aguayo shed

Living Abroad (Creating at least one post in 2011!)

2011-01-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

So we made the move, finally got the computer fixed, got our 4 year old into school and the search is on for work, housing and all the fine things in life.

I'm considering having a more "Dutch thoughts" related blog that is separate from my personal blog, as a clean start, saving this blog for musings that are about life in general, or whatevs, as Cattie might say.

The sun is out right now, which I find extremely exciting.

That's all!

Home Grown Cultural Salon and WEV Fundraiser

2010-11-05T00:05:00.000-07:00

Food. Wine. Sweets. Culture. Community. Fundraiser
Tantalize your Intellect and Tastebuds
While Donating to Women Economic Ventures!

Lime Green Monkey invites you to a wonderful evening of fun and fund raising at Oreana Winery to benefit WEV -

Oreana Winery in Santa Barbara will transform into a salon the evening of Wednesday November 10th, 2010. Not “salon” as in a hair cut or makeover. Rather, expect a salon in the 16th century French version of the word: a cultural gathering of citizens coming together to expand their knowledge through conversation and entertainment.

“When I was enlisted to join the alumni fundraising campaign for Women’s Economic Ventures, I wanted to create an event I would like to attend—something cultural, inspiring and interactive, with an organic feel, but at a price that doesn’t break the bank,” said Kristin Anderson, a WEV graduate and owner of Lime Green Monkey, an eco-business that vends organic cotton handkerchiefs and cloth napkins.

The Home Grown Cultural Salon, only $30 in advance and $35 at the door, will feature performances by singer songwriter Earl Arnold, a local Indy favorite known for his band “Earl” and Antara Hunter, who has been part of the SB music scene since 1997, including a 10-year stint in the dynamic duo Antara & Delilah.

In addition, salon attendees will enjoy a reading by Patrick McHugh who teaches writing at UCSB, and a reading by Jenna McCarthy—author of the Parent Trip—who will be reading from her latest book Til Death Do Us Part is a Really Long Time, due out Summer 2011.

Organic appetizers made from local organic produce donated by Fairview Gardens will be prepared by "The Surfin' Chef" Erik Stenberg with Out of the Box Collective www.outoftheboxcollective.com , and cookies will be made by “Cookies in Heaven” expert Jillian Johnson from organic ingredients donated by Whole Foods, Santa Barbara. And, of course, your ticket includes a glass of wine from Oreana Winery, with more available at the no host wine bar. Non-alcoholic beverages donated by Trader Joe’s will also be available.

Don’t forget your checkbooks! A silent auction table will feature a broad range of high quality items donated by local businesses: music speakers from Utopia, www.installutopia.com, a photographic nature print by Dan Holmes of www.danholmesphoto.com, an Ayurvedic Facial from Maria Carbonell of www.samaayurveda.com, Santa Barbara Women's Self Defense will be donating 2 hours of Private Self Defense Instruction with Teri Coffee McDuffie worth a value of $400 www.sbslfdfnz.com, a $25.00 gift certificate from Crush Cakes www.crushcakes.com, a 3-pack of Snottykins organic cotton hankies from www.limegreenmonkey.com and more.

All profits will be donated to Women’s Economic Ventures, a non-profit which provides opportunities for entrepreneurs in every phase of the business life cycle, from start-up and launch, to sustaining and growing your business through training courses, loans and more. As WEV is experiencing a budget shortfall, many graduates are stepping up to the plate in an alumni fundraising campaign that runs through December 31st, 2010. For additional fundraisers, see www.wevonline.org

Event Details:

What: Home Grown Cultural Salon / Women’s Economic Ventures Fundraiser

Where: Oreana Winery, 205 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA

When: Wednesday 11/10/10, 7pm -9pm

Cost: $30 in advance, $35 at the door

Tickets: http://wevonline.givezooks.com/events/home-grown-cultural-salon

More Info: Kristin@limegreenmonkey.com or 805.886.9147

Guinness at 4am . . .book sales and Edomasa

2010-06-19T21:52:00.000-07:00

My husband left the house before dawn and headed to the Press Room, a local bar, where he sat in the dark and drank a cup of coffee, before starting in on a Guinness. This sounds like the beginning of some dark tale, but it's much simpler than that. If you want to see the Netherlands play in the 2010 World Cup, this is their witching hour.

Funny thing is, he wasn't alone. Another 25 or so die hard fans filled the bar, including 3 Japanese soccer fans cheering for Japan, Holland's opponent in the Match.

In the meantime, I awoke at 6am and reached to find an empty bed. It didn't take me long to remember where my husband had gone. I felt awake, and took advantage of the moment to read Time magazine's extensive coverage of the World Cup in South Africa, its meaning to the country, the history of Fifa and soccer throughout the world, and even the importance of soccer on Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and countless others were held in prison, and the beacon of hope and equality that a weekly soccer game instilled in this prison population.

I soon realized that my default favorite player is Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon, not for his amazing abilities, but for his story of rags to riches, and, with a salary in the multi-millions, his generosity to his fellow Cameroonians through pumping millions into social development programs that link sports, education and health.

That afternoon as husband and child took a long nap, I headed down to the Santa Barbara Public Library for a blow out book sale (this is indeed how they advertised it), and scored a bag of books, CDs, videos and a beautiful cloth bag all for $20.00. Titles ranged from the I-Ching and the Autobiography of Mother Theresa to Al Franken's Lies and the Lying Liars who Tell Them. It felt like Christmas in June!

When Arie Jan awoke and saw my bounty, he took his turn at the sale. We have no idea where we are going to put all of these new books.

Instead of surprising him with new socks and underwear for Father's Day, I took him to Edomasa for dinner, where dear friends--also a Dutch American couple with a toddler son--joined us. It was a great evening . . great day as a matter of fact. And what better way to celebrate the Dutch victory against Japan, then eating in a Japanese restaurant?

Good night!

Organic Cotton Handkerchiefs part of Central Coast organic movement

2010-06-14T10:48:00.000-07:00

Glen Taylor from Specialty Color Services emailed me this morning to congratulate me on a press write up on my organic cotton hanky business in Noozhawk, an online central coast news source. How cool is that? The article covers everything from home made organic pies to organic cotton hankies by Lime Green Monkey. Glad to make the grade!g (Click on this post title to go to the article).

Description of Society

2010-06-12T15:23:00.001-07:00

Our book club recently read A Paradise Built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit. The main, and rather repetitive message is that during times of natural catastrophe and man made disaster, people come together in a spirit of camaraderie that does not exist in every day life; racial, ethnic and economic barriers disappear and a sense of joy and humanity emerges. This beautiful expression of the human spirit is rarely reported in the news, and if it is, it is attributed to the special character of the area. For example, during the 1906 quake in SF, the San Franciscans claimed that the Utopian spirit that emerged was due to the character of San Franciscans, not human nature.
One passage that really spoke to me was a portrayal of our society by J.K. Gibson-Graham, two women writing under one name.
"They portray our society as an iceberg, with competitive capitalist practices visible above the waterline and below all kinds of relations of aid and cooperation by families, friends, neighbors, churches, cooperatives, volunteers, and voluntary organizations from softball leagues to labor unions, along with activities outside the market, under the table, bartered labor and goods and more, a bustling network of uncommercial enterprise."

I love this description of society. It describes the life I live and the lives of those around me. To be isolated in the idea of work as life, is to miss the point of existence. I think the best marriage of work and personal life comes when you find something you are passionate about, and make it your life work. Right now, being home with my son feels very close to this concept. My hours feel worthwhile. Yet, I yearn for more. I think more will come as Ezra gets older, and we have more complex conversations. Yet, already he challenges me for answers that I am still trying to answer for myself.
"Where does God live?" for example. "God lives everywhere." But what does that answer mean to a three year old? And does God live in the heart of a non-believer? Most likely not.

I pray I do not need a catastrophe to awaken a spirit of comaradarie within me. I am already thankful for my life beneath the tip of the iceberg, with all the layers of interconnectedness, friendship and support. It is the tip of the iceberg that so many of us are struggling with right now.

Alternative Transportation and Toddlers

2010-05-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

What do you do if you live within walking distance of your downtown (1 mile), but that is still too far for little toddler legs to ped it? Yesterday, we had a public transportation adventure. It started with a trot to the bus stop, which is two blocks from our driveway. We made the big leap from the sidewalk to the interior of the bus and found a great seat right in front. The differences between being in our little Ford Focus strapped in the back in a car seat and being in the bus are too many to count, but here are some of the key points relevant to a toddler: you can see all around you, you can look down upon the surrounding vehicles(an entirely new perspective) and you don't have to wear a seat belt or even sit still, and you have a captive audience should you become ecstatic over the public transport experience.

Ezra was by far the most enthusiastic rider. He shared his enthusiasm in a voice loud enough to evoke smiles from the weary college students and folks on their way to work--look mommy, a motorcycle! I see trees. There is the train bridge! Cost: $1.75 (with purchase of a 10-ride bus pass).

Next, we hoofed it down State Street, explored Borders, purchased a great new educational book and met a friend for lunch at Palazzio. After lunch, we were on our way for the long journey to the pier, when the State Street Shuttle appeared at our side. We hopped on (25 cents one way) and cruised all the way to the Wharf. The driver was a little more testy and he slammed on the breaks twice, cursing under his breath in cut off words at a driver who swerved in front of him. The bus lurched forward and I was not so happy about the open door and my toddler without a seat belt. Note: ride in back with kids, where there is no possibility of slipping out the open door!
Next, we walked out on the wharf and looked out at the ocean. Despite the beautiful, sunny weather, we slipped on our sweaters due to the swift and cool breeze coming over the ocean. Ezra asked to stop at a bench and look out at the ocean. He gave me a list of all the things that live in the ocean: sharks, seals, fish, crabs and people who swim. We looked at the sailboats, fishing boats and other small craft going in and out of the harbor. There in front of us was a small boat that was half yellow called a water taxi.
"What kind of boat is that?" he pointed.
"That's a water taxi." I told him. We continued on our walk and luckily the candy store went unnoticed. We saw a group of divers getting ready to dive down beneath the ocean's surface. A tangle of long hoses sat beneath them. I wondered if these would be attached to the air tanks for extended diving, but had no idea.
As we ventured toward the end of the wharf a friendly woman in a little booth asked if we wanted to go on the water taxi.
"How much is it?" I asked, anticipating something well out of our price range.
"One way is $5 for the both of you."
"Five dollars?" I questioned, waiting for a catch. No catch. We could hop in a boat and ride over to the harbor for five bucks. We purchased our tickets and Ezra looked a bit shocked as he was handed a water taxi sticker. We burned the eight minutes til launch time by finishing our tour of the wharf, peering over the edge into the ocean and checking out the four directions painted in bright colors. Surprisingly, when I asked Ezra which way was West, he knew. Lucky guess?
Then we heard the whistle of the taxi boat as it approached. We hurried back to the landing and walked down a large ramp to board to water taxi.

I dug out a life vest and put it on Ezra and we waited patiently for other passengers to board. Ezra was quiet--almost concerned that we were doing something so adventurous. No other passengers arrived and the captain's assistant closed the gate and we were off--our own private cruise in the harbor and Ezra's first time at sea!

The ride took us around the wharf and close to an area where 30 or so seals bathed in the sun atop barrel like objects at the edge of the harbor. As we entered the harbor, Ezra looked in wonder at the boats, at the water and around the boat. Although it lasted only 5 to 10 minutes, this was definitely the highlight of our day. We de-boated at the harbor onto a floating dock and walked up the ramp.

"Mommy, wait, I want to show you something cool." Ezra said as we walked along the metal rail. He pointed to a little crab on the rocks.
"Good eye, Ezra!" The waterfront proved slow going as there was something cool about every 5 feet--a boat, a kayak, a bird, a starfish, some trash floating in the water--before long, it became apparent that there were alphabet opportunities everywhere, and soon he was pointing out E's and S's and other letters and numbers found on boats and signs.

We next ventured across the great stretch of hot sand between us and the walk back to the wharf. The walk called for a snack break and we plopped ourselves down in the warm sand and ate apples and cashews I had stowed away in my backpack.

Back at the wharf, we visited the dolphin fountain and the restroom before catching the State Street Shuttle and riding to the end of the line at Victoria and State.

Next on our itinerary? Trinity Episcopalean. Even though we attend this church a few times a month, Ezra only spends a few minutes in the church at the end of the service. Although my intention was to walk the labyrinth, we saw that the church door was open and Ezra asked to go inside. We walked up the stone steps, through the open red door and interior doors into an empty church, lit only by the prayer candles up front and the sunshine pouring through the stained glass windows.

Ezra looked around with intrigue. He remained absolutely silent and looked at me with wide eyes. He pointed to the windows. He bent his neck backwards and took in the ceiling. He came to me and held my hand as we observed the church in silence. "So pretty." he said in the quietest whisper.

Earth Day Happiness

2010-04-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful to have a fledgling business. Well, its not such a fledgling anymore. It has some feathers on its back and webs between its toes and is beginning to paddle along. Lime Green Monkey celebrated its one year anniversary at the 2010 Earth Day Celebration in Santa Barbara.

And, thankfully, a local paper called the Daily Sound responded to a press release, interviewed me and wrote their own write up about Lime Green Monkey and our organic cotton handkerchiefs.
http://www.thedailysound.com/results/041710snot

I am so happy to read so many positive comments about our handkerchiefs in the comments section of this article!

I also learned from history.com that an estimated 1 billion plus people will be involved in Earth Day celebrations this year! That is incredible!

There were several complaints that the Santa Barbara Earth Day celebration has become too corporate and leaves out the little guy. I would not have been able to participate if Women's Economic Ventures hadn't sponsored a booth for its green business graduates. So, I too fall in that category of little guy who would have dropped off the green revolution radar, despite the fact that I'm starting the handkerchief revolution, which is all about green if you know what I mean.

Anyway, it is a debate, because change does need to happen on a big level for us to make an impact. Yet, over and over, we hear that it is the little steps that make a difference as well, and if we don't support people and businesses in the fledgling stage of making such changes, we are missing out on future opportunities and niches of ecological friendliness.

Should I rejoice if Walmart offers eco-friendly products, or should I continue to steer clear of this mega store due to its history of low wages and exploitation of workers, and its tendency to wipe out downtown storefronts across America when it comes to town and undercuts all competition, regardless of longevity or local history? I think its all about gray. Yes, its a good thing that Walmart is going green, even if it is just based on a desire to improve corporate image to keep the bottom line strong.

I digress! Yet, tomorrow is Earth Day and this makes me very happy! Another chance to celebrate!

Kindness everyone and Happy Earth Day to you! I certainly hope we not only have it in us to save the environment, but that we take action every day.

On the Dark Side--Thinking of Self Defense

2010-04-01T22:55:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I met up with three friends for a self-defense intro course with Santa Barbara Women's Self Defense instructor Teri Coffee McDuffie. I've always known Teri was bad ass, but not in a tattoed, Harley Davidson riding sort of way--but in a finely-tuned-instrument-of-precision-and-power way that does nothing but raise her stature as a dignified, empowered woman who's primary goal is to empower as many women as possible by arming them with the skills of self defense, presence and confidence.

I would never joke around about her power, such as "I wouldn't want to piss her off," because that is not where her power lies. She is not flippant, or vengeful. She is about the flow of energy, and being present in your surroundings. She is about giving women the tools to defend themselves in bad situations.

I left the flyer in the car that outlines the four principles. But, in general, the tools are first and foremost, attitude. Walk with intention and awareness. Exude your big energy and most people will leave you alone, based on the basic flow of energy. This is just the opposite of walking with victimhood written in your posture, your stance, your downcast eyes.

Be present and observant in your surroundings.
I think this would be self explanatory, but it takes practice.

Learn self defense.
I plan to sign up for her 4 hour course this summer. The basic moves I learned this evening already make complete sense, but they take practice. I found myself thinking about the moves, rather than feeling them as reflexes in my body. The most common reflexes we have when faced with an assailant are unfortunately, usually the wrong reflexes: screaming, flailing arms, moving backward without intention, deer in the headlights sort of thing. I want that palm to the chin punch to be ingrained in me, like catching a ball--quick, with precision and purpose.

The number one goal is to avoid an attack all together. But, if you are attacked, the goal is to give the attacker pause, if not scare them away completely with your lion roar. Hear me roar! Actually, I hope I never have reason to roar. But if I do, I will roar! not squeak.

Escape.

Defense is about keeping your senses, getting in a few blows if necessary to ward off, scare off and break contact and then getting the heck out of dodge to a safe place, where there are people, or a business, or a general sense of order.

These are life skills to have, and a one hour intro won't do the trick. Looking forward to getting in touch with my bad ass, hear me roar side very soon.

Thank you Teri Coffee for an awesome intro!

For more about SB Women's Self Defense, you can check out Teri's website at sbwselfdefense.com or call 805.252.9099

Guys, I get the impression its just for women, but I could be wrong ;)

Signing off!

Noelle Aguayo

Breaking of the Soil

2010-03-14T23:19:00.000-07:00

So exciting to learn how to post video! Here is footage of my little gardener taking the weeds in his Tonka dump truck to the "city". We will post some video or picks of the finished product once we get it all in. Good night :)

Let the Spring Garden Begin!

2010-03-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

On Saturday morning, the spring weather led me to contemplate the lush green weed beds in our backyard. Could we transform them into their former gardenhood glory? I needed more inspiration than the weather and the stretch of a long day ahead of us. And then I remembered a post on facebook from Healing Grounds inviting us to a "Spring Organic Garden Workshop."

