Poetic Void

This morning Max, Henry and I attended the Auburn UU service. (As I am working from home, I am trying to find people-my kind of people) Really, I attended the service while Max and Henry hung out in the nursery. Today's message was centered around Margaret Fuller, as it was her 200th birthday. If you are like me, you probably are wondering who is Margaret Fuller? Well, she was a 19th century Journalist, intellect and women's rights advocate. She had this really fascinating career working as an editor of the Dial for Ralph Waldo Emerson and as a columnist and war correspondent for the New York Tribune. Essentially she wanted women to be able to think for themselves and for five years hosted "conversation" salons to encourage women to develop one's self.

Two things struck me about the UU service. The first being the focus on love and peace. I know that is kind of cheesy but really it is like Elvis Costello sang, "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding." When the children of parents are allowed to leave after the first third of the service, the fellowship sings this short little bit to the exiting children, "May your mind be open to new learning, may your words bring truth into the world, may your heart know love and your hands do justice. As you go your way in peace." Nothing dogmatic; just compassionate.

The second being the focus on literature. Emerson, Thoreau, William Henry Channing. These names and their work are mentioned and read often. The minister reflected on Ms. Fuller's life with this, what I have now found to be, famous quotation referred to as "This is to be my Symphony"

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common--this is my symphony.

WILLIAM HENRY CHANNING.

And so I am now left feeling a certain poetic void. I have spent most of adult life learning and practicing engineering, whose texts are not concerned with transcendentalism and Peace and Love. I only took a couple of literary courses as an undergraduate. And now, I think I might be a bit like one of those woman who may have attended Ms. Fuller's salon for the first time. While I consider myself informed, I guess it is time to invest in broadening my literary bounds beyond Jane Austen and my modern day authors. This new effort is not based on a feeling of inadequacy; it is a quest to address an intellectual cavity.

Glorious Grits

Up until yesterday I was pretty sure grits were overrated much like Easy Mac. However, I'll admit when prepared properly grits can be quite tasty. Last night, Max grilled pork chops, sauteed yellow squash, and made Cheesy Grits from the Southern Living Cookbook titled, "Glorious Grits." (thank you commune friends for helping to tear down one of my southern prejudices) Everything was excellent and went very well with our organic, Washington state white wine suggested by Gus.

So, this week seemed to pass like most when you have a toddler, dog, two cats and a PhD to finish. We went to a Wine Tasting at Fine Wines and Beers by Gus and learned about a small group call the Triple A which were glad to learn about. Max and I tasted a $50+ bottle of wine
from Vision Cellars. The story behind the winemaker, the son of Texas moonshine makers, of Vision Cellars is interesting (here is their website: http://www.visioncellars.com). Max and I enjoyed the tasting but bought an 8.99 red (what a steal!) that we tasted as it fit our budget at bit better. Henry charmed all of the attendees and enjoyed eating large chunks of goat and gouda cheeses.

It rained here a couple days. It's so hot here when it rains, steam rolls off the streets. It is like a sauna outside. Henry hit a couple of developmental milestones and thus forcing us into a new level of parenting, he figured out how to open doors. He already had figured out closing but now he can turn the knob on a door and let himself out of a room, down the stairs and outside if we do not watch him closely. Henry also advanced from calling Elmo "Elbow" to calling him "Elmo."

Isabell and I shared a great mother-daughter run on Friday morning. I let her swim in a pond on the way back. We came upon a solitary blue heron foraging near the pond. It was a wondrous sight to see one in the wild so closely.

While my heart still misses the plains and my chatterbox misses an audience of fun, intelligent, sarcastic family &friends, I think I might be able to withstand, if not embrace my southern habitat-at least temporarily.

Auburn: the rundown

Okay, things have calmed down. We are falling into a routine. Henry seems to have fully recovered from the fall, though he is still recovering from a mosquito attack. Henry is still acclimating to his new daycare situation, but we are hopeful he will soon stop crying every morning when we pull into the daycare parking lot. He is fine when we pick him up- we see him playing with the other children and toys- once he spots us though, he starts to tear up and clings to us when we lift him up to hug.

Max is enjoying his new job at Auburn University. The campus is immaculate. All of the grounds and building are beautifully kept. And there are images of Tigers everywhere mixed with images of the War Eagle; a tradition Max and I are still perplexed by.

