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It's a big day today.  Swearing in the President.  First book giveaway of 2013 here at Green Girl in Wisconsin.  It's the first day of a wicket arctic cold blast and I'm celebrating by wearing socks and a wool sweater while sitting in a patch of sunshine typing this post.

My gifted and talented writing partner Nina Romano has a new collection of poetry hot off the presses:

Gorgeous cover design, isn't it?

Here's the skinny:  Nina plays with words like Padma Lakshmi plays with food.  She teases out the finer nuances, she mixes together concepts in imaginative ways, she creates amazing imagery.  This entire collection is about mothers and a celebration of Nina's mother.

One of Nina's poems, "Ode to the Name," presents an exhaustive and wonderful list of all the things her mother was.  Here are some from Nina's poem:  skater, avid reader, ex-smoker, mother-in-law sufferer, juror, babysitter, bottlewasher, breast cancer survivor, practitioner of sacramentals, sufferer of equilibrium...  This particular poem got me thinking about all the things my own mother is and has been.  The best poets get you thinking in a particular vein and I'm not poetic like Nina, but "Ode to the Name" made me give it a shot.

"Ode to Sandra":  welder's daughter, baton twirler, clutter buster, seamstress, designer of doll's clothes, dollmaker, cake decorator, walker, reader, church-goer, conservative, dessert enthusiast, Weight Watcher, college graduate, whip-cracker, knitter, scrapbooker, home permanent-giver, hair roller, sometimes a Holy Roller, Broadway song-lover, clipper of articles, dental hygienist, wife, tea-drinker, mover, packer.

Reader, you can buy She Wouldn't Sing at My Wedding from Bridle Path Press or Amazon OR you can get a chance to win it RIGHT HERE!  All you have to do is leave a list of at least 10 things your mother is/was in the comment box.  Each day you can leave a new comment, each comment is a chance to win, this contest runs through Saturday.

Spill it, reader.  An ode to your mother's name.

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exceptionally pleasing

*Carpools--win-win in my book, I'm always game to share the driving and I'm thankful to know other parents feeling the same way.

*Snowmen--we had the perfect snow for building them and people built some really clever ones in their yards--including a cowboy, a quarterback and a loch ness monster.  Every time I see a snowman in a yard, I smile.

*Mr. G ditching his backpack in a snowbank so he can shoot baskets in the driveway every day after school for a half hour.

*Mr. B advancing in the school spelling bee!

*Forty degrees outside!

*Running outside!  In fresh air!  On pavement!

*A productive afternoon revising and rewriting a new project.

Spill it, reader.  What's exceptionally pleasing in your world these days?

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still counting

61.  really wonderful neighbors
62.  people who are enthusiastic about what they do
63.  exceptional customer service
64.  expert advice
65. grandparents who make the effort to connect with Team Testosterone
66.  fresh air
67.  Jesus
68.  a good night's sleep
69.  a comfy chair, a soft blanket, a reading lamp, interesting reading material
70.  a healthy compost pile
71.  every time I spend time in nature I discover something new that amazes me a little
72.  travel
73.  history
74.  architecture--especially the old buildings
75.  blacktop (we used to have a gravel driveway)
76.  bicycles
77.  fresh bread
78.  quirky locally owned places
79.  affordable health care & a doctor with common sense (true story:  When I asked for a prescription refill for my asthma meds, the nurse said I needed to visit the office.  After I explained that I've been on the same stuff for decades and I preferred to skip the visit, she said she'd talk to the doctor.  Two days later I had a message that my prescriptions were refilled, no office visit required.  Lovely!)
80.  girlfriends--the ones I can be real with whether we're drinking tea or wine

Travel safe if you're headed out today or tonight.

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letting it flow

This gratitude bubble is so fragile.  In a few days it will be so easy to burst it with greed and desire.  My attitude of discontent is one Pottery Barn catalog image away, you know.  I want my kids to wear matching sweaters while drinking hot chocolate (without roughhousing and spilling) out of oversized mugs with an elf-themed bunting draped across our mantel--and a leather couch!  And a color-coordinated cashmere throw!  And a floor lamp!  I'm keeping the beast at bay by recycling the catalogs and sales inserts, interrupting the TV commercials with directions to "go feed the dog" and, of course, leaving that gratitude wreath with the pintato in the middle of the kitchen counter. 