We had no firm plans for the day, so I looked up the details and after a bit of cajoling, I had the whole family packed into the car and we drove out of Santa Barbara all the way to Carpinteria to Island View Nursery. Despite growing up in Santa Ynez valley and living in Santa Barbara on and off over the last 20 years, I had never ventured down to visit the lush farmlands of Carpinteria--not an orchid farm, not a tulip field, nada. My abstinence is now broken. Island View is a beautiful, rambling rectangular stretch of a nursery. Sculpted figures of fish, deer, sea horses and other creatures are placed throughout the meandering stone paths surrounded by plants for sale. A spacious greenhouse style interior area, with Buddha statues, and other zen garden decorations spans across several rooms with a wide variety of beautiful plants, seed displays and other garden supplies.

I had only seen 5 RSVPs on the facebook invitation, but clearly, word had been distributed in other ways. The parking lot was close to full when we arrived. As if the setting for a garden wedding, wooden folding chairs were lined up, facing a central table with plants upon it placed in the shade of a large oak tree. Oscar Carmona, owner of Healing Grounds stood, ready to speak.

I knew Oscar during my time at UCSB in a past lifetime. We played in a saxophone quartet together, he on tenor, and I on alto. Back then, he talked of starting a music therapy offering, long before I'd heard the idea anywhere else. He always had a penchant for organic processes, and his metamorphoses into a master gardener and wholesale seed and plant business owner is an understandable development. The workshop began. He spoke gently, perhaps even a bit awkwardly at first. But once he was warmed up, the information flowed from his deep well of knowledge. My hand longed for pen and paper to write it all down, but then I remembered the flip camcorder in my pocket. Of course I brought it to record my toddler in action, but capturing Oscar talking so eloquently and effortlessly about Spring gardening was a worthy use of my limited footage. Did you know there are between 200 and 300 varieties of tomatoes?

Did you know that its hard to grow Beef Steak tomatoes in coastal areas, because of the fluctuating temperatures? Did you know that you can grow almost anything in the Santa Barbara area because of our temperate weather? Do you envision your garden as a series of micro climates? One thing that Oscar repeated, as if for me personally, was that he doesn't believe people who say they have a brown thumb. Because gardening is easy as long as you are present and invest the time in being in the garden, observing, paying attention, and taking the time. If you turn your back for a week, or even a few days, you can return, shocked at all the changes taking place. Plants need water for instance. If you forget about that, sometimes they don't make it. Zucchinis can turn into gargantuan squash if you turn your back for a long minute. Mint can take over your whole garden. Lettuces need the cool, shady microcimates within your garden. There are no bad bugs. The bugs we consider as the bad ones are snackfood for the beneficial bugs. The best fertilizer is your household compost.

Other highlights of my visit to Island View nursery were two kids on dirt bikes. They saw us looking for certain plants and they shot us information. "These are all organic," the one kid said. "Hey, grab a tray of kale" the other said to his companion. "How do you know so much about plants?" "We live next door and we grew up gardening." My bigger vision for Ezra's relationship to the earth, the food chain, and his knowledge banks on how it all worked crystalized as I observed these earth loving kids on dirt bikes.

It wasn't until today after church that our family spent the day in the garden weeding, moving soil around, emptying our compost bin and plotting out which plants would go in which micro-climates. Ezra used his largest Tonka truck to load up weeds that I pulled and take them to the "city" and Arie Jan used the pick axe to airate the soil. I tried to appreciate the thick black sludge at the bottom of the compost bin. I could get my head around its value to our organic gardening process, but oh the stench! By 3pm, we had two beautiful beds of tomatoes and lettuce planted and four more beds cleared of weeds, awaiting the tiny organic vegetable plants still standing at attention in their plastic trays, longing to unfurl their roots in a long stretch of soil.

Provision

2010-01-15T11:45:00.000-08:00

Dear universe,

Thank you for kindness in the world. Thank you for connection. Thank you for provision. One the eve of Ezra's 3rd birthday party, an unexpected package arrived from Connecticut. I unwrapped it in surprise. What could possibly be in this package? As we unwrapped the presents, we discovered a Flip Video Camera. All of our videos of Ezra in the first 3 years of his life are grainy, poorly lit little videos.

This video camera seems to transform even a dimly lit room into a kindly lit setting, and we have already filmed Ezra in action. Thank you to Lauren and Nico, for sending such an unexpected gift that has returned daddy Arie into the Paparazzi of Ezra's first years!

Kindness,

Noelle Aguayo

The Passage of Time in Toddlerville

2010-01-12T17:07:00.001-08:00

Before I gave birth to Ezra, many told me to value and cherish his babyness, because it would disappear in the "blink of an eye" and many other iterations of the same message and metaphor.

I do my best to enjoy every single moment with him and I thought I was in the moment until today, when he quite suddenly turned three. Yes, three!

Last night, I held Antara's brand new baby girl Aven. I looked into her tiny face, eyes closed, no longer than my fore arm, and I wondered how it could be that Ezra was ever this tiny and fragile.

Aven's peaceful countenance, her little squeaks and chirps, her creatura nature was a powerful reminder of the state of fragility in which we start our lives and how incredibly we depend on our parents, our community to nurture us along the way.

In that vein, I am blessed to be in the circle that will love and cherish baby Aven, and I am so blessed to have such a wonderful community of friends, family nearby, and family overseas who send their love and consistency despite the distance.

On Ezra's birthday, I send thanks to the universe to have such a beautiful, loving, humorous, intelligent and joyful son who connects me so fully to the life process.

Happy Birthday Ezra Cole!

My Lime Green Monkey Business

2009-11-16T00:18:00.001-08:00

I recently hired Santa Barbara photographer Lindsey Eltinge to do a photo shoot for my business, Lime Green Monkey. Here are some adorable shots of some of my models with Snottykins. All models seen are owners and users of Snottykins organic cotton handkerchiefs. Just as soon as another block of time arrives, I will update my website with our latest designs at www.limegreenmonkey.com

That Half Marathon and Other things

2009-10-07T17:15:00.001-07:00

Just like any long journey, I suppose I needed time to process my half marathon, which was a month ago yesterday. I did it! All 13.1 miles of it! It was an exciting experience to run with 20,000 other people, to be up before dawn, to feel the excitement build, to be in a crowd silenced by the first notes of the Star Spangled Banner and to feel tears actually welling up in my eyes.

I was impressed that so many people all over the country were training for this event--all scheduling training runs into their busy schedules, with friends or alone. It really gave me a sense of solidarity I haven't had in a long while, because training for such an event is not part of our daily culture--especially after you graduate from college and no longer participate in sports.

Luckily, Barry and Chyrss were there with me to experience a few hours of running in the city of Anaheim and in parts of Disneyland. Would I do it again? Nope. Once is enough. But, I see a 10k in my future, God willing.

Other things! I am so happy to be alive and healthy and to have friends and family that love and care about me. How lucky is that? How blessed is that? Very very blessed.

Peace and Love,

Noelle

You're running what? Why?

2009-09-04T19:06:00.000-07:00

I'm running a half-marathon this Sunday, September 6. 2009 in Disneyland, Anaheim, California, at 6am in the morning. I know it sounds crazy. At least it has always sounded crazy. Like, why? I like my knees just the way they are!

Most people I tell say "oh. That's cool." My mom said "You're running what?" She didn't say the why, but I saw it there on her tongue. And she's not reserved in sharing her thoughts, but for some reason she let the letters dangle just on the other side of her vocal chords and then she swallowed and said something encouraging.

I took notes. I'll need them in the future I'm sure, when Ezra tells me he's hiking the Appalachian Mountain Trail in a week's time.

Anyway, this whole half marathon business wasn't my idea. It was Chryss Yost who put a little spell on me (must be all that time she's spending in Haiti learning about Haitian culture and Santeria.

Anyway, for some reason I said yes. I don't remember if I said it casually, or with an upturn at the end, but regardless, this Sunday I'm doing it. 13.1 miles of one foot in front of the other in Disneyland. I'm sure many have accomplished this feat in Disneyland, but at a pace that makes me look FAST!

Okay, on a less silly note, I am rather excited about it. Not nervous yet. But when I see the other 17,999 people in the race, I think it'll kick in.

Barry Miller, Chryss and I have been training for a few months now, so I actually feel prepared. I saw Dr. Brown, my favorite naturopath who teaches the Morter Health System, on Thursday for a preventative tune up.

I feel like I'm ready and I'll let you know how it feels to run 13.1 miles. I'm sure it is in our biology to do this, just as I am sure my human ancestors were also impatient. We must have run this far in the past, before cars and wagons and domesticating horses and inventing rollerblades. There must have been something a few hours away that we felt a desperate need to run to and see within a short period of time.

Perhaps I will have a distant memory and connect with my ancestral roots--wanting to visit my Jondular in a neighboring tribe. I'm thinking I had a Jondular in a few tribes, why else would I run so far?

If you don't get the Jondular reference, that's probably a good thing.

I'm publishing this without re-reading because I've got a little boy calling my name!

If Toddler's Could Write: Advice Column #1

2009-08-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

If something doesn't go your way, roll your lower lip down as foreshadowing.

If possible, eek out a few crocodile tears to make your eyes look dewy.

Then, take a deep breath and give it your best howl.

Chances are, once you start howling, your tears will start flowing more naturally, which adds to the drama and can increase effectiveness.

Someone will come give you attention.

Success rate of getting your way with this technique: 37% (42% with extra tears)

Safety Joe

2009-08-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

I am really into safety, especially since Ezra came into the world. I wouldn't drive over San Marcos pass the first 3 months of his life as it seemed so unsafe and he was such a fragile little thing. Now that he is approaching 3, I have lightened up considerably, but I can't help but hold his hand extra tight when we are walking along a busy street.

Last week, I saw a mom at a busy intersection holding a baby with a toddler boy about Ezra's age playing wildly. She didn't hold his hand and he ran in circles, flapping his hands wildly with glee. From inside my 2 ton metal box zipping by them, I was terrified that the little boy would chase the imaginary thoughts in his mind right into the street. I shared some version of my concern with my husband and he thought it was good that this little boy was wild and free. Obviously, he seemed to know the boundaries of where the sidewalk ended and live frogger began, but why on earth would you take such a chance?

At the same time, I see children in my neighborhood not older than 6 or 7 caring for their younger siblings while their parents walk ahead with a baby in the stroller, all attention focused on the new addition. And they get by. They know the rules and they have their wits about them because they have the space to learn on their own.

I can't help but think of the John Prine song Safety Joe. Joe doesn't have any fun as all he can think about is safety. You want to give Joe a shake and shout "live a little!"

I know there is some middle ground. I'm fairly certain Ezra wouldn't step off the curb into the street. But I won't be letting go of his hand with my fierce grip anytime soon.

Weekly Post

2009-08-23T19:41:00.001-07:00

It must be my personal nostalgia of back to school combined with Ezra starting pre-school tomorrow (sigh) that leads me to the decision to make a Fall Years resolution: I will blog weekly! There it is, in print. According to that Harvard study that everyone likes to quote at motivational seminars and business meetings, if you put it in writing, you have a much higher chance of achieving your goals.

Yeah, but how does that apply to a blog, which is all in writing? I mean, every time I write here I'm putting it in writing.

Okay, I do get it. No need to clarify for me.

So here's the official post.

Today I talked to two strangers at the beach. The first was a woman with a cast on her arm in a tiny bikini, who conveyed by her movements that she was not the least bit shy about being in so little material in such a public place. I, on the other hand, had to make an effort not to think of my two piece on the same stretch of beach as the swank 15 year olds with tight and smooth lines I had mistakenly assumed would always be with me.

The fact that this was even a subtle undercurrent tugging at my thoughts annoyed me. Yet it was there. The woman with the cast on her arm, seemed to be about my age. I decided she was from a foreign country--Italy, perhaps, or someplace where people are simply comfortable with their bodies for what they are.

She waded into the ocean, her arm lifted above her head to keep the cast dry as I played with my friend Lyske and her three year old daughter Nina, who balanced on a little mermaid boogie board.

As I swam out of the water, I was standing next to the woman.
"I bet you want to go swimming. It must be hard to stay out of the water on such a beautiful day." She smiled, but clearly did not understand all of my words.
"Do you speak English?" I asked.
"A little bit." she said.
""Where are you from?"
"Spain."
Aha. I was right about the foreigner part. Turns out she is here on vacation for two weeks doing an English language course and broke her arm the first week. What a bummer of a vacation. She was from Madrid, a city I never made it to during my week in Spain five years ago. Her sense of calm made sense, and I wanted to pry the secret from this stranger, who's body reminded me of my own, except the cast.

And yet, the answers appeared of its own accord. Had I broken my arm in a foreign country, would I wade into the ocean in my bikini, my broken arm held gently above my arm, or would I stay in the cafes and walk gingerly around the museums? Or, stay in, reading books and feeling sorry for myself.

I'd like to think I would be in the ocean by myself. I'll try on that thought for today and see if it fits. And maybe next time I'm on the beach in my bikini, I'll forget to think about anything except the ocean, my son screeching in joy as the waves crash at his feet and the conversations at hand.

Ezra From the West Side

2009-08-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

Our friends Olin and Delice have taught their sons Remi and Lino to call our son "Ezra from the West Side." Well, here he is, in his EJ glasses, flipping some attitude in his poor yuppy-ghetto backyard. If you can calculate carbon cap and trade, then certainly, you can calculate ghetto offset. Does our organic garden and cloth diapers hanging on the line offset our dilapidated metal fence and the neighbor's moss covered trailer?

Talent as Derailment /Talent as Motivation

2009-08-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

When I read something so well crafted and unpredictable, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" for example, I find myself thinking I missed the literary boat a long time ago--like right after I finished my BA in English Literature and then moved to Idaho to be with a boy man.

Perhaps I missed the boat before then, when I was playing in three bands and exploring the many faces of Jaegermeister rather than the intricacies of Beowulf or Canterbury Tales, leaving my education to the illusionary genius of cramming and late night epiphanies.

Now, in the stillness of a Saturday afternoon, my son and husband at the zoo, the chocolate eaten, I come back here to my blog and ask why? What draws me here?

I've heard a handful of times that accomplished writers combine their talent with diligence. They create space in their lives to write--even when it turns out badly. Its the perserverance that pulls them through.

So, in honor of all those dollars mom and dad spent on my undergrad education, and in honor of the happiness that sometimes comes to me when I write, I will continue to spend time here and in other places where words align themselves--sometimes into meaningful verse.

Speaking of which, I am very impressed with Michelle Howard's recent column on the Huffington Post about the nature words we are losing in the junior dictionary.

Check it out here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michelle-howard/dictionary-removes-beaver_b_259331.html

I won't say I'll try to write more often, because that sounds like a trap!

The American Dream Then and Now

2009-07-08T16:18:00.001-07:00

"The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

The Epic of America, James Truslow Adams,1931

How does that dream hold up today? I like the idealism, I understand the mistrust. I have read countless stories of upward mobility and America's wayward friendliness to entrepreneurs compared to other countries. Yet, has our society cracked to a point that can not be healed? I suppose that is too broad of a question, because there are so many issues facing us. The highest incarceration rates and depression rates in the world, not to mention our nation's place in the domino effect of economic collapse worldwide.

Yet, our roads are still being repaired, the electricity is consistently on, water comes out when you turn the tap, and people still start businesses, buy homes and graduate from college, "regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.

To be continued . . .

A Miracle on Tuesday

2009-06-10T17:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday seemed like a normal enough day. I did the morning routine, came to work, read through my emails. But then the call came in on my cell phone. It was my niece, returning my call.
"I would like to go the party with you on Saturday," she said, and "yeah, Nathan {her boyfriend} will come too."

The Miracle? I, Noelle, made it on the agenda of my 17 year old niece on a SATURDAY. Okay, well, I'm not fully on the agenda. She qualified the call with "well, it is graduation weekend, so like, there may be other parties, but I'm pretty sure we can come."

Whenever I go to visit my family, she is a flitting butterfly, shining, mesmerizing, youthful, gone. And now that she has a boyfriend, those brief sitings of Ms. Niki are even less. So you see the miraculous quality of this Tuesday phone call.

Crossing my fingers!

Noelle

Are you 1 in 4?

2009-05-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

If asked what I would be if I could do the work God put me on this earth to do (I saw my atheist friends flinch at that three letter word!), I would unequivocally say "a famous novelist." I have a hunch that about 1 in 4 people in developed nations have the same ambition.

Could that be why blogging is such a big deal? With such an unexplored dream bracing at the tip of my tongue, each blog entry feels like an acknowledgment of the preferred life path. Even if I have an audience of five, as my friend Shelley put it, that's better than an audience of one.

I once read a story about journals. Many many people keep journals, but have shelves of only half finished journals. I definitely fit that mold. Its as if we need a new outer encasement to re-inspire the forward momentum. I'm no longer a yellow daisy journal sort of gal. I need one with a peace symbol on the cover. Okay, that wasn't much of a stretch and I've only made three entries. I must need that journal with the skull and roses on the front--I'll write about some of the bigger issues facing humanity in such a journal. But, I never really liked skulls--not out of a fear of death, but out of wtf would I want a skull displayed on my clothing, my body or my secret writings?

