the OTHER mother

Pearl Jam

Saturday night Pearl was really jamming. Rock on, sweetheart!

Spain Colored Orange Rocked

in the rain Sunday afternoon at Discovery Green, ushering in a deluge. The music stopped and the kids started. They played in the rain with extreme delight, exhibiting a fervor that I suspect is reserved solely for children.

Spain Colored Orange

Naked Cousins and Care Bears on Fire

   

Yes, more cousins! Today kid rockers Nat and Alex Wolff were in town and played a gig at the House of Blues, Houston. We got the royal cousin treatment, including VIP status and back stage passes. This was Pearl and Carrie's first rock concert.They liked Nat and Alex and their band, as well as the all girl warm-up band, Care Bears on Fire.

Carrie Sings the Aligator Song

Time = 40 seconds

The Gipsy Kings Play Songs of Love

My Great Big Fat Weekend in the Big 'D'

I've always appreciated Marcia. Well, almost always. But this past weekend the appreciation was manifold!

Up until now, I've been the solo parent for no more than a single night. This weekend Marcia went to an unofficial college reunion and was gone four days. Yes, readers, FOUR DAYS! [Insert violin music here.]

At the same time, my G-dmother, who lives in Dallas, was celebrating her 75th birthday by doing her bat mitzvah. Much of my family was attending so I loaded up the kids and drove to the Big D.

As you might already know, the bar/bat mitzvah ceremony is traditionally a coming of age ritual. The adult bat mitzvah has become more common in recent years because most of Judaic history was not as Equal Opportunity as today's Judaism. Aunt Elise started studying Torah a year or two ago. Her children, her grandchildren, her brothers-in-law and cousins and all done their bar/bat mitzvah, and she decided that she could do it too. And so she did.

The service was very beautiful. The musicians played guitar, flute, and drums, the singers were all women, and the songs were more like Debbie Friedman compositions, rather than the traditional cantorial style. And although Aunt Elise, through date of birth and luck of the draw, got the most boring Torah portion ever, she somehow still managed to deliver a poignant, thought-provoking, and moving sermon.  Congrats, to my wonderful g-dmother!

As for solo parenting, the challenges were many, but nobody got hurt. At the hotel, my brother told me in the first hour that one his goals for the weekend was to give his kids (four of them, twins Pearl's age and twins Carrie's age) as much pool time as he could so they'd be comfortable in the water before starting swim lessons next week. That sounded good to me so I quickly adopted this goal for our family and spent many hours in the water.

The benefits of this plan were (at least) two-fold. Not only do the girls seem ready to become starfish next week, but they were also SO tired by bedtime that they didn't even miss Marcia. At least they didn't mention it.

That, friends, was my Marcia Appreciation Weekend.  On Monday (Memorial Day) we were all happy to be reunited in H-town.

Photos by David Reagler (a.k.a. Dad/Pop)

Question of the Day: Musical True Confessions

Borrowed this zinger from Manic Monday:

What's the most embarrassing song on your iPod (or in your music collection)?  Be honest.

Happy Birthday, Other Mother!

This is you-know-who wishing the other you-know-who a very happy birthday (for those of you out of the loop, Robin was born 46 years ago on September 22nd in Memphis, TN).

A few weeks ago I began brainstorming what to do for Robin’s birthday.  Soap, socks, some flowerpots?  Was there anything I could do to surprise this girl after being with her for over 11 years? 

And that’s when I got the Bad-Idea-That-Wouldn’t-Leave-Me-Alone:

Why not write Robin a song? 
And why not throw in some Spanish rhymes?
And why not surprise her and post it on her blog?

Truth be known, I worked for over a year with some tremendous songwriters in a program called Purple Songs Can Fly.  I helped kids at Texas Children’s Hospital come up with ideas for songs and then accompanied them to the hospital studio where Anita and Sandy worked magic. Every week they assisted kids to transform a bunch of raw ideas into polished lyrics, come up with a catchy tune, and record the song right there on the spot.