Having only been here about two weeks, I am likely being solipsistic and little hasty in my judgments. I admit I may have an incomplete picture of Auburn.

But those qualifications aside, here is my take to date:

Our new townhome is comfortable and looks nice but was definitely done on the cheap. An improvement from 608 8th street but we are glad it is just temporary.

There are no sidewalks except on campus, around campus and off random streets for what seems to be erratic lengths.

People drive fast. Really fast which makes walking on the streets dangerous.

There are trees everywhere which makes driving and walking on the streets dangerous because you can not see beyond the buffer of trees that surround everything.

Alabama Public Radio-Stinky. Makes Nebraska Public Radio sound appealing.

Kiesel Park- A gift. This is awesome place for dog owners to spoil their loved, furry family members.

There are a ton of armadillos (perhaps Alabama's equivalent to Nebraska's raccoons) here, evidenced by the number of dead ones I encounter on a daily basis (driving of course).
The flora and fauna are quite a bit different here. Max explained to me that things seem smaller, he deduced (or maybe it is induced) because there is no biological advantage to being large like in the north where there is a winter. I love being married to a biologist/statistician/lecturer on most worldly things.

Groceries are expensive. Max almost had a heart attack when we checked out at the Win-Dixie. We have had to for-go our ice cream buying practices. Probably a good thing in the end. Oddly, there is not a Co-op...Max and I are anxious for this Earthfare store to open so we can buy bulk again.

But there is Toomer's Corner (near campus much like the Haymarket/downtown in Lincoln (though much warmer) because it is not a strip mall) which is the host of many college bars, Chee Chee burger (you make your own burger even veggie), Southern Exposure, tutti frutti (awesome yogurt bar), boutiques (yes!) and lots of cool restaurants like the Mellow Mushroom (a pizza place-we have not been but are looking forward to it) and this cool bagel place and a bakery that has a very friendly staff and fine sweets!

We were directed to spirits shop, "Fine Wine and Beer by Gus" (in a strip mall) by Max's lab mates. We went there last Friday night. The owners are from Chicago. They let Henry play with Mr. Potato toys and be a toddler. It is a great little shop with an awesome selection and super friendly staff.

We also visited a farm store to buy pet food. The store also sold John Deere equipment and parts. Henry was in heaven. There were live baby chicks, John Deere toys large and small, and a little girl who was trying to sell Henry up on toys. This little girl asked me with a look of disgust with a sweet, southern accent, "Why does he (Henry) have wet all over his shirt?" Henry still drools quite a bit. I explained that he was still teething and just slobbers a lot much like a dog. She replied, "Spit is uh-ck." She was darling.

Our new place did not come with a washer/dryer so Max and I have to go to the Laundromat. If you have ever been to one you know what it is like. I guess it is just hotter here. And people can smoke here. Odd. Really odd.

We have been to the library twice. The building, of course, is beautiful and immaculate. There are quiet zone signs everywhere. I have not yet cemented my thoughts about it. Henry seems to like it well enough but there board book selection leaves something to be desired. Ames's Public Library was "a gift"-what a tremendously, wonderful place. We miss it.

We are looking into joining AROTA (the running club) and attending the UU to try to meet people...so I will have more to report soon.

Emergency and Parenting 101

So, I was hoping I would be able to spend a few days catching up the posts. You know reporting on all of the places we visited and people we interacted with during our first few day here but then we had a disproportionate event occur last night, a Black Swan perhaps. We were grocery shopping at Kroger, a southern chain grocery store, which is located in a strip mall, along with every other kind of store, pawn shop, tanning, FedEx, etc. Everything is in a strip of some sort down here.

Anyway, Henry did not want to ride in the front of the cart. So we let him in the big area of the cart but only if he would sit. He has done that before at Target and Fareway. But the carts (or buggies as they are called here) was shallower than those he had been in before. I am getting sick to my stomach typing this. Henry would not sit down, Max went to grab him to sit down and Henry backed away and pushed Max away and went over the back of the cart. Henry landed on his head. Henry cried immediately. We walked to the end of the aisle with Max holding him, trying to calm him. Max handed him to me. Henry vomited. I looked down the aisle for a bathroom sign. Henry vomited again. I moved very quickly to the bathroom. Henry vomited yet again. I wiped off the puke as quickly as possible. I left the bathroom with wipes and Henry to find Max. Henry needed to go to the hospital.

