the OTHER mother

Whig or Tory?

You tell me.

Lipstick & Dipstick (A Wish List Essential)

Congrats to Kathy Belge and Gina Daggett on the publication of their new book, Lipstick and Dipstick: The Essential Guide to Lesbian Relationships. It hit the shelves last week.

You may know the butch/femme duo through their popular column in Curve Magazine or their blog. Is this book on your wish list?

Turkeys & Birthdays

I've posted some photographs of Thanksgiving and the double birthdays. Yes, Carrie is two!  Cousin Sarah is eleven! Here's a link to the new photo album.

Carrie is Hungry

I've been combing through my archives tonight and found a little clip of Carrie eating lunch.  She was 13 months old.  (Now she's 2!)  It was made with one of those disposable camcorders, and the quality is poor, but I still thought it might amuse you.  Find it in the side bar on the right or click on the icon below.

Virginia Xmas 1206

Parka People

Some of you have probably never seen us wearing coats or jackets.  This is for you.

I Won Something!

Today The Rising Blogger awarded a post from The Other Mother as its Post of the Day.  I am very surprised!

(this photo is morning star from the photoblog 19 seconds of spring)

Did Someone Say M&Ms?

Question of the Day: Home for the Holidays

What are your plans for Thanksgiving?  Within those plans, tell something specific that you're truly looking forward to or hoping will happen.

Carrie at Almost 2

Carrie is really talking.  She is adding words to her linguistic backpack by the hour.  She speaks in 4 word sentences.  And when the content of a conversation is not clear to her, but she likes the energy of it, she jumps up and down shouting: I TOO, I TOO!

Today she had her first play date; it was with her friend Katherine.  Her birthday is on Thanksgiving Day this year.  Our friend Jack says we should just poke candles into the top of the turkey.  We'll be at Gram's house by then.  She might find that idea a little too postmodern. 

The Night Hawks

I mentioned last week that after dinner each night we've been studying the moon and stars (when clouds allow it).  Last night we went for a walk in the dark.  It was our first chilly evening so everyone wore a jacket. Carrie collected stones, and Pearl tried to capture shadows. 

 

Self-Defense

Is it my fault that Carrie pronounces "blanket" and "pancake" exactly the same?

Outsider Art

Carrie loves to paint.  When Pearl was this age she kept a journal. But for Carrie, watercolor is what she wants and where it's at.  Often Carrie paints twice a day.  She completes her picture with emphatic finality.  I'M DONE, she announces, and hands the paintbrush to the nearest human being, and stomps away.

3 Faces of Pearl (School Pictures)

You got to see Carrie's so I thought I should share Pearl's as well.  These are better than usual. 

The Genius of Toddlers

To me the most amazing, inspiring thing about toddlers is that they can have so much fun without spending any money, just playing with the stuff that's already there.  A car with the doors open becomes a jungle gym.  A ditch is a roller coaster.  Pots and pans are quickly transformed into hats and shoes.  It's pretty wonderful.

Raceboat

Art (colored pencil on torn paper) by Pearl

Dear Reader,

Miami Beach was great; the conference was so-so.  The incoming hurricane decided to go elsewhere, and we had perfect weather the entire time.  I love beaches and walked twice every day. I read a murder mystery at night.  Reading a murder mystery makes me feel like I'm on a vacation regardless of where I really am.  It even works in a doctor's waiting room.  Usually.

It seems like every time I leave the family behind there is some sort of disaster.  This time was no exception.  Pearl caught a corner of the coffee table with her eye socket and had to get a quick fix for it in the emergency room.  The babysitter, who was coming to allow Marcia to go to a concert that evening, instead enabled her a less desirable option, S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y NIGHT at Ben Taub. By the time I got home on Monday, all was well again. 

It's been a long two-week stretch with no day off from work.  Carrie is finally healthy again.  We found out that the disease she had in October was pneumonia.  I'm glad we didn't know that fact, to tell you the truth.  We're keyed up enough as it is.

This letter sounds a little negative, but there have been many bright moments as well.  Now that it gets darker earlier, Pearl, Carrie, and I have started a ritual that we go out onto the porch and look for the moon and stars every night.  And today at the grocery, when my amaranth was leaking tiny pellets that rolled all over the store, a white-bearded stranger came up and rebagged the grain.  When I thanked him, he bowed his head and tipped his cowboy hat at me. 

Love, Baba

Results from The L Word Survey

The survey results are in.  Thanks for participating.  Most of the 115 participants (96%) have watched either some or most of the episodes of The L Word. The reasons people watch the show are (1) to see other lesbians on television and (2) the sex scenes.  Here are the breakdowns for the questions about the characters.

Which character on The L Word is most attractive to you?

1. Shane (39%)
2. Alice (15%)
3. Bette (14%)
4. Helena (8%)
5. Marina (7%)

Which character on The L Word is most like you?

1. Alice (35%)
2. Tina (20%)
3. None of them (11%)
4. Bette (10%)
5. Shane (8%)

Your thoughts are (as always) welcome!

Any Educated Guesses?

The L Word survey has officially closed now.  Thanks to everyone who participated in the poll.  I will post the results tomorrow.  In the meantime, if you'd like to predict the results, please feel free. 

A Return to Routine - Ah!

I'm back from gorgeous Florida and back at work. I must tell you that I am happy to be home.  Tonight I'll do a real post, but for now: Happy Election Day.  Also, a reminder: today is the final day of The L Word reader survey.  You can get all your voting done in one fell swoop,

Miami Beach

I'm at a conference this weekend.  Miami Beach.  Salud!

What Carrie Wants

We were telling Carrie that her birthday is a few weeks away. She will be 2 years old. I asked her what she wanted for her birthday.  Without contemplating her options for even a second, she said, "I want Pearl!"

Ta da!

This photograph was a part of Pearl's Halloween card to us.  And check out what's on the inside:

Yep.  She's written her own "John Hancock." P.E.A.R.L.