Hubby is now a non-smoker!  Hurray for him!


World No Tobacco Day

31 May 2010

On 31st May each year WHO celebrates World No Tobacco Day, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce consumption. Tobacco use is the second cause of death globally (after hypertension) and is currently responsible for killing one in 10 adults worldwide.

The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2010 is gender and tobacco, with an emphasis on marketing to women. WHO will use the day to draw particular attention to the harmful effects of tobacco marketing and smoke on women and girls.

The World Health Assembly created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and its lethal effects. It provides an opportunity to highlight specific tobacco control messages and to promote adherence to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Tobacco use is the number one preventable epidemic that the health community faces.

What I remember about elementary school end o’ year picnics from my childhood: burnt hotdogs, warm lemonade, the duck pond game (with useless plastic object prizes that I’d love for a few hours then discard to the family “junk drawer”), silly musicians singing songs featuring animal noises, a constant scolding chorus of “Wait your turn!” cutting through the cacophony of laughter and screams, sweaty parents, ants, mayhem, crowds.

Yah, in 30 years nothing’s changed.

Actually, that makes me glad.

Toe and Roo go to a great St. Paul Public School preschool, only four blocks from home, across the street from our church.  Every year, they almost don’t.  As the education budget in MN gets squeezed, school staff gets shaved away and the D of E threatens to close the school doors.  It’s a little neighborhood school—originally meant to house only grades pre-K through 3--built back when they designed the schools especially for the wee folks who would attend them.  Everything is miniaturized, from the itty bitty bathroom fixtures to the waist-high cloakroom hooks and tiny auditorium stage.  It feels like a playhouse school, and it is shaded by trees on a tree-lined street of houses only blocks from the park and the lake.  This place truly is what a person would envision when they hear “neighborhood school,” and we have been so lucky that community and educator lobbying helped it survive the chopping block.

This year Tovi is graduating on to his big boy school, Kindergarten at another great neighborhood St. Paul Public school (not our neighborhood, but that’s another story), so the school picnic was a great chance to say thank you to all the wonderful people who made this place a rich part of our life in the Eastside community.  So, thanks Miss Claire (and Mike) and Miss Mary and Miss Jennifer and Sue and bus dude par excellence Mauricio, thanks miss Heidi and nurse Ann and all the parents and staff who stood up for our school and who did so much for little Toe while he was there.  We know you will take good care of Roo, too!

With fair Miss Claire at the duck pond, Roo is a winner every time!

Ready-to-go-Toe practices patience in the bouncy slide line…

With fair Miss Claire at the duck pond, Roo is a winner every time!

Ready-to-go-Toe practices patience in the bouncy slide line…

Father’s Day is the next stop of the American gift train, and far be it from me to favor a gender.  So lest you think this blog is all about the mommies, I have dug deep to help you help you in the search for the perfect way to honor the man who brought the sperm.  First.  Know your audience:

Some Common Types of Daddies:

the scary dad (aka prison dads, restraining order dads, dads on the edge)

the DIY dad (aka dads with nail guns, self-surgery dads, garage/basement/workshop/backyard absentee dads, Menards’ dads, dad who wear Dickies’ brand)

the Sportsman dad (aka dads who kill Bambi, whirligig dads, “Gone Fishin” door sign dads, mini-golfers, flannel dads)

the Geek dad (aka Nintendo/Blackberry/online dads, gadget dads, the techie, dads who read Manga, Top Gear dads)

the absentee dad (aka COLD DAD,  Mr. Stonewall, the witholder, the workaholic dad, CIA dads)  

the silver fox (aka dads who date, metrosexual dads, Grecian Formula dads, dads who do not wear plaid shirts, Viagra dads)

depressive unemployed dad (aka “Couch Dad”, chronically fatigued dads, dads who cry at your recital, yell-at-the-TV dads, dads who let you eat Doritos for dinner)

