Commonplace

Colors of My Day

Yellow.

This vase was a wedding gift and it lives on our mantle. Niall put it there, on the end next to the window, because he said he likes how it catches the light.

Me too.

And yesterday's color:

Blue.

If the shot was a bit wider, you'd see all the toys that usually live in that bucket spilled all over the floor.

Things that are exciting me today:

Counting down to Inauguration Day.

Niall is taking the day off and we are attending brunch at friends'. Quinn is too young to appreciate it but Jake is pretty excited. (Nothing like inflicting one's views on our children.) He seems to understand the significance and we're hoping to be present in a moment that is certain to become something we look back upon.

In the evening I'm planning to attend the opening of The Obama Show at Eyebuzz in Tarrytown. I don't know whether I'm more excited to see these in person, or to meet Tara who is one of my favorite bloggers.

Watching Jake perform.

Any mother knows what it feels like to watch their child be happy. It's an indescribable feeling that affirms your entire being.

My son has struggled, more than any ten and a half year old should, to be happy. He continues to struggle still. But when he is playing the keyboard or singing on stage, he is as happy as I've ever seen him. I love to witness this and tonight and tomorrow I will.

If you missed any of my video posts of him, you can watch them here if you're so inclined (he's the little one).

Making new friends.

Kathleen at Mamas Always Write has an insightful and honest style that encourages me to write. I have been compelled by her 'prompts' since my first visit. It only solidified my interest in her when I found out that she lives in the city of my heart.

Stephanie at The Letter's Edge writes with a straightforward and quirky voice that is just a little self deprecating and I want to have a cup of coffee with her. She has has recently posed a question that's got me thinking: what would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? I'll be guest-posting on her blog and addressing that question later in the month.

Meeting both of these women and reading their accounts of motherhood, career decisions, marriage and creativity, further confirms my suspicions that I am not alone.

What is exciting you today?

Thanks for visiting.

A Plea

I haven't discussed politics here because (until now) I felt that the time I spent crafting was sacred and shouldn't be interrupted by nasty, grumpy, unpleasant things. Crafting is a place where I go to escape. If I let politics infiltrate my sacred space than where would I go to get away? I don't feel that way anymore. I realized recently that my creative energy is fed by all of my thoughts - even the frustrated or angry ones.

So today I'll discuss politics.

Here is my plea: to all who supported Hillary Clinton: Please get behind Barack Obama. Please do whatever you can to get him elected. Yes, I was a Hillary supporter. I did it quietly and with a few reservations, but I did it. And now, I'm going to do all I can to support Obama. This time, maybe not so quietly.

Passover

It was a beautiful liberatingly warm spring day so we decided to take advantage of the locale of our Seder and lump in a day trip. NQW could google 'fort' or 'historic site' and visit just about any place on the result page and be happy. I love this about him and because of him, I've seen many things I would have otherwise overlooked. We visited Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, New York. We strapped Little on and followed Big as he ran to the beach. It was like watching a racehorse let out of the gate.

Afterwards (we got a little lost) and made to the Seder in time to participate. Can you imagine a better way to consider your freedom?

Our family and their guests have expanded over the years to include many people whom we see only at this holiday. I look forward to it as soon as the snow starts melting. This year it was bittersweet for many reasons. My Grandmother died last May so this was the first Passover without her present. It was also the first Passover since the birth of (and for many the first opportunity to meet) Little. As if that isn't enough to make for an emotional day, here's a story for you. My brave and wonderful cousin was a Marine Officer in Iraq. After returning home (from two tours) he fought to have his translator and his translator's entire family brought to the United States. Watch this story if you're interested in more details:

Abood, his wife and three daughters were all at the Seder.