Shley be 30

Cheers to my niece 'shley who is turning 30!

I was looking for a photo I have somewhere here in the house of her as an adorable five-year-old, but can't find it at the moment.

She is still adorable, and in recent years has educated me in the ways of organic and sustainable farming; shared political angst with me via email; and has gone on travels and adventures that I will have to live vicariously through.

But my favorite 'shley memory is that we shared a trip to Philmont together 14 years ago (yes, girl, 14!). I had a great time in her company there, and have many, many great memories of singing Billy Joel and Simon and Garfunkel songs while we hiked, dodging really fierce lightning storms, and eating really terrible food, and the last morning we were on the trail, sitting on the Tooth and watching the sun rise over New Mexico.

30 is a dawdle, Shley. I hope you find grand new ways to hike your path in this world. I will raise a pint of Fat Tire in your honor tonight.

Love ya,
Auntie K

Cat in repose

I tried to convince the cat that she wasn't being very ladylike in her posture last night, but she didn't listen.

How my kid spends time at school

Thing 1 came home the other day and announced in a very worried tone to me that her class had watched "Sponge Bob" at school that afternoon. I immediately understood WHY they had watched television — it is hell hot outside and too dangerous for the kids to have recess — but I was concerned about the choice of viewing material. Our kids don't watch Sponge Bob...it just isn't in our list of "approved" television. So all of you campers out there who are fans of the show, I'm not railing against that particular program, it just isn't one I personally choose for my kids to watch.

I spoke to Thing 1's teacher about it that evening at an open house, and she seemed mystified at my concern. I pointed out that at the same time period there are some great shows on PBS like Reading Rainbow and Between the Lions...surely more appropriate for kids to watch in an academic setting. A friend of mine observed later that the school library also has videos and DVDs of the excellent Scholastic books-on-video series....which are GREAT. Again, more appropriate for school, no?

Here's the irony of the whole situation....I guarantee that I am by leaps and bounds the most "liberal" parent in Thing 1's classroom, yet I'm the one questioning the fact that they are watching commercially-sponsored, non-academic television in lieu of something that they could actually learn something positive from. In fact, and this is REALLY ironic given the bad rap the label "liberal" has these days, is that I find myself very "conservative" on the ways that my children are exposed to different influences.

And, the next day, the kids didn't watch Sponge Bob...but they did watch another Nick show...one geared toward 'tweens. Again...this isn't complicated....just put in something more appropriate for six-year-olds.

red, or white?

What is the etiquette for a Rove Resignation party? Does one serve white wine or red? A keg? Or is that too tacky?

He says he wants to spend more time with his family. Clearly he needs to, because I wasn't even aware that he was married, much less that he has a teenage son. Maybe if he spent more time with his own family he would be less inclined to do harm to so many other families.

Not that I'm bitter, or anything.

shrine is gone

The Shrine To Little Garden Bears and Gnomes ("Gnomenclature," as my niece named it) is gone. Sadly it appears that the residents of the home where it was located have moved on to greener, and more shrine-friendly environs.

what? no hooping?

We're back from the beach, Campers. I see no new chit chat so I'll give you an image to ruminate over. Seen in Charleston, SC.