Be thankful first. 

41.  movies
42.  sunny days
43.  answered prayer
44.  carpools and the many favors I can give to and get from other parents
45.  dictionaries
46.  and a good thesaurus
47.  the magic of "first" moments--first snowfall, first thaw, first tiny shoots in the garden, first robin of spring time, first glimpse of a new moon
48.  inside jokes
49.  nicknames
50.  my sense of smell
51.  forgiveness
52.  grace
53.  the fabulous leaders helping me in the Yellow Cubbie Room on Tuesday nights, the great kids and their faithful parents
54.  mentors
55.  music (except hip hop, rap and death metal)
56.  running (holy crap, I cannot believe I included that one)
57.  volunteers
58.  theater  (especially APT)
59.  yoga
60.  heirlooms

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adding to that list

 Once you get rolling, it's easy to keep going on these gratitude lists.  I've thought of at least a hundred things I'm thankful for since Friday, but here's another 20:

21.  imagination
22.  laughter
23.  because of recent events, electricity
24.  which leads one to feel thankful for clean running water, of course
25.  and the ability to flush away dirty water (which I learned not to take for granted, either)
26.  space to garden
27.  swimming in the pool
28.  cross-country skiing in the winter
29.  traditions

30.  telephones
31.  the convenience of drive-up windows
32.  empty spots on our calendar
33.  cheese
34.  the NFL, but mainly the Packers
35.  letting go and watching my faith grow
36.  all the nice things people said to me after reading Whipped, Not Beaten
37.  time to write something new
38.  safety--we live in such a safe place
39.  feeling good about my kids' school
40.  the Momvan, terribly broken in and dented, but paid for and still running well

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holiday chores

I'm wicked late for this year's Christmas card. There are issues with content. There are issues with format. And then the camera batteries died. Above is one of the rejects from this year's session. Team Testosterone looks festive, don't you think?

There's been much talk about Advent calendars. Behind them you'll see a calendar my mom made for me. I grew up with a similar one. You velcro the ornaments to the tree and are supposed to put the star on top Christmas Eve. Try telling that to Mr. G. I keep reading about people putting together Advent calendars that involve opening wee gifts and trinkets and treats. The whole logistics of putting such a thing together (times THREE, natch) blows my mind. So reader, let's make a deal. I'll never tell your kids our kid-sized four-wheeler, pool and the boys' man-fort out back if you never speak of Advent calendars with daily gifts to mine, okay?

Blue jays and cardinals are hitting the bird feeder.

Had lunch with J and her darling baby T yesterday. I will so miss her when she returns to work after Christmas. Seriously, girlfriend makes me laugh so hard.

I awoke this morning to the sound of an ornament hitting the floor, but the tree still stands upright.

St. Nicholas filled stockings with tiny Lego kits and chocolates last night. This morning Mr. G informed me that "St. Nicholas gave me a Ninjago set, but it's okay because he'll tell Santa because they live together." It slays me how kids makes sense of these things in their own way. I guess I always thought St. Nicholas was Santa, on a teaser run to let you know where you stood on his Naughty or Nice List.

The hybrid is a GO! Squee! We don't do new cars around here, the hybrid is barely used, and the first new vehicle for probably 6 years. In our discussions about whether to buy this car, we realized that the Momvan is over 8 years old. That startled me for some reason.

Tonight is the season finale of Sons of Anarchy.

Nine days until the Stevens Point book launch party, when I hold a copy of Whipped, Not Beaten in my hands.

So much to look forward to. Spill it, reader. What are you anticipating?

