"Let's Add a Little Dirt to Our Diet"

Franny and I were painting our little hearts out, when we heard a word (on OPB radio) that always makes us perk up our ears, "micro-organisms". I've long had a problem with the belief that people can never bleach/disinfect our environment enough. So glad there's more and more science to support the opposite.

OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR

Dirtying Up Our Diets

By JEFF D. LEACH

Published June 20, 2012

"OVER 7,000 strong and growing, community farmers’ markets are being heralded as a panacea for what ails our sick nation. The smell of fresh, earthy goodness is the reason environmentalists approve of them, locavores can’t live without them, and the first lady has hitched her vegetable cart crusade to them. As health-giving as those bundles of mouthwatering leafy greens and crates of plump tomatoes are, the greatest social contribution of the farmers’ market may be its role as a delivery vehicle for putting dirt back into the American diet and in the process, reacquainting the human immune system with some “old friends.”

Increasing evidence suggests that the alarming rise in allergic and autoimmune disorders during the past few decades is at least partly attributable to our lack of exposure to . . .(click here to read entire article) "

It's Her Thing

This summer, Fran is on fire with a to do list in hand. She decided the back bedroom, whose walls had gone long neglected, needed to be painted. She spackled (proclaimed her big sis shall never push another pushpin into another wall again), chose paint color, prepped (with help of her big sis) and painted. The transformation, from my point of view, is breathtaking. Of course, there were other subtle changes: rearranging, tidying up, tossing.

Then she dove into the daunting (4 yrs worth) layers in her bedroom. After going through her clothes and books and taking several bags to the Goodwill, she can now escape to her own bed once again.

She's right in the middle of painting the hallway, dining room and living room at the moment. Gray? Really? You want to paint the walls gray? And so far I'm loving it. It's calm and crisp and to my deficient eyes looks good with everything in the room.

I wonder where she'll take me next?

Most Loved

I'll bet you don't even know
that you're the favorite

I've finally decided
that special honor
isn't due to
an open door

Maybe it's that
unwavering gaze
straight into your
audience's heart

Or as mother
described you
so soft, so warm
so huggable

I hate to admit
learning your status
hurt me
Why should it?

Because
I thought it was me

After words and After thoughts (apologies to Rod McKuen)

Let me be absolutely clear, I love my family and I love to bring people into our backyard when the weather allows. But what I'm not, is a good hostess.

I recognize this ability in others. I even go over what I want and need to do before the event happens, but no matter what-- I end up sitting in one place engaging in conversation with whoever happens to be in the vicinity. After everyone leaves, the self critique begins. Where oh where is the progress?!

That's one of the many things I admired about you Mom. You seemed to have an ability to be everywhere when you hosted or helped host. I know it was Father's Day yesterday, but I really felt your absence.  I am glad that Dad decided to share your ashes. No, they're not you. They're just a comforting little symbol of you. You're in a quiet shade garden, back in a corner, with the hardy fuchsias, hostas, ferns and hydrangea vine. (Thank you, Lise, for the wise suggestion.) 
With Love,
K

End of the school year

Hard to believe there are only 3 school days left. Especially as I sit here listening and watching the heavy downpour outside.

Our school is one of several preparing to pack up for a summer remodel. Which has meant the past several days have been partially devoted to engaging the children in tidying up bins and getting classroom items ready to pack. Thanks to our volunteers, a few boxes are filled everyday.

Not sure how I feel about using instruction time for packing and cleaning. But yeah, there's that rain coming down today and those wee folk really need their activity breaks--especially during this antsy time of year.