Raspberry World » family

Being Brave

Susie — Mon, 10 May 2010 02:40:47 +0000

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World.

Alex and I have been reading about Frog and Toad lately. I don’t really remember Frog and Toad from my childhood reading, which probably means I never read about them (my early reader days were filled with Enid Blyton), but I really like the books we’ve read from the library: Frog and Toad are Friends, Frog and Toad Together, and Frog and Toad All Year.

One of our favorite stories in Frog and Toad Together is “Dragons and Giants.” In it, Frog and Toad set out on an adventure to try to learn whether they are brave or not. They encounter a scary snake who wants to eat them, an avalanche of rocks, and a big hawk. They finally end up back at Toad’s house, hiding and “being very brave together.”

Since we started reading this story, Alex has mentioned “being brave” a few times, something we had never really talked about before. When I clipped his nails the other night, something he hates, he told me afterwards that he was “being brave” – and he really did yell and carry on less than usual while I was doing it. (I’ll be grateful for small mercies where this is concerned.)

Today we visited a butterfly exhibit in nearby Norwich. We’ve taken Alex to see butterflies before, with mixed results. His response in the past has ranged from standoffish aloofness to full-force meltdown and refusal to enter the butterfly house. Today was different – he not only let the butterflies land on him, he encouraged them to. And he enjoyed it as much as the rest of us did. Sometimes being brave is about the little things.

Better Late Than Never

Susie — Wed, 05 May 2010 04:25:22 +0000

Today I was catching up on the newspaper and came across this question and answer from a recent “Miss Manners” column:

Dear Miss Manners: My daughter recently had a miscarriage, and a relative said, “Well, there are worse things that could happen.” I thought that was pretty insensitive. Why not just say “I’m sorry”?

Gentle Reader: Why not, indeed? It is the only helpful thing to say.

What Miss Manners thinks is that people harbor the illusion that they can say something that will make the pain go away. The example you cite hardly seems to qualify, even for that misguided notion, but the speaker evidently thought it would be a relief for your daughter to remember that at least she had not been eaten alive by werewolves.

“At least she had not been eaten alive by werewolves” actually made me laugh. There is not much that is funny about miscarriage, but people sure say some “funny” (ie, stupid) things when they don’t know what to say.

Last week, April 24 – May 1, was National Infertility Awareness Week in the US. I meant to post last week, but never got around to it. But as in many things, I feel it’s better late than never. So here goes.

Infertility takes many forms. It’s just as likely to be “caused” by the man as by the woman (among m/f couples). Frequently, both partners contribute. Over 7 million Americans are affected by it. Treatment is not affordable for everyone who wants children, and even when it is a possibility, it brings its own dehumanizing baggage. Painful tests, undignified examinations, injections, and medical labels add to the stress.

If you haven’t experienced infertility, it can be hard to recognize. For example, I have two children, yet I am infertile. I can get pregnant but most of the time I can’t stay pregnant. To put this in perspective, if my first pregnancy had worked out, my oldest child would be turning ten this fall. And if my subsequent pregnancies had worked out, Marty and I would have seven children. As it is, I feel very lucky to have two children. We never wanted seven children, but for several years we were unsure whether we would manage to have even one.

During those years, I certainly heard remarks like the one in the letter to Miss Manners — and worse. Even the medical establishment had to get a word in: thanks to the recurrent miscarriages I experienced in my 30s, I was medically labeled a “habitual aborter,” which sounds like something very different from what it was. But at the same time, I received such wonderful support from friends who were also struggling with infertility, and from others who cared. I’m nearly as grateful for that support as I am for my boys. Simply knowing I was not alone helped tremendously.

I don’t have a lot to add to what so many others posted about infertility last week. But I do feel it’s important to talk about infertility, to let people know that it happens. If it is happening to you, or to someone you know, there are resources out there that can help. Visit RESOLVE today.

March

Susie — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 03:08:03 +0000

Climbing

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World.

Oh, we’ve been lucky. March has been beautiful in our part of New England. We’ve had some rain, but we’ve also had some gorgeous blue sky days with temperatures in the 60s. The boys and I have been out enjoying it at playgrounds, parks, and just in the yard. Yay for spring!

Busy Month

Susie — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:47:13 +0000

Brothers

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World.