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one last serving of gratitude

81. Bacon! (Thanks, Small Town Mom for reminding me--what a thing to overlook!)
82. Which brings me to bloggy friends who give me the best links, belly laughs, insights and fellowship. Some folks complain about all the hate in the world, but the blogosphere is generally one of the most positive, loving places to hang out. I'm grateful to be part of that community.
83. My kids all have nice friends from families I like and trust.
84. We have good babysitters as needed, and nice teenage baseball players to help with the heavy lifting around here.
85. Ruth and Carl, such good mentors.
86. Cheese.
87. Forgiveness.
88. The way people smile at you when they catch your eye--people you don't know and people you do know.
89. Plenty of hot water in the morning and good water pressure.
90. The color green.
91. The sound of crickets in summertime, the glimmer of fireflies, the hum of bees.
92. Orchards. There is something so special about an orchard.
93. Poetry.
94. The miracle of the composting process.
95. My sister is doing OK.
96. My marriage is good, the foundation solid.
97. I have kids who love me, still need me to a large degree, and show every sign of developing into good and decent men one day.
98. We have awesome home teams to cheer for, in particular, the Packers, who are great athletes and men of sound characters, just the sort of role models I'm glad for Team Testosterone to admire.
99. I've inherited some great genetic qualities.
100. I took typing, which has facilitated my life in so many ways I never dreamed possible when I was a junior in high school.

Happy Thanksgiving.
I hope you all have a day filled with things you feel grateful for and people who make you feel loved.

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and still more gratitude

51. School secretaries. Especially the ones willing to forge signatures to expedite things. (not naming any names, Ms. W over at PI who ROCKS.)
52. Bus drivers. Especially the ones who play the "cool radio stations" and wait at the end of the driveway for stragglers.
53. Cafeteria workers.
54. Imagination. I cannot imagine life without it.
55. Creativity. (I should give Pinterest its own spot now, shouldn't I?)
56. Pinterest.
57. In that event, Tom and Lorenzo, because they crack me up.
58. Patience. In particular, the patience other people extend towards me.
59. Self-control. It's underrated in a world full of explosive personalities and viral YouTube videos.
60. Kindness. It's everywhere in big and small ways and finding it leads to
61. Hope.
62. Along this list of intangibles, faithfulness and here's a special shout-out to Mr. D. (Yo! Babe!) (And God, of course. Yo! God!)
63. Peace. I find myself sitting back more and more often, keeping my peace, maintaining peace, reluctant to stir pots. (I hope this is the result of age and not apathy.)
64. Generosity. I'm on the receiving end of it so often.
65. Order. I remember when I began teaching high school just being in awe that traffic in hallways flowed; all of the "wild teenagers" stayed on their right, nobody shoved or pushed, people got to class on time. I love it when I see order, and I'm thankful when people respect one another enough to keep order.
66. Solitude. Space and silence to reflect without interruption.
67. Contentment. I am thankful I feel this far more than the sting of envy.
68. Butter.
69. I get to grow fruit in my own yard. Raspberries, pears, strawberries, apples. Such luck!
70. I know someone who cuts hair really well. (A shout out to Kristy! Yo! Kristy!)
71. Humor.
72. Sons of Anarchy for reminding me how good it is to be married to someone who does not run drugs and guns for a living because that seems pretty stressful.
73. How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family, The Middle for genuine belly laughs.
74. Great movies. The chance to escape visually--with a box of Dots at hand.
75. My family is healthy. Our biggest concern these days is my asthma, for which there are adequate medications.
76. Reliable electricity.
77. The Momvan. You bet she's the ugliest thing in any parking lot, but she never has a hiccup.
78. Time. Even when I don't have it enough, lack of time prompts me to remember what's really important to me and that's worth noting, too.
79. Porch swings and hammocks.
80. That huge basket of blankets in the living room, perfect for cozying up with on the couch for late night reading or warming a bare-chested boy eating his breakfast.

