My Thoughts on… Me, My Kid and Life

I’ve always created… well, maybe not over the past few years but I’ve learned to create through technology and have needed to create in that realm… for now.

Nonetheless, I’ve always involved Sophie in the process of creating. Creativity isn’t limiting. Math in the educational system is finite. There came a time when it would have been a bit ridiculous to excel Soph further in math. So the question became ‘How does one stimulate their child without boundaries?’ Being ahead in school is a boring subject. Yes, it’s great and wonderful but, honestly, only to a certain degree. I remember when Sophie was in the 5th grade and was tested for grade level - as all homeschooled kids in FL were done at the time (and probably still are). Her reading skills were at a 12 grade level and all of her other scores were beyond where they needed to be.

In my opinion, you want to allow children to excel at their own rate and in their own way. It was clear Sophie needed the option to go continue learning and thinking without limits. How does a family offer that to their child? Simple. Art.

Art allows children to freely and openly create without limits or boundaries. It’s an infinite educational tool. Creativity allows for expansive thinking which allows for new ideas and inventions.

One of the classes I took in school was a sculpture class. One of the styles we worked in was Reliefs. These were projects we need to create at home and bring to class with us once finished.

Sophie likes to create with me. Often we have painted or created art side-by-side. I felt, as a mom, that it was my job to allow access to the process but not to control it. In doing so, I believe that over the years Sophie has developed her own style - which during her time in France she lost do a large degree but is now rediscovering.

The art in this blog was created by Sophie at the approximate age of 5 or 6 years-old. She hasn’t asked me to throw them away. In fact, she liked the tanner piece without realizing it was her own work. That’s what happens when you put things in storage.

Note on Art: The top piece is a plaster relief made inside a box which was later removed. the objected used to create the art are all found objects. The sun, for instance, consists of nails for the rays and a rubber rim (possible used for car or plumbing??). The mom’s dress is a door hinge. Her hair is made of twisty-ties. There is no paint involved in this piece. Etc…

In the second piece, the plaster relief has been painted lightly. The use of found objects is much more prominent with springs sticking out and bolts prominently displayed in the heart.

Art Kids Makes at School

My older daughter and I have recently moved back to the States after living in France for three plus years. We’ve had some of our belongings in storage which are now just rejoining the family.

Sophie’s childhood artwork is coming out of storage. You know, little things like her handprint and a little dough heart she made in elementary school. I love these pieces of art. They have sentimental value. My daughter made them. Sophie on the other hand looked at them and said, “It’s okay if we throw those away. It won’t hurt my feelings. I know they’re bad.”

Clearly, it was time for Sophie and I to have a talk. I decided to explain to Sophie how my younger daughter really enjoyed making these pieces and brought them home proudly and that I have very fond memories relating to the experiences. I understand that my older daughter doesn’t like them and that’s okay but that we’d keep them anyway.

I’m sure more of you have figured out that both the younger and older daughter are Sophie. When I put it in the above framework she understood where I was coming from and why they would continue to hang in the kitchen.

One of the things I love most about my country, America, is Americana. I love Vegas, Big Sur, Randy’s Donut, the soft white sandy beaches of Florida’s Gulf Coast, wrestling, independent film, Devil’s Tower, The Mammoth Site, Superman in Acropolis, The Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth MN, MoMa, the races (small town dirt tracks), Disney, the Chrysler building, huge dinosaurs by the side of the road… all those things that are genuinely American.

One thing I’ve learned about America since I’ve been away from it for over three years now is just how special a country we have. I always loved it and am fully aware of its problems but I didn’t realize how accepting Americans are of all cultures and peoples. Yes, we’re bigoted pigs. Yes, we hate. Yes, we need to work on education, health care, concern for children and senors, and equality for women… but still even with all of our flaws we are an absolutely beautiful and open country.

Americans are accepting of others and don’t feel everyone should be of the same mold. America values individualism, free speech and the right to choose - perhaps less with some of the conservative crap that ’s been choking our country lately… but that’s something we can work on. And even still, we are so much more open and liberal minded toward the rights of individuals than any place else I’ve lived.

If you’re in my country, value it. Know how fortunate we, as a people, are to have such a wonderful home. If your community is lacking know you have the right and the power as a citizen to work toward positive change. Americans are blessed.

I never knew how proud I was to be an American until I went elsewhere. I was always proud of my identity but since I knew no other it was never really in the forefront of my thinking. Now I’ve seen different and can confidently say that as a whole, we have the best people and come from the best mindset. We’ve got a lot to work on if we want our country to remain strong and proud… so let’s work on it! We’re worth it… and besides, it’s our country.

There hasn’t been much time to write lately as life as become increasingly busy while I walk down the life I’ve designed for myself and am happy to live…

Nonetheless, sometimes one just needs to stop and share. This is one of those times.

Last night, Sophie made the absolute best pasta in an avocado and chicken white sauce. Delicious!

I have no idea where this child learned to cook, it certainly wasn’t from me. I’m guessing it’s out of her imagination and from recipes online. Wherever she got this talent from, it’s clearly here to stay! And I’m all the more well-feed because of it!