Luckily, writing is something I CAN DO while keeping the day job. And in this economy, no one has to even say "keep the day job" to keep me in check.

I want to congratulate all my blogging friends who keep it going on. I won't make myself any promises, but it sure feels good to write, and I enjoy feeling good. And to the novelist within, know that this entry is more than a nod to your existence. It is a call to action. I plan to let you out on the weekend for an hour, so be ready to be brilliant!

Blue Rodeo In the Pocket

2009-02-22T10:50:00.000-08:00

Below is what I wrote the day after Blue Rodeo Came to Town. Not sure WHY I didn't hit post! Here it is, in all its unfinished glory. Thanks for a great evening everyone!
*****

Yesterday, I spent the rare overcast and drizzly Santa Barbara day with kids--Ezra in the morning, refereeing Nephew Emmet and Ezra until early afternoon, playing games with Marissa and Ezra in the early evening, and by 7pm, I was beat. Yet, Queen Whackamole had offered us an evening out with a show at the Lobero, and childcare provided by one of Ezra's favorite play dates. So I chanted the mama mantra "fatigue be damned" as I changed into black evening wear, put on jewelry and slid into my high heeled boots.

We arrived at the Lobero at a quarter past eight, enough to enjoy the opening act and settle into the casual atmosphere of Sings Like Hell. When Blue Rodeo took the stage, the audience went wild. Within a few songs they had me tapping my toes. By the first quarter, I was breathing in their upbeat energy and by the time they left the stage, I was screaming and clapping wildly for an encore.

I keep saying I don't do country, but then along comes a band like Blue rodeo who schools me otherwise. Blue Rodeo is country, rock, ballad with some Beatle-esque overtones. A Hammond organ / piano player and pedal steel musician fill in all the white space, add layers of harmony and tasty solos, all backed by a solid rhythm section. There are two lead singers, which our group, during post show drinks determined to be opposites--one optimist and one pessimist with corresponding smiles, scowls and body language to support the dualism.

The optimist pulled me in, and the whole band was in the pocket--grooving and connecting with one another and with the audience. It was the type of energy that connects you with the universal life force, should you be willing to accept. Luckily, I was.

The Paradise Cafe was the backdrop for post show discussion, and Patrick, with his professorial gaze, was the one to point out the yin yang light and dark of the lead singer's energies. Although I had to agree with his observation, I realized that I had watched Blue Rodeo as a whole, and had not spent as much time concentrating on each individual.

Valentine's Day Two

2009-02-19T06:34:00.001-08:00

Allright. I've been thinking about Valentine's Day a little more. My first thoughts have been expressed in a previous post. However, from a marketing perspective, the holiday is marketing love. It may be crass, it may be about retail sales and quarterly objectives, but the side effect is that a lot of people think "I love this person and I want to express it in some way, what should I do?"

That's not such a bad "Call to Action." All those great expectations and great let downs are another side effect,but in a world with so much angst, aggression and callousness, I must recant my previous position and say I am in support of a holiday that promotes love and affection, and awareness of expectations we create of others.

Did you know that in India there are conservative groups that raid and trash shops that sell Valentine's day cards and act out in violence against those who express their love through affection or participating in this holiday?

I find myself very and unexpectedly patriotric and appreciative of my right to be romantic with my man, and if I felt like buying him chocolate, I can (and I did . . . )

Happy Valentines Day? Whatever.

2009-02-13T12:47:00.000-08:00

I'm in love, but I don't need a retail holiday to tell me so. I already know, and in honor of valentine's day, I will buy nothing and love my family and friends in ways that exclude pink and red. Well, maybe just some little red sprinkles on those heart shaped cookies I made with those heart shaped cutters and a dinner shaped like cupid's butt, but that's where I draw the line!

Check Yourself Out Baby!

2009-01-25T10:42:00.000-08:00

I swung by Ralph's to pick up a PBA free sippy cup after Ezra's disappeared on our last trip to Eilings Park. Sick and grouchy, I avoided the lines and went straight to the new "check yourself out" (ooh baby!) self scanning systems. I was out of there in less than a minute. Cool. Simple. No "have a nice day" schtick.

Later, I went to the library to pick up a book I had on hold, which was in a self retrieve hold section. I approached the friendly staff at the library counter to check out the book, but could not miss the large signs directing me to the new self check-out system. I'd already checked myself out once today, but twice? First times a charm, but checking my self out the second time around had lost its magic. It wasn't my butt, or a bad hair day. It was the lack of human interaction and what this automated approach bodes for the future of the supermarket employees and library staff. Were the friendly folks there to assist me should I have any trouble scanning my sippy cup or book, credit card or library card thinking the same thing?
Please. Ask me a question. SHOW THE SYSTEM that I'm still needed here!
I sometimes avoid conversations in line, based on my mood or the mood of the potential chat mate, but other times, I'm the one to start up a friendly exchange. And they have value. I'm not saying chatting with strangers in line is the bread and butter of community cohesiveness, but they are like a dash of salt to a tomato, or a dab of color that adds interest to a snowy landscape.

Am I sentimental and resisting the positive advances of technology, or is my simple desire for human interaction a quality that corporations simply undervalue?

Share your story of checking yourself out. (That butt is not so bad, is it?) How did it make you feel? How DOES automation bode for the future of our employment stats in a down economy?

Have a super great day!

Our New President Mr. Obama

2009-01-20T18:02:00.000-08:00

So many of us have prayed for this moment! Congratulations to all Americans and to the world with the start of the new presidency of Barack H. Obama!

Praise be!

A transcript of President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address

My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.

I thank President Bush for his service to our nation...

(APPLAUSE)

... as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath.

The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.

Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many, and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable, but no less profound, is a sapping of confidence across our land; a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met.

(APPLAUSE)

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

(APPLAUSE)

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less.

It has not been the path for the faint-hearted, for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame.

Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West, endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died in places Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed.

Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

(APPLAUSE)

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.

The state of our economy calls for action: bold and swift. And we will act not only to create new jobs but to lay a new foundation for growth.

We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.

We will restore science to its rightful place and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality...

(APPLAUSE)

... and lower its costs.

We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.

All this we can do. All this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions, who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short, for they have forgotten what this country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them, that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long, no longer apply.

MR. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works, whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.

Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end.

And those of us who manage the public's knowledge will be held to account, to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day, because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched.

But this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control. The nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.

The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

(APPLAUSE)

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.

Our founding fathers faced with perils that we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations.

Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake.

And so, to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more.

(APPLAUSE)

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with the sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.

They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use. Our security emanates from the justness of our cause; the force of our example; the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy, guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort, even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We'll begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people and forge a hard- earned peace in Afghanistan.

With old friends and former foes, we'll work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat and roll back the specter of a warming planet.

We will not apologize for our way of life nor will we waver in its defense.

And for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that, "Our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken. You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."

(APPLAUSE)

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.

We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth.

And because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.

To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict or blame their society's ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.

To those...

(APPLAUSE)
To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

(APPLAUSE)

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.

And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders, nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages.

We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service: a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.

And yet, at this moment, a moment that will define a generation, it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.

It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break; the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours.

It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new, the instruments with which we meet them may be new, but those values upon which our success depends, honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old.

These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.

What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence: the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed, why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall. And why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

(APPLAUSE)

So let us mark this day in remembrance of who we are and how far we have traveled.

In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by nine campfires on the shores of an icy river.

The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood.

At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it."

America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words; with hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come; let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Thank you. God bless you.

And God bless the United States of America.

End (with major applause)

When East Coasters Come to Visit

2009-01-15T00:59:00.000-08:00

If you're from California you're a Californian, but if you're living in Connecticut, are you a Connecticutian? or a Connecticonian? I know Google or Wiki could provide the answer instantly, but I like to live dangerously, and just let you consider the possibilities before you enter something in that search bar.

Our dear friends Lauren and Nico, who are the reason the man and I met in the first place, came to visit. They rolled in from Connecticut via a brief tour of Big Sur and transformed our tiny home into a hub of activity, constant conversation, celebrity worst dressed online viewing accompanied by cackling and the smell of coffee brewing on a regular basis.

They were reluctant to stay with us at first, seeing as we have a 2 year old now, but I have to say, it turned out to be a wonderful choice.

If you can get along with someone in your personal space first thing in the morning, it's well worth it to have friends stay with you rather than the hotel down the street. It created real time to hang out, and seeing the suitcases and extra sets of toothbrushes and wash cloths made me feel like this was a real visit, not the brushed up tidy visits of people meeting you for lunch or a walk before returning to their hotel.

One morning Lauren said--we all have the same sleepy, mellow morning energy. You can't replicate that with a mid morning meet up. Our late evening conversations (late for mamas and papas of youngens, anyway) brought another type of mellow happiness, although accompanied by more lively conversation and fits of laughter. (August, would you like a sound track?)

Even though it was sunny and in the low 70s here, the East Coasters had to check the East Coast weather every day. "Ice storm blowing in" and "it's below zero in Minnesota." It's as if they needed to confirm just how miserable it was at home to thoroughly enjoy the eternal sunshine of our unspotless home.

Thanks for coming friends! Who is next on the list?

2009: All about Change

2009-01-01T16:08:00.000-08:00

Every new year seems to be about change, but this new year is different.
How many times have we said that? But this time, we have the spirit of Obama, and the looming recession/depression to kick us all in the butt and get us thinking about what's really important.

Today I read about a site called change.org. It calls for all social activits, well, all citizens to take Obama's call to be a part of the change as a serious invitation. Those who knew about change.org before today, could have voted on the top 10 issues to share with Obama. Check it out if you have some time.

www.change.org

This year I want to:
Blog more
Write with a pen and paper (no mouse pens) at least once a month.
Visit at least ONE ecovillage
Bowl with friends
Make tortillas from scratch
Grow my garden
Grow my business
Step up my activism

I'll spare you the "exercise more, eat only healthy food, cut back on desserts and wine, etc".

Happy New Year!

Eco Gift Festival 2008

2008-12-14T22:50:00.000-08:00

In search of inspiration, we headed south to catch the last day of the 2008 Eco Gift Festival held at the Santa Monica convention center. I haven't been to a tradeshow style event in a very long time.

I approached the festival like one approaches the louvre--knowing it will be nearly impossible to take it all in--but willing to try. My endurance approach soon melted away, as I found myself testing natural lotions from Winona, Minnesota's J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary, talking to the dynamic co-owner of CHIVAS Goat Milk Skin Care http://www.chivasskincare.com/, and marveling over the beauty of her bars of soap made from goats milk that her own mother milks on their farm, and exploring the plethora of organic clothing for children.

I had a lot of favorite kid's booths. The first that struck my fancy was Bamboo Hugs. http://www.bamboohugs.com/
They offer organic bamboo towels that double as blankets for wrapping up a post-bath baby or toddler. The bamboo is ultra soft and thick, and the Panda bear hoody on this towel is totally adorable. The co-owner, a former sound engineer if my memory serves me right, is a hip woman who's genuine excitement about her product makes you think of who on your list or in your family might need to go bamboo.

If you are still of the mind set that organic clothes for kids are all about muted colors and funky hemlines, think again. Green Edge Kids http://www.greenedgekids.com/ offered a broad array of high fashion and practical clothing for kids ages 2 to 12 in a pleasant range of colors in every type of organic fabric you could imagine, save sustainable silk, and Happy Green Bee http://happygreenbee.com/ took color to a new level with a whole line of brightly striped clothing in organic cotton. It was a happy booth.

I've had a hard time finding pjs for my soon-to-be-2 year-old (!) boy, and today I found my new source! Garden Kids. www.gardenkids.com. Simple, high quality cotton in solid combos.

Ezra came with us and did extraordinarily well due to two factors; His awesome papa, who kept him company while I explored, and a children's section in the festival where solar girl sang songs and an ugg-clad, felt-hat-topped storyteller kept him entertained. Strategically located in that corner (this vendor must have had some pull with the coordinator) was Eco-Kids, www.ecokidsusa.com. They had two crafts tables set up in front of their booth with gluten-free eco dough at one table and eco-fingerpaint at the other. Ezra was in heaven. Guess who's getting some eco-fingerpaint for Christmas?

After shopping and observing and learning, we ate a vegan chinese lunch (didn't catch the name of the restaurant) in the all vegetarian food court and then headed to the beach walk.

This was the most relaxing commerce experience I've had in years, surrounded by healthy people choosing to live sustainably. No stampedes over a poor Walmart employee, no altercations in the parking lot. Love, joy and save the planet.

Peace out!

Noelle

Barack Obama Our NEW President!

2008-11-04T21:44:00.001-08:00

I have a terrible cold and I was already losing my voice, but now, now I am shouting inside. I am so incredibly happy! Barack. You embody so much hope for so many people. I saw the worry on your smooth face during your acceptance speech which said, I am so happy to have the opportunity to clean up this major mess and re-instill confidence within our nation and within the world, but WOW what an uphill struggle! Or maybe that was just my take.

I'm so excited. Thank you thank you all you Americans who voted for Barack!

My American Prayer

2008-11-04T16:42:00.000-08:00

Today, a woman I met once at a business seminar forwarded me a prayer begging God, in all his power to make John McCain President, so that "gay marriage" could never happen. Not only did I find her plea appalling, but downright inappropriate to send to your extended list of professionals.

On that note, My Prayer goes something like this: May we remember the positive role models, Jesus, Buddha, Gandi, Martin Luther King Junior, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela and all the others who have preached tolerance of differences. May Barack Obama be a figure who's accomplishments as President of the United States (I'm Praying!) make him fine company to the names listed here. And may California' Prop 8 fail!

Now, for an uplifting American Prayer put on by the entertainment industry members in support of Obama and forwarded to me on this election day by Delilah:

Hope that embedding worked . . . .

Multiple blogs?

2008-09-11T23:07:00.000-07:00

So, if I wanted to have two identities in the blogosphere, and use my same email and blogspot account, how do I keep them separate? It seems if I update about me in one, it adds it to the other. So does this mean the anonymity of one blog is obliterated if you'd like to have one full access blog?

Would love yer feedback, fellow bloggers!

Noelle Aguayo (perhaps!)

Villa LeDuk and Kaliandra

2008-09-06T22:08:00.000-07:00

We spent our first week in Indonesia as the guests of Sietse and Li Tho (brother and now sister-n-law) at Li Tho's uncle's estate. Unlike all of the other estates I've frequented (ahem), Villa Leduk and the surrounding bungalows and lodges that comprise Kaliandra, deliver finery and culture Indonesian style.

At the main villa, this translates to two hosts who are highly accomplished and successful in business, culture and etiquette, yet who treat you with kindness and listen attentively to your conversations without outward scrutiny, a highly trained chef who prepares fresh, local and mainly organic meals and snacks approximately five times a day, and a dozen house servants dressed in white button down tops and colorful pants who walk barefoot across the marble floors to deliver your beverages or serve you multiple courses in one of the many dining areas or grand outdoor terraces. This is coupled with a sense of relaxation derived from the temperate climate, the casual elegance of the owners, and the genuine friendliness and openness of the Indonesian people, who, most importantly for us, absolutely love children. We stayed in the forest bungalows, or the Hastinapura complex, a 10 minutes walk uphill and into the forest.

As you climb lava stone steps and cross hand woven foot bridges surrounded by lush vegetation, you hear birds and other forest creatures. Ezra's 19 month old status, enabled us to have a bungalow to ourselves!

Afternoon tea with sweet rice or banana desserts on banana leaves were brought to us every afternoon in our bungalow, and a young man would come to our bungalow every morning to inform us breakfast was ready on the upper pavilion restaurant. I haven't even begun to explain the decadence.

The life of luxury we maintained for a week as guests of Sietse and Li Tho at Villa Leduk (see 8/23/08 post for more photos) might have led us to feel inconsiderate and self serving in light of the extreme poverty just an hour's drive from this isolated paradise. But, we were able to avoid most of these feelings due to two things: The philanthropic endeavors of our hosts, Atmadja and Bagoes, and their prized non-profit, Kaliandra.

Kaliandra deserves an entry all its own, so I will just say that it marries two ideas that should co-exist in every society--environmental education and stewardship paired with cultural education and preservation. In other words, At and Bagoes ROCK! They give back to the community through this non-profit, provide many learning opportunities to local villagers, and a whole lot more. To learn about Kaliandra, visit the following link.

http://kaliandrasejati.org/index.htm

good night!

A shot of construction in Hong Kong

2008-09-06T21:46:00.000-07:00

Although Hong Kong only represented a few days of our trip, I have to share this one picture. I'll have to check my memory against that of Arie Jan's, but I believe I took this from a foot bridge, rather than from the window of the high speed tram. This picture of major construction in the midst of high rises somehow encapsulates a part of my expectations of Hong Kong as a rapidly expanding economy. We were afloat in people, yet it was not as crowded as I had imagined.

More on Indonesia to follow

Forgoing the Wheat, Dairy and Sugar

2008-09-02T16:50:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I went to Soho to see a local act, and while listening to Mike Dawson, the warm up act sing about an x-girlfriend who was a Milpas Street hooker, I chatted with my friend and local rocker Antara. A friend of Antara's came to the table who looked vaguely familiar. She was slight, fit, with a fabulous hair cut and well dressed. Well, ends up I DID know her--she had just changed everything about her outer look, which translated into a more confident, striking woman.

The last time I saw her, she was a pudgy, round cheeked chef, with pale skin and a air of weariness about her. Now she was thin, energetic even. Without wanting to sound inconsiderate, I tried to find out what had happened. She went on a diet. A diet, I asked? Which one?