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more grateful

21. Flowers--all of them--lilacs and daffodils in spring, asters and coneflowers in fall, tulips and petunias, phlox and bee balm, daisies and sunflowers and begonias.
22. The crisp taste of peas and beans eaten while standing in the garden.
23. The smell of tomato plants.
24. The sound of the boys landing perfect cannonballs in the pool and cheering each other on.
25. Creative sons who think outside the box.
26. My writing group--Marni, Lauren, Nina and Mariana give the best feedback and advice.
27. Living close enough to grocery shop inside of an hour, but far enough away to wander the back yard in my pajamas without shame.
28. Frost, especially when it covers bare branches, highlighting the intricate design of trees and shrubs.
29. Birds. The flash of a red cardinal on the tree outside always makes me smile and their chatter wakes me up in the morning. Everything is made more pleasant with birds singing in the background.
30. Getting to bring my family to the OBX this summer and experience the most glorious summer beach vacation.
31. The Bumble Book Club--a great group of women who choose awesome reads month after month.
32. The parents who invest themselves in our community; those people who coach, volunteer, sell concessions, organize school dances, lead Boy Scouts and run the PTA.
33. The old man who picks up the litter along our county road this spring. Every day I saw him out there after the snow melted, every day he'd fill a plastic shopping bag with trash. When I run along our road, I don't see everyone's garbage and it's thanks to him.
34. My friend Sarah who is honest and funny and true.
35. My girlfriends, Nicole, Maggie, Cindy, Kara, Stacy, Mary and Kari--even if I only see them once a year or once a month, getting together with them is like slipping into my most comfy sweatpants.
36. Farmers. They work long hours in all kinds of conditions to feed us.
37. Public libraries.
38. Starry skies at night. No matter how many times I look up, the view still amazes me.
39. A phenomenal church where I can go and grow and raise Team Testosterone in good faith.
40. The Cubbie leaders serving with me on Tuesday nights. Their dedication and enthusiasm is a blessing.
41. Jax, who is a sweet companion as I putter around outside.
42. Because it's Tuesday, sanitation workers because even though we don't generate a lot of trash, I'm thankful they deal with it for me.
43. Wool. Really miraculous stuff.
44. Daily newspapers.
45. Royal weddings, because they're quite fantastic.
46. For that matter, all of England.
47. Rico's Family Restaurant.
48. Alice and Bud, who are such generous friends.
49. The smell of line dried laundry, and clotheslines made by my grandpa.
50. Yoga.

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really, really thankful

For the past week I've spent a lot of time reflecting on what I'm thankful for this year. I've asked Team Testosterone to give it some thought, too. Their list is actually pretty good: "My family," "My toys," "Our dog," and "When I flush the toilet, all the water goes down." I agreed with them that these are all good things--even that last one, as recently I walked into a bathroom and had to give it a pre-flush just to watch the water level rise (as well as gobs of toilet paper) to a mildly terrifying level. I recall well how grateful I felt when on the (very risky) second flush, something deep in the bowels of our home unplugged and the water vanished with a satisfying GLUG!

But I digress.

In the spirit of the season, I'm posting 100 Things I'm Thankful For--all week (because long lists give me a headache). I did this last year, too, but I'm not going back to look. There might be repeats, but I'm laying out here what's on my heart. You're invited to join me this week in doing the same...

1. Mr. T's seizures are gone.
2. Mr. D has a great job and enormous security in it.
3. My boys are at a fine school that challenges them and encourages higher-level thinking.
4. We live in the most beautiful place, every morning I wake up and look outside and deeply appreciate how blessed we are to have this property.
5. Books. And time to read them.
6. Finding a home for my book, a publisher to broaden the audience from 5 to 1,000!
7. Awesome neighbors who lend cups of sugar, receive my kids' affection with good humor and look out for one another.
8. NPR Morning Edition.
9. Staying healthy and strong enough to earn my 2nd degree black belt.
10. My kids are good friends and my house rings with more laughter than tears.
11. A safe community. We might not have a post office or a public library, but crime is low and there's much to recommend knowing almost everyone by name and stopping for a chit-chat when popping into the grocery store for a dozen eggs.
12. Clean air.
13. Clean water.
14. Good food--from our own back yard and from local producers.
15. Of course coffee makes this list.
16. And beer.
17. And wine.
18. The quiet time at night after the boys are tucked in and I can read and pray and rest.
19. God's grace, undeserved but always ample.
20. Music. The soothing notes of classical, the rev-you-up clatter of punk, the sophisticated crooning from jazz singers, the steady twang of country.

Spill it, reader. In long or short lists--your gratitude.

