not gonna miss it again
A year ago I wrote here about my beautiful eldest girl, Tui. Today, she carries new life in her belly, a second son to join her firstborn Jai, who is about to turn 15. That’s a long while between babies, but she’s ready for him :-)
I was 38 when Jai was born, and in total denial about becoming a grandmother. I didn’t even meet him till he was three. Looking back, I can’t believe that I chose to miss out on his early years like that.
Of course, I miss out on so much in my children’s lives by living on the other side of the world. But really? I completely skipped my first grandchild? That seems amazing to me now. I was young and poor and scared, but somehow that doesn’t seem like a good excuse any more.
So yeah, I plan to go back in November to spend time with Tui’s family, sharing the fun of a newborn. That’ll be three trips back in less than a year. Wow.
I love this self-portrait she took. I stole it from her Facebook page.
Posted by suchwildlove on June 11, 2013
http://suchwildlove.com/2013/06/11/not-gonna-miss-it-again/
there’s only so much room on her lap
We FaceTimed yesterday. Oh my goodness (squealy voice) these babies are scrummy.
Felix is nearly two. He repeats anything you say. He can now kiss properly (instead of just opening his mouth and slobbering). He demonstrated this by kissing the phone many times while I talked with him. He’s scared of dogs (even little puppies) and he adores his baby sister. And trains. He loves trains.
Cali is nearly four months old. Is that all? It seems longer since I last cuddled her. She sleeps well, smiles big, and sings like the rock chick she is.
I miss them so. How many sleeps till I see them in November??
Illustration by Tony. Photos blatantly stolen from Instagram.
Posted by suchwildlove on June 10, 2013
http://suchwildlove.com/2013/06/10/theres-only-so-much-room-on-her-lap/
putting down roots
The Guy and I have been working on a landscaping project for a while, spending some months in research and planning. Today was a red letter day: while a hired labourer was helping dig holes on the hillside, we took delivery of 25 trees. I was really really excited. Trees! Big ones! Ours!
As we’re still waiting on the mesh for gopher and deer protection to arrive, they won’t be going in the ground for a few days. So we squeezed them in the space between the two sheds (“Arthur” and “Jackson”) and hung tarps to deflect the deer for now.
Putting down roots, I am. It feels bloody marvellous.
Posted by suchwildlove on June 8, 2013
http://suchwildlove.com/2013/06/08/putting-down-roots/
Mother’s Day 2013
This is my seventh Mother’s Day without her.
And I miss her more each year, as my children grow and have kids of their own. Whereas once I needed mothering help, now I need advice on grandmothering.
Today K asked me to talk about her, as we drove along winding roads in the Santa Monica Mountains. I said she was petite and gentle, loving and cuddly. That she once had red hair. That she taught me to sew and spin and embroider and garden. He wanted more stories, but I don’t think the few anecdotes I shared gave him a good picture of my sweet mother.
All I know is, she is a huge part of who I am.
Miss you, mama. So, so much.
Posted by suchwildlove on May 12, 2013
http://suchwildlove.com/2013/05/12/mothers-day-2013/
Chili Lime Sweet Potato Salad
I’m on a sweet potato kick. This recipe’s great for picnics or potlucks as it can be made in advance. In fact, it improves if it sits for a day or so. Just don’t overcook the sweet potatoes.
Chili Lime Sweet Potato Salad
4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2″ dice
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 scallions, sliced finely
Good handful minced cilantro
Grated zest of 1 lime
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper
Toss the sweet potato cubes with 2 tablespoons of oil and some salt and pepper. Spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet and roast at 425°F for about 25 minutes or until just tender.
Cool slightly, then mix with bell pepper, scallions and cilantro in a large bowl.
Shake or whisk the remaining ingredients together and pour over the salad, tossing gently to combine. Serve warm, at room temperature or chilled. Can be refrigerated for several days before eating.
Posted by suchwildlove on May 12, 2013
http://suchwildlove.com/2013/05/12/chili-lime-sweet-potato-salad/
Salmon Sweet Potato Patties
These are oh-my-goodness good.
1 14 oz can salmon
1 small sweet potato, cooked, cooled, peeled and mashed (prick some holes in it and nuke for 6-8 minutes)
1 egg
4 scallions, minced
Handful of parsley, minced
Zest of one lemon, and half the juice
Drain the salmon. Remove the skin, but leave the bones in. Combine all the ingredients, mashing with a fork. Shape golf-ball sized pieces into patties, and cook in a nonstick skillet with a little olive oil over medium-low heat until nicely browned on each side (a few minutes will do it.)
Posted by suchwildlove on May 10, 2013
http://suchwildlove.com/2013/05/10/salmon-sweet-potato-patties/
how to support the suffering, without hurting oneself?
How do I listen while a loved one sobs out her suffering, without taking on the pain myself? What’s the key? How do I keep perspective and equilibrium, but not become cold or indifferent?
Is this even a goal I should seek? Isn’t the world changed for the better by the passionate, not the dispassionate? If no-one takes on the pain of the abused and disenfranchised, how can things improve for them?
There are degrees of pain. “First world” versus “third world”, for example. But to the sufferer, it’s all pain.
First responders, therapists, charity workers, families of the maimed, these people (and many others) navigate the path of witnessing up close, even embracing, others’ pain without either “fingers in ears, lalalala can’t hear you” or going under themselves. I applaud them, and want to sit at their feet to learn how it’s done.
I don’t know the answers, but I’m getting practice anyway. I want to be happy. I choose to be happy. But I also want to be there for my unhappy friends, to be an ear, to be a rock, to help without hurting myself.
If you know what I’m talking about, tell me how you do it. Please.
Posted by suchwildlove on May 4, 2013
http://suchwildlove.com/2013/05/04/how-to-support-the-suffering-without-hurting-oneself/
camping
So much beauty. So much fun. So many cool places to return to. So many side roads yet to explore.
I fell in love with the planet all over again. And with the company.
Posted by suchwildlove on May 1, 2013
http://suchwildlove.com/2013/05/01/camping/
preparing
Me + guy + dog are going camping this weekend! We’re off to Death Valley, with loose plans to check out some of the many ghost towns in the vicinity. And cook delicious meals over open fires. And sing a lot of songs.
I can’t wait.
[My close friends (I'm looking at you, Lola & sister) will recognize my scrappy picnic blanket, now getting pretty bedraggled, but still much-loved.]
Posted by suchwildlove on April 24, 2013
http://suchwildlove.com/2013/04/24/preparing/
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