Soul Carving

       Though their jade green coverings are striking, shimmering, and studded with gold, somehow the chrysalises blend docilely into their surroundings. Each time I pass them, hanging there quietly upon our kitchen counter, I stop and stare a while. I'm admiring their intricate design, but I'm also reassuring myself that they are still there. They dangle there, gingerly, in complete silence. I scarcely notice them in my own house, I'm certain I'd never detect them if I were walking past them outdoors. They are especially difficult to see while the demands of motherhood are ever-present (and much noisier).        This semester I've been taking a biology course. The instructor is an imaginative man who employs a variety of methods in teaching the concepts, everything from bringing in live termite specimens for observation. to showing clips from Monty Python. It's been an interesting class. One video he showed really got me to th...

       . . . But I hope you're not too busy to read! For, while I have not posted in the last 3 months (yikes!) that doesn't mean I haven't been writing. Now that I've reached the end of another semester, as well as the end of the calendar year, I thought you might like to see what it is that's been taking up so much of my time. You can go to the new page I've created, "My Words"  to see.        Also coming soon, monarch butterflies, fine art exhibits and some inspiration from civil rights activist, Ruby Bridges!        It's been a while. How you been? I'm looking forward to catching up!

"She had seen their birth and the birth of her love for them as miraculous, but it was just as miraculous when they first smiled, first sat up, first babbled a sound that resembled, of course, mama. The tedious days were filled with miracles. When a baby first looks at you; when it gets excited about seeing a ray of light and like a dog pawing a gleam, tries to capture it with his hand; or when it laughs that deep, unselfconscious gurgle; or when it cries and you pick it up and it clings sobbing to you, saved from some terrible shadow moving across the room, or a loud clang in the street, or perhaps, already, a bad dream: then you are -- happy is not the precise word -- filled." Marilyn French The Women's Room         How can something so precious be so achingly fleeting? I could hold this child forever and it would not be long enough. Each new baby seems to grow faster than the last. Each child seems in such a hurry to catch up to...

       Did you know that this time of year if you walk along the river trail, or anywhere milkweed happens to be growing, you may just be lucky enough to find yourself a monarch caterpillar (or two) that you can bring home with you for an up-close and personal view of one of nature's most awe-inspiring miracles?         Well, now you know. And now, we wait . . .

       I mentioned that I've been rising earlier in the mornings to walk a mile before my little ones awake. Sometimes I meet up with friends and we chat for the half hour it takes to cover the ground. But mostly, I've walked in solitude. I liked starting off this way. I could go at my own pace, not feel self-conscience about my "exercise attire" (which doubles as my pajamas) and pause to enjoy the scenery, even take a picture or two. I'm relishing that half hour of quiet reflection, a time to collect my thoughts and appreciate the creation of a new day. I'm not wiped out when I get home. I feel energized. The day seems to last longer and I feel a greater sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when my head hits the pillow at night.        My first morning out on the path I noticed shards of glass littering one area. I carefully stepped around them, lamenting the fact that someone had left such a mess. The next morning I approached the...

       Remember last year when I raved about the Colonial Fest ? I'm still the mom that carts her kids around to every historic reenactment she can find -- especially when admission is free!         Cove Fort is a Historic site owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The majestic structure was built over 100 years ago to provide lodging for travelers. Free tours are offered year-round, but Cove Fort Days is only held annually, the first weekend of August. The volunteers all donate their time and talents to provide a highly educational and immensely enjoyable event. My kindred-spirit cousin informed me she'd be taking her kids, so I braved the 2 hour drive with my own little ones. Eight hours and seven sunburns later, we returned home, exhausted, but tremendously satisfied.        This link will show you a picture of the trees as they appeared up until last year....