UPDATE
Mama bird who has decided to live under our balcony is short 2 eggs. I walked past the nest as I turned on the sprinkler and saw only 2 eggs where there had been four.
I suppose it's too much to hope that her little birdies hatched early, learned to fly, and took off for their own little pad.
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Post hoc ergo Propter Hoc
This morning while I was feeding Madeline breakfast I decided to catch up on some news. Since the 11 o clock news is only filled with children dying and people being murdered and horrible earthquakes, I've boycotted it for a while. Instead I make my husband watch America's Funniest Home Videos with me so that at least we go to bed laughing, not thinking about horrible the world is.Anywho, my husband has a penchant for CNN (ick) or shall I say Robin on their morning show. (ha ha) It was on so I just left it on. She had a story about how the more lead that children have in their systems the more violent they were. She went on to site how some new study showed that the more lead in your system the more violent you tended to be. So, as I brunched with Madeline on some bananas and oatmeal, I wondered how that could possibly be true. What on earth could be in the led to make you violent?
Then, I remembered this little book I read recently called Freakonomics. The author states that so many times the media will get all HYPED up over something like this when they aren't looking at the entire picture. So I started thinking..... ok - led. YES there's been a HUGE media freak-out about toys filled with led from China. And I agree it's shameful! But, there's never been a documented case of lead poisoning in a child that came from toys. Most of the cases of lead poisoning came from - you guessed it - old paint. Lead dust to be exact. So houses built in pre-78 will most likely contain paint with lead in it.
As I considered this I thought about the fact that many of my friends (born in the early 80s) lived in new construction. However I realized that many children who grew up in older homes or apartment complexes would have been exposed to lead dust even though I may not have been. Unfortunately, the people who would be forced to live in extremely old, sometimes decaying homes would be the underprivileged. They have enough to overcome as it is without worrying about lead paint inhalation. It is many times those complexes- those "areas" of town that, as soon as they get run down, turn into havens for criminals. And it often repeats itself. Also, there are often muti-generational households in those areas so even children the age of mine could be dealing with true lead danger.
I just thought it was a little ridiculous for CNN to not look at such an obvious link. Not one person thought....."Hmm are there any OTHER possible links between lead paint and violence? Any other socioeconomic or cultural factors?" Nope - might as well just scare every person out there that if they've so much as held a contaminated toy from China their children will be destined for Juvy.
Ironically, my husband send me this article a few hours ago. I don't mean to go all Libertarian on you but - we parents have ENOUGH real things to worry about. I'm so tired of wasting time worrying about stuff that really doesn't matter.
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Didn't leave nobody but the baby
We discovered this little nest under our balcony. It made a nest awfully low in our climbing vines by where we keep the wood. I was hooking up Madeline's sprinkler and decided to trim some of the dead vines when I saw this little nest. I immediately backed away so that Momma bird could return. I pointed it out to Steve and we both worried that I had scared her away.
BUT - we saw her the next day, sitting happily on top of her babies -to -be. (phew) There are 4 little eggs in there that I just can't wait to watch hatch! I don't know what type of bird it is so I have decided it is a Mockingbird since they are my favourite.
"Shoot all the jaybirds you want if you can hit 'em. But don't you shoot a mockingbird. It's a sin to kill a mockingbird."
I am now checking on her every day and am afraid either the dogs or I will scare her away!
In the pictures you can see if you really look. In the second picture you can see the nest at the top of where the vines are. The third is really blurry, but shows the eggs well.
I don't know why such a small thing like a bird's nest is giving me so much joy but - oh well.
Monday, 19 May 2008
Inside Erin's studio
1. What is your favorite word?
Juxtapose
2. What is your least favorite word?
Moist
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Beautiful Music
4. What turns you off?
Negativity
5. What sound or noise do you love?
Fire crackling
6. What sound or noise do you hate?
Whining
7. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
(I am going to exclude Teacher since I will always be one of those even though I'm a SAHM)
Acting
8. What profession would you not like to do?
Retail
9. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Well done."
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
He who dies with the most toys . . .
. . . still dies.
I was perusing babble.com recently (it's one of my fave parenting sites) and came across yet another good article on saving.
I especially like the line: "We're going to have a lot of peers suffering through retirement with $200 diaper bags they can't trade in for prescriptions."
I'm guilty too, not of 200 dollar diaper bags (I can't even imagine, and even if I could my husband would thankfully bring me down to reality), but of just wanting. There's always a new toy I want for Madeline or a cute little outfit I'd love her to have. But, like the author says, "There's no way to fix it other than to re-define what makes us happy."
I truly have more than I could ever want and more than many in other countries could ever dream of. Shame on me.
