7 quick takes friday (vol. 13)

–1–

WHY I WRITE: I posted one of my favorite kinds of blogs earlier this week filled with kids’ quotes. I guess I’m on a quote kick this week. I’m going to start my “quick takes” with one as well. I saw it at the end of a signature tag of one of my writing comrades earlier today, and decided to borrow it (thanks Beth):

“Writing is an attempt to sort out the confusion of life.” – Isabel Allende

There’s another one I read once, though I can’t remember the source, but it goes something like this:

“Art is the act of bringing order to chaos.”

How true it is! Is it any wonder that so many mothers are out there blogging away? I’m still at the beginning of discovering all that the blogging world contains, and every time I do a little digging into that world, I am always amazed at what I find. Writing is a powerful tool, and for many, it’s more than a hobby. For many, like me, it’s a lifeline. I don’t mind if you don’t always find the time to read my work, but I will always figure out a way to produce it because it is vital to me. If I attract a few readers out of offering it to the wider world, it simply makes the effort all the more meaningful. So thank you, readers, for giving my writing journey even more vitality.

–2–

RED, YELLOW, GREEN: My husband and I attended a parenting class last night. The presenter was Ada Alden, author of the book, Parenting on Purpose: Red, Yellow, Green Framework for Respectful Discipline. I came ready to learn a whole bunch of new concepts that I could bring home and apply, thereby transforming our family life into a peaceful, orderly affair. The presentation was engaging, but interestingly, a lot of what was presented are things we’ve already put into practice, or at least were aware were crucial parenting skills and have tried to put into practice. We came away feeling pretty affirmed that, even if we haven’t been able to institute these things to perfection, we have acquired some knowledge of what it takes to run a household. Again, knowing what to do and applying those concepts are two different things, but at least we’ve got the concepts internalized. But of all the words spoken that evening, here is what struck me as the most poignant. I don’t know if Ada was quoting someone else, or if she coined this herself, but it put in words the feeling I’ve had so many times about the parenting journey, and it’s worth remembering:

“The days go slowly and the years fly by.”

–3–

ANY GUESSES as to what this is? (Hint: Red River Zoo)

–4–

SOUTHWARD BOUND: I am so excited. The kids and I are heading south tomorrow to visit my very good college friend, Karla. We actually were supposed to leave today, but yesterday, my 4-year-old began throwing up in the back seat of the van about 15 seconds from home. Yes, we were just pulling into the driveway when a fountain of water came out of him. And, in fact, that’s all that it appeared to be. He hadn’t eaten breakfast and he was extra thirsty so he drank a bunch of water — too fast apparently. After that, he was fine. But later in the day, my daughter called me on my cell to ask me to bring home some Sprite (that’s never a good sign). So, after administering Tylenol, I surrendered and called my friend, who had been wondering if I could wait a day. Bad weather was predicted and she wanted to optimize our time in the pool. It ended up being a win-win for everyone. The kids seem well now and the bags are mostly packed. I never would have dreamed when we planned this trip that I’d be hanging back due to possible illness in June. Anyway, we’re raring to go. It will be a quick 24-hour trip, but we plan to make the most of every minute together.

–5–

FIRST PLACE: I received notice yesterday that the religion articles I’d submitted to the North Dakota Professional Communicators contest had, collectively, received first place in the national competition of the National Federation of Press Women. I’ve had some of my work take first at the state level before, but believe this is my first national “first.” As my mother always says, “Another feather in your cap, Rox.” Indeed, it’s always nice to know hard work has paid off.

–6–

ST. TERESA OF AVILA: I’ve been reading bits of her this week. Here are some words of hers that made me think a bit, then smile: “Prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.”

–7–

BLOGGERS PICNIC: Our area “Area Voices” bloggers are getting together next week for a picnic! I’ll share more soon. In the meantime, The Forum is giving our local blogs more visibility on its home page these days, which has increased my readership (click link and scroll to middle of home page). Welcome, new readers (and “old” readers, too, of course). I hope you’ll stop back when you have a moment.

Have an adventurous, peace-filled weekend! For more “Quick Takes,” go to Conversion Diary.