not so very quitecontrary(.org)

Today was Runt Funny's first day of kindergarten. She's in a public school this year, which I don't want to talk about. It's a fairly good school, but still, it's the government. But it was all pep and cheers this morning in carpool and she got out like a brave little trooper and looked teensy tiny with her backpack and lunchbox - and I didn't cry, though I did come awfully close. I only drove past the school twice after she was in, unless you count the 40 minutes I sat outside hoping to see her at recess (I didn't).

I so wish I were kidding there.

Another big for yesterday was the little one's first haircut. At the age of 5, yes. I agree with the absurdity of that. I asked for an inch off, but it looks more like three. It was to the middle of her back dry, and to her waist wet. But I admit, it's a million times healthier looking now, and it combed out like a dream this morning. She's under the mistaken impression that a haircut is going to stop people from commenting on it, something that happens at least once a day and which she hates. I'm afraid not, sweets.

Such is the domestic excitement around here - two days of firsts - but not much else, I'm afraid.

02:16 PM

August 05, 2008
We'll miss you, Skip

What sad news we had yesterday, that Skip Caray had died. I don't keep up with the news very well anymore, so we didn't find out until evening when we read it in the newspaper. Runt Funny and I had a proper cry over it and we listened to a tribute on the radio and clipped the newspaper article for our scrapbook.

I imagine it won't be there long, but while it lasts - here's Skip announcing Sid Bream's slide in Game 7 of the '92 NLCS. No matter how many times I've heard it over the years, I still cry like a baby just like I did the night it happened. You'll be missed, Skip. The games just won't be the same without you.

11:50 AM

July 27, 2008
for you my heart sings

A little something for my sweetheart, with apologies for being sloppy with anything non-digital. I do try, and it's the sentiment that counts, right?

Life in the new house is quiet. I've spent most of my free time reading like a maniac and trying my hand at drawing with an actual pencil and paper. Often at night I sit outside listening to the tree frogs which are surprisingly loud. The little one enjoys having a yard, though it's hot and a little unpleasant out there once afternoon sets in.

We also tried our hand at roller skating yesterday morning, and it was both comical and frustrating. My poor Runt Funny has a temper to beat all tempers when she has difficulty with something, and spent a good amount of the time yelling that she wanted to fall down a million times (she came close to hitting that number, actually) and for everyone to roll right over her fingers. Ah, but I love that little hothead of mine.

I wish I had more to report, but life is terribly quiet these days. It's good though. Very good.

02:26 PM

July 04, 2008
Happy 4th

I moved last weekend and decided to do without an internet connection which turns out to be very nice. But I did this collage last week before we left and thought I'd post it while visiting my mother.

Life in the new house has been relaxing in general. I have my morning coffee on the back porch, and saw two deer in the yard one day. This morning we took a walk down the dirt road behind the house and picked blackberries.

This afternoon we're baking a cake topped with homemade whipped cream and strawberries and blueberries in honor of the holiday. Then tonight it's fireworks - last year we found a wonderful spot in front of the old high school with plenty of room for the children to play and not crowded at all, so we're anxious to return.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday and remembering why we celebrate it and spending lots of summer fun-filled time with family. Happy Independence Day.

01:32 PM

June 24, 2008
I'm not sure what and summer reading

I'm not really sure either. It just is what it is.

I have a little tradition in the summer of reading Southern novels, but this year I decided to veer from that and just read Vietnam: A History by Stanley Karnow. It's the sort of book, slow reader than I am, that would take a whole summer for me. It's also a book I'd wanted since high school and was thrilled to pieces when a friend gave it to me seven years ago - yet here I am two weeks in and I've barely made it into the 18th century. It's easy reading, but daunting at the same time.

And this morning I began to have a touch of regret over having chosen this for summer reading. This is the sort of book to be read in some other season, not in the lazy days of summer, don't you think? So I switched gears and am re-reading Endless Love by Scott Spencer. I admit, I'm a fan of the movie - I love early 80s cheese movies more than just about anything - but the book is much darker than the movie and focuses a lot more on obsession than on innocent first love as the movie does. Heavy, but a better choice than a doorstop of a book about the history of Vietnam.

After that, I'm going to read some Joseph Skibell. After reading From the Mayseh Book in Story magazine years ago, I've been craving more of his work, and was pleased as can be when I found he has a novel or two under his belt. Oooh, and Joseph Skibell lives right here in Atlanta, which I didn't know. Not that I'm going to stake out his house or set fire to his porch or anything, but it still gives me a little thrill.

10:50 PM

June 19, 2008
WIP

I think the tenet of BlogLand is that one must post a work in progress on a Wednesday, but I march to my own lazy drum apparently.

I was searching for another sketch to scan - one that was on a loose sheet of paper and is stashed heaven knows where - when I came across this one. Not my favorite but why not? Look, no legs!:

And so I work on it a bit each night. The facial expression wasn't making sense to me so I changed it. There's just nothing that surprising or sad or whatever I was going for about a melon, is there?

09:10 PM