We are finally coming out of birthday season around here. It started back at Thanksgiving with Marty’s birthday, and ended earlier this month with Alex’s. All of us are now a year older. And with Valentine’s day and Christmas in there too, I feel like we have been eating sweets constantly for three months. Time for a diet!

Our February is flying by. Alex turned four on February 1, then we hosted a playdate for his birthday party. Charlie got his first haircut last week and Alex had a valentine’s day party at school. Today the month is over half over! Lots of pictures are posted in the February Flickr set.

Renewed

Susie — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:42:59 +0000

I just completed a massive update of Wordpress on Raspberry World. I have a new template and everything. If you see this on a reader, click through and check me out. I’ve joined the 21st century. Still configuring the widgets, but I’m very happy so far.

***

Alex is nearly four, so I’m encouraging some new behaviors. Like not yelling at Charlie to “be quiet!” And taking a shower instead of a bath. Tonight he was in the shower and water was dripping down his face. He told me, “Grabity! Grabity will grab it down, right?”

When I agreed that gravity would do the trick, he explained further: “Grabity has a hand to pull things down!”

***

Behold: Charlie’s birthday cupcakes. The “greenish-blue” icing color was chosen by Alex. The cake was King Arthur Flour’s “Guaranteed” Golden Vanilla Cake recipe. They were delicious. Next up is Alex’s birthday… then we are all done with birthday season until November. Whew!

Charlie is One!

Susie — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:40:30 +0000

Yesterday, Charlie celebrated his first birthday by “sleeping in” until 5:45 (Alex, too), opening presents, visiting the doctor for a checkup, taking a four hour nap, and eating a cupcake. It was a great birthday! Lots of pictures are up in the January Flickr set.

Happy birthday, big guy!

Ziggy, 1992 – 2010

Susie — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:25:51 +0000

Ziggy

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World.

Yesterday we said goodbye to Ziggy. He was a loving, sweet little friend and we will miss him terribly.

Marty and I got Ziggy from the Centre Hall SPCA in the summer of 1992. He was born in Pennsylvania, lived many years in Connecticut, and traveled to Germany and back with us when we lived in Munich. He had admirers all over the world.

While in Germany, he developed a hyperthyroid condition. When we returned to the US in 2004, he received radioactive iodine treatment to correct it (RadioCat). He was 12 years old at that time, and he lived over five more years after the treatment.

His kidney disease was most likely a result of the thyroid problem. We held it off with a special diet for the last four years, and treated him with subcutaneous fluids at home for the final year of his life.

We’ll miss you, Ziggy. Marty and I have so many good memories of our time together. Alex and Charlie loved you, too. We’ll always remember you.

Merry Christmas from Raspberry World

Susie — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 18:44:07 +0000

Decorated house

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World.

We wish you a merry Christmas,
We wish you a merry Christmas,
We wish you a merry Christmas,
And a happy new year!

It’s been a busy month at our house. I’m thinking of all my old friends today and wishing you well. Happy holidays!

Tons of pictures are up in the December set on Flickr.

Things boys say

Susie — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:09:34 +0000

That is one big woodpile

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World.

Tonight as I was helping Alex get ready for bed, he told me, “Pirates can’t kill Santa Claus. Santa’s reindeer fly so fast that pirates can’t catch him.”

I don’t really like to encourage talk about killing, but I couldn’t argue with his logic, either.

Earlier in the evening, Charlie was walking toward me and said, “Zee zee.” Alex used to say the same thing – so I looked behind me, and sure enough, Ziggy had walked into the room. Go, Charlie!

What do you mean, chores?

Susie — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 01:53:05 +0000

What do you mean, chores?

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World.

Alex looks a little concerned about our intentions regarding this giant pile of logs. I am sure he was happy to learn that his dad was the one who would end up having to split the 2+ cords of wood currently filling our driveway.

We are gearing up for winter here with a new boiler – it’s a dual fuel, wood- and oil-burning Danish model. Hence the log delivery. The more wood we burn in it this winter, the more money we will save on heating oil.

Suddenly it’s not so hard to believe that winter is coming. The days are cool and not all of them are sunny. The fall colors are past their peak in our part of the state. And it’s dark at dinnertime. Alex can’t wait for the first snowman of the winter, but I’m less enthusiastic about the winter weather to come.

Lots of new pictures up in the October set on Flickr. Enjoy!