Away We Go

Last week the Bumper got a bike, a two wheeler with training wheels. She loved it, and couldn't wait to try it out. The only trouble was that the seat was not adjusted properly, so the Bumper trotted next door and asked our neighbor Mr. Jimmy to fix it for her. Since he is the father of two grown girls about to be married, he took one look at the Bumper's big blue eyes and immediately got his toolbox. In short order the Bumper had a bike ready to ride. Just one little hitch, she did not yet know how to ride it! That is where I came in. I spent the next couple of hours pushing her up and down the neighbors driveway, since it is better paved than ours, teaching her how to pedal. It did not take long before she got the hang of it and wanted to try all by herself.

 I was not ready. I knew the day was coming, but I thought it would be a few more years. I wanted to hang on to her and keep her safe, in the end I let her go. It went fine, on the first loop, and on the second loop my heart stopped beating quite so loudly and I allowed myself to relax. Then she fell over, don't ask me how she managed that feat with training wheels on the bike, and before I could rush over to her in a panic she jumped up,brushed herself off with an "I'm okay mom!" and resumed riding.

In spite of my motherly worry I felt quite proud of the Bumper in that moment because she did not quit. She kept going until it was almost too dark to see.

I am thrilled that she is enjoying herself so much. I did, however, put my foot down and tell her she could not practice riding in the house. The rest the week we got outdoors as much as we could so she could practice riding. She can now ride up and down the neighbors driveway with ease. Our next goal is to ride over to the school yard two blocks away. At the rate she is learning I will have to start bike riding myself just to keep up! (Right now she has me running footraces with her on the bike -- not sure how much longer I can do that.)

Kim

Friday Focus - Books

I started reading when I was three, and  I read my first "grown up" novel Charlotte's Web by E.B. White when I was seven; somewhere in between I fell in love with books and with reading. I will read just about anything at least once. Yes, this includes the backs of cereal boxes. I have no shame. I am also the sort of person who often reads more than one book at a time. That particular habit used to drive my family bonkers.
Right now this is what is on my reading list:

1. The Bible - always, so I am only going to mention it this once.

2. Where God Was Born: A Daring Adventure Through The Bible's Greatest Stories by Bruce Feiler - I am enjoying this one and finding it eerily relevant given current events in Israel.

3. Knitting Rules by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee - I bought this thinking it would be a book of patterns to teach me to knit. What I found was a laugh out loud look ( with some patterns thrown in) at knitters and their peculiarities.

4. How to be Vegan by Elizabeth Castoria - A nifty practical book that dispels the myth that vegans live off of iceberg lettuce and hothouse tomatoes.

5. The Alphabet Versus the Goddess: The Conflict Between Word and Image by Leonard Shlain - I just finished this one. A fascinating and in-depth look at the rise of the written word and the connection with patriarchy. Not light reading. It took me several weeks to complete.

6. The Sleep Book by Dr. Suess - The Bumper's current bedtime favorite. I think I have it memorized!

So what are you reading this week?

Kim

Random Thoughts on Thursday

Sunset is what this week felt like

This week has flown by in such a blur that I have barely had time to sit down an think, let alone write, knit, or crochet. I even wrote a Meatless Monday post, but I still haven't gotten around to posting it.

What is on my mind most this week are the events in Iraq, and in Ferguson, Missouri USA, and the persistent Ebola outbreak.

Most of the time I can live in my little domestic bubble, concerned with the day to day of raising the Bumper, trying to find work, going back to school, grieving, keeping up with the housework, writing, knitting, and crochet. This week however the headlines have grabbed my attention. I have been praying for everyone of those situations. Praying for the sick in Africa, praying for the persecuted in Iraq, and praying for the sorrowing and desperate in Missouri. I am also praying for the for the doctors and aide-workers, the policemen and the protesters, the government ministers and the militants in Iraq.

I have spent a lot of time on my knees this week.

The Bumper had another first this week. She received her first bicycle and went for her very first ride. I am torn. One part of me is really proud of her because even though she fell down, she kept getting back up until she could pedal up and down the driveway by herself (with training wheels), another part of me is sad because this is another way I know she fast leaving babyhood and toddler-hood behind and becoming a full fledged kid.

There she goes!

I started the heel on my sock. I am excited to see how the thing finally turns out.

Sock start -- I hope.

