Wonderful words Holly. So happy they are getting settled in and have newfound family to be there for them. So very important. Your essay was freaking brilliant and I didn't have the words to respond. Thank you for that as well.
Today my youngest came down with rhinestone measles at the PTA potluck. A potluck about internet safety and controlling screen use. The sticky rhinestones were there so kids could tally their average daily screen use on a big chart. My mid-kid, who definitely gets more than 30 minutes of screen time per day, stuck her rhinestone under "30 minutes or less" because it's a sticky rhinestone and that was somewhere to stick it. Other kids stuck extra rhinestones on their face, which inspired my youngest's case of rhinestone measles.
If the most important part of belonging is just showing up, well, I showed up. Showed up like a zombie from having walked 7 miles on a bum knee yesterday and 4 more miles today – car troubles. While I've always been somewhat sickly, before kids, 10-mile hikes were nothing. Now? Phphhth. But at least my kids enjoyed good, wholesome spring walks to their various schools! The apple blossoms are popping. The magnolias rain down petals perfumed like wine-soaked scented toilet paper.
That is, the scented toilet paper I grew up around was evidently magnolia-scented, but instead of associating its fragrance with magnolias, I associate magnolias' fragrance with it. This reverse association is common with functional fragrances. I once walked through a greenhouse awash in the scent of some tropical blossom and instantly recognized porta-potty. Porta-potty sanitizer's scented like something, and I found out what. Daylilies? Smell like Windex because the fragrance in classic Windex smells like them.
Yesterday's seven miles were no excuse for my kids to miss one minute of school, but with yesterday's ouch, today's four miles were. The exercise will do me good, but for now it's doing me dumb. When I show up to events zombified, I don't feel like I belong at them. Even when showing up is how to belong.
We got the car back this evening. For very stupid reasons, it might not *stay* back, but we'll only drive off that bridge if we get to it.
Holy guacamole—Substack fed me Gary’s story about his dad and I’m RIVETED! I had no idea he was your friend.
And your piece yesterday was amazingly well written, and like Lebowski’s rug, tied the issues together. It was clear and well researched. Great work Holly!
Thank Holly. Your writing on the temperance movement is so interesting and informative. Really appreciate the updates on Serhii and Tetiana. I hope they can go to a free and prosperous Ukraine. But of course if they want to become Americans, we welcome them to our union.
I love the picture and the description of the welcome dinner and how they are getting settled. In my view, Tetiana and Serhii felt your generosity, rather than the rambling toast. Glad Ben was there to facilitate!
As soon as I saw that you had posted, I stopped what I was reading and read your reply piece. And as always, it was worth it. Thank you, Holly!
I always look forward to your posts and will go read the links!
So glad that Tatiana and Sergeii are settling in!
All love right back at you. Looking forward to meeting you in the actual world someday.
Wonderful words Holly. So happy they are getting settled in and have newfound family to be there for them. So very important. Your essay was freaking brilliant and I didn't have the words to respond. Thank you for that as well.
Today my youngest came down with rhinestone measles at the PTA potluck. A potluck about internet safety and controlling screen use. The sticky rhinestones were there so kids could tally their average daily screen use on a big chart. My mid-kid, who definitely gets more than 30 minutes of screen time per day, stuck her rhinestone under "30 minutes or less" because it's a sticky rhinestone and that was somewhere to stick it. Other kids stuck extra rhinestones on their face, which inspired my youngest's case of rhinestone measles.
If the most important part of belonging is just showing up, well, I showed up. Showed up like a zombie from having walked 7 miles on a bum knee yesterday and 4 more miles today – car troubles. While I've always been somewhat sickly, before kids, 10-mile hikes were nothing. Now? Phphhth. But at least my kids enjoyed good, wholesome spring walks to their various schools! The apple blossoms are popping. The magnolias rain down petals perfumed like wine-soaked scented toilet paper.
That is, the scented toilet paper I grew up around was evidently magnolia-scented, but instead of associating its fragrance with magnolias, I associate magnolias' fragrance with it. This reverse association is common with functional fragrances. I once walked through a greenhouse awash in the scent of some tropical blossom and instantly recognized porta-potty. Porta-potty sanitizer's scented like something, and I found out what. Daylilies? Smell like Windex because the fragrance in classic Windex smells like them.
Yesterday's seven miles were no excuse for my kids to miss one minute of school, but with yesterday's ouch, today's four miles were. The exercise will do me good, but for now it's doing me dumb. When I show up to events zombified, I don't feel like I belong at them. Even when showing up is how to belong.
We got the car back this evening. For very stupid reasons, it might not *stay* back, but we'll only drive off that bridge if we get to it.
Sounds like a day 😂
Holy guacamole—Substack fed me Gary’s story about his dad and I’m RIVETED! I had no idea he was your friend.
And your piece yesterday was amazingly well written, and like Lebowski’s rug, tied the issues together. It was clear and well researched. Great work Holly!
Thank Holly. Your writing on the temperance movement is so interesting and informative. Really appreciate the updates on Serhii and Tetiana. I hope they can go to a free and prosperous Ukraine. But of course if they want to become Americans, we welcome them to our union.
I love the picture and the description of the welcome dinner and how they are getting settled. In my view, Tetiana and Serhii felt your generosity, rather than the rambling toast. Glad Ben was there to facilitate!