textured.<br />
<br />
Stand up for the tater tot.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
A proper starch aficionado,<br />
AllisonAllisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-65565931491755861992014-09-11T13:08:00.004-05:002014-09-11T13:08:58.955-05:00Hiatus of Unusual Size, Part I: The GardenHi all - been a while. Distractions abound. I'm trying to get back into the swing of it - I haven't had a blogging hiatus like this since I started this up in 2011. Time to regroup, which may happen in fits and starts, but I'll do my best.<br />
<br />
What's been distracting me? Well, you know. Life. My next couple of posts will feature a lot of backlog, and mostly pictures, as I find it easier to get a post going when there's an image to go with it.<br />
<br />
First: the great outdoors. Earlier this summer, Spousal Unit and I decided to make good use of our fire pit. We proceeded to buy a ton of logs from the grocery store. You know, the paper-wrapped ones they sell next to the coolant and motor oil. (That should have been a clue.)<br />
<br />
One night, Spousal Unit didn't just put out the fire: he hosed it out, dumping the ashy water onto our yard. We ended up with dead grass and weird mushrooms.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUmV_2AJO5qFF3ArWacXeQAfq9ymegRBiN7pI1sTr_Q5lt97r0i1b618kyA1xnah5FEx39UeQQZovjMlyq_Yrg_NiB2nLzY6oLraqFEHDkWJAJer5T8u2GZ-K3guWNw5yM2QIqQwDtm4n/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUmV_2AJO5qFF3ArWacXeQAfq9ymegRBiN7pI1sTr_Q5lt97r0i1b618kyA1xnah5FEx39UeQQZovjMlyq_Yrg_NiB2nLzY6oLraqFEHDkWJAJer5T8u2GZ-K3guWNw5yM2QIqQwDtm4n/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Not <i>quite</i> a fairy ring.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
So that's gross and disturbing, and we're never buying chemically treated logs again. Turns out they sell regular firewood at the grocer's too. Thank goodness.<br />
<br />
That's the less-than-pleasant stuff out of the way. (Aside from the hornets in the shed, but everyone has hornets in the shed, don't they?) Our backyard flower bed continues to amaze us with its beauty and ever-changing hues. I didn't know sedum did more than turn green, but apparently, it does.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZe0RkoSKR1zi0HtCwbGlf3BnznDJzKVFXXVgKQGTQoAHI8IOnRgSwZum6e0NXNHOK_TaW5jINSGfeAtOiNxSpjI9kf-_NVJqkJBWbIwq8vriztGeyzrPl4rQR_zhYy5xax0cvNfebCzU/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZe0RkoSKR1zi0HtCwbGlf3BnznDJzKVFXXVgKQGTQoAHI8IOnRgSwZum6e0NXNHOK_TaW5jINSGfeAtOiNxSpjI9kf-_NVJqkJBWbIwq8vriztGeyzrPl4rQR_zhYy5xax0cvNfebCzU/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(The bees love it.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There are mums and hostas and something that is probably a weed, but it's pretty so I don't care.<br />
<br />
My garden has turned out really well for being the first year. The basil was amazing, and we even got lots of good carrots. Next year, the tomatoes need some breathing room, though.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWK8XJJCN-KaHtJeoank5qmHp7jnzixu2sgrfew8t5SWQ1vhAa-jVbv0F8N5NQJ-NmGA-vs6rUDT6qs-uggSBb1o-sYy-RFjRQrJWPyBc0AsNmULXqhTMafZPU6tAQm-bBB69n0ZHdkU88/s1600/IMG_1316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWK8XJJCN-KaHtJeoank5qmHp7jnzixu2sgrfew8t5SWQ1vhAa-jVbv0F8N5NQJ-NmGA-vs6rUDT6qs-uggSBb1o-sYy-RFjRQrJWPyBc0AsNmULXqhTMafZPU6tAQm-bBB69n0ZHdkU88/s1600/IMG_1316.