From Northern Lights to Feminism to the Botanic Gardens

I just started reading The Northern Lights (aka. The Golden Compass) and it's so good. In fact, I love it. During all of the hype about how parents shouldn't let their children watch the movie or read the book, I had loads of fun reading other people's responses, but I didn't think I'd get so into the book like I am right now. I wish I was in a book club to start a discussion about the symbolism and deep dark meaning!!!

Jason just brought home a new book from the library for me. . . and yes, it's another book on feminism. It's a reader with essays and articles and poems. . . and I can't wait to get started. I was enjoying my reading of Feminism: Issues and Arguments written by Jennifer Saul but we had to take it back to the library before I finished so I can't wait until it's free again. I'm pretty sure it's a text for a class at the University and if that is the case I'd love to sit in on some of the lectures. There are so many different strands of feminist thought and this new book will get into that. Even after reading much of Saul's book and listening to some lectures on feminism from a professor at Stanford University named Estelle Friedman, I still don't understand why women would shy away from the word when discussing women's right to be treated equal and often say things like "I'm not a feminist, but. . .."

I know it's a complex word with meaning that changes with topic and time but as I was reading from the Saul's book I came across a wonderful definition of feminist thought. Since I don't have the book on hand to quote word for word the underlying argument is: a focus on womans' rights and questioning any conditions, laws and culture that cause subordination based on gender. This always rings so right to me. So clear. I love being a woman and promoting womans' rights to fulfill life as they dream and desire. So many myths float around in politics and everyday life that are not at all how I see feminist thought. It's such a shame.

The text also confronts the tendency in society to value what a man does more than what a woman does and questions why? It does not suggest that a woman should work outside the home or in the home but it does call for equal recognition for the work a woman chooses.

I love Jason and love that he loves feminist thought as well. He just read a book entitled Misquoting Jesus that discusses how the original texts which came to be included in the New Testament were changed by scribes over time. One section talks about how some of the writings of Paul, which are usually pointed to as teaching a subordination of women (such as that women should not speak in church), were altered a hundred or so years after they were originally written so that they would include those teachings. In the earliest and most reliable manuscripts they were either not there, or they indicated more of the roles that women played as teachers in the church and leaders in the Christian movement.

. . .On a lighter note--we went to the Botanic Gardens today and I have to say that the sun outside my window was oh so deceiving. I needed to wear my winter coat but instead just took my light spring coat. Soren and I still had a wonderful time and frolicked through the indoor gardens imagining they were jungles. . . and the flowers were better than a dream with bright pinks, purples, yellows and more. I have a love for orchids and want to share their beauty with you. Tah-Dah!!

A little live Georgia O'keeffe

So lovely-- little cabbage patch kids were about to pop out!

The dance of the Orchids


Almost cuddly. . .

so yummy and cute and sassy. . .

The is one of my favorite plants because the leaves turn to vibrant colors towards the middle like a flower but the texture is still leaf-like.

Benvenuto a Febraio

The month of Amore

I love people and I love people who show love to other people
I love Jason's guitar time at night while Soren dances
I love Jason and Soren



I love new possibility for the 2008 election

I love the clip of the Kitty Cat Man that Charla just posted on Feb. 4 here (it made me laugh so much)

I love being a woman
I love forgiveness and understanding
I love the all-time-great songs Tender and On and On
I love Bob Dylan's song Ain't talkin (it's like Tom Waits mixed with Johny Cash)
I love dance and communication and expression through movement
I love these words by contemporary dancer Jose Limon:

The human body is the most powerfully expressive meduim their is. Is is quite possible to hide behind paints, clay. . . but the body reveals. When you move you stand revealed for what you are.

I love Soren's new happiness with wearing two diffent socks (reminding me of Punky Brewster)

I love the cartoon version of Robin Hood. I love that when Soren was watching it today he yelled "they love each other!" I love the rooster that sings "sometimes ups out number the downs, but not in Knottingham" (he's so Willy Nelson)

I love the movie The Fountain



And I love this photo

Happy February to all of you lovers out there! What do YOU love today?

