Taking a Chance..... (Why Not?)

Earlier this month, I spent several hours in a conference room that had a poster with this message:

On Risk.....  "Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."  

As you're growing up, remember that you should try new activities (volleyball? acting?), talk with all kinds of people (a new kid in your class, even if he seems "different" than you), and try to accomplish goals even if they seem very difficult and you can't be sure of the outcome.

I've thought about it more as we continue to read Greek myths.  Brock has been especially interested in the story of Heracles - or, in Roman myths, Hercules.  Here's a statue of Heracles as a boy strangling a snake:

The Heracles story includes completing many "labors" of incredible difficulty.  The first was to kill the Nemean lion, after which Heracles wore the lion's pelt as a coat which was impervious to all the elements and most weapons.  My favorite story is found in the eleventh labor, which involved fetching golden apples from Hera's garden guarded by Atlas's daughters the Hesperides.  Atlas had been condemned by Zeus to hold up the vault of the heavens.....  First Heracles held up the sky for Atlas, who agreed to get the apples from his daughters; then when Atlas planned to leave with the apples, Heracles tricked him into holding the heavens again by telling Atlas he need to rearrange the lion's cloak to pad his shoulders.

So, when interesting opportunities come your way..... think about what your goals are, explore various options, and decide whether you should GO FOR IT (!) in spite of uncertainty.  On the theme of learning, here's a song about Heracles "in training" with Philoctetes (learn more about him here -->  Phil )......  it's also Brock's favorite song from the Disney movie Hercules, performed by Danny DeVito:

Our First Snow Storm - 2012

It's Saturday morning and we are finally getting a snow storm (4-7" predicted).  Hard to believe, but there haven't been any school closings or even delays yet - yikes!

Reflections on snow:

• It is wonderfully quiet as the snow falls - all sounds are muffled, very little traffic, snow plows going by occasionally.....   Then as the snow is ending, the whir of snow blowers, scrapping of shovels, and kids laughing as they play.
• The world is transformed by soft, beautiful mounds of white.  Trees look magical, houses look especially warm and welcoming, and people are hard to recognize in their coats, boots & hats.
• Fun Times - Happy children, snow angels, snow ball fights, and forts when there is lots of snow.
• Sledding, which is the absolute best !!  So much joy in riding down the hill, parting ways with your sled toward the bottom, snow-caked hats & gloves.  We'll be sure to go to the dike this weekend, plus Brock has a Scouts winter fun day to look forward to this afternoon.  

As a nice memory from last winter, he's a picture of you two having a wonderful time.

The Story of Tiger

On Friday, Tiger moved from Dad's house to my house.  It has been an emotional week for all of us.  Luckily, Tiger is adjusting well and so far seems happy living on Sharpe Street.  I am so, so glad that he can be with us here.  Tiger has been trying to sit in my lap as I'm writing this post!

Thought you would be interested to hear the story of "how we got Tiger".  Before that, Aunt Pam lost her Siamese cat Misha, who had lived a long and healthy life.  She was interested in getting another Siamese, and heard about a breeder near Sunbury, PA who raised them.  She and Grandma went there looking for a kitten, and brought home Wolfie (named after Wolfgang Mozart).  This breeder also had Maine Coons, and not long after that Grandma went there to get Jessie - a beautiful calico Maine Coon.  You can read more about this interesting, New England breed here:  Maine Coon

Sasha, when you were in second grade we unexpectedly lost our kitty Kyle (who you named in pre-school, following a visit to the vet when she informed me that our girl kitten "Clarisse" was actually a boy - what a shock!).  When we were ready for a new cat, we took a drive to Sunbury, which is @1 1/2 hours away.  You were 8 years old, and Brock was 2.

Dad and I thought we would get a Siamese cat, since we had always had Siamese kitties (first Nicki, then Kyle).  But Sasha, you absolutely wanted a cat who looked like a tiger.  We got to the breeder's house, at found it was loaded with cats (and smelled like them too).  The kittens were upstairs, so we went up and found Siamese kitties of a few varieties.....  and several red tabby Maine Coons.  You were enthralled and fascinated with one especially active "orange" kitten.  Although I encouraged you to check out the Siamese kittens, there was no changing your mind!  The breeder noticed you had fallen in love with that kitten and was kind enough to offer a discount if we agreed not to purchase his pedigree "papers".  We drove home with him sitting in my lap, yowling most of the way.  You immediately named him Tiger.  I have been laughing since you texted me that some of his recent nicknames have been:

• Chunks of Love Tigar
• Hunky Chunky
• Tiger my Hunky Monkey

Tiger was sick to his stomach the first night at our house, but then got settled quickly.  He has always been big, friendly and loving.  He liked being up high from the beginning, and to Dad's dismay caused serious trouble by climbing up stacks of train boxes.  He has also been, as typical of his breed, affectionate with both of you unless teased.  As a young cat he was very playful, and known to scare little Brock by leaping at him and knocking him over.  He has been a wonderful part of your childhood, and I know you are both very attached to him.  Here's to many more years with our round, fluffy, handsome Tiger.

