Duly Noted

Saturday I planned to run somewhere around 12 miles for Saturday's long run, but due to the steamy temps and my tired legs, I ended somewhere in the 11 mile range including a few walking intervals.  Saturday's saving grace was a running buddy who kept me entertained with explanations of cultural theory and a goal setting session for our thirties.  We wondered...how to be glamorous thirty year-olds on a budget? We passed a family placing a red wagon and cute blue chair out on the curb.  We confirmed that the goods were free and convinced the family to put the goods in their backyard so we could grab them post-run.  If only folks were leaving little black dresses and kate spade bags curbside... Sunday Sunday was an easy five mile run to stretch out my legs after Saturday's slog.  I like to go out with Misha on Sunday am's since we often aren't together anymore in the mornings.  Misha likes to be my coach, smile at me, and look around as w...

This past weekend was of the toodling variety.  What's toodling, you ask?  Toodling involves doing this and that, following one's whims. Friday was a fairly lazy day.  Mike and I declared Fridays as "M-Cubed Day," a day of adventures with little Misha. We were talking about going to the Landscape Arboretum (our wedding locale) this past Friday, but Misha fell asleep and, consequently, I fell asleep and then motivation drifted along with us to dreamland.  Lucky for us, the day ended on an effortless high note when our dear friends came over and made dinner Nicaraguan style, complete with our favorite tostones (fried plantains!). Saturday morning, I headed out for a longish run with another old friend along river road.  Often, I take Rachel the dog or Misha with me when I run, so running solo feels like a treat.  I love my little home team, but I feel so light with my hands free.  Post run, Misha and I checked out our local farmer's market.  Not...

Last year, my colleague organized a monthly book club.  The parameters: 1)We will read The New York Times ten best books of the year, 2)members can participate freely depending on their taste and calendar, 3)the facilitator role will rotate, and 4)meetings are held in a public venue so nobody has to clean their house.  The group chose to hold meetings at Global Market, a colorful hub in the center of Minneapolis with dozens of food options and diverse company. Since my book conversations are primarily with eleventh graders, I decided it would be in my best interest to join the club this year and recalibrate my literary speak amongst a more intellectual crowd.  Our first book was Katherine Boo's Behind The Beautiful Forevers.   Heading to Thursday's meeting, I wasn't sure what (or who) to expect.  I found myself getting nervous; I rarely talk shop with adults!  I knew my colleague ran with a pretty bright circle as he is a former professor of a nearby libe...

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...

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...

  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.

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 .

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.

The Longfellow Lights Committee gathered Friday evening to put the finishing touches our awards and head out into our neighborhood to determine this year's quality light displays. All members of the committee were filled with cheer including the canines in the party. We took judging very seriously.  Considering all decisions with equal weight. Our first award, a snowman, immediately fell apart and an air of disappointment filled the crisp winter air. Fortunately, the judges took the collapsed award in stride and the evening proved to be a success. Highlights included: a police officer playing holiday music from his loud speaker so we could enjoy a coordinated music/light three house display presenting an award to a homeowner in person.  She was frightened, then overcome with holiday gratitude. an on-looker directing us toward a miracle on 34th street.  (see video included above).  The evening closed with food and spirits ...