Alison Hodgson

Expert on the etiquette of perilous times.

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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/

Filed Under: Christopher, depression, fall, peace, winter

The Fair

August 21, 2008 by Alison Hodgson 3 Comments

I wasn’t the only one with beverage challenges.
As we made our way around the small grounds, The Legumes and I would, from time to time, bump into one of the big kids.  One of the times we connected with Christopher, he was holding a large cup with a frozen juice.

Earlier in the day my heart skipped a beat when I noticed a tent advertising Biggby Coffee. From a distance I saw the big machines that indicate frozen drinks and decided that, in the absence of a glass of wine, an iced coffee would certainly do.  Sadly they were only serving a couple of iced juices.  I considered them for a second, as we were all quite thirsty, but then heard the server requesting $3.00 from a customer which was double what a children’s lunch that included a juice box was priced at another tent.  I steered the Legumes over there, where they split a hotdog and some chips.  I opted for water, giving Eden my juice box so each girl could have her own.  Both were more than satisfied. Christopher joined us and I gave him money to buy his own lunch.  We all ate together in peace and contentment.  Lydia, having filled up on a cupcake at the Cake Walk, requested only a bottle of water and chose to eat lunch when we got home.  
I knew that Christopher had brought five of his very own, hard earned dollars.  Although I also know that he is no saver, I was surprised that he had chosen to spend so much on a drink. I nodded at the cup and asked the obvious.
“You bought a juice?”
He sighed, “I reeeeeally wanted a water, but the lady at the tent said they didn’t have any and offered me a juice.  I said, ‘Yes, please’ and then she told me that it would be THREE DOLLARS!”  The sense of victimhood was palpable.  
“Is it good?”  I asked.
He shook his head.  “I don’t like it.  Do you want it?”
I took a sip.  It was quite tasty.  I thanked him and then offered him some of my water.  While he drank I considered my options.  Since I was going to drink the THREE DOLLAR juice, it occurred to me that I could bail him out and give him the money but an angel with a flaming sword, or common sense, stopped me and I decided this was, what those of us in the biz call, “a teachable moment.”  
“I’m sorry, Buddy.”  I paused, not wanting to lecture, but knowing that, with this child, I need to be overtly didactic.  “What do you think you could have done differently?”
He didn’t know.
“Would you like to know what I do before I buy something?”  A mute nod was my only encouragement.  “I…ask…the…price.”  
Who knew?
The Legumes were getting fractious so I spared him the entire homily on my own decision making regarding this particular drink and and invited him to join us at the gymnastics exhibit, but he had temporary tattoos in his sights.  We parted soberly, as it was clear he was still in a lot of pain. 
Turning away from us, he shook his fist at the sky and with a choked cry said, “Oh that swindling Biggby Coffee!”  
Be warned.

Filed Under: August, Christopher, Fridays, neducation

July 7, 2008 by Alison Hodgson 5 Comments

It’s been a busy few days since we last spoke: terrible storms, a power outage and it’s attending chaos,  (note: do NOT bring a breast feeding infant prone to screaming when separated from her mother into your home at the precise moment you realize that the generator you were relying on to keep hundreds of dollars worth of food frozen and that sounds like a lawn mower in your kitchen whilst belching headache inducing fumes, is not actually keeping anything frozen because it’s not working.  Just don’t.  Trust me.) a national holiday and it’s fun and – let’s face it – chaos,  home renovations and a birthday – Torey’s 33rd.  

Mine is Tuesday.  I will be 38.  Please send presents.

In the coming days you will be able to witness the glory and pageantry that was the Second Annual Dad and Christopher Fireworks Extravaganza as well as pictures from the Fourth of July parade, the carnival and Torey’s birthday dinner.  It’s all a feast for the eyes.

https://alisonhodgson.com/2008/07/424/

Filed Under: Christopher, holidays, mayhem, Willa

June 9, 2008 by Alison Hodgson 5 Comments

https://alisonhodgson.com/2008/06/440/

Filed Under: Christopher, Montana, singing

May 2, 2008 by Alison Hodgson 4 Comments

Lydia is on a baking kick and has earned the nickname, “Birdie Crocker” from her Aunt Torey. A batch of chocolate chip cookie bars is being whipped up as I write. Eden is shuffling through recipes in a mini baking kit she received for her birthday and Christopher is bobbing around, avoiding some schoolwork and getting in the way of the young Ms. Crocker.

“You know Mom,” he said to me, “one of my joys in life is eating cookie dough before it is baked.”

Since his other joys seem to be teasing his sisters, shrieking loudly, staying up late and then sleeping in to all hours, I’m glad (the risk of salmonella aside) that this is a joy we all share.

https://alisonhodgson.com/2008/05/459/

Filed Under: Christopher, joy, Lydia

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