Sunday, February 22, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The problem with honey bees...
I've been reading a book on bees that i picked up at the library last week. I've read several articles on honey bees and the problems with pesticides that kill even our bee allies, but I wasn't sure I had the attention span for an entire book about the bee situation. I'm glad I picked it up, though, because it's actually been a fascinating look into how bees and the hive work, and the problems with our current agricultural system.
The book is Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis by Rowan Jacobsen. It's really well-written. I encourage you to pick it up at your library, or if you're more of an online researcher, check out more about the link between honey bees and your food. The destruction of honeybees means more for our food supply than you might think.
And most importantly, buy honey from someone local! There are plenty of local bee-keepers looking for a market for their honey, and you'll know that what you're getting is actually 100% honey (which is not a given when you buy it from the grocery store! didn't know that? the honey you buy there may be as little as 40% honey!) Honeyish, anyone?
The book is Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis by Rowan Jacobsen. It's really well-written. I encourage you to pick it up at your library, or if you're more of an online researcher, check out more about the link between honey bees and your food. The destruction of honeybees means more for our food supply than you might think.
And most importantly, buy honey from someone local! There are plenty of local bee-keepers looking for a market for their honey, and you'll know that what you're getting is actually 100% honey (which is not a given when you buy it from the grocery store! didn't know that? the honey you buy there may be as little as 40% honey!) Honeyish, anyone?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
one of those moments
I had one of those moments today - or more accurately WE (my youngest and I) had one of those moments today. And I don't mean a moment of the kodak variety...! What seemed like a simple trip to the store to do something nice for him, turned into this hostage negotiation, where the 5 year old was the perpetrator, the rest of the innocent bystanders were the hostages, and I, as his mother, was some weird combination of hostage, negotiator, and swat team. And I started out with flying colors - I was rational, I was firm, but understanding, still willing to find some negotiation, so long as it stuck within the guidelines I had already set. And I even had a moment of thinking, "we're gonna get through this just fine!" ......
(I feel the need to tell you that I have worked with enough kids in my life, and know my own children well enough to know better than this.... but, what can I say? I am ever the optimist!)
What's that syndrome where the hostage begins to identify and even care for their kidnapper? This is just one of many mental illnesses that parents have to deal with, because, let's face it, parents are already head over heels for their kids. (Sorry for the mental anguish, mom!)
Anyway, back to the drama at hand. I was negotiating away, and even as the situation is sadly deteriorating, I realize that EVERYONE IN THE STORE is now blatently staring at us, me and this beautifully stubborn child. Granted, his behavior was BAD, but we were working our way to the front and we were not being louder than... oh, let's say, a jet engine?
As we grow up we learn how to extricate ourselves from situations that are getting bad. I have realized, as a parent, though, that removing yourself, and someone else (who does not wish to be removed!) increases the difficulty exponentially...
So anyway, they were staring, which somehow lent fuel to his drama, and made me less together...BUT, you'll be happy to know that I'm not writing this from the shoe store. We did make it out - despite the disapproving onlookers, and without what we went for. And I love that boy now more than ever... but we will not be going back to that store for a while!
So if you happen to be in a store in the near future with some small hostage taker and their negotiator, give them a small smile, or a thumbs up - you never know what might make a difference in someone's day - for the parent and the child!
(I feel the need to tell you that I have worked with enough kids in my life, and know my own children well enough to know better than this.... but, what can I say? I am ever the optimist!)
What's that syndrome where the hostage begins to identify and even care for their kidnapper? This is just one of many mental illnesses that parents have to deal with, because, let's face it, parents are already head over heels for their kids. (Sorry for the mental anguish, mom!)
Anyway, back to the drama at hand. I was negotiating away, and even as the situation is sadly deteriorating, I realize that EVERYONE IN THE STORE is now blatently staring at us, me and this beautifully stubborn child. Granted, his behavior was BAD, but we were working our way to the front and we were not being louder than... oh, let's say, a jet engine?
As we grow up we learn how to extricate ourselves from situations that are getting bad. I have realized, as a parent, though, that removing yourself, and someone else (who does not wish to be removed!) increases the difficulty exponentially...
So anyway, they were staring, which somehow lent fuel to his drama, and made me less together...BUT, you'll be happy to know that I'm not writing this from the shoe store. We did make it out - despite the disapproving onlookers, and without what we went for. And I love that boy now more than ever... but we will not be going back to that store for a while!
So if you happen to be in a store in the near future with some small hostage taker and their negotiator, give them a small smile, or a thumbs up - you never know what might make a difference in someone's day - for the parent and the child!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Double Wedding Ring Quilt
When Kel and I got married, my Mom asked me what I wanted for a wedding present, and since I had always loved her double wedding ring quilt, I told her I wanted one, too. She laughed. Last year, at some point in a family discussion, this moment was brought up again, and it was decided that the quilting ladies in my family should make one for us. So for our 10th wedding anniversary last year, they surprised us with this one! It is beautiful! This picture does NOT do it justice. It hangs on the wall in our bedroom, and makes me smile - I love it.
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