I have promised myself that I will cast on the second sock as soon as the first is finished-- no matter what it looks like.

I quit drinking coffee this week. This week feels very very long.

Kim

Random Thoughts on Thursday

Marigolds remind me that Autumn is coming

Summer is fast slipping away. I feel like a kid again, because I have been fortunate enough to witness this Summer through the Bumper's eyes. We have gone to the park, made ice-pops and ice-cream from scratch, we have blown bubbles, played soccer in the front yard and run through the sprinklers in the back. This summer has been cooler than most, which has meant more days outside. The Bumper is all for playing outside and I am all for letting her!

I have taken an Algebra course and survived. I will be taking a computer course this fall when the Bumper goes back to school. I have also started free-lance editing/copy reading. I am enjoying it so much!

I am in a bit of a creative backlog. My mind is swimming with all the things I want to do. I have two or three new novel/short story ideas, I have socks to finish. A hat and two infinity scarves to finish by Christmas and the Bumper is under the delusion that her mama can sew. She has requested a monkey costume, a dragon costume and a new dress. I wonder if I can persuade her to get interested in pipe cleaners and construction paper?

I am over run with zucchini. I have roasted it, sauteed it, eaten it raw and baked it into muffins.
I have started taking Tai-Chi which is harder than it looks. I am picking up my Yoga practice and cutting down on the caffeine. While the good weather lasts I am taking long walks in the evening
and I am amazed at how quickly the sun is setting now.

The Bumper and I have started a tradition of reading Bible stories at bedtime on Sundays.

All in all life is thrumming along and we are finding a new rhythm. Our house may not be the neatest, the meals I cook are not always homemade and sometimes dinner is eaten in the living room instead of at the table, but the the Bumper is content. I know because one day as we were pulling into the driveway she announced "I like our house, we have a happy home."

God is good. It is only because of Him that we find purpose and contentment.

Kim

The Sweet Summertime

Goslings

Whee!

Summer seems to rush by in such a blur. It seems like I spent all winter just waiting for these warm days and then I blink and they are gone, yet  I am thoroughly enjoying the days as they crawl by. One of the things I am enjoying most is watching the Bumper play. Now that the days are warm and the evenings linger until the sun makes its way to bed sometime around eight or nine, the Bumper can stay outside longer.

She can go to the park more. She can run around under the sprinkler while Nana waters the garden. This year she discovered fireflies and she takes great delight in looking for them as soon as it starts to get dark. I love watching her excitement and usually end up running races with her as we chase them down. We take a trip to our local zoo at least once or twice a week. The Bumper likes looking at the animals and I like the walk. The beach is not very far away either so there are days when we just get in the car and go in the early evening after the crowds have left.

Wet!

My favorite activity so far this summer was the day we spent down at Jane's Island Campground. Two of our good friends, Ray and Jenny Gable,  were camping down there and invited us to come and join them. It was a place just down the road from us and one we didn't even know existed. I for one am glad we discovered it. The Bumper was enchanted from the start. She loved being next to the water, and taking nature hike with Nana. Along the way we found pine cones, listened to the birds, looked for turtles, and climbed a tower which allowed to see almost to the Chesapeake Bay. My favorite part of the day came at night. Ray became Master of the Fire Pit as we all waited until he told us that the flame was just the right height for---- drum roll please -- toasting marshmallows! That weekend I inducted the Bumper into the time honored camping tradition of s'more making. I will confess that the combination of graham cracker, chocolate, and hot marshmallow was much more appealing when I was seven, as an adult I find s'mores far too sweet, but who am I to nay say tradition? The Bumper adored the processes of toasting marshmallows-- especially seeing the the marshmallows become little fireballs!

View of the Canal

Hi Mom!

Sunset- almost time!

Watching the Master

Not too close

 The s'mores were kind of take them or leave them, but she took delight in her homemade torches. At the end of the evening we took home a thoroughly worn out and sticky Bumper. I could not have asked for a better way to spend the day. Next year we hope to take the Bumper camping overnight. I am looking forward to sharing that experience with her. In the meantime we will be enjoying picking tomatoes, chasing fireflies and blowing bubbles. Summer is sweet.