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The last task of the season (aside from herb drying and pesto/sauce making) is to Trim All the Things. The backyard bushes are unwieldy, and there's some kind of fake rose bush out front (meaning it produces thorns, but no roses), so that has to go. Apparently I have to wrap it in plastic wrap in order to avoid a lashing. (I don't remember where I heard that from, so if anyone has better suggestions, I'm all ears.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6XPuqr0Ft3_x03Lici-YSQy0-fhHKciEACty1dGXKRv_xcP-SUjUiuQ_N3QjhgLlIsAnMYJqUypQEpv0NA87IJgU-K1VoaPkjTAI7Cy6DUqTIhE7KbGD5yJyO1Ge_xx2jmUO7hABb9ZE/s1600/IMG_1322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6XPuqr0Ft3_x03Lici-YSQy0-fhHKciEACty1dGXKRv_xcP-SUjUiuQ_N3QjhgLlIsAnMYJqUypQEpv0NA87IJgU-K1VoaPkjTAI7Cy6DUqTIhE7KbGD5yJyO1Ge_xx2jmUO7hABb9ZE/s1600/IMG_1322.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After this season, zinnias are my new favorite flowers. After lilacs and alstroemeria, of course.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-56178784169798181682014-07-23T13:30:00.000-05:002014-07-23T13:32:13.908-05:00Greens and Wild Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been romping around the garden a lot lately. This might look like a forest to you, and it is. But <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0196229/quotes">what is this, a forest for ants?</a> Yes actually. These are my carrots. (Dear ants, kindly ignore my previous invitation and leave my carrots alone. You're far too bitey for my liking.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYp4urQ61ktteRtAa0Qyfx4fNWjby8HOvwE93_lXouakUqmZKdvEo7c0C19AE3w2DKjh-PBt4a79Tu6cejm_6yzxxmtdMyi38YGqJO5TLJReVnsOOdE_Y-C_zRBB7xci8r6tUDIj62eeQu/s1600/IMG_0793.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></div>
<br />
My tomatoes are making huge strides. I was kind of terrified that they would all make it and I'd have to make enough sauce for a small Italian village, but the first two have rotted before ripening already. So we're good. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSjmPlOIe1R6PVjWRo1xhjPS-2q_Kaiq8mOq6Q9ui5KPXqHAAShJs_nCLTBHNzHqalT7sozzrufDgG_NP-obVZCYOLk-YOJAFxczyzAACnA4h4pweT6I__ty8fuh0hbRMrGduI4Kq7Cv2/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSjmPlOIe1R6PVjWRo1xhjPS-2q_Kaiq8mOq6Q9ui5KPXqHAAShJs_nCLTBHNzHqalT7sozzrufDgG_NP-obVZCYOLk-YOJAFxczyzAACnA4h4pweT6I__ty8fuh0hbRMrGduI4Kq7Cv2/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
(I might be the only gardener who roots for tomato death.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSwJdxMikKhttPFFrPs5CpX6VVyyIj2Agy7BqGtQm05tNPfHLJJFpbYNdtR4KS-o-GsQGb6gbz58nMg54GHQbyVusjRMRHsl7YdqJkWB45734rZ8UvGh1YgDOnK_kWDkonDp52DY0IMEH/s1600/IMG_0801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSwJdxMikKhttPFFrPs5CpX6VVyyIj2Agy7BqGtQm05tNPfHLJJFpbYNdtR4KS-o-GsQGb6gbz58nMg54GHQbyVusjRMRHsl7YdqJkWB45734rZ8UvGh1YgDOnK_kWDkonDp52DY0IMEH/s1600/IMG_0801.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This corner is my whole edible garden, but the plot is five times this size. Maybe I'll fill it with more than weeds next year. My three basil plants are enormous, the oregano's coming along nicely, and the parsley is still piddly. Please note the tiny pink statue, which is awkward and terrifying and really good at keeping the rabbits from eating all my noms.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJoqmhQ2vL14Zzi0kUfX0SDDyC1IO-GkKID7dXDsp2mCBLalPcoeNOcs_hqf9K110A_-Aexf_ROYbqFbYYZdOHSymEkKsYUnOCj02n7jU_xjjc9L5POhq_-gzBpH4G5eqrsn29zdqc-xb/s1600/IMG_0805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJoqmhQ2vL14Zzi0kUfX0SDDyC1IO-GkKID7dXDsp2mCBLalPcoeNOcs_hqf9K110A_-Aexf_ROYbqFbYYZdOHSymEkKsYUnOCj02n7jU_xjjc9L5POhq_-gzBpH4G5eqrsn29zdqc-xb/s1600/IMG_0805.