you say it's your birthday...

i've said before that birthdays should be for moms and dads...they do ALL of the work and we just get to be born. now that i have friends who have become mothers or others who are in the final days of pregnancy, i think this at least 300 times as much as I did before. 

i honor of the ones who made me exactly 29 years ago today, here's one of the first family photos from my first forty-eight hours in this world.

 

my parents have been JUST this loving and supportive every day of my entire life, so to have 29 years with these two folks has been the greatest birthday gift of my life. so, happy birthday to me...but most importantly, thank you mama and daddy. 

contemplation...

“you do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. what you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.”
- thomas merton

 

what are you contemplating in the new year? i'm considering truly how to get healthy, make the best possible career switch, and putting down deep roots somewhere. i thought an apple a day's photo perfectly captured what it feels like to stare deeply into the future, and the unknown and be content. ;) happy happy happy new year!

because he keeps asking...

so, i mentioned last week that i'm not sure anymore that i want the shoes i've been saying i wanted for two years. apparently this foiled some christmas present plans to the max, so i thought i'd share a few ideas. ;) some are big, some are little, and honestly, i don't need anything but time with the ones i love.

 for serious original artwork...maybe not this piece from anthropologie, but something amazing and one of a kind for our "art gallery" (the incredibly long hallway in our house)

 

beautiful letterpress personal calling cards...because boone has some and i'm jealous. or even just some new, traditional correspondence cards because i am O-U-T.

 

an amazing wear everywhere dress from boden, since i've been salivating over it since i saw it and it looks like it was MADE for my body.

 

or a softer than soft chambray shirt...because i had one that i wore into pieces and it's time for a replacement. the downside: boone and i could match.

or a teeny tiny delta necklace, to show my pride or an awesome monogram necklace from moon and lola (and because jewelry is always fun to get)

or a way to satisfy my karaoke craving at any moment and even in the comfort of our own home. 

I've also been really wishing for a subscription to the HBR...nerdy? yes. still a super amazing read? oh yes.

the hog coming down the snake...

it's been a really busy few weeks,  folks. we went up to NC to see boone's family for Easter, Boone started his new job (!), i've been wrapping up the year with my teachers, and then we went BACK to NC for a wedding last weekend. on top of these things we adopted a stray kitten and have been wringing our hands about the mississippi river and all it's tributaries that have been and will be flooding for the next month or two.

on the news this morning the today show talked about the flooding in cairo, talked a little about memphis, then jumped straight down to baton rouge and new orleans, completely skipping over tunica, greenville/lake village, and vicksburg, all of which will likely be hit hard by the flooding. just like in 1927 and 1937.

we're going to be safe, i think...although IF (big if) the yazoo river levee's breached, we may be in some trouble. like, serious trouble. maybe i'm putting too much faith in the levee board, but i believe them when they say that things are looking ok on the eastern side of the delta. the cassidy bayou in front of our house looks full, but not it's flooding, so i don't think we need to evacuate. 

but what about all the people with homes and jobs and lives even closer to the river? they're DEFINITELY going to be affected...plus the economic impact of this flood will likely further cripple mississippi, and none of the national news people are even talking about it.... none but NPR and the NYT. bless you for taking the threat to the mississippi delta seriously, public radio and hoity toity newspapers.

 

how are things actually going for the delta? 

The most accurate and up to date information i could find was at the delta council's website. friends, as of yesterday it didn't look good. memphis is cresting, but even that amount of water is more than will reach greenville and vicksburg. Our eloquent governor called the waters, "the hog coming down the snake" which, although oddly worded, is a pretty accurate piece of imagery. what about rosedale? friar's point? rolling fork? and the other teeny little towns that touch the levee?

if you love the delta like i do, cross your fingers, say your prayers, and get ready to support the Red Cross as the waters rise over the next few weeks. i think we'll ultimately still have a mississippi delta at the end of all of this, but lots of families close to the river are in trouble, and they'll need lots of help.

i thought you might want to see some photos from the 1927 flood in the delta, just to help you picture the worst case scenario. we're hoping for the BEST case scenario, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

all my love... and please keep the delta in your thoughts. and if you want to know more about the earlier floods, read rising tide.

happy birthday boone.