After being diagnosed with candida (I believe), she read up on it, and found a book called "The Yeast Syndrome." The book explains how yeast can wreak absolute havoc on our bodies--on both men and women, and can be associated with skin problems, weight problems, low energy levels, etc. She put herself on the diet and several months later emerged as a leaner, and subsequently happier version of herself. My big question though, is, can you trust a thin chef? Yes!

Thank you oh chef for sharing your story with me! You look fabulous.

For the last two weeks, I've been trying the no wheat, no dairy and no sugar diet, and it is very very challenging. You can't eat fruit! And sugar is in everything it seems. Bread is a staple in so many meals, and dairy is the other half. So what do I eat?

Lots of vegetables, soy products, tempeh, rice, polenta, corn, beans and lots of veggie juice and water. Meat is fine in the diet, as is plain yogurt. But I'm not much of a meat eater. Besides an occasional slip of my spoon into Ezra's applesauce, so far so good!

Results? Almost down to my high school weight (a good thing) and more energetic and focused.

Two Diseases I wouldn't mind eliminating

2008-08-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

Okay. I'm sure you're saying--wouldn't you want to eliminate ALL diseases? And I'd have to just sit and think about the current world population and what it would be like without any disease--if we could all live our lives as long as humanly possible, save natural disaster, accident or death by the hands of a human. So, I just think about that and I'm glad I'm not God or the universe or your omnipotent force of choice to make such decisions.

But, back to the two diseases I'd love to see eliminated as of this moment--Diabetes and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. According to an artiles by Karen Kaplan in today's edition of the LA times, researches have genetically transformed cells, that previously functioned to create gut enzymes to digest food, to create insulin. Awesome! This was of course an exepriment with rodents, but I love our intelligence (I think it's intelligence) to figure out the inner workings of a cell and solve problems. The same technique could be used to generate motor neurons for ALS patients, and healthy cardiac muscle cells for heart disease, etc. Pretty cool. Let's see where it goes!

Okay, off to the grind.

Noelle Aguayo

Villas, Shanty Towns and Rice Fields

2008-08-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

Ezra, at 19 months, has seen more of the world than I had at 18 years. He has been to Holland, China and the islands of Java and Bali in Indonesia, as well as Santa Barbara, Solvang and Lompoc, California. What a traveler!

The three of us left for Indonesia on August 23rd in the wee hours of the morning. A 14 hour flight brought us to Hong Kong, where we endured a nine hour layover by taking the high-speed rail from the airport to Hong Kong island. We walked through a maze of second story sky bridges around the island, visited Hong Kong park, and found an excellent restaurant off the touristy Times Square on our own. Another 4 and a half hour flight brought us to Surabaya, Java in the evening where we met up with Sietse, Arie Jan's brother and his fiance Li Tho--their wedding being the impetus for our journey to a third world country.

As I type 3rd world country, I have to say the wedding held on a private estate reflected nothing of the poverty and chaos we witnessed in other areas. The wedding was held at a beautiful and exotic Italian Villa called Villa Leduk in Java--a mountainous rural area a few hours from the bustle of Surabaya.

For once I can write palatial and truly know the meaning of the word. Villa Leduk is modeled after Palladio's villas in Vicenzia (sp?) Italy. It has three wings. The main entry leads to a central hall with a large chandelier suspended in its dome. This entry corridor acts as an axis for the main wing, with a grand parlor to the left (as you face the home) with two grand pianos, a fireplace and three clusters of sitting areas in which to gather for tea, listen to performances, etc. Tapestries and artwork, some original and some replicas, spanning many centuries surround you.It is regal in every sense, and yet the gracious hosts and owners, Atmadja Tjip To Biantoro and Bagoes, exude casual elegance, that enables you to relax and sink into the beautiful chairs and couches with acceptance.

The right wing is an elegant dining room which can easily seat 80. Here is a picture of just the main wing from the back of the villa gardens.

Ezra is awake. To be continued . . .

Barack Obama Speaks my Language

2008-08-23T07:40:00.000-07:00

I'm up early and the toddler and man are still asleep so I walked down the driveway, retrieved the LA times (what's left of it with all the layoffs!) and read that Barack selected Joe Biden as his running mate. I didn't do a "yippee" or a "darn" as I don't know enough about the man, but I was excited to read it first.

When I say "read it first", you are probably feeling sorry for me, as the whole world probably knows by now. What I mean is that no one else TOLD me. I know this is old news to most, but I am in this sphere where we don't have TV, I don't check my emails at work (I did sign up to be the "first to know" on Barack's mailing list), and I only go online to read the news when I get home--and last night we had double social events, which means I went straight to bed when we finally arrived home.So this morning, I was the one who "discovered" the news. But then the news started spinning.

As I concluded the front page article, I flipped to page A14, where a parallel article on Obama entitled "Political stagecraft is a high-wire act" spinned in a different direction: speculation and criticism of Obama's whole approach as "theatrical" and risky. The reporter criticized Obama's approach of keeping his 2nd a mystery. I personally loved it.

Obama's campaign strategy takes ordinary, predictable political events that are traditionally dreary, business as usual steps in a campaign and transforms them, infuses them with excitement and peaks the interest of the public. Okay, that may be theatrical, but I've got to say, it works! Obama is speaking my language when he pulls me in, tactics or not! Why the hell should it all be mundane? We're sick of that! If anything, he is staying true to his promise of "change" on every level, including how he strategizes in his campaign.

I think Obama is pulling upon his years as a law professor, where he actively engaged his students so their minds were receptive and open. I never took a class from him, but if he was a talented professor, then he must have engaged his students to teach a topic as old as our country--constitutional law. In his book "The Audacity of Hope" he does speak about making the class relevant and stimulating. Thank GOD he's using these tactics in his campaign.

WE ALL KNOW Obama is campaigning for president. We ALL KNOW that means strategizing to engage people, get their attention, get them involved. If he is a master of media attention grabbing, then that's a GOOD sign, as long as it's being used in a way that is good for the country--and so far, he is a stunning success.

Roots Organic Farm

2008-08-15T15:14:00.000-07:00

We're back from Indonesia and I must say it was a life changing trip. Since I only have a moment, I will save the Indonesian tales and pictures for another blog session. For now, I wanted to post a link to the latest article written by Kristin Anderson.

http://www.independent.com/news/2008/jul/17/introducing-los-olivos-roots-organic-farm/

I love organic farming and I am so thankful to live in an area where year round produce is a reality!

If you haven't stopped by Roots Organic Farm at the Santa Barbara Farmer's markets--or any of the other 5 markets in Santa Barbara County, you won't be disappointed to give it a try. The carrots are our favorites.

The New Kindergarten for Society?

2008-07-07T21:25:00.000-07:00

"Everything I need to know I got for free on the internet."

Gap Fire and the 4th of July

2008-07-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

For the past two years, our country's birthday has coincided with fire. This year's fire is making its way toward communities where friends live. Several friends within our sphere of community have already been evacuated and so far, everyone we know is okay. So far.

The sky is brown and orange. Beautiful. Ominous. I won't say apocolyptic, because that's just silly. Watching the sky turn brown and orange from smoke is like being out on a boat in an ocean; it puts things into perspective. We are small compared to teh 30-60 foot flames shooting up in the air. One site I read a bit ago reported the flames to be 100-200 feet.

We go along every day in our humdrum routines. We stress about the boss, or the co-worker who annoys us but we must tolerate them to keep up appearances. We talk about trifling matters. Some seem like the essence of life. Yet a fire, a storm, a sudden encounter with nature shifts your perspective in a way that says "You have been sleeping! You are now awake. Really awake!"

I often talk about the idea of being happy when the pest otherwise known as the human race is finally wiped out. Yet, when anything real happens within close proximity, such professions disappear.

I hope that my entry tonight will be just a little commentary about a fire that seemed big and went away. May the Gap Fire go away soon!

What Makes You Happy?

2008-05-22T22:56:00.000-07:00

My book club decided upon Deep Economy by Bill McKibben for our June 2008 meeting. It's my first McKibben book and, 45 pages in, I'm on fire. Intelligently written without too much doomsday (yet), with a hint of hope unfolding in the form of solutions to the problem. Although the book is only 232 pages long, I can't read more than a few pages without wanting to form a set of cards of wise sayings to share with everyone I know. Not everyone I know reads this blog, but for those of you that do, here are some choice words that make you think (hopefully out of context they still wield power and contemplation of the basic question "is more better?"

"You can't get richer, at least for long, by impoverishing the world around you." This thought is inspired by economist Eban Goodstein's Economics and the Environment, where he says "Ecological economists argue that natural and created capital are fundamentally complements" that is, that you actually need to think about the planet."p.29 Deep Economy

This quote resonates so clearly in my mind, like the perfect pitch I always desired. The rate of consumption, the insane drive for more more more that inundates us day in and day out does more harm than good. You may argue that all that consumption creates jobs and keeps the economy going, and just plain makes people happy. But at what cost, and at what illusive definition of happiness?

Aha! Onto another inspiring quote from McKibben. In a passage where he discusses people's reported measures of happiness in relationship to increased wealth, he says the following: All that material progress--and all the billions of barrels of oil and millions of acres of trees that it took to create it--seems not to have moved the satisfaction meter an inch. (p.35 Deep Economy). He goes on to say that "In 1946, the United States was the happiest country among four advanced economies; thirty years later, it was eighth among eleven advanced countries; a decade after tht it ranked tenth among twenty-three nations, many of them from the third world. (Stats garnered from "Happiness" by Layard).

Okay, its too late in the evening for me. Barry, if you are reading this, know that I plan to follow the instructions in your email about your video short (very cool!) as soon as I get another block of time!

Good night, but Good luck is over rated. How about belief in happiness as something that can't be bought, but that resides in time with friends, family, meditation, contemplation, viewing of art and Happy Hour with friends? Okay, so maybe a $3.50 pint accompanying a group of friends and good conversation is a small price to pay for a lot of real happiness :)

Noelle Aguayo

How Many Places Do you Live?

2008-05-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

I rarely visit FaceBook, because I just don't get the appeal. I have my GMAIL, and email my friends occasionally, but better yet, I like to see them in person. FaceBook is an effective connection tool for friends in far flung places, and it really does give you a sense of the networking capabilities of meeting friends of friends--but really, where are people getting all of this time? Last time I checked, there were still only 24 hours in a day, and sleep is still essential, as is the work day, and then for those of us with family, there's family time, then hobbies, reading, friend time, etc, etc. So HOW do you all keep up?

I suppose I also have this bloggy presence, and my work email--so I live in four places online. No Avatars yet. Does anyone I know have an avatar? Come on! I want to know if you do!

That's my mid day rant!

Noelle

2008-05-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

I've been memed and all the bloggers I know have already been tagged!

Here are the rules:
A) The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
B) Each player answers the questions about himself or herself.
C) At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1) Ten years ago I was...

Hanging out on the banks of the Metolius, watching someone I didn't like much fly fishing.

2) Five things on today's to-do list:

Read "Good Night Gorilla" again.
Buy a t-shirt in Santa Barbara that was made in Honduras to send to our sponsor child in Guatemala for his 6th birthday.
Cook dinner
Respond to my emails
Research Java

3) Things I'd do if I were a billionaire:

Save a small portion of the world (or large if a billion goes that far)
Design and build an ecovillage
Cook dinner at leisure
Enjoy oodles of time with Ezra & Arie Jan
Write a novel or five

4) Three bad habits:

Whining (and not in the good way, like George does).
Checking my email at work
Leaving the peanut butter jar on the counter in the morning (but I'm getting better)

5) Five places I've lived:

Solvang
Hilo, Hawaii
Waltham, Mass.
Amsterdam
Bend, Oregon

6) Six jobs I've had in my life:

Newspaper reporter, Farm stand girl, Marketing Director, International Travel Assistant, Mom

And now to choose five people: Who's left?

Ezra takes a Pilgrimage to his birthplace

2008-04-28T22:16:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, baby E's 'oh its no big deal' runny nose and cough got worse, and after a few sleepless nights and calls to the doctor, we got him in for an office visit Friday morning. He was diagnosed with an 'asthma-like' condition, and an ear infection and prescribed a host of medications. After carefully following treatments that day and evening, we had a particularly rough night with a crying, stuffy baby. In the morning, we landed in the emergency room after his respiratory rate reached 58 breaths per minute.

Four hours and multiple treatments later, Ezra was admitted to Cottage Hospital, the place of his birth. Cottage is just as I remember--incredibly friendly, thorough and competent staff and undergoing construction. I'm sure Ezra will make other pilgrimages in his lifetime, and I certainly hope they are more enjoyable than this one. Although the pediatric nurses and doctor's were great, that doesn't mean much to a 15 1/2 month old who is being poked and prodded for his own well being. Ezra was a total trooper and spent most of his two and a half days in the hospital on my lap--which of course I absolutely loved and was glad I could be there with him day and night--I really can't imagine a child his age undergoing this experience without mom or dad by his side. Dad spent hours with Ezra as well, giving me a chance to go home and sleep for a few hours (as that doesn't happen much at the hospital), and giving Ezra extra security that we were both there for him.

So after its all said and done, Ezra has been labeled with a Reactive Airway Disorder, which is like asthma, but not. According to Dr. Brown (not of the Morter Health System, but of Cottage Hospital Pediatrics), Asthma is hard to diagnose in infants and is more commonly diagnosed between 3 and 7 years of age. As I understand it, Reactive Airway Disorder is a technical condition that explains how some unknown factor (irritation, sensitivity, allergin, or stress) triggers the chest muscles to constrict, making it hard to breathe. The irritation causes inflammation, which leads to coughing and mucus production, which further exacerbates the difficulty in breathing. The difference between Asthma and Reactive Airway Disorder is that Asthma is a recurring condition and RAD could be a one time condition. Only time will tell what Ezra truly has.

Other theories are that he had a virus, and it went untreated and this led to the asthmatic conditions. All possible. In addition, Ezra has a mild case of Pneumonia in his right lung.

I suppose this blog is now my medical journal of sorts. I pray this will not be a recurring theme as our baby boy is usually a healthy active thing!

And now a few cheers to the Cottage Hospital Pediatric staff; nurse Gail was our favorite. She was genuinely warm, caring and thorough as a nurse. It is obvious that she loves people and is there to assist others in the healing process, both as a nurse and as a presence of joyfulness in the face of overwhelming conditions--and any parent who's child is in the hospital has long passed the whelmed stage and is ready for a balance to their overwhelmed state; Gail makes that at least within the realm of possibilities. Our day nurse on the day of discharge was named Michelle--we only had her for a few hours, but she was great with Ezra, and was open and friendly. The night nurse Carla had a perfect balance of helpful, knowledgable and non invasive. Ezra let her hold him more than the others, so she got major points for straight up baby connection. Deedi, our first nurse on Saturday was a traveling nurse and she had a professionalism about her that was just the energy we needed on our first night. She monitored Ezra carefully, made thorough assessments, and helped ease our minds that Ezra was under very good care. She lacked the degree of warmth exuded by some of the other nurses, but we didn't mind in the face of her thoroughness. I didn't even mention the respiratory specialists who came every four hours--they were all great, both in the ER and on the pediatric ward. I believe Amanda, and the male respiratory care giver from Bakersfield, who's name was something like Alexis, were the most informative.

If you've read this far, you're a glutton of some sort! Goodnight!

Recycled US Tires

2008-04-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

Design Within Reach, with all of its nifty designs, just sent out an email with hand crafted rubber baskets, a set of three a mere $350. The write up starts in about the 300 million tires Americans throw in the landfill each year, and designers are coming up with a small solution to the big problem--creating household wares. I thought, hey, these are pretty snazzy. Then, I read that they are made in EGYPT! So, these used American tires are shipped to Egypt, go through a manufacturing process, and then are shipped back to the US. Does this seem slightly sick and wrong?

Happy Friday!

Easter Sunday & Godlessness or not?

2008-03-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

Easter then; getting dressed up, panic, late for churh as always and knowing we'll probably get a seat in the balcony of the mission, crowding into the pews, annoying those who arrived early, though they grace you with a Catholic smile of forgiveness, because we all have original sin in common. After a long service, going home andexcitedly scowering the garden for chocolates and plastic eggs filled with delicacies in the traditional easter egg hunt, followed by setting the table with china, silver, cloth napkins for brunch out on the patio in the dappled sunlight beneath the large oak tree. We don't talk about God or the sermon, but the presence and idea of a miracle is all around us, combined with the buzz of too many chocolate easter eggs, ane the sense that the afternoon will linger for an eternity.

Easter now: A call from my husband's religious family in the Netherlands on Saturday afternoon after they have attended an Easter wake that ended at midnight. Answering the question of our plans for easter as, "well, uh, a brunch with my family, perhaps a morning church service" editing out the easter egg hunt and the general hedenism of the days plans. Perhaps a pre-brunch with our friends to share mimosas and talk politics or the upcoming 5k run and our training. In a nutshell: Easter eggs. Mimosas, cute clothing, sunshine. Gardening, friends and family.

So, is my current version a Godless experience? Did that sense of miraculousness I grew up with really have to do with a connection to the spiritual, or was it the whole production, the polished silver, the fine clothes, the idea that we had to behave and act civilly, and think of Christ rising from the dead?

