We returned from a holiday yesterday. It seemed as though we were away for a long time, but in reality it was only about 10 days. The kids and I did a loop of cottage country - driving north east to a friends' cottage and then south west to a family camp.
Not much has changed here in the suburbs. The cars are in their driveways, and come and go, just like ours. The lawns are neatly kept, with various levels of neatness and beauty. No surprisingly, our lawn is, well, on the low level of beauty - in the eyes of the neighbours at least. I kind of like it, as there are many natural plants and flowers (some people call these natural plants weeds, but their perspective has been shaped by a distorted lawn ideology).
We were allowing the natural plants to grow unabated, and truly there were some monster dandelions. At the recent neighbourhood get together, we were kindly mocked for the disarray, so we made some efforts to improve the look. Compared to our neighbours'lawns, it is a weed forest... or a weed rebellion, quietly occurring here in the suburbs.
Hey hey, ho ho, lawn mania has got to go!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
a good time
The neighbourhood get together was last night - four families (minus teenage children) from four houses all in a row. As we walked up Jeff said "we all have big houses" and he was correct - we do. Why is that? Why are sububurban homes so large, and getting larger?
The neighbourhood in which my school is located is newer, and wealthier, and the houses are bigger! It is a completely distorted world we live in, with people who have far too much and people with far far too little.
Anyway.... this is only the second time I have gotten together with my neighbours since moving in here 9 years ago. There are so many reasons for this.... but.... it is sort of weird. I have watched their children grow up through my window, they are all now off to college, and I wasn't clear on their first names. Ouch. I hope this is a start toward a new community, as my neighbours are nice, decent, interesting people.
The neighbourhood in which my school is located is newer, and wealthier, and the houses are bigger! It is a completely distorted world we live in, with people who have far too much and people with far far too little.
Anyway.... this is only the second time I have gotten together with my neighbours since moving in here 9 years ago. There are so many reasons for this.... but.... it is sort of weird. I have watched their children grow up through my window, they are all now off to college, and I wasn't clear on their first names. Ouch. I hope this is a start toward a new community, as my neighbours are nice, decent, interesting people.
Friday, July 23, 2010
An invitation
Yesterday, I was walking around the neighbourhood with the kids and saw not a soul - it is always pretty creepy when that happens. Every once in a while I think "oh no, everybody has been wiped out by a weird virus and we are the only ones left", some weird 28 Days Later scenario.
But then I saw my neighbour Paul, and we had a nice chat. Zombie fears were put to rest, for now.
Later that evening, the doorbell rang. Fulling expecting either someone selling something or asking for a donation, I was happy to see that it was my neighbour Joy (Paul's wife). She noted my look of trepidation, and I said that I was worried I was about to be solicited for money. She then invited us to a barbeque, with another family as well. !!! We are bringing a salad; as Joy said, "bring a salad, not money" - funny joke that took me a few minutes to figure out.
But then I saw my neighbour Paul, and we had a nice chat. Zombie fears were put to rest, for now.
Later that evening, the doorbell rang. Fulling expecting either someone selling something or asking for a donation, I was happy to see that it was my neighbour Joy (Paul's wife). She noted my look of trepidation, and I said that I was worried I was about to be solicited for money. She then invited us to a barbeque, with another family as well. !!! We are bringing a salad; as Joy said, "bring a salad, not money" - funny joke that took me a few minutes to figure out.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Summer arrives, the dog is dead
As a teacher, I find the end of the school year super busy and intense. The combination of report cards and extra events is challenging, but this year I am moving classrooms (again!), so I have packed and moved. In August I will set up.
Regardless, summer is here, and I am happy.
It is important to note, though, that the dog is indeed dead. She was old and her kidneys failed, and died in early June. Very sad, however, now that the sadness has faded, somewhat liberating. Pets are a great deal of work, and this particular pet was a lovely lovely dog for many many years but very challenging to care for in the final six months of her life.
Regardless, summer is here, and I am happy.
It is important to note, though, that the dog is indeed dead. She was old and her kidneys failed, and died in early June. Very sad, however, now that the sadness has faded, somewhat liberating. Pets are a great deal of work, and this particular pet was a lovely lovely dog for many many years but very challenging to care for in the final six months of her life.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Earth Day and all that...
