What we’re listening to at our house…

…and…

shoop, shoop, shooooooooooo…and, of course…

Steve did a little redesigning around here last night, what do you think? The flowers that pop up on the masthead are White Nancy (how apropos), petunias from backyard, lavender from our front yard and Love in a Mist (the space-agey flowers), which my son would like to inform you are “an invasive weed and you really need to pull them all up before they go to seed, Mom.”

I will defy him. I love Love in a Mist and I agree with the Internet that it is a charming, old-fashioned flower that blooms in spring and early summer. (When did 7-year-olds get so smart, anyway?) Thanks for the update, Steve-o. I’ll consider this an early birthday present. (Our other three blogs are next in line.)

Hey! Happy (early) Father’s Day to all you dads out there. (It’s late this year — June 21st.)

“Hop on Pop-Up” (from Dr. Seuss, of course, Random House, $6.99, unpaged) is a charming little version of “Hop on Pop.” We love “Hop on Pop” over here. What are some good gifts for Dad? A set of Slim Jim Swim Fins, how about, or a Bright Dwight Bird-Flight Night-Sight Light? He does not want a walrus, believe me.

“Wake Up, Papa Bear!” is a sweet little touch-n-feel book (by David and Maxwell Algrim, illustrated by Adam Relf, Random House Children’s Books, $9.99, unpaged). I love touch-n-feel books, it’s the 2-year-old in me. Papa Bear has scratchy feet, a leathery nose, and soft fur. The babies will love this one.

In “Where Did Daddy’s Hair Go?” (by Joe O’Connor, illustrated by Henry Payne, Random House, $14.95, unpaged) a good-natured dad tries to explain to his son how he lost his hair — but it’s not that kind of lost. Nice illustrations, and a good story, to boot.

Enjoy your Sunday, y’all!

Reviewed today:

My Psych 311 text and…

Interview with Rob Ingram in Portland Family (“We are people! By nature that makes us imperfect. Forgive often, love hard, laugh good and live life! Hey, it is supposed to be fun so why not enjoy it and why EVER let anyone else steal your thunder. Work hard, play harder!!!” Love that. Rob is a great guy and a force of nature in our community, thank you Rob for all of your hard work and wise words) and…

the Saturday Oregonian (why? I do not know) and…

Accidentally on Purpose, by Mary F. Pols and…

Whiteness as Metaprivilege.

May go to a BlogHer meet-up between 3-5 today at Posies, if I remember. Oh! And game 5 is tonight, Pens and whatever the name of that team is that they’re playing. Go, Penguins!

(PS — Brain, please come back. Mama needs you.)

To be a mountain you have to climb alone
and accept all that rain and snow. You have to look far away when evening comes. If a forest
grows, you care; you stand there leaning against
the wind, waiting for someone with faith enough
to ask you to move. Great stones will tumble
against each other and gouge your sides. A storm
will live somewhere in your canyons hoarding its lightning.

William Stafford

Peace to you, dear girl, and peace to our city.

Here’s an essay for you, since we’re talking housework. It’s from twelve years ago, it would appear, cuz Steve and I weren’t married yet. Living in sin, woot!

CHORES
by Nancy (more…)

Things my children have stolen from me that I would like back:

1) my scotch tape
2) my purple calculator, the cool smooshy one
3) my heart
4) my sanity
5) my standards for cleanliness

That’s right, it’s time for Cleaning Tips 101. (more…)

Nancy Jo who? Why, she’s the stuffed armadillo my brother-in-law brought my daughter from Texas, of course!

(Stuffed as in “plush,” not stuffed as in “taxidermy.”)

WM: “Nancy Jo, what’s up? How was your flight?”

NJ (in squeaky voice): “Well, there was this big fat guy sitting behind me?”

WM: “Was he disruptive?”

NJ: “He put his feet up… on my chair.”

WM: “That’s horrible! You should have punched him right in the nose! What part of Texas are you from, anyway?”

NJ: “Dallas, Texas. It’s exciting!”

WM: “What’s your favorite kind of animal, Nancy Jo?”

NJ: “A cowboy. Cowboys are hot!” (begins giggling madly.)

WM: “Alright. So, what’s your nickname?”

NJ: “Nancy Drew. Please call me that from now on.”

WM: “Will do, Nancy Drew. We’re out of time for today, thanks for the interview!”

NJ: “No, thank you!”

The Dalai Lama walks up to a hot dog vendor and says, “Make me one with everything.”