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's the female version of St. Fiacre. Except she's not also the <a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=276">patron saint of Parisan cab drivers</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My snapdragons in the front yard are ginormophone and super sassy, the way snapdragons should be.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JF2dxjC8DelIO0hMHLnt_c2p-oqWANwQyFwnw3Z6q70cis-_GUYMPB_MX5Fp6tt0TpSRq_jRdO7n1kVsbHhb3Se68eeOu-gdd6dzq00iO5E6yXZw-05THab-eiKfbnFQi9Y1EJBXrg6f/s1600/IMG_0810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JF2dxjC8DelIO0hMHLnt_c2p-oqWANwQyFwnw3Z6q70cis-_GUYMPB_MX5Fp6tt0TpSRq_jRdO7n1kVsbHhb3Se68eeOu-gdd6dzq00iO5E6yXZw-05THab-eiKfbnFQi9Y1EJBXrg6f/s1600/IMG_0810.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Then there's this guy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHVKACNg-TTBZiXwnIfewBZPAVuRyu7tMp34FpP3lsm45cFE7DXO0ffwdDxIydseiYC5MLkAQyHS4QTxg1tdB1Ri6EWYSWokfX6G1zDE8oJyrp30W7Rsx0UuvZ3krC9ZKaIqaQwfcgP8D/s1600/IMG_0886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHVKACNg-TTBZiXwnIfewBZPAVuRyu7tMp34FpP3lsm45cFE7DXO0ffwdDxIydseiYC5MLkAQyHS4QTxg1tdB1Ri6EWYSWokfX6G1zDE8oJyrp30W7Rsx0UuvZ3krC9ZKaIqaQwfcgP8D/s1600/IMG_0886.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://arresteddevelopment.wikia.com/wiki/Cindy_the_Ostrich">Cindy the ostrich!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After romping around the garden, I went to the zoo last weekend, where lots of critters stared us down.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKH5TWv-S28uyjAm0RM4xbdxuVcm2IA1lzccOqTbYXXiXpTBCs54eQB449m7MyW3Jb8P1xDiSkkWJylEQ6Sz1Dw14XWMAC78iSJ9DV5apGKE1UjsueeDS7Fxj2w0yIvdYAtHY3pGqDvxM/s1600/IMG_0899a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKH5TWv-S28uyjAm0RM4xbdxuVcm2IA1lzccOqTbYXXiXpTBCs54eQB449m7MyW3Jb8P1xDiSkkWJylEQ6Sz1Dw14XWMAC78iSJ9DV5apGKE1UjsueeDS7Fxj2w0yIvdYAtHY3pGqDvxM/s1600/IMG_0899a.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gibbon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I allowed them to stare right back. It was only fair.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-68260260285360103612014-07-04T10:31:00.002-05:002014-07-04T10:31:55.619-05:00The Joys of a Kitchen Bigger Than a Breadbox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our CSA through Circle M Farm has started up again, and it's been amazing. Every other Thursday when we pick up our box is like a delicious, strange Christmas - after three years, Spousal Unit and I are still surprised at some of the stuff that graces our kitchen.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This year, we finally have a fridge big enough to house the fresh greens and produce. In past years, our tiny apartment fridges barely fit everything, and the tails of greenery would spill out of the sensitive crisper drawer and even hang out of the fridge door. Cramming everything in like that sometimes meant things went bad more quickly - there was no room to set a glassful of fresh herbs. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The benefits of our house keep surprising me. I've never needed more than a stove and a sink and a handful of fresh ingredients to cook great food and enjoy doing it. But it's a little more fun when you can move the teapot to a different counter instead of a different room to avoid oil splatters. I have more room to dance while listening to music as I cook, so it feels like my joy is bigger. (I have more counters to clean too, but I'll take it.