What do you do?

I didn't grow up in Utah. It was a bit of shock to move here and experience how much people look the same. It seems brown hair may make you a minority. Now I am raising my family here and I am constantly trying to broaden their horizons so they can see and understand other people and cultures. Consequently, we have lively discussions about the world and the different places one may live. This past week I realized I was failing at this task when my four year went up to a child his age at the park who happened to be of African descent and said, "Is this Africa?" as he touched her beautiful black skin. I still have a lot of work to do!

Mother Muteness: Writing My Way Out of Silence

To all my literary friends and moms. I thought you may enjoy this creative nonfiction as much as I. Click on the title of this entry to read the article by by Yelizaveta P. Renfro.

Enjoy!

Things I love

Those of you who know me probably realize I having dualling needs. I feel the need to be home surrounded by my children, flowers, and books(the recluse impulse) and the need to connect with friends and family. This week I have had the best of both these needs. I have enjoyed hours in the garden with the best of friends and family. You know what I mean, the friends you can talk with about everything. Not just the "eveything is great" acquaintance, but the friend who has seen down to the depth of my soul and somehow still "gets me".

Thank you dear friends for taking time out of your busy schedule to share with me as I planted vegtables, folded laundry, and took care of the children and chickens.

I am grateful:
---for spontaneous lunch dates that feel like a party without the pressure to clean my home.
---for honesty--the kind that goes down to my soul and somehow makes me happier and a better person.
---for extravagant fruit (to me anyway) like unexpected strawberries or mango.
---for lovers of great art, great music, and great writing.

I love:
---Great Kids who still like to hang with their mom,
---late night movies,
---wise old friends (even if they are only 1 1/2 years old),
---subway sandwhiches
---fruit trees,
---lacrosse games
and
---the best friends anyone could ever hope to have.

Thank you!!! (You know who you are)!

Dandelions

I love spring. Now I know you probably are thinking, "Duh, everyone loves spring." But I contend my passion for spring is deeper than the average "I am glad the cold is over" conessuier. I love spring and everything about it. For example, today, I have been loving dandelions. Everywhere I go there is a new fresh crop.

I know I am suppose to hate them. I have fantasized about keeping a dandelion patch so I can prepare a medival feast complete with a dandelion leaf salad, but I conform to society and murder the plant when it takes root in my yard.

I might not tolerate them in my own grass, but make no mistake; I love dandelions. The bright yellow flower brightens the sea of green. I am enthralled by the tufts of seeds floating on the wind. I love the warm sunshine and cool breezes and the cheerful islands of yellow dotting the perfect neighbor's grass.