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a short list of delightful things

* while sitting by the rain barrel and filling a watering can, a tiny garden snake, about the thickness of a Ticonderoga No. 2 pencil slowly crept past my boots and burrowed into the retaining wall.

* Bach on NPR's Morning Classics

* convincing Mr. B to try the trail mix and his discovery that he does like sunflower seeds and peanuts and raisins when they're all mixed together

* the flock of tiny birds on the coneflower heads by the front porch, gorging themselves on seeds

* the huge full moon suspended above a wisp of clouds just after dusk

* purchasing 3 things for a birthday gift, and at the check-out discovering two of them were deeply discounted

* a carpool arrangement that gives me Wednesdays off

Spill it, reader--little delights.

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5 fast film reviews: what to rent, buy, skip over in the DVD aisle

My sons have reached the age where going to the movies is a lot of fun. They behave beautifully in public, our schedule allows time to hit the occasional matinee, and because I don't have child care expenses (Mr. T can babysit!) I've got spare cash for tickets and popcorn. We've got a drive-in movie theater where admission is $6/adult and $2/kid and a local theater has $2 seats on weekday mornings. Team Testosterone took advantage. So, in case you didn't get to the movies this summer, here's what you did and didn't miss:



The Zookeeper: Confession: I have a thing for Kevin James. He reminds me of my favorite ex-boyfriend, so this review skews positively. The kids loved the animals and while some of the voices and jokes were annoying, the gorilla alone made the movie awesome (especially when the zookeeper takes the gorilla out for a night on the town and they hit the local Applebees). The story got more about the human romance factor and less about the animals towards the end, but it was genuinely sweet and had a good message about being true to yourself. Definitely rent-worthy.



Kung Fu Panda II: Will become legendary in its awesomeness. All the big stars came back, fresh villains (a nasty-ass peacock), plot threads picked up where the original left off, battle scenes galore. The cinematography was phenomenal in Po's memories of his childhood. This sequel grows all the characters and doesn't stoop to cliche. Unlike many kids' movie themes, this one got heavy at the end with an honest and brilliant message about forgiveness and mercy. Best part? The final scenes leaves the door open for another sequel! Buy it, you'll want to watch it over and over.



Mr. Popper's Penguins: Overall, a cute movie in the tradition of Disney family films involving wacky animals and misguided humans. I enjoyed the casting except for the title role. Jim Carrey irritates the hell out of me--if he'd play it straight (like in The Truman Show) and quit overperforming like a hyperactive fourth grader desperate for attention, I'd have liked this film more. Rent it, once is enough.



Smurfs: On a scale of Fred: The Movie and Finding Nemo, this ranks one step above Fred. Neil Patrick Harris was the only saving grace, mainly because he said all the things I was thinking, like "Doesn't that song get annoying?" I cannot defend my Secret Gay Boyfriend in this film. There is no defense for this movie. I didn't like smurfs when I was a child and the translation to the big screen left me feeling smurfed off. Skip it.



Cowboys & Aliens: As action concepts go, this was entertaining mainly because it involved cowboys in this mismatched battle for the Earth. That plus great casting (seriously, Daniel Craig as a cowboy is genius!), some innovative plot threads and the gritty feel of the film quality made this a better movie than I expected. Rent it if you're in the mood for action without superheroes.



Now it's your turn. Spill it, reader. What summer movie rocked your world this year?

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really wonderful

Three boys + three friends + no fighting = general merriment.

Orange is the New Black--a compelling memoir about life in a women's prison. Go. Click the link and get yourself a copy.

Tomatoes fresh off the vine.

A professional request for one of my manuscripts (oooh! oooh! pleasepleaseplease publish it!).

A surprise visit from a couple of the T Sisters. The five T Sisters babysat my sons, beginning when Mr. T was a newborn ... now they're all grown up--the youngest is completing her senior year of college. One is grad school bound. One is back from a year in Iraq as a chaplain's assistant. One is teaching preschool at a naval base in Japan. One is married with boys of her own. Two T Sisters were on a bike ride and decided Chez Green Girl was a good destination. I'm glad they came by--we laughed and reminisced and caught up on so many things. Now I feel quite old, of course, but we had a lovely time.

Finding just the right gift for two people I love.