Despite feeling frustrated yesterday, I am feeling a bit more optimistic. I am the chair of my school's Ecoschool committee, and we put together an amazing Earth Day assembly on Friday. Art, music, drama, chants, readings; very powerful messages communicated to 700 students. Also included a great video clip about water bottle use - really an excellent critique about manufactured demand which the students at my school desperately needed to hear!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Frustrated
Yes, I realize I haven't written in - oh - three and a half months. But, hey, since NOBODY reads this it is really not a problem. Ha! So there, completely invisible and non-existent audience! My thoughts are only relevant to myself.
So, what happened?
I have to admit, the earthquake in Haiti suspended my ability to comment. The deep poverty and lack of a real solution was extremely troubling, present in my mind, and I did, do, not know what to say.
On a different topic...
I tried to connect with my neighbours, and their kids, and my friends in my broader suburban community. I called everyone I know, and told them that I and J and C would be at a local school once a week, to play.
On week one, there were three participants: myself, J, and C.
On week two, there were four: myself, J, C, and the dog.
She counts, doesn't she?
So, what happened?
I have to admit, the earthquake in Haiti suspended my ability to comment. The deep poverty and lack of a real solution was extremely troubling, present in my mind, and I did, do, not know what to say.
On a different topic...
I tried to connect with my neighbours, and their kids, and my friends in my broader suburban community. I called everyone I know, and told them that I and J and C would be at a local school once a week, to play.
On week one, there were three participants: myself, J, and C.
On week two, there were four: myself, J, C, and the dog.
She counts, doesn't she?
Sunday, January 3, 2010
French cooking and waterparks
On New Year's Eve, we had plans to go to a colleague's party... family friendly, bonfire, children's games, etc. Unfortunately, I had woken up the day before with an extremely sore throat and we cancelled. I was disappointed, as New Years post kid is always a challenge (and not just staying up until midnight); finding a babysitter is impossible and a family oriented party has not come along until now. Which we did not attend.
On the bright side, I had a great time. We drank champagne, perhaps a mistake as I still felt lousy the next day (and day after). We did, however, also watch Julie/Julia, a Nora Ephron movie about Julie Powell and her Julie/Julia project (cooking through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year and blogging about it). The movie cuts between scenes of Julie's life in Queens and Julia Child's life in France (where she learned how to cook, and the process through which she wrote her massive cookbook).
I loved the movie, which maybe shows how the suburbs have rotted my previously sophisticated urban movie viewing tastes. (Ok, to be honest, I don't know if I ever had those, but certainly can pretend that I did...). Nora Ephron, as well. Huh.
I loved it for two specific reasons, outside of it being entertaining. 1. The food looked amazing, and I enjoyed how these two women learned how to cook. Learning how to do something new is super cool. 2. I thoroughly enjoyed watching how writing transformed both of their lives. The written word is extremely powerful, and not just for the reader but for the writer. And I guess that is why I enjoy the concept of a blog, and while I am pretty sure only four people have read the Suburban Activist (myself being one of these people, the other three being friends and family) it gives me an opportunity to comment on the extremely bizarre world we live in.
On the bizarre world note, we spent a night at Great Wolf Lodge and loved it. Super fun. Although I couldn't help but wonder why there is any question North Americans are fat. Massive fossil fuel consumption = obesity.
On the bright side, I had a great time. We drank champagne, perhaps a mistake as I still felt lousy the next day (and day after). We did, however, also watch Julie/Julia, a Nora Ephron movie about Julie Powell and her Julie/Julia project (cooking through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year and blogging about it). The movie cuts between scenes of Julie's life in Queens and Julia Child's life in France (where she learned how to cook, and the process through which she wrote her massive cookbook).
I loved the movie, which maybe shows how the suburbs have rotted my previously sophisticated urban movie viewing tastes. (Ok, to be honest, I don't know if I ever had those, but certainly can pretend that I did...). Nora Ephron, as well. Huh.
I loved it for two specific reasons, outside of it being entertaining. 1. The food looked amazing, and I enjoyed how these two women learned how to cook. Learning how to do something new is super cool. 2. I thoroughly enjoyed watching how writing transformed both of their lives. The written word is extremely powerful, and not just for the reader but for the writer. And I guess that is why I enjoy the concept of a blog, and while I am pretty sure only four people have read the Suburban Activist (myself being one of these people, the other three being friends and family) it gives me an opportunity to comment on the extremely bizarre world we live in.
On the bizarre world note, we spent a night at Great Wolf Lodge and loved it. Super fun. Although I couldn't help but wonder why there is any question North Americans are fat. Massive fossil fuel consumption = obesity.
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