We rushed to the car, leaving behind a cart with groceries and maybe a little puke. Buckled up and tried to find the nearest hospital on the map. It is in the next town over. Max drove and weaved through traffic very quickly. I was in between crying and trying to keep Henry awake. Henry was gray and was not responding to my questions. He did not even get excited,, nor really recognize the railroad tracks we drove over.

We finally made it to the hospital but had trouble figuring out where the ER was. We found it finally, Max dropped me off with Henry and parked the car. I ran with Henry in my arms into the ER. The receptionist was very calm, took our information and asked what happened and what was wrong. I was nearly hysterical at this point as Henry kept closing his eyes and had not said a word since vomiting. The receptionist tried to calm me and gave us a cool wash cloth to put on his head. Max returned to wait with us. I explained to the receptionist how odd Henry seemed, I told him right before he fell, he was so active and talkative, Max and I had trouble keeping up. Henry just laid in my arms, quite, still. I was so incredibly scared.

I feel the need to mention that this is the only ER serving Auburn and Opelika, a population of nearly 100k people. The ER was packed with all kinds of people. It was like an ER out of a movie. It was nothing like Bryan LGH in Lincoln, clean and quite and few people or Mary Greely in Ames, IA. This ER was crazy busy. And there were so many babies in mothers' arms looking nearly asleep or asleep. I kept thinking, we can't wait here like this, my baby needs attention and needs it now. The receptionist came over at just the right time to let me know the Triage nurse would see him quickly. And she did. The triage nurse asked us what happened and watched Henry's belly while he breathed. I was so scared watching his belly. I was so worried I would not get to hear him say "MaMa" or "Dada" again. He looked so gray.

Then we, of course, had to give them our insurance, which is graduate student coverage. It is not great in-network and will likely be worse out of network. I love America, where we have the right to shit insurance, no insurance, or not going to the doctor ever. That ranting aside. We gave them our information explaining all the while that we had just moved here.

We went back to the ER and waited. I cried holding my precious baby, who had lost consciousness by this time. The receptionist kept bringing me tissues and telling me it would not be long, they just needed a free room. Max was near tears. Finally, after a few long minutes we were called back to a room. The room was divided into four spaces by curtains, like in the movies. We could hear people in discomfort in the other spaces and their machines.

The nurse who was with us, Deanne, told us they were going to start and IV and then do a CT scan. Henry was still out. Henry was not responding to his name or being tickled or tapped. Deanne went to find the doctor. The doctor came and was so sweet. He looked over Henry while I held him. He looked in his mouth and shined a light on his eyes after forcing the lids open. Henry's eyes dilated but he did not wake up. The doctor told the nurse that Henry should have the CT before the IV while he was "asleep." The doctor then told me and Max that it was likely a concussion and this point Henry would maybe need to stay overnight for observation. But they needed the CT scan to rule out hemorrhaging or other bad things.

The doctor and nurse left. Max and I were left with Henry, quiet and still, in that little 4 by 6 curtained area. We were both crying and very scared at this point. Not very long after the nurse returned and tried to make us feel better by telling us about her 4 and 6 year old's shenanigans, which included the 6 year old driving a riding lawn-mower over the 4 year old who survived with just a few, minor cuts on his back. Before she could tell us another story the CT technician came to escort us to the room. The nurse wanted to follow as Henry was still unconscious.

Like in all parenting movies something else was bound to happen; as we were leaving the room I bumped Henry's head against the door handle! He woke up then and started crying. I felt so terrible! The nurse told us it was good he responded to pain, if he had not we would have then needed to be concerned. So with Henry finally awake we made it to the CT room. Henry started getting really worked up when I laid him on the table. Henry was crying so hard his face had regained color and was red! He was screaming "Mama" and "Dada." He fought the CT tech who was holding his head down throughout the scan. Finally it was over and the CT tech told us the images looked good but the radiologist would need to tell us that.

Then we went back to the curtain room. Henry was still awake and looking around. He even looked at Deanne when she said his name. Max brought us some sprite and ice and Henry drank out of the straw even. Henry then started asking for ice to chew. The doctor came pretty quickly and said the scan did not show any bleeding. He told us to stay for an hour and see how Henry was then.

