Word Nerd's Word of the Day

I am a word nerd. There is no getting around it. I read my thesaurus FOR FUN.

So today I was reading a long passage, trying to make sense of a bunch of political stuff in American Lion, Jon Meacham's biography of Andrew Jackson, and came across the word solecism. It's kind of a great word meaning: 1. a mistake of grammar or idiom; a blunder in speaking or writing.

I've decided that since there are so many good, rich words that these presidential biographers use that us common folk are generally unfamiliar with, I'm going to start sharing the words I have to look up with my 300 rejection readers.

Please comment if/when you know the word of the day...or when you happen to be able to use the word of the day in regular conversation. This is what word nerds do for fun. Join in!

I Salute the Sun - #7

I promise I will not blog daily about this particular item, but I wanted to give it some attention. Number 7 on the 40/40 list is to do four sun salutations daily for the entire year.

Four is a small, doable number, but in light of the fact that I do not have a home yoga practice currently, this item feels like something big. At the risk of sounding like Captain Obvious, every day for a year is a lot of days.

For the yoga unfamiliar, a sun salutation is a set of movements that includes the entire body. There is folding forward at the hips to touch the ground, reaching up to the ceiling with arms outstretched, downward dog, and plank that eventually moves into a lowering of the body to the mat. Each change in position is initiated by breath. It's not hard per se, but it's not easy either.

Yesterday I asked my teacher if there would be any sun salutations in her class because I needed to do my four for the day. She smiled and told me to go ahead and do them before class. So there I stood on my mat wearing the too-big black birthday tutu loose at my hips and started my routine. I'll admit I was slightly self-conscious. The room was packed and I didn't know most of the people seated on their mats.

My hips and hamstrings are in a permanent state of tightness, so downward dog feels funky at first as do the forward bends. In my stage fright, I had trouble remembering how many suns I had done, and at the end of the routine I realized that I'd forgotten one part the entire time. It's in these moments that make me love yoga so much. Yoga teaches us that it is a practice. No matter at what level a yogi is practicing, she will always have room for improvement. Perfection is not a goal in yoga-thank goodness. So after this brief inner dialogue reminding myself of this crucial truth, I sat down on my mat, rearranged my tutu, and sat peacefully for class to start.

Today I feel the effects of yesterday's practice. My shoulders and the muscles in the middle of my back are achy. They make their presence known as I move through the day. It's a kind of pain I relish because it reminds me I am doing something good, nourishing, and healthy for my body. I plan to do today's four again at class. Tomorrow I'll begin doing them when I wake up before I start getting ready for work.

I am hopeful for a few things to transpire in my year of sun salutations: I'd like for my heels to move closer to the floor during downward dog; I aspire to being able to do chataranga (lowering to the floor in plank) with legs straight most of the time; and I'd be thrilled for my legs to stay straight when I do forward bends (this is also part of #4 Improve forward bend.)

These are really doable goals, and what excites me is all the other things that will fall in place in my yoga practice that I cannot even imagine today. Hopefully, by the end of the year, I will feel ready to take on the challenge of yoga teacher training. For now, I'm going to keep breathing, moving, and loving being 40.

1. Inaugural Bucket List Check Off

I spent my birthday exactly as I wanted: I took my daughter to the Home Depot's monthly kids workshop where she made a miniature sled (and drove those nails in like a BOSS); I wore the black birthday tutu at yoga class; I enjoyed lunch with some of my favorite women; and I watched the Kennedy Center Honors (among the honorees: Sting!!!) on the DVR [nearly] uninterrupted.

I checked #37 off my 40/40 list. The first item on the first day of my year-long celebration – Eat at The Boat House in Forest Park.

I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than a low-key lunch surrounded by some of my dearest girlfriends. I'm usually hesitant to bring together friends from different circles of life because of the possibility that they won't have anything in common or they won't hit it off. There was no need to worry today.

Laurie, Christa, Tracy, and Nicole toasted me, the year to come, and my new decade. My fancy lemonade was delicious! Then our conversation took off. We talked for nearly four hours - nonstop. I laughed and cried as we caught up on each other's lives. These women listened to my stories. They let me ask questions and gave gentle, firm, reassuring answers. Encouragement and love flowed from them and landed in my open hands and open heart.

Right in the middle of the nearly empty boat house, these women listened as I read a rough draft of an essay I've been working on. They gave this writer fantastic feedback, suggestions on what to add, and Christa made the outlandish suggestion that it should be the basis of a novel! I am nourished by the safe space they create for me each time I am in their presence. Their love frees me to be myself and to explore whatever topic seems to be pressing at the time. They are individually, and today were collectively, an invaluable, generous sounding board. I am deeply grateful.

