Monday, July 27, 2009

WORKING - NOT

Millennium Park - Cloud Gate
Churchill and Klehr Photography

No jobs so far this summer. I haven't really felt like working, but I'm used to structuring the rest of my life around these contract jobs. I focus entirely on work for a short period of time and then do everything else I like/want the rest of the time. The bank account gets healthier and I spend a bit more.

Monday, July 20, 2009

THE RED QUILTED ROBE



I was 10 and my brother was a baby. I must have been home sick from school. I was home sick from school--fall or spring because I didn't need a coat. So, baby brother was a couple of months old or 8 or 9 months old. I'd have been in fifth grade.

My mom had a red print robe--small black and white design, but the red and the quilting were predominate. I loved that robe. It reached almost to the floor when I wore it.

I don't remember what precipitated the event... All I remember was mom grabbing little brother and then my hand and marching us down the street toward Gale Avenue. I remember she said something like, "We're leaving." Whatever the tone of voice I did not question her, which in and of itself would have been a feat. I always had something to say.

I remember reaching Gale Avenue. Was dad home? I don't remember how we got home or why our running-away-from-home ended. Must have been spring of 1959 because that year Aunt Margie came to take care of us and NC and I returned to Virginia with her for the entire summer.

It had to be spring because if mom was that out-of-touch with reality in the fall, how did we make it to spring?

For most people we'd call it post-partum depression. My mom's post-partum happened over and over again even when there was no birth.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

CATCHING UP


An interesting comment in the recent Patricia Cornwell book, Scarpetta. In referencing Kay Scarpetta, her husband Benton mentions that it takes awhile for her emotions to catch up to her intellect.

I love that! I identify with that. Why have I not heard or read something like that before?

Sunday, July 12, 2009

ANTICIPATING...

I am the biggest waster of energy. I spend way too much time anticipating events that I can't control. Once they happen, I deal with all the stuff just fine, but in the meantime I am exhausted with the anticipation.