Pick Me Ups

Thank you, Lander, for pulling me out of my self-absorbed, stressed-out funk and reminding me of the magic afoot in this world...

This photo, taken by a friend, captures the beauty of the 4th here. So much to be grateful for. 

The Indian relay at the rodeo was a neck-and-neck race with no injuries. Pink tassels flew as my favorite rider vaulted off his horse. Manes and tails streamed down the straight aways. 

Biking through the acrid haze of explosives into the Deep North. Arriving to a giddy recital of the evening's highlight reel: a bottle rocket-powered skateboard ride, hitting a cop car with a screamer by accident. A nimbus of spent firecracker debris around the wooden stump serving as launch pad.

Teresa decked out in red, as she always is, selling raffle tickets. Others in jorts and face paint. Water arching high overhead on Main Street.   

The youth panel at the fourth annual Pride Picnic awed me with their courage, eloquence, and candor. The unprompted shout-outs to our local librarians for creating safe space? These beautiful leaders make my heart glad.

I have never been able to capture Lander's Yard Sale Tree properly in a photo. Throughout the dog days of summer these cardboard boxes guide dedicated trawlers on their rounds. A simple and effective system whereby nothing lasts long on the curb. The robust network of hand-me-downs for kiddos and resources for parents is a marvel as well. Reuse at its finest, giving and supporting new life.

It's all about the universal power of creative endeavor and connection to lift the human spirit. 

Outlander episodes in the Rumpus Room.  

How lucky are we? 

So This Is Awesome

This new show on Netflix looks like my first round draft pick for summer binging. Eighties lady wrestling? Yes please.

Week 21

Baby Boom

Drum tight
Base beat
Slo-mo
Kick repeat

Week 20

Having cleared genetic testing and the big ultrasound check for physical deformities with a healthy baby, it seems time to change our child's name from Maybe to For Reals. 

Two kidneys? Got 'em. Four chambered heart? Check. Spinal Bifida? Nope. Y Chromosome? Yup. Bones galore? Definitely (a small skeleton in motion). 

We were braced for tough decisions and loss, so being able to say this is both a surprise and a relief. 

Susurrus

A new word for me and one I enjoy. Gleaned from this wonderful trilogy:

Happy Mother's Day

Lessons From Wadi Do'an

Yemen has been disintegrating in the past decades due in large part to water shortages. Bin Laden was born in Yemen, in Wadi Do'an, and that seems relevant to me given the country's water story. 

This desert nation was likely the first to build skyscrapers, back in the 1400s, and famously exported coffee from the port town of Mocha. 

Now it may be the harbinger of what's to come for the rest of the world if we don't start acting on our knowledge that life begins and ends with water (and air and food and love, yes).

The podcast, Reveal, did an excellent piece earlier this year looking at current forecasts regarding humanity's relationship with water. 

I am reminded of the difference water makes as I enjoy landscapes made possible by deep wells and pumps in Taroudant-- gardens that host the handsomest of peacocks, pools for refreshing dips, and orchards heavy with fruit. 

My grandmother will always be linked in my mind with luxuries such as these. I marvel at how quickly we pass from one age to another. Between us lies the dawning consciousness of the Anthropocene. Poolside in Morocco, it looks doubtful that these findings and their warnings will dictate a change in our behavior. We can certainly hope, but more relevant is whether or not we can apply lessons learned.