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And who wouldn't be happy to clean counters that held such an amazing spread?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG67H1GzdR4_DPB0NmzdogX8y_cMxZIujtW-2hOpLKK980-ftwZp1hAx1mnrFK0FmH-xGy7ETtyuOMaDJukE18dep3zKkKVycNkO6VlOzdl5vOw7XmQXo2R27xrTs2oyLv-Oq5dQBjPIZT/s1600/IMG_0763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG67H1GzdR4_DPB0NmzdogX8y_cMxZIujtW-2hOpLKK980-ftwZp1hAx1mnrFK0FmH-xGy7ETtyuOMaDJukE18dep3zKkKVycNkO6VlOzdl5vOw7XmQXo2R27xrTs2oyLv-Oq5dQBjPIZT/s1600/IMG_0763.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the more interesting things here: new beets, horseradish root, <br />milkweed pods, nasturtium salad, lemon balm ... Okay, it's all interesting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The white flowers are elderberry blossoms - wonderfully fragrant and <i>edible!</i> <a href="http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/blflowers.htm">Edible flowers</a> are so much fun. Circle M provided a <a href="http://www.farmerkriss.com/recipes">recipe for elderberry blossom fritters</a> on their website, and I couldn't wait to try them. I've had an aversion to frying things in oil ever since I burned my armpit while making tempura (I've sucked it up in the past to make <a href="http://deviantdispatches.blogspot.com/2011/04/egg-rolls-and-ecstasy.html">egg rolls</a>), but I was too excited about this to worry much. Medium heat proved perfect on my electric stove.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBVB84e36x6QpsywqVKlEfE7AlyIPTQ7-VuALHCpbO0KiSXD5JPQgh3AZXAAIM-elCN2uCI2nMYy5qaxtAhn0mT7dPCEGBSPp1F_x_etHKmqyR5kQ83Fq1AzyUvOYM2kIE8nJHzrNbUcq/s1600/IMG_0767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBVB84e36x6QpsywqVKlEfE7AlyIPTQ7-VuALHCpbO0KiSXD5JPQgh3AZXAAIM-elCN2uCI2nMYy5qaxtAhn0mT7dPCEGBSPp1F_x_etHKmqyR5kQ83Fq1AzyUvOYM2kIE8nJHzrNbUcq/s1600/IMG_0767.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QaC0NLYufQhOThcg5pNEnTqW2jPyCGmww3OKet6-TQunrhNxaKcy9_t-TV4ocy7AwPISow2DUpSkF2f3TuiSQBunbvo4ZQBJZxuLFBT7VagOzI-aRBB_U4Ir-y-GPeECnY_C5MjceroB/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QaC0NLYufQhOThcg5pNEnTqW2jPyCGmww3OKet6-TQunrhNxaKcy9_t-TV4ocy7AwPISow2DUpSkF2f3TuiSQBunbvo4ZQBJZxuLFBT7VagOzI-aRBB_U4Ir-y-GPeECnY_C5MjceroB/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa9gJZS5lH9nJ50PL9p9pZrXN-6QUkFtFDJ1wg60O4jCF8OZezd6VDNYhA-2tszOVBSXD3v9stKyt1OZ9QjjYDEfyr9t3DLph_t4fRmB_-PRJBK5lyY67wD_i1maqguk36nTAxfTe-bZb/s1600/IMG_0766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa9gJZS5lH9nJ50PL9p9pZrXN-6QUkFtFDJ1wg60O4jCF8OZezd6VDNYhA-2tszOVBSXD3v9stKyt1OZ9QjjYDEfyr9t3DLph_t4fRmB_-PRJBK5lyY67wD_i1maqguk36nTAxfTe-bZb/s1600/IMG_0766.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
They turned out perfectly - nothing burned, nothing undercooked. With a dash of powdered sugar, they looked like a fantastic reinvention of funnel cake. The stems were excellent temporary handles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0H_ccUJlgWQVeesYrW300cpjLbe238TLE-pT-DeZ0u1ekSfKiKePZGEbYDaA7U1b6033H-5unr8STkQCNMq3zRqYJ7c2auhNdhtE-0zxC458HK8nHPpOYY5cnH8ekfCHcr9y7ilLdosc/s1600/IMG_0771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0H_ccUJlgWQVeesYrW300cpjLbe238TLE-pT-DeZ0u1ekSfKiKePZGEbYDaA7U1b6033H-5unr8STkQCNMq3zRqYJ7c2auhNdhtE-0zxC458HK8nHPpOYY5cnH8ekfCHcr9y7ilLdosc/s1600/IMG_0771.