Published!

A long time ago, I wrote a post about life lists (note purposeful lack of back link). More recently, I decided a mother of four kids in three different schools (involved in cross country, track, show choir, chorus, builder's club, soccer, cub scouts and social lives greater than the sum of their parents) should not have a life list. It's just too depressing.

But - the sun also rises and in the time left in the wake of "a long time ago", I've tried my hand at some creative writing. Creative non-fiction or the personal essay - as opposed the stream of conscious I typically share here. I have really, really enjoyed it and determined I wanted to be published. Check that, I determined I wanted to be published in a neat little 'zine I stumbled across. It's called Remedy Quarterly.

So, I took a deep breath and put myself out there submitting a story idea to this project I really admire. I don't do waiting very well. I anticipated the "yay or nay" deadline anxiously. The day of said deadline, I had forgotten all about it and my heart was pounding when I found a surprise email. My story cut the mustard. It felt like discovering you made the team or got the part.

The current issue of Remedy Quarterly: Heritage includes "My Stainless Steel Locket" a story inspired by inherited and found recipe collections. I am very proud its inclusion in this collection of essays highlighting healing and delicious memories. In the spirit of sharing, I'd like to share a copy with you! Leave a comment sharing what your favorite family recipe is and be entered to win Issue #7. Leave your thoughts and a random winner will be drawn January 30th.

And now, with this little victory under my belt, I return to the keyboard. 

Wish me luck.

Full Disclosure

Many years ago, when Hen was still in the baby carrier, I decided maybe I should try to work part time at Trader Joe's. Extra money, a little time out of the house. I could do that. I know that store like the back of my own hand. Facing shelves soothes my compulsive nature. I was jazzed. And then, they handed me the math test. Seriously?

Without going into the details and my inability to cheat with my cell phone, I flunked. I can't add 5 + 5 with both hands.Though it was humiliating, in retrospect, why would a mother of 4 with an infant want to work part time, potentially all hours of the day and night? Regardless, in order to get over my feelings of ineptitude in all things math, I proceeded to tell everyone. Really, everyone. It made for a great story at neighbor night and after a beer or two I was even more self deprecating and really enjoying this story at my own expense. Later after commenting on my stupidity to Doug, he kindly reminded me I didn't need to tell anyone. No one would know and I shouldn't feel stupid. But the thing is, telling the free world was easier than beating myself up. Cathartic even.

Which brings us to Creative Non Fiction at Waubonsee Community College. I thought it would be helpful to hone my skills as a writer. Assist my ability to just do it and attain life list goal #9. Unfortunately, it never occurred to me I'd have to actually share what I wrote. Doug reminded me of my blog writing and how the lovely Tara has kindly posted my words on Go West Young Mom, why would this bother me? Good question.

The first class met on Tuesday and I was looking forward to it - until I walked in the class room. But for the grace of God, I held it together and made it through quite possibly the hardest thing I've ever had to do. So now - I have to tell about it thus freeing me...of me.

Long story short, we had to write a short story...in 20 minutes...with a pencil. I can't write fast and prefer to write on a keyboard. No big deal. I'll crank it out and re-write fast so I can actually read it. Aching shoulder and claw-like hand, I finished it and felt pretty good. I was proud of the story I had put on paper, though more vivid in my head, I knew it would translate. Well, I was wrong. And so goes my first lesson in creative non-fiction: There is no shame in having a better story in your head than you initially manage to put on paper..or screen.

When I got to the car I thought I would puke and by the time I made it to Main Street I thought I'd cry. I now feel much better. Anxiety be damned, I'll go back next Tuesday, with my computer.

Thanks for your shoulder and if you ever need a good neighbor night story, feel free to use mine.

In the meantime, if you're so inclined here is draft #3....

Jake stands in the center of the yard engrossed in the activity at hand; cleaning the ugly, gray yard box to be refilled with a redundant assortment of battered sports equipment. Max is weeding. The incessant whoosh of the hose buzzes in my ear and lulls me into my head. I recite to myself, as if present company would listen anyway, “Yard waste. Sow carrots. Where is the rake?” I am beginning to tire, it’s been a long day in the yard directing teenage boys and refereeing neighborhood games.

I really must remember to thank the boys. They do their best to work hard, especially when they’d rather be elsewhere. Teenagers growing up and away, sometimes leaving me feeling my only hold on them is a to-do list of yard work. Working side-by-side-by-side in the mottled light offered by the swaying leaves of the huge silver maple. The sun is warm, the air smells of dirt and chirping birds are interrupted by an occasional cluck.

Suddenly, pulled from my mental list, I come to with a fleeting annoyance; a rhythmic pulse. The hollow echo resounding from the ugly, plastic box as jets of water reverberate on its' wobbly sides. On and off, long and short, staccato then sprightly. Jake stands trigger attachment set to pulse, shiny black hose held loosely in hand. He is intently focused on the intermittent spray. Beat box?  FUN.?  Lady Gaga?