Kim

Green Grows the Garden

Sprinkler Fun

As much as I wanted too, I really haven't been out in the garden much at all this summer. I had high hopes, dreams, and aspirations, but then reality snuck up and bit me. In theory organic gardening is an environmentally friendly way to give my family wholesome, unprocessed food. Images of strolling out into the back yard and having plump ripe tomatoes fall off into my waiting hands came into my mind, bright heads of lettuce practically jumped into my bowl and the sweet peas practically shelled themselves.

Kale

In real life not so much. In real life gardening is a lot of hard work. There is the planting, the weeding, and the watering; all of it must be done fairly consistently or the garden will not grow. While my spirit may have been willing, my hands, back and feet were not as enthusiastic. If the Bumper had her way we would be outside everyday, all day, but while she enjoys 'helping' most of the time her efforts have been destructive rather than productive a fact which has frustrated her Nana no end.

Broccoli

When the Bumper is with me she is well behaved. When the Bumper is with her Nana she is well behaved. When the Bumper is with the two of us, however, she turns into a running, screaming, refusing to listen, little terror. (I love my daughter dearly, but I would be struck down where I stand if I proclaimed she was a perfect angel). The point being Nana has banished us from the garden until harvest time.  On the upside my herb pots are bursting at the seams and I have made daily use of fresh parsley, basil and mint.

In a completely different vein I am unable to participate in Yarndale this year. I finished my mandala, but it was far too big! By the time I realized that it was too late for me to make another since I was in the middle of my College Algebra class. Nana is very happy with this development because now she has a lovely new table decoration. I have been steadliy working on the bumpers blanket and it is growing, just not as fast as she is. The Bumper is quite pleased with the  progress because now it covers her from chest to toes. I have been bitten by the knitted sock bug and am currently trying to make my first pair, and like the Bumper's blanket progress is slow but steady. Lucy at Attic 24 has also finally posted her Bower bird pattern and I can't wait to try it! Combine all that with writing a short story, working on my novel, getting my Graduate School application package ready, and I am one busy lady. Of course my life would not be complete without the daily, wonderful, exhilerating, exasperating challenging task of raising the Bumper. I am still finding my rythm and my niche, but I am definately enjoying the journey.

Bumper and Hangus

P.S. Pulled some luscious

Kale out of the garden and will be having that with supper. Life is good.

Kim

A Fourth of July Grattitude List

Wow! It has been two whole months since I last posted anything. My only excuse is that College Algebra took over my life. I had not had that kind of intense study in years. While I took the course I spent twelve hour days working on nothing but math problems. I have to give credit to the Bumper's Nana. If she had not been willing to watch the Bumper while I was in class and did the homework, then I would not have been able to complete the course. I am very grateful for her help and support. Speaking of gratitude, today is July 4th and I am grateful to be living in the United States of America. Here is why:

1. Freedom of Religion-- here in this country I am free to practice, or not, my faith so long as it does not infringe on the rights of others to practice theirs. Right now I am a practicing Christian of the Roman Catholic denomination. I am considering changing denominations. I am free to follow where the Lord leads, but in other countries the mere thought of changing religions can get a person killed. Here's looking at you Saudi Arabia --ahem! I am free to wear the symbols of said religion with out persecution. Here's looking at you France-- ahem the banning of Muslim women's headscarves! I am grateful.

2. Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press-- without which I would not have this blog. I can say or write critical things about our government with out fear of getting dragged off in the middle of the night and being beaten, raped, or killed. I send a moment of silence and prayer for journalists, writers, poets, artists, and musicians who are even now being jailed, harassed, and murdered for speaking and writing against their governments and corruption.

3. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly- I can meet with a group of like minded friends for a cup of coffee and crochet or I can meet with a group of like minded friends to protest an "Ag-Gag" bill in the state legislature. I can do so knowing I will not lose my family, or job prospects, or be tear-gassed for doing so.

I used to take all of these things for granted. Then I did what I urge every American to do, I traveled outside of our country's borders. I went to Zimbabwe as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer. When we arrived we were told in no uncertain terms that once we left Peace Corps Headquarters, if we said anything against the ruling party ZANUPF, or President Robert Mugabe, regardless of the abuses of power we may witness, the only thing the Peace Corps could do if we were lucky enough to be jailed, was send us a cake with a file in it. Peace Corps Volunteers, unlike the military or foreign service do NOT have diplomatic immunity. It was a sobering moment.  No less sobering was the moment I had a soldier point an AK-47 at my chest telling me not to move while the presidential motorcade drove by.

Happy Birthday America -- I am grateful!