Duly Noted

Mike proudly displays his loot. On the roof. A real baby bump. Christmas cookies. Rachel poses beneath the tree. This is actually from Thanksgiving, but an accurate and timeless display of Vasich game nights.

The self-congratulatory holiday letter.  Did everyone write individual cards by hand until the era of copiers and printers?  I suppose the holiday letter is considered a time saver as composing thirty plus letters before Christmas is an undeniably daunting task.  Additionally, I've been told most people can't even read cursive anymore, so handwritten letters are an effort in vain. I am a sucker for handwritten letters.  Over the years, I have read and re-read published letter collections of authors and cultural icons.  I head down to the basement to read my Grandpa Len's letters and prolific journals every time I visit my parents.  I imagine these writers at their desks in pools of warm light as night colors rise in the sky and their loved ones fiddle with pots and pans in the kitchen.   Mike teased me about my holiday letter conundrum.   "Nothing to be stressed about."   "I'm not stressed- I just want to say something...

You know the song, "It's the most wonderful time of the year..."  That's pretty much my mantra starting around Thanksgiving week and wrapping up in mid January. As I write this post, I am listening to the holiday station (programmed on all household and vehicle radios) AND Mike is currently buying out Menard's stock of holiday lights. Here's a glimpse of the weekend's festive and not-really-festive happenings: Today, The Longfellow Lights Committee prepares this year's awards.  A popcorn bucket and Muppet's Christmas Carol will keep us on task as we cut and glitter (yes, I used glitter as a verb). Mike and I attended an 8-hour Childbirth Express Class on Saturday.  I should write an entire post about this, but for now, I will say that we feel confident and excited about the birth process.  We also quizzed each other on childbirth trivia all the way home.   True or false- a newborn should have 3 soiled diapers before it leaves the hospit...

Even though this race report from a few weeks ago, I am posting it anyway as it hallmarks a distinct running moment in my journey as a female runner.  I signed up for the Big Woods Run trail half-marathon with my friend, Rose, before I knew I was pregnant.  I ran this race in 2010 and it remains one of my favorite trail races in Minnesota as the course follows wooded paths up and down hilly ravines.  Come October 2012 and four months pregnant, I wasn't willing to drop out of the race as I ached for the solitude of the tall trees and the sound leaves crunching beneath my running shoes. Rose and I started the race together with the plan that she would run ahead after a couple miles and I would find her husband after running five or six miles.   The problem with this plan is that the race course looks like this: The only place accessible to cars is where highway 29 crosses the course, somewhere around mile three or four.  Now if you know me at all, I am just...

Reunions with longtime running buddies Homemade Pizza and Bezzerwizzer Getting my fill of  talk radio Run To Unite  A new book Meeting little Leo! Preparing for Summit For Courageous Conversations Double feature:  Argo  (100% recommendation) and  Looper  (I disagree with this review...it's forgettable) A pretty make-up line Dreaming about making my own shadow box of keepsakes

On our honeymoon two years ago, Mike and I christened our handheld video camera "small wonder."  We took it with us on our adventures along the Pacific Coastal Trail to the local bakery to the backyard to capture our wild turkey and bobcat sitings.  Documenting daily wonders truly reminds me that there rests an orb of deep joy within every moment.   Today I want to document a wondrous moment.  This moment is not even close to the most wondrous moment as of late, but a small wonder of its own right.  Months ago, I signed up for one of my favorite trail races, a half marathon race called the Surly Trail Loppet.  I have run this race a few times, each time breaking last year's record.  This year, I was not expecting to break any records since I decided to run the 5k instead of my usual half marathon.  For good reason- I am going to be a mama!  (The most wondrous of wondrous small wonder!)    I actually only starte...

Over the next year or so, I will randomly publish a post that focuses on an aspect of my growing library and reading list. My Library, Volume I: Female Memoirs and Biographies I've always loved to read.  Many a summer afternoon has been spent reading a book from beginning to end, always in a sunny spot with a soft breeze coming through.  My taste in books hasn't changed much since childhood.  The criteria has remained steadfast; my favorite books have at least one strong central female character who overcomes challenges using her intellect and innate sense of creativity. Even as a young reader, many of these books were non-fiction.  By age 10, I had read every Jackie O. biography in the Wauwatosa Library. I was also obsessed with Caddie Woodlawn, a real Midwestern heroine ala Laura Ingalls.   So naturally, many of my current favorite books are true accounts of female life. Most of the books below I have read more than once and sometimes  successivel...

After completing my fair share of road races and a handful of trail races, I know where my heart is when it comes to running- in the woods.  There is not a doubt in my mind.  I love the single track; my eye is on the path as I leap over roots and slide down mossy rocks.  My heart sings when the trail opens into an endless field of wildflowers and long grasses.  As my friend Rebecca put it yesterday at Afton, it is like we're kids playing again. Yesterday, my running buddy Rebecca and I completed the Afton 25k Trail Race.  Rebecca wrote a wonderfully descriptive post (with photos!) about the event here: Miles and Laurel: Afton Trail Run race report .  It's definitely worth a read if you're interested in learning about the joys of this particular event (and how much fun we have on the trails together!). As soon as I finished this race, I was ready for another.  Additionally, I am interested in the 50k option. I couldn't believe the amount of energy I...

