Choir

On Thursday, my kids and I went to our elementary school for a free concert given by The Singing Children of Africa, a choir from Kenya. My eyes teared up the second these bright-eyed, fresh-faced kids danced in.

It all started when Maureen McIntyre and her husband were in Kenya on a vacation. Circumstances led them to a little boy named Samson Chivatsi, a boy that they ended up sponsoring. After helping poverty-stricken children gain access to education (from which some of their funds were used elsewhere), they decided to open up their own school in an old disco club. They named it the Samson Civatsi African Children's Appeal. The school employs over 40 local people ) a huge boost to the community), and is educating over 750 children at this time. Things that have been noted in the community with the addition of this school is peace in a time when other areas of Kenya are surrounded in violence. (Did any of you read Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortensen? It teaches the same principle, give children a future by educating them and you will have less violence and war.) Their booklet says that recently the charity has acquired some traditional African houses next to the orphanage (another charity they started) that will be converted to workshops for making jewelry and other local crafts, providing jobs and skills training for the young people of the village. Can you imagine how much of a difference this one woman's goal to enhance the life of the people in this village?

In any case, I was so touched by these children who were singing and dancing. Many of them are orphans that have found a home in this charity. They tour in order to raise money to build, furnish and fund the Joshua Tree orphanage, to make others aware of this charity's work. We left donations as we left. I think a lot of time we are looking to help in some small way, but don't know where to begin or don't feel like we have the time. If you feel like you want to learn more, go to http://www.educatethekids.com/ and http://www.singingchildrenofafrica.org.uk/Welcome.html.

This is out of character for me, I don't like to feel as though I am preaching, but I wanted to share how this touched me.

some songs from college

Today I heard one of these songs on the radio and it threw me in to flashback craziness - you know the Sidney Bristow-type where a million different memories pop like flashes of light in your brain? Nothing too crazy here, just the ones I could remember - ooh, I forgot Toad the Wet Sprocket - next mix.

Do you think that with every gymnastics uniform the gymnast also receives very large bag with barrettes and multiple scrunchies?

I like to paint, I like to work with paper, I like to sew. I am just starting to work up any talent in the craftiness realm. I have made things for myself that people have then asked me to make for them or for them to give as gifts. That is rewarding. It is also rewarding to be asked to sell at boutiques and local stores. But it is time consuming, and fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on the day) I am at a time when the dedication and time that needs to be committed to such endeavors is far less than I have after the rigors and joys (cheesy word, yes, but don't know quite how else to express it) of being a mother and wife and neighbor and rester of my own head.

I have to have more than one thing to define me - sorry but true. I grew up in a home where my mom somehow fed, bathed, pta'd, ironed, mowed the lawn, sewed our clothes, painted all things with a surface, worked in the community, loved us and still had time to have friends. Maybe she set a bad example of self-mastery, I don't know. Being a mom and wife is foremost in my life, as it should be. Sometimes I have to escape that reality (especially this last dingbatty year) and I paint, sew, sneak in a girls' night or just hide in my studio. So being a friend and a creator of things helps me appreciate the title of wife and mother. Does this make sense? It doesn't to me. But I at least know what I am trying to say, you are on your own until my brain stops chugging and starts spinning. To clarify, I love to be a mother and wife, but to help me keep loving it, I have to have supporting roles, if you will.

That all said, I have been asked to do more boutiques with my nursing aprons and plaques (lucky me, seriously, I love that people love things that I love to make) but for the time being, my supporting role of "artist" will be more recreational than business. I will make a few here and there, when I have the whim or the time, but I can't crank out 50 in two months to be ready for the show without my home becoming a disgrace of a living space, both physically and emotionally. The bad thing is, especially where I live (and maybe in other communities, but I don't live there, just here, so I can only give my expert opinion on my community), you do something people like, it will be copied. So you can either keep cranking them out, so yours are more dominant, or you can do them a little here and a little there and someone else will just take your idea (which, I think, my plaques are quite unique!!!) and flood your region with it. Oh well, tis the nature of the creative beast, I guess. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and really all art is a bit of copying here and there.

The good thing is, I can still make things for fun, sell them for fun, create for someone or just for me. Someday I hope to be well on my way to super-crafty stardom, but for now I am set for super mommy twinkling. Now, off to make Breakfast for Dinner, who doesn't love that?

** (the next day) So, I have been thinking about what I was trying to write here. I think the reason that creating is so compelling for me is the instant gratification that it provides - I can see the end of the project, I can see others enjoying it. Raising a family is so much more abstract. In fact, right now, my kids' so prefer there very capable, handsome and level-headed dad to their somewhat moody, busy with two other children than the one needing the one on one, impatient, trying to get it together mom. In the long run, the rewards from family and all that blah blah blah will be great, but I am admittedly impatient and very much a "let me see results now!!!" person. Ah, that is it for now, I'll try not to dissect it further.

I love the Olympic Games.

I love choking up when someone who has put that much heart, dedication, will, strength into a sport wins. I hate seeing them lose. They made it all this way just to be blown out of the water? Or just miss it by hundredths of a second?