During the next hour, Henry ate two cups of and asked us about everything in sight at least twice. Max and I were so relieved he was returning to his normal, curious state. We were released after 8. On our way out, there were about 30 people hanging out outside the ER entrance. Henry then saw the moon, we told him it was made out of cheese. He was very excited about the moon. He kept pointing at the night sky and saying' "moon!"

We all still exhausted from what happened. Max and I now have multiple plans for keeping Henry safe when go shopping, none o f which include carts. we also discussed that we do not want to try to blame ourselves or the other for what happened.

That is all I have for right now.

Adam-isms and the Road South

My younger brother, Adam, Henry and I rode in the CR-V for the 980 mile trip south. That was the longest amount of time I have spent with Adam since I graduated from high school. While we did not talk continuously (we listened to the same five cds at least three times) throughout the trip, we did spend a majority of the time discussing a variety of topics some of which I want to share some detail, which I will henceforth refer to as Adam-isms.

I think to really appreciate these Adam-isms a little background on Adam is warranted. Adam is kind of a pop-culture/American sports savant. He devotes a number of his waking hours to watching sports, reading about sports, watching television shows and movies, and yes, playing a variety of sports video games. He attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND for his undergraduate degree. He finished just shy under 7 years with a degree in education with an emphasis in social studies. He has yet to find a job in this economy since graduating in December but is substitute teaching in our hometown area schools. Hence making him the perfect victim for helping me and Max move.

Adam-ism 1: Somehow while we were driving (maybe we passed a Hardee's sign with a thick burger or a Hardee's)

Me: "Have you had a thick-burger?"

Adam: "Yes, but a thick-burger is not a twice-a-week burger, it is more a like every six month kind-of burger."

Me: "What don't you like it? Can you explain that logic (I am a long time near vegetarian)?"

Adam: "Well, is not like I don't like it, it is just really intense. It is like, I like the movies "In the Heat of the Night" and "A Bridge to Far". Even though I own those and like those movies, I do not watch them twice a week. They are just really intense."

Me: "A Bridge to Far?"

Adam: "It is a great WW2 film...[followed by an explanation of the plot and the group of actors in it and how it could never be made again]...Adam-ism 2: " But really World War 1 is a more interesting war when you think about."

Me: "Can you explain that?"

Adam: "Well, it is simple. WW1 was really the result of alliances. Every country that entered the war did so based on alliance....[quiz time] You know what set off the war, don't you?"

Me: "The assination of Duke Ferdinand..."

Adam: "Yeah, he was just the heir to the throne, not the leader. Even if that Serb nationalist assissin had not shot him the war would have started. The political tension in the region was too great. The assassination was just the catalyst that could have easily been something else."

Perhaps a cycle of CDs later and me making a comment about Adam's being, Adam-ism 3:

Adam: "I am who I am. You know that is a Popeye quote, "Popeye, now there was a great man. Do you know why? Because his motto was: I am what I am. Do you think Popeye ever worried about what he wore just so he could get Olive Oil in the sack? I should say not, Dude. And do you know why? Because he is what he is." You gotta know what movie that is far from."

Me: No. Popeye said that?

Adam: No, Shane McDermott.

Me: Shane McDermott?

Adam: You don't remember Shane McDermott? Come on from Airborne?!

Me: No, of course not that was nearly 15 years ago.

Adam: Well, I have the VHS. I have not been able to find a DVD of it.

Perhaps a few hours later on the road, after Adam received a call asking him to go donate blood and Adam-ism 4:

Me: Who was that?

Adam: Blood bank.

Me: You donate blood?

Adam: Yeah, sometimes.

Me: What is your blood type?

Adam: I don't know.

Me: You are probably A+

Adam: +? What does that mean?

Me: That you have the positive genes for Rh factor.

Adam: What is the Rh factor?

Me: Don't you remember learning about that in 8th grade biology.

Adam: How am I suppose to remember 8th grade biology?! (This coming from the man who had earlier reprimanded me on not remembering my Airborne history.)

Me: It is a blood group antigen. People are either Rh+ or Rh-.

That is really all I wanted to share about my enlightening conversations with Adam. I encouraged Adam to start some sort of Pod cast where he discusses he thoughts and ideas on pop culture and sports. Adam had this very interesting lecture on pro-sports, risk, contracts and pay...

During the trip, when we would stop and interact with people or over hear people I had to keep reminding myself this is not a vacation. I was on the road to my new humid, home.