Another Birthday Starring. . .

(Enjoying the paparazzi with our brother Wally)

Bridget!!! Happy Birthday!!!

Bridget is my fearless, beautiful, creative, always giving older sister who let me tag along endlessly when we were younger.

Let me give you a few examples of how fabulous she is:

She's a world class traveler--France, Italy, United Kingdom, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Jerusalem (just to name a few)
Mothering has always come easy to her. She took care of me and showed me the ropes growing up with-Barbie, dress up, exploring and climbing trees

Now I see her with her own children and I am always so impressed with her amazing creativity--parties of all sorts, gourmet meals, crafty projects, beautiful handmade gifts, and encouraging her children to be creative and thoughtful as well.

AND she was recently a model with her daughter Emilia in Organize magazine (I'm working on posting that!)

Groove is also in her heart when she hits the dance floor

I am so very Very VERY lucky to have her as my big sister!

I love you Bridget!!

(Charla avoiding the paparazzi -Francie)

Happy Birthday Charla!!!

Little Charla, we love you so much and are so lucky to have you as our beautiful, talented and always loving little sister. Here are some things we love about her:

she sings like an angel (sang backup for Golden Shoulders) and sings opera
has a heart filled with love, cuddles and giggles
makes wonderful documentaries (has a Master's in film) with an impeccable artistic taste

has an ultra cool fashion sense
has serious groove on the dance floor

is always ready for discussions on humanity, politics, art and the world
is an amazing aunt to her nieces and nephews and loves little children and they love her
when she was born her heart stopped beating (she was 8 weeks early)--she is our miracle
AND she is the best little sister EVER!

She will always be our little Charla and the baby of the family that we love and think is amazing!

Love,
Your family

Part of Soren's Prayer Last Night

". . .Thank you that we love Daddy. Thank you that we love Daddy's nose. Thank you that we love Mommy's nose. Thank you for our hearts . . .that we can just love (pause) the blanket. . .the wall. . .the gospel."

As he was praying he got more and more into it and started using his arm like he was giving a sermon. We love his prayers.

On a side note, this morning Jason and I were completing some forms for Soren to start nursery school and one of the questions was "what songs does your child like?" and I wrote down The Grand Old Duke of York and then asked Soren what he liked. Guess what he said? Yep, Gold Digger! (I didn't write that one down--Maybe I should have).

Once Upon a Swing Time

I love my husband. He made the most enjoyable playlist for me when I travel to and from my dance classes and I was loving my bus ride today. The songs brought back memories and took me outside the bus and to places and times that are now only in my mind.

Have you ever been a part of something extra fun and cool and never really thought much about it until long after it was over? When I was eighteen my sister Charla, my bother Wally and I learned how to Lindy Hop. It's such a dreamy memory--San Diego venues, Senior's Clubs with live bands (they loved us for keeping their era going), and any place we could get to that had a live big band music style. My brother was so awesome and took us with him to lessons in Encinitas and we really had a good time. We were a hit at weddings and could really cut a rug on the dance floor and since Charla and I were already dancers it came easy. When I went away to school I met some other Lindy Hoppers and we started a company called Swing Time where we taught classes and performed for community and civic functions (and made some good money might I add). All the while, I was having loads of fun but not really thinking much about it because I've always been drawn to contemporary styles and artistry. . . but we were rockabilly cool. . . with slicked dark short hair for me . . . and fun vintage frocks!

One year we performed for First Night and that memory makes me smile and want to laugh a bit. I had this totally cute vintage dress that was black with short sleeves. Anyway, while we were performing our first dance my sleeves started to rip. . .and rip. . .to the point that when it was over I just ripped them off and had a tank dress for the next dance. (This is the point where Jason would tell me how hardcore I am). I've got some strong shoulders and they're broad and bigger than most women's. One time my dad asked me if I was wearing shoulder pads. . .I wasn't!

