Four-Legged Monster

My knit skirt plus Tshirt formula is getting kind of boring, thought I'd liven it up by letting you see how skirts are also useful as hiding places or for playing monster. 

And, that's all for today, folks.  I played tennis so any energy I would have or should have is somewhere back at the court.  To be clear, that is fine with me, because I left my stress there too.  You should try it sometime!

Opus Magnum Balloonus

In celebration of the children with birthdays in May, June and July, the mothers of said children and the faithful members of the Event Planning Team had a quick, yet elaborate party last Thursday. I'd like to insert a photo of the party here, but since I was performing, I didn't take any. One thing we did at the party was Balloon Art. I learned to make a flower and gave it to Izumi. Making things out of balloons was more fun than I thought. So yesterday I went to Party City (Koji kept calling it Party Town and I didn't correct him 'cause I thought that was funny) and bought us some balloons and a pump. We went to you tube for instruction and found all that we might ever want to know. Pictured is our most successful creation, Blue Dragon. I know, he looks more like a Blue Diseased Rat with that red thing coming out of his mouth (flame!). But we are proud, so rejoice with us!

Intentions

photo by jmazzola

Misaki turned three, so as promised, she is now allowed to chew gum.  A couple of days ago, I gave her some.  A few minutes later it wasn't in her mouth any more, so I asked her where it went. 
"I put my gum in my stomach, Mama," was her solemn answer. 

Lately I'm reading Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle.  I'm finding it  very inspiring, yet also a bit bothersome.  It causes me to revisit this niggling question: how is it possible to be an extroverted writer?  As I ponder what it means to be a writer, sitting for hours (alone) to just write, already, seems to be a non-negotiable requirement.  But as a mother of smallish children, personality aside, when exactly would I have hours alone to do anything, even if I wanted them?  
I used to work for a couple who owned a business.  Their family life and their business were both admirable.  As I spent time with them, I got to know their daily rhythm, an integral part of which was early to bed and early to rise.  Sounds corny and cliche, but 20 years later (I'm a slow learner) the concept is starting to appeal to me.  My husband's been out of town for two weeks.  We have a habit of staying up too late, which makes no sense for me, because I have zero energy and often spend the time wishing I was asleep.  Left to my own devices for these two weeks, I've begun going to bed earlier and waking up earlier.  Are you making the connection?  This is a way for me to find hours-or at least "hour"-alone.  I have yet (until this moment) to spend my "extra" morning time writing but I would like to begin.

Instead of saying, "did you know?" for some reason, my kids say "did you notice?".  So instead of correcting them, because I think it's funny and cute, I just let them continue.  And now I find myself saying it too, like this:

Did you notice, in Japan and some other East Asian countries, blood type and personality are believed to be correlated?  Read all about it on Wikipedia.  The short, relevant summary is this: Type A is organized, neat and responsible.  Seems like nearly all of my Japanese friends are Type A.  Type B is random, unpredictable and irresponsible.  I am Type B.  The rational mind, which I don't employ often, agrees with this statement:

"...no basis exists to assume that personality is anything more than randomly associated with blood type." found here

But in my daily life, I feel as though I have a giant B stamped on me like a Scarlet Letter.  In addition to retiring early and rising at the same pace, I suppose I am declaring my intention to try and unbelieve that B blood=incompetent. 

Perhaps I'll believe better with coffee in me.  Happy Day, all!

Auspicious Days

Days worth noting in this space have come and gone un-noted, including but not limited to: Izumi's Sixth Birthday, Mother's Day, the first anniversary of the day I left my fourth baby in Rome, and our Eleventh Wedding Anniversary. All the while, I wore clothes. I know you are relieved to hear it.

I Read A Book

Never used to be big news, but I read a book.  Specifically, the book pictured above.  I read it this past Sunday while shamelessly and deliberately neglecting my household duties, and at times, my children (they were never in danger, not to worry).  

I thought it was great.  And I vow to never watch the movie.  How can a book that's less events and more inside of three different heads possibly be make into a good movie?  I'm not a filmmaker, but I just don't see how it would work.  

Did you read this book?  What did you think?