granola dad (aka hand-hewn log cabin dads, farmers’ market dads, squatty potty dads, Gore-Tex/North Face dads, dads who wear Birkenstocks and read The Urban Homesteader, Tiger Milk protein shake and raw almonds dads)

brooding intellectual dad (aka NPR dad, goatee and espresso dads,  dads who vote, complaint blog dads, “look it up in the dictionary” dads, dads who wear berets/scarves in summer, dads who make you analyze The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe for its Judeo-Christian allegory or no goodnight kiss, dad against “The Man”)

piggyback dad (aka the Flapjack Maker, grillin’ dad, cornball, the goofball, the jokester, perpetually happy dad, Trampoline dads, Dads who give Mom headaches, lithium dads)

Mr. Mom (post 1995 aka:  dads who cook, puppet theatre dads, Dads reliving their childhoods, sensitive dads, former mama’s-boy dads, henpecked dads, see also: unemployed dads)

(Honorable mention to)The Baby Daddy (Barry White dads, “uncle” dads, see-that-guy-over-there dads, dads who ask, “how old are you now, Baby?”)

Now, equipped with a glimpse into the American male psyche, let’s talk gifts:

The Wallet Bottle Opener
Free dad of the hassle and danger of opening beer with his teeth while at work or in the car.  This engraveable opener (sugg: Roy, don’t forget the child support is always due on the 3^rd Friday of the month) will be a tool of convenience and a keepsake any dad will love.

Frog Prince Tchotchke
Remind dad that without mom is nothing more than a toad.

Grillslinger (TM) BBQ Toolbelt and Tools
Just like John Wayne, dad can feel manly while basically packin’ kitchen utensils.  So realistic, you’d swear dad was ready for a block party shoot-out.  Note: NOT SUITABLE FOR EASTSIDE DADS.

The Executive Punching Bag

Some dads deal with stress by getting angry and violent.  If your dad is one of those, consider this.  For the office, his den at home, or next to his easy chair to work off that anger and frustration!  Perfect for the scary dad who has everything (that will fit in his cell).

Personalized Daddy bear on the Throne Keepsake
Because who wouldn’t want a gift that reminds them they defecate? He is the king of the family, the boss of the office, the hero on the playground. We all love him so why not give him his own special throne? Add remote, crown, newspaper, laptop. A beary unique Father's Day gift for him!

Some dads deal with stress by getting angry and violent.  If your dad is one of those, consider this.  For the office, his den at home, or next to his easy chair to work off that anger and frustration!  Perfect for the scary dad who has everything (that will fit in his cell).

Personalized Daddy bear on the Throne Keepsake
Because who wouldn’t want a gift that reminds them they defecate? He is the king of the family, the boss of the office, the hero on the playground. We all love him so why not give him his own special throne? Add remote, crown, newspaper, laptop. A beary unique Father's Day gift for him!

This NASA photo of the Gulf BP oil spill left me breathless.  Or maybe I am having trouble breathing because almost 70% of the earth's oxygen comes from ocean phytoplankton, and they are all dying (and they're not just dying because of the recent spill of course--the little critters have been croaking out for years)?  Whatever the exact reason, the breathless definitions of 1. not breathing 2. gripped with emotion 3. oppressive because of no fresh air...they all fit how I felt when I saw it.

I really like breathing, so this spill is an especially troubling event to me.  I also really like animals, so, double it. And finally, I really like journalist Peter Daou, and when he hints in his article on green-bashing that Christian folk (okay, he indicts Jim Hoft, but still...) may be particularly guilty of not supporting environmentalism, it just out and out made me sad. 

Most of us Judeo-Christian faithful believe nothing like the Gateway Pundit's spooky anti-earth conservatism (or all the crazies who bought into the 2009 Values Voters Summit seminar, GLOBAL WARMING HYSTERIA: THE NEW FACE OF THE "PRO-DEATH" AGENDA).  Most of us believe that environmental stewardship is biblical (yes it is!):

Read Psalm 104:5-30 which says much, including: 
You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to strengthen the human heart.

