Tendrils

[mommatama]

A reminiscence about the cats in my family.

[mommatama]

Viewpoints during R+J

I got a part in a play! It has been so long since I auditioned for a part I’d forgotten what it’s like. Since age 14 I’ve almost exclusively been backstage. Lights, sound, rigging, painting, building, costuming, playing trombone, directing, producing… I’ve done all the things.  Since 1986 though I’ve only been a cast member intentionally in Brigadoon and one skit in a summer reader’s theatre…

Viewpoints during R+J

[mommatama]

Foundation and Change

I am currently watching the Foundation TV series in the evenings with my husband. We’re only 4 episodes into a total of 30 and I’m ruminating on a number of concepts. Much like Asimov’s original series did, these episodes have given my brain things to chew on.  Gaal, at one critical juncture says: “The weight of traditions protect us.” She goes on to explain that she reached a point where she…

Foundation and Change

[mommatama]

Hyperfocus & Altered states

How many of you have the ability to hyper focus on something that really interests you? Thinkabout that for a second or 12........When I taught AP and College Psych we did a unit on altered states of consciousness. At thestart of the unit, students were asked to brainstorm what creates an altered state. Of course the first answers were drugs and alcohol. And there are many, many substances wecan…

Hyperfocus & Altered states

[mommatama]

How stressed are you? Here's what works for me.

And it is the holiday season again

[mommatama]

Shiba Hair

Murphy, our Shiba, sheds. Websites such as Shiba Inu Dog Breed Information will tell you that these beautiful little dogs only shed twice a year but that has not been our experience. There is always loose dog hair in our house. She sheds more than the 18 month old husky. It is amazing. If it was longer I’d try spinning it because it’s so soft and warm. But twice a year? No way.

To be fair,…

View On WordPress

[mommatama]

Color

Today I got to do two exciting things that brought color into my life. I was able to get a pedicure – thus both getting out of the house and dealing with the increasingly painful ingrown toenail that results when I try to do my toes myself. And I made paper today.

I live in Alaska. We’ve had very few covid-19 cases up here and, while I have many friends in New England from college who are…

View On WordPress

[mommatama]

Sourdough bread and reopening businesses

Today I made sourdough bread. And it was edible. This is a milestone for me. I’ve attempted bread making off and on for 25 years with no success. I’ve tried bread makers and various cookbooks. Something about bread has always defeated me.

I can do biscuits fairly well. My southern Gramma taught me those in 6th grade and, while I still double check proportions in Betty Crocker, they’re quite…

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[mommatama]

Dizzy or Vertigo? How did I know?

Dizzy or Vertigo? How did I know?

This poster, by Dutch artist M.C. Escher 1898-1972, hung above my desk all four years I was away at college. Some nights, very late nights, I thought I could figure out how to make that endless waterfall actually work.

I remember eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches pretty regularly when I was in elementary school. But I was talking to a friend the other day about how impossible that…

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[mommatama]

Blackberry Jelly and Everything Else

Blackberry Jelly and Everything Else

Yesterday was my mom’s birthday. She’s been gone four years now. Cancer won the battle. And certain dates can be rougherthan the everyday. I spent the day keeping busy. Mostly sewing, running errands, and doing things at the costume shop. But I also treated myself to a pedicure. I’m sewing on an almost daily basis right now as a costumer for Newsies and so Mom is on my mind every time I sit down…

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[mommatama]

Chewing on Freud

Our new puppy, as expected, has been chewing on everything he can reach. Unfortunately, Ranger managed to get one of the phone charging cables, but that’s my fault. I know he’s a curious little devil who is growing every time he sleeps. I should have guessed he could reach the back of the couch. When he goes out of bounds in his choices of chew toys I redirect him. There are many dog toys for him…

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[mommatama]

Puppy for Christmas

My new puppy is named Ranger, after the Lone Ranger. All of his litter mates went to homes at six weeks. He had to fly to get to me though; so he wasn’t able to be here til eight weeks. Plus he has the cutest little bandit mask.

Ranger is a gift from one of my very best friends. Two of her huskies hooked up and blessed her with an unexpected litter just before the vet visit to solve that…

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[mommatama]

Forests and Patterns and Symmetry

Forests and Patterns and Symmetry

One of the things I’ve always loved about walking through the cool green of a forest is closely examining the interconnected plants that grow within them. Lichens, moss, trees, bushes, small plants, and flowers all grow in this amazing intertwined profusion that calms me in a profound way. Many people feel this way about organic patterns.

When I was in New Zealand last month, I had the…

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[mommatama]

Resolution to Write

Two years ago I was retired from my job as an adjunct professor. And I resolved that once a week I would sit down and write. I brainstormed topics, set up folders and files, and created this blog on WordPress. Then, I did, occasionally, do some writing. As I sit here with my cup(s) of tea amidst the decorations of Christmas I am musing over how I can do better. If and How I went wrong.

I had…

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[mommatama]

Today is the longest night of the year. All of us who struggle with depression – for whatever reason – can now look forward to the days, in the Northern hemisphere anyhow, slowly getting longer.

I just got back from a three week trip to the Southern Hemisphere and while it was a bit odd to see Christmas trees and other decorations in hot weather, I’ve done it before. We had three tours of duty in…

View On WordPress

[mommatama]

Being thankful for my migraine app

Being thankful for my migraine app

I have often wondered if the reason the ancient’s engaged in trepanationwas because of migraines. When mine get above level six, I can understand  the temptation to go find a drill and create a hole to relieve the pressure. For ancients who didn’t have the imaging technology we do, when it feels as if every tissue in the brain is being forced against the bones of the skull making everything pound…

View On WordPress

[mommatama]

Hasta Luego – El tocadiscos está en la biblioteca I’m no great scholar of the Spanish language. Obviously because I failed it at Harvard - twice.