From time to time I’m lucky enough to receive things from other moms who make things. These are things they might want me to try for myself or to pass on. Their work always reminds me how vast and universal motherhood is. How intimate and ordinary. How much we share in just a word or a blink. How the whole of life is told in a note, a sign or the twirl of a spoon.
So play along with me here. What follows is a list of things that mothers (still) do. Some have links to posts that have caught my eye recently. Others don’t. Claim a word or two for yourself, leave a comment with a link, if you like, or none if you don’t, offer more to the list that I don’t have here, and I’ll enter you for a prize of your choosing. The prizes are shown below.
Sing
Doubt
Believe
Discuss
Clean
Repair
Cook
Create
Decorate
Paint
Fill
Empty
Contain
Wonder
Write
Witness
Lie awake
Trust
Support
Play
Laugh
Laugh again
Giggle
Marvel
Ponder
Listen
Learn
See
Sew
Spy
Surf
Cry
Forgive
Work
Dream
Dance
Plant
Practice
Heal
Teach
Whisper
Scream
Snuggle
Wobble
Save
Wait
Wake up
Wish
Organize
Let go
Get wet
Astound
When you enter, please tell me what prize(s) you’re aiming for:
Blue Heron Cookbook – Nadia Natali’s simple family recipes from the wilds.
Wake Up & Go to Sleep – Sweet, silly, sleepy music for weary moms and teary babes by Francie Kelley.
Twirly, swirly party skirt – Reluctantly outgrown by Georgia, handmade for a princess of 6 or so.
Be sure you leave a way for me to reach you when you enter. I’ll choose the winners on September 1.
Good morning, good luck, good appetite and good night!
Congratulations to our winners: M, exileinkidville and Chookooloonks.
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I'll claim "Laugh," and share this photograph:
http://www.chookooloonks.com/blog/2009/2/11/rainy-day-self-portrait-outtakes.html
Also, another thing moms still do?
Snuggle.
(I'm going for the skirt. 🙂 )
Comment by Chookooloonks — August 25, 2009 @ 8:48 pm
what a wonderful idea!! i loved reading the links. im already in love with rainy day outtakes, and i look forward hearing the other responses.
how bout plant?
http://suburbanbohomisfit.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-apple-tree.html
cookbook please!
Comment by latisha — August 25, 2009 @ 10:05 pm
bounce back and forth between resistance and acceptance…
http://exileinkidville.wordpress.com/2009/08/20/hazy-days-of-motherhood/
cookbook or cd would be wonderful. we love to feed our son and he loves music so eigther would be a perfect fit.
Comment by exileinkidville — August 25, 2009 @ 10:28 pm
I'm adding "Forgive"
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204884404574363043088675838.html#mod=todays_us_nonsub_pj
No prize necessary 🙂
Comment by Meg — August 25, 2009 @ 11:14 pm
blue heron cookbook! blue heron cookbook! and with that, i'll claim COOK and get myself to the kitchen!
i'm honored to be here. you've always magically, suspiciously, got my number!
xo p
Comment by pixie — August 25, 2009 @ 11:19 pm
I'd like to aim for the cookbook! Thanks for the links ~ jamie
Comment by Jamie lyn — August 26, 2009 @ 12:24 am
Play.
today I got to be the waterdragon to my son's knight.. he was thrilled beyond belief and it was just fantastic for me …
wonderful.
Comment by wifemotherexpletive — August 26, 2009 @ 12:46 am
I'd sure like the looks of that cookbook. Thanks! Fun …
Comment by Erin — August 26, 2009 @ 1:02 am
I'm adding "learn" with this link:
http://bullseyebaby.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/ancient-mama-music/
And would love the cookbook! Although the skirt would have to come in a close second… Aviva's birthday is coming up, your fellow Libra.
Thank you for this list and the links to so many beautiful posts I wouldn't have otherwise found.
Comment by jena strong — August 26, 2009 @ 2:02 am
Thank you for all the wonderful links!
Since it's what I've been up to lately I'll add "sew"
http://www.sweetjessie.com/2009/08/sew-and-tell.html
And I know an almost six-year-old who would adore a twirly skirt!
Comment by Shalet — August 26, 2009 @ 2:58 am
I'll add repair and contain (emotions and precious items)
Love the skirt!
Comment by Leslie — August 26, 2009 @ 3:00 am
I'll claim "sing" — making up songs about almost anything with my 3-year old daughter is what keeps me in the moment as we "heal" from my new divorce from her dad. And "whisper" — one of my favorite moments in the day is when we lie on pillows on her floor after books and right before bed and as she says "talk about it" in a whispery voice.
The skirt is awesome and she'd love it, but no prize necessary — this has been a good moment regardless of a prize. Thanks for blogging for us.
Comment by katiesmurphy — August 26, 2009 @ 3:16 am
I love the wonderful links. Can I add
Listen and Support to them.
I would be thrilled to win the cookbook.
Comment by M — August 26, 2009 @ 3:31 am
Fabulous!
I'll add my own surfing adventure to the "get wet" link http://www.mamarenew.ca/blog/2009/08/surfing-mama/
and in honour of my dear mama friend and business partner Jennifer-Lee, I'll add: Dream
(she lived her dream last weekend walking 60 km in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer after hip replacement surgery) http://www.mamarenew.ca/blog/2009/07/breast-cancer/
oh, and i would LOVE the blue heron cookbook! please?
you can reach me at sarah@mamarenew.ca
Comment by Sarah — August 26, 2009 @ 3:40 am
Wash. And I think you have a few links for that. 🙂
Sleep. Not much to look at, but where I'm headed.