With special thanks to photographer and my best friend Steve (who gave us some kitty items that Jean Luc did not need, shopped with me for the rest, and has shared much good advice), here's a great picture taken yesterday:

Reading & Writing

Sometimes I'm asked "What have you been reading lately?" .... by Aunt Ginny, for instance.  I usually have a brief panic attack, because I hate to admit that a) I haven't been reading a book at all (although I do really do read magazines and like to read on-line), or b) if I have been reading a book, it's probably a literary abomination - almost always as a romance novel.

BUT the good news is that early this new year, we've been reading a book delivered by Santa - the D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths. Before bedtime, you're discovering (and I'm re-discovering) the stories of Titans, the Cyclopes, and the creation of the mighty gods.  It's a real soap opera.  I have decided that close relationships with Gaea "Mother Earth" were pretty dicey as she frequently plotted against her own family.  Gaea had her son Cronus chase away his father Uranus "Lord of the Universe".  (.... how you do pronounce Uranus???)  Then she had her newborn grandson Zeus hidden away from his father Cronus; Zeus grew up and overthrew Cronus (after his cousin Metis tricked Cronus into eating a magic herb which caused him vomit up Zeus's brothers & sisters that he had swallowed as tiny babies).

Well, in other recent reading-related developments:

• Brock has been reading the Guinness World Records 2012.  He also loves Pokémon story books & pokedex guides that list numerous Pokémons.  I have learned that each one goes through 3 stages of evolution; for example one of the fire-type Pokémons begins as Charmander, progresses to Charmeleon, and finally matures to Charizard.
  
  
• As to Sasha, I'm not aware that he's been reading books for recreational purposes lately....  He does like fishing magazines.  But do know that he's been reading his Spanish text book; as examples "Hola, Clarita.  Como estas?"  and "Diego, adonde vas?  Voy a la tienda de discos." 

And in the writing department:

• Brock's least favorite homework assignment is writing 10 sentences for each set of new spelling words.  The sentences he writes can be quite interesting though, such as "I know how to work a flamethrower."
  
  
• Sasha, in your case, I've just asked you to supply a 9th grade writing sample and you declined.  But, in 7th grade you wrote this absolutely beautiful poem:

             Imagine

Murky lake water clouding beneath my feet

Giant mountains leading to the heavens

Loud splashing from an old bullfrog

Earsplitting gunshots from a hunter so near

Fragrant flowers dancing in the wind

Burnt marshmallows fill my stomach

Red hot hotdogs fit in a bun

Tasty smores as hot as a wildfire

Rough and hot stick that my marshmallow burned upon

Dirty mud all around me

Extremely relaxed and at home

Reading was probably my single favorite activity as a kid.  I hope you too will learn to love reading - the genre doesn't matter.  And reading will help develop your writing skills - which will be important as you continue through school and later in your chosen jobs.  Here's a recording of Jimmy Durante (a famous comedian and actor, who you can read about here JimmyDurante) singing a funny song "The Day I Read a Book".  His voice might sound familiar, since he was the narrator for the Christmas special Frosty the Snowman.

On Turning 47

Some people don't like to admit how old they are.  I'm not one of them, although sometimes it has been fun to keep you two guessing.  I especially liked it when you boys were quite young, and sure I couldn't be more than 19.

Just for today, since it's my birthday - I'm going to write a little about how I feel now that I'm in my late 40's.....

Not long ago, Steve asked me how I would describe myself as a girl.  I thought briefly, and my response was that I was shy, overweight, and very smart.  I have gained a lot of confidence since then, so now I don't think of myself as being shy (but the other 2 probably still apply).  Fast forward 30+ years, and I would say that now I realize I have shortcomings but feel comfortable with the entire person I have become.  With the years, I have also gained at least some wisdom....  believe I have good judgment and usually make good decisions.  And am especially happy that I feel confident about doing the "right" thing when faced with challenges.  When I solve problems I try very hard to follow my conscience, considering the best interests of everyone involved - most especially the two of you.

Here is a song I like a lot and makes me think of all the rewards that come along with gaining life experience.  This is Martina McBride performing "This One's For The Girls" (it may sound kind of familiar, since it's also the ring tone on my cell phone).  Sasha and Brock, I want you to have a great time as kids and don't feel rushed to grow up.  But there is lots to look forward to as you get older.