I have other fish to fry.

~Cervantes Don Quixote


Ohara Shoson 1926 woodblock print

We have no television. Instead, on a cupboard where the family telly ought to be, we have Bruce, our goldfish, in an aquarium. Occasionally, one of the kiddos' friends will inquire as to where we keep our set. Last night we lingered for an extra hour around the dinner table thinking up names of television shows that could be replaced with something, er, fishy. We came up with dozens. Yes, we are very competitive. Yes, we voted. 3rd place was Fish Steves' Europe. 2nd place was Fish Eye for the Straight Guy. 1st place went to the young man below for Desperate Fishwives.


Intellectually curious

"Will you walk a little faster?" said a whiting to a snail,
"There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail!
See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance:
They are waiting on the shingle - will you come and join the dance?"
~Lewis Carroll (pseudonym of Charles L. Dodgson)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland


Fiercely competitive

What's your favorite telefishion show?

Go fishing. Delight in your family. Call your mother.

Now I know what love is...

Happy 1st full day of Spring, Bach's birthday, and the 31st anniversary of my marriage!

Enjoy your spouse and call your mother!

Baking a pie for Einstein's birthday...

Why a pie? Today is Einstein's birthday, and Pi Day, as well!

On our menu: Shepherd's Pie, Spring Greens Salad, Sour Cream Apple Pie



How many digits of pi have you memorized?

Celebrate whenever you can with your dear ones and call your mother!

The way to read a fairy tale is to throw yourself in.

~W. H. Auden

The youngest of our 11 children recently turned 8 years old. She innocently informed me that I'm the oldest mother among her friends and that the pretty, silver threads in my hair will be just right for our soon to arrive, first grandchild to see. She appreciates that I keep my hair long and likes to put in up in fancy styles with special barrettes while I read fairy tales at night. Our favorites are from The Golden Book of Fairy Tales, illustrated by Adrienne Ségur. My mother introduced these to me, thus instilling a love of beautiful art and literature. Much of life's deep meaning can be found in these tales and what happiness is found in sharing them!


Little Old Woman


Sleeping Beauty and The Rose of Christmas


Rapunzel

If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales. When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.
~Albert Einstein

What is your favorite fairy tale and why is it meaningful to you?

Call your mother and God's Peace!

Bread and water can so easily be toast and tea.

Carl Larsson's Getting Ready for a Game (1901)

Afternoon tea is a pleasant ritual following a day at our homeschool center. And, camomile tea after dinner is most soothing and civilized, according to my almost 16 year old son, who has lettered in high school wrestling and football. Lately our family has enjoyed playing Cranium after dinner and before bedtime stories. I found this lovely lullaby on the Sleepytime tea box:

"Every bear knows that honeyed tea can sweeten your dreams. So fill your mug, dearest one, and when it's time to glide beneath the silver, blissful waves of night, take a moment to reflect on the wisdom and insights you've gained this precious day. Rejoice in every melody you heard, the smiles you shared with strangers, the blissfully simple laugh of a child, the spun sugar clouds waltzing through a patch of topaz sky. Now snuggle into your favorite pillow and be filled with warmth and perfect peace." ~Debra Boker

What rituals keep you close to your dearies? Join me in a cup of tea?

Call your mother and God's Peace!