To be honest, I was underwhelmed by the restaurant. I think I'd like the ambience more if I sat on the deck during a summer evening overlooking the water and Forest Park. But I was overwhelmed by the way these precious friends gifted me with an afternoon in the midst of busy, full lives so soon after the holidays. Their interest in each other as important parts of my life touched me. The best part was as the afternoon came to an end they hugged each other and declared that they wanted to get together again. What a gift! I am one very blessed forty-year-old woman.

New Year Ritual

When I moved into my first apartment after college, I had a hand-me-down coffee table with a shallow drawer. It soon turned into a temporary time capsule. It held my year's paper minutia – movie stubs, wedding invitations, concert programs –things I wanted to keep but didn't have a particular place to store it. That first New Years I pulled out all of the stuff and conducted a year in review. As I looked through the drawer's contents, I reflected on the ups and downs of my year and then packed it away, labeled it “Memorabilia 1997” and started with an empty drawer for 1998.

This ritual has continued for the past 18 years with a few tweaks. The coffee table moved on to my sister's home and the warped top was repaired. Since then my annual artifacts have resided in an orangy-caramel colored Samsonite train case.

Last December, I decided that it was time to go through two rubbermaid tubs worth of Memorabilia-labeled manilla envelopes. It was cathartic, cleansing, and actually a lot of fun. I pared down my collections sometimes consolidating several year's worth of paper into one or two envelopes rather than the original three or four.

I also decided to return some of the things to the people who had been connected to the items. Baby's first Christmas photo went back to the family. I liked the idea of them opening an envelope and finding a little blast from their own past attached to my reflections on what it meant to me to be included.

To keep some sort of control on the amount of stuff I save, I've now implemented a new tweak: I'll look at the envelope dated ten years past as I put the newly labeled envelope in the bin. Today I reviewed “Memorabilia 2005.”

Some of the things I was reminded of:
Emails from beloved college and work friends
Programs for Rent and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The Fabulous Fox Theatre (I completely forgot that I had seen them there.)
The Playbill for Wicked also at the Fox. I DO remember that one!
Ticket stubs for Monticello from our Thanksgiving visit with family in Virginia
The program from my first and only piano recital. I played Silver Inches by Enya and Nicky Ryan.
Ticket stubs for the movies Hitch, The Longest Yard, and Producers
A tentative itinerary for my trip to England and Czech Republic in March
A rejection letter from Real Simple magazine when I pitched a story idea
My invitation to a new book club – our first selection was The Kite Runner

This ritual nourishes me. It provides me with perspective and helps me to be grateful for the goodness in my life. I was still two years from becoming a parent in 2005. This past year's memorabilia has a much different feel:
Lots of homemade love notes from my first/second grader
A note from a fellow writer-friend encouraging my writing pursuits
Handwritten letters from two of my favorite pen pals, Laurie and Tammy
Handwritten apologies from my daughter – working our way through the tense moments of being a spirited parent and a spirited kiddo
My expired driver's license – issued in 2008
Meeting Codetalker, Chester Nez, one week before he died
A postcard from Florence, Italy
Attending THE MOST beautiful wedding in August
Our first week at family camp with dear friends
The support and friendships that occur through social media
Another camping first: Labor Day weekend at Camp Tuckaho with Girl Scout friends
Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host – a “moms gone wild” evening out
Watching The Voice and loving Pharrell and Gwen
A letter response from my high school English teacher

These envelopes don't tell any one year's complete story, but they are great reminders of the highs and lows as time marches on. I'm particularly excited to go through my train case this time next year after I've experienced my 40/40 bucket list. I am determined to make 2015 one fantastic year.

The Commanders-in-Chief – A Reading Project

When I first read Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell, I marveled at her extensive research and her hilarious side stories about the things she did and saw as she obtained her often obscure tidbits of presidential assassination history. Recently, I listened to the audio version of this book and it dawned on me: this book and the writer's amazing knack for conveying history planted the seed for my current reading project. I am reading one biography of each U.S. President in chronological order. I want to be a better informed American and if in the process I can also better determine where I fall on the political spectrum, all the better.

This is what my inner nerd considers FUN. And yes, I'm serious.

This is not a scholarly pursuit, just one working mom's quest for life-long learning. To see the American story through the lens of the men (and hopefully one day women) who have led this country. It's also free of the hassle and cost of graduate school.

I have been reading -intermittently- for two years, and I just finished President #6 John Quincy Adams. I've got to pick up the pace or I'll still be reading when I'm 50 (I turn 40 in six weeks.) Serendipity is accompanying me on this journey. I AM judging books by their covers, choosing my selections based on what the book jacket says, and hoping for the best. I also have two presidential consultants, Brad and Marvin, who I look to for help in choosing which volume to read next.