To love is not to possess,
To own or imprison,
Nor to lose one’s self in another.
Love is to join and separate,
To walk alone and together,
To find a laughing freedom
That lonely isolation does not permit.
It is finally to be able
To be who we really are
No longer clinging in childish dependency
Nor docilely living separate lives in silence,
It is to be perfectly one’s self
And perfectly joined in permanent commitment
To another–and to one’s inner self.
Love only endures when it moves like waves,
Receding and returning gently or passionately,
Or moving lovingly like the tide
In the moon’s own predictable harmony,
Because finally, despite a child’s scars
Or an adult’s deepest wounds,
They are openly free to be
Who they really are–and always secretly were,
In the very core of their being
Where true and lasting love can alone abide. 

                               - James Kavanaugh

golden birthday.

well y'all....i turned 28 today. :)as an official, for-real, no-way-around-it adult, i have to say that i still REALLY love birthday cake (just like i did when i was 2) and apparently never outgrew the ridiculously high ponytail phase (wearing my hair this way, as i type). anyway, boone has made the day really special and been extra sweet to me and my coworkers made funfettie cupcakes...my favorite, and we're heading down south to see my folks right now so I can celebrate with the ones who made me.

what all this tells me that if the rest of my 28th year is like today, it's going to be a pretty good one. hope you have a birthday that makes you feel as special as i do right now. :)

see you on monday when i post the winner of the mix giveaway! it's not too late to enter!

dear santa...

so yesterday we went on a christmas shopping excursion...it was super fun because my folks met us and so we got to spend the afternoon together. however, christmas shopping with 4 people (two of whom are the kind of fellas who H-A-T-E shopping) is pretty difficult, especially if you're trying to shop for some of the people who're with you.

the good news is that i was able to check most people off of our list. the bad news is that boone saw me buying a few of his gifts...which means my holiday gift guide will need to be extra tricky this year so he can't figure out what is. also, he kept asking me what i wanted for christmas, which really and truly, is nothing. but, while we were out and about i did run across a few little items i wouldn't mind having... ;) and here they are!

1. the most lovely pair of flats in the world.

       2. an ina garten cookbook that i don't have but i've seen everywhere

3. in the move to the 'sip i accidentally threw away my two peter's pottery fat bunnies. replacing them would make me SO happy.

4. a great pair of (cheap!) black or tan wedges for dressing up and going out.

5. lovely grey ruffled pretty pillowcases to replace the ones that flew into oblivion on our move from oxford.

6. a book of WPA posters (or better yet, this actual poster or this one) since they are my absolute fave kind of design and would look fab in my office.

7. and who doesn't want a polka dot cardigan?

8. i'm incredibly particular (and really traditional) when it comes to my stationary. unless i'm writing a fun note or sending a birthday card, i like to have plain white embossed (and classically monogrammed) correspondence cards. unfortunately i used up two sets writing wedding notes and haven't had any for over a year. i think this necessity is the perfect way to round out my wish list! ;)

9. last year i asked for a tshirt where the proceeds went to an incredible organization that supported education on the African continent. this year i want to support education reform a little closer to home.

10. but honestly...what i really and truly want for christmas is some time to go on an adventure with my honey. who can give me some time?

what do YOU want santa to bring you for Christmas? I've got gift guides coming this week and next, so if you're not sure check back for some ideas!

waiting on the weekend...

 

boone's folks are coming into town this afternoon for the weekend and we're both really excited to show them around the delta! I've got tomorrow off plus we've planned autumn-appropriate dinners (pot roast, pork tenderloin and roasted apples) mapped out every antique store in the area, and made the guest bed so all there is to do is wait.

thank GOODNESS i love boone's folks and he loves mine..i can't imagine feeling the way some folks do about their inlaws. mine are so adorable and kind to me that i'm a lucky, lucky gal!

one is silver and the other gold...

friday night we went on a delta date...we had a drink, we went to dinner, we looked at the stars, and then we stood in the yard and talked with our neighbors Robert and Betsy (both episcopal priests, if you can believe it!) for almost an hour. it was perfect.