Spill it, reader. What's really wonderful in your world?

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well, I never

* went on a cruise
* painted my toenails or got a pedicure
* got a tattoo
* rode a snowmobile
* voted a straight ticket
* cooked lamb
* turned down a slice of pie
* went to an NBA game
* shopped for a car alone
* grew eggplant
* parasailed/skydived/went up in a balloon/bungee jumped
* bought myself an expensive piece of jewelry
* caught the bouquet at a wedding
* was a bridesmaid
* read Jane Eyre
* required eyeglasses or contacts
* golfed well
* tried one of those ice cream coffee things they serve at Starbucks
* bought store brand peanut butter
* listened to At The Edge, the commercials really creep me out
* sat through a horror movie without covering my eyes or screaming
* figured out how to see the image in those 3D pictures
* "layered" my scents--heck, I don't even own perfume
* recycled a newspaper without at least skimming it--no matter how many pile up
* got call waiting or caller ID
* understood NASCAR
* played poker

Spill it, reader. What have you never?

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this just in

Ah, I feel better after my whiny rant yesterday. All of the kind, encouraging comments made me feel like less of a failure on the home front. It's good to commiserate, to know I'm not the only mom frustrated by the constant chaos, demands, cleaning and feeding. Now that I got things off my chest, we can return to our regular programming...

So much strawberry jam--I left the jars on the counter for days because they made me so proud.

Mr. B's team took 2nd in a baseball tournament and they have another one this weekend.

Mr. T is safely ensconced at Bible Camp. He was headed out to fish when I bid him adieu.

The Bumbles will be(e) here tonight. Photos to come. I have the most darling little gifts for my book club. For those of you who care, we read Jean Thompson's The Year We Left Home which in my view is superior to Jonathan Franzen's Freedom in so many ways.

Raspberries, peas, zucchini. Lots of them.

A pile of weeds dug out where zinnia seeds didn't grow. I tore out a forest of volunteer dill. The smell was positively overwhelming. Consequently, I took advantage of the great deals at my favorite greenhouse up the road and replanted it with perennials.

The prairie is in full bloom.

The boys are done with summer school tomorrow and soccer on Saturday.

We have so many hopping frogs.

And mice. I miss Violet. Jax is a miserable mouser.

Mr. G turns 7 tomorrow.

My kitchen is finally clean.

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failures and successes

* Our fridge died. Just up and quit for no good reason. I'd just removed a thick layer of school calendars, lunch menus, A+ assignments and adorable pictures by Mr. G. Maybe that layer of paper was insulating it somehow? Anyway, it's a lucky thing to have a beer fridge in the garage that I can use until we sort this out.

* There is family drama. My sister, who moved to town, has decided to break up with her boyfriend. Unfortunately, he's still in the apartment. And she's brought her son to town. The friction is rough on him I think. He's staying here now, a good kid, quiet and so fragile... There's much more to say on the topic, but I have more questions than facts.

* Mr. D is a good man. He's taking the family drama in stride and I am thankful for his support.

* Mr. T likes golf! He's taking lessons all week and it just might be his summer sport.

* I have successfully planted garlic! I put it near the asparagus and they seem to get along. Our strawberries are morphing from blossom to berry and the peas and beans are a few inches out of the ground.

* My friend K's husband will work with Mr. D starting this summer! It's a boon for all of us, Mr. D's company will benefit from his brilliance, K will be closer and I think her husband will enjoy his new job.

* Between my 3 sons, all the testosterone at the karate school, Speedy and now my nephew, I cannot wait for my book club meeting tomorrow night. I need a little "Me Time" with the ladies!

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brought to you by the letter C

Charming--Cardigans on little girls dressed in their Easter best.
Cunning--a jar of fresh-Cut daffodils on the table
Confounding--the whole Couponing Craze--I don't get it, it seems wasteful and unnecessary, not thrifty and wise.
Complicated--working between two laptop Computers--one has speed and the latest version of Word, but the mouse is a piece of crap; one is slow and out of date but comfortable to use and simple to navigate.
Cute--surprisingly, Hop (ably supported by James Marsden's smile).
Complete--a movie script, May's karate school newsletter, my faith in Christ, prepping for the painter
Color--soon to Cover the last of our white walls
Craving--furniture for the patio, a trellis for a flower garden and those ruffled tank tops all the stylish gals seem to be wearing these days.
Cantankerous--Mr. G.
Considering--a spot in the front yard for Jax's kennel, baking a cake for supper tonight and replacing the porch swing.