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I set out a ramekin of mixed berries (also from the farm - blackcaps, strawberries, currants, gooseberries, and mulberries) and some syrup, unsure of how I might best like these. But I didn't even touch the syrup. The berries, slightly mashed with a dash of milk, were just the right accompaniment for the floral symphony.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOsXb4UvuP61ywRROIr91X0cfrW-G2BTQa0CxrADmWN2KNP2ebk38aEPs7GwZ9ImQLOUOWJY3kmM2RMOf_hJ6CMijmrXIhmD0agrdjwiH0dOyLwH5Ol8mc9LJpF5jJniIUquTkFVdbpJa/s1600/IMG_0772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOsXb4UvuP61ywRROIr91X0cfrW-G2BTQa0CxrADmWN2KNP2ebk38aEPs7GwZ9ImQLOUOWJY3kmM2RMOf_hJ6CMijmrXIhmD0agrdjwiH0dOyLwH5Ol8mc9LJpF5jJniIUquTkFVdbpJa/s1600/IMG_0772.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Meals like this are why the futuristic dinner in pill form would be an awful invention.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-29989365745364120612014-06-17T07:30:00.001-05:002014-06-17T07:57:15.655-05:00Ancient History<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkI1qYzOWIbhPJRkmiKcX2GSw8B3moz4TrKoBslNIzsJ9Qo79cBnx5u-gGqpAoMf3Uaq0dYTxydQsp5ZVUtQ8pk0F_bEbhPEizwHwdSAV1Ra_1Icancuj1kHlZTaP6H-JU2lWQK_F9UjP/s1600/IMG_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkI1qYzOWIbhPJRkmiKcX2GSw8B3moz4TrKoBslNIzsJ9Qo79cBnx5u-gGqpAoMf3Uaq0dYTxydQsp5ZVUtQ8pk0F_bEbhPEizwHwdSAV1Ra_1Icancuj1kHlZTaP6H-JU2lWQK_F9UjP/s1600/IMG_0611.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Lately, I've been going through boxes of stuff from my former life (a.k.a., pre-Spousal Unit). The nostalgia is like crack. Musty-smelling crack, but still addictive.<br />
<br />
Starting on the left: My <u>Poetic License</u>, from high school English teacher Mr. Poss, famous for things such as throwing his keys at the PA system during class interruptions and reading us the "cease and desist" letter from a magazine sick of sifting through bad teen poetry. Definitely one of my formative teachers.<br />
<br />
<u>Star Wars Bedsheets</u>. They're for a twin bed, though, so they're currently useless. Doesn't mean I'm getting rid of them, though!<br />
<br />
My <u>Softball Glove</u>, from when I played catch as a kid. I can't remember if it was too small for me by the time I joined the middle school softball team.<br />
<br />
<u>Mission T-Shirt</u>. In the '90s, there was this thing where a school bus was decked out as a space shuttle. Teachers interviewed for a crew, and kids were "hired" to visit schools decked out as imaginary planets. It was the best thing ever. I was a radio journalist and got to be on the radio for it (you'll be shocked to hear that the DJ kept making me get closer to the microphone because I was so quiet).<br />
<br />
<u>A Care Bear and a My Little Pony</u>. I had a serious obsession with these things. The pony one lasted much longer; I still have all of mine. I also just sent Brave Heart Lion through the wash (his poor, poor mane ...).<br />
<br />
On the Care Bear is a <u>Packers Superbowl Hat</u> from the '90s. The basement is too far away right now for me to go see which superbowl it's from, so you'll have to live with the mystery.<br />
<br />
<u>Dr. Friedeck's No Cavity Club T-Shirt</u>. I found a lot of old shirts in these boxes, but this is one of few that doesn't fit me anymore. I can still wear shirts from fifth grade (and did yesterday, in fact), but this one must be from third or earlier, pre-growth spurt. Dr. Friedeck's office had a Big Bird that disguised a helium tank (I think it was at least five feet tall), and I often got balloons after the appointment.<br />
