Fluttering
November 30, 2008There is nothing holier in this life of ours than the first consciousness of love, the first fluttering of its silken wings.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Archive for November, 2008
Useful
November 26, 2008So, I’ve got a bachelor of science degree in nursing. I graduated with honors, having excelled in classes like microbiology (bear with me), pathophysiology, and pharmacology.
What do you suppose, then, was the most useful bit of information gleaned from my college days? An understanding of the Krebs Cycle? The ability to differentiate labaratory indicators of metabolic acidosis versus respiratory alkalosis? Or, perhaps, the ever-wise “Beer before liquor–never been sicker; liquor before beer–in the clear?”
I’ve recently come to realize, actually, that it was this: Kraft macaroni and cheese tastes best when made with real butter. Thanks, of course, to my dorm roommate.
I am completely content with this revelation, which is either very disturbing, or very Zen.
The Power of “Shhh”
November 25, 2008Hush-a-bye don’t you cry,
Go to sleep-y, little baby.
When you wake you shall have
All the pretty little horses.
Blacks and bays, dapple grays,
Coach and six white horses.
Hush-a-bye don’t you cry,
Go to sleep-y, little baby.
A wonderful newborn session this weekend (not the one pictured) got me thinking about the power of “Sh.” I was in awe of this first-time mother and her efffective use of the mighty “Shhh.” She was good.
I didn’t actually get it–the power of “shhh”–until my third child. I sang a lot of lullabies with Belle and Dimples, and though I do love singing, it is not the easiest thing to do at 3 AM. With Mowgli, I discovered “Sh-sh-sh-sh-shhhhhh.” Magic. And now, when I try to sing Shortcake a lullaby, she starts dancing and singing along, which is really cute, unless it’s 3 AM, of course. So, it is “Shhh” for her as well.
I love to watch parents calm their babies. It is so intimate, and often, it is when my favorite photos are taken.