MVI_0045
Originally uploaded by rainbook101
And yes, this was after Halloween so we were all a mite bit sugared up. Go Mom!
At the end of a season you can see our Nature Table is full of treasures: a craft from our leaves, acorns we've kept, a smooth rock with a story, "brain" fruit, little pinecones and of course the feather or two.
Each little item represents a moment that we spent or the "making" of a something in a fleeting fall. A seasonal representation of our expereinces if you will.
I shiver to see the waiting baskets for mittens, hats and gloves as soon I know the Nature Table will be empty, and icicles are mighty hard to keep on a table for long.

I am currently reading Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J. Fox. Fox is a former teen idol, actor of excellence, obviously an optimist and founder of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Disease which serves to fund scientific research in the search for a cure for Parkinson's.
I'm finding the book an inspirational read as he speaks with a clear voice of humor, resilience and level handedness about dealing with Parkinson's. I have probably no more knowledge about it than most people prior to starting this book, but have found myself poking about for more information as the topic prompts deep though on many science, research and political issues.
I know that if you read me you would probably readily see that I abhor people like Rush Limbaugh as I feel that he is probably about the most illustrative of a domestic terrorism agenda of hate for, well, pretty much anything that he himself might not believe in. He spews misinformation, hate, bias, racism, and right now even more so misconstrued financial facts. O.k., so I digress a bit......... Fox has a wonderful segment in his book where he discusses his feelings after being publicly mocked for Parkinson symptoms on the Rush Limbaugh show.
Fox believes in political actions to push for both the right and support to pursue stem cell options, and did an ad for a Democratic candidate. (When golly, he has done this for Republicans as well when they support the causes that are important to him.) Rush, in typical idiotic fashion, berated Fox and mocked his symptoms offending a whole world of Parkinson's and/or disabled people. Gotta love the humanity of Rush. Fox responded in such a graceful and respectful manner both on the media and in writing showing true grace under fire.
You can see a review of the situation, and actually (for once) something on MSNBC that I would repost. And yes, this IS an opinion piece of a quasi-journalist cracking on Rush. (Note: I *heart* Air America.) But then again we know most anything on MSNBC or FOX is news-o-tainment and not actually news as it violates basic codes of journalism to begin with. But I found this rather funny and thought you might as well.
The follow up interview that Fox gave (first You-Tube) truly shows grace, dignity paired with thoughtful introspection. He took a bully down without resorting to the tactics that make Limbaugh the true tool that he is. And by he way, how is that blood of America feeling on your hands Rush? People like him serve to polarize rather than prompt intelligent discussion, and try to make each other view our neighbor or friend as immoral as wrong if they simple may have another viewpoint. Fox took a higher path in explaining the issues rather than the negative verbiage to try to attract a viewer a la Jerry Springer.
To return to the subject of the book, it is a must read for anyone in the Parkinson's realm. I think it is an excellent read for the rest of us that would like to see for a moment how precious our time is, and how we all have the right to speak on topics of which prompt our passion. Fox describes feeling as if in order to find his life's work, he had to quit his "day" job of acting. His evolution is quite an asset for the rest of us as his quest for research funding may also aid people with spinal chord injuries, diabetes, and more
And just as he took down a big windbag with much more style than I or most people can, so I also wish for him to take down a bully of a disease that I now know has touched millions.
Last week I wrote ever single one of my Congress peeps in support of comprehensive health care reform with public options (ah, that is another post) for the sake of our nation. Next on my agenda is to write every single one of my Congress peeps....again....because I relish writing lovingly crafted yet demanding letters to the folks whose salary I pay.......in support of expanded medical research as it can stand to significantly improve the quality of life, welfare and well being of a good deal of our citizenry.
If you would like to be inspired by this gentle giant of a man, grab a copy of Always Looking Up. You may just walk away with a bit more of an optimist inside yourself as well.
I would like to try and replicate this. What a beautiful, natural piece of art goodness! I think I'll send my boys on a stick mission this weekend. How simple and pretty.