<br />
And last, <u>A Porcelain Tea Set</u>. I was such a little shrimp when I played with this, but all the pieces are still there and in the original packaging. I don't think anything's even chipped. The packaging's a bit of a mess, though; I used to tear pieces of the styrofoam off and pretend they were food.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-27602854640680813712014-06-16T07:19:00.003-05:002014-06-16T07:19:41.650-05:00More Funk Than a '70s Prom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's been a rough couple of weeks. There have been Reasons, certainly, but it all seems to have had a greater effect. Readers might have noted that I haven't blogged with any frequency lately, and I also haven't worked on the novel in ... two weeks, I think? That's unheard of for me. On top of that, I haven't been knitting. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This too shall pass. So here are some pictures and a vague attempt at shaking some of this off.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some good stuff has happened. The poppies in the backyard bloomed. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrH2LHMyg7CalmasXaEkQvc-Gaim_EYHB_G0-zg9CsZoCDn7b8brwnYK_jUmqpMr-m61g5Wp0QL2Y3_XxGLp9wMkSTMstAbSMnbU2OckCIeba3_Yb61U4swiYgcRziRi1WbBy82tiAfW5h/s1600/IMG_0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrH2LHMyg7CalmasXaEkQvc-Gaim_EYHB_G0-zg9CsZoCDn7b8brwnYK_jUmqpMr-m61g5Wp0QL2Y3_XxGLp9wMkSTMstAbSMnbU2OckCIeba3_Yb61U4swiYgcRziRi1WbBy82tiAfW5h/s1600/IMG_0551.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I had fun with my hair.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4_9K3R-AHciFcN_iSBn_jCAeiXHXRJdvGJRY_WLnIfnaXGmk-T3DbxZ2kJEXbbDdGQv6cy4woBIklWjI7vQJkbhhjWFHkDRhx40Vbz2MMIjEDTbYwaVNSxdN2OombCUaqTE8H_YC_o4v/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4_9K3R-AHciFcN_iSBn_jCAeiXHXRJdvGJRY_WLnIfnaXGmk-T3DbxZ2kJEXbbDdGQv6cy4woBIklWjI7vQJkbhhjWFHkDRhx40Vbz2MMIjEDTbYwaVNSxdN2OombCUaqTE8H_YC_o4v/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Some friends got married in spectacular fashion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVU3tMyHLk3nZAddNGFlprVCk7YpFqFoE3xwZAQake0Pp4dInOKHJyYDKZvUa-tkY8Rg19IDa9XXXD7nKsEXkaW851945rvmJJoYINRopwwdSfblzAf7aeHVMUNebe5PA3n5miG4t1_OM/s1600/IMG_0579a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVU3tMyHLk3nZAddNGFlprVCk7YpFqFoE3xwZAQake0Pp4dInOKHJyYDKZvUa-tkY8Rg19IDa9XXXD7nKsEXkaW851945rvmJJoYINRopwwdSfblzAf7aeHVMUNebe5PA3n5miG4t1_OM/s1600/IMG_0579a.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
(There was even <a href="http://www.myjewishlearning.com/culture/2/Music/Israeli_Music/Folk_Music/Hava_Nagila.shtml">chair dancing</a>.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8Ozf8bbV6ONc9JIPnXqVpPVL24lbaDHSbDKvtmabgPv3g7da7B11Gz0KL-hqh5Ng7zumVbfkhY2oRuWggw2iBz8-Pp-0s3WHluhYBD6NibMjWQ2Xu0YC_UrPrBfdilOI5j3ZLLyd0Sss/s1600/IMG_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8Ozf8bbV6ONc9JIPnXqVpPVL24lbaDHSbDKvtmabgPv3g7da7B11Gz0KL-hqh5Ng7zumVbfkhY2oRuWggw2iBz8-Pp-0s3WHluhYBD6NibMjWQ2Xu0YC_UrPrBfdilOI5j3ZLLyd0Sss/s1600/IMG_0598.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We celebrated Avatar Day, this year by watching season one of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1695360/">The Legend of Korra</a> in anticipation of season two.