Having God in your life, when most of your friends have no interest, or even FEAR of religion, is a much more evasive topic. There is definitely a spiritual presence in our lives, but we don't define it as such, at least not out loud, and not as conversation at a gathering. Yet, it is so important. My friends, though not outwardly religious, have several traits in common--strong ethics and good samaritanism, which translates into belief in doing good for others, a sense of accountability, a desire for regime change, friends who are there when you need them and varying degrees of compassion for the less fortunate. These traits are all about God as I know it. So, is that glamorous grace of childhood any more powerful than a web of community who believes in kindness to others and acts upon it?

My man just put on " St. John's Passion." I suppose our childhood is shining through.

Happy Easter everyone!

Citizen McCaw Documentary

2008-03-07T23:02:00.000-08:00

Tonight I had the good fortune of securing a seat in the balcony of the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara to see the sold out World Premiere of Citizen McCaw--a well thought out, excellently executed documentary on the downfall of the Santa Barbara News-Press since Wendy McCaw took ownership.

The documentary at first established the pre-McCaw credibility of the News-Press and even went on to show how in the first few years of her ownership, she did a service to the paper by appointing Cole and Roberts to the editorial staff. But, when her lack of understanding about the journalistic wall of integrity between editorial/opinion and news was severely exposed, and she consistently reinforced her desire to shape news content, the demise of the paper began, resulting in the mass resignation of top editors, followed by firing, or resignation of many more, with a total of 80 staff leaving as of January 2008 (I believe that was the number).

The documentary uses interviews with past employees and their personal accounts of events that took place, involving McCaw, Travis Amstrong and 'Nipper' , juxtaposed to voices from the community, other papers such as the Independent, the emergence of blogs covering the story, and how much these reporters sacrificed in the line of integrity.

I recommend this documentary to everyone in our community and nation, and the world at large. It should be shown in every journalism course at the high school and college level, and should be required viewing for all Americans to understand their freedom of speech, and to see it being violated by a woman who uses wealth and lawyers to buy her way out of truthful interaction with others.

I am sure there is a good side to Ms. McCaw and I believe everyone is capable of change. I hope she will read an Ekhart Tolle book and have an epiphany that will awaken her heart, so she can treat other humans with all of the impassioned respect with which she treats animals.

Additional screenings of citizen McCaw are scheduled as follows:
Marjorie Luke Theatre located at 721 E. Cota Street in Santa Barbara: Saturday, April 5th at 8PM and Sunday, April 6th at 3PM.

For more information, go to http://www.citizenmccaw.com/

Curitiba, Brazil

2008-02-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

On Thursday evening, Antara and I headed down to the Santa Barbara Public Library to see a film on Eco Cities. Although the introduction to the evening was about an architect, Mr. Register, who has been working on Eco Cities for years, the main video feature was about Curitiba, Brazil. After seeing this documentary about how a handful of innovative city employees changed their city for the better in dramatic ways with little to no money, I felt a strong sense of hope that people CAN change. All it takes is motivated, courageous leaders who are willing to think about the good of all, versus the plaints of the overpriviliged who are used to bullying their way into every decision making process through intimidation via lawsuits.

I tried to embed a TED.com video on former Mayor of Curitiba Jaime Lerner. This city, this man, and the progress they have made is world changing. Check it out!

Superbowl 10-10-10

2008-02-03T20:56:00.000-08:00

I attended one event of the 2008 International Film Festival called 10-10-10; 10 screen writers (5 high school and 5 college) teamed with 10 film makers (ditto parens) resulting in 10 short films in 10 days. Although I'd like to think of myself as hip and community oriented enough to attend such an event on a whim, I actually attended for one very important reason: playwright Cattie Yost.

Ms. Yost is an excellent playwright, and I was very excited to see her first (I believe) screenplay produced by a high school film maker. At the beginning of the event, Roger Duhrling (sp?), the director of the SBIFF gave introductions, as well as informing us the event was actually 9-10-10, as one film maker had not completed his project due to a family emergency. I thought, oh, that's a bummer, but the thought did not stay with me, as I was simply awaiting Cattie Yost's production.

With the conclusion of each 10 minute short, I hoped the next would be Cattie's. Nope, not yet, I had to be more patient! But, when the lights came up and Cattie's screenplay had not aired, i was shocked--as were the 30 or so attendees, some driving from as far away as San Diego, who came expressly to see her film. I must say, that's a royal screw up on the part of the organizers, to not inform the playwright that her work would not be produced. The screen writer was distant to Cattie, and uncommunicative from the start, suggesting he did not want any input. So, the fact that she had not heard from him at all during the process did not seem inconsistent.

I demand justice! I believe Cattie deserves to have her screen play produced! Who out there wants to make it happen?

And I couldn't give a damn about the superbowl.

Spider in the bathroom

2008-01-23T14:54:00.001-08:00

This morning, he asked me if he had permission to kill a spider in the bathroom. I was in the other room, so I needed more information.
"Is it big and fast, or is it of a size that you could catch with a lid and glass?" I asked.
"Big and fast."
"Permission granted." pause, re-think. "I mean, could you try to catch it first and if that doesn't work, just stomp on it?"
"Okay." A few minutes go by. He enters the bedroom where baby and I are biding our time to show a creepy spider doing 360s inside a capped glass baby food jar.
"Okay. Great. Don't get any closer."
He smiles.
"Okay, go ahead and take him outside!" I say, calmly.
"So he can drown in this downpour?"
"Yes, a slow, painful death to the spider." The words slipped out before I had much time to think about them. I'm certainly not up for a pet in a baby jar.
"Out he goes."
Good thing its still raining.

Ezra's first Short Film Debut

2008-01-22T12:53:00.000-08:00

I have the coolest friends. If you have nine minutes, check out this movie on You Tube that Antara and Roy put together about Ezra's first year of life!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1884523862522821549&pr=goog-sl

(You'll have to copy this into your address bar, as I haven't figured out how to do links!)

The Earth Charter

2008-01-19T21:17:00.000-08:00

Has anyone followed this organization?
http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/

I have posted the Earth Charter here in hope that I will read it all the way through!

The Earth Charter

PREAMBLE
We stand at a critical moment in Earth's history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations.

Earth, Our Home
Humanity is part of a vast evolving universe. Earth, our home, is alive with a unique community of life. The forces of nature make existence a demanding and uncertain adventure, but Earth has provided the conditions essential to life's evolution. The resilience of the community of life and the well-being of humanity depend upon preserving a healthy biosphere with all its ecological systems, a rich variety of plants and animals, fertile soils, pure waters, and clean air. The global environment with its finite resources is a common concern of all peoples. The protection of Earth's vitality, diversity, and beauty is a sacred trust.

The Global Situation
The dominant patterns of production and consumption are causing environmental devastation, the depletion of resources, and a massive extinction of species. Communities are being undermined. The benefits of development are not shared equitably and the gap between rich and poor is widening. Injustice, poverty, ignorance, and violent conflict are widespread and the cause of great suffering. An unprecedented rise in human population has overburdened ecological and social systems. The foundations of global security are threatened. These trends are perilous—but not inevitable.

The Challenges Ahead
The choice is ours: form a global partnership to care for Earth and one another or risk the destruction of ourselves and the diversity of life. Fundamental changes are needed in our values, institutions, and ways of living. We must realize that when basic needs have been met, human development is primarily about being more, not having more. We have the knowledge and technology to provide for all and to reduce our impacts on the environment. The emergence of a global civil society is creating new opportunities to build a democratic and humane world. Our environmental, economic, political, social, and spiritual challenges are interconnected, and together we can forge inclusive solutions.

Universal Responsibility
To realize these aspirations, we must decide to live with a sense of universal responsibility, identifying ourselves with the whole Earth community as well as our local communities. We are at once citizens of different nations and of one world in which the local and global are linked. Everyone shares responsibility for the present and future well-being of the human family and the larger living world. The spirit of human solidarity and kinship with all life is strengthened when we live with reverence for the mystery of being, gratitude for the gift of life, and humility regarding the human place in nature.

We urgently need a shared vision of basic values to provide an ethical foundation for the emerging world community. Therefore, together in hope we affirm the following interdependent principles for a sustainable way of life as a common standard by which the conduct of all individuals, organizations, businesses, governments, and transnational institutions is to be guided and assessed.

PRINCIPLES

I. RESPECT AND CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY OF LIFE

1. Respect Earth and life in all its diversity.
a. Recognize that all beings are interdependent and every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings.
b. Affirm faith in the inherent dignity of all human beings and in the intellectual, artistic, ethical, and spiritual potential of humanity.

2. Care for the community of life with understanding, compassion, and love.
a. Accept that with the right to own, manage, and use natural resources comes the duty to prevent environmental harm and to protect the rights of people.
b. Affirm that with increased freedom, knowledge, and power comes increased responsibility to promote the common good.

3. Build democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable, and peaceful.
a. Ensure that communities at all levels guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms and provide everyone an opportunity to realize his or her full potential.
b. Promote social and economic justice, enabling all to achieve a secure and meaningful livelihood that is ecologically responsible.

4. Secure Earth's bounty and beauty for present and future generations.
a. Recognize that the freedom of action of each generation is qualified by the needs of future generations.
b. Transmit to future generations values, traditions, and institutions that support the long-term flourishing of Earth's human and ecological communities.

In order to fulfill these four broad commitments, it is necessary to:

II. ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY

5. Protect and restore the integrity of Earth's ecological systems, with special concern for biological diversity and the natural processes that sustain life.
a. Adopt at all levels sustainable development plans and regulations that make environmental conservation and rehabilitation integral to all development initiatives.
b. Establish and safeguard viable nature and biosphere reserves, including wild lands and marine areas, to protect Earth's life support systems, maintain biodiversity, and preserve our natural heritage.
c. Promote the recovery of endangered species and ecosystems.
d. Control and eradicate non-native or genetically modified organisms harmful to native species and the environment, and prevent introduction of such harmful organisms.
e. Manage the use of renewable resources such as water, soil, forest products, and marine life in ways that do not exceed rates of regeneration and that protect the health of ecosystems.
f. Manage the extraction and use of non-renewable resources such as minerals and fossil fuels in ways that minimize depletion and cause no serious environmental damage.

6. Prevent harm as the best method of environmental protection and, when knowledge is limited, apply a precautionary approach.
a. Take action to avoid the possibility of serious or irreversible environmental harm even when scientific knowledge is incomplete or inconclusive.
b. Place the burden of proof on those who argue that a proposed activity will not cause significant harm, and make the responsible parties liable for environmental harm.
c. Ensure that decision making addresses the cumulative, long-term, indirect, long distance, and global consequences of human activities.
d. Prevent pollution of any part of the environment and allow no build-up of radioactive, toxic, or other hazardous substances.
e. Avoid military activities damaging to the environment.

7. Adopt patterns of production, consumption, and reproduction that safeguard Earth's regenerative capacities, human rights, and community well-being.
a. Reduce, reuse, and recycle the materials used in production and consumption systems, and ensure that residual waste can be assimilated by ecological systems.
b. Act with restraint and efficiency when using energy, and rely increasingly on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
c. Promote the development, adoption, and equitable transfer of environmentally sound technologies.
d. Internalize the full environmental and social costs of goods and services in the selling price, and enable consumers to identify products that meet the highest social and environmental standards.
e. Ensure universal access to health care that fosters reproductive health and responsible reproduction.
f. Adopt lifestyles that emphasize the quality of life and material sufficiency in a finite world.

8. Advance the study of ecological sustainability and promote the open exchange and wide application of the knowledge acquired.
a. Support international scientific and technical cooperation on sustainability, with special attention to the needs of developing nations.
b. Recognize and preserve the traditional knowledge and spiritual wisdom in all cultures that contribute to environmental protection and human well-being.
c. Ensure that information of vital importance to human health and environmental protection, including genetic information, remains available in the public domain.

III. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE

9. Eradicate poverty as an ethical, social, and environmental imperative.
a. Guarantee the right to potable water, clean air, food security, uncontaminated soil, shelter, and safe sanitation, allocating the national and international resources required.
b. Empower every human being with the education and resources to secure a sustainable livelihood, and provide social security and safety nets for those who are unable to support themselves.
c. Recognize the ignored, protect the vulnerable, serve those who suffer, and enable them to develop their capacities and to pursue their aspirations.

10. Ensure that economic activities and institutions at all levels promote human development in an equitable and sustainable manner.
a. Promote the equitable distribution of wealth within nations and among nations.
b. Enhance the intellectual, financial, technical, and social resources of developing nations, and relieve them of onerous international debt.
c. Ensure that all trade supports sustainable resource use, environmental protection, and progressive labor standards.
d. Require multinational corporations and international financial organizations to act transparently in the public good, and hold them accountable for the consequences of their activities.

11. Affirm gender equality and equity as prerequisites to sustainable development and ensure universal access to education, health care, and economic opportunity.
a. Secure the human rights of women and girls and end all violence against them.
b. Promote the active participation of women in all aspects of economic, political, civil, social, and cultural life as full and equal partners, decision makers, leaders, and beneficiaries.
c. Strengthen families and ensure the safety and loving nurture of all family members.

12. Uphold the right of all, without discrimination, to a natural and social environment supportive of human dignity, bodily health, and spiritual well-being, with special attention to the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities.
a. Eliminate discrimination in all its forms, such as that based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, language, and national, ethnic or social origin.
b. Affirm the right of indigenous peoples to their spirituality, knowledge, lands and resources and to their related practice of sustainable livelihoods.
c. Honor and support the young people of our communities, enabling them to fulfill their essential role in creating sustainable societies.
d. Protect and restore outstanding places of cultural and spiritual significance.

IV. DEMOCRACY, NONVIOLENCE, AND PEACE

13. Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels, and provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision making, and access to justice.
a. Uphold the right of everyone to receive clear and timely information on environmental matters and all development plans and activities which are likely to affect them or in which they have an interest.
b. Support local, regional and global civil society, and promote the meaningful participation of all interested individuals and organizations in decision making.
c. Protect the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, peaceful assembly, association, and dissent.
d. Institute effective and efficient access to administrative and independent judicial procedures, including remedies and redress for environmental harm and the threat of such harm.
e. Eliminate corruption in all public and private institutions.
f. Strengthen local communities, enabling them to care for their environments, and assign environmental responsibilities to the levels of government where they can be carried out most effectively.

14. Integrate into formal education and life-long learning the knowledge, values, and skills needed for a sustainable way of life.
a. Provide all, especially children and youth, with educational opportunities that empower them to contribute actively to sustainable development.
b. Promote the contribution of the arts and humanities as well as the sciences in sustainability education.
c. Enhance the role of the mass media in raising awareness of ecological and social challenges.
d. Recognize the importance of moral and spiritual education for sustainable living.

15. Treat all living beings with respect and consideration.
a. Prevent cruelty to animals kept in human societies and protect them from suffering.
b. Protect wild animals from methods of hunting, trapping, and fishing that cause extreme, prolonged, or avoidable suffering.
c. Avoid or eliminate to the full extent possible the taking or destruction of non-targeted species.

16. Promote a culture of tolerance, nonviolence, and peace.
a. Encourage and support mutual understanding, solidarity, and cooperation among all peoples and within and among nations.
b. Implement comprehensive strategies to prevent violent conflict and use collaborative problem solving to manage and resolve environmental conflicts and other disputes.
c. Demilitarize national security systems to the level of a non-provocative defense posture, and convert military resources to peaceful purposes, including ecological restoration.
d. Eliminate nuclear, biological, and toxic weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.
e. Ensure that the use of orbital and outer space supports environmental protection and peace.
f. Recognize that peace is the wholeness created by right relationships with oneself, other persons, other cultures, other life, Earth, and the larger whole of which all are a part.

THE WAY FORWARD

As never before in history, common destiny beckons us to seek a new beginning. Such renewal is the promise of these Earth Charter principles. To fulfill this promise, we must commit ourselves to adopt and promote the values and objectives of the Charter.

This requires a change of mind and heart. It requires a new sense of global interdependence and universal responsibility. We must imaginatively develop and apply the vision of a sustainable way of life locally, nationally, regionally, and globally. Our cultural diversity is a precious heritage and different cultures will find their own distinctive ways to realize the vision. We must deepen and expand the global dialogue that generated the Earth Charter, for we have much to learn from the ongoing collaborative search for truth and wisdom.

Life often involves tensions between important values. This can mean difficult choices. However, we must find ways to harmonize diversity with unity, the exercise of freedom with the common good, short-term objectives with long-term goals. Every individual, family, organization, and community has a vital role to play. The arts, sciences, religions, educational institutions, media, businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and governments are all called to offer creative leadership. The partnership of government, civil society, and business is essential for effective governance.

In order to build a sustainable global community, the nations of the world must renew their commitment to the United Nations, fulfill their obligations under existing international agreements, and support the implementation of Earth Charter principles with an international legally binding instrument on environment and development.

Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life.

Ezra Turns One!

2008-01-19T20:53:00.000-08:00

Old news by now, but my little Ezra is now officially ONE. To top it off, he's walking. Yeah. Walking! Well, toddling like a drunken sailor and discovering new ways to bang his great head in the tumbles that follow toddles, but today, he held my hand and walked his way through the parking lot to the coffee shop.