Unfortunately for Robin, Anita and Sandy didn’t help me with this one.

And, songwriting turns out to be a lot more difficult than I imagined.

And, I haven’t taken Spanish in 25 years. 

And…well, you get the idea.

The great news is that I bet Robin never saw this one coming (just like I'm  sure she never expected to spend her TWO of her recent birthdays dealing with major hurricanes and their aftermaths).  I sure didn't.

Surprise, honey!  Happy birthday. 

(Feel free to sing along, everybody.)

This is your day
It’s time to play
Hit the highway
In your negligee 
Let’s meet for lunch
Etoufee?

I’m glad we share the same abode
And the same postal code
Wanna make me explode?
Wanna have an episode?
Girl, we’re at a crossroad
Give it to me planeload
Truckload, shipload
I don’t care, A la mode

We live in Texas, don’t drive a Lexus
But. We’ve. Got. Love.
Cookin’ on the front stove
Cookin’ on the back stove
Love. Love

The ambiente is caliente
I’ll be your serviente
You be my presidente
Oh, I need some nutriente
I’ll be your recipiente
You be my corriente
Mmmmmm

Girl, I love you
Girl, I need you
Girl, I love you
Girl

You’re an awesome cool chick Mi Corazon is heartsick
You can  be my Bolshevik and I’ll be your lunatic
You can brush my cowlick and I’ll be your sidekick

Mamita Grita
Raise the copita
Light the lampita
Set the mesita
Love is infinita
Never ilicita
Come here, bonita
Give me your carita

You were born in Memphis Looking for a good kiss
I came around Faster than a greyhound
Southbound Northbound
Eastbound Westbound
Lost…found

The ambiente is caliente
I’ll be your serviente
You be my presidente
Oh, I need some nutriente
I’ll be your recipiente
You be my corriente
Mmmmmm.

I know we got a hurricane
And it’s drivin me insane
But I want you to know
Our love is not just for show 
It’s stronger than the weather
It’s tighter than my leather

We live in Texas, don’t drive a Lexus
But. We’ve. Got. Love.
Cookin’ on the front stove
Cookin’ on the back stove
Love. Love

The ambiente is caliente
I’ll be your serviente
You be my presidente
Oh, I need some nutriente
I’ll be your recipiente
You be my corriente
Mmmmmm.

You’re not a deadbeat
You’re good and sweet
A liitle offbeat
Walkin down the street
Let’s meet for lunch
Veggie, no meat

You’re not as spry as you used to be
But at least you got that poetry degree
And you’ve never had an STD
And you always take your Omega-3

You’ve got arthritis
And some colitis
But no silicone
Not much testosterone
Let’s meet for lunch
Please don’t postpone

Oh, girl you don’t believe in lipstick
But you’re Artistic
Voodooistic
Futuristic
Oh, girl you sharper than a barbed wire
Hotter than a bonfire
Sweeter than a pacifier

Happy birthday
Hemingway
Uruguay
Entrée
Deejay
Bombay
Cinema verite

I know.  Don’t worry. I bought Robin the soap, socks, and flowerpot too.

Now it's your turn to share some lovin' with Robin.

A Few Things to Celebrate in Early August

1. Garrison Keillor mentioned my great grandparents on the Writer's Almanac this morning. They helped Louis Armstrong buy his first cornet.
2. The new poet laureate is Kay Ryan.
3. The video podcasts by They Must Be Giants are free and cute and possibly even educational. And kids love them.

4. We have water, flashlights, and granola bars just in case. But please be kind to us (all of us), Tropical Storm Edouard.

We Want Cake!

While I'm on the topic of my own opinions, here is my favorite kid song of the month: "Seven" by They Might Be Giants.  You can hear/see it in 2 different versions. The first video link is one of TMBG performing the song.  The second one is an animated music video of the song in the TMBG series of podcasts for kids. Warning about the song: it's sticky.

