Helmet Woes

I bought a new helmet for Korra on Amazon. It was too big so I bought the next size down. The helmet still slid back off her forehead with a small amount of pressure. I bought a set of pads. The helmet still didn't fit well. I returned both helmets and the pads. Today we stood in line outside a bike shop for 45 min. We tried on all 4 styles of helmets they carried but had the same issue. We drove to Target where I forced Korra to try on 6 helmets probably 3 times each as I adjusted them over and over, trying to make one for. Oh and of course, all of this is while wearing masks and being acutely aware of people around us and if they were wearing masks. I finally just bought a helmet because a helmet that slides off her forehead is better than no helmet at all?  Internet research has not helped me figure out what kind of helmet she actually needs or how to adjust the one we have better. Does Korra just have a really weirdly shaped head or am I missing something?

Naan

If I make delicious naan from scratch, it doesn't really matter that the rest of dinner is just hummus and carrot sticks, right?

James and The Giant Peach

Korra and I have been listening/watching Taika Waititi (and guests) read James and the Giant Peach during lunch for a few weeks. If you haven't checked this out yet, do yourself a favor, go to YouTube and get watching. We finished it on Friday so today we watched the movie. Once again, Korra was immensely disappointed in the movie. She's learning young that the book is always better. 

https://youtu.be/EJNSg_oMrOQ

🎥 SERIES TRAILER: James and the Giant Peach, with Taika and Friends

No water

A large portion of the city (that included us) didn't have water for about 5 hours today. We're still until a boil advisory. It made the  showering and laundry and running the dishwasher that I planned to do rather difficult. 

Masked Porch Visit

Today we had a nice visit with my brother and sister-in-law, on their front porch, with masks. Because it's worth being a little uncomfortable to keep others safe. 

Audiobook, Solitaire App, Hammock

The last few days I've spent a good amount of time in the hammock, listening to a YA audiobook, and playing hand after hand of solitaire on my phone.  I might actually be getting the hang of this relaxing thing.

A relatively busy day

We were able to keep pretty busy today.  We dropped off a trunk-load of stuff at Goodwill.  We drove to Nate's work to meet him for lunch.  We went for a little "shopping spree" at the dollar store (I'm hoping the origami paper and cheap "spiro-graph" and wall stickers will provide at least a hour of entertainment. I replaced 3 of our couch cushions with new, firmer foam.  I called 10 people in Maine for Moms Demand Action.  

Silly pictures with Korra

101

I counted how many days it's been since COVID became our reality (I use the last day of in-person school as my marker).  For us, it's been 101 days.  101 days since I went to work.  101 days since we've been to church.  101 days since we've eaten in a restaurant, gone to a birthday party, or casually "ran to the store."  Wow.

cherry tomato harvest

Getting this many cherry tomatoes every 2-3 days. 

Father's Day

Bought Nate a new case for his records (unspoken permission to buy more records) and Korra made him a card.  We ordered a special steak dinner and beer from Brickstore Pub.
Nate, my dad, his dad.  We're pretty lucky in the Dad department.

cucumbers and lemons

When someone gives you a bunch of cucumbers and lemons...

https://www.titosvodka.com/recipes/vodka-drinks/cucumber-martini/

Just Mercy

Finally got around to watching Just Mercy last night. Every bit as powerful and well done as the book. 

Grandma and Grandpa (with pictures!)

Today, Korra and I got to spend a little more time with my grandparents (who have just moved from Wisconsin to Asheville). Enjoyed Duck Donuts and looking through photo albums of my Grandpa's time in Japan. 

Pictures with Momo and Granddad

Holes

Korra just finished reading Holes so today we're watching the movie. So good. 

Gun Sense Action Network

Tonight I'm on an hour long training for gun reform voter education.  An hour or so a week, I'll be calling people all over the country to help them make a plan to vote (with all the changes due to COVID) and encourage them to vote for gun sense.  The message to our elected officials: Protect us or we will replace you.  If you want more information, check out http://gunsensevoter.org/ 

Grandma and Grandpa

We've been trying to convince my grandparents (my dad's parents) to move from Wisconsin to the south.  They finally agreed and moved to Asheville last week!  Korra and I were able to go visit them at their new condo today.  It was SO nice to spend time with them and even more wonderful to know that even though we forgot to take a picture today, we'll get a chance to take one on Friday when we go by for another visit. 

mom and dad

Korra and I are visiting my parents for the next couple of days to help out after my mom's surgery. Part of me is worried about the risk (particularly to them). The other part is related to see them. It's been 5 months and since we saw them last and I've missed them terribly. 

