The Dawn Has Secrets

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep. - Rumi

The morning we brought up the sun marked another new beginning. It was the day you discovered your first loose tooth. You came barging into the bathroom while I was showering (picked the lock again) and crumpled into a heap of tears on the other side of the curtain.

I poke my head out and you lament, "I have a wobbly toooooooth...I think I broke it on a Lego!"

I smile and say, "It's not broken...you may be getting your new teeth...it means that the Tooth Fairy is coming".

Transitions can be difficult for you, newness can be unnerving...it's hard to predict which path you'll choose, joy or otherwise.

"But it's HORRIBLE!"
"But I don't want my teeth to fall out!"
"But I don't want new teeth!"
"But I don't want anything to change!"
"But I like everything just the way it is!"

We take you a local diner for breakfast to celebrate this rite of passage, your face still showing signs of earlier upset. When you cry your nose and forehead develop little red patches that linger for a spell after you've calmed down.

After breakfast you spot a gumball machine. First loose tooth - first piece of bubble gum. (Why not?)

"PINK!", you say, and I explain that you can't pick which color you get.

You open the silver door and a pink gumball rolls into your palm.






















"Isn't that amazing", you say, "you tell the machine which color you want and you get it". You bite it in half and we share it.






















At bedtime we read stories about wobbly teeth and we talked about creating a small door to make it easier for the Tooth Fairy. That night you wake me many times, as you often do during transitions. I have learned, during 5 1/2 years of being your mom, to roll with it. After you settle down to begin your dreams, I cannot go back to sleep. I begin my soft morning descent at 3:30 AM, dreaming with eyes open, wondering how I'll weather this long day. I rest my face into my bewooled hands and for one brief second I believe I smell my cat's fur.

Empowering Children

I think, therefore I am - Descartes

I've been thinking a lot about positive affirmations. We all know that our thoughts affect the way we feel. Even young children understand that mean words are hurtful. So, I've been thinking about ways to incorporate positive affirmations into my son's life.

I immediately thought of Louise L. Hay whose book made it's way 'round my creative circle of friends...New York City...1988. I still remember that and how we used record her affirmations onto our answering machines. We had such fun calling each other to find out what was being affirmed each week.

I am completely tickled to discover that Louise wrote a children's book and I am humbled to have received a review copy. "I think, I am!" is a powerful picture book, illustrated by Manuela Schwarz, that makes the whole concept of positive affirmations accessible to young children by demonstrating how to change negative thoughts into positive ones. The authors (Louise L. Hay and Kristina Tracy) present a situation that is likely to happen to a child, then introduce a positive affirmation...

"Have you ever done something you wish you hadn't...Keep positive and say to yourself, I learn from my mistakes and move on".

What a powerful tool for children to take with them into adulthood!

Another treasure that we recently discovered is the award winning Wizkidz DVD by kindred mama, Pamela Pedder! On the surface, this may appear to be a goofy kid show, but on deeper level, it's a treasure trove of inspiring and positive thoughts to nurture healthy self esteem. My son LOVES this dvd, and instantly caught on to the powerful messages within. During dinner, he excitedly told his dad about the "cant" characters and about the secret spell that makes them disappear - smiles. The songs are gloriously affirming. One particular song is running on continuous loop in my mind...

" I can. I can do anything if I just put my mind into it. I can do it. I can. I can be anything I dream of. I just throw my fear out. I have no doubt that I can. Yes, I can."

I was so inspired by by these creative women that I decided to make my son his own set of affirmation cards. I used one of our favorite photos from a very tender moment. I have 2 extra sets in my etsy shop where you will also find more information about the cards and the whole story behind the photo I chose.





























*And speaking of empowering children...Monday is the kick off of Mighty Girl Art! Please click on over for a peek in the Mighty Tipi all next week! It's going to be magical...

Bedtime Book Basket: The Cat at Night

"The sky is dark and full of stars,
but everything else is like day to him.
Night is the best time of all –
the time when he likes to go exploring."
- Dahlov Ipcar (The Cat at Night)


We have a new favorite in our bedtime book basket...