A Big Night

Yesterday at 3:30 pm, Marcia and I realized that the kids had been at home in their pajamas all day. Marcia consulted a few websites and found a list of family-oriented activities.  We decided on Hermann Park where the kids took a train ride, raced up and down hills with boys of all ages, ate a picnic supper, and attended their first live performance at the outdoor theater. We were surprised how much they liked the musical. They've never stayed up so late in their lives, and even Carrie watched and listened with complete enthusiasm.

 

Phenomenal Ruthie

Ruthie Foster's performance at the Houston Women's Festival was wonderful.  My favorite songs were "Heal Yourself" from her new album and "Death Came A-Knockin' (Travelin' Shoes)," in which she shifted to a minor key halfway through, making an eerie song ecstatically so.  I loved the concert.

It was great to meet blog friend Valerie and to hang out with Michelle--although we did miss Meredith. (Thanks for the photo, Michelle!)

Rock with Ruthie & Friends

This weekend Ruthie Foster, Mary Cutrofello, and other girl groovers will be rocking at the Houston Women's Festival.  Houston doesn't have events like this very often.  We are excited. We have our tickets. We are ready. Please meet us there.

(Mary Cutrofello photo credit: Marina Chavez)

Happy Birthday, Valentine!

I've Got the Bullets

• No excuses.  Just writing.  Writing it down.
• Somehow last week I twisted my ankle but forgot that I'd done it.  Instead I kept thinking that my shoes hurt my feet.  I kept thinking, I'm going to have to get rid of these shoes that don't fit me.  Then another pair.  Then another. Then Marcia said, "Aren't those bruises on your ankle?" 
• Hmmmm. I thought about it.  The next day I finally remembered what I had done.  Tripped on a curb while walking back to me office after an interview with a reporter.  A heating pad and alleve (twice daily) are helping the situation.  I guess I can move those shoes back into the closet.
• We saw two good movies on NetFlix, WordPlay and Little Miss Sunshine.
• Carrie loves her lovies, a blue blanket and a teddy bear.  Pearl has never had one or wanted one, but she understands that they are important to Carrie.  When Carrie cries, she provides one of these comforting "friends" to her sister.  I wonder why some kids have this need and others don't. Or maybe they (we?) all have this need but find a variety of ways to satisfy it? 
• I cooked for the week ahead.  All simple foods--yams, lentil soup, brown rice. 
• Katie has finally posted photos of the little cricket.  Welcome to the world, little guy.
• I'm learning the words to some of the Land Before Time songs, including "Friends for Dinner."
• Things I'm looking forward to: Marcia's birthday and a trip to the beach.

  

Pop

You know how some pop songs get stuck in your head and they won't go away?  Okay, I'm dating myself here, but I was very amused by this quiz on 80s song lyrics.  Please take the quiz and report your score in the comment section below.  Be honest!  Prizes TBD!

Accordian Kings

We met Mel and Milo at the Miller Outdoor Theatre last night to hear the Accordian Kings.  The line up featured:

C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band
Joel Guzman & Aztex featuring Sarah Fox
Cedryl Ballou & the Zydeco Trendsetters
Brian Marshall & His Tex-Slavic Playboys

Bedtimes being what they are, we didn't get to hear all of them.

Pearl had fun dancing in the grass.  She and Milo discussed their favorite trains from the Thomas stories. They ran up and down and up and down and up and down the only hill in Houston.  There was a pond, but they didn't swim in it.  It was a perfect event for toddlers--and for the rest of us as well.

Another Question

Is there a book (or song or video) that your kid loves that you hate?

My least favorite books that we own are the Barney books.  I don't how or know why we have them in the house!  Hand-me-downs, most likely.  In my spare time (ha ha), I plan to confiscate them!

A close friend of mine once told me that Barney (the TV  version) was the best form of birth control ever invented.  However the effectiveness of this method is apparently short-lived because a year after she told me that, her husband got a vasectomy. 

As the world turns....

The Dirty Dozen: 12 Details from the Weekend

I hope I can remember 12 details from the weekend.  Here I go!

