Yay Glasses! Wait...

I brought my boys to see the optometrist today on the advice of their doctor, who said they'd gotten to the point where they'd probably need glasses. Given that both their mother and father need eye correction, this was no big surprise.

Both boys, friendly as they are, immediately started chatting with the tech as they were led off to their exams. I only hoped they'd be quiet long enough to pay attention and answer the doctor's questions accurately. The eldest boy proclaimed that his eyes were "really bad" and squinted professionally for the tech, before even stepping foot in the exam room. Meanwhile and at the same time, the youngest was declaring that he "sees double" and needed glasses. This was the first I'd heard of the double vision, and indeed the first vision complaint from either of them ever. The tech was grinning as she led the youngest away for his exam.

I was a little nervous about the dilation drops they'd be given, but this turned out to be less of a hit than the ocular pressure test. The one where they gently blast a puff of air onto your eyeball. The eldest exaggerated rubbing his eye and expressing annoyance, but he was smiling.

In the end they both needed glasses, causing them both to break out in whoops of joy and immediately begin selecting their frames. I imagine their joy will fade gradually as they realize the glasses are not a toy and Mom and Dad get upset if they get lost or broken, even if they are almost fully covered by insurance. Still, helping them pick out good-looking frames was fun, much more fun than when I was a kid. All I had to choose from was plastic, in a big boxy shape too large for my face, in tortoiseshell or an awful orange-red that screamed, "I'm a dork in red plastic glasses!" It was the beginning of the 80's. Everyone had big dorky-looking plastic glasses. But that didn't make it any better. I never wore them. In fact I never consistently wore eye correction until I was twenty-nine and training to be an optician. I learned I only needed to wear a contact in one eye, and voila, clear vision and depth perception all at once.

My eldest picked out plastic frames, but these frames are slim rectangles of black plastic lined in neon green and accented with white. Far cooler than anything I had available. The youngest was looking for red frames, but settled for blue-green metal frames with spring hinges and narrow rectangular lenses. Eminently cool. If I had had access to frames like that, I would have worn my glasses every day. Not only that, but both boys get lenses that transition to sunglass lenses outdoors and return to clear lenses inside. All paid for by the insurance. Sheesh!

Of course the highlight of the day was the free sunglasses you get when you have your eyes dilated. The boys loved them...

...although they got some strange looks at Dairy Queen as they ate their sundaes, earned for good behavior.

I'm making an eye appointment for myself tomorrow.

A Promising Start to the Week

So as I nervously wait to hear from a couple of different places about job applications, I occupied myself with finishing a few things.

One "spa facecloth" for the church festival. I now have about a week to complete a basket of stuff if I want to offer it for the auction. No pressure. But the patterns must be as cushy and spa-like as possible. Selecting them is part of what is slowing me down. I sure have plenty of yarn.

Completed weed-mageddon on some of what are possibly the nastiest weeds I have ever encountered anywhere, and oh joy, they love my yard. If you let them they grow into tall inch-thick stalks with broad lobed leaves, and the entire plant root to tip is covered in spikes. These spikes have the temerity to stab through deerhide gloves when you're pulling them. They also love to grow up between the stalks of other plants, so you can't just weed whack them and you can't spray weedkiller will nilly. According to research these plants share a root system, so even when you pull them they just spring back up again within a week. The recommended method of eradication is an eyedropper and concentrated doses of a strong herbicide that will be drawn into the root system and destroy from within. Yeah, I have time to eyedropper every single weed at its base over a half acre of lawn and landscaping. I briefly considered buying a stock of large-bore hypodermic needles and injecting the nasty buggers, but that again amounts to me having to run over a half acre of yard zapping every single one. Plus, the bulk order of hypodermics will make me look like a junky on a bender (Yeah yeah these are for WEEDS, yep. That's the ticket.) or a mad scientist performing disturbing botanical experiments in my back yard. I think for now uprooting them will have to do.

Remembered an artwork I created for my aunt some years ago, and that I had drawn it on tracing paper to better be able to transfer the design wherever I wanted it. I did see this paper during the last move, so I know I still have it, and the thought of using a different medium or altering it and doing it again is appealing to me. I just have to find it again.

Eyed the Hummer that the new owner of the house across the street owns and restrained my natural urge to key the unholy hell out of it. The Hummers that have evolved from their military, purely utilitarian roots earn nothing but contempt from me unless they're loaded with a full family, camping, fishing, and hunting gear and a couple dogs every time they pull out of the driveway. Otherwise they are wasting gas and destroying the environment. No, you do not look cool driving your over-sized, gussied up fake Hummer alone by yourself. You look like a greedy ass.

Bought some gluten-free chocolate chip cookie mix and will be trying that out tonight...

...after watching the Bruins play the Canucks in the Stanley Cup finals. I have not been a huge hockey fan since living in Michigan and rooting for the Red Wings, but I remember the Bruins winning the Stanley Cup with Bobby Orr at the helm. Yes, I was young, but I remember it (barely), and I was born and raised in New England. I can't not watch and cheer. Go Bruins!

