Notes
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Flat surface space is at a premium with a toddler running around, but I turned my dresser top into an altar focused on being the kind of mother I want to be. The cloth is a hand-crocheted nursing wrap that I never used for nursing, but stitched during the long wait for M., years before he was conceived. My desire for him and for motherhood are channeled into every stitch. There’s @bakaraw’s #wtfistarot, of course, and my Tarot of Cats deck. The cats help me feel closer to the memory of W’s cat, who left us in June. The mermaid and baby picture was in the delivery room as I went through my long cave-labor with M. The cards tucked into the mirror are Bast and Aphrodite, fierce and soft moms. (Venus Genetrix has been my favorite aspect of Aphrodite since I played her in the 10 Minute Aeneid my sophomore year of high school.) There’s a stuffed manatee, bringing in my patronus and the nature of manatee moms, and a pomegranate candle, as a reminder of my maiden season, which stretched longer than I ever expected it would but gave me many gifts. ******* This space is sure to be covered in dirty tissues, hair elastics, and half-empty seltzer cans in a matter of days, but for now it’s #magiceverydamnday.
Fairy lights under the snow last night. This image is rife with symbolism, right down to the protective mesh that keeps our parkour acrobat dance-baby from climbing off the deck. I’m probably going to use it as the featured image for a blog post soon.
Today’s #dailytarot draw: Judgment. Card from the Tarot of Pagan Cats. Text from #wtfistarot by @bakaraw.
This cat has a beautiful home and all the tools he needs to do his work. He is secure on this balcony, but is looking beyond it. If he chooses to leap, he will be fine: cats’ bodies can actually turn into little parachutes. If he chooses to stay, he will be fine. He is connected to the divine in himself, as represented by the cat in the stars.
The night that my dear friend @folio_ninja told me he was moving away, I did a simple, three card past-present-future reading with the question, “What’s going to happen to our friendship?” Judgment was the card in the present slot, and I interpreted it at that time to mean that, at present, we had both sort of come into full maturity with the friendship, and we were both ready for the next thing.
A month later, another friend contacted me, asking for help picking out a quote to have illustrated as a going-away gift for @folio_ninja. I remembered a beautiful note he had given someone else at an improv practice: “Trust that you can go bigger.” His sister presented him with that quote, illustrated and signed by many of his friends, on stage at his last improv show here. The friend who had contacted me explained to the audience that the quote was @folio_ninja’s own note. He said, “Kimberly picked it out.” Eyes shimmering with tears, @folio_ninja answered, “I know.” Today, I’m planning to book the hotel for my first visit to @folio_ninja in his new/old home.
Let’s all trust that we can go bigger. We are #magiceverydamnday.
My toddler napped in the car outside the Montessori/co-working space for an hour and a half; meanwhile, I reviewed 3 articles for my comps lit review. We got inside and as soon as I was settled in front of my laptop, I renewed my vehicle registration, paid his tuition, and contacted furniture movers for an estimate. I deserve a high five.
It says something about how I engage with culture that two days after a new show’s release I expect to be able to track down full-fledged fan communities. Where is fandom anyway? Tumblr?
On-brand: wearing a black babydoll dress & black leggings with lace trim, dancing to Bauhaus like South Park goth kids, to amuse my toddler.
This twenty-year-old bit from Wanda Sykes has taken on new meaning since I became a parent (she said posting from her bed at 3:30 am because why sleep if your kid is just going to wake up screaming every 30 minutes?).
I’ll look you in the eye when I say he’s worth it, though.
I really like the idea “Begin as you mean to continue.” Today I lazed about in bed with W & our baby M, migrated to a new #bulletjournal, brunched with family, ate well, played video games, texted a friend, took a monster nap, cooked dinner (canned Amy’s organic soup + Udi’s dinner rolls), bathed the baby, and took a shower. It was a holiday and rest day, so I didn’t work or exercise. Those will come later, as will better hydration. But I’m very happy with how the day has gone. Now to get ready for bed and do some pleasure reading!
Work in progress: TMNT, pattern by @weelittlestitches. Created a whole account just for stitching at @stitches_get_stuff_done.
We’re at the beach until NYE. The first thing I did after our unbelievably peaceful three hour drive was pop M’s new galoshes on him and take him to play in the sand. These pictures depict the urgency of his grunts of delight. "Unh unh unh," he said, which I took to mean, "Is it legal to have this much sand in one place? It’s so amazing!"
Now that it’s been gifted, I can share my latest #xstitch. Text designed by @hirralee. Skyline inspired by an image I found via Google Image Search but was unable to track down the original artist of. Seven stars at the top represent the Pleiades, which are on the Durham city flag and are located in the shoulder of the constellation Taurus, the bull. #xstitchersofinstagram #bullcity #durtydurham #durhamnc
I have pulled the two of wands twice this week. From #wtfistarot by @bakaraw “In this card, we may feel energized by another person, and it can speak to a meaningful but short-lived connection. Maybe it is a twin flame, but not a soul mate.” The other night I did a three card spread (past/present/future) and it came up The Hermit/Judgment/Nine of Swords. I have a lot of thoughts and feelings. As always. I’ve also drawn a lot of letting go cards in my daily this week. I GET THE MEMO, UNIVERSE.
The question I ask the cards for my #dailytarot draw is, "What energy am I living in today?" In the wake of the Alabama special election, the 6 of swords feels right.
K: I miss The Kitty. Maybe I’ll look at pictures of him. W: That will make you happy. K: Can you imagine the era before photography? You would only have the paintings of your cats. W: We would have had to do more portraiture.
Just finished stitching The Princess Bride by @weelittlestitches while listening to the Pop Culture Happy Hour episode for the Princess Bride’s 30th anniversary.
Yesterday’s #dailytarot pull: the two of wands, Tarot of Pagan Cats. I pulled this yesterday & re-read the description from #wtfistarot & @bakaraw: "Let’s Do the Damn Thing." (p. 79) "Okay, but what IS the thing?" I thought. To me, this cat looks like she’s ready to do the thing but is looking out across the water, waiting for the cat who will partner with her to arrive. I didn’t know what the thing was. Later, I got a tweet from a Master’s student about how the Coalition of Youth Librarians wanted to partner with me on starting a local chapter of The Harry Potter Alliance (@thehpalliance). At first, I said, "It’s too much for me right now." I had an email from HPA in my inbox responding to my filling out the chapter form, but I’d snoozed it until January. Then, as I was listening to the @dreamfreedombeauty intro episode & they were talking about what manifestation feels like and following a feeling, I thought about how I had literal physical chills during the HPA presentation at #AASL17. I thought about the tweet. I thought about how sure, running a chapter is too much for me alone, but maybe not too much in partnership with others who want to do it anyway (rather than friends I might have invited who weren’t as committed). I thought about how the two of wands "encourages fearlessness in our decisions." I thought, "You know what? Let’s do the damn thing." So COYL will discuss it at their next meeting, then I’ll meet with those of them who want to do it, and then we’ll really get started in January.
Brainstorming @thehpalliance ideas thanks to an assist from the UNC SILS Coalition of Youth Librarians… (including @everyday__magic somehow? IDK)