February 2008

Myrna in her natural environment.


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February 2008

Thursday, February 21:

Remember that icy paradise I used to talk about in Montana? Well, in November, our family traded it for an icier paradise in southeastern Idaho. Since I grew up in northern Idaho, I suppose it’s only right that I move back to the southern idea to live out the rest of my days (though, I’m hoping for “years”--lots of them.) We now live in town, so I no longer live in fear of grizzlies and mountain lions. I’m sure I’ll develop some new fears to replace the old. And I’m still afraid of sharks. Doesn’t matter where I live. Sharks are number one.

This move is our “adventure.” We didn’t know anyone here, and a month before we moved, we didn’t know we were going to move. But the kids seem to be doing well--thriving, in fact. Magnolia has taken a sudden interest in her grades. Pandora skipped up to sixth grade this year right before our move, then moved into a middle school here, then they changed her classes around a month later to provide her more opportunities for challenge. She actually appears to thrive on all that upheaval. Rupert is happy to live in town with “real sidewalks” and friends within walking distance. The view here isn’t as nice, but the neighbors seem to be.

As for me, as soon as the ice melts and I dig my mini van out of our snow drifts, I have a feeling I’m going to like this place.

Tuesday, February 26:

Pandora keeps a mixture of olive oil and salt in the refrigerator. She uses the stuff to scrub her face. Hubby, who can’t stand to see any food go to waste, went through the refrigerator the other day and found some leftover honey butter to put on his scone. Turned out to be a little saltier and oilier than traditional honey butter. When he found out he had a mouthful of Pandora’s facial scrub and scone, he turned green and spit it out. Funny, I’ve never seen him turn green or spit anything out before. The kids got a kick out of it.

I’m tackling a new project--upholstering a complicated set of parlor furniture. It’s taking forever. There are hundreds of buttons to cover, and I have to do each one by hand. The good news: it’s actually turning out pretty nicely. The bad news: I’ve only got one chair done--the smallest and easiest one. The good news: I LOVE a creative challenge. The bad news: I hate covering hundreds of buttons.

The upholstery project is a result of my “creative revival” period. Since we moved, I’ve been in a slump with my schedule thrown off by all of the changes. And I love my new house, but until lately, I felt as though I were sitting in a nice hotel suite. It wasn’t really my home. It felt temporary. But a couple of weeks ago, Rupert came home with an assignment for a book project, and parents were encouraged to help. He wanted to build a castle to go along with a book he was reading, so I started to “help” him, and I helped him until I got so excited about the darn thing that I completely took over. I designed a working drawbridge and a working portcullis in the gate tower. I filled the place with itty-bitty furnishings. It felt good to be back in the creative mode--like I was finally home again. Rupert loved the castle and made a few items to help furnish it, but really, it was my project. To clear my conscience, I asked him to write a book report to go with it. No, I didn’t take that over as well, but I did help him with his spelling.

That project was the catalyst. Since then, I’ve made Valentines with secret messages for Rupert’s class, I’ve drawn up another outline for a book I’m excited about, I’ve written an article for Understanding Our Gifted, I’ve made wheat bread, which my kids refuse to eat, and I’ve begun the upholstering project. It feels good to be back!

Friday, February 29:

Last night, Rupert receive his bobcat badge at a cub scout pack meeting. On the back of the badge, he noticed a small golden sticker that said, “Made in China.” He showed me the sticker and said, “Mom, I wonder why most everything we have is made in China.”

“Yeah, me too,” I said.

Rupert pondered it for a moment. “Maybe it’s because they sell things for less money.”

“That’s possible.”

“Maybe people in our country care about money a lot,” was his final thought before his attention was turned to the cub scout across the table who was giggling over his chili and making faces at Rupert.

I love watching the gears turn as my children try to make sense of the world they live in. I am often surprised, not only by their conclusions, but also by the things that catch their attention. Rupert is paying attention to those little golden stickers. The details don’t just slip by unnoticed as my son skips obliviously through his childhood.

When I think about all of the times that Rupert has surprised me with his attention to details and his deeper thoughts on how the world works, I wonder what lies beneath the surface. What questions is he not asking? What other details go unmentioned? I am amazed at the capacity of a young, fresh, brain--especially when I know that I am only allowed to glimpse the tip of the ice burg.

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