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImirG9pkQ60u5WAPRsXA5YEqLm_xJ0Vs_mvxkZi17jBqsCexYq9fZAiKEmGY-haadRaEitHMSwmpdSue8mUqgWDnOF93RAdxofrZe7LvQsnsxZ0h_sFeJGn5tQM_wKVg7_3QFuOg7bj0d/s1600/IMG_0642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImirG9pkQ60u5WAPRsXA5YEqLm_xJ0Vs_mvxkZi17jBqsCexYq9fZAiKEmGY-haadRaEitHMSwmpdSue8mUqgWDnOF93RAdxofrZe7LvQsnsxZ0h_sFeJGn5tQM_wKVg7_3QFuOg7bj0d/s1600/IMG_0642.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Happy Avatar Day Father Lord." Thought I was being clever, but apparently we did this <a href="http://deviantdispatches.blogspot.com/2013/06/happy-avatar-day-father-lord.html">last year too</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I got to see my nephew again for the first time in nearly two months. He has teeth! And the most expressive little soul-stare.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGjvpZ4z6YcNwCFRbUaPBdwSNo9NhQnweLsQ6nZmXdth90O6w2F6PprXdr5aP6eYuA3T5kgIiJDRvHoo8wirncYesoRj01ur_jYPsGKeo_kdVeRrr9h5LbkIa6FwjRhYUh70Q3uopb0hM/s1600/IMG_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGjvpZ4z6YcNwCFRbUaPBdwSNo9NhQnweLsQ6nZmXdth90O6w2F6PprXdr5aP6eYuA3T5kgIiJDRvHoo8wirncYesoRj01ur_jYPsGKeo_kdVeRrr9h5LbkIa6FwjRhYUh70Q3uopb0hM/s1600/IMG_0654.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-39166116595891990442014-06-03T08:24:00.000-05:002014-06-03T08:24:42.305-05:00Things I Say to My Cats That I Shouldn't Say to a Kid(At least, to one who understands language.)<br />
<br />
I don't think I need to emphasize too heavily that there's swearing ahead ... .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoAMP0qH1SSnORRcgA9Hh1OvuRjnHKB_E0U_I5vn7gOoM1J_yXMT7wsVanrTPJvVoL9qfGagtA_D9ZlFYih_JBfWyOvW3vqpgoyN-b1Kl5oneTXSY2XEec6bgUkbwKWKJ_Z4Sjr82JZ4m/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoAMP0qH1SSnORRcgA9Hh1OvuRjnHKB_E0U_I5vn7gOoM1J_yXMT7wsVanrTPJvVoL9qfGagtA_D9ZlFYih_JBfWyOvW3vqpgoyN-b1Kl5oneTXSY2XEec6bgUkbwKWKJ_Z4Sjr82JZ4m/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2pkpaBYT8whb_Ze9PcQRK9fxPortB5QGiWNHh8JXG_wpGt2_D8vjHR65PE7WfPxU2f-3lKtJf_FLEpjIXhPP3Ckmm2HZcV_v9t5c7gTl5jVM5fxM1Pkh9AZIrQVZpzxNRLb-2ImNpTMZ/s1600/IMG_0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2pkpaBYT8whb_Ze9PcQRK9fxPortB5QGiWNHh8JXG_wpGt2_D8vjHR65PE7WfPxU2f-3lKtJf_FLEpjIXhPP3Ckmm2HZcV_v9t5c7gTl5jVM5fxM1Pkh9AZIrQVZpzxNRLb-2ImNpTMZ/s1600/IMG_0513.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
If you weren't lying on the floor like an <i>asshole,</i> then maybe I wouldn't have stepped on you.<br />
<br />
You JUST ate. You're not good enough to deserve more food yet.<br />
<br />
If you keep whining, I will <i>never</i> feed you again. <br />
<br />
No, I'm not letting you outside today. Or tomorrow. Or ever.<br />
<br />
If you wake me again tonight, I'm going to lock you in the basement for the next six hours.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mandatory.com/2013/05/22/the-100-greatest-quotes-from-arrested-development/">Stop <i>licking</i> my <i>hand,</i> you horse's ass.</a><br />
<br />
Maybe if you behave, I won't get rid of you.<br />
<br />
Get off my pillow or I will throw you across the room. <br />
<br />
Look! It's the neighbor's angry dog. You should go outside and play with it!<br />
<br />
Stop peeing in your cage. We're only going to the doctor. (For some reason, I imagine this being said by <a href="http://venturefans.org/vbwiki/Brock_Samson">Brock Samson</a> of Venture Brothers.)Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608007945774659316.post-23869072442835914372014-05-27T07:48:00.001-05:002014-05-27T09:10:42.750-05:00Mailbox TreasureLast week, I ordered several books that are out of print on this glorious invention, the internet. This doesn't have nearly the same soothing effects of wandering about a used bookstore for several hours, though it does have better end results (if your goal is to actually get the books you want, which is not always my purpose in such heavenly realms).<br />