Comment by Cheryl — August 26, 2009 @ 5:22 am
http://ridethewavesoflife.blogspot.com/2009/08/same-sunflower-different-day.html
Wake Up fits today.
I have no preference, the gifts are lovely.
Comment by Bridge — August 26, 2009 @ 5:33 am
That skirt will go fantastic in our dress up box. We're always in need of something a little more frilly and girly around here. ; )
You know how to reach me.
Keep up the great work.
Comment by Shawn — August 26, 2009 @ 9:55 am
thank you for sharing your wisdom and artistry…profoundly grateful.
mamas dance (and of course, a dancing skirt would add pure delight!)…gracias.
Comment by qmama — August 26, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
I wanted to add
Dance
with this link:
http://mama-om.blogspot.com/2009/07/you-can-dance.html
blessings,
s
…Now I'm off to check out all the links!
Comment by Stacy (Mama-Om) — August 26, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
I wanted to add
Dance
with this link:
http://mama-om.blogspot.com/2009/07/you-can-dance.html
blessings,
s
…Now I'm off to check out all the links!
Comment by Stacy (Mama-Om) — August 26, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
I'll add paint. It came as an inspiration from attending the mother's plunge retreat in June. I had been brewing the idea for a while and after I left, I made it happen! Here's the link: http://abeautifulbirth.blogspot.com/2009/08/announcnigthe-ruby-slipper-project.html
Comment by beautiful birth — August 26, 2009 @ 6:15 pm
"Discuss" seems to be the word for me these days. Such as discussing the movie "Brother Bear" or why I became a vegetarian–the kids are full of questions about everything.
http://mommyhungry.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-do-ordinary-people-become.html
And I'd love the cookbook . . .
Comment by J — August 26, 2009 @ 7:19 pm
I'll take ponder, since it seems we do a lot of that 'round our home these days.
I'll also add Witness, because I am learning that my role is often to simply be there to witness what my daughter is experiencing. Not to intervene, nudge, direct, or manage, but to watch over, and give validation to her existence by really seeing and letting her know that I see.
I think the cookbook would be cool!
Comment by Kathryn — August 26, 2009 @ 9:07 pm
I'll take scream.
My little gal is finding her "speaking voice" and it's a scream. Like that of a wildcat. It’s infectious. It’s impossible not to play along. I haven’t been this loud since……well…..since I was a kid.
Comment by Nova Bradfield — August 26, 2009 @ 11:18 pm
How 'bout GIGGLE?
Crossing fingers for the cd!
mreid14@hotmail.com
Comment by Mandy — August 27, 2009 @ 12:27 am
I'm thinking about "restraint"–no, not a restraining order or a straightjacket ;o)
I notice a need to restrain my motherly self from speaking, screaming, running, intruding, doing-for, or causing harm in any way.
And this takes "practice"–is that word already on the list?
I think that cookbook looks rad!!!!
PS Thank you for blogging. I have loved your book more than any other as a Mom (and I'm a real book-o-phile). It's so nice to get fresh words and wisdom that resonates. Thank you… a million thanks, really.
Comment by Char — August 27, 2009 @ 3:20 am
I'll claim "marvel" and add "encourage" Lovely list!
I like the musical prize.
kimberly@eco-footprints.net
Comment by Kimberly — August 27, 2009 @ 4:41 am
So many words came flashing through my head as I was reading every one's beautiful post. I will claim creating a space for wonderous things to happen.
http://www.toniawhitakerdesigns.com
I would love the cookbook! Thank you so much for having this forum for us moms!
Comment by Tonia — August 27, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
I'll add "apologize" — my example: http://knitsimplyknit.blogspot.com/2009/07/letting-them-know.html
love the cookbook. I'm amydjoyner@yahoo.com
great list by the way.
Comment by amy — August 27, 2009 @ 5:32 pm
I would like to add the word cherish. Because we all too often forget to in our daily lives.
I know my daughter would adore the skirt if I was lucky enough to be picked. xxxx
mim.owen @ gmail.com
Comment by Mim — August 27, 2009 @ 8:37 pm
fun! CREATE! I'm claiming create, pretty please. It is perfect, perfect, perfect for what I have been inspired with lately.
I'd love the cookbook…
Here's my link: http://andherheadpoppedoff.com/
Comment by Terri — August 28, 2009 @ 4:27 am
What a lovely list. I'd like to add "improvise" since it seems to be a key feature of this path for me!
The CD looks like it could be fun for me and my pint-sized insomniac.
Comment by Janette — August 30, 2009 @ 4:30 am
Adore! Every moment of every day!
Another word I call the "Kangaroo"! It is the desire to have a pouch in which to carry around my children so that I can carry them close to me every day.
Capture (every moment)!
Anticipate.
I would be so thrilled to win the cookbook! My mouth was watering looking at all those wonderful recipes on Amazon.com. I would be honored to win that!
🙂
Comment by Diane — August 30, 2009 @ 10:39 pm
i would love to claim "heal" and as evidence is this post from about a month ago.
http://irregular-tammie.blogspot.com/2009/07/just-breathe.html
although i think it would fit under "scream" as well. and even though my princess is only 4 1/2, im itching for that twirly skirt.
Comment by Tammie — August 30, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
I add 'breathe'. And I'd love the cookbook.
Comment by gpc — August 31, 2009 @ 9:42 pm
Am I too late to the party? I'll add "Nap" – very important with little ones. Cookbook, please!
Comment by Melissa — September 2, 2009 @ 8:14 pm