Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Ahem.


Another Oldie but Goodie from the world of email forwards . . . 


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A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk’s office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is,” explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a ...."?

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.

"I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.  The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know.  The words simply popped out.  "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.  Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).  I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters).  Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanity ties, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).  But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3...
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.


I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!  And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."  Motherhood!  What a glorious career!

Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations?"


And great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates?"


I think so!


I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants."



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Friday, December 18, 2009

We interrupt this program . . .

to bring you one of the neatest Ikea hacks I've ever seen . . . 





a yarn swift. :o)

It wouldn't be hard to drill a few more holes, to make the skein size adjustable.  Man, I do miss living near Ikea . . . 

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Vegetables in Winter?

So I've just ordered this book:



And I'm not sure I can adequately express how excited I am.  (I know, I know.  Vegetables.  In winter.  That's what the grocery store is supposed to be for.)  But I've been seriously uncomfortable with getting all of our food from mostly unknown sources, exposed to who knows what (pollution, unwashed hands, the treatments allowed under the "organic" label), and harvested long, long ago.  A Safeway produce lady told me they warehouse their produce for two weeks before it gets to the store.  I was astounded.  Not only does that mean it doesn't keep (good for them, I guess), but the nutritional value is pretty much gone by then.  Safeway successfully changes fresh, reasonably healthy produce into empty calories.  With fiber.

Since most of our diet is now fruits and vegetables (along with sprouted nuts & seeds, and fermented foods), the idea of providing our own, even in winter, is wildly attractive.  (Have you SEEN the prices of organic produce lately?  Ay yi yi.)  And as our growing season here is between 4-5 months, knowing how to continue to provide for ourselves gives me this great, warm feeling inside.

So, I'll let you know what I think of this book.  It seems to be the small-scale farm version of his Four Season Harvest, which I really really love.  Elliot Coleman has a respect for, and understanding of, the earth, its seasons, plants, and their needs.  The kind of understanding that I'm eager to gain; first through study, and then through faith*.

(You know, I really should probably post a few book reviews of books I actually ready lately . . . like Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, Thy Gold to Refine, 12 Steps to Raw Foods, Signature Family Dishes, Kabul Beauty School, La Hacienda, or any of the fourteen Georgette Heyer novels I devoured during the first half of the year.  Requests on which goes first welcome.)


*My definition of Faith: a belief which moves one to action, or the application of knowledge gained by teaching (as opposed to the knowledge gained by experience).  Faith is work--the application of principles learned and the true test of a principles truthfulness or validity.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Lemme Hear Whoop! Whoop!

Google has delivered.


All y'all Mac users out there, go and try it out. Clean, light, and darn fast. And Google's home page logo today is a kick, to boot.

Have a great week!