A month into Summer with a capital S (cause Summer is for real for teachers), I have had a fair amount of hours to pick apart and contemplate my dependence on staying "busy."  You might just say I stayed busy stressing about my lack of busyness.  (I know this will tickle more than a few of my readers who I tease about their dependence on busyness.  Let's just say this comes from a place of understanding.)  My stress naturally led into some soul searching.  If my schedule is not full...If I am not working full time...If I don't know what the day has in store...If I don't have a plan...Well, what then?  Who am I?  What's the point?   On Sunday evening, my eye caught The New York Times headline, "The 'Busy' Trap. "  Author Tim Kreider argues that busyness is an "existential reassurance, a hedge against emptiness."  He claims that people stay busy "because of their own ambition or drive or anxiety, because they're addicted...

Are you someone that gets cliches messed up?  I do this frequently.  The name of this post was "Coming Up For Water" until I remembered that I am not a mermaid and I actually need to breathe to survive.  Sometimes, I need to be reminded of this. Anyway, my loyal readers, you must be wondering what's been up in these parts.  Well, let me tell you, time never slows down.  Here's a glimpse into the state of affairs in our household: 1. Our garden:  Last summer, I experienced overwhelming anxiety at the idea of breaking ground.  So much so, in fact, that I decided not to plant anything.  This year, Mike stepped on board (again, another example of messed up cliche: hopped on board or stepped up to the plate...) and joined the team (okay, so stepped up to plate would work better here...duly note: Math, not English, was actually my favorite subject as a school kid).  Turns out, we are a great team and we have already accomplished more garde...

About a month ago, our capable media specialist weeded our high school library.  Basically, the weeding process entailed tearing through the shelves and removing copies of books that were deemed outdated or unusable. Now, for a high school student and for your average curious and occasionally up-to-no-good English teacher, this stack of "weeds" is not seen a pile of unwanted dandelions.  No sir!  This pile represents a treasure trove of real joy. The plot thickened on this particular weeding occasion because the weeding process aligned perfectly with Poetry Outloud, a student recitation poetry competition co-produced by yours truly.  As I have been known to do, I harnessed help from a dear and extremely witty Macalester friend.  To my pleasure, her reaction to the pile of "weeds" was precisely as I had hoped. Pulling out our smartphones, we selected two books in particular that we felt needed to be documented for prosperity. The whole month is encapsul...

  Things to think about this weekend.  What do you think about this message?  Does your life express your intrinsic values?  Do you advocate for well being policies in your community and American society?  Please share your comments! ***Thank you Kat for passing this along.

Mike called me to the front window to spy a pair of cardinals protected together in our ugly evergreen bush.  A beautifully feathered male and female snuggled side by side as a leap day wintery slush weighed down on the green's outer boughs.  It made me happy to see those patient birds find a spot to rest.  Mike and I grinned at each other and wondered if we might have a nest in a month or two...a gentle reminder that spring will come. 

What is marvelous about today? Mid-quarter grades are due...which means that there are only 1 and 1/2 quarters left of school!  Which means summer is not unimaginably far away! Haircut!  Shorter...and a touch darker!  Yes, I got some rich dark brown highlights.  I think one person noticed. I run after school almost daily.  Once and a while though, I cut myself some slack and veg out with a diet coke, a blanket, and a stack of reading material.  Today is one of those days.  Rachel is bearing with me and being cozy too. Today is Greg Vasich's birthday.  Mike and I are honoring him tonight with an annual burger night.  If only he were here to share it with us.

This post is a tribute to Miles and Laurel and all other bloggers who participate in the Marvelous Monday phenomenon. 1) The McCarthy parents visit.  In addition to playing cards and drinking Slivovitz , we decided to pack a little entertainment into our presidents' weekend itinerary. Friday: Fame, as performed by my high school students! Saturday: Sherlock Holmes, Part I.  Everyone fell asleep except Dad. Sunday: American Teacher at Bryant Lake Bowl AND Cat On A Tin Roof at the Guthrie Monday: Breakfast with Downton Abbey.  OMG. Each of these showings could really be a post on their own so I will leave it at that for now, but prepare for a critical review in the near future. 2) At Bryant Lake Bowl, a poster advertised Orange Mighty Trio's spin off group, NES.  They are performing this Thursday along with an 8-Bit beer release.  I quite enjoy seeing my husband's photo in the window! 3) Speed workout!  Tried and true running partners, Rebecca...

