Archives for October 2008

3:51 AM

October 30, 2008 by Alison Hodgson 2 Comments

Chamomile tea (natural sleep aid 101)? None, not even an empty box.

Rescue Remedy Sleep Spray (a natural sleep aid)? Can’t find it and it had maybe one spray left.

Fatigue to Fantastic (same as above)? Been out for months.

Itty Bitty Booklight? Plugged in on the right side of the bed, where I asked Paul to sleep last night because I can’t take it over there anymore. Falling asleep (happily) on the left side of the bed, it did occur to me I should rewire everything, but that is complicated as the only outlets in the room are on the North and East Walls, necessitating a complex wiring with extension cords under the bed to take care of anything on the left.

Ambien? Oh, I’ve got one, but since I need to take Eden to school at 8:30 and babysit Willa starting at 11:00, that wouldn’t be prudent.

I am holed up in the kitchen waiting for a cup of peppermint tea to brew.

Situation dire.

Insomnia sucks.

October 29, 2008 by Alison Hodgson Leave a Comment

In preparing a talk I listen for what I am to say. It’s like following a winding road. At times I end up where I planned, but often enough I arrive in a different place. This journey of listening, hearing, ruminating, letting it sit and waiting for it all to coalesce is something I am learning to yield to. If I give myself time to walk this road, I know I will get some place.

The difficulty isn’t so much in determining what to say, but in knowing what doesn’t need to be said.

https://alisonhodgson.com/2008/10/367/

At the Lake

October 23, 2008 by Alison Hodgson 1 Comment

We’ve been at a cottage on Lake Michigan all week. It’s been chill: the weather and our mood, which I hope means relaxed, because it is.

We are happy and well. It’s good to get away from home and be together in a different place and way.

Last night, all of us sitting in the living room eating chocolates and reading, Eden piped up, “THIS is what I call a good time.”

You and me both, sister.

October 15, 2008 by Alison Hodgson 1 Comment

Hey United Airlines, thanks for the call today letting me know that Paul’s flight in Beijing was on time. That was great.

The thing is, there isn’t a lot I can do about it here in The States, and then there’s the little detail that you woke me up…because it was ONE IN THE MORNING!

https://alisonhodgson.com/2008/10/372/

October 14, 2008 by Alison Hodgson 2 Comments

This week, as our trees turn and the leaves are falling, I have been thinking about my love for all the seasons, but especially the times of most transition, spring and fall. I thought of this again today, walking with Christopher and Jack under a cloudless sky. I asked Christopher if he had a favorite among the seasons and was surprised when he named summer and winter. I asked why.

“Well, in summer it is hot and we get to swim in the pool and in winter there is snow and we let our imaginations run wild, you know.”

God help me, I do and I pictured Jack Nicholson in The Shining. Figuring that that wasn’t what he meant I asked him to elaborate.

“When the snow comes we are able to make snowmen and snow creatures and build forts and have snowballs fights. This winter I am going to make a snow zoo again, with lots of animals.”

He did that last year and the Legumes loved it. It all sounds so sweet and benign, cozy even. Maybe for him it is, maybe I’m the only one who feels the urge to pick up an axe in the winter, although the blamey side of me wants to suggest that, some days, Christopher picks it up first and hands it to me.

But who wants to be blamey? I don’t. And maybe this winter it will be different. Today, with the sun shining in the windows of our peaceful house it doesn’t seem to be only wishful thinking, but a strong possibility.

https://alisonhodgson.com/2008/10/373/