To his ears the musical message is clear. To my eyes – and my heart – he is still just a boy creating a toy out of anything and turning every chore into a game.

Now Where Did I Put That List.....

What seems like many moons ago, I started a life list. I had just turned 40. Little Henry was in school full time and I felt at loose ends. As often happens with my best intentions it sort of ended there. I tend not to be a dreamer and my desires are pretty basic.

Over time, I've thought of things to add to my life list but never actually done it though I've written about them in this journal of sorts. Have you ever had a big "to-do" list and added things you've already accomplished just so you can scratch them off? If you are a list maker - fess up - you've done it before. That seems really lame, bordering on cheating when talking about life list.

I've decided I'm not above cheating. The clock keeps ticking....


I have started writing. It's something I've always wanted to do and had just never DONE IT. I now set aside snippets of time to pursue this interest. It usually only lasts until the family finds me and has a sudden need to be with me. Of course, if the computer wasn't in my lap no one would care where I was. Anyway, I've had a few essays posted on Go West Young Mom, a sight dedicated to keeping moms in the western suburbs in the loop. It's a thrill for me. I've enrolled in a creative writing course. The life list thing? I'd love to have a piece published in something made of paper. Cyberspace is flattering but I am a book and paper girl. We'll see what happens. Fingers crossed.



I have an incredible appetite for reading - especially personal non-fiction. Courageous farmers and those brave enough to drop it all to go live in the south of France are favorites. After a particularly intense bout of reading all things Tuscan. I decided someday I'd like to visit its terraces and olive trees. Guess what? An opportunity arose and I am! Doug and I are traveling to Tuscany in September and while there will enjoy cooking classes and the Chianti Festival. We are staying on an amazing estate. I am purely giddy.

On a rather pathetic note, I've decided to add the Dane County Farmer's Market in Madison to my life list. You may laugh, but as many times as I've made plans to get to this mecca market, only to have them fall through, it deserves a spot. I'll probably get to Italy before I get to Wisconsin. Why?

Here is the updated list in no particular order:

#1 Go to France
#2 Knit a blanket for Project Linus
#3 Learn the Thriller dance (seriously)
#4 Take a cheese making course on an idyllic farm
#5 Run a half marathon (btw, this is not going well)
#6 Attend a farm dinner at sunset
#7 Raise goats
#8 Keep chickens
#9 Get something published - on paper.
#10 Go to Tuscany
#11 Get to the Dane County Farmer's Market
#12 Make croissants from scratch

Okay, I said I am not a dreamer but I am an optimist and maybe this will be the summer of......

Cooking A Family Dinner

A while back I decided it would be a good night for everyone to participate in the making of dinner. A simple pretzel chicken from Fine Cooking was on the menu.

It was the perfect recipe since it required much dipping and dredging. Everyone was getting their hands dirty - except Jake. He has a clean hands phobe. My fault - first born.


Ella got the super slimy job of egg dipping. Can we talk about that beautiful egg color? Jake is so supportive and his hands are so...clean.


There were multiple jobs for everyone. Here Jake is giving Henry a hand with his stirring technique. What a comedian.


There was also a quinoa salad that I'll share at a later date. That recipe offered my larger children an opportunity to work on their knife skills. They are old enough to handle a knife and I'd rather they know the right way.

Max measures and Ella stirs.


Even Jake (eventually) got his hands dirty chopping chives.


Everyone even got a chance to cook the chicken. I've always believed that teaching them the right way and not encouraging them to be afraid is the safest way in the kitchen. I also know someday they won't starve or shrivel up due to Ramen Noodle sodium counts.



The point of this whole thing? How great it is to cook as a family. We had lots of laughs and though it wasn't our favorite pretzel chicken it was really great to be together in the kitchen. We seem to spend a lot of time there even as everyone grows older. It's a comfy place to be and there is no hook better than food.

I recently wrote an essay inspired by our kitchen time. I'd like for you to read it - if you're interested.

What I'd really like is for you to make something in the kitchen with your family.

XOXO

Going West

Today is a super exciting day.

Recently, I discovered a wonderful website connecting moms with great stuff in the western suburbs. Full of information for great field trips, educational play and general fun for families, it's the ideal site for young mothers. I wish there had been a resource like this when I was a young, ummm, young-er mother. Oh, the hours I spent researching things for us to do when they were all at home....watching Sesame Street. *Sigh* I miss those days.

Another great aspect of Go West is simply connecting moms. Any mom knows it's great to know other moms are experiencing exactly the same things. The Mompreneur Directory gives moms the opportunity to share their home-based businesses and many offer special deals, too. Moms with businesses. Cool.

I am so proud to be a part of this group, as a Mompreneury and a contributor. Having the opportunity to write about local food, sustainable living and other things near and dear to my heart is thrilling.

It would be so wonderful if you'd check out my first essay for Go West Young Mom.

It's great to be a mom.