. . .So, I left for Italy and that part of my life pretty much came to an end. Once in a while I have a chance to strut my stuff swing dance style and I've taught Jason a few steps and I think he has great potential (and although he has joked that he'll dance for 15 seconds, one day we're going to jam to a big band together!). Luckily Charla's great at the guys part and so we still dust off the cob webs and dance. La nostalgia!!

Friends in Provo

We love going to Provo because we love the people we know there. Here are some of the cool cats that we got to see at Bridget's house while we were home for the holidays.

Nikki and Cameron

Bridget and Sherisa

Neil

Andrea, Gian and Jason

Jared, Michelle and baby Ocean

Emily and Richard

So, I didn't get photos of everyone we saw ( and I'm sorry for that). We were also graced with Ryan, Brittany and Grant. Thanks everyone for the deep discussions on The Golden Compass, Depock Chopra, and the men's restroom.

Green Glasgow and a Mudslide

The day before Christmas we went for a walk to the Kelvingrove Park and it was green and mud-tastic. The grassy hill was breathtaking and we were pulled in it's direction. Soren and Jason made their way to the top and as I shouted "ready, steady, GO!" trouble, mud and laughs were already on their way. They raced down and hit a soggy part and although Soren was the muddy one he was such a good sport and was amused at his brown lot for the walk home.

Thanks Mom

My mom and me (I think you can tell we're related).

My dad

Soren and Emilia. She is so amazing with him! I'd love her to come and stay with me in Scotland--she was such a little mother to him.

Soren and Paris

Francie's great karaoke

Peter and Charla doing Dance Dance Revolution (When I saw Emilia and Leif do DDR for the first time I was blown away--they were like little dance machines). Charla and Peter--you're awesome too. I think I'm going to call you guys DDR 1 and DDR 2.

Richard and Bridget-- our gracious hosts (Thanks for having such a full house for so long).

Soren and I came home for two weeks to Utah (my second home) and Jason met up with us a week later. It was my mom's idea to surprise Charla while she was in town (and send us home) and have a baby shower for her. My Secret was outed a few days before and it was so dreamy to see family and friends. (We did have a rough start though).

Despite Soren and I getting sick on the plane, Soren getting a fever for 2 days, followed by me getting food poisoning for the New Year, and then Soren getting the flu, we still managed to have a good time with Bridget's Dance Dance Revolution, High School Musical sing-along and Karaoke. Charla's shower was darling and so is she. I love her stomach and can't believe my baby sister is having a baby! We all loved seeing Peter dote on her as well--they are such a perfect couple. Bridget had a full house for a while as the cousins ran around loving being together again. My brother and his family were the only ones not there because they went to visit his wife's family in Argentina for the New Year--They're still there and hopefully having a dreamy time.

I went to see my beautiful niece Emilia in her ballet class and although no parents are aloud to watch I pleaded my case (as the aunt from out of town) and got to stay for the beginning to take some photos. She is such a lovely dancer and a smart one too. With straight lines and knees over toes as she did her barre exercises she was a dream. I'm so proud of her and was also impressed with her attentiveness in class and her regal posture and focus.




I wish I could start a children's dance company for all of my family and friends' beautiful and talented children in the states. I see so much talent and individuality in all of them. . . .one day.


. . . When Jason arrived Soren was so cute. We went to the airport with Grandma and Grandpa Monson to pick him up and when Soren saw his dad he ran to him in his little striped pajamas and hugged him. It was so nice to be all together again.

At Grandma Pat's house Soren had a ball with her treasures (keys, chains and things that made clanking noises) and would pile them up and say he had made an Eiffel Tower.

We also ejoyed spending time with cousins and having a happy Birthday with Kari (my sister-in-law). Her little boy Weston is a doll and he and Soren had so much fun together. Her older boy Kyson is such a nice big brother. I wish we weren't all so far apart.

My Babe

Grandma's house (always well stocked with wonderful fruits and veggies)

Weston and Soren

Grandpa and Grandma with Soren, Weston, and Kyson

Rob, Kari and Weston (Happy Birthday Kari!)

. . .and I still have more to post but better stop for now!

Happy Holidays!