In America we have all kinds of made-up, ridiculous forms of deprivation. I recently facilitated an event where a financially fortunate woman insisted on calling people poor. You know, we've all said it: "Poor People." After much work with the masterful
Lillie P. Allen, she determined that people might not have money or resources, but that doesn't mean that they, themselves were "poor." Like of inferior quality. They just didn't have resources.
Oh, but to grow up in a home without a homemaker- poor thing! I don't mean a work-at-home mom. Or even a mom at all. In some families it's another relative or a visiting friend, a sensitive administrator, or a nesting child. I'm talking about someone who has an eye for warmth & a soulful impulse. My
mom was a single parent, working three jobs & starting random businesses. We got turkeys from the church on Thanksgiving. We were certainly lower class for a bit there. But she was a homemaker, who cherished our family & relished cooking & cleaning & doing things thoroughly, with organization. She was (& is) creative & community-oriented, so we never really wanted for anything at all. And as far as I'm concerned we had the ultimate privilege: a crafty mama.
So when I speak of American Deprivation I'm referring to a bunch of stuff & no sense of work ethic. No examples of basic-need-generation. No relationship to how a sweater becomes a sweater. We once a had a babysitter - a UCDavis Student, mind you, that asked me if I was "Actually okay letting them eat food from farmers?" Wasn't I "scared they might be dirty or toxic or they might catch something?" My 4 year-old had to explain to her where food comes from & why she, too should only eat organic! I speak from the pedestal of a privileged childhood: so many nights drifting off to the sound of a whirring Singer machine from which appeared blankets, dresses, toys. Not an abundance, she was exhausted after all. But enough.
So that is my goal: to produce enough. I worked in fashion, as a stylist in LA. With A-list actors, supermodels & Grammy winners. I love designer clothing. But this is why I sew. To produce enough. To occasionally tap into spirit when I see it all come together. To be an
example worth imitating, both in action & being. Not all the time. Not weekly or even daily. But enough. That they can be privileged to be in my home & I can accept being privileged to have made the effort to do it myself.
There's acorn trails, bark shanties, moss gardens, lake plumbing, birch tunnels & even telephone poles. Loveliness.
In America we have all kinds of made-up, ridiculous forms of deprivation. I recently facilitated an event where a financially fortunate woman insisted on calling people poor. You know, we've all said it: "Poor People." After much work with the masterful Lillie P. Allen, she determined that people might not have money or resources, but that doesn't mean that they, themselves were "poor." Like of inferior quality. They just didn't have resources.
I kinda can't believe his luck sometimes. He's always generating crazy stuff out of nowhere, like truly lost keys & wallets, random animal sightings, spontaneous gifts from strangers. Ever since he was in utero- really. He even refers to himself as the kid who can manifest anything, as in, "Hey Mom, do you think we can start our own school, where kids just come & play, This Week, 'cause, like, you know how I Can Manifest Anything?" Of course, the following Wednesday our house was loaded with kids of all ages: our 3 boys, the 2 kids I invited, plus 4 from the block. That would be 9 kids piling every pillow in my home onto my former diningroom floor & diving for 3 hours straight. He wasn't surprised one bit. Just really proud & grateful they all had fun at his "school."
They both love catching "bass" (little black minnows. maybe they're bass. maybe) Tying the ropes. Singing "Mount Washingmachine." Making fairy houses. Playing with Mimi. They're both funny & strong willed & smart. They were caught trying to untie their tube from the dock several different ways - so confident were they in their boating skills. They saw eachother all of 24 hours this year & as they said, "It seems kinda like we're still at last year."
It all might seem hard for Tonka, but as always he's just totally fine in the world. Although I can't imagine it's easy being a toddler, in your life jacket, in a tube, tied to a rope & being pulled through the woods by two big kids. But toddlerhood's joy comes from challenge & accomplishment, doesn't it? Not to mention that he's just as lucky, since her little sister is exactly his age.
Their dad said last week, "Good thing there's a house between us." 
It gets this quiet.
Once a year it becomes important to hang laundry in the woods.
To share a step-stool just to be close to the younger brother. 
To sweep the pine needles...