Reading about the presidents is a little bit like buying a new car. Before you buy it, you never see the make and model, but after the car is yours, you see it everywhere you turn. I'm amazed how often I find myself stumbling across something presidential. Just last weekend as I was being seated at a Cracker Barrel, the restaurant chain abundant with antique décor, I found a tin with the likeness of George Washington (G Dub, the first). The presidents are everywhere when you start looking for them.

I subscribe to an online magazine called Literary Mama. One of its issues included this quote: “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.” - George Washington. I do not believe this quote is attributed to the correct person. (not the magazine's fault) After reading his biography, I know that his mother was a very difficult woman, and duty was the only thing that kept him connected to her. I simply cannot believe that he truly felt this way about her. It was an exciting little nugget though, because without having read his biography, I would never have questioned the quote.

I am not trying to pick a favorite president, but I am trying to find something redeeming about each of them. So far with the founding fathers, that has not been difficult. Washington was absolutely the right man for the job at the time. Gosh, he had amazing obstacles to overcome as he led the colonists through the Revolutionary War. He was not a particularly warm man, but he carried out his duties like a champion. Read about his poor oral hygiene, and you wouldn't feel very warm and friendly towards others either.

I didn't expect to like John Adams from reading Washington's perspective, but David McCollough completely changed my mind. John Adams was a good man and a very good friend. The relationship he had with his wife, Abigail, was fascinating to read about. They were completely devoted to each other, and Abigail, was one strong woman particularly for her time. I couldn't understand why Adams was so loathed by his peers...for awhile I thought Adams had made me a monarchist, but I kept an open mind and kept reading.

You will not find a Thomas Jefferson (TJ) fan in this reader. He's definitely overrated. He was an eccentric man with a lot of different interests and pursuits, which is interesting to read, but that wasn't enough for me. There is a scene in the biography by Jon Meacham that describes how differently Jefferson treated his white children versus his biracial children. Marvin encouraged me to remember the time TJ was living in, and judge it by those terms, but nope, I just can't.

When I told my friend Brad about this project, he warned me, “You know, you are going to come across some boring reading along the way.” I actually welcomed the boring reading thinking that meant that I'd be learning brand new information. That was until I began reading James Madison, who I've nicknamed, J Mad. Whew! I stalled out 200 pages into the first book, and decided to take a break, find another book, and start again. J Mad was unremarkable as a founding father, but I finally understood why Adams upset so many of his contemporaries and why I am NOT a monarchist. Richard Brookhiser in James Madison explained the second president this way: “Adams was indulging in gloomy thoughts, a favorite pastime of his. But praising hereditary succession was a dangerous thought for an American to express; doubly dangerous coming from an elected officeholder; triply so from an officeholder who lobbied for Washington to have a title.” They didn't want another king. Just a capable man who would lead the country for a period of time and then elect another leader.

Poor James Monroe (J Mon) has been cast into the shadows of American history. He was a fantastic president. He ushered in a time of peace and prosperity for the young country. He modeled his presidency after Washington's and was a unifier. I'd love to have an opportunity to vote in a modern Monroe. My favorite story about Monroe describes how his military instincts kicked in as the British were about to attack during the War of 1812. He told President Madison that the British would be coming to Washington City as it was known then. Madison instead listened to his War Secretary who dismissed Monroe and said the British were aiming their aggression at Baltimore. Madison listened to the wrong counsel and Washington City burned. Monroe stepped in to take back the city and to get it back up and running. The residents were ticked and poor Madison was ill-equipped to deal with the mess. Monroe, as Secretary of State, became the de facto Commander-in-Chief and War Secretary. He took care of business!

A Secret Santa at church gave me the biography of John Quincy Adams by Harlow Giles Unger. I've anxiously awaited reading this book. I wondered if I'd like John Q A as much as I liked his father. The answer is yes. He was brilliant. He spoke at least three languages. His service to his country began as a teenager when he became a secretary for an American diplomat in St. Petersburg, Russia. He won over the Czar. He was a scholar, and pushed very hard by John and Abigail to serve his country, which he did for his entire life as a diplomat, an attorney, Secretary of State, President, and at the end of his life as a Congressman. The man's presidency was the low light of his illustrious career of service to his country.

Are you still reading? This is a long blog post, but I had a lot to catch up on to bring you up to speed. From here on out, I'll blog as I go. You can count on photos, quotes from my second grader who is currently reading a Magic Tree House book about the Revolutionary War, and told me to mention it on my blog.

Next up: President #7 Andrew Jackson. Let's see if I still think he's a barbarian (as John Q A referred to him) when I finish his bio.