And there's a lovely storm with lightning and thunder coming in. The perfect end to an eclectic day.

The Illusion of Control

My family gathered tonight to watch Kung Fu Panda, the first one, at my insistence. It was advertised with a trailer in a different movie the kids had watched in the afternoon, and I had the urge to see it again. (No my kids did not watch TV all day. Today was the last day of camp and they happily spent it shooting off home-made rockets and having a picnic. The day was simply perfect for them.)

There are many things to love about Kung Fu Panda including Jack Black's excellent performance as Po, the cinematics, the nod to all those 70's kung fu movies starring Bruce Lee (yes, I watched them as a kid and adored them). I was wanting to see the comedic parts because I love them and laugh at them no matter how many times I see them. (A giant panda butt squashing the super evil terrifying bad guy's head over and over? Come on. Pure gold.)

But I also found myself enjoying the quieter moments, the beautiful scene of the wise old turtle leaving his student in a swirl of peach blossom petals and stars, to fend for himself and find a way to teach the Dragon Warrior what he needs to know. Of course the in-your-face message in this movie is "Believe in Yourself". Believe you can and you will. Believe you are, and you will be. It's easy to pick that one up since a lot of kids' movies spout it, and it's not a bad message. Just overdone, sometimes. It becomes white noise.

What I heard tonight was the other message the turtle had for his student. "Give up the illusion of control." He used the example of the peach tree to illustrate what he meant. You can't make the tree blossom or put forth fruit when you want it to. It will do it when it's ready. You can make the fruit fall or pick it, but even if you plant the seed, it will still grow into a peach tree no matter how you might demand it become an apple tree.

Some people spend all their time regretting they didn't plant an apple tree. Some people spend all their time trying to make the tree flower, or fruit, anticipating what will come, and impatient it hasn't already happened. Or worse, worrying that something will happen to the tree and making themselves upset over something that may never happen.

Some things are beyond your control. Stop regretting not having an apple tree, and wait patiently for the peach tree to show you it's beauty. And in the present, enjoy the shade.

Snikt! Bamf!

Have you ever had someone ask you the question: If you could have the super power of flight or invisibility, which one would you choose? You can only choose one; no switching back and forth. Each power is only that; no super strength or telepathy included. This question is supposed to tell you something about yourself depending on how you answer.

People are not asked to explain why they themselves chose what they did, but even if you don't ask they will almost invariably choose and then explain why. Some are practical about their choice, "I'd choose flight so I could avoid rush hour", and some are very blunt, "If I was invisible I'd never pay for anything I wanted again, I'd just take it since no one could see me". But regardless of how the power would be used, we all feel a need to explain.

Over the last two nights my family has watched an X-Men Marathon, movies one, two and three, in succession. This was precipitated by my husband, who didn't have any special agenda, except that he saw reviews coming out for X-Men: First Class and got bitten by the bug again. Our elder son had not seen them and upon hearing our descriptions of some of the scenes he was excited to watch.

My elder son, as I have said, talks incessantly during movies unless made to hush. But he had some interesting questions this time around due to the plots of the various movies; what is it that makes people human or mutant, why do people on both sides hate each other, and why don't they realize there are good and bad folks on both sides?

Trying to explain human nature to ourselves, let alone a twelve year old, is a difficult task. Why do some people want to attack those who are different from them selves, while others seek unity and peace? That question is eight thousand years old and hasn't been solved yet.

You can see the strong parallels between the hatred and fear of mutants and the search for a "cure" in the Marvel world, and the persecution this world doles out to those it comes to hate or fear. My elder son pointed out that Magneto and his family were persecuted by Nazis when he was young; why didn't he understand that to turn around and do the same thing to humans was making him into the very thing he despised? That by claiming to be of a "superior race" he was emulating the Nazis that had torn apart his life and the lives of millions of others?

Because he was still only human, even if his DNA allowed him to control metal. Heady stuff, for a twelve year old. I still don't know if he understands it. I don't completely understand it myself. What I do understand is that these stories are apocryphal tales that reflect our current fears and hopes; the characters may change over time, but the underlying stories are always the same. How to fit yourself into the world around you in the best way possible, and how to help others do the same. And to have fun during the whole experience that is life.

I'm still trying to decide on what power would be the most fun to have, and I'm not limiting myself to flight or invisibility. I'm a lover of variety; I think the best power to have would be the power that allows you to "borrow" other powers for a brief time. That way I'd never be bored, and always have a surprise up my sleeve. It was close though...I almost chose SNIKT! and BAMF!

Gone Bananas!

This week, I have the whole house to myself all day, for five days. The kids and Dad are at a scout day camp, either attending or helping out. It's the second whole day and I can still hardly believe it.

