This picture was taken when Ruby was three weeks old, during my second week of mothering. It was early in the triathlon of late night feedings, diaper changes, and the seemingly endless shooshing of a crying baby, and already Sam and I were exhausted. We’d had 36 hours—not 9 months—to prep ourselves for parenthood (the [...]
In Adoption, Family, Government, Parenting on
10 August 2010 with 11 comments
I never really understand why people are hesitant to take their kids to the Gay Pride Parade. Over the weekend, I had several different conversations about it—since I’d planned to take Ruby—and got several interesting reactions. One couple I met at breakfast this morning said that they’d always wanted to go, but motioned toward their [...]
In Family, Gay rights, Human Rights, Love, Parenting on
18 July 2010 with 18 comments
I was writing a post tonight about my recent trip to Southern Utah to celebrate my grandfather’s 90th birthday and about how it exceeded my low expectations by approximately the same distance between Ruby’s hands and the end of the rainbow kite she flew against a cloudless blue sky in the hot desert wind last [...]
In Bits & Pieces, Family on
12 July 2010 with 9 comments
I love fashion. It’s not a secret. But I’m not very good at putting things together in a creative or original way. I actually suck at it. Quite magnificently. When I go shopping, which I don’t care for at all, I tend to buy the same thing over and over and over again. I don’t [...]
In Family, Fashion, Love, Photography, Photos on
14 June 2010 with 9 comments
Our neighbors had a yard sale this weekend, providing a spontaneous photo op. And, of course, there was a natural evolution.
In Family, Marriage, Photography, Photos on
23 May 2010 with 8 comments
If you happen to be free tonight (Tuesday, May 4), come by The Loft for the opening reception for “Exploring the ‘M’ Word,” a student produced art exhibition highlighting the complexities of motherhood. The show, curated by Aimee Harlib and co-sponsored by the UCSD Women’s Center, runs through May 21st. I will be reading a [...]
In Art Show, Family, Love, Parenting, Women on
3 May 2010 with no comments
Today was the first day of the year that felt like summer. It was warm out—not hot—with a mostly cloudless sky as blue as a Popsicle®. It was quintessential Southern California, the kind of day that begs you to toss your obligations out the window and head directly for the beach with your Coppertone, a [...]
In Family, Parenting, Photos, Race, health on
1 May 2010 with 6 comments
Within a week after the news that Torry Ann Hansen had put her 7-year-old adopted son alone on a flight to Russia carrying with him her resignation letter, we received a thick envelope from our adoption agency. I thought it was a request for a donation, so when I read the contents, my stomach dropped. [...]
In Adoption, Backwards and In High Heels, Family, Parenting, Photos, The Column, Writing on
28 April 2010 with 5 comments
Ruby had already buckled herself into her car seat when she realized she’d forgotten the drawings for her teacher. I ignored the urge to say, too bad, kid. We’re late. Chalk it up to a lesson learned about having your shit together. (God, how I love my fantasy life.) Instead I channeled June Cleaver, set [...]
In Family, Life, Love, Marriage, Parenting, Photography, Photos on
26 January 2010 with 12 comments