We still cheer every time he walks on his own. I suppose there will be a weaning period there. I wonder how his first solo walk without an accompanying 'whew hew, way to go Ezra' will feel to him

Another break through. Ezra is asleep and its not yet 9pm. After a week of hell, sleepless nights and the sadness of letting him cry for up to 10 minutes on his own, we have developed a routine where he falls asleep on his own. If he doesn't do it on his own, he gets a supplemental aid, that will also require a bit of weaning at some point here, but the cool thing is, he's not tearing around the apartment right now getting grumpy in all of his hyperness.

Lovely outing today with the walking Ezra and Queen Whackamole. The outing inclulded a stroll through the sidewalkless citrus streets of Goleta, my first visit to Island Seed and Feed (didn't it used to be on the frontage road btwn Las Positas and La Cumbre?) where I purchased a flat of seedlings I hope to transform into my winter garden.

I'm off to do secret things!

Noelle

Hookers for Jesus and my new business

2008-01-08T22:24:00.000-08:00

I know I usually write about my baby boy, but I have to say I found a bit of inspiration while reading the news, and that doesn't happen very often! I guess with the recent upswing in atheism, Jesus is trying out some new marketing strategies, while also poking fun at his followers by showing their weakness for intolerance over acceptance of all their brothers and sisters:
http://vegasblog.latimes.com/vegas/2008/01/born-again-vega.html

And while we're talking about messages and tactics from above, I've experienced a series of coincidences over the past few days that are making me reconsider the new age books I read in my twenties. (Just in case you didn't read new age books in your twenties, just think of The Power of Now, The Secret and other books of this cosmic universe full of opportunity genre). It seems I am meant to start my own business.

Just to give you an example of the coincidences; This morning I came to work to find a newspaper article on my desk given to me by Tom Spoonerow about new moms who did start ups in areas inspiring to them. Next, my poet friend Chryss Yost sends me an email about the Women's Economic Venture program introductory meeting for their 14 week business training program, which I've been wanting to do for years, and three, the timing all works out for me to actually attend the meeting, at which I became inspired.

So, now I only need to come up with the hefty tuition. And that brings me to Hilary taking New Hampshire. Hillary taught me this evening that anything's possible with the right people supporting you, the ability to observe, listen and incorporate new tactics, and a belief in perserverance. My vote is still up for grabs, and I'm excited about the great democratic game that is afoot.

So my new business, disappointingly to some i'm sure, has nothing to do with hookers and everything to do with sustainability. But of course I can't tell you the details, as that's not sound business practice.

If you read all the way through this blog entry, you get two gold stars for perserverance.

Plastic world

2008-01-05T17:23:00.001-08:00

Howdy.

The old debate about water bottles received a fresh magnifying glass, or at least a plausible amount of research to be featured in the New York Times in an article entitled "The (Possible) Perils of Being Thirsty While Being Green". Here's what journalist Alina Tugend had to say about reusing plastic water bottles:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/05/business/smallbusiness/05shortcuts.html?em&ex=1199682000&en=7adaf12619f4ccec&ei=5087%0A

One thing that makes me mad, is that water bottle manufacturers wouldn't tell professor of biology Frederick S. vom Saal of University of Missouri, who specializes in plastics, what their plastic bottles are made of. What's up with that?

There must be some fancy machine that could analyze the materials that make up a plastic water bottle. Take for example, the mass spectrometer used by Berkeley biologist Todd Dawson in Michael Pollan's "Omnivore's Dilemma" to analyze carbon content of a McDonald's meal to determine the percentage of carbon originating from corn.
What if some equally impressive piece of scientific machinery could be used to analyze the content of a pet#1 plastic bottle. And if such a machine, or technology does not exist, why are plastic manufacturers even allowed the responsibility to encase our precious liquid of life in their shells of unknown, and possibly disease contributing content?

Once again, I think corporations have WAY too much power and not enough checks and balances. I love the stick figures in www.storyofstuff.com, where the government is polishing the shoes of the corporations.

Personally, I love my Sigg metal water bottle which I've been told is absolutely safe. But come to think of it, I'd love to know what materials went into the shiny lining.

Okay, that's way too much of a rambling about water bottles. I think I'll log off and interact with my warm and cozy family in our little home on this rainy eve instead of typing away at my laptop!

Treehuggers! Sustainable Design

2008-01-03T12:45:00.000-08:00

In November 2006, Kristin Anderson assisted Keith Rivera, a kick ass Santa Barbara Architect, with an awards entry in the Portland Courtyard Housing Design Competition. He won first place, and since Mr. Rivera is into crediting those who assist, Kristin is also listed in the team. Metropolis Magazine online has also picked up this story, but Treehugger is what impresses me the most! Check it out!

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/12/courtyard_livin.php

2008!

2008-01-01T12:06:00.000-08:00

It doesn't take much for a year to roll over. Here we are in 2008. Ezra will be a year old on January 12th. Shall I throw a party? He is the most social person I know besides Marcos Chiappe, El Patron of Santa Barbara.

In other news, are there any cafes in Santa Barbara County where one can order a free range breakfast? Happy eggs, happy piggies, etc? I know, that pig was not happy when it got it's throat slit, but I would like to support a happy life up until that moment, as I would wish on all beings.

I hope to write about an organic farm in SYV this year--perhaps even this month!

Resolutions:
To be very healthy
To walk my talk
To start a new business
To play music once a week
To love and support those who love and support me.
(That's the short list!)

Presents & Time

2007-12-29T21:08:00.000-08:00

This year we decided to go cold turkey and not spend Christmas day with my larger family. It was strange. No uncomfortable conversations, no wondering if anyone would drink too much, no need to see the goblins go crazy with too much stuff under the tree, yet experience some strange sense of lack--not in that sense of "gifts don't fulfill me, I just want quality time with my family" but in the sense of "I know there was one more present I wanted." Actually, my family is not all that bad. The kids really appreciate their gifts, and the food is always enjoyable. But, it was refreshing and simple to stay home.

So, this Christmas morning, I woke knowing that I would be spending the day with my beautiful baby Ezra and my incredible husband. I know, I know. So many sappy adjectives! But, I really do love these two more than I knew possible--and I got to spend the whole day with them! We only had stocking gifts for each other. AJ bought me a beautiful fair trade purse made in Thailand. I gave him organic socks, elephant shaped hot mitts and a bar of fair trade chocolate. Ezra received a little wooden train painted with vegetable dyes.

Indulgent friends Lauren and Nico sent Ezra awesome gifts--also from a fair trade store online. www.apricotandivy.com
An elephant on wheels, an abc block set in beautiful bright colors in a wooden cart, and a shape sorter in primary colors.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is we are doing it and it feels good! Friends are tuning in, and only getting us things they made or that are by craftspersons, or are second hand. We're not changing the world, but we are changing our consumer impact.

You may wonder if this is just a rambling to consumerism. I know buying is not the answer, even though our president tells us to go out and buy. But, if you must buy, then why not buy used, or sustainable, socially humane gifts?

It far time to log off and go hang with the dudes.

Cheers!

Fair Trade Shopping during a Recession & the Story of Stuff

2007-12-18T21:44:00.000-08:00

Like the rest of you, I had a run of holiday parties this past weekend. Thursday, The Sustainability Project holiday party. A lovely evening at Living Green, a store in Santa Barbara behind the Spearmint Rhino (hmmm . . . what's with all the shades of green?). The TSP party featured 100 mile diet foods--a delicious spread of vegetables, soft cheeses, fruits--a much easier diet to keep when you live in Southern California. Great conversations and further inspiration to do good. Check out Living Green when you have a chance! You can purchase many healthy items for your home if you have the dinero.

Friday night was the famous HH near-Christmas party hosted by George and Amy. Their house is always so festive. Great people, clever decorations and insightful conversations. Did I mention great wine and beer? Baby Ezra was passed around, beaming his smile and lighting up the evening. Adorable children abounded at this event, including Sophia, Nathan and baby George, the latter within a few days of Ezra. Cookie Jill and I got into a lengthy conversation about how to really help people. It seems the answer, as always, is to get involved and educate. I suggested she run for public office, as she has a lot of knowledge and a passion for justice. That should be the basis for public office, don't you think?

Oh, back to the recession. Despite the pending recession, we went out and purchased a hideous white elephant gift for the White Elephant Cocktail Party at Charles and Matty's swinging household. I must say that my man has exquisite taste when it comes to intentionally picking out hidea (that must be a word!). He found the epitome of the white elephant gift; a ceramic musical piggy bank made in China. This creatura had black beady eyes and a series of flowers painted over its fat, pink, glossy torso. We weren't the only ones to appreciate its horror. It was one of the top picks of the evening and was greeted by applause and screams at the party! Oh, at the same party, I spoke with Linda C, and she has a very smart brother who is in finance who is "annoyingly mostly right most of the time" with his opinions, and HE says we're going into a recession and that the housing market is going down for another few years.

So I'm spouting second hand information here, but what gives? Are we really at a point where we have to face our consumer cycle of debt, spending, overworking, spending and more debt? Could it be that the high cost of low prices is finally catching up with us in more ways than one? I hope so. I say this as I hope a recession will help America to shift its unsustainable practices and become more responsible and accountable as a nation. I would never wish for a recession, and I realize it could shift us out of the comfort zone that keeps us all afloart. I KNOW its not that simple.

That brings me to the story of stuff.I have to say I'm very impressed with an amazingly straight forward, humorous and inspiring video I saw online as of recent forwarded via Dutch friend Tessa Lippman:

http://www.storyofstuff.com/index.html

It really makes you want to NOT BUY anything. Then again, what about the fair trade items out there? Wouldn't that be a true example of voting with your dollars?

www.greenearthjewelry.com for example has items that are beautiful, medium priced, fair trade and made of recycled materials. Am I fooling myself by continuing to think about shopping? I'm still a consumer at heart. How ingrained is the habit and how hard is it to break? Does anyone know? I know its all based on personal experience, but I KNOW people have opinions.

Fair Indigo at the Shed

2007-12-11T12:12:00.001-08:00

Here is the link to the white shirt I plan to purchase in January once the 2008 monthly budgeting for fair trade clothing is underway.

http://www.fairindigo.com/index.php/fair_trade/Women

I'd love a collection of links from others who have found fair trade, sustainable, classic clothing that isn't more than twice what we'd pay at a department store.

I'm going to temporarily try "Google Ads" to see if they will advertise fair trade, sustainable items that are good for the environment or help people. The first ad seems to be on the right track. What do others think of ads? Is it selling out, or does it make sense?

What Would Jesus Buy?

2007-12-11T11:01:00.000-08:00

We fear that many of the items we purchase at department stores are made in sweat shops, and I have yet to meet a sales clerk who can definitively tell me which products are made under humane circumstances and which are not. As one XBOX 360 seeking adolescent in "What Would Jesus Buy?" said, its "mind boggling" to try to figure out where these products come from . . . he went on to say he didn't really care, but given a chance to fully understand the issue--I mean, if he met a kid his age working under harsh conditions for just pennies an hour to make him a shirt--he would most likely feel bad and want that person to have a better working situation.

That same 'mind boggling' question has allowed me to float in a sense of consumer helplessness, buying what I need when I need it despite the potential economic contribution to child labor, because the rat's nest of globalization goods and bads is just too hard to sort out. Or is it? After watching "What Would Jesus Buy?", I had a major break through. I know in my conscience what is right to do, and yet I've been letting confusion and a sense of helplessness lead to contradictory actions. This activist documentary humorously ended the debate for me. I no longer want to purchase ANYTHING that leads to children suffering or adult suffering for that matter.

So how do I make the transition? There are more factors than buying habits at stake. I associate fair trade wears with funky designs not plausible for the office unless you are going for a 'cultural' look that contradicts your basic style sense. After the movie, I went online to COOP America and searched for a basic white dress shirt that is sustainably made and fair trade.I found one for $49, with a picture of the cooperative my purchase supports. Yeah, I can get a button down white shirt at Macy's for half the price, but what am I supporting? If plan ahead I can budget for my purchases, buy less, pay more, and put my money, limited though it may be, where my mouth is! Whew hew!!! That sounds like a New Year's Resolution in the making!

Fair Trade involves the following principles:
Producers receive a fair price - a living wage
Forced labor and exploitative child labor are not allowed
Buyers and producers trade under direct long-term relationships
Producers have access to financial and technical assistance
Sustainable production techniques are encouraged
Working conditions are healthy and safe
Equal employment opportunities are provided for all
All aspects of trade and production are open to public accountability

Let's share links with one another for cool clothes that follow these principles--of course the closer to home the better!

Hollandia in the 21st Century

2007-11-28T18:39:00.001-08:00

After months of anticipation, and harried last minute packing, we left for Europe. I'd like to just float on the word Europe for a few moments. It sounds so big, so cosmopolitan, so diverse. Yet, we went to just one tiny country; Holland, the homeland of mijn maan. For two and a half weeks, I did not have to drive into work, turn on a computer, or grapple with questions about our lives in Santa Barbara, because I was completely immersed in my surroundings. Usually I find it hard to let travel take me in immediately. I attribute my newfound present state of mind to my buddha baby who constantly pulls me into the moment.

Highlights: introducing Ezra to the Dutch clan; Seeing Ezra wave for the first time; Cruising around Delft at night; playing a soprano saxophone in a small music shop; Dining at a fabulous Portuguese restaurant in Zierikzee--an ancient fishing village in Southern Holland; a fab hotel in Middelburg, also in Southern Holland in the Zeeland province; watching an 1850s strip show in a Middelburg museum; walking my old haunts in Amsterdam; friends & relatives; public transporation that works; bicycles, canals and lots of weed. Oh, well, not really. No coffee shops for mama! Ahh, and Ijburg, a Dutch polder where we stayed with friends who own a beautiful new 3 story flat in the midst of a contemporary enclave. Very hip.

Here's Ezra taking in the historic sites of his father's homeland:

Why we should Walk

2007-11-05T17:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday as I waited for a friend to come by in her car so we could drive to the beach to go for a walk, I read an article about the evil automobile in The New Yorker. (Yes, I see the irony here, if irony is indeed the correct word). It was written by one of my heroes, Elizabeth Kolbert. I bet you anything, if Bush could read, or let's just say that one of his aides or Laura or one of his daughters read it to him, he would make a strong suggestion to China and India that they 'not become automobile dependent societies.' Articles like this make me feel a tad shameful. I mean, what sort of air will Ezra be breathing 20 years from now? And, what about his kids? We'll be old geezers by then (some of us), and that toxic air will be a burden, part of the scarlet alphabet branded upon our conscience.

Here's an excerpt:

Consider what’s happening in India and China. As Carson and Vaitheeswaran point out, car ownership in both countries has been and still remains, by U.S. standards, almost absurdly low. There are nine personal vehicles per thousand eligible drivers in China and eleven for every thousand Indians, compared with 1,148 for every thousand Americans. But incomes in the two countries are rising so rapidly—the Chinese economy grew by eleven per cent last year and is expected to grow by the same amount this year—that millions of vehicleless families will soon be in a position to buy automobiles. Assuming that incomes continue to rise, in a few years tens of millions of families will be buying their first cars, and eventually hundreds of millions. (To satisfy increasing demand in India, the country’s second-largest auto manufacturer, Tata Motors, is set to start producing a four-door known as the one-lakh car—a lakh is a hundred thousand rupees—that will sell for the equivalent of twenty-five hundred dollars.) Were China and India to increase their rates of car ownership to the point where per-capita oil consumption reached just half of American levels, the two countries would burn through a hundred million additional barrels a day. (Currently, total global oil use is eighty-six million barrels a day.) Were they to match U.S. consumption levels, they would require an extra two hundred million barrels a day. It’s difficult to imagine how such enormous quantities of oil could be found, but, if they could, the result would be catastrophe. “Just consider the scale of the potential problem—for instance, the effect on global warming of seven hundred and fifty million more cars in India and China, belching carbon dioxide,” Carson and Vaitheeswaran write.

You can read the full article at this link.

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2007/11/05/071105crbo_books_kolbert

Meter maids smiling

2007-11-04T21:06:00.000-08:00

While walking toward work on Friday, a meter maid saw me in her little tag car, stopped at an intersection without a crosswalk, smiled and waved for me to cross the street. A shocking experience and the first of its kind in my knowledge bank. How could this happen? Well, yes, as a matter of fact I did have a baby strapped to me kangaroo style and yes, I agree, he does have a terrific smile.

That same day, I was one of the lucky winners of the office Halloween contest, AND my baby slept through the night four nights in a row! (THat's all changed now, but damn, it was good while it lasted.).

Hollandia is calling AND I remembered the time change for the first time in three years.

Waters a wasting

2007-11-01T22:55:00.001-07:00

In Architecture magazine this month, I came across an ad for an ultra luxury shower with five shower heads, allowing a 'spa' like treatment at home. THe lucky homeowners can have 22 gallons of water per minute flowing over them. Wow, how cool! Wow, how absolutely insane! How can the creators of this 5-headed medusa live with themselves? With a very fat pay check, I'm sure. This should be illegal. In fact, take this, randomly selected from a California city's water municipal code: "No later than January 1, 1992, every showerhead shall emit no more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute." We know drought. We take water seriously. Or do we?

Manufacturers of this insane 'daily spa experience' go around the law by installing multiple shower heads. Yet, Severe drought is gripping our nation in multiple areas. Water is a precious commodity. Georgia, Alabama and Florida are experiencing extreme drought and shutting off people's water taps because there's just no water left.

Anyway, love, peace and namaste!

