Bathtub IV

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Thanks Michael B for this link. Crazy cool.

Posted via web from gonzo's posterous

Vitamin Easy Rider

Foop, who vibrates a little high, has long been entertaining fantasies of long mother-son bike trips. You know, the kind that take you to wholesome, rugged locales usually reserved for Subaru commercials.

Meanwhile, Vitamin E likes his bike, but not enough to travel great distances - or even moderate ones - on it. This has been a source of some frustration. We'll go through all the preliminaries of donning appropriate footwear, securing the requisite protective gear, saddling up, and riding for about three blocks. It's kind of like putting twelve layers of clothes on your kid so you can go play in the snow only to have them throw two snowballs and march back inside.

But that was before the Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator*. OK, it's a bike trailer thing, but It. Is. The. Bomb.

E has a deep appreciation for speed and absolutely loved flying down the hills in our neighborhood. He kept shouting "Mom! I love this!!!" And then he'd cheer me on as I huffed and puffed on the uphills. Maybe I underestimated the added workload of an extra 5o+ lbs on the back end, but I don't mind.

We have arrived.



*(yes that's Marvin the Martian)

boys + drums

Wishes

Last night, before we went to bed, Vitamin E and I held hands, squeezed our eyes shut, and made a wish for the Mayor .

After E fell asleep, I just stayed there watching him, trying to imagine how The Mayor's parents must feel, thinking about the universal joy and anguish of parenting, and feeling both raw and grateful.

Long before I had even considered becoming a mother, a friend of mine told me that having a child was like taking your heart out of your chest, putting it into the body of this little thing and watching it run around all over the place. I had no idea how spot on he was.

So today I'm wishing that the Mayor will be able to go home, safe and sound, with his parents' hearts.

The Exam

As is a custom of the season, I spent the afternoon with my snot-nosed child at the pediatrician's office. Vitamin E was a little grumpy and apprehensive about the impending exam, so I was doing my best to reassure him that there would be no egregiously invasive procedures, long hospitalizations, or shots involved.

I walked him through what was going to happen. "Do you remember what a stethoscope is? Well the doctor will put it here to listen to your heart. Then he'll put the stethoscope on your back so he can listen to your breathing."

I pretended to examine his ears. I put my eyeball up to his nostril and peered up. He giggled uncontrollably.

To reciprocate, he tilted my head up and squinted into my nose.

His assessment:

"Mommy, your nose needs a haircut."

First Kisses

Annie Savoy: What do you believe in, then?

Crash Davis: Well, I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days. [pause] Crash Davis: Goodnight.

Annie Savoy: Oh my. Crash...

Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: Hey, Annie, what's all this molecule stuff?

- Bull Durham


First kisses should be rarified, mystical things. The first time you kiss somebody, you should feel the need for that kiss gathering like a layer of hot magma in the belly of a volcano. You are functioning and talking and listening but underneath it all is a mantra that says kiss her kiss her kiss her for the love of God kiss her!

You can work up to it all night or it can just catch you in an instant. Somehow that person passes, a full moon, right into your gravitational field, stirring within you a million microscopic cellular oceans, pulling their tides inexorably toward her. And you do. You put your hands on her face, or grab her by the arm, or you lean in. You kiss her.

A really good first kiss feels like falling. Feels like smiling. Like the embrace of a perfect blanket in front of a perfect fireplace. A good first kiss will elicit a swoony feeling.

Swoony feelings are highly underrated.

To kiss someone at the end of a first date simply because that’s what you think you’re supposed to do, that’s like throwing away a golden ticket to Willie Wonka’s chocolate factory. It’s a sin and a waste.

First kisses are worth waiting for. The good ones are.

8 State Kate

A plug for a friend, a great dog story, and a good cause:

This book was written by my Katrina friend, Jenny. In addition to Kate's amazing story, it features letters and essays from a number of Katrina volunteers, including me. There's reason enough to slap down a few bucks right there!

$5 PER BOOK ORDERED AT https://www.createspace.com/3342404 DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER WILL BE DONATED TO ANIMAL RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE SHELTERING ANIMALS FROM HURRICANE GUSTAV IN LOUISIANA AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

8 State Hurricane Kate
The Journey and Legacy of a Katrina Cattle Dog

By Jenny Pavlovic

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina roared into New Orleans, Louisiana, unleashing a torrent of wind and water that forever altered the landscape. In the ensuing weeks, countless people and animals were rescued from the flood-ravaged city. 8 State Hurricane Kate is the unforgettable story of the powerful bond between a cattle dog rescued from a rooftop and the woman who wouldn't give up on her. The heartwarming story of Kate's post-Katrina journey is a testament to the will and perseverance of the dog and human spirit! As they make that courageous journey together, new worlds open up for Jenny and Kate, an amazing survivor and teacher. Kate's remarkable journey, a tale of love, courage, and compassion, has inspired many others. Her legacy is a rescue network that continues to help dogs across the country today. At least 50% of book profits will go to the 8 State Kate Fund, to provide financial relief for animals in desperate situations. Learn more at www.8StateKate.net.

About the author:

Jenny Pavlovic, Ph.D. is a biomedical engineer by vocation and a "dog person" by avocation. She has adopted and rescued purebred and mixed breed dogs, and currently lives in Minnesota with Australian Cattle Dog (ACD) Bandit, rescued ACD-Collie mix Chase, and rescued ACD mix Cayenne. One of her greatest rewards has been seeing rescued dogs break away from pasts of abuse, neglect, or trauma and begin to enjoy life. Jenny has also learned a lot from watching her herding dogs do what they were bred to do. Through working and living with them, she has become a better person and a more confident leader. Jenny has trained her dogs in obedience, rally obedience, agility, herding, carting, tracking, acting (tricks), and therapy dog work. Her day is not complete until she gets out for a walk and a ball game with the dogs. She is active in Australian Cattle Dog rescue and has helped rescue many purebred and mixed breed dogs since Hurricane Katrina. You can see their stories and happy endings at www.8StateKate.net. Jenny is grateful for the new friends that she met through her Katrina rescue efforts and to all who supported Kate. Having the faith to take that unknown journey led to many new riches in her life. Jenny has published technical abstracts, patents, and magazine and newspaper articles. This is her first book.