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Starting from Scratch
It’s a new year and I’m looking at an empty back yard. The latest issue of Organic Gardening came in the mail and even if I wanted to start planning the spring gardens, I’m completely overwhelmed by the clean slate. Do we go with raised beds or in-ground gardens? Fence? Square or organic boundaries? At the back of the lot or next to the house? Of my 4 raised boxes, only one remains intact. The fire ants shredded the others,…
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It’s About Expectations: Response to “Happiness in Parenting”
This morning, Sue Robinson over at “Motherhood & Me” posted an article in which she discusses her lack of happiness in parenting and lays out the difference between loving her children and loving the act of parenting. I’ll admit I had to look up the definition of happiness because happiness isn’t something I think about often. I’ve always placed happiness and enjoyment on the backburner to satisfaction and joy – or taking pride in hard work and results, which I…
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Motherhood: The Measuring Stick – Part 1
By nature, I am a student. I love the entire process – the initial curiosity, the exploration, finding answers, applying the answers, and the evaluation. When I finished my PhD back in 2007, I found myself at a loss. I switched to the role of teacher and suddenly the only measurement of my work was if I was kept employed and student feedback. Typically the students that give you feedback are the disgruntled ones. As a mom I feel it’s…
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Elastic Strain, Plastic Strain and Hysteresis
When you add weight to a rubber band, it stretches. When you remove that weight, it returns to its original shape but not along the same path. As you remove the weight incrementally, the band contracts slightly less than it was stretched until the last weight is removed – this property is called hysteresis. If you were to observe a diagram of the stress and strain during the loading and unloading, you’d see a loop – as long as the…
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From Busyness to Malice – Separating from Community
In the song “By Thy Mercy”, J.J. Cummins writes: From the depth of nature’s blindness, From the hardening power of sin, From all malice and unkindness, From the pride that lurks within: By Thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord, good Lord. Last night, I was on my way to deliver some tomato plants to a friend, who was volunteering at church, and was debating sticking around for the service. I was in preggers’ sweats and still a little dirty…
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Balancing Act
Having arrived safely into the third trimester, I realize that my giddy glow is rapidly transforming into a grimace. Coming off of two miscarriages, I’m reluctant to delve into the general “waaah” that many pregnant women feel is their right as the weeks count down, but I also realize that I shouldn’t manufacture a cheery disposition for the sake of proving my gratitude. I’m also learning there is a fine balance between being real and being rude. For instance, merging…
