Perfection on my Compter Screen

In my writing class, my teacher said, "Children are perfect, until one day, they are not." There comes a time when children know more than they did when they were perfectly yours and perfectly innocent, instinctive and nothing more than themselves in an organic way. Eventually, things like Happy Meals, Dora, the Wiggles - the iridescent glow of the boob tube have as much influence as the "barrelless" supply of milk a mother willing provides on demand.

Annabelle is in that stage of perfection. She is a source of joy that I can tap into, provided I can get my computer camera working! I tried Skype with Cathi and Annabelle. I could not get Cathi's voice to come through clearly, so we used the cameras and our phones! I was really happy to see them both in their New York apartment. By the time I got the computer camera working, I remembered that I should have done my hair or at least brushed it. Luckily, Cathi and Annabelle had just come back from her stroller boot camp. Well, nothings perfect....except for Annabelle's adorable presence on my computer screen!

Little House Guests

My dear friend Ingrid and her two sweet children came to visit me in my apartment. I am pleased to announce that they were the first children to visit, and they were so much fun. They arrived at 1:00 am. I read Sophia "Oh What a Busy Day!" a childhood favorite of mine. In the morning Sophia requested eggs. I scrambled them and squeezed fresh O.J. We heated up whole wheat rolls and sliced some bananas. The kids played with books, mini pumpkins and gourds. Dominic played with measuring spoons and spatulas. We walked along the beach and made a day of exploring Main Street and Santa Monica. I made my little guests brown rice with cheese and carrots and sweet potatoes. I baked tofu and they seemed to love all of it. Then, it was time for bed. Sophia slept on the very edge of her bed, talking and signing her way to dreamland. Ingrid and I poured a glass of wine and enjoyed a lentil curry dinner (since I made adult food for us as I went along). The next morning I left my apartment for work while my little visitors slept. When I arrived home, I was greeted with a wonderful thank you note, which included fantastic magnetic art work. I look forward to the return of my little guests.

Presidio Motel

There is something about Santa Barbara. I went to UCSB there. My sister and my brother went to school there. Now, my friend Dion, lives there. Dion, who I met through my sister because Dion and my sister are wonderful friends, is the type of girl who does not blink at the idea of packing up the double stroller and taking a walk to the Presidio Motel on State Street. We drank wine out of jars and let the kids boogie down in the parking lot to an acoustic gig. The scene was probably the hippest scene I have ever seen since life in Williamsburg circa 2004. Between the glow of the Coke Machine near some cactus and lava rocks and the handmade goods in the Presidio Motel Supply Shop, I was sold on the Presido. The only problem is, I have a good friend like Dion, so I don't need to stay there.

God Daughter

I have a God daughter, and I she is my dear friend Eliza's baby girl. I would love her to bits even if she wasn't my God daughter. But, since she is my God daughter, I feel especially attached to her and the notion that I could be a positive influence in her life. I could be here in this world for her as a resource or an trusty adult. I could teach her stuff and make her laugh. Since her baptism, I had not visited her. A few months have gone by, and it was about that time to visit my God daughter. Gosh, I like the sound of that! So, I got in my car (Elmer) and drove to see her. I hope this was just the beginning of a lot more good times to come!

Petaluma

After two days in Las Vegas, Cathi, Annabelle and I rented a car and headed to see Annabelle's Grandma Diane and Grandpa Mike. We arrived at their home in Petaluma which is tucked in between vineyards, a chick farm, horse runs, and Dehlia fields. Gorgeous relaxation. Our stay there was the greatest remedy to the sounds of slot machines and ingestion of smoke. We breathed a little deeper and more slowly. Life felt clean, simple and easy. Annabelle looked around at her surroundings. This, of course, was her first trip to her grandparent's house. A grandparent's home is full of comforts, treasures, and spaces for the imagination to levitate.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

My dear friend from college, Tegan Zimmerman, got married to her best friend Ben underneath shady pines on a patch of forest that is owned by Ben's brother and his lovely wife. Every detail of the wedding was well executed in a way that reflected this girl's one-of-a-kind style.

I met Tegan when she came to UCSB on a recruiting trip. I remember we ran on the bluffs and instantly bonded. At the try-outs, I was so excited that Tegan made the team. I recommended her as the perfect room mate for my sister, Cathi.

To college, Tegan brought a bunch of homemade beaded necklaces and Mike's Mixs 1,2, and 3. We ate combos of rice and garbanzos in the dining hall, and enjoyed bagels on cross country road trips.

When I moved to New York, Tegan moved to Forestville. She hosted me and my room mate Stephanie. When we arrived we had a picnic lunch of bread and lemonade.

Tegan addes a touch of adorableness to anything she attempts. When I brought my boyfriend, Josh, to Forestville, we had a wonderful time at her home. We spent New Year's Eve with her and her sister in San Francisco. This was the trip that Josh said he knew he wanted to marry me. It was one of those trips that seemed magical and so full of potential.

Years later, at my wedding, Tegan showed up with a Polaroid camera. She captured moments at my wedding with her own touch and she gave me a framed picture of a typewriter that she had taken. It was symbolic of the union of me, as a writer, and Josh, as a photographer.

After the wedding, Tegan was pregnant with her baby girl Loma. Once again, the pregnancy was something Tegan embraced with such enthusiasm and confidence. I admired the way she followed her heart and how in tune she was with her desire to become a mother.

I have been around Tegan and Loma on several occasions. Tegan creates a universe for herself that is whole. Her attention to detail and the way in which she approaches her challenges, is very inspirational.

Tegan's wedding was no exception, which is why I knew I did not want to miss it. I love you, Teg, and I thank you for always being you. Loma and Ben are lucky to have such a creative and generous soul to share their lives with. I wish you a life that will go on and on, happily ever after.

Viva Las Vegas

It's funny to think that our family traveled all the way to Vegas for a little poolside relaxation. This was my first time hanging out in a cabana. I am not a fan of pina coladas, but I did love the wave pool, lazy river and cabana lighting for photos. Here's a few.