Lea, Leah, Googly Bear

March 18th, 2014 → 5:50 am

“What’s in a name?  That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title.”  – Romeo and Juliet

What is in a name?  My mother (the psychologist) once told me that if someone repeatedly butchers your name (i.e. calling you Leah or Laya all the time, when your name is actually Lea), they’re taking a dig at you.  One’s name is part of one’s identity, so disregarding it is in effect disregarding you.  But what about when someone changes your name in a positive way?  My son really grabbed on to the endearment “googly bear” from Monsters Inc., and he often asks me if I’m his googly bear.  I love it!  Batmom, Googly Bear, Mommypants.  Change my name, please!

Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life

We Are Not All Alone Unhappy

March 6th, 2014 → 7:37 am

“Thou seest we are not all alone unhappy:
The wide and universal theater
Presents more woeful pageants than the scene
Wherein we play in.”  – As You Like It

This quote just matched my mood this morning…

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life

Batmom

February 20th, 2014 → 8:06 am

“I have touched the highest point of all my greatness.” – Henry VIII

Yesterday in the car my son anointed me “Batmom.”  He was asking what I was going to be for Halloween and though I suggested many good options, including Spiderman, Dr. Gru, Ariel, and Flint Lockwood, he vetoed them all.  Then, since he himself was going to be Batman, he told me I could be Batman’s Helper, or Batmom.  I felt like I’d reached the pinnacle of motherhood.  In Bat solidarity I thrust my arm in the air along with my son and together we slayed demons all night when we got home, after dinner of course.

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life

Happy Birthday Mom!

February 16th, 2014 → 7:56 am

“Where thou art, there is the world itself.” – Henry VI, Part II

If my mom were still alive, she’d be turning 65 today.  And I’d likely be teasing her about retiring or some such thing.  Where ever she actually is, in whatever other world, I hope she is happy.

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life

3 Year Old Boys

February 11th, 2014 → 5:56 am

“My thoughts are ripe in mischief.” – Twelfth Night

My son is driving my husband and I a little crazy with his mischief making lately; tearing the contents of my purse apart, secreting seashells from off my husband’s nightstand, taking forever in the potty so he can avoid having to go to bed.  He’s so darn cute it’s hard to stay mad.  I just hope the above quote won’t still be applicable when he’s a 4 year old boy, and a 5 year old boy, and, sigh, a 6 year old boy…will it?

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

January 31st, 2014 → 6:17 am

“All things are ready, if our minds be so.” – Henry V

The Wellness Program at my work offered a MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) class this semester, so I signed up.  We spent thirty minutes last night eating a raisin, and then an hour doing a body scan.  I had hoped this class would help me relax, but I just can’t seem to get into the minutae of it.  I suppose that means my mind is not ready.  Repeat after me:  Om mani padmi om, om mani padmi om, om mani padmi ommmm

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life

Brief Hiatus

November 21st, 2013 → 6:20 am

“Would I were in an alehouse in London!” – Henry V

Well I’m not in London right now (would I were!), but I am leaving tomorrow for a conference, then there’s Thanksgiving, then relatives come to visit (not to mention Hanukkah to celebrate), December has Christmas and New Year’s…  I think for the sake of my sanity I’m going to have to take a brief hiatus from blogging, just until December is over.  I’ll return with lots of new quotes (I’m reading a Shakespeare book right now that’s giving me some great ideas) in January, 2014…  See everyone again then!  And Happy Holidays of course.  🙂

Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life

Midwest Storms

November 19th, 2013 → 11:51 am

“Blow winds and crack your cheeks!  Rage, blow!
You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout
Till you have drenched our steeples, drowned the cocks!
You sulphurous and thought-executing fires,
Vaunt-couriers of oak-cleaving thunderbolts,
Singe my white head!  And thou, all-shaking thunder,
Strike flat the thick rotundity o’the world!
Crack nature’s moulds, all germens spill at once
That make ingrateful man!”  – King Lear

We lost our power as a result of the storms, and its only just now come back on.  Hallelujah!  In fact, on Sunday when the storms hit, I was entertaining guests and my son had a friend over.  We had all these people in our house and a ton of food ready to cook on the stove.  Then a number of us watched as a rather large tree branch fell on our power line, crashing it to the ground.  Next our big metal gazebo was dashed by the wind onto the tree branch that was on the power line.  It was so shocking it was funny at first, till I realized I had all this food going to waste and people still to entertain.  Our power is actually only half on right now (“half restored” they call it??), but thank god for that.  And welcome back my beloved internet connection!!

Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life

A Moment to Savor

October 18th, 2013 → 8:29 am

“My crown in called content;
A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.”  – Henry VI

The budget crisis has passed, my son is back to being sweet and charming, the weather is beautiful, and life seems good.  For now.  Let’s recognize and enjoy this moment of contentedness while it lasts.  For kings – or anyone else for that matter – it doesn’t usually last long.

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life

A Wilderness of Monkeys

October 14th, 2013 → 5:52 am

“It was my turquoise, I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor:  
I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys.”  – Merchant of Venice

I have always liked that image: a wilderness of monkeys.  And I thought of it last night when I turned my back to get a napkin and my son grabbed my chocolate cupcake and stuffed it in his mouth.  What?!?!  I would not have willingly given up that sublime confection for a wilderness of monkeys.  Grrrr.

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life