Now don't get me wrong, I love my family even when they mess up the house, yell over whose turn it is on the Wii, and throw their stinky socks all over the house as if they were tossing pennies in a wishing fountain. But I am one of those folks who occasionally needs alone time to fully recharge again. And when I mean alone time, I mean completely alone and unreachable. No kids shouting for Mom to find their underwear, no cell phones ringing, no TV, no nothing. I'm also one of those people who is perfectly fine being alone with myself, and if it weren't for my need for food and water (and occasionally sunlight) I'd probably be a complete recluse. Complete alone time has been very scarce since the birth of my kids, so I cherish it, even if it's just a short drive to the store to pick up something to eat.

Now you know how I value my solitude, and why I'm so geeked about this week.

Yesterday I tore up my closet swapping winter clothes for summer. And that was very satisfying, even if half the pile of summer clothes doesn't fit any longer (Ouch, time for a reduction in sweets, methinks). I also tore up my big ol' yarn box digging out cotton yarn, of which I have loads, in order to knit and/or crochet spa cloth sets. Now it's all in neat lines next to the bed while I try out a pattern. Why spa cloths? I dunno, it seems like a summery thing to knit. There's a local church festival in two weeks that will feature some crafts for auction; I think I had this half-formed idea to contribute, but as usual I left myself way too little time to get enough done to matter. Eh well, doesn't keep me from trying, and if I miss the date they still make cool gifts.

I dug out some beads, although I still have to dig out the bead box to really peruse my collection. Having made approximately two bracelets and one set of earrings in my life, the collection of beads I am slowly building up is optimistic at best; I think of it as storing up potential crafting for the future terror of boredom. When I finally decide to go on a beading bender, I want to go in a big way, with a massive selection of beads almost burying me at my crafting table.

Whispering sweet nothings to me are the twin, almost related, crafts of soap-making and candle-making. I've done melt-and-pour soapmaking and have a small collection of fragrances. Candlemaking I have yet to try, but how hard could it be? You melt stuff til it's hot and pourable and pour it in the mold, just like the soap. Except it's wax, which is a little harder to clean up if you spill. Note to self: put down plenty of newspaper before pouring candles.

The last two days have been scorchers so I've mostly been staying in, with quick trips out to water my garden which is going gang-busters, except for the cucumber plants. The first one was destroyed by hail and the second by wind. I think I'm being told cucumbers are not to be raised by me. Fine. I can take a hint. My squash and zucchini are showing every sign of taking over the garden anyways, so nyah nyah cucumbers.

Today the black bananas went into banana bread despite, or maybe because of, the heat. Another day and we'd have had banana wine. Mixing by hand wasn't so bad, but then, it wasn't a cookie dough. I'm just going to have to bite down and order mixing bowls to replace the ones ruined in the oven. I miss my mixer.

Yep, I'll order the bowls, and maybe a presser foot for my sewing machine. I like the hemming foot I used in sewing class, but my machine didn't come with one. And that flannel cloth is just calling to me this week. Although the thought of flannel in this heat has me cringing.

Yes, this week my solitude is full of possibilities. And maybe a side trip to get a slushie or two to wash down the banana bread.

Long Live The Claw

The blog may be quiet for a few days, I hope you all understand.

My grandfather, after ninety-four long, loving and memorable years, left this earth to be with his beloved Lucy last night at 3:30AM EDT.

I'll miss you Grampa.

Generous to a Fault

Today I found out my elder son took a twenty plus about another twelve dollars in smaller bills from his piggy bank to the YMCA day camp he attends with his brother. Today was a planned trip to the roller skating rink, and he knows what's on offer there; junk food and arcade games. It was a disappointment he did not ask his Dad or I if he could take the money, but not really a surprise. He's learned that if he doesn't ask, he can't be told no.

Once there he gave a dollar to his brother and another to a "friend" who promptly told another kid, who then went over and asked my son for money. Luckily a camp counselor intervened and prevented him from spending the twenty on top of the twelve he had already spent by then, or I'm sure the other beggars, er I mean kids, would have bled him dry. The first we heard of it was when the counselor called us to ask if we had given him all that money.

Needless to say I was annoyed. And doubly so when he attempted to explain his taking money without asking as, "I was hungry!" I guess he forgot we pack him a generous lunch every day. Oops. It was obvious the junk food was more of a draw.

I like and admire generosity in my child. It will serve him well, as long as he can tell the difference between being generous and being taken advantage of, as he was today. I could easily slap the other kids who played him like a fiddle, but it isn't their fault, they did what kids do when faced with a peer who has goodies. Beg, whine, threaten and plead until they get what they want, much like they do with their parents. Only my son has no authority to stop them once he puts the goods out there, and he has a definite weakness for wanting to be liked. A truly bad combination.

My son received a lecture, from both his dad and I, on being generous versus being used, as well as the merits of letting your parents know your plans ahead of time. His piggy bank is being held by his Dad and I so he will need to ask for any funds from now on. I am considering confiscating his brother's as well so no behind-the-scenes manipulating can go on, which I have caught before. We're all treating this as a teaching moment, a lesson in fiscal responsibility, and more will be coming.

And I am very generous with my lessons.