I was perusing babble.com recently (it's one of my fave parenting sites) and came across yet another good article on saving.
I especially like the line: "We're going to have a lot of peers suffering through retirement with $200 diaper bags they can't trade in for prescriptions."
I'm guilty too, not of 200 dollar diaper bags (I can't even imagine, and even if I could my husband would thankfully bring me down to reality), but of just wanting. There's always a new toy I want for Madeline or a cute little outfit I'd love her to have. But, like the author says, "There's no way to fix it other than to re-define what makes us happy."
I truly have more than I could ever want and more than many in other countries could ever dream of. Shame on me.
Monday, 12 May 2008
Bookie
I know I haven't been the best about writing in this blog. I don't really have a good reason. I could say I am busy, but I am no busier than usual. I do think the nice weather has a little to do with it. Why hole up inside when Madeline and I can be outside chasing ducks or playing with rocks? Perhaps it's because the few things that have been on my heart aren't exactly lighthearted, ergo they don't seem like nice light things to blog about.
On another note, I've been tearing through my reading list like nobody's business. I have some book recommednations that are absolute must reads! Others that almost made me die of boredom...
1. The Poisonwood Bible
I am a little late to the game here, as it was Oprah's book club book like 10 years ago. I don't know what even possessed me to pick it up. But it was SO GOOD! It's long, but it took me under a week to read. It's the story of a conservative religious family who spends one year in the Congo in Africa. A husband, wife and 4 daughters take turn narrating the book which gives it a nice perspective and keeps the pace up. I can't put my finger on why I liked this book so much, but it was a life changer.
2. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
This was a recommendation from my librarian. I am SO glad she told me to read it. I would put it as a "top 5" greatest reads of mine of all time. I want to read it again as it's sort of like the movie "Crash." It'll make better sense and I'll love it even more the second time around. It's about a child whose father dies on 9/11 and he's working through both his grief, and a little mystery that his father leaves behind. Gripping is the one word I would use to describe it.
3. A Wolf at the Table
This is a Burroughs book. I've read all of his books (except Sellevision which is on order for me at my library) A memoir of his Father. It's hard to believe that people grow up so terrible here in the United States. It made me want to hug my dad, and to thank him for what a great father he was.
4. No Country for Old Men
I wanted to read this before I saw the movie. It's the first McCarthy book I've read and was prepared to have my mind blown. Instead I was having to pump myself up to keep turning the pages. First, it's set in the West which always turns me off. It's also told in 3 voices which is fine, but it doesn't tell you whose voice is whose. Perhaps he was following in the steps of James Joyce, but Ulysses this is not...
5. The Blessing of Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self Reliant Children
I *HEART* THIS BOOK. It is the best parenting book out there in my opinion. In an age when every child rearing book is telling you too look at your child's throwing a tantrum as a good thing, to make every chore a game, to hardly ever tell them no - this book was refreshing! She not only goes against the grain, but tells WHY she does - which I love. (e.g. Don't try to make every single hard thing your child does fun. - Picking up clothes, picking up toys, waiting patiently. Instead, let them know that there are certain things that are expected of them, like picking up their toys, and they will not be rewarded for it. It's simply something you do as part of your family and out of respect for your parents.) This is something every parent should read!
6. Rich Dad, Poor Dad - What the rich teach their children about Money, and what the poor and middle class do not.
I got this because of the title. My husband snatched it away from me and read it right away. He has proselytized the book to nearly everyone we know. It's a slow start, but full of good principles that may not seem like the "normal" ways to teach your children about money.
7. The Year of Magical Thinking
This is a book about a woman's life during the year after her husband's death. I thought it would be splendid - a memoir about grief and healing. I couldn't follow it and it seemed more like a college lecture than reading material. I didn't finish this one...
8. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
This is a memoir by the former French Editor of (I believe) Vogue magazine. He experienced a terrible stroke and then "Locked in" syndrome. Wherein, he could only blink one eye. That was the only way he could communicate with someone. A nurse took it upon herself to come up with an extraordinary way to let him "speak" with his eyelid. It's unreal.... a true tale of persistence and what it so enjoyable about life. A movie was made last year by the same name and they did a great job with it in my opinion.
That's all for now....I actually have a baby in bed and a husband out of the house so I mustn't waste any more time!
On another note, I've been tearing through my reading list like nobody's business. I have some book recommednations that are absolute must reads! Others that almost made me die of boredom...
1. The Poisonwood Bible
I am a little late to the game here, as it was Oprah's book club book like 10 years ago. I don't know what even possessed me to pick it up. But it was SO GOOD! It's long, but it took me under a week to read. It's the story of a conservative religious family who spends one year in the Congo in Africa. A husband, wife and 4 daughters take turn narrating the book which gives it a nice perspective and keeps the pace up. I can't put my finger on why I liked this book so much, but it was a life changer.
2. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
This was a recommendation from my librarian. I am SO glad she told me to read it. I would put it as a "top 5" greatest reads of mine of all time. I want to read it again as it's sort of like the movie "Crash." It'll make better sense and I'll love it even more the second time around. It's about a child whose father dies on 9/11 and he's working through both his grief, and a little mystery that his father leaves behind. Gripping is the one word I would use to describe it.
3. A Wolf at the Table
This is a Burroughs book. I've read all of his books (except Sellevision which is on order for me at my library) A memoir of his Father. It's hard to believe that people grow up so terrible here in the United States. It made me want to hug my dad, and to thank him for what a great father he was.
4. No Country for Old Men
I wanted to read this before I saw the movie. It's the first McCarthy book I've read and was prepared to have my mind blown. Instead I was having to pump myself up to keep turning the pages. First, it's set in the West which always turns me off. It's also told in 3 voices which is fine, but it doesn't tell you whose voice is whose. Perhaps he was following in the steps of James Joyce, but Ulysses this is not...
5. The Blessing of Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self Reliant Children
I *HEART* THIS BOOK. It is the best parenting book out there in my opinion. In an age when every child rearing book is telling you too look at your child's throwing a tantrum as a good thing, to make every chore a game, to hardly ever tell them no - this book was refreshing! She not only goes against the grain, but tells WHY she does - which I love. (e.g. Don't try to make every single hard thing your child does fun. - Picking up clothes, picking up toys, waiting patiently. Instead, let them know that there are certain things that are expected of them, like picking up their toys, and they will not be rewarded for it. It's simply something you do as part of your family and out of respect for your parents.) This is something every parent should read!
6. Rich Dad, Poor Dad - What the rich teach their children about Money, and what the poor and middle class do not.
I got this because of the title. My husband snatched it away from me and read it right away. He has proselytized the book to nearly everyone we know. It's a slow start, but full of good principles that may not seem like the "normal" ways to teach your children about money.
7. The Year of Magical Thinking
This is a book about a woman's life during the year after her husband's death. I thought it would be splendid - a memoir about grief and healing. I couldn't follow it and it seemed more like a college lecture than reading material. I didn't finish this one...
8. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
This is a memoir by the former French Editor of (I believe) Vogue magazine. He experienced a terrible stroke and then "Locked in" syndrome. Wherein, he could only blink one eye. That was the only way he could communicate with someone. A nurse took it upon herself to come up with an extraordinary way to let him "speak" with his eyelid. It's unreal.... a true tale of persistence and what it so enjoyable about life. A movie was made last year by the same name and they did a great job with it in my opinion.
That's all for now....I actually have a baby in bed and a husband out of the house so I mustn't waste any more time!
Friday, 2 May 2008
Everyone in their place
I was minding my own business. I was wrestling with Madeline on the floor when the phone rang. It annoyed me. I HATE it when people call my home phone. That's the reason we don't give it out. It's SO loud and people seem to be prone to call during naptime, bedtime, or think that 10:30pm or 6:00 am is an okay time to call. I rolled my eyes and picked up the phone. I knew immediately that it was some type of telemarketer because I had to say "Hello" 98 times before they answered.This is what I heard, " ofjsfna;skfj ;asldkfjaowjkjasidufya ewr fassf;laskjdfasj Hillary Clinton asdflaksdfjasudyr dna;oksdfydkchfuhd alkjsdfid vote asfjapsierhawnkdppslenfp primary. Count on you?" (Ok, maybe there weren't that many semicolons...) I said "I'm sorry sir. I won't be voting in the presidential primary."
"Why not?" (Said rudely)
"Well, I'm a registered Republican." (Said nicely)
"OH!" (Said in sincere shock)
Yes, sir, I know you aren't calling a primarily Republican area, but please don't act so shocked that there are still some of us who have escaped extinction. You can take the girl out of Hamilton County... (thought quietly)
"Sorry..." (Said nicely)
LONG PAUSE
"Well, I won't keep you . . . you go out and spend all that money of yours."
Now, is it just me or was that totally inappropriate? If you're calling ME representing the Democratic party or even Spam for that matter, don't smart off to me as that will only make me dislike you and permanently despise whatever it is your pushing. And if you want to go drudging up archaic stereotypes then . . . you'd better be prepared to have a long telephone conversation.
I was SO proud of myself for not snapping back at him. I opened my mouth to say something to say something equally smarty back (it was really good too . . . ) but decided cognitively to be the bigger person. I hung up and put it out of my mind.
Until now...
grrrrrrr
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