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Baby Mama Monday

This Monday started with no less of the stress, no less of the too many to do’s, no less of some things not going according to the plan, but what was different about this Monday, was that it started with us looking into a digital ultrasound machine and see an image of our baby girl – first her butt, then her legs, then her arms, then her big head and her long amphibian looking spinal…

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On new years

And now let us believe in a long year that is given to us, new, untouched, full of things that have never been, full of work that has never been done, full of tasks, claims, and demands; and let us see that we learn to take it without letting fall too much of what it has to bestow upon those who demand of it necessary, serious and great things. Rainer Maria Rilke

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I owe it all to you

A friend of mine likes to tell the story of how her younger brother used to kiss the mirror by the front door. Self-love? Narcissist? The family discovered this after seeing lip prints on the mirror each day and his siblings chided him unmercifully over his indiscretion. I was filing away stuff on my desk, a chore I meant to do two weeks ago, and came across an envelope from a florist with a Valentine…

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Strange days

The true last days of 2008 may well have been this weekend as the 5th marks the official start back to work date for most people. All down the block I have talked to all sorts of people preparing for tomorrow while there is the pull to enjoy this beautiful January day (in the high 70s) and to prepare for the year ahead. I started the morning reading an article in the NYT that Michael…

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Getting out of the house

We forced ourselves out of our routine here and got dressed up and went out. It was a much needed respite from being homebodies. We were headed to Swirl but it was closed for inventory, the Quarter was crowded with Sugar Bowl revelers, and so we went to Clever, the wine bar that opened next to Cork & Bottle in the American Can Company. It was great, we walked in and it was not too…

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Count Cormorant

I was coming around by the bridge over the lagoon near the playground in City Park and I saw a cormorant solo with his wings spread wide. He looked like Count Dracula the way he held his webbed wings out. A friend said they do that to air dry their wings. I was looking up in my Audubon book and it says they also nest in colonies in trees – which is exactly what they…

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A double dare

Readers – I have a dare for you, a double dare. I double dare you to look around and realize the joy in your life and show appreciation. If you’re in California – repeal Prop 8. If you’re in Arkansas – write the politicians and tell them you’re embarrassed about the fact they passed a law disallowing unmarried people from fostering or adopting. If you’re in New York – think of a nonprofit to go…

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Taking stock for just one teeny moment

The bayou is already alive with bonfires – mini ones built by neighbors along the water. On Orleans, at midnight, the big huge bonfire of everyone’s old Christmas trees starts and this year promises to be more “in control” than years past of trees plus everything Katrina left to burn. Midmorning, Loca and I had a late start to our walk BUT we ran into everyone else we see in the early morning – I…

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