The Obama Rally in Portland

The Obama Rally in Portland
Originally uploaded by donaldmillerwords.

I was a little bit inspired by the turn-out for Barack in Oregon. Just amazing, this sea of people. Like something that makes you think of the Washington Mall, or a crowd for RFK. It just doesn't happen this way these days. We are, as far as I can tell, the only Obama bumper sticker in our town. And proud of it.

Rosy's Drawer

Rosy's Drawer
Originally uploaded by ellenjohnrubicon.

My sweet Rosy-

I’ve written this letter a few times, as names have fallen in and out of favor. Then I decided to scrap the name paragraph and keep the rest, as that’s the important part. For some reason, choosing a first name has been a very long-winded decision for us. The right combination of strength and femininity, of meaning and relevance and all those things a good name should have. Rose will be your middle name, and a Rosy you have always been, so I don’t fret over having something to shout as I push you out. “GET OUT you old Rosy!” But I have my favorites. Everyone has their favorite, and that’s what makes it so hard.

Your arrival is imminent Your dad and I have this inkling that you’ll be here sooner than later. The ticker on the blog says 47 days. Two weeks and we’ll be cleared for a birth center birth. So really kiddo, anytime after then. This pregnancy has kicked my ass, and it’s not all your fault. A huge part of it is having your sister, meeting all of her demands, not to mention making some changes in her life we needed to make before your smiling face shows up on the scene. Weaning, Big Girl Bed, Binky-ectomy being the most disruptive things ever in her life, so far. I was sick, then I was tired, now I’m big and feel like you’ll fall out of me if I walk too fast or too far. I waddle down the block after dinner occasionally, pushing Sophie in the stroller, just to feel less like the beached whale I’m fast becoming.

But wow you are big and strong and powerful and never would I want those fierce jabs of ankles and turning of your back and tiny hiccupping way down low to stop. I feel like the most blessed woman in the whole wide world, to be able to do this again, to have my two daughters, my sisters. You and Sophie are my life’s work. What it all led up to and what it all will become. Not a day goes by that I don’t daydream about how you’ll fit into our lives, how you’ll make us richer and stronger and exhausted. I daydream about your hair (will it be dark dark dark, like I think?), soft and fine and irresistible. I imagine wearing you in the sling, wrapping you tightly, nursing again. My littlest and last baby. Wow.

The other day we were at music class and another mother said, “Sophie’s going to be a big sister soon!” Sophie turned to her and said, “I AM a sister.” Truly. She calls you the teeny-tiny sister. She knows which things are yours and often pretends to be a mommy or a midwife, without any prompting from me. She understands. We cannot wait to meet you, teeny-tiny sister. We are over the moon with excitement.

Much much love,

mama

My ticket

My ticket
Originally uploaded by ellenjohnrubicon.

Six years ago I took a job on a tiny island off Boston that promised me a summer's employment and the chance to earn a Coast Guard Captain's License. It was a bit of a last-minute decision, and a big leap of faith, but one I will never regret. The first person I met on the island was John.

For those not on the water, you need a license to operate a boat that is carrying paying passengers, like students on an Outward Bound course, in my case, or passengers on a ferry in John's case. To get a license you have to document nearly a year's worth of "days underway," and pass a fairly rigorous exam covering rules of the road, navigation, deck knowledge (firefighting, etc) . . . It was a bit more than I had bargained for, and my studies were terribly distracted by this grumpy bearded guy who would come seek me out in the corner of the island I'd chosen for peace and quiet. Not that I complained. It was a great experience, earning "the ticket." Certainly right up there with college acceptance in terms of the overwhelming amount of preparation that goes into it, and the gratification that comes when you pass. It's funny how these kinds of renewals mark the passage of time in your life- all that has happened in six years. Just like renewing Sophie's passport at age six will bring back a flood of would-you-have-believed-it-thens. 2008, mother of two, wife, restoring our second sailboat, desperately homesick for Boston.

Moms

Four Generations
Originally uploaded by ellenjohnrubicon.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and grandmother!!! We love you both more than you could know!!!

Before and After

Before and After
Originally uploaded by ellenjohnrubicon.

And it's only been a month?? Good lord.

32 weeks along. Full term in 5 more. After that, she can come any time. ANY time, Rose, anytime.

Before and After

Before and After
Originally uploaded by ellenjohnrubicon.

The new dinghy, last week, and today, after wet sanding, buffing, and waxing. Nice work, honey.

Baby on the Boat

Baby on the Boat
Originally uploaded by ellenjohnrubicon.

John and Sophie in our new dinghy!! We found a used Trinka through SSCA. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine we'd ever be able to buy one of these beautiful little dinks. In an odd sort of coincidence, a couple restoring a steel schooner had it in storage. It was fun to meet them, go onboard and compare progress. Theirs is a much bigger boat than ours, and had no interior when they purchased it, so though they have spent the better part of EIGHT YEARS working on her (dedication, eh?), we have quite a bit less to do to get moving on our steel beast.

Meeting Claudia and Luso reminded me of how unique the cruising community tends to be. Everyone has their story, every boat has its novel of modifications and personalizations. Everyone is interesting, for better or for worse. We miss being out there and meeting those people. And I look forward to rowing around an anchorage with our two little girls in tow, sharing this ridiculous story of boating and breeding someday soon.

the first ups delivery

the first ups delivery
Originally uploaded by gisarah.

Click on the photo to read our conversation, but I can't get over what a great, inspired idea this is. UPS brings books for babies, along with information about library programs and such . . . so awesome!!! This, coming from a library junkie. We have been to the library at least once weekly since Sophie was a year old. We couldn't live our lives without it.