Sunday, April 29, 2012

A Hermit Crab Called Tiny, and a whole lot of fun!


Tiny...you're so....cute!!!!
OK, so the Unencumbered Woman is feeling a bit tethered these days. After all, there's work, practically every day of the week (how do people do this?) and then there are the children and spouse, all with squeaking needs and even requests for company and fun...what's a gal to do?  Life goes on. I'm still training, although in a very modified Ironman fashion.  Frequent blog visitors know that my posts have slowed down ( I blame Pinterest for that digression), and we've gotten some help in the house, which didn't come a moment too soon.  Updates from the adventures in and around the suburbs?  Two great photo-opportunitites in the recent past.  The other day I was teaching in Ashby's class and she was proud to share with me the pet hermit crabs that reside with the Canyon Classroom.  Cuddly creatures?  Well, they tickle a little bit, and Ashby warned me that the one crawling on my hand did NOT have a tendency to pinch, unlike the other nibbler.
See Mom?  She won't hurt you!


I'm not too skittish about unusual pets, but having experienced the pinchers of Real Dungeness crabs when crabbing as a child, I'm hesitant to pick up any animal called a crab, even, well, if it isn't a real crab.  But how could I resist? The students are so proud and Ashby was very proud of her extended responsibility this week.





And then today, what better excuse to NOT go for a bike ride than a birding adventure with our local birding expert extraordinaire, David.  We went to Jackson Park, in Chicago, and were delighted to see all matter of winged and feathered friends.
The book displays were the only times that I didn't have my own binocs pasted to my eye!
It's all about paying attention.
 Needless to say, we have a new hobby!  We spotted sparrows, thrushes, cardinals, woodpeckers, and more.  With field guide and binoculars in hand, we were ready to take it all on!  A gorgeous day in the city , indeed! Who needs to ride a bike for four hours when they have access to such fun and learning!?  So, It's all about balance, finding the right thing for the right time, and letting things happen as they should.

After three hours or so, Ashby is winding up, but the rest are just catching the bug!
Japanese Garden...who knew??? Chicago Park District, that's who!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Dear ATT

Midcentury gem: rare in Oak Park but not extinct.
Dear AT&T, 
Thank you for providing me and my family with mediocre dsl connection.  My constant drops in internet connection have prevented me from fully indulging in my obsession with Pinterest and other online activities.  When the connection slows down, it gives me an opportunity to walk away from the computer and do something else...like eat breakfast.  Today, in particular, I'm grateful that you are visiting my alley to inspect the wiring and connection to my home.  Because our date will occur sometime between 8AM and 8PM, it gives me ample excuse to sit in my pajamas for the entire day, surfing the web and pinning images, so I can accurately log the multiple occasions that internet service is interrupted.  If it weren't for you, AT&T, I might have dragged myself out of bed this morning and gone for a bike ride, or at least a run sometime before 12 noon.  But with your loving support,  I'm sitting here with a cup of hot coffee and bowl of ten grain cereal.  Oh well, let's hope we can resolve this issue, or I'll never leave this desk.


With Warmth,
Karen


ps: in case you're wondering, AT&T, why I've attached a photo of the above home, (which is not my home, as you probably already know), it's because I wonder, deep in the recesses of my mind, whether everyone in our fine village suffers such angst at the hands of the telecom giant, (you), dear friend.  Is it possible that each of us, in our own way, is experience sub-par experience, be it with our home telephone service, our internet, or even our cellular service?  This home, one of my favorite midcentury houses in Oak Park, looks so pristine and complete. It's hard to imagine that it's inhabitants suffer such inconveniences also.  Usually, when my computer sputters or I hear static on the line on my telephone, I assume it's some blunder of mine, or my family's...but really, what if these folks are suffering too? After all, they have a vintage portal-front door, painted to perfection, a bleached coral. Don't they deserve the great service as promised?  Well?

Monday, April 9, 2012

Postcard from Oregon. Growing Old(er).

And yes. That is the author's red wine.
Mom and Dad at the Firehouse Restaurant. 61 years of marriage and counting.  Given the chronic fatigue and exhaustion of the mid-forties that Peter and I experience, it's hard to imagine dumping another 45 years on top of this.  Wow.  Walk in my shoes, I suppose.  Not always done with grace, but always loving their daughter, I thankfully admit. Today, watching my almost thirteen year old sidle into the car while her friends walked away on the date that I had denied her (it is a Monday afternoon, after all), I couldn't help but remember what seventh grade was like for me.  Who knows what is right? All I know for sure, is that all of that confidence that we brought to the parenting of babies and toddlers seems so completely irrelevant today.  I know it all mattered--at least it mattered because now it is the memory and record of who we are and what we did.  I guess I'm just feeling, as I often do, completely humbled by the experience (of life) and outclassed in many ways (by my peers).  So, Mom and Dad, congratulations on making it this far and being able to celebrate the new season's arrival with your family. We're all in your corner, watching you take on this bravest of challenges.