Borealiso Beautiful: November 2011

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Hah!

It's like a sasquatch sighting.

Only the sasquatch doesn't make you do a round-off and hop up and down for it to appear.

It's officially winter. Crisp air leads to crisp blues and whites that wake you up. Eyes widen as they are hit with the harsh light. Red cheeks burn hot, a reminder of the cold walk to mumma and grandpa's through the woods. Crunching over the newly-packed snow, papoose thickly bundled against maman's chest. Time to break out a scarf.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Dabada dabada dabada dabada dah! Dabada dah!

I've been hiding behind the "new mom, no time" excuse...Thanks for the kick in the pants, Aunty Dez. You're gentle, for an Enforcer.

The thing is, there's tons of time. It's funny how it gets filled so easily. Between an all-consuming girl, construction and food (gotta eat), something's gotta give. Nothing stops the thoughts, ideas, realizations and wonder. One-handed typing can slow down the blogging and emailing, though!

It's amazing what I won't do for a smile. To see that little girl break into a beam when you walk into her room (especially first thing in the morning), when you parrot her coos, ahhs and hahhs. It makes you feel like you are the most special person in the world.

(Shroom tuque by Rosie)

And now, the elusive laugh. It's just about to spill out, I can feel it. The beginning of a giggle kept false-starting as Evelyn listened to my verbal drum kit solo this morning, rim shots and cymbals accented as I helped her kick her feet and shoot out her arms to their raps and crashes. But giggle became hiccups became cries...drum solo ended.

She's a growing, healthy girl who lets us get lots of sleep at night. She looks like Steve, especially when she's got her fussy-pants on (I think that's a Parks creased forehead!) She loves the Indian elephant above her change pad, paper star above her crib. Steve walks her in her princess chair so that she can see the world and I walk her in her carrier so that she can know her beautiful boreal backyard. And so that she can be lulled to sleep for an afternoon nap so that I can "do something". Anything. There's a list.

Not a written list. That's too stressful. More of a panoramic, 360 degree turn and look...could do that, or that, or that....yeah, that. That's what I'll do.

Time to hit the trail. Hopefully, the girl will be sleeping by the time we get home so that I can keep mudding in the utility room. This is a Job in 12 Movements. Da da da daaaaa, da da da daaaaa...

Bedtime Stories

October 10: Mr. Fox (Helen Oyeyemi): Why say with a few words what this review says so well with a lot? Took me a while, but I've been busy. I may have told you. It's a book I floated on top of, dipping my toe in, not really sinking into. Maybe it was the violence against women dressed up in fables. But a couple of passages that I loved. Here's one: ""Let this enemy of progress tell you something," I said. "I'm never sad when a friend goes far away, because whichever city or country that friend goes to, they turn the place friendly. They turn a suspicious-looking name on the map into a place where a welcome can be found. Maybe the friend will talk about you sometimes, to other friends that live around him, and then that's almost as good as being there yourself. You're in several places at once! In fact, my daughter, I would even go so far as to say that the farther away your friends are, and the more spread out they are, the better your chances of going safely through the world..." "Ugh," my daughter said."
August 12: Be Different (John Elder Robison): Here's a view of life with Aspergers. An easy, informative and entertaining read. I like how he stresses that Asperger's does not necessarily mean you're disabled, or that there's something wrong with you; you're just different. Your brain is wired differently. A good insight into some of the behaviours linked with Aspergers. Robison stressed that these behaviours are not there to hurt, bother or defy other people; they are entirely self-serving. As the author points out, however, knowledge is power. Both the Aspergian and those who live and work with them benefit from knowing about Aspergers so that true growth can happen.
Early August: Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker (ELJames): I don't know if I should be admitting to reading these. Annie-Claude called it mommy porn. I am a mommy. I would consider this porn. But the website says erotica. If there's a bandwagon, you should jump on it, right?
Mid-July: On the Outside Looking Indian (Rupinder Gill): This girl could definitely be a stand-up comic. As for a novelist or a "year-in-the-life-of-ist", she's a bit of a lightweight. Superficial goals that only briefly acknowledge their raison d'etre...this is a quest for happiness and self-acceptance, Rupinder, not just for Disney Land and a childhood denied. You'rein charge of your own destiny, rah rah rah.
Early July : The Dovekeepers (Alice Hoffman): She's a witch! Alice Hoffman has a good feel for the customs, speech and social expectations and taboos of these Roman times. Great strong female characters.
May 16: The Continuum Concept (Jean Liedloff): Felt like I was sitting in on my first-year anthropology class, listening to a very passionate teacher who adored her subject but who had to share it with an indifferent audience. What did I take away from this? I like to carry my baby, had her in a sling or carrier most of the time when she was young, let her feed on demand...but she sleeps in her crib (a no-no, according to Jean). I do like her description of the "in-arms phase", where "...the infant is always present but rarely the center of attention. He is simply there, in the midst of the caretaker's life, constantly experiencing things, safely being held." Until he starts exploring on his own, at which point he does so without interference ("protection"), but with mother nearby and available if he needs help. Ready, set, explore Clearwater Lake! Waldkind.
May 8: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Ransom Riggs...really?!): Great creepy, black-and-white photos of (real) peculiar children. The story is kind of contrived and spoon-fed, though. It is a beautiful looking book, found in the well-stocked children's lit section of Brighton's tiny bookstore.
May 3: On Writing (Stephen King): I like books on writing. Teaching writing, becoming a better writer. Essentially, it boils down to two things: you need to read a lot and write a lot. That's it. As a side note, did you know that Stephen King was an alcoholic and drug addict? Liked his memoirs and thoughts on his own stories. Am quite happy to steer very clear of said stories. I believe that they're good. Good enough for me.
April 27: I Love You, Beth Cooper (Larry Doyle): Steve's been wanting me to read this for a while. It is hilarious. I was actually grossed out in the first few pages and expected to gag on a description of exploding white puss-filled zits, but was soon flying through an epic grad night. Adventures in Babysitting style. I now want to see the movie.
April 22: I am Number Four (Pittacus Lore): Tee hee hee. Young-adult superhero book at its "best". Favourite line: "That's for my dad!" (as Sam uses a shotgun to blow away the Mogadorian, revenge for the abduction of his father).

Borealiso Beautiful

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Hah!

Winter sensations

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Dabada dabada dabada dabada dah! Dabada dah!

Bedtime Stories

Blog Archive

Sites I love

Followers

You've Come A Long Way, Baby