Henry

Last Day in Ames

Nothing fancy in this post...

Our last day in Ames was CRAZY busy but also CRAZY wonderful. We finished packing the truck. We had the carpet cleaned.

During the afternoon we went to Ms. Deanna's (Henry's Daycare) and said good-bye to all Henry's little friends. I cried a little bit when we left.

We also visited our "parent" friends Tracy and Bryce and Ella, Henry's little buddy. Henry and Ella met at "Baby Talk" at the Ames Library. I am pretty sure Henry is going to miss Ella as much as I am going to miss Tracy. Leaving their house I cried a quite a bit more.

We visited our favorite toy store, The Pumpkin Patch, and bought Henry a wooden train set and said bye to our friends there. If you have children or are a child at heart, you must visit the Pumpkin Patch. It is a wonderfully, charming store with a loving atmosphere. This time I did not tear up as we were on our way to Angela's Cantina!

Angela's Cantina is this great little eatery on Lincon Way we found just a week before we moved. We ate there three times before leaving. I love the food and music there! The last supper with our friends was tons of fun. We all had sangria save Henry and Adam. Adam, my brother, who joined us for the week to help pack and drive to Auburn, may have been a little uncomfortable with the conversation but survived. Due to web browsing I will leave out the savory details of the conversation in case I ever run for office.

We cleaned the apartment into the wee hours of the night. And left around 8 am in the pouring rain the next morning.

Champange Flavored Fairwells

Perhaps it is the Feist flowing into my ear drum via my ear bud driving the this sentimental mood. But before I get to carried away with "how my heart behaves" I need to address some criticisms I have received since my first blog posting. First, I need to properly introduce people and pets.

The Cast (familial) :
Max-my Husband
Henry-my Son
Isabelle- our yellow lab
Nero- our male cat
Ramona (aka Mona)- our calico cat

Now, I will try to give proper introductions including the name's origin and meaning for friends and co-workers and their pets as their names are introduced. Last Saturday, after Friday's humilating Oral Preliminary Examination, our commune and trailer park friends hosted a fantastic fairwell barbaque with champagne. Ben&Hedda (common meaning: Awesome (true meaning: Son), & (Strife, Contentious, Gossip) (so the meaning thing is a bit much) &, Jordan&Maria, and Tamara&Jason, gave us two books to help with the transition down south; "A Politically Incorrect Guide to the Civil War and a Southern Living Cookbook, "Grits." And yesterday, Carol (who I may have embarrassed by tearing up when she left for the summer today-I am such a sap; I cry everytime I read "The Giving Tree"), my office mate traveling to China for the summer, gave me a pre-house warming gift: Giada De Laurentiis cookbook, "Giada's Kitchen." Giada loves mascorpone cheese like I love chocolate; more than 50% of the recipes include mascorpone. My plan is to tear a page from Julie &Julia and write in the blog when I try the recipes out of my new cookbooks.

And last night on a whim we (commune and trailer park friends) celebrated the end of finals with Champagne, Iowa wine, Scotcharoos and Gelato (Henry preferred Amaretto to Chocolate Rasberry and Lemon, mmm) and finished the night off with Pizza and Beer.

I am going to miss those peeps and their love for good-times, liberal tendencies, and Henry.
That is all I can type. I am tearing up at the thought of fire pit explosions, Downer Debbie, and trailer jokes.

Pending Move

So, this is my first posting, hopefully I will become less stilted in my writing. As my adviser asks, please bear with me.

On Monday we found out that we can move our zoo to a townhome in Auburn. We took the place having only seen some pictures. We are hopeful it will work out well. We are just thankful we will not have to move into an abandoned garage or a big cardboard box.

After Henry fell asleep last night, Max (who had been watching Glee-he says it is terrible but he had trouble pulling himself away from it-I think he secretly likes the musical performances) and I packed the kitchen. Isabelle, the dog, had a fantastic time recovering hidden delights from under the shelving unit and in the cupboards. Nero (named after the Roman emperor-not the software) spent most of the evening hiding and then popping out of boxes. We still have more to pack in the kitchen. Henry did not even seem to notice the ten large boxes stacked in the living room. He went through his usual routine of fusing because we insist he wear a diaper, watching the window for any interesting activity like a cement truck driving by and playing a round of living room golf.

Maybe tomorrow he will notice the doubled volume (hopefully) of boxes.