Double Standards
"So, forty-three white male presidents to date, and Geraldine Ferraro says Obama's gotten where he is because he's black?" Check out the rest of ZZ Packer's essay.
Monday
Wednesday
Sittin' a Spell
I am in the calm space right now, just before and just after a spate of activity. I think most parents of young children feel like they're constantly runningrunningrunning and trying to catch up, but I have a little space now, in this moment before the craziness begins. Maybe the craziness won't come like I think it will, but it feels like it's just there, over the horizon, a bunch of things that will need to get done, quickly.
We just got back from a three-day Easter trip to Austin. We didn't see everyone we'd hoped to see and I knew that was likely given the holiday weekend, but we did go visiting a lot. Zoe met a couple of kids close to her age (roughly); several of our friends have had babies. She had a blast. Zoe's a pretty social creature, and she liked meeting the new people. She also tried to poke a lot of eyeballs. She's going through a phase, I suspect. She's fascinated with faces in general and eyes in particular.
Spring in Texas is beautiful and the weather in Austin was cooperative. As we drove around town, we saw so many people out and about in Austin--riding bikes, walking, jogging, kayaking, flying kites. It just seemed like everyone heard the call at the same time: come play outside. We joined them outdoors. Zoe was introduced to both a hammock and a trampoline. She almost fell asleep in the hammock; the trampoline had the opposite effect.
My favorite thing about spring is all the renewal in the air. I'm hopeful some of that comes my way. I think it will. I think that's why I feel all that activity looming, waiting for it's turn.
I am in the calm space right now, just before and just after a spate of activity. I think most parents of young children feel like they're constantly runningrunningrunning and trying to catch up, but I have a little space now, in this moment before the craziness begins. Maybe the craziness won't come like I think it will, but it feels like it's just there, over the horizon, a bunch of things that will need to get done, quickly.
We just got back from a three-day Easter trip to Austin. We didn't see everyone we'd hoped to see and I knew that was likely given the holiday weekend, but we did go visiting a lot. Zoe met a couple of kids close to her age (roughly); several of our friends have had babies. She had a blast. Zoe's a pretty social creature, and she liked meeting the new people. She also tried to poke a lot of eyeballs. She's going through a phase, I suspect. She's fascinated with faces in general and eyes in particular.
Spring in Texas is beautiful and the weather in Austin was cooperative. As we drove around town, we saw so many people out and about in Austin--riding bikes, walking, jogging, kayaking, flying kites. It just seemed like everyone heard the call at the same time: come play outside. We joined them outdoors. Zoe was introduced to both a hammock and a trampoline. She almost fell asleep in the hammock; the trampoline had the opposite effect.
My favorite thing about spring is all the renewal in the air. I'm hopeful some of that comes my way. I think it will. I think that's why I feel all that activity looming, waiting for it's turn.
Monday
Imposing
"Every couple of years, I’ll ask a friend or two to read a manuscript, and it happens. You can see it in their eyes. 'I hope it’s better than his last one. Or at least shorter.' I know what they’re thinking because that’s what I’m thinking when they ask me. 'How much is this friendship worth, in terms of page count?'"
From the essay "I Write in Brooklyn. Get Over It." by Colson Whitehead.
That essay definitely made me think of all the kind friends who read my manuscript to give me feedback. First they read the 535-page version, then they read the 379-page version. A lot to read, either way. Hopefully they thought the friendship was worth that much in page count. Hopefully.
From the essay "I Write in Brooklyn. Get Over It." by Colson Whitehead.
That essay definitely made me think of all the kind friends who read my manuscript to give me feedback. First they read the 535-page version, then they read the 379-page version. A lot to read, either way. Hopefully they thought the friendship was worth that much in page count. Hopefully.
Thursday
Movin' On Up
Yesterday, we got the letter from daycare. Zoe is moving from the infant to the toddler room in a little over a week. She will rejoin some of her buddies who were older and moved ahead of her, and she is making the transition with another little girl in the infant class, so that should help make things easier.
The letter made me a little sad. Of course I know moving is inevitable and a good thing, but it's also another sign she's growing up. (If only she slept through the night--that would be a sign I'd be more than happy to welcome!)
I also have to buy some shoes for Zoe now. The toddlers go on buggy rides a couple of times a day, and that includes going outside if the weather permits. Zoe has a couple of pairs of shoes, but since I can't even keep socks on the child I haven't really pushed shoes yet. I guess that, too, will change.
I guess the infant room teachers will miss her, because they told Nate yesterday and me today that we need to give Zoe some siblings.
The letter made me a little sad. Of course I know moving is inevitable and a good thing, but it's also another sign she's growing up. (If only she slept through the night--that would be a sign I'd be more than happy to welcome!)
I also have to buy some shoes for Zoe now. The toddlers go on buggy rides a couple of times a day, and that includes going outside if the weather permits. Zoe has a couple of pairs of shoes, but since I can't even keep socks on the child I haven't really pushed shoes yet. I guess that, too, will change.
I guess the infant room teachers will miss her, because they told Nate yesterday and me today that we need to give Zoe some siblings.