Wildlife in the City, continued

Today in my morning jog, I saw a squirrel running in erratic circles while bleeding from the ear, a dead goose next to the hospital helipad, and the same bird from yesterday tried to attack me again. 

Mom's Hip

My mom had hip replacement surgery today. It was extra stressful because no one could be there with her. My dad dropped her off this morning and will pick her up tomorrow. She's doing pretty well, but I can't wait to get to Asheville on Monday to hug her.

Methodist March

This morning we joined a couple hundred Methodists in a march. White Supremacy is a sin. 

(Full disclosure: Korra whined the entire time. "It's hot. My legs hurt. This is boring. Why is there so much talking? How much longer?")

bird!!!

This morning while on my walk I got attacked by a bird. It swooped down at me, pecked my arm, and then chased me for half a block while I ran full sprint. 

The Little Way

A friend and neighbor once referred to my faith/work/life philosophy as similar to St Therese's Little Way (doing the smallest actions with great love).  I couldn't agree with him more.  I am not a big picture person.  I relish the small things, the details, and put my whole heart into them. 
Recently, the Little Way has felt like it isn't enough.  I want change- BIG institutional, systemic change- and I want it NOW.  My little things (attending protests, making a banner, educating myself and sharing that knowledge with others, donating money, changing my spending habits to support businesses that align with my priorities, writing to my elected officials over and over) just don't seem like enough.  It feels like it's not moving the needle at all, which fills me with frustration, anger, hopelessness, fear, and a general feeling of powerlessness (I know many people in the world feel this way ALL THE TIME, so yes, I'm aware of my privilege). 
I still feel that way, but a few articles, a few changes in people or in systems (I'm looking at you NASCAR), and the Equity and Oppression seminar I've been taking this week reminded me that the Little Way works.  It's slow and exhausting and frustrating, but it is THE work and I'm not doing it alone.

A Really Good Article

I'm putting this here as much for me to have it to easily refer back to as for you (whoever you might be who reads this)

https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/bryan-stevenson-on-the-frustration-behind-the-george-floyd-protests

Ice Cream Bike Ride

A reward for not interrupting me *too* much during training. Also happy to report our local Ben & Jerry's is a black owned business. 

From Richard Rohr

This morning I read this in Rohr's book "Everything Belongs"

"Most spiritual work is readying the student.  Both soil and soul have to be a bit unsettled and loosened up a bit.  As long as we're too comfortable, too opinionated, too sure we have the whole truth, we're just rock and thorns.  Anybody throwing us seeds is just wasting time."

That resonates so much with how I feel about the world right now and relates perfectly to the Equity conference I'm attending this week.  

Lemon Poppyseed Zucchini Bread

I made some absolutely delicious bread yesterday.  As usual, the recipe is a mash-up of several recipes I found and based on what I had/wanted to use.

1/4 cup apple sauce
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
3 T vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
(cream)
1-1 1/2 cup shredded zucchini (squeezed in a towel to drain)
zest and juice from one lemon
(add and stir)
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
(stir until just mixed)

Bake in a loaf pan at 325 degrees for 45 min.

piano lessons

Korra is having her first piano lesson today (over Zoom). She's loving it. 

This!

Watch it.  All of it.  Then watch it again.

Technology Babysitter

The laptop/Switch/Kindle/iPhone is Korra's babysitter today while I'm taking my online professional development.  We do what we've got to do.

Perfect Timing

In January, I registered for a professional development course called "Equity Centered Critical Friendship."  It's intent is to explore the 4 I's of Oppression (Ideological, Institutional, Interpersonal, and Internalized) and how to address and dismantle them in the world and in our schools. 
Check out this informative video (it's only 3 min and is made with Legos!) 
It couldn't be better timing.  I'm so thankful for this opportunity for this week.  It's a little disappointing to be online instead of in person, but I am so glad to be doing this work.

