poem

Dance studio 8/17/03

You lived across the steet and upstairs from a dance studio,

& one day you showed me their bodies.

We stood peaking out from the endless paneling

of your apartment

& watched them spread and kick their legs

toes pointed, arms arched

through the window we could only imagaine the tempo

of the music which played for them,

but I listened to the sound of your sink,

the rub and intention of fabric pressing upon fabric

as you pushed down & brought your fingertips into my back,

breathing your hot breathe into my ear.

Through the window we saw them stretched and pulled

arched and beat out sweat

While my internal clock opened at your touch

unfolding in their skirts

tock, tock

their hands moving in graceful swoops as

my body unraveled

my whole heart was put upon the glass

& later you gifted me with cab fare and an open door,

& I gazed up to see the smear of my blood on your window.

postcard #1

Greece, August 2002

We got off at the wrong island
mistaking the Kimilos for Milos,
when called over the crackling loud speaker of the boat.
We went with the first woman who approached,
climbing the hill from the port after her
to a little dusty bunglow on the road.
We have traveled all night, so this morning
we are very sleepy, we close the curtains
and sleep until night.
When we awake we go down to the port where
we spotted a restuarant this morning.
To our surprise, everyone is about,
drinking, playing games and laughing.
We see the moon over the water.
We smile, eat and smoke.
Tomorrow we swim.

what we made

milo's card
nate's card
last week we went to a birthday party & made the brother & sister some special gifts....homemade books & crayon rolls.

my favorites are their hand made cards.

this moment

in Soulemama's words, 


{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Aprons

Lordy, I had been wanting to make aprons for the boys for so long.  It was truly years.....and such a simple thing, but yet I never got to it.  But this year, for Nate's handmade birthday gift, I finally tackled the fabric and rustled this out.  I asked him to choose the fabric, because I have learned one needs to include him in major decision making, esp. regarding all things wearable.  He chose this swirly fabric, which is repurposed from an Ikea cushion cover.  It literally took me 15 minutes to cut and sew.  I didn't even use an iron!  (what a cheater I am)  Happy to say that he likes it and wears it while cooking and crafting.

 Although I can take no credit for Milo's lovely apron.  His was a Christmas gift from Aunt Liz this year.  She did an excellent job.  This was the maiden voyage for Milo's apron.  The boys did spin art.  Milo had not a spot on him.  Nate, on the other hand is another story.  Ah, how wonderful it is to experience the difference between two brothers.

 (don't mind Nate's pained expression, that is the face he makes when you ask him to smile)

A bit of their creative endeavor....

these moments....

nate's pick

milo's pick

These photos were taken by Milo earlier in the week.  He has a knack, truly.  He almost always gets her to smile.  I decided to let them pick the photos for this moment.

uncanny

I know I have done this schtick before with how similar my children look...but this is really remarkable. Now that Nate & Milo are grown the difference is obvious....but these baby snaps are a trip. Is this a testament to all babies being so alike? Or do these genes just run deep?

scritch scratch

This photo was taken at FDR Park in South Philly, by Chris.

My grandparents had a pool table in their basement when I was a kid.  Often times we would play down there, listening to music, playing behind the bar or peeking at the remains of a massive model train platform that my grandfather had built.  In fact it was this very basement that I learned to dance.  I recall it was Michael Jackson's Off the Wall Album.  But all our fun centered around the pool table.  We weren't always allowed to play with the sticks, for fear that we'd scratch the table.  So my Aunt created a game called Rat Scratch.  All at once, we'd grab a ball and try to hit the other balls into the pockets.  It was quite fun.  One had to watch their fingers though....getting caught between two balls was no fun at all.  Ahem.

{this moment}

Following along again this week with Soulemama.
In her words this moment is,

"{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see."

Milkshake Hat

This summer in my hat knitting extravaganza I knitted up this one for my little lady. The yarn color is called milkshake. It knitted up the best, so far. The yarn was intended to be for felting, but I have not felted it and don't know if I will. I do so like it the way it is. The stitches look great, perhaps because its a thicker yarn....It fits well and she looks warm enough and cute to boot.

Off to do some dreaming and planning......

around the house and Iceland too...

These bits of fabric have been patiently waiting for me to turn them into potholders for about a month now. Last month I made a purge of some very ratty potholders and decided to make a few of my own with some great vintage fabric that I scored at a house sale two summers ago. What a great project. Quick & easy. The end results were decent too. I found great satisfaction in quilting them as well, playing along with the lines in the fabric. I see more of these in the future, perhaps as gifts...