I really like seeing the Opening Ceremonies. Some countries have hundreds (the U.S. has 600 athletes, only 39 less than the host country) competing and some have only 3 or 4. But they qualified, they worked so hard to wear their nations colors. I also like to see what the countries are wearing for the Opening Ceremonies (did anyone see this week's Project Runway? They had to design an outfit for the ladies for the opening, some were quite interesting). How exhilarating for these athletes to feel all that buzz and energy. I know it is in China, I know there is some major world anger at this, but get over it and celebrate the athletes and their accomplishments. I don't know how many of them will care about the smog and injustice that is China for the next couple of weeks. How would it be to be an Olympic Athlete? Unbelievable I bet. Go USA!

I am so out of touch with the pulse of America, it is a good thing that I am not running for president. Can't wait for the tour.

The Finale

I haven't begun to watch yet and won't be able to until late tonight, but I am SO EXCITED for the finale of So You Think You Can Dance! With a little annoyance on the side.

- I think Joshua is fine, not fantastic, not un-talented, in fact he is strong and I am betting has some training (although he says he doesn't...), he is a good dancer, but I never care what he is doing. Ever. Never overly thrilled to see what he has to bring. So, I wish it was Mark. Mark at least brought tons of originality and quirkiness.

- The girls are both fun to watch. Katee has been given some amazing choreography and done beautifully. Courtney is so cute and also has done well, but I wish it was Chelsie.

- I like Twitch. I like Chelsie, I like Mark. Too bad.

And since I really have no idea what I am talking about with regards to the technicality of dancing, this is purely from an entertainment standpoint. I guess I hope it is either Twitch or Katee.

Who do you want?

Blogger Block

the kids decided to not smile for this picture, Caroline being the only one to pull it off

I have it. I don't know why. Wish it would lift. Any suggestions?

In other news, thank you to the lovely 6 foot 5 man with the lovely 5 foot 11 wife (6 feet really) who saved little Joey from taking a summer nights walk and swim in the front yard of our lovely verbacious friend and his cheery little wife with the smiley eyes. Thanks for the get together. We had a fantastic time tonight and I am amazed at how chill you two are. I need it to rub off on me.

To my verbacious friend and his cheery wife, Charlie is, in my eyes, making huge leaps. Since I only get to see him once or twice a month if I am that lucky, I may see more progress than what you might notice seeing him every day. For instance, I leaned down, gave him my usual three stroke nose greeting (this is mine, I dubs it, no one else use it, or else) and his mouth moved, his eyes widened and it looked like he was trying to talk. Then I leaned over and put my cheek next to his and hummed and he was humming (not necessarily in response, but maybe already doing it). This must be newish, right? He is making sounds! Different sounds. Kind of soothing, delightful, sing-songy hums. Oh I love this kid. My heart is jumpy just thinking about these little, maybe insignificant changes. I just popped over to your blog and after reading every third word while Rob got to the point, I read about Charlie grabbing your hand. I noticed this tonight also. He would squeeze my fingers. If I moved them, he would re-grab them. I also noticed that each time I came over to talk to him, he would be alert, changing his body language, acting like he was acknowledging the attention that was being given to him. He seems to be soothed by other things now too. Like I was just stroking his cheeks, or his arm, or his Rob-clone belly. He seemed to just be soaking in the feel of things. He seems very aware. Aware of his little friends running around him like whirling dervishes, his buddies applying all sorts of lip balm to his lip-balmed pouter, aware of the glee and joy in the air of these little kids who, I think, realize that are in the presence of a magnificent little boy. There is something about Charlie. The calm he creates in me, in others. I know it is easy for me to say, since I can just pop in and out, hold him and then leave, but thank you for sharing him with us. Although I hate the way it has happened, I am glad that he has brought us together in more frequency, because you, my smiley-eyed friend are priceless. And my 5 foot 11 friend, you are just as dear.

photo by caroline, both of them wanting to take pictures, they were both being goofy

Ben and Linds

Yesterday, we took the kids to Lagoon - where fun is - and I thought of you. In particular, these two kids, about 14, with Pantera tour shirts from 2006 with the sleeves cut off (of course), one of the guys has gorgeous, long (to his lower back), curly, blonde hair, that he had to oh so subtly move from his shoulders and face, while still looking hesh and cool to the kind of wanna-be hesh girls. His friend was only somewhat hesh. Oh, I wish I had a camera. There were too many moments that we would have laughed so hard over and Joe would have loved every people-watching second of it. Ah, the simple pleasures of life.

Today I decided to be mad, just for a few more moments. I typically get worked up, vent to my husband who looks at me like I am a fool and then tells me "cooler heads with prevail"! Do you really think that is what I want to hear? Absolutely not! I want to hear, "You are right to be upset! You should kick them in the knees and then twist their ear! And while they are holding their ear, flick their other ear! And then, say all the witty, childish things that are in your head and make them cry!!"

That is what I want to hear. But then I hear myself thinking these things (is that possible, to hear a thought?) and I kick myself in the knee, twist my ear and tell myself to grow up! Now!

I spent some time today holding a wee grudge. Did it make me feel better? No. How unsatisfying is that? Nuts.

card by circular accessories found here