Busha Full Of Grace

I Didn't Say That

I just got home from a late trip to the grocery stores. I had my weekly shopping on my agenda for tomorrow, but decided, as I left the school late, to get it done tonight and have a slow morning tomorrow. So I ran by home and loaded Harry with the chewed ass (more on that in a minute) into the car and headed downtown. First stop was Safeway for 24 mini pumpkins for a school project next week. I always forget that they have a great organic selection now. So while there, I somehow loaded my cart with everything I thought we needed. I've been too lax in my home making these days and took this shopping trip a bit too far. But hey. An hour later I went through the checkstand, paid my bill, and watched the bagger do his job. And then it happened. I said the dumbest old lady thing I've ever heard myself say. And it just happened before I realized and I couldn't stop myself.

"Thank you Mrs. Frost. Do you need some help out?"

I looked at the 7 or 8 bags filling the cart. And then I said it.

"No thanks. I've got my little dog in the car to help me."

What did you just say? No, you didn't. You crazy old lady you. How COULD you say THAT?

And Harry's chewed ass? You wanna know? My first day of working 10 hours and leaving him home he chewed all the fur off of his butt. He's such a brat. Toys, bones, food, water, and Camille here. But no. He was pissed and he was going to let me know it. He better be careful or he's going to get a lampshade collar.

It's Raining, It's Pouring

I'm cozy as can be in my new woolen slippers from Acorn.

Happy Saturday!

Just Dessert?

I was listening to NPR today, a story about a dessert made of chocolate, cream, and edible gold shavings. A dessert so "rich" it sold for $25,000.00 per serving. But ya know? I don’t find it at all amusing, in fact it really bothers me. Who thinks up such things and why? This dessert immediately made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Who in their right mind can validate this acknowledgement? To celebrate such decadence in the face of devastating world poverty?

I remember walking through Fisherman's Wharf one winter holiday, after taking the kids to the Wax Museum. There was a young mother sitting on the sidewalk with four children. All dirty. All drawn and sad. All sucking on McDonald's ketchup packets...

And they are all I can think of now.

I hope they aren't still hungry tonight.

I really wish I knew.

At best, for me, this over the edge idea inspired a prayer for a family that I knew once needed it.

Rhythm

OK, I had five kids. What do I know about rhythm? Actually, a lot. And I should really be more trusting of myself. When I did my lesson plans for Ruby Morning, with the thought that I needed to revamp and refresh, I totally changed what I knew as a perfect school day rhythm, throwing it out the window as worn out, for an all new schedule that had us outdoors from the get go. I love children in nature. Don't get me wrong. I am a great proponent of atleast 3 hours of outside time in a child's morning. But to start the day outdoors; it didn't feel right to me or to my beloved assistant, Christie. It just didn't flow.

So today I went back to the schedule that I know and have depended upon for years and the day was smooth and perfect. I believe that after we gather with the parents for morning verse, the children need to be taken inside where they feel held and safe. Where they know where their boundaries lie. Four walls and teacher's quiet attention allows them to relax into their day. And then after circle, after some inside work and play, after potty, a little rest, after a wash of hands and face with warm lavender water, and a wholesome snack....the french doors swing wide open into the warm autumn sunniness and there is a trusting sense of joyous freedom squealing through the air. And there we spend the rest of our morning.

I only had three little boys with me for the afternoon session today. Three little guys who became so taken with the lives on gnomes! They built a little "campfire" in a corner of the play house and gathered stones to polish. I sat nearby and sang quiety as I made them each a mulberry leaf crown from the carpet that has fallen from the tree in the yard. They snacked on leftover birthday muffins and rice milk. And Wheatines and organic cheese. And apples from the farmer's market.

And now I'm home with the wash already in, waiting for my chicken breast to bake. I'm ready for some knitting.

All is well.

Oh! Have you ever wondered what hides in a teacher's apron pocket? I had to grin, it looks like an I Spy game.

54

I cannot believe that next year I can join AARP. Oh. My. God.

Happy Birthday to me.

School Begins Today

The day is here and I am so ready. So excited. So blessed. Keep me in your thoughts today and I will tell you all about it when I get home. My thought for the day:

Imbue thyself with the power of imagination,
Have courage for the truth,
Sharpen thy feelings for responsibility of soul.

Locks of Love

Locks of Love are on their way!

Camille and Sarah have both donated their 12 inch braids to children with the need for wigs; children who are enduring the socially challenging effects of childhood diseases.

What moves me most about this gesture of theirs is the fact that it wasn't something they did on a whim. They did it with intention. They planned. We all know how long it takes to grow 12 extra inches of hair. Years. Camille's lady who cuts her hair asked everytime she went for a trim, "Is this the day?" The other day she squealed with excitement.

Once again, just as with cooking and knitting, when something is done with intention it brings loving vibes. These little children are blessed with hair full of enthusiastic, happy living, humanity loving vibes.

The Big "D"

Decision. I made it yesterday. I am opening my center on Monday! I got the insurance in place today, planned a parent evening for tomorrow night, and I'm on my way. Planning the curriculum is sending chills up my arms I'm so excited with it.

It is the time of year when the outer darkness begins to prevail and we need to share our inner light with the world. Martinmas. A perfect time to glow radiant love for the children. Reciprocity. To model gratitude and simplicity in the upcoming season. To learn about fire and warmth and purity. To huddle close during the solstice. To ring in the sun's birthday. To await the Holy Nights.

I am beside myself with anticipation.

"Trick A Tree"

A line from Ikey's favorite Halloween book this year. Here is a photo of my little trick or treaters They seem to be getting so big but this photo says they are still such little guys....

Our family gathered, a little smaller than normal without my boys (Zak and Alex), at Brooke and Matt's house for dinner and festivities. As always, Brooke the Cook Divine, made a rich and hearty meal of Navy beans, kale and ham hocks with a crusty French bread and butter. Camille and I brought caramel apples for dessert, the little guys made cookies, and Shannon brought a witches' brew punch (complete with dry ice.)

So we had the Pirate family: Captain Matt, Brooke the Wench (or “Preggo Pirate”), and Swashbuckin’ Satchel. Satchel’s favorite parts of his costume were his bad teeth and pirate’s breath! Every time I’d faint when he blew on me, he’d die laughing.

Then in walks the Vargas clan. Isaac, the Hazmat Guy, which became quite the joke while we were trick-or-treating as the family who had enjoyed plentiful bean soup before we left! And Shannon, crazy, spontaneous, irreverent, wild child of mine, the Gypsy Queen with silver daisy pasties (Only for the family party, she covered up with a silver bra and shawl before we left the house; but probably only because it was cold out) And Ikey (who is still too tender to enjoy the Halloween costumes, sounds and stories this year) the "good-and-friendly-and-not-scary"people bat.

So, my family. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. A party within itself. I am so rich with relations that truly love and enjoy one another. Together we make festival and celebration happen. We, all together, stand witness to the importance of human connection. And our circle is open to anyone, always. There is forever welcoming space to any who would like to come along with us on our warm and crazy adventures through life.