the OTHER mother

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!