the yard part was especially perfect because the weather has turned cool and the mosquitoes gave us a little break...plus i just really like Robert and Betsy! it was really and truly hard to leave atlanta and our bestest, dearest, sweetest friends... we've had a lot of weekends where it's just been the two of us since we've been in the delta. now, i actually really LOVE low-key nights cooking and snuggling with boone like crazy, but sometimes it's just nice to have couple of couple-friends you can call and spend time with when you want.

i'm really looking forward to finding those folks, and having dinner parties and movie adventures with them. do i sound sad? i hope not! i'm just trying to say that life in a new place, a small, teeny, sweet place with history and few newcomers takes time to adjust to...and let's be honest, I'm not the most patient gal in the world. the good news is that sunday night betsy and robert had a bonfire for s'mores and hotdogs and we met even MORE fun, young neighbors.

AND boone's been asked to join the volunteer fire department, which apparently is just a guy's night once a month...and like i said yesterday, i've been invited to the garden club! at this rate, we'll have new friends in no time. what is it that they say about old and new friends? one is silver and the other gold! either way, SO valuable!

oh mpb...

i've been in chicago this week for a conference which explains my interweb absence and returned to find that mississippi public broadcasting CANCELED the npr program Fresh Air this week. canceled it. not because they don't have the funds to pay for it--although maybe they don't-- but because it has "inappropriate" sexual content. seriously mbp? really? i wrote them this scathing letter this morning... feel free to ignore what follows, OR better yet, write them yourself and tell them what you think!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Good Morning,
I'm a dedicated local listener to MPB because you provide programming that is insightful, engaging, and reflective. I've lived all over the state and there have been many years when I haven't had cable because MPB has exceeded my media needs! I remember sitting by the radio and listening to MPB for news of Hurricane Katrina since I had just moved to the Delta and hadn't heard from my family in for days. I've always been thankful that MPB was willing to provide programs that offered insight into news stories that went BEYOND sound bites and really uncovered meaning and purpose in current events when other news outlets fall short. I've often invited people over to listen to new This American Life programs and forwarded podcasts of the Gesalt Gardener when I've found the tips to be helpful or the conversation especially clever.
It is because I love MBP and rely on you for my news and insight that I am incredibly saddened and disappointed that you have canceled one of my favorite programs. Terri Gross is one of the most accomplished interviewers in our country. Because she prepares so fully for her interviews and allots more time to interviews than most programs she is able to extract a particular level of vulnerability and honesty from her guests that others cannot. Additionally, she interviews an incredibly broad swath of guests...I have heard her get Rainn Wilson of The Office to share stories of high school hijinx, Puff Daddy (Sean Combs) confess personal details about his family life and relationships, and world renown scientists discuss their discoveries and personal heroes. What is interesting to me is that she interviews EVERY single guest with the same level of depth and exceptional background knowledge. When she speaks to Puff Daddy and other hip hop artists, she somehow knows more about their accomplishments and personal motivations than they do... and the same is true for statesmen, diplomats, professors, and even obscure comedians, sculptors, and indie musicians. Terri Gross offers one of the most interesting and diverse programs of anyone in the media and so I wholeheartedly disagree with the comment published by MPB that,
"Mississippi Public Broadcasting strives to deliver educational, informative, and meaningful content to its listeners. After careful consideration and review we have determined that Fresh Air does not meet this goal over time. Too often Fresh Air’s interviews include gratuitous discussions on issues of an explicit sexual nature. We believe that most of these discussions do not contribute to or meaningfully enhance serious-minded public discourse on sexual issues."
Not only is the station incorrect about it's appraisal of Terri Gross's program (not being educational, meaningful, and informative) but I also believe that it is important for adults to decide what does and does not "meaningfully enhance serious-minded public discourse on sexual issues." I am certain that Fresh Air has never offered lewd or lascivious content and although at times sex is discussed in terms that do stray from clinical definitions, it should be for individual listeners to decide whether or not they would like to continue to listen to it or not. This does not happen when you censor the program from the airwaves of my entire home state. It seems that by removing Fresh Air you are not offering us the opportunity to decide for ourselves, and thus it appears you believe we are either too simple to understand complexity and nuance, or too ignorant to know to change the channel if something offends our personal sensibilities. This is not the case as I am sure you are aware, but your decision suggests that this is MPB's opinion of us.
I was thinking of another way to address the concerns brought by the person who heard FreshAir on MPB's "hold" so that everyone can breathe easier. I would suggest that you remove the program from the "hold" que. Certainly someone on hold has no choice but to listen to what is provided, so he or she did not have the opportunity to change the station...but by removing it from the airwaves, everyone else in our state who enjoys and learns from Ms. Gross suffers. This seemingly rash decision has made me reconsider supporting MPB in the future. In fact, I have an ipod, and have a great deal of driving to do across the state for my job. If MPB is unwilling to share insightful, witty, and interesting programs then I will instead download NPR podcasts directly and forgo the companionship of my old radio friend. I fear that there are many other people in Mississippi like me and that the removal of this program may prove to be a poor decision that will cost you listeners and support. I do not wish this, but fear it, and urge you to reconsider your hasty and unfortunate decision.
Sincerely, me

