well-being
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Sunlight on oxalis, redwood forest, November 2012 Thanksgiving dinner tasted great. But after the extended family’s annual walk up to the park/football game (greatly anticipated by my football-obsessed older child this year), we sat down to eat dessert and I couldn't eat it. I could not eat dessert. You got that, right? Because it is a highly unusual occurrence in these parts. Immediately I remembered last Thanksgiving, and the epic 24 hours of puking that followed as a horrendous stomach virus (not food poisoning) took down four of the six people in my house. Then I shook my head. No way we could have that bad of luck two years in a row. And we didn't. But I got a stomach virus and then a respiratory virus and, after two weeks of illness, went to the doctor who told me go to bed and stay there. Sometimes you need someone with authority to tell you it’s okay to step away from the workings of the family as much as possible, use your precious childcare hours to sleep, and watch too many Downton Abbey reruns on your laptop. I’m finally feeling better, and ... more -
Rebecca - - No responsesYes, they were watching TV, but it was still the sweetest moment. November 2012 One moment, they are snuggled so sweetly on the couch together. The next moment, they're grabbing toys from each other, making each other cry. One moment, Elan and I are playing chess, and he's telling me so earnestly about his day. The next moment, he's screaming on the floor. One moment, we're having a nice family dinner (I suppose it happens for at least a moment weekly). The next moment, Emry is putting chicken in his water, dumping pasta on the ... more -
Rebecca - - No responsesBerkeley, August 2012 I am not sure that I have ever had such an unproductive day. At least, not on a day when I'm supposed to be productive. Worry, worry, fret Scheme, talk, scheme Vent, rant, process, chat Crave a nap, crave a nap, crave a nap Second day of kindergarten. Schedule chaos. Mental exhaustion. Am I heading right, or going left? Where am I supposed to be right now? What am I forgetting? It's going okay for Elan. Like I said, I think he's more ready for this than I am. As for me, I've ... more -
Rebecca - - One responseView on this morning's run, Birch Bay, Washington, August 2012My father is a runner. My mother is a runner. My sister is a runner. My grandfather was a long-distance runner. Running is in my blood.But, up until about six weeks ago, I thought I hated running. My dad used to run track, and he wanted me to run in high school. "Do something with a finish line, something that's not so subjective," my dad said to his dancer daughter. Envious of my Mother/Father/Sister's obvious post-run ... more -
Rebecca - - No responsesThis one hitched a ride, Turtle Back Zoo, New Jersey, June 2012 That feeling - the butterflies flitting around in my stomach - is not indigestion. It is not actually butterflies. It is anxiety. As mother of a 5-year-old who's prone to screaming fits in the privacy of our home, I spend a lot of time encouraging him to use his words to describe his emotional state. So perhaps having decoded the butterfly feeling in the pit of my stomach will help ... more -
Rebecca - - One responseEmry, before the hivesThe title of this post is ironic.Over the past week, I feel as if I am being engulfed in fuss. Elan tends toward fuss naturally. Although his pre-K teacher and others who see him in a school context have a hard time believing it, the kid melts down faster than a popsicle left on a blacktop parking lot. In Palm Springs. In the summer. When it's 112 degrees.Emry is usually more even-keel, and is much more the type ... more -
Rebecca - - No responsesShadow, Japanese maple, June 2012 Oh, hello. I've missed you. More on that later. I've posted before about YogaToday, but I wanted to direct you to this week's free class (if you missed the free week for this class, you can buy any YogaToday class for a few dollars - you download it and it's yours to do whenever and however many times you want). If you're a yoga novice, haven't practiced in a while, or are just in need of a centering/grounding activity, I recommend ... more -
Rebecca - - No responsesLemon mint water, September 2011Take one lemon, given to you by someone who grew it in their yard, and one bunch of mint, given to you by someone who grew it in their yard. Combine.Take the medicine before the headache comes fully on.Complete something, anything, but preferably something small that's been bugging you, like a mosquito whining in and out of your ear. Then recognize its completion.Cut the lemon into quarters. Pluck the mint leaves off the stem. For once, do not practice restraint. ... more
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Rebecca - - One responseMy grandmother's china, 4 a.m.It's 4:48 a.m. and I'm baking banana muffins.Some weeks just go like this. We start off all shiny and new, thinking of the things large and small we're going to accomplish. On Sunday night, we either have visions of success or trepidation. Does it matter which we expect, when the end result just seems to come to fruition on its own, a product of moon phase, cycle phase, life phase, sleep phase, what?On Monday, I was swimming laps, ... more
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Rebecca - - No responsesIn what has become a yearly tradition, right around New Year's, Mikhail and I took a walk on the beach and figured out some words to express what we are hoping for this year. I know it's March now, and I'm talking about January, but bear with me. I needed to let these words grow on me a little before I was ready to share them. Besides, being on time isn't one of my strengths. Once we figure out the words, we write them in the sand. Last year, we had this ... more
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Rebecca - - No responsesI confess that...Sometimes the baby gets chocolate bread for breakfast.Emry, 14 months, January 2012And he really likes it.(Notice the gummy smile - Emry's first tooth has broken through so he's toothless no more!)Both my children drink bottles. Occasionally while watching TV.December 2011In the hours between 5 and 7 a.m., I frequently want to curse. Sometimes I do. Early morning is not my finest hour.I found more amazement, pleasure and simple joy in ... more
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it’s a boy!We are so thrilled to welcome our baby boy to our family! Emry Isaiah Brams Davis October 22, 2010 7 lbs 15 oz, 20.5 inches Emry is a Welsh name…
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the end of an eraToday my grandfather, Popa Al Alper, passed away. He was 101 and a half. June 2008 Back when he turned 99, many of you sent him postcards in the mail.…
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new story published!New story in print for the first time in a looonnng time I am happy to say that I had a story published in The Stonecoast Review, Issue 8. It’s… -
In DecemberIt is December now, and I notice that for the past several months I have maintained silence here on my blog about how I have continued to deal with the…
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a goalYesterday I spent a lot of time thinking and writing about what kinds of habits or practices I could put in place that will support my vision of myself as…
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All The Rest Is Just Icing30 weeks Warning: this post involves vomit. You might want to put down your sandwich. I might have mentioned before that I am not a puker. I have not vomited…