Julie's 40/40 Bucket List

To celebrate my 40th birthday and a brand-new decade, I commit to checking each of these activities off my list between January 3, 2015 and January 3, 2016. My list 1-40 (in no particular order):

1. Kayak at Creve Coeur Lake (or other location) Read here.
2. Make Bread Pudding Read here.
3. Make pie crust from scratch Read here.
4. Improve my forward bend. Read here. 
5. Take a trapeze class. Read here.
6. Make a calendar of before and after yin yoga poses.
Replaced with: 6. Go to a Festival I've never been to. Read here.
7. Do four sun salutations each day. Read here.
8. Visit four new labyrinths. Read here, here, and here.
9. Buy a bike rack for my Nissan Pathfinder. Read here.
10. Reread all six books of the Anne of Green Gables series. Read here and here.
11. Read four more Presidential biographies. Read here.
12. Run a 5k with my brother-in-law, Rich. Read here.
13. Get a pedicure with Bright Red Polish. Read here.
14. Sing a Sara Bareilles song at Karaoke with friends. Read here.
15. Take Tennis lessons through St. Charles Parks and Recreation. Read here, here, here, here, and here.
16. Go to a concert at Riverport (Can't remember its sell-out name.) Read here.
17. Wake up early and watch the sunrise. Read here.
18. Go on a yoga retreat or take a special yoga workshop. Read here.
19. Go rock climbing at IBEX Gym in Kansas City. Read here.
20. Rent a mini-cooper. Read here.
21. Participate in www.write31days.com in October 2015. Read here.
22. Read a book off a high school reading list. Read here.
23. Take a figure skating class. Read here and here.
24. Write four letters to state and federal legislators. Read here and here.
25. Zipline with Misti (and anyone who wants to join us!) Read here.
26. Go to Meramec Caverns. Read here.
27. Make a LookBook of Cadence's fashions for me and her. Read here.
28. Create a list of 40 books/series that have meant the most to me in my life, thus far. Read here, here, here, and here.
29. Learn to fishtail braid Cadence's hair. Read here.
30. Take a Dierberg's cooking class. Read here.
31. Take a train trip – destination to be determined. Read here.
32. Donate a Heifer to Heifer International. Read here.
33. Attend a school board meeting. Read here.
34. Take Cadence to the St. Louis Symphony. Read here.
35. Eat lunch at Ibby's on Washington University campus. Read here.
36. Go ice skating at Steinberg Rink in Forest Park. Read here.
37. Eat at the Boathouse in Forest Park. Read here.
38. Take a Home Depot workshop. Read here.
39. Stay in a swank hotel solo to read and write. Read here.
40. Blog about activities 1-39. Read here and here.

I welcome you to review the list and if you are interested in joining me for one or more of these activities, let me know in the comment section below. As far as I'm concerned, the more the merrier! Just know that when you join in, you are likely to make an appearance in the post about that particular activity. Thank you for helping me to usher in what I anticipate will be my best decade yet!

Welcome to the Weekend

To echo my seven-year-old, “This has been a long week.” Whew, girl, has it!

Somehow when I've had a tiring, productive day at work, I come home revved up to be productive on the home front. Tonight is one such night. The air outside is crisp, and I'm reminded that tomorrow we are headed to a corn maze with Cadence's brownie troop. Her laundry basket is full to overflowing, and the mother of the house had a minor tantrum this morning when it was determined that the wrong clothes were available for Cardinals' wear day at school. It's time to do some laundry.

But then I get sidetracked by dropping a light bulb I am trying to replace in the bathroom. Right about now I think I'm living the adult version of If You Give A Mouse a Cookie... If you give this Mom some space and time she will jump from household task to household task, and actually call this fun.

The bathroom rug which caught some of the shrapnel cut in line before Cadence's clothes, and the sink and bathroom floor got cleaned. So there ARE silver linings.

I've cleared a path in front of my counter-top desk in my office, and this is where this post is being written. I look around and see at least seventeen other tasks that are calling to me: brownie patches to be sewn on a brownie vest, letters to be written, bills to be paid, clothes to be bagged for the donation bin, a sad movie to be watched, glasses to be carried down to the kitchen sink. Okay, that's only six tasks, but I am certain I can find a full seventeen.

The roar of the baseball crowd floats up the stairs from the TV in the living room. My daughter is at her friend G's house playing away this week's stress of tricky second-grade spelling words and the life cycle of a caterpillar.

This is the first weekend in four that I am not going to go into the office to get just a few more things done in peace and quiet before another long week. It feels a bit like a luxury, this not going to the office.

Give away some outgrown shoes of Cadences, organize school papers, pull out the winter clothes, get caught up on this week's episode of The Voice, update my daughter's journal...the tasks keep mounting and now I'm six tasks away from the estimated.

The second-grader is home from her playdate without any arm-twisting. She can't sit idle, so she's convinced her dad that a trip to Target should be next on the agenda for this expansive, happy Friday night. I decline the invitation to tag along. Time alone for a mama is about the very best thing ever. On this Friday night, contentment is mine.