Tiny Activists

Today we participated in a family friendly march. It ended on the famous Jackson Street Bridge where the kids left flowers in honor of all those who have lost their lives to police brutality. 

Banner

I used a sheet and some giant sharpies...

Granny Square Blanket

A little over a year ago I started making granny squares from scrap yarn. When the quarantine started, I began outlining them in black (minus the 2 dozen that I decided I didn't really like) and then stitch them together. Here's the result:

Rainbow Challah

On Friday we had a playdate at a friend's house and made rainbow Challah. Rainbow Challah French Toast for breakfast!!

outdoor cat

When Mrs Reynolds was a young cat, the vet told us she had anxiety issues and suggested we let her go outside sometimes so she could get some "alone time." She enjoyed time outside every day from then until we moved to our current apartment 2 years ago. Suddenly, she didn't want to go outside anymore. I assumed it was because we lived on the second floor or didn't have a yard. In the end of March, Mrs started yeowling at the door, begging to go outside. At first I was confused but then I realized it wasn't our apartment that made her stop going outside. It was because that's when Korra started school full time and Nate went back to work. Mrs was happy to be a fully indoor cat as long as we all were gone all day. Once we were quarantined at home, she needed alone time that only the great outdoors could give. 

One of our neighbors stopped me the other day to ask if we knew this gray stripped cat. When I told her it was ours, she said that Mrs has hissed and swatted at her on the stairs more than once and that one time, Mrs even ran into our neighbor's apartment while she was bringing in groceries. Our cat is not exactly a friendly neighbor.

L-boy

I'm teaching Korra chess this afternoon. She keeps calling the Knight the "L-boy."

HP 1-4

In less than one year, I read the first 4 Harry Potter books to Korra AND THEN she read them again all by herself. In less than a year. I'm so proud of my smart, nerdy Harry Potter loving kid. 

15

Today is our 15th wedding anniversary.

March

Korra and I went to this today. 

I've felt nervous about taking Korra to a protest. And then I've felt guilty because being able to choose to keep my kid safe is part of my white privilege. 

This one felt safe for a number of reasons. It's at the King Center, right around the corner from our house. It is in the morning.

First there were speakers for about an hour. The most amazing one was Bernice King- it gave me chills even though it was hot out. Korra was bored by the speeches so by the time we got to actually marching, she was ready to go. We walked and shouted for about 3 blocks before turning around to bike home. 

I'm glad we went. 

Moby Wrap

I found my Moby Wrap while cleaning out the closet today. (it's one of the few things from Korra's baby-hood that I'm sentimental about). We decided to try it on for old time's sake. 

Duolingo

I've been doing about 15 minutes of Duolingo every day for the last few weeks. Today's lesson is silly. 

errands = expedition

I took Korra to run errands for the first time during the pandemic. Preparing for it felt like preparing for a diving expedition, or at the very least like the first time you try to run errands with your new baby. 

First up was getting an oil change. Usually we'd just wait in the waiting room but this time we had to figure out where else we could go. We walked about a mile to a park and as soon as we got there, I had to go to the bathroom (bad). Thankfully by the time we got back the car was ready. It didn't change the fact that I didn't know how long it would take or what precautions people around us would be taking. That meant we needed snacks, water, hand sanitizer, face masks, and books to read.

Next up was the grocery store. Once again, no one really seems willing to wait for the person in front of them to move in order to keep 6 feet. Also people don't seem to understand that 6 feet also mean to the sides, so no, you can't just go around me. It was super stressful and Korra (while in general was well behaved) asked for every item of junk food we passed and repeatedly asked if we were done yet because she was tired of wearing her mask. 

I had planned to also go to the Post office and the car wash but those were scrapped because a) we were both worn out and b) I said yes to nearly every item of junk food Korra asked for including ice cream so we had to get home before it melted. 

Grilling Dinner

Tonight we had grilling chicken kebabs, grilled zucchini, red onion, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes (from our garden) and grilled flat bread- all topped with feta and homemade tzatziki sauce. Yuuuuuuuuum.