7 quick takes friday (vol. 20)

After a couple weeks off, I’m back with a flash of the week past.

—1—

“The amen of nature is always a flower.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes

I’m borrowing this quote from my friend, Maria, who shared it with our writers’ listserv earlier this week. My longtime readers know that I’m wild over flowers, and this quote in particular, with an economy of words, spoke to me so vividly. I think of the flower, emerging from the moist earth after a time of being drawn into itself, reaching upward to the sun with a proclamation of gratitude for its very existence.

–2–

Let the school year begin! It’s official — the 2009-2010 school year is underway.

Note: I cropped out grumpy firstborn from this shot. To be fair, he’s no more a morning person than his mother and wasn’t up for the “first day obligatory photo.” So be it. It can’t be easy having a mom who loves taking photos when you’re so not into it.

High point thus far: More food afforded eighth-graders, according to my very hungry eighth-grade son.
Low point thus far: When my six-year-old walked toward his friends at recess (most aren’t in his class this year), he didn’t get the reception he’d expected. “I think they forgot about me over the summer,” he said. (Mom heart breaking seeing cute son sad.) Oh, those tough life lessons! But I have a feeling all will be well in a month’s time. God is just giving him a chance to meet some new friends this year.

—3—

Joining the club of ‘four eyes.’ During a family back-to-school barbecue event on Wednesday evening, our youngest was found to have stuffed his sister’s eyeglasses into his pocket. “I was looking for these!” she said as she pulled them out, furious. Now, I’m wondering if he was trying to tell us something. An eye exam today found our little guy to be far-sighted enough to merit eyeglasses. I’ve lasted nearly 41 years without glasses (knocking on wood). Not so two of my kids, so far. Stay tuned for a photo of Nick with tiny blue wire-rimmed goggles in the coming days.

—4—

The gentleman’s game. Tennis has begun. So far, one singles match won, one doubles match won. I love being a tennis mom. It’s definitely a gentleman’s sport. Virtually no yelling or rambunctious kids or parents and the athletes are very gracious toward one another. It’s very refreshing.

–5–

Rethinking femininity: One of the perks of my Twitter time is that I recently received a signed book in the mail from an author who connected with me there. Colleen Hammond’s book, Dressing with Dignity, takes an interesting and historical look at fashion, and challenges the status quo in women’s clothing that leaves nothing to the imagination. Truth be told, I see a lot of truth in the message that women and girls could stand to be more mindful of how we are portraying ourselves to others, and it doesn’t mean we have to dress in potato sacks. Far from being a repressive stance, it’s liberating to consider that men and women have complementary roles, and that though we are not equal in all things, we’re equal in dignity. As a mother in particular, it was good for me to consider fashion’s role in how a girl defines and portrays herself.

—6—

Writer-mother brunch planned for San Antonio! Well, along with attending the National Federation of Press Women conference in San Antonio next month, I’m going to visit my two Texan aunts and have brunch with a fellow blogger, who, it turns out, lived in North Dakota for a time in her earlier life. I’m stoked for all of the above! (Hint on said blogger’s identity: she’s the host of “Friday quick takes!”)

–7–

Motherhood through a monastery lens. In my “Parenting Perspectives” column in this week’s Forum newspaper, I share insights on motherhood gained during my writing residency at St. Ben’s Monastery.

Have a marvelous weekend all!

For more “quick takes,” see Conversion Diary.