Language

How humans learn language is fascinating to me. And getting to watch a new brain learn it was wonderful. When my child was learning to read, they came home from school one day and said, "My teacher doesn't know how to spell 'juice'. How weird is that? She ends with an E That makes the…

Haunting

Only child

When they were about 12, they requested a little sister. Kitty: “I’m not married.”Offspring: “Even *I* know that’s not required.”K: "But, it's easier with 2 parents."O: "I'm old enough to help out. "K: “She would want to play with your toys.”O: “I would tell her to stay out of my room.”K: “Yeah? How well does…

I love them so much

My child is non-binary, using they/them. I find they/them easier to use about the adult. When I talk about the child, I still think of the child I knew. When I talk about the child, I’m more likely to slip. I have known that gender dissonance has been part of their way of being since…

Seasons

My friend, Michelle, wrote a poem about the joys of putting summer abundance up for cold weather consumption. I am about it, too. I don't have a pressure cooker and I'm intimidated by the idea of using one. It isn't something anyone has shown me how to use and it feels like a big deal…

Proust Questionnaire

Shamelessly lifted from Vanity Fair. I don't intend to answer these questions here. I don't think my answers are useful to anyone but me. And they change. I don't even have coherent answers for a couple of them. But, I do think the questions are interesting to consider as we muddle along. __1.__What is your…

Esme is a little weirdo

A while ago, I realized that if I buy plain yogurt and add my own jam, I always get to have the flavors I want. And it wastes fewer containers. Also, I use plain yogurt in place of sour cream when I'm cooking. It's a habit I developed ages ago after ready that 0% fat…

Joys of parenthood

My 2.5 year old child could see me in the gas station as I was paying. And had been told, "I will be right there I am not going where you can't see me. Wait right here for just a minute." Got out of the car seat, cranked open the sun roof, climbed up and…

Apero!

I have been exploring the joys of aperitifs.  I read an article about the European habit of a little snack with a  cocktail before the dive into preparing dinner and it really appealed to me.  I've been having fun creating the little snacks.  One day, I boiled 3 eggs and deviled them. Another day, I…

Learning a new trick

A decade or so ago, my friend, Ann, decided to try a block-a-month quilt project and learned a new trick that way. She has been a quilting fiend ever since. It's been to my benefit. I have 2 gorgeous quilts that she made me and she made another one for my kid when they were…