Noelle

All Hallow's Eve

2007-10-31T20:18:00.001-07:00

The big E had two costumes to choose from his first Halloween: cow or pumpkin. How does one get to a point, so quickly, of dressing up one's little human like a dolly? I suppose I knew it was in me, but I had no idea it was in my husband! He picked out the cow outfit, horns, tail and all. (At least there were no udders involved).

Out there, on the corridor between Ortega and Haley on State Street, adults and children in adult bodies are cruising the bars, wearing 'nefarious' clothing. In the neighborhoods, children are cruising for candy, and in a little apartment on the west side, a mom is feeding a baby a hand made meal in his high chair while husband is preparing dinner. I'd say that times have changed on many fronts for us. And we love it!

A shout out to Lilyana, who is also celebrating her first Halloween! I saw here in a get up earlier today, and she's one cute tiger!

And . . . if you want to see something scary, you must inquire about the mermaid doll knit by Queen Whackomole.

Does movie popcorn have GMOs?

2007-10-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

Last night, my man and I had a wonderful sitter who loves our little guy, and we went out to a movie with a clear conscience knowing he was in good hands. My man agreed to see The Jane Austen Book Club. Since it's hard to coordinate getting out of the house, we arrived at the Riviera without dinner in our bellies, so we decided on some popcorn and a soda. I already know not to ask about the soda, but I asked the handsome, flirtatious boy man behind the counter a simple question about the popcorn that any sane person would ask.

"Is this popcorn made from genetically modified corn?" The smile left his face and he looked around for packaging, as if it would just give him the answer.
"Orville Redenbacher," he said. "I think that's a pretty good brand."
"Thanks!" I said. I decided, seeing as we were on date number 4 since the baby was born, that I'd take my chances. After watching a great movie, we went straight home to relieve the poor girl who sat with little E for a two and a half hour fuss session. the popcorn question had to be answered, so I did a search and according to an article entitled Pop Secrets by Amy Wmmer Schwarb, here's the scoop:

Popcorn has more going for it than a reputation as the most fun grain in the maize family. While some U.S. crops—soybeans, field corn and tomatoes come to mind—have been genetically altered with DNA from other living organisms, popcorn remains pure, its parentage selectively bred using techniques as old as Charles Darwin. The many improvements it has enjoyed over the decades are the result of good old-fashioned farming know-how—and lots of trial and error. Yet within the industry, breeders know there may come a day—five years from now? 10? 20?—when keeping up with the field production of genetically modified crops could challenge them to reconsider. Though the crop has ancient roots, the quest to breed a better popcorn is largely a 20th century phenomenon—one that might eventually be plagued by this even more modern question. No popcorn currently on the market is genetically modified (known in the breeding world as GMO), but Ken Ziegler, who retired last year as the popcorn-breeding agronomist at Iowa State University, says a nod of consumer acceptance could shift the future. “The big companies, for sure, have GMOs on their shelf, ready to go,” Ziegler says. “They have to, to be competitive.”

Lilyana Isabella 9 days new!

2007-10-02T12:27:00.000-07:00

Yeah. I'm still here. I'm almost becoming a Prine, having not written in my blog for so long, but I can fit one more thing into my lunch break.

The most important announcement you all know by now.
On Sunday, September 23rd, 2007, the world was blessed by the entry of one Lilyana Isabella Poupoure Drummey among our personage. She is one of those babies who's eyes are already open, who gets the swing of things from the start, and who has made two of my favorite people parents. A huge congrats to mama Delilah and dada Jonathan. I look forward to meeting her in person.

Okay, now onto eating lunch and going for a walk with 24 minutes and counting.

Lightning triathletic Garden Jazz

2007-08-29T22:59:00.000-07:00

There's thunder and lighting outside, so hopefully I can compose and complete before the power goes out.

The Triathletes!
Sunday at 7am, I cycled on down to Cabrillo boulevard to catch the second half of the sprint triathalon for two reasons: Roy Hunter and Danny Briere. A third reason occured to me as I cycled along the empty streets of Santa Barbara and onto the bike path to witness the glorious hues of a Santa Barbara Sunday. The Arlington West volunteers were setting up the white crosses that represent the fallen American soldiers of the Iraq War. There was beauty within this sadness as well. Soon, I could not cycle on the bike path because it was filled with numbered men and women, huffing their way to the finish line. I steered my bike to the worn strip of yellow grass where those with an affinity for non paved surfaces walk between the palm trees. From there, I saw the man, Roy Hunter, jogging on the path in a meditative state.

I broke his reveree by calling out "whoo hoo Roy! Go Hunter!" I beat him on my bike to the finish line (he was headed out, not in) and there I also saw Danny Briere cross the finish line and after catching his breath, was embraced by his family. I gave both athletes a bouquet from my garden. I couldn't picture either of these men accepting flowers, so instead, I made two bouquets of chard from the garden. Roy got my humor. Danny was gracious, as you are with street people ranting to themselves as they look at you sideways. But isn't fresh chard what every man wants?

Jazz Greats
Monday night, we dropped baby E off with friends and headed to the Lobero to see the great Dave Brubeck quartet. Dave Brubeck made me laugh, cry and gaze on with wonder. Approaching his mid 80s, Brubeck is witty, his fingers still dance, and he knows how to work an audience. His sax player was so incredible that I actually took my sax to work today to play on my lunch break. We had the honor of going back stage where I met both of these inspirational men. Dave Brubeck is a walking aura of light and happiness. what an evening!

The Garden
Please see the picture posted!

Slow Food Revolution, Mystery Creatures and Food Sheds

2007-08-26T21:31:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, I made it down to the public library to watch a film about the Slow Food Revolution. It sounds funny, but this revolution is one revolution in which I want to partake. The movement originated in Italy, after McD's started the process of opening a franchise in the historic Spanish Steps district in rome.

I have a very fond memory of the Spanish Steps. In 1998, I spent three weeks in Italy, and on my last night there, I perused the Spanish Steps area, looking in beautiful boutiques, surrounded by well dressed ladies and gentlemen. I wore a fashionably (at the time) short skirt and a pretty summer blouse. I was slightly tan from three weeks of July sun, and I had a sense of cultural understanding, in the 'just an inkling' of the tip of the iceberg sort of way of the beautiful Italian culture. An impeccably dressed older gentleman approached me. He had shopping bags in his arms baring names of stores I hadn't dared to enter due to the "you'll never make enough money in your life to purchase even one of our shoes" ambiance. He stopped me and asked me in Italian for directions. I smiled for just a heartbeat, aware of the bittersweet of life. This exquisite gentlemen had mistaken me, an American on her first trip abroad, for an Italian. I knew that once I opened my lips, it would be all over. And, as I stumbled in Italian to say I do not speak Italian, the gentle smile fluctuated on his face for just a moment as he excused himself and went on his way. I think this last passage could serve Wikipedia as an example of "I digress."

But anyway, I bet he too, would not want a McDonald's in the treasured Spanish Steps area. So these Italians decided that if there was a fast food philosophy, then there should be a slow food philosophy to counteract it. What started out as a joke has turned into an international movement! I recommend the Slow Food Revolution film for inspiration. It shows the spirit of integrity, international community and an appreciation of the good things in life, like food, Itallian men who can turn the most simple topics into an analogy of lovemaking, and time to dilly dally, digress and be.

After the movie, representatives from the four groups who sponsored the film got up and spoke. One was from the Food Shed, a program that encourages neighborhoods to get together and share the fruits and vegetables of their labors with one another in a simple trade system.

I attended a food shed earlier today and dropped off chard, mint and basil from my garden. In return, I met a kind, earth minded group of individuals who spoke of Permaculture, communal living in Isla Vista, conditions that pear trees need to grow, etc. My triple green contribution was exchanged for an orange, a grapefruit, three pears, and two heirloom tomatoes. Queen Whackamole showed up on her electric bike and I was the happy recipient of two home baked loaves of bread, made by the Queen in her solar oven. I'd say that was enough to make my day adventurous and prosperous!

And what does all this have to do with a mystery creature? As my family dined outside at dusk, a hummingbird on qualudes hovered into the garden to visit the tomato plants. Yet it moved more slowly than any hummingbird I've seen, but still had the ability to hover in place. Then, it moved about in a drug induced bat like pattern. It looked furry, black and white, had a beak like a hummingbird and had beady, glowing eyes. We'd ruled out bat and hummingbird. We watched in utter fascination, wondering if a Malaysian insect had made its way to Southern California in a petroleum gobbling fruit shipment.

After dinner was eaten joyfully beneath an almost full moon, the baby put to bed and the husband off to his computer, I went online to see what I could find. And, it appears, we have seen a Hummingbird Moth!

Apartment with a Garden & How do beets grow?

2007-08-19T13:46:00.000-07:00

I've dabbled in herb boxes outside of my window, but interest in and space for a garden have never coincided until now. Our west side apartment has a backyard that consists of a concrete slab, a view of the neighbors moss covered trailor over a dilapidated metal fence, a hearty lemon tree out the kitchen window and an L of hard earth covered in weeds and yellow grass. There's not much we can do about the view, but since we moved in this past April, we've converted the L shaped patch of dirt from ghetto yard into an experimental garden.

It took months, because as we've learned, any well intended extracurricular activities take a few extra months when you have a baby. After spending about 30 minutes with a book from the library on Organic Gardening, and about the same amount of time perusing online gardening sites, conferring with the neighbors about their not so civil wars with the gophers in the hood, we decided to dig a hole the size of a shallow swimming pool in which to lay wire mesh, aka chicken wire, to protect the precious starter plants (too late in the season for seeds) we'd purchased at Terra Sol nursery in Goleta. The pool garden project took a month in and of itself. Lots of measuring, several trips to the Home Improvement Center, and lots of digging. Beneath that patch of dry we discovered Native American fossils. Just kidding! We did come across some bolts, pieces of broken pots (the kind you get in the nursery, not see in the museum) and a few bones (as in the kind you throw to your dog). But the most common thing in the dirt was an abundance of happy earth worms! Our ambitions were no so far afield as I'd thought!

Next, artist and ecovillage minded friend and art teacher Bill came over and helped me re-fill the swimming pool hole with the mound of dirt that had made a small mountain in our backyard. The sky was turning orange by the time we started measuring spaces for the rows and taking the 2-4 inch plants from their little containers and planting them at distances that seemed appropriate in neat little rows. We ordered a pizza as we finished up and ate beneath the stars, tired and covered in dirt as we looked out at the perfect garden.

Here are some things I've learned.

One. Read more before you plant.

Two. Pumpkin plants should have gone on the far side of the garden next to the patch of undeveloped yard (the rest of the L), as their vines have spread the entire length of my 17x10 foot garden, shading the strawberries, pushing their way through the tomato plants, burying the tomatillo and artichoke beneath their broad leaves.

Three. Water the garden in the morning. Watering at night, although it may let the water settle in, can lead to mildew on the leaves--I've had to cut back half of the pumpkin and zucchini leaves due to mold.

Four. I have no idea how beets are supposed to grow! I hear the lovely red and green leaves on top are edible, but I had NO IDEA that the beets rest above ground. In fact, did I plant them correctly? Are these beets supposed to be roots beneath the soil? I don't know!

Five. I believe the planting rules (e.g. months to start, etc) have a bit more flexibility in Southern California than say, Appalachia.

Six. Mint is a veritable water hog and the rabbit of herbs! It has taken OVER the half barrel where I planted several other herbs, now completley hidden by the mint. Mojitos, anyone?

That's it! Pictures coming soon.

Noelle goes independent

2007-08-14T22:07:00.000-07:00

On August 2nd, I wrote a little diddy about independence. Or, rather, I wrote a food article on Barcliff & Bair for the Santa Barbara Independent. To see the published story, go to http://independent.com/news/2007/aug/02/baby-barcliff-bair/

Thanks to George, who provided the opportunity to submit a piece, and to Shelley Shoemaker for agreeing to share her story. In other news, I learned an important lesson--email has serious limitations as a method of communicating sensitive information. Face to face communication is the way to go. I already knew this, but sometimes it takes a little 80s style head banging to let the lesson sink into every pore.

In other news, Jonathan & Delilah have a due date of September 12th, and BOY (or Girl?) is that just around the corner! So, be expecting cute baby pics of someone besides baby Ezra to be appearing on this blog.

On September 6th, Sarah Susanka, author of "The Not So Big House" will be speaking at the Marjorie Luke Theatre in Santa Barbara at 7pm. Cohort Michelle says she's an excellent speaker, and since I won't be able to attend the upcoming green conference in SF (http://www.westcoastgreen.com/), now's the time to see her in person, right here in our backyard.

Speaking of the backyard, the garden has a serious sun addiction, and we have a real live vegetables at our fingertips!

That's about it for this update.

Noelle

Turning half

2007-07-11T17:30:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow my little boy turns a half. We didn't celebrate when he turned a 1/4 or a 1/3, but HALF, now that's pretty significant! Today, I rode to the bus stop and stopped right in front of the stop, right in front of the bus. The driver didn't honk, but I got a serious lecture of how I almost died when I stepped on board. Needless to say, I feel a bit shaken up. It could happen just like that. Something stupid. You're excited. You see the bus at the signal. You pass it and zoom to your stop and splat, your life ends and those that care about you, well, their lives change.

So, I'm glad to be alive to celebrate Ezra's half birthday! Thank God!

In other news, I was interviewed by the Department of Defense today on behalf of a friend. They don't do interviews over the phone, it must be in person. Good thing this particular friend has stellar credentials and has been a terrific friend who is easy to boast about.

Wishing everyone health, solid reviews and love.

I've been Memed

2007-06-28T19:31:00.000-07:00

First and foremost, I'd like to shout out a "Happy Birthday" to the Cattie Meister. I hope she is having a wonderful time in Norwegia.

Okay. Now down to business. I've been Memed. I don't know eight bloggers, so I guess I just have to at least start this and then delve into the blogosphere to see who might play.

Here's the "rules" (like the pirate code, they're more like guidelines):

1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Here is my 11 minute list (I know because I'm cooking pasta at the same time, and when the bell goes off, that's it!)

1. I played the door mouse in a PCPA production of Alice in Wonderland when I was 4, going on 5 years old.

2. I like to kick pigeons (in theory. I've never gotten close enough. Those winged rats are adept at avoiding a shoe tip.)

3. I eat almond butter almost every day on La Brea whole wheat.

4. I worked for a weekly newspaper in Moscow, Idaho for 4 months. My most exciting story was about high school teen pregnancy rates, and it caused quite a stir in this Christian potato farmer town.

5. I had a four year musical scholarship to the University of Hawaii, which unfortunately required playing in a PEP band for the UH Basketball team.

6. I hiked to half dome with my family when I was 3 years old.

7. I tapped John Travolta on the shoulder in Solvang in front of the Solvang Pharmacy when I was twelve years old.

8. I was baptized twice while still in my mother's womb. (She helped with a church school).

That's all folks! Beware bloggers, I'm going to find you and MEME you, whoever YOU may be!

My Santa Barbabyan

2007-06-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

So a friend who is a second generation astrologist told us that King Ezra will be good with funds. In fact, he's off to an early entrepreneurial start and wants me to sell baby onesies. Of course, I will have to see what the rest of the world (or, at least Santa Barbara) thinks of his design. See Ezra modeling on this blog! Not bad for a 5 month old, eh?

Other babies are, by now, rolling over, enjoying tummy time, breaking teeth and doing a whole host of other things. Ezra just seems to want to play, chill and make cooing and car sounds. The competitive, irrational part of me is getting drawn into the comparison game. Why isn't my little man rolling over yet? But all the books say babies do things when they want to, not when mom and dad, or other books want them to. Ezra's smile and active reaching hands are another buddha baby reminder that all things happen when they are meant to happen.

On his first Summer Solstice Parade, Ezra did manage to stay happy the entire day. Mom even got away to the beer garden. How's that for a five month benchmark? I know I'll get grief for that last sentence!

Developed Nation Guilt

2007-06-18T18:08:00.000-07:00

How do you stay positive and upbeat in life AND stay informed about world events? It seems the two are contradictory, yet I know plenty of well-informed, happy people. I imagine that each one of you has a personal philosophy that keeps the news just out of reach of your soul, and that you protect your soul with a special potion of kindness, that radiates out to protect you, sort of like anti-oxidents fighting off free radicals. Speaking in nutritional terms, if we all had a diet of daily news alone, we would be withering in darkness and shame.

My baby teaches me daily about the importance of being in the moment and appreciating all you have. Even when he's upset, it is an honor to hold him and cherish him. I am in this beautiful bubble of love, and I feel the community I live in is an extension of that bubble, somehow protected from the atrocities I read about in the paper. Yes, bad things have happened to me, to my friends, to my family, in my community. We will never be free of sadness and heartbreak, but most everyone I know is in the privileged top 20% of the world population, where food, shelter and a source of income have never been in question.

Perhaps this ramble is about developed nation guilt. Is there such a thing? You know you have it all, and yet you want more, and you feel guilty, because you know how extremely lucky you are already? Yet, compared to those around you, you are considered lower middle class on an economic scale, so you strive for greater things. If this is a disease, I have it.

So, what is the cure? Perhaps living your life to the fullest and accomplishing as much as you can, because you have the privileged position to do so. And giving back.