Wesley from Mountain Mama posted this, and I couldn't resist sharing. Sharing, not hijacking ;-), promise! What a fantastic idea, loved it. The only thing I don't get is why the escalator keeps running. Seems like you could switch it to an as needed basis and save the electricity.
I think I am just still opposed to automatic doors, buttons, elevators and the like unless you actually need them due to a physical limitation. I think we've transcended from "assistance" and into "laziness" in some respects in our society.
I like the idea of fun for Library planning. Maybe not necessarily a keyboard with noise, but what are ways we can incorporate fun into our Library experience? Dignity meets whimsy?
I'm pleased to see that the Fountaindale Public Library now has all of the renderings of what the new green Library will look like. The beautiful airy staircase will be central - and encourage people to take the stairs. I participated in focus groups for this endeavor.......and I'm so happy to see the patron input coming to life!
If you follow the links through to the Photo Bucket site check out the staircase designs. It is ;ight, open, airy and central to the design. A beautiful green roof to offset emissions! The theme will be a Library in a park. Perfect!
Today I had a really stressful day, the kind that just chews you up from one end of the day to the other. And don't get me wrong.....I love my job. Some days are just harder than others as with most good jobs in the world. It is what it is on these days and we just make it through as best as we can.
After I picked the kids up from school I was just dying for a breath of fresh air and nature. We went straight from school to a little spot off the DuPage River that I like. Stress be damned, I need to dig my toes in some grass.
We ran over chilly grass, discovered an apple tree with a few tasty apples we could pluck, ran on a small "island," threw rocks and listened to the geese call to each other. The water rippled and suddenly I felt like I could breathe again. Dinner could wait, we needed some earth Zen.
As a beautiful sunset hit and the dark faded in we rock hopped off the little island of grasses and shells. Lukie had made it over without Mama's help and tried to get back. Ooops! He splashed into a good deal of chilly water and muck. He started crying that he didn't want to be dirty and muddy, and oh....he is sorry. Oh gracious, getting dirty means that you had more fun. Don't ever be afraid of getting dirty!
As I stripped off his wet socks and shoes in the car I think I was prompted by my stressful day combined with Mama hormones and gave the guys a little talk on the way home that I hope they remember. The gist of it is that I HOPE you get to grow up getting dirty. Dirty means that you had fun, that you lived in the moment, that you dived in the mud and experimented. I hoped you never had to spend time in your life being worried about always being clean.
Maybe I'm a shitty daredevil Mama, but on the way home I told them that I hoped that they:
1. Got to ride a motorcycle really fast in their life.
2. That they got to jump out of a plane if that is what they wanted to.
3. That they got to go redneck mudriding in a big ass truck.
4. That they got to backpack through the woods.
5. That they got to see a bear up close and in person.
6. That they got down and dirty in nature so that they could truly live.
7. That they had adventure, in however the adventure comes to them.
I told them that I wanted to be a Mama that let them live instead of always being afraid of what living had to offer. I told them that I didn't ever want them to be afraid to try what they wanted to try that was right for them. Fear doesn't do anything but capture you in fear.
That my Mom was always afraid of what people think or say, what to do or not do because you could in some form or fashion be hurt. That it made me 100x the wild child because all fear bred in me was the desire to break those bonds of fear. I want them to leap beyond what people think of them, and never be afraid to get down in dirty in life or the living of it.
I do talk about bad fear things like smoking is awful for you, and driving should always be done respectfully......the things that we should have a smidgen of fear about or at least a small amount of respect for. Maybe wear your safety harness when you go riding in a big ass truck? Adventures with a respect for your own life and others.
I found it a hoot that Lio was saying, "Oh yes! I want to do that" whereas Luke was saying, "Oh no, that would be scary." Their personalities already dictate a little bit what their own personal adventures may be do a degree. Lio will be the one jumping off a cliff whereas Lukie may be the one with mind challenges. It all remains to be seen.
O.k., so many I'm too deep for 4 and 5 year old boys. But I figure it is never too early to tell them it is o.k. to drink every ounce of juice their life gives them. In the end people's assumptions won't matter, and possessions fade away. I'd love for them to remember me as the Mama that said it was o.k. to get down and dirty with the business of living life.