1. Carrie (Jojo) had her 100 day birthday.  To celebrate we did absolutely nothing, but we were happy about it nonetheless.
2. Marcia and I went on our first date since Carrie was born on November 22nd.  Our friend Mary convinced her friend Bernie to give us tickets to the Alison Krauss & Union Station concert.  We really enjoyed it so much.
3. Nellie babysat for us, just like in the good old days.  Both girls were asleep when she arrived, and they slept the whole time she was there.  She studied for her midterms.  Everybody cheer!
4. Pearl whizzed down a grassy hill face-first.  She's okay.
5. We went out for ice cream cones.  Pearl asked for pink.
6. Aunt Rachel sent a very marvelous box of books and clothes for Pearl's upcoming birthday.
7. One of our blog friends made a fabulous CD of happy music for us, and we listen to it in the car all all all the time.
8. Nana is coming to visit us!
9. Pearl and I made lima beans and monkey cheese (macaroni and cheese) for dinner.
10. I am addicted to computer Boggle.  (The first step is to admit you have a problem.)
11. Ever since Hanukkah we have been lighting the candles for Shabbat every Friday night.  Pearl loves it.
12. Carrie has the greatest smile on earth.

Your turn, my friend.

Playlist du Jour

Quite a while back I got tagged by Laura.  Her question is about music I'm listening to these days.  Here's the list for today.

Iko Iko, Cyndi Lauper
Cradle and All, Ani DeFranco
Break You Off, The Roots
Can't Get There From Here, R.E.M.
Don't Tell Me, Madonna
Down to the River to Pray, Allison Krauss

Add your own tunes, please, pretty please.

P.S.  If you're on the prowl for new music that is similar to your old music, check out PANDORA by the Music Genome Project.

Question of the Day (Groove Along)

When Pearl starting singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in Hebrew at the dinner table a few days ago, Marcia and I were shocked.  We do have a cd that's called something like "Songs for Jewish children," but it hurts my ears, and I certainly couldn't have sang that song myself, so it was a big surprise to hear her belting out the tune. 

I guess Pearl must have reached the age at which she can absorb new things that she hears "like a sponge." Our collection of children's music is nothing to brag about.  I was wondering if you could suggest some cd's that a nearly-two-year-old might enjoy.  Right now she's into The Wiggles.  She also has a few books on CD, and she enjoys them too.

Also I wonder if you have introduced a second language to your child and at what age.  Have you experimented with CDs in another lengua? 

Calling All Angels

Here in Houston many of us are involved in the relief efforts assisting the survivors of Hurrican Katrina. I felt very happy that today Terrance at The Republic of T. reminds us of Jane Siberry's song, "Calling All Angels."  I hadn't thought of the song in a long time, and like Terrance, I once loved it very much. 

Apparently many of the relief workers have had that song on their minds, and now Jane Siberry has made the song available as a free download on her web site, Sheeba.

HURRICANE
HURRY CANE
WORLD SHAKING
WORLD SHOCK
WORLD COMPASSION
WORLD SLEEVES
WORLD PRAYER
WORLD HOE ROW
WORLD FAMILY
small things with great care
WORLD STRENGTH COMING IN
EYE

Rock Paper Scissors

I got passed another stick; this one comes from Personal Political.  She did a much better job with it than I did, but I'm getting ready for a trip and am a little distracted. This meme is about rock music.  So without further ado,

1. The total number of music files on my computer is....

2,319

2.  The last CD I bought was....

Nellyville

3.  The last song I listened to before reading this message was....

Hush Little Baby, The Horseflies

4.  Five songs I listen to often or that mean a lot to me are....

Angry Any More, Ani DiFranco

Can't Get There From Here, R.E.M.

Private Idaho, The B-52s

The Seed (2.0), The Roots

I Go Blind, Hootie & the Blowfish

5.  The three people I'm passing this stick to (and why) are....

Nickie, in honor of her new blog

Moxie, who might appreciate a meme as an hour of distraction

Weese, who's snowed in again!