We received a review copy of this gorgeous book by Dahlov Ipcar! In "The Cat at Night", we follow a cat on one of his nighttime adventures and we see what the cat sees. The paintings are exquisite and the story, a delight. Each spread portrays the cat as we would see him, a silhouette in the shadowy night. A turn of the page transforms the same scene as the cat would see it. Satch enjoys trying to locate the cat in each nighttime silhouette before turning the page to cat-vision.

Look closely.
Can you find him?
Lovely, isn't it!

Mom to Mom: Ruby Roth

I had the honor to review Ruby Roth's book "That's Why We Don't Eat Animals" and immediately wanted to know more about her. Satch and I are vegetarians and this touched us both on many levels. The book illustrates in a gentle yet powerful way, the reasons why some Earthlings choose not to eat meat. It is a beautiful book about compassion.

I can't think of a more fitting thought for the new year...


Mom: Ruby Roth
Of: Akira, 5 (step-child)
Where: Los Angeles, CA
Site: We Don't Eat Animals

1. In what ways has becoming a mother changed you?

I’ve had to make a concerted effort to learn to accept that the day doesn’t always turn out that way I plan it to. I used to have an I-Can-Do-It-All vision of my future, meaning I took for granted that as an adult, I’d manage to have a burgeoning career, a man, kids, a clean and tidy home. It was a blow to my imagination when I realized that there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything well… but ultimately this is a great thing! I’m learning to be clear on what I need to do and what I can let go of doing, so that I’m available to my family instead of trying to do everything everyday and being a nervous wreck! Everybody wins.

2. What inspired you to write That's Why We Don't Eat Animals?

I was teaching art at an elementary school and the kids were always curious about why I wasn’t eating the string-cheese they were served at snack. In a very non-emotional, matter-of-fact way, I began sharing my reasons, which ranged from health, to the emotional lives of animals, to their treatment on factory farms. It was the children’s incredible continued interest and insight that made me look into resources I might further share with them. But I couldn’t find a book on the subject that wasn’t based on a talking animal or vegetable—which I felt they were too smart (and cool) for. Art and veganism are two of my favorite studies and so I used the impetus of the children’s interest to get started on writing and illustrating the book.


4. What message would you like to share with children who want to be vegetarians?

Be proud, be confident, and never fear standing up for yourself or any other living being. I think it takes a super smart, clear-headed kid to come to the conclusion that he or she does not want to eat animals. These kinds of kids are powerful, intelligent, and aware. They grow up with a great sense of connectedness to animals and the environment—a feeling that we hold a powerful place in this web of life because our choices ripple out into the world. I’m so very proud to be in touch with so many vegan and vegetarian kids!


5. What message would you like to share with parents?

Do not fear discussing the truth about food and where it comes from with your child. I’ve never once experienced a kid to be overwhelmed by the information, as long as you don’t relay the facts in a hysterical manner. I say in my book that each day, we have the freedom to change our lives. I think this is a very important concept for anyone to absorb—and one to emphasize when you read the book to a kid: we never have to fear things that we have the power to change. And kids get it. Secondly, even if you eat meat, add more raw, vegan foods to your diet. It is more about adding new foods than giving up others. Know what you’re eating and where it comes from, and examine your ambivalences about vegetarianism and veganism (gender, health myths, addictions, etc.). In college, I was surrounded by vegans and the thought of trying it myself never occurred to me because I didn’t identify with the image of a vegan. I had tunnel vision. Now, I could never go back.

6. Lastly, what moves you, grounds you, fills your well?

I have this one figured out! Firstly, making physical contact with the natural world is fail-safe: getting my feet in some sand or dirt is grounding on an electromagnetic level (literally, go stand barefoot in your backyard for five minutes—it changes your whole perspective!). I get the same feeling from visiting an animal sanctuary, shopping at my local farmer’s market, or simply getting some fresh air. And if L.A. traffic prevents any of this, I turn to something I can do at home, something that puts me in the zone, something that makes me switch from the emotional side of the brain to the logical: observational drawing, studying a language book, writing in a journal, even what I call “Zen Dishwashing:” clearing the house, and thus my state-of-mind, from clutter.

