I think I want to write a poem about this plant and how wonderful it was to find it.
“I love this plant right now,” I shared with the Bean.
Before I could finish my thought aloud, the Bean jumped in, “Well, I guess you should marry it then!”
“Four” Dragon stated.
“Yea, I keep stopping, I don’t know why.” Bean retorted.
“You jumped, but it got caught on the back of your leg… Wait, would you stop? I want to go and grab mine.” Dragon moved towards the stairs.
“Yours is the green one.” Bean called out. “It is like neon green, Dragon.”
“Dragon, I just did five… I almost did six!”
“Hold on Bean, wait till I come back up!”
We purchased the jump ropes in March of 2020.
Dearest Beloveds,
I switch hats throughout the day from Adulting Corinna to Parenting Corinna and vis-a-versa. Adulting Corinna pays attention and gives time to MY wants, desires, thoughts, responsibilities, and curiosities.
Parenting Corinna pays attention and gives time to YOUR wants, desires, thoughts, responsibilities, and curiosities.
I have found during my almost 10 years as a hat switcher, that life goes more smoothly when I wear only one hat when I am with you two - because, as you may have noticed, your mother only has one head.
Dearest Beloveds,
Recently Dragon and I were driving along some country road and admiring a surfeit of round hay bales. Many acres of fields were shorn yet all of the bales were concentrated on one field.
“Momma! Look how close those hay bales are! If they were closer I could jump between them.”
“Yes, you certainly could, that is very true. Would you take a running leap or try to bounce like a bunny?”
“Bounce like a bunny.”
Dearest Dragon, you and I are now fully ensconced in the first grade curricula. And, just like your sister, we are having conversations like this.
“This is too hard!”
“I know my love, but they only way to get better at this is to practice, just four more words then we can run around the house for five minutes before math.”
Dearest Beloveds,
I recently ran across an interview with Dr. Tony Nader and Daniel Pink about motivations and rewards. Your Momma was cringing as I listened to their discussion because it dawned on me that all day long I am offering you contingent rewards. As Pink calls them, an “if then” reward.
“If you don’t eat your breakfast we can’t go to camp.”
“If you don’t set the table, I will dock you one strike. As you know, after three strikes you won’t get your allowance.”
“If you don’t do you math lesson, we can’t read stories.”
Dearest Beloveds,
The school bus - both incredibly useful and also a huge teaching tool. Who knew?
When we have time, it is joy to meander down the road, looking at the autumn olives and the late blooming iris (poor thing, right before the frost hits). We hold hands. I sing Waltzing Matilda…
“Down came the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred. Up came the trouperrrrsssss!” I hold the note and look over at the two of you, - perhaps I give your hands a squeeze.
Two years ago we cut down trees to have a view of the Hudson Valley for our Tentrr site. As I mentioned recently, nature is all about growth.
Faced with a steep rocky hill we called in the local goat grazing team - not realizing that they are the goat grazing team for the entire East Coast. Green Goats Rhinebeck is family operation that has been doing good work for 17 years.
Dearest Bean,
As the life popsicle of Meme’s brain slowly melts - certain calcified memories persevere. They form the popsicle stick in this metaphor.
One of Meme’s popsicle stick memories is about not being offered the choice to become a serious pianist. Apparently, Meme’s parents were told that Meme had sufficient innate piano ability to become a virtuoso if given the proper instruction. Meme’s parents declined, deciding they wanted her to have a “normal childhood” (whatever the hell that means). Meme did not know this opportunity existed until many many years later.
Even now, she can no longer remember the name of her sister, where she was born, what day it is, but the piano memory? Sharp and intact. “Corinna, I could have been a concert pianist! I would have loved that!! I could have been so good. I love music!”
Sitting in the waiting room of our local mechanic, I turned to the apple-cheeked, soft white curled woman sitting next to me.
Let’s see what the Universe wants to tell me about this feeling.
“Can I share something with you?”
“Of course, my dear.”
“My daughter is turning 10 today.” Tears flooded my eyes. “It makes me happy sad.”