Earlier in the year, I went searching to see what was out there. I went to one place looking for the big another place looking for the small. Then, I came home, took inventory and now realize I already had what I needed.

Words cannot express my gratitude and how completely humbled I feel for being giving such faith and trust with such precious work. I feel as though I should be coy or feel entitled but I don’t feel that way. I simply know how honored and happy I am to have such an opportunity to share such wonderful works. And to simply know that there is so much good work out there.

This is the world I want to live in…

For about 6-9 months now I’ve wanted to visit the local museum that has all the history about the cathedral. Honestly, it drives me nuts that the thing only has one steeple. It is clearly supposed to have two steeples. People spent something like 400 years building the damn thing. The least they could do is finish it!

Imagine living near the cathedral for your entire life and day-in and day-out hearing chizzling and pounding away at stone and brick while the cathedral was being built to never even see the completion of it but to know someday it would be complete and that it would bring beauty and joy to so many that would see it. Yet, to this day, the thing has never been completed.

Different people tell different stories. Some say all of Strasbourg would sink if the second steeple were built while others say it was a financial decision made by the government at the time.

Whatever the case may be, I still hadn’t been to the museum which holds the cathedral’s history and decided that was what I wanted to do for my birthday.

Well, we’ve been busy so time has been scarce. It has now been more than a month since the annual day when I celebrate my birth has passed.

Today, after an interview with a potential intern and a meeting with a fantastic pub while walking toward our lovely abode we walked by a museum and I said, “Hey! Let’s go!”

So we went to the Strasbourg History Museum.

(The red part of the map represents the oldest part of Strasbourg. That’s where we live. Pretty darn cool if you ask me!)

It was not the museum holding all the secrets of the steeple but it was a fun diversion and a delightful way to spend the afternoon.

Recently, someone referred to me as Goofy. I don’t think it was meant as a compliment but I was pleased as punch by the description.

Life is always so busy these days with things I care a lot about that seriousness seems to saturate most moments.

Goofy is Good!

Note: The hat I’m wearing is a traditional Alsacian woman’s hat. In each region of France there is a different style of hat. This is the ladies hat from times past…

Today is May 1st. May Day is a holiday in France. This means that all government offices are closed. Banks, markets, stores, transportation and anything else you can think of all shut down for the holiday.

Voila! My lunch. A pint of strawberries with what was left of the whipped cream. Whew! I was a little worried that I wouldn’t eat those puppies before they had expired. But, never fear, Machine Momma With Huge Desire To Eat Raw Food is here!

Last night I was watching a documentary on the health care system, dismissing it when it is not actually needed, and caring for ones own health. It totally inspired me to finish the rest of the perishables which have been tickin’ away like a 41-year-old woman’s time clock.

The last time Sophie spent the night in Basel, Switzerland we stayed at the Basel Back Pack Hostel.

In the past, we always stayed at the YMCA Basel Hostel but we were ready for a change and were delighted with our experience at this new experience. The Basel Back Pack Hostel is friendly, helpful, in an artsy sort of complex with character, taste and sophistication. There is a chic restuarant at the entrance of the complex. It appears the building used to be an old warehouse where some product was manufactured but has since been turned into a hip artistic complex.

The feel and vibe of the Basel Back Pack hostel is cool and easy. Sometimes, the YMCA Hostel would get a little uptight and cold in it’s vibe. This was not the case at all with the Basel Back Pack Hostel.

The hostel is slightly further away from the train station but still an easy walk through a lovely city. We saw people there of all ages. There were single women my age or old, couples my age, and plenty of younger, cool looking hosteling partying artsy types! I’m happy to say the environment so not stuffy at all. The hostel wasn’t filled with snooty freshman college students looking at you like you shouldn’t be there, or ‘residents’ who think they run the place. It was a hostel and felt like a friendly welcoming hostel.

The kitchen was fully equipped. Sophie made a wonderfully fresh pasta dinner with a homemade meat sauce. Easy and cheap. Switzerland is not cheap. It is a wealthy country. We found it impossible to eat at a resturant (other than McDonalds) for less than $75… and we don’t drink. Therefore, now we either eat at McDonalds or make our own food. I’m fortunate in that Sophie is such a wonderful cook and loves doing it!

If you look at the bottom left hand side of picture below, you will see a couple containers of things like pasta, oils, vinegar, spices, etc. These are free to use for the people staying at the hostel. We left our pasta in the container instead of bringing it on our travels. If you’re really cutting it close, or just want to save a buck, check out the ‘free’ container(s) in a hostel before going shopping. Please don’t eat other people’s food in the fridge or cupboards - that’s not free or available. But do know that you can cook your own meal and meet other travelers, if so you desire, and from our experience the Basel Back Pack Hostel is a great place to do it!

The Basel Back Pack hostel costs 22 euro per night and can be paid at time of arrive. I believe there is an additional fee if you use a credit card. The YMCA Basel Hostel is substantially higher at 29 euro per night.