My Seussical Life for 2005 January

(2) Tue Jan 11 2005 22:12: I both hosted and lead the discussion on The Chosen for my book group tonight. After a day of tidying, preparing refreshments, and organizing my thoughts on the book, I am exhausted. I always over-prepare for these discussions when I lead them. Better be over-prepared than under-prepared.

(2) Thu Jan 13 2005 16:34 Perils of the Wild: There was a squirrel walking our fence this afternoon that had a very short tail. I wonder what happened to the other half. In all other ways, the creature looked very plump and healthy. But what happened to its tail??

(7) Tue Jan 18 2005 13:37 Comprehending Baldness: Atticus said to me, "You know, one day when I get big, I'm going to have scratchies all over my face."

"Oh, yeah?" I reply.

"Yeah, my face is going to be scratchy, and all my hair is going to be cut off."

That does sound like someone I know.

(4) Sun Jan 23 2005 15:39: There was a terrible wind storm that lasted through Friday night and woke Atticus up. He was so afraid. I walked into the room around 2:30am where Dave was already comforting him. There was a new loud gust, and Atticus cried, "See, the witches are howling!!"

Poor kid. He has enough night terrors that he doesn't need witches adding to the problem with their loud howling!

(8) Mon Jan 24 2005 13:56 They Paved Paradise, and Put Up a Parking Lot: I should be doing "tasks" right now, since Atticus is at school and Samuel is napping. Gotta be a slacker once-in-a-while.

Ben and my mom sent us an Audible subscription for Christmas, and I just finished listening to our first book order: Oryx and Crake, by Margaret Atwood. The book is haunting me. In Atwood's own words, the novel is about "what ifs": "What if we continue down the road we're already on? How slippery is the slope? What are our saving graces? Who's got the will to stop us?"

Genetic engineering, environmental carelessness, the media parade of intimate things that leaves individuals full of lust, but alienated from real relationships: these issues and more are followed through to their destructive end, and Atwood makes too much sense. This piece of speculative fiction is not for the faint-of-heart. If you do read it, tell me what you think.

Mon Jan 24 2005 19:22: Dave laced and tied Samuel's shoes for him. He came to me, pleased, and said, "Papa tied me up."

(7) Thu Jan 27 2005 13:43 Full House: I hosted a playgroup brunch this morning; 14 moms and 22 kids came. Every one of the 750 square feet of our four room apartment was buzzing with toddler and pre-schooler energy. I made cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip and cherry scones, and a frittata with eggs, cheese and green chili peppers (the Walch family Christmas morning dish). Everyone that came brought something to share, and the event went off with more success than I thought possible with the number of kids in attendance. We laced licorice strings with Fruit Loops. I think that activity was the saving grace.

(1) Sun Jan 30 2005 14:24: Poor Atticus is sick, so last night, his sleep was restless. Around 1:30, I heard him cry out, so I went into his room to check on him. He was muttering, "No. . . no. . . not that one, I want the green playdough, up high . . ."

I wasn't so worried about him after that.

(5) Mon Jan 31 2005 09:55: I am so cold!! My Texas body thermostat is not adjusting to Kansas winters. But I never adjusted to the Utah cold, either. Only one full month of winter left to endure. This year.