family stuff – Non Omnis Moriar

DIY Yule Goat

constantia — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:31:18 +0000

How to make your own Julbock!

Hopefully I remember to do this with the family next Yule.

Mystery!

constantia — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:42:39 +0000

Like many other kids of the 70’s, my first introduction to Edward Gorey came by way of PBS’ Mystery! I wasn’t much into mysteries at the time, but I loved the intro so much that whenever my parents were about to watch the show, my mom and dad would call me into the room so I could watch the Gorey opening sequence with them.

Good childhood memories.

My emotional connection to this is incredibly strong, and (as silly as it may seem) it’s one of the Pivotal Things that helped shape the woman I am today. When I see it, when I hear the music — it reminds me of how much my parents loved me. Memories of comfort — of being safe, feeling loved, and being inspired — are all inextricably entwined for me with this one little animation.

What are your strongest positive childhood memories?

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Lilith’s drawing of Rapunzel

constantia — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 19:32:21 +0000

If it fits, it ships!

constantia — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:31:45 +0000

I tried to ship her off to Borneo, but she’s wise to my tricks.

Contemplating the warty pigs @ the LA Zoo.

constantia — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 22:35:00 +0000

Lilith & her Bunnies!

constantia — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 19:05:34 +0000

Lilith doing her math exercises with dad!

Teaching Little’Uns About the Value of Money

constantia — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 19:41:06 +0000

This is a wonderful idea. Stolen from Rainn Wilson:

“We taught our 7 year old son about money today. A lesson I wish my parents had taught me. We gave him 3 tea jars and some money and he emptied out the money he had in his little wallet. We told him one jar was for ‘PERSONAL SPENDING’, an…other for ‘SAVINGS’ and another for ‘GIVING’. He got to choose how to divvy up his monies and put it in whichever jars he chose. We got to talk to him about the importance of putting some money aside for the future, something big you want to save for or college, etc… And, most importantly, that some money needed to be given away to charity or religious faith, to be spent in service.”

Somehow I need to remember this in four years.

constantia — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 08:14:37 +0000

At midnight, I was kissing my husband. Cannot imagine a better way to start the year.

Happy Anniversary, Ted.

constantia — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:02:53 +0000

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way than this:

where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

Happy Anniversary, Ted.

constantia — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 18:42:41 +0000

I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.