What I have realized in my crafting lately is this, I want to complete something and feel good about it in a short amount of time. My time is so limited as it is, that I want the sense of accomplishment with no fuss, no muss.

I also have a stack of bibs that need a bit of embellishment. This is one that I made for Ophelia. She has drooled all over it, which I am taking as a sign of her approval. She is teething now, hands in the mouth, soaking all her cloths and reaching for everything. No longer an infant this one....

Also found this video which can only be described in one word,
Iceland.

Until tomorrow, my friends.

marvel of marvels

Ran into a very pregnant Mama today,

she was looking lovely and ready

to welcome her sweet baby into her arms.

later while gazing at this sweet girl child,

I marveled that within her

tucked in her tiny ovaries

are all her eggs.

& one day she might be that radiant Mama,

carrying a life within.

hmmm

This morning we made the trek out to the craft store to pick up some supplies for an art class that Chris is teaching this month and to splurge with a gift card. I feel kinda weird saying this, but there was not much at this huge craft store I

felt like I needed or wanted....which may be a testament to how much craft supplies I already have and need to deal with in the next few months. So I let the boys pick out birdhouses and Chris got a wood burning tool. It will be interesting to see what comes of that.....

The past few days has afforded me some free time thinking while driving to and from work. Rattling around in my brain some poetry has been forming, perhaps I will put pen to paper soon.

& besides that, boy is it cold. I want to take my baby and take a nap.

{this moment}

I'd like to title this "Zebra in Hiding"
Playing along this week with Soulemama.

who ordered eggs?

I have recently taken some items to sell at a local store in Mount Airy, called The Nesting House. Anyone looking for bibs, dolly blankets, crayon rolls or play food can inquire there in. They also carry a great selection of cloth diapers, gently used children's clothes and some other sweet baby essentials.

a walk in the park

Dear friends,
I did write yesterday. Honest. I just wasn't finished as I went up to put the kids to sleep. Then I fell asleep myself. Not in the plans, of course, but thats how it goes sometimes.
I was challenging myself to blogging everyday this year, but I didn't know how far I wanted to let that challenge spread (why dissapoint everyone when I fail ti show up)...but here it lies....one day out of six missed so far. Lets see if I can do better.

So, yesterday's post.


We walked the icy hills this morning with some friends. Crossing streams, climbing rocks, breaking icicles. Nate rolled on the hills. We ate a snack, looking down at this valley. Watching the turkey vultures circle overhead like we were lunch. Only two minor injuries in our journey....& one cryptic message carved in a bench....

diligent love

This morning, he came to greet me with a smile

letting me know before I made my way downstairs

that he had made a big mess.

Than he climbed into the bed,

to give the object of his most diligent affection

her morning greeting.

A smile, while he rubs his nose on her cheek.

She tries to talk, while kicking her feet, mouth wide.

He says, "hello Ophelia" in that drawn way that he reserves

for when he speaks to her....

and than he kisses her cheek,

leaving behind an oval wet mark,

and hops further on the bed, stands up

& flops into the quilts.

Tis our morning ritual.

Late Monday

It's been a bugger of a day.

It's offenses to numerous to list.

But somehow, I found some redemption in a wee walk. Still in my realm, being busy and dutiful...I was walking Milo to and from his Monday morning program...but lucky me that walk was in the woods....where I noticed fat squirrels scampering about, 2 white tailed deer running like flashes through the golden sunlight, and a woodpecker doing diligent business in a tree.

Also had the privilege of watching Milo find out if the little pond was frozen enough for him to walk upon.

Tentatively, than more steady slipping with his feet & than the crack. His face lit in alarm and he quickly, stealthily made his way back. Brilliant.

Trying to hold on to that loveliness while I plow ahead through dinner and beyond...

set it off

just thinking of this song today......

perhaps a bit about how I am feeling this new year....

I believe the above Mummers are from the Rabble Rousers Brigade...these were of the 2 photos that turned out.

Just a bit of follow-up to the Mummers parade....Vaudevillains came in second place in the Comic Division and here is video of their esteemed performance for those interested parties....& while your there, check out the other videos and enjoy.

A Mummery New Year

We celebrated this new years morning by venturing to Broad Street...to see the Mummers and in particular the Vaudevillains New Years Brigade. Our friends made up the Philly Phantasy Phorest and were excellent. Although my favorite mummer of the day is pictured above.

What fun the mummers are.......I am pissed I never made it a priority to partake in this long tradition.
Pictured above are the Vaudevillains...I did not take this photo...I found it on...myphl.com. Its a good one. Mine didn't turn out so well.

So my new years resolution is this,

perfect my strut.