<br />
The nice side effect of ordering books online is the excitement to greet the mailbox at end of day. Rather than flyers that might (but never do) have coupons for things you need, piles of bills, and bribes that would turn on you later if you were dense enough to take them, there might be a package with your name on it and, within, brilliantly arranged bits of tree pulp with just the right ink upon the pages. It's even more exciting when they're books you've wanted for years.<br />
<br />
For example, the only one of five that I've received so far is <a href="http://www.citylights.com/ferlinghetti/">Lawrence Ferlinghetti's</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63477.Pictures_of_the_Gone_World">Pictures From the Gone World</a>. I love his unusual arrangement of words and the false cheer in his cynicism. My favorite poem in this book is <a href="http://www.lyrikline.org/de/gedichte/pictures-gone-world-11-2726#.U4ScxyjdKac">"The world is a beautiful place,"</a> which, contrary to its first line, is not the kind of poem you should necessarily read first thing in the morning.<br />
<br />
I also ordered Ferlinghetti's <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/99713.A_Coney_Island_of_the_Mind">A Coney Island of the Mind</a>, mostly because I'm looking for a single poem of his - the one that piqued my interest in his work years ago. Unfortunately, all I remember about it is there's a tulip in it somewhere. That's not terribly helpful to me, especially when his works are so numerous and nearly every poet writes about flowers.<br />
<br />
At some point in college, a friend introduced me to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41887.Uncle_Shelby_s_ABZ_Book?ac=1">Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/435477.Shel_Silverstein">Shel Silverstein</a>. I provided a dramatic reading on the spot for everyone in the room, and it was delightful fun to read aloud. But don't let Silverstein's typical nature and the colorful cover fool you: this is not a children's book. Unless you want your kids to throw eggs at the ceiling, cut your hair in your sleep, and have nightmares.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwcMtRSSTrvjr2ppdKm65oAcHxHJAINitkVInkoicsOJvTNEWZaCjE3vvQl6Zmu1clSATGUkrccyVuMORPlKAhNfQtRdfrTQQcHKQwp9aHWAJWyh1uX4iZjhRlDu0GwD0k626X3RcFAlg/s1600/E+is+for+egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwcMtRSSTrvjr2ppdKm65oAcHxHJAINitkVInkoicsOJvTNEWZaCjE3vvQl6Zmu1clSATGUkrccyVuMORPlKAhNfQtRdfrTQQcHKQwp9aHWAJWyh1uX4iZjhRlDu0GwD0k626X3RcFAlg/s1600/E+is+for+egg.jpg" height="320" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.vintagechildrensbooksmykidloves.com/2011/08/uncle-shelbys-abz-book.html">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On Saturday, I suddenly remembered that Monday (yesterday) was not a mail day here in the US. I got incredibly sad, and as Monday felt a lot like a Saturday to me, I kept eyeing the mailbox each time I walked in the front door. And then I remembered all over again that no post would be coming and my world crumbled around me.<br />
<br />
But I can't wait to get home today. Hopefully another bit of well-arranged tree pulp will be waiting for me.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695702772280501721noreply@blogger.com0