Big Brother Ventures Out into the world

2007-06-12T17:37:00.000-07:00

This is not about an Orwellian world. Rather, about my real flesh and blood big brother. A renewed interest in God led him on a 6 day trip into the rural depths of Haiti where he volunteered at an orphanage with a group of fellow parishioners. This past weekend, I visited him with my cousin in law and we ended up his captive audience for a slide show with over 300 pictures. Images of major urban decay, and the decay of the flesh from aggressive parasites on many beautiful Haitian children and adults they treated flashed up on the screen, along with pictures of children wishing to be adopted. Supposedly, you can adopt these children for $5000 each. You can also pay for one year of education for one child, which includes a hot meal every day for $100 a year. Talk about a different economy.

It wasn't all despair. My brother asked the orphans to dance for the camera. At first reluctant, they moved shyly, slowly. Then, after seeing the instant playback, they morphed into happy children with broad smiles all wiggling and waving. He also taught them how to make a silly batmanesque mask over their eyes using their hands. Directors and orphans alike all posed with this mask, as if it was a local custom.

I asked him if the experience changed him. He didn't really have an answer. He knew the work was hopeless in a way. All those infected with worms would most likely just get reinfected. The poverty is rampant, as is the prevalence of AIDS. Yet, he fell in love with the people, who he described as beautiful and innocent. If they live with hope, then anyone can drum up a dose of hope in their lives.

Way to go big brother.

Vicarious Happiness

2007-05-05T18:47:00.000-07:00

Today, I pulled some siteplans off the web for inspiration and sat down with my colored pencils and started to sketch out my ideal community. It included lots of green and blue not so much tan, peach and gray. In other words, lots of open space and water features and not so many buildings and paved surfaces. There was a garden large enough to feed 35 people--my maximum human count for an eco community where you know everyone, rather than just nod at them from a distance--a safe level of intimacy without overcrowding. My design has a common house, a large vegetable garden, citrus orchards, two herb gardens, a water tower, small barn with chicken coop and a bee keeping area. There are enough buildings to house 12 families, from 2 to 4 people each (roughly 35 people). Half of these homes are over store fronts, so that the community has an external revenue source and central access to basic sundries. I imagine pods of such communities connected together, each specializing in production of one or two items that neighboring communities would like to purchase or trade. "How many acres?" you might ask. "What is the average square feet of the homes?" I have no idea. I'm not a landplanner. In fact, I don't even have the landscape in which to lay my plans. But like the Beatles "I've got a driver, and that's a start", its in my imagination, and in my coloring book, and that's worth something.

Speaking of worth something and ideal community, two dear friends just purchased a home in Maine. One sibling and his partner will live upstairs and the couple with their baby will live downstairs--a tiny community of sorts. Both couples are so loving and great, that I am overjoyed for them! The two story home the size of a medium mansion in Santa Barbara is a mere $199,000 in Maine. Why am I still here? Oh yeah. The beach, the people, the ecological mindedness of so many residents. I digress. It feels so good to be happy for my friends! I can't say that I always revel in my friend's accomplishments. I'd like to claim to be so selfless, but its not always the case. I wonder what makes it easy to appreciate some people's successes and not others? It must be the dynamic of each relationship. Here's to experiencing happiness in everyone else's accomplishments.

Elizabeth Kolbert & my Friends

2007-04-28T10:57:00.000-07:00

I arrived at the lecture excited to hear an author speak about a book that I had actually read in time. The book in question, Field Notes from a Catastrophe by Elizabeth Kolbert, was not a light work of fiction, but a thoroughly researched presentation of studies across the planet stongly indicating human caused climate change--a grave topic. Yet as I located my seat saving poet friend in her bright neon cycling jacket, a little wave of excitement went through me like what you experience when meeting up with friends for a party, or a much anticipated film. Big Bill was there, Dan the Man, the great Earl of SB, I'm not one to George and many others. It was down right festive--especially because this cross section of friends all have concerns about global warming and do things like ride their bikes, buy bio diesel vehicles, grow vegetable gardens, host Moveon.org parties and write letters to congress.

By the end of the evening, the small group of 800 attendees probably felt little party in the atmosphere. When asked what we should do to stop global warming, Kolbert indicated it may already be too late, but to really address the issue, we could start by not just reducing our use of automobiles, but by ceasing driving altogether! Plus, we'd need to cut our energy consumption by 80 percent. She admittedly left this opinion out of the book, as she knew the alarmist sound of such statements would ensure sluggish sales. So basically, we're all scorpions on the back of that frog crossing the river--we want to change, but its just not in our nature to let go of our energy consumption patterns--and like that scorpion who stings the frog, leading to its own death, we too are on that path.

Boy I hope the next lecturer at UCSB has some fresh, optimistic ideas!

But of course, I actually am one to believe there is always hope. How else could I have had a child in this day and age?

I'll

Favorite Quote of The

2007-04-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

My favorite quote this particular time period between blog entries is from George:

". . . Classy Fred Blassie, who seems to have been the Dick Cheney of wrestling--he even was rumored to have filed his incisors down to points (in Cheney's case, that makes it easier to eat puppies)."

No I already knew I didn't like Dick Cheney, but now that I've learned that he is also a puppy eater, my disdain has deepened!

I hope to have favorite quotes on a weekly basis, but of course, that would mean I have to actually make an entry every week, and perhaps even more often than that, so my blog isn't just about other's thoughts.

A week without the Internet

2007-04-16T21:21:00.000-07:00

Moving to a new place can present its challenges, but technology dependency has raised the bar in challenge impact. For instance, our new home is located next to a large hill, and although this hill is beautifully covered in untamed vegetation that is relaxing to gaze upon from our back yard, we have terrible cell phone reception! So, since we're of the ilk that abandoned the land line in favor of having low doses of RF* beamed at our heads on a daily basis, I now miss most of my phone calls. In addition, we took our time transferring our cable internet connection from old abode to new--thus another level of technological isolation! How am I to know what my friends are doing, blogging, thinking, reading? I can't call, I can't e, I've lost any intuitive abilities, such as those ascribed to the aboriginals in Mutant Message (of course this happened long before cell phones and internet), and to top it all off, the LA times didn't get my change of address notification because I forgot and I couldn't get online, and . . .

It was really terrible. I had to read books, play with by baby more, unpack my boxes uninterrupted by my life as I know it, and life as it is filtered to me through media. Hmmm . . . perhaps I enjoyed this low tech experience.

*RF, Radio Frequency. Exposure limits are set by the FCC for cell phones, using a measurement called a Specific Absorption Rate, or SAR, which measure sthe rate of absoprtion of RF energy by the human body expressed in units of watts per kilogram. The safety limit for a human is 1.6 watts per kilogram. I wonder how many kilograms my baby weighs and what is his SAR of RF. Perhaps its a good thing our new home has poor reception.

Signing Off.

12 year old inspiration

2007-03-29T05:35:00.000-07:00

Being in the 30 something stage of life with just an infant to my name, I don't have many opportunities to interact with junior highers. Tuesday evening we invited the next door neighbors over for dinner, consisting of a 40 something mom and a 12 year old daughter. We talked about dance trophies, Universal Studios, babies, seeing as we have one, food, school, swimming, spring break and movies. The evening was going along as predicted until the 12 year old (who I'll just call Danielle for the sake of not having to write the 12 year old another hundred times) said she liked writing and public speaking, and wanted to do a report on something important. In the back of my mind, my "important" topics starting lining up and waving their arms--global warming, pulling out of Iraq, reintroducing morality into our culture. I bit my tongue to see what was important to a 12 year old.

"You're really into the environment," her mom said. It was like a dream come true! Danielle's face lit up and she said, "Yes! That would be perfect. I'm really into global warming. We're melting all the ice caps and destroying our planet. Its not a choice. We have to change." Okay, those aren't her exact words, but that sums up her opinion.

I jumped into action. I grabbed "Field Notes froma Catastrophe; Man, Nature and Climate Change" by Elizabeth Kolbert.
"This book is all about global warming, and its explained in a way that really makes sense. You could totally use this for a report and its available at the library."
"Cool!" She said.
"It's a Santa Barbara reads selection, and the author will be speaking at UCSB at Campbell Hall on April 19th. Its a free lecture."
"Awesome!" She said. Danielle is a pretty girl, dance muscles emerging beneath baby fat. A perfect smile, bright blue eyes, blonde hair and a constellation of freckles across her nose and cheeks. Her enthusiasm about any topic is catching. The date rang a bell for her.
"I think I have a dance competition that day.What time does it start?"
"I believe it starts at 8pm." I said.
"I could probably do that."
That's something I'd forgotten about being 12--a schedule that makes most CEOs appear as indigent bums in their comparative lack of activity.

Before the neighbors left, I'd written down a book title, loaned them a DVD of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" and introduced them to the book "World Changing; a User's Guide for the 21st Century."
I wonder if it was too much when I put a flyer on their door the next day, like a Dominoes pizza ad, about the environmental talks scheduled in April in honor of Earth Day. They did say hello enthusiastically the next time I saw them, and I hoped that grin on her face was one of hope for the future, rather than a smile of sympathy for the 30 something over enthusiastic environmentalist--if I even deserve such a title.

Fair Trade link update

2007-03-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

My last link to the UK fair trade page didn't work--you know, the one I got from the Co-op America article. So I'm not sure if this is the same site, but sure sounds like it:
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/

First US Fair Trade Town

2007-03-09T20:17:00.000-08:00

For a pint, who can tell me the name of the first U.S. Fair Trade Town? Is it A) Deluth, Minnesota B) Media, Pennsylvania C) Ithica, New York or D) Bakersfield, California?

You guessed it, Bakersfield! Okay. Just kidding. According to Co-Op America's Fall 2006 newsletter (yes I'm just reading it now!), Media,Pennsylvania became the first "Fair Trade town" in the U.S. What does it take to become a fair trade town? Britain has a Fairtrade Foundation that sets the guidelines, which Media, PA modeled to declare such status;

Here's the basics:
Town/city council promises to serve Fair Trade products at meetings and functions
set mandates for a percentage of media retailers and institutions to sell and use FT products
Encourage support and media coverage of FT
Create a steering committee to keep it going on!

Europe is a ways ahead of us, but I bet we could catch up if we made it sexy to be a FT town. Can you imagine Fair Trade Hollywood? How about Fair Trade Flint, Michigan? For the full scoop on Britain's guidelines, check out www.fairtradefoundation.org.uk

That's what guys night out does for a woman. At least in my town. At least on this night!

Prince of Wales

2007-02-24T19:43:00.000-08:00

When I first read that the 21 year old son of the Prince of Wales will be serving in Iraq, I was impressed. Wow. That is a leveling of the class system, where all serve equally. Yet, we all know this is not quite true. He will be in a highly armored vehicle and deployed in less dangerous areas. I started this entry on February 22nd or so, and then my own little prince at home decided I had more important things to do.

But that's just it. Each human is a prince to someone, the center of a universe--a father, son, daughter, sister, brother. You get my drift. So how is a real, technically speaking, prince any more important? Why do we elevate their lives above our own? We don't really, but as a mass society we do. Perhaps we just don't have the capacity to value each human life lost and we need a personal story to relate to in order to feel a connection. Without that human interest vantage point, another death is just too hard to take in; there's no more room at the inn of compassion. Iraqi citizens and soldiers of the US led allied forces die about every day, and its only minorly newsworthy. Yet each one of those deaths is the death of a human being and its like we can't see it anymore.
I felt the same way when the US was attacked on 9/11. Why is that MORE newsworthy than say, a similar death toll in another country? Its as if we view others as lesser nationalities, their blood diluted, second class. But of course any time you're attacked, your family, your friends, your country, it becomes personal as someone has invaded your universe. But I couldn't help thinking way back then--of course this happened. We've been the bully in the international playground throwing sand in everyone's eyes for decades, using our might is right approach. Did we think the whole world passive?

Futue prince of Wales or Prince of Oak Park, both lives are equally valuable.

La Mesa de Trabajo

2007-02-21T18:05:00.000-08:00

So here I am, at la mesa de trabajo, contemplating my sleeping wonder. He hears my thoughts. He raises a hand into the air, eyes closed, and holds it there, stretching the material of his little onesie, as if saying, "I am growing faster than you can blink, mom." Or, perhaps he is sending a message to the universe. Something grand. Something only babies are capable of doing. "We must speed up the intervention plan. They're destroying our planet future." Or perhaps, the thought is simply, "booby."

My days are filled with long stretches of looking into tiny blue eyes, wondering if they'll change color. When my man comes home, I am shocked at how huge his eyes are, and then I realize my comparison. I feel as if nothing gets accomplished and yet each day is a wonder. I idolize this small creatura who is turning into a baby.

Today I took a walk through my neighborhood. I passed a number of people. A man with swarthy, pocked skin and baggy clothes clinging to his plastic bag as if I might grab it from him. As he walked past, he retrieved a plastic tube of mustard from the bag, past anticipating his lunch in the park. Further ahead, three young latinas with the mark of Ash Wednesday across their foreheads walked toward me. They smiled at my stroller. I passed two other lone men who glanced through me like people in New York. They look into your eye, but only for a smooth moment that is just one click of a panoramic intake, no more, no less.

The king has cried. I must depart this ramble.

Wanderlust

2007-02-09T02:13:00.000-08:00

During this rare time of being home with a newborn, I find myself traveling more then ever before. A few days ago, I was back in Brugge, Belgium inside a medieval catholic church, lighting a prayer candle for Niki and Inge. I remember slipping the euro coin into the metal box to the side of burning candles, and taking the last spot. I thought of all those prayers winding their way through the dark vaulted church and onto heaven. I wonder if science will ever be able to measure our intentions and how long they take to travel to their destinations.

The other day as I took a sip of decaf green chai tea, I was suddenly walking along a snowy path with my man, deep in a valley beneath sheer the stone walls of Luxembourg. So long ago, yet there I was, my boots losing their traction on the ice, marvelling at the beauty of this ancient city.

I suppose you develop wanderlust at many different times in life, but it seems most poignant when you are truly unable to step aboard an airplane due to life's circumstances.

Does this happen to anyone else?

The third arm

2007-01-29T08:14:00.000-08:00

I'm waiting to grow the third arm I was told about. No, I'm not volunteering for long range radar gun experiments http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/01/24/ray.gun.ap/index.html
and I don't live next door to a nuclear facility. I'm talking about motherhood and how this third arm is supposed to develop so I don't have to type one handed, so I can have a two-handed grip on my garden burger, while that third arm, with a dexterious hand appendage can hold the baby. I guess the third arm is like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny--fantasy to temporarily help you through life transitions--I am a little relieved I must say. I was wondering where to buy three armed tops, and I was thinking sleeping might also have its challenges. . .

That tranistion you hear so much about

2007-01-22T13:59:00.000-08:00

On January 12, 2007, Ezra Cole entered the world and changed at least two people's lives forever. With help, from capable doctors, an amazing maternity ward staff, and support and keen interest from friends and family, he has shifted into his second week of life quite nicely.

This experience has taught me many things, but from a larger point of view, I have a reinforced respect for one aspect of my culture --modern medicine, contemporary medical procedures and other professionals who made the birth possible in the first place (woulda most likely died in a third world country without cesarian capabilities). My agrarian visions of giving birth naturally in a self supporting eco village quickly disappeared when the doctors told me what could have happened if I gave birth naturally.

And on a much more basic level, I have discovered that yes, indeed, there is love at first sight. An amazing rush of love that consumes you (I know someone out there thinks its just hormones) and takes ahold of you in a way that I can only compare to passages of rapture I've come across in my days of the holy spirit consuming you and blinding you in an unimaginable love and humility. So love, in this maternal case, feels very spiritual.

I've got 10 minutes before the little man wants it. So signing off for now!

One more day til motherhood

2007-01-11T10:05:00.000-08:00

As many of my friends and family know, tomorrow I am scheduled for a cesarian birth, and thus the official beginning of motherhood. I have many preconceived notions of motherhood, books I've read, relationships I've observed, my own experience with my mother, my husband's experiences with his mother. All of these ideas are free floating inside of my head, yet at the same time, there is an inner calm. It will come. I will become a mommy.

How recent is the phenomenon of choosing a date to become parents? As I recall from a recent article in the New Yorker on cesarian births, more and more women in developed nations are opting for cesarians, and more and more doctors are turning to cesarian births when natural pregnancy poses problems--such is our case. Doctors also push for a cesarian to avoid potential lawsuits, and knowing the litigious nature of American society, I don't blame them. Some of my European friends look upon me with pity, that I can not experience natural childbirth. I look upon the experience as a miracle. It is through this process that my life and the life of the baby will not be threatened. It is not fool safe. A million things could still go wrong, but statistically speaking, we are in good hands.

No one can tell us what it will be like, as one thing that is for sure--we are all individuals and will have our own experience as parents. I am looking forward to it!

Introducing Aguayo Shed

2007-01-10T18:31:00.000-08:00

Aguayo is the maiden name of my paternal grandmother Mercedes and her wild sister Ta, both born somewhere in Mexico on the legendary ranch of Uisamopa. Their father owned a silver mine. Their large family fled to Los Angeles during the Mexican Revolution between 1910 and 1916 when the ranch was taken over by the people. Despite a good 9 inch difference in our heights (me being the taller), and my pale, freckled skin, I related to these two little, fiercely strong women, and feel most connected with their heritage. Although they have both since left this earth, their presence in my formative years has helped shaped my ideology--including beliefs that developed in opposition to theirs. I thus take the name "Noelle Aguayo" as my blog persona.

Aguayo shed is viewed as a place for me to wood shed on my ideas and share them with friends and an unknown public. Here goes!