first day.

first day on the job...wish me luck!

POD people...

yesterday was loading day and the morning was totally crazy.
boone lost his keys, we both had our immunization appointments for our trip at nearly the SAME time our POD showed up at our complex, PLUS our across the hall neighbor was moving in the BIGGEST van i've ever seen and blocked almost the whole loading area. thankfully, the neighbor finished early, we worked around our appts. and though the keys are looooong gone, it won't be a huge expense to replace some of them.

now, thanks to dear friends, our POD is packed to the gills minus our most needed things (the sleeper sofa and our pots) but we've still got a little more to do. the good news is that we're not leaving ATL until Monday but now is the hardest part... i mean, what do you do when you have tons of teeny little piles of stuff (some junk, some necessary objects)? Do you bag it? Box it? throw it ALL away? what do you do when you move?

photo from at

belated celebration...

"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it." -- Mark Twain

i had the wonderful joy to be with my mama on mother's day... she and boone's mom were in ATL for our graduation. since we were celebrating in person (celebrating LOTS of different things) it didn't occur to me that I had wanted to celebrate online with this picture. isn't she SO pretty?

now that boone and I are packing up the apartment i've been thinking about her a lot.. this is one of the first times she hasn't been with me, helping me pack and calming me down from my panic attacks when all of my worldly possessions are strewn around the floor (turns out that i don't handle messiness and transition very well). the good news is that she taught me all about about bubble wrap, fine china, and making sure to LABEL everything, so while i'd like her to be here, boone and i are managing.

anyway, here's to mothers (one week late) and all the incredible things we've learned from them!

pomp and circumstance!

i'm taking a quick break from packing (packing peanuts and liquor boxes are EVERYWHERE) to share some photos of graduation weekend (courtesy of the fab photographer kc ramsey) AND our graduation soiree Monday night at antico pizza (courtesy of my mom's camera)
by the way...our family + k&p+ delicious pizza + crazy chef = loads of fun

first, k & p's graduation pot luck. you can see the MOST DELICIOUS homemade krystal burgers in the above photo. i got the recipe... can you stand it? and below is my mom and her new best friend... anne.

and now, actual graduation. here's a photo of all of the emory grads...



yes, that IS the gover-nator..


now here's antico: we RSVP'd for the family table in the back and brought lots of wine and champagne (it's a celebration, right?) if you don't, you end up sitting wherever you can find a spot and it's a byob kind of place. if you haven't been... GO. and if you want some company, let me know in the next 9 days and i'll meet you there.










here's my dad with HIS new best friend.. the chef.

promise i'll be back soon with more stuff, but first we've got to pack, move to the delta, find a place to temp. live, then come back to ATL so we can FLY TO SINGAPORE!

finished!!!

i can't believe it... it's been three years but last night i turned in my last graduate paper... which means

i'm finished!!

taking a break for a few days until graduation. :) hope you get to relax enjoy the springtime too!

photo by jena ardell