*Our little family will be doing community service in honor of MLK day on Monday. See you Wednesday.

Bedtime Book Basket

We have some faves in the bedtime book basket that are now dog-eared from love, so we thought we should tell you about them:

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox is a beautiful story that celebrates diversity by exploring our similarities. Satch likes to recite the last line, "Whoever you are, Where ever you are, All over the world".

Inside All is a journey from the universe into the heart of a child, reminding us that we are a part of the "ALL" and the "ALL is inside us.

Walk When the Moon is Full is not a picture book. These are journal entries about the author's monthly moonlight walks that she took with her children. Such a wonderful way to share nature with your child, and particularly delightful when read as a bedtime story. We read one entry each month.

Marc Just Couldn't Sleep makes Satch giggle. He's coined a phrase from the book for his own, "You took the wrong road...buy yourself a map". However, because we co-sleep, Satch always insists, "His mom should sleep with him so he won't be afraid".

Grandfather Twilight, also a favorite of one of my beloved beings. Satch loves how the pearl turns into the moon.

The Tomten is a bedtime book that we read in the winter season. It's very soothing. Afterwards, we like to pretend we have a Tomten watching over our family.

We're attempting to make chocolate beet root cupcakes for Valentine's Day and are awaiting the arrival of Satchel's Nomah. Have a good weekend. See you Monday Tuesday.

Most Alive Monday: Sacred Mountain

"People who have looked at sacred mountains all their lives say,
you always find one you can't forget.
Even when you're somewhere far away
you suddenly
remember
the color of those rocks
and how the light shines there
and you'll know that's where you ought to be
because in some strange way, the mountain is your home.
May your path lead you there...
At the edge of the mountain a cloud hangs.
And there my heart, my heart, my heart, hangs with it."
- Tohono O' odham as told by Byrd Baylor (From a very beautiful book entitled "The Way to Make Perfect Mountains: Native American Legends of Sacred Mountains") Cinco Puntos Press

Cinco Puntos Press is a nationally recognized, independent publishing house that specializes in literature from the US/Mexico border, Mexico, and American Southwest. With grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Texas Commission for the Arts, Cinco Puntos Press publishes a wide variety of Native American, Chicano and Latin American literature, beautiful stories rich in history that celebrate culture and keep traditions alive.

*About Most Alive Monday: I've decided to make at least one "most alive choice" each day and post my favorite each Monday. This, of course, is to motivate me to consciously "live juicy"! I hope you'll join me and share your "most alive moment" in the comments section so we may inspire each other.

Orca Dreams

Satchel's sudden interest in whales drew us to this gem of a book, "Davy's Dream: A Young Boy's Adventures With Wild Orca Whales" by Paul Owen Lewis. Simply put, this story inspires readers to believe in themselves and make their dreams come true. The illustrations are beautiful, in hues of blue and green. There are also several pages without text which allow the imagination to soar. I couldn't think of a better prelude to a post-lunch nap. After the story, Satch fell asleep clutching his Orca whale...I couldn't resist snapping this photo.

Sweet dreams, my love...always remember the last page of this book, "he knew - and you and I know too - dreams really can come true"!
Have a good weekend everyone! See you Monday with a new Mom to Mom interview.

Cat Nips

Satch planted the fresh basil after we made some tomato risotto (an idea borrowed from his Grandmother S). I had visions of having fresh basil whenever we wanted it, but Elvis (our cat) ate it...he ATE the basil!

We are enjoying a new shadow casting book in our bedtime book basket! It makes bedtime an exciting event. Satch is fascinated to learn that some animals only come out at night.

Nocturnal animals have become a new topic of conversation for Satch at bedtime as well as other non-sequitur notions...

"I don't have a blow hole, mama, I have a nose"!

Have a good weekend!

*Word from the Oz is that my tag cloud will no longer work until Blogger does something. In the meantime, I tried to make an index with links. However, it does not bring up all the posts in each chapter.