Thursday, September 25, 2008

Falling in love with Autumn

Some people lament the end of summer, even with its blazing heat and dripping humidity. They miss light, breezy wardrobes, hours of sunshine, eating outside. I admit these have a certain appeal. But after months of sticky clothes, goose-pimply air-conditioned buildings, and slimy sunblock, I am more than ready to leap into the next season. So, in honor of the Equinox, I present my personal list of Autumn favorites:
9. Crunchy, juicy apples (unlike the soggy, mealy ones you can get in the summer)
8. Switching from crisp, cool cotton sheets to soft, toasty flannel
7. Sipping warm tea on chilly mornings
6. Crackly leaves underfoot--I even enjoy raking them, though they make me sneeze!
5. Clean, crisp, light air; not the summer swamp of humidity and pollen that lies on your skin and clogs your nose
4. School! new teachers, new notebooks, new things to learn
3. Baseball is still going (not for the pathetic Orioles, but at least we can still watch some GOOD games)
2. Sweaters--haven't seen them for 5 months, suddenly they're appealing again! and might I add that Back to School shopping isn't strictly for the kids?
1. PUMPKIN EVERYTHING: pumpkin muffins, pumpkin butter, pumpkin beer--whatever they put it in, I'll try. So many options, so little time...

Monday, September 22, 2008

School Days

Fellow Harry Potter fans will appreciate this...My husband and I were diligently preparing my younger son for Kindergarten, trying to stir his enthusiasm about entering "real school" for the first time. Mostly, he seemed excited. One morning, however, he sat at the breakfast table with tears in his eyes and proclaimed in a quavery voice, "I'm scared to go to Kindergarten." We rushed to reassure him with more stories of all the fun he'd be having, the cool things he'd learn, etc. Nothing seemed to make any impact. Finally it occurred to me to ask what specifically was bothering him. He looked up at me, wide-eyed and deadly serious, and said, "On my report card, I don't want to ever get a T, for Troll!"

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The Cheating Vegetarian

I recently read a quote--I can't properly cite it, since I can't remember what famous person said it, or what magazine it was in--but it was something like, "I'm not a vegetarian because I love animals...but rather because I hate vegetables." Since I started dabbling in vegetarianism about 6 months ago, I find that even funnier now! People always want to know why I stopped eating meat, and the short answer is simply, 'because I don't like it anymore.' Yes, I support vegetarianism for environmental and philosophical and health reasons, but I've always had those leanings. It really just came down to the fact that I started feeling grossed out by the idea (and the actual process!) of consuming animal flesh. So why do I admit to being a cheater? I still eat, and greatly enjoy, seafood. "Real" vegetarians turn up their noses in scorn at this, but somehow, I don't view sea-dwellers and land-creatures in the same way. That's a whole other discussion, however. I could never be vegan either, since I love cheese and ice cream. And I staunchly refuse to feel guilty about that! Living in a house with 3 carnivores adds to the challenge, but so far they are, if not exactly rallying to the cause, then at least supporting the effort. Well, they don't really have a choice, since I'm the one who shops and prepares meals! As a household, we are eating a lot less animal product, and a happy side effect is that I'm forced to experiment with new and interesting ways to cook veggies and grains, to keep everyone's palate excited--and stomach full. Let's face it, "adventures with vegetables" is just a fresh wrinkle to my already "nature loving, recycling, composting, save-the-planet" personality. Must be time to go hug a tree!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Mini Baseball

After years of playing catch, throwing a ball on the roof, batting around the back yard, and running imaginary basepaths, my older son decided he was ready for organized baseball. We decided to try the "easier" option available to his age group, Machine Pitch. We figured we'd ease him into it, without erratic 8 year-olds pitching at his head to complicate matters. Due to league disorganization and some poorly-timed rain, they managed only one practice before their first game. Suffice it to say, the first time facing the unsympathetic machine was a disaster for my son. My mother (aka "Grammy") pointed out that with a machine, you just don't get the visual cues you get from a live pitcher: windup, coming to a set, arm moving toward you, release point of the ball. Anyway, Derek approached his first real game with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. He's always been an agile and enthusiastic fielder, but the batting was a question mark. I was enormously relieved when he returned home, however, as he was jumping up and down with glee while reporting on his "game stats": 5 for 6 at the plate, 4 RBI, 2 Runs scored, 2 unassisted putouts at1B, one at 3B, would have turned a DP if the First Baseman hadn't dropped the throw (which my husband assured me was right to him). AND he had gotten to play under the lights, since it was a night game. Almost too much joy for one little 3rd grader to handle! So, overall, a wildly successful first experience, restoring confidence and harmony in our sporting world. Now I'd better go make a small offering to the baseball gods for their benevolence : ).

Saturday, September 6, 2008

My baby left me (sort of)

Ah, the first day of school: new notebooks, new teachers, old friends...parental trauma?! When my older son started Kindergarten, we prepared him diligently. We discussed every aspect of what would happen during his day, sure that we had done everything possible to make his experience enjoyable. All was well until the bus pulled up. Did we forget to mention the huge, loud, orange vehicle that would whisk you away to your adventure? Oops! He promptly sat in the middle of the street and declared that he absolutely wasn't going. (Of course he did go, but we had to strongly talk him into it.) Fast forward to his little brother (LB for short), 3 years younger. LB had been trying to sneak onto the bus for YEARS. He was so determined to go to school that the kindly bus driver felt sympathetic and almost let him come! Again, we praised the wonders of Kindergarten, focusing on how much fun he would have, blah blah blah. Although I was not going to be taken off guard this time, I really wasn't expecting any drama from my youngest. So we trooped to the bus stop and took the obligatory photos of our freshly-scrubbed, excited youngsters. The bus pulled up. Big Brother put his arm protectively around Little Brother and said, "C'mon, buddy, let's go!" They climbed the stairs, the doors closed, and away they went. Wait just a minute! They're gone? That's it? Speechless, I stared at the back of the bus as it chugged down the street, my mouth hanging open in shock. No hug? No backward glance? No "bye Mom, see you later?" I wasn't sad before about both of my children joining the elementary crowd, but now I'm devastated! However...my neighbor had invited some other temporarily- childless moms over for "Mimosas and Muffins" after the kids left for the day. Nothing like a little champagne and sugar to cheer you up! And when they came home, both boys leapt off the bus with ENORMOUS hugs for Mom. Once again proving, "All's well that ends well."

Friday, September 5, 2008

Existential Crisis?

Or is that too dramatic? It took me a week of making lists on tiny little pieces of paper to finally even choose a NAME for this blog...much less get around to actually POSTING in it. I was stuck on the idea that it had to somehow sum me up in a funny, pithy, meaningful way. Then I got over myself and went to the tried and true baseball metaphors. Along the way, I rejected such gems as "Queen of the Monkey Boys"...I really don't remember why, but I suspect that my darling sons were probably beating each other up at the time. Also on the discard pile: "Chronicles of Mom-ia" (makes me want to barf now, but seemed like a good idea at the time), and "Confessions of a Closet Showgirl". I meant it in a Broadway kind of way, but couldn't stop picturing feather boas, and stilettos, and fishnet stockings. Anyone who knows me can stop that laughing RIGHT NOW!