Big Blue Whale

Grandparents are spoilers; we all know that. So the fact that Pearl loved her first vacation, it's a no-brainer. Nana taught her to play with a ball. Nana gave her her first doll. And so on! It's a wonder she was willing to come home with us!

We spent a little over a week in the Smoky Mountains and Appalachia. Here are a few "firsts" that she experienced on the trip.

She was able to swim "by herself" thanks to a big blue whale, gift from (who else?) Nana and Papa. Pearl was the envy of every infant and toddler in the pool! The weather was pretty nippy that day, and I kept picking her up every five minutes to make sure her legs weren't turning blue too.

The grandparents took us to hear some local bluegrass at a music festival too. Pearl seemed very serious the entire time we were there. She watched quietly. But as soon as we left the scene, she started singing at the top of her lungs. And she kept up the singing for an hour or more.

She visited her first college campus, Emory and Henry, near Abingdon, Virginia. We walked along the serpentine red-brick sidewalks and visited the bookstore, even talked to a few students. Truth be told, Pearl slept through the whole visit. Is this a sign of things to come? Check back in 17 years.

twinkle twinkle

I've known for a while now that when I finally had kids, SINGING would become a required course for me. Although I enjoyed singing as a child, as an adult singing has not been a comfortable pastime. Even alone in my car with the stereo blasting, it doesn't bring me joy as it did when I was five. Nevertheless, I have watched carefully how my sister Rachel has raised her children, and clearly singing has been a secret to her success.

My parents gave Pearl a bouncer [pictured above] which she loves. It plays a dozen different children's songs, and I can hum along. The bouncer, by the way, is completely mesmerizing to her. On the little screen are two fish kissing and unkissing, kissing and unkissing. I wonder if the bouncer experience is some sort of acid trip for infants. What could be so engrossing about this image? (If you know the answer to this question, please add a comment below.)

Babies have few standards regarding singers, as far as I can tell. Perhaps what they hear most of all is your intention. This fact has served in my favor. It is probably foolish to confess it, but I actually had to download the lyrics of lullabies from the Internet. My voice box was rusty and my confidence, shaky. I guess it is getting a little easier. But in the spirit of trusting one's instinct and Mother Knows Best, sometimes what baby needs most is a few fine tracks of Galactic Funk or the String Cheese Incident.

The Whiteness of the Noise

True Confession #1:  I've read Moby Dick 5 or 6 times.  The first few go-rounds, it was required in school.  No excuses for the rest of them.  I always skip some of the cetology chapters about 2/3 through, the ones about the whale from a biological perspective.  But there are parts of the book that really stay with me and hum and vibrate at certain times.  One chapter that I like a lot is called "The Whiteness of the Whale." 

In this chapter Ishmael (or so the narrator requests that we call him) ruminates on--you guessed it--the whiteness of the whale.  It's a list of speculations on what the color might signify.  And in Moby Dick everything sure does signify.  This chapter in particular is very like a poem.  No answers, just slow swimmy drift from one possibility to the next.

True Confession #2:  In our efforts to help Pearl calm down at night, we've started playing a white noise CD.  I hate it when writers refer to the dictionary definition of absolutely anything, but dig this:

white noise
1 the sound heard when the entire range of audible frequencies is produced at once, as in the operation of a jet engine.
2 an overlay of sound to cover up distracting or annoying noises; acoustic perfume.

Dictionaries must have really improved since I was a kid.  Since when does dictionary-speak describe anything as "acoustic perfume"?  That is downright groovy.

This white noise CD moves through 3 phases of noise.  The first track sounds like a garage band, a million simultaneous disasters, and it's pretty fast.  The second one sounds like a jumper with perfect rhythm doing his thing on a trampoline with rusty springs.  The third one, which is the longest track, sound like a robotic heartbeat. 

It sounds awful but my child loves this stuff.  Another bonus?  When Jake the dog barks at the mailman, the cat next door, the neighbors, or the opera walker,  the usual disturbances of our lives, thanks to the whiteness of the noise, Pearl can't hear a thing.