  These days, Sunday mornings are usually reserved for church or yoga class, but this Sunday called for a long run.  I was going to go running on Saturday, but decided against it due the freezing cold weather.  Sunday, on the other hand, was gorgeous.  The major highlight of the run was discovering some pond hockey rinks along Minnehaha Creek.  I have noticed a few before but these ones were very nicely composed.  If I have children one day, they will be winter sport athletes, and in terms of spectator appeal, ice hockey is at the top of my list. Rachel relaxes for a moment and takes in the hockey rinks.  She is actually a very competent figure skater. Rachel and I napping in the sun post run.

Tediously trucking my ol' achin' feet through ten, twelve hours days at two different part-time jobs, I went into auto-drive. I didn't complain, but I also didn't really live this past week...or at least live meaningfully. There were, of course (or rather, thank God!), moments of beauty that I can recall (the daily morning cup of lavender earl gray tea with milk and honey, riding my bike through rain puddles, the savory deliciousness of Mike's famous sauteed rosemary pasta done to perfection), but, truth be told, I struggled to wrap my mind around anything once I was outside of work. I tried to read one of the library books I selected...I couldn't get through a paragraph. I tried to run. No way. Go to Yoga. No. Call a friend. Couldn't deal with talking about stuff cause stuff was work and work was, well, generally uninspiring. The dullness of too many hours in too uninspiring of settings tends extends to my off time. I lose Molly-toodling capa...

Typically anti-technology in social settings...these photos reveal another story.  Okay, so I'll admit it, every once and a while, the ipad can bring joy and intrigue to a gathering.  But, it is very rare.

*invite friends- new and old- over for a home-cooked dinner . *practice good table manners as a guest. *exist as a tourist..even in my own city . *only keep things that I need or I consider beautiful . *make something.  use my hands. *try something just a little exotic . *write something.  document. *Embrace the season .

It is an odd time of year for a transition point.  Winter break and New Years have passed, and a change of seasons is still far off.  Yet, Minneapolis schools proclaims today as the end of quarter 2, semester 1, and I would like to honor it as such.  For twenty weeks now, I have been teaching 9th and 10th grades; a new...and, at times, headache inducing...experience!  But, I gotta tell you, these kids are growing on me everyday.  Just last week, as we reflected on Orwell's 1984 , a student proclaimed, "I was completely satisfied with the ending of this novel.  In fact, I'd argue that we don't read enough of these soul crushing books!"  Honestly, I couldn't agree more, kid.  Tenth grade is the year of depressing novels so he is in luck. Why is soul crushing important?   I think there comes a time where we really need to look at our world beyond our ipads and snowboarding trips and endless access to clean water.  For today's tee...

This is one of my favorite Rachel The Dog photographs of all time.  My friend Joan took the photo on one of our longer runs this December, but the photo could've been from any river run I've ever shared with my willful beast.  Without hesitation, whenever we pass a wall on a run, she leaps up and runs along it with a huge dog smile on her face.  At these moments, I know that Rachel and I are kindred spirits.

This list mostly speaks for itself.  I tried to keep this list short and focused on a few small changes and goals that will hopefully make a big impact.  Quality over quantity, folks.  I am going to adopt that as my 2012 motto.  Some of you, dear readers, may be alarmed that I included buying matching underwear on my blog, but everyone wears underwear, right?  So, it might as well be cute.  My thinking is that if one buys a set a month, one would have nearly two weeks worth of matching underwear by the end of the year!  That's just fabulous.  Now, I'll be honest; I was apprehensive about mentioning this resolution on Duly Noted, BUT after sharing this resolution with several female friends and all of whom except ONE immediately decided that they too would make this a resolution, I felt confident that my readership would understand that this goal is not about being seductive...it's about self-love.  (Duly note: the ONE friend who did not...

Joan, Anne and I rendezvoused at Minneapolis's Chain of Lakes on a bright but windy January 2, 2012.  We decided that we were getting soft due to the abnormally mild temperatures.  As is our custom, we discussed every manner of things: dinner parties with dear friends, our loyal pets, weddings we plan on attending, drinking too much wine on New Years, relocating to different neighborhoods, the joys of spin class, how long the ferry takes between Croatia and Italy, the dilemma of unused gym memberships, the plight to finish grad school on time, when we can run together again... So understandably, even when the fierce wind hit our faces as we headed north around Lake Calhoun and our threesome became quiet in determination, we all agreed that running in the wintertime is totally worth it.  The camaraderie required to simply get out of our cozy houses keeps us smiling and warm through the run and, at least for me, invigorated for hours later.

 To honor the memories of 2011 (despite a reported 7/10 Americans who claimed that 2011 was a bad year) and welcome in 2012, an old friend and neighbor, Sara, Mike, and I decided to host a Mad Men/Sparkles themed New Year's Party.  The night was complete with dancing (thanks to the unexpected hits on the night's playlist alà Mike Vasich), the festive appetizers and treats prepared by the classy hosts and their friends, and the spirits (booze and otherwise) running aplenty. And not to be forgotten, a post midnight jam session in our basement studio, legible and illegible notes in the guest book as well as some interesting observations recorded on the house typewriter, kisses at midnight, and muffins in the morning. I feel such gratitude to have such a lovely group of friends- new and old to welcome in the new year.