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5 loathsome things

1. Licorice. The smell, the taste--it makes me nauseous. When I was young we would take LONG trips in the car (I'm talking driving through whole western states, reader). My mom and sister would pass around the licorice whips and I'd have my nose pressed against my cracked window, the smell suffocating in the stuffy, sun-saturated back seat of the car.

2. Shopping. Makes me crabby. I'll go whole years without setting foot in a mall. I'd rather clean bathrooms than go shopping.

3. "News" programs like 20/20 or Dateline. They suck people in for hours at a shot, making them stay tuned through cliffhanging commercial breaks and perpetrate weird fear and paranoia. I never watch them. Nor do I watch contests like American Idol or Dancing with the Stars. I prefer to be entertained by professional script writers and actors who have spent hours rehearsing before filming. A half hour in front of Modern Family or How I Met Your Mother is about the only kind of TV I like.

4. Box Elder Bugs. They have invaded my house again in epic numbers. I vacuum up 50 at a time. They don't eat anything, but for crying out loud they're creepy and crawly and uninvited.

5. Politicians. 'Nuff said.

Spill it, reader. What do you find loathsome?

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and a pheasant in a crabapple tree

It was hard to feel peeved about our 3-week extension of winter when I looked outside this morning and found the world flocked with frost and ice crystals. Every branch and blade shimmered and glittered while the sun rose. This picture doesn't begin to capture the beauty of this morning.


In other news, life's been a whirlwind of volunteer work lately.
A couple 6-hour shifts wielding a hot glue gun to assist eager elementary school students busy making found object art with our artist-in-residence? Check.
Fingertips blistered and burned from hot glue gun? Check.
Infamy as the "ninja master" because I can piece together black pants, shirts, masks and nunchaukas using only a hot glue gun, fabric, yarn and popsicle sticks? Check.
Successful family fun night of improv. comedy? Check.
Side stitches from sitting beside Mr. G at comedy show? (Comedian: We need an occupation. Mr. G (straining to raise his hand and yell out an answer): Mom! What's an occupation? Me: A job. Mr. G: A JOB! A JOB! Don't worry, to his great delight Mr. G's suggestions were chosen for "movie genre"--Star Wars! and "household chore"--plunging the toilet!) Check.
Boy Scouts tromped through the woods and duly shown animal tracks and tracking techniques? Check.
Plaster casts of animal tracks made by Boy Scouts? Check.
Detritus of hot dogs, plaster of Paris and many boys overrunning the house cleaned up? Check.

All this was accomplished by 2:00 Saturday afternoon.

Now it's Monday morning and I'm ready to lather, rinse, repeat. In the midst of all kinds of drama and existential angst here (including filling bird feeders, tracking down Mr. B's lost backpack, teaching Mr. T the value of hard work and money, laundry, determining my destiny--the usual stuff), I looked out my window and saw this:


That's a pheasant perched in our crabapple tree next to the driveway. We haven't planted pheasants in a couple years, so you can imagine Mr. D's joy at seeing this rooster.

Spill it, reader. What's in your tree these days?

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green things

On St. Patrick's Day it seems fitting to make a short list of green things I love:

* asparagus * "Green" living * spinach * pistachios * turtles * lizards *Key Lime pie * John Deere Green * Green Bay Packers * clover * grass *trees
* soft, fresh, new leaves in springtime * peas--straight out of the pod while standing in the garden

* mint chocolate chip ice cream * lily pads * Godzilla


* tadpoles * frogs * baby grasshoppers * beans * cactus (cacti?)
* the first shoots coming out of the ground in spring * Spring Green!

But never, not ever do I drink green beer. The only green drink I love is a margarita on the rocks, salt on the rim.

Spill it, reader. What green things do you love?

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