Does this mean I worship the earth? No.  Does this mean I value any other of creation on earth above human beings?  Of course not.  Does this mean I believe we have a God-given right to just use and abuse the crap out of the world and wait for God to usher in a new one. No. no. no.

It means I worship the One who created the world, and I do so by lovingly and respectfully caring for God’s creation within the limits of my best abilities--and I support others who legislate and lobby for my government to do likewise.  And here are some other Christians and Jews who feel the same:

California's Interfaith Power & Light

CIPL seeks to be faithful stewards of Creation by responding to global warming through the promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. This ministry intends to protect the earth's ecosystems, safeguard public health, and ensure sufficient, sustainable energy for all.  CIPL is a faith based organization and stipulates that every major spiritual tradition calls on us to be faithful stewards of Creation. We have a responsibility to protect the earth for our children and future generations. Global warming is a crisis that has severe environmental, social, moral, economic and spiritual consequences. Current patterns of climatic warming point to increases in heat-related illnesses and deaths, increased heat stress for crops, and greater energy needs for cooling. CIPL helps educate congregations on the theological basis for eco-stewardship and assists them in implementing programs to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and become more energy efficient – therefore helping to mitigate the harmful effects of global warming. Working together, individuals and communities of faith can model to the rest of the world how.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America/Journal of Lutheran Ethics

Heavy reliance on fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) together with ecologically damaging land use patterns have produced grave threats to justice, peace, and the integrity of creation. The related challenges posed by global warming and climate change are unprecedented in human history.

Evangelical Environmental Network

The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) is a non-profit organization that seeks to educate, inspire, and mobilize Christians in their effort to care for God's creation, to be faithful stewards of God's provision, and to advocate for actions and policies that honor God and protect the environment.  EEN's work is grounded in the Bible's teaching on the responsibility of God's people to "tend the garden" and in a desire to be faithful to Jesus Christ and to follow Him. EEN publishes materials to equip and inspire individuals, families, and churches; and seeks to educate and mobilize people to make a difference in their churches and communities, and to speak out on national and international policies that affect our ability to preach the Gospel, protect life, and care for God's Creation.

Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) 

Judaism has a tradition of ethical concern for both the natural resources that support life, and the financial resources that support religious and educational projects. Both are called “stewardship,” and both imply conservation. Wasted energy is not only poor stewardship of funds, but wasted natural resources, causing unnecessary pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Doh Dog found her family.  Despite the happy circumstances, Toe has taken it hard.  There’s been some sadness and crying, some staring pensively out windows, waiting, watching, wailing.  Doh and Toe had one of those love-at-first sight friendships.  Just looking at the two of them together generated twosome kinds of thoughts:  buddy movies, sidekicks, a boy and his dog, man’s best friend.  At least, for Toe’s sake, we have some pictures.  Poor lad.  First the Swedes were gone, then Kayla and Karl, then Jude, then Jimmy changing classes.  Uncle Jimbo flying in and out.  Uncle Poopy so fascinating and so far away.  Now Doh, gone for good.

It’s especially hard for a boy like Toe to be separated from someone he cares about.  Kids with autism are often so very literal and visual.  Most of us can feel the presence and comfort of real love across endless miles and decades of time through a complexity of thought and imagination.  For Toe, if the object of his longing isn’t standing right before his eyes, it’s hard to feel anything but bereft and empty, as though nothing again will ever fill that hounddog-sized hole.  My little mourner.  He falls so hard.

Recently we started keeping a small scrapbook we call The Book of Missing You.  Toe has a special place on a high shelf (Roo-proofing) in the living room where he keeps it for when he needs it.  Mostly it is filled with paper printed photos of all the beloveds (read: dogs, cats, people) Toe struggles with missing so much in their absences.  Toe colors in it and practices letters—he makes it his own with Lightning McQueen stickers or wobbily-drawn smiley faces.  It's not quite the same as the randomness and sahred posession of a family album--this book is like a little place that Toe can go to in his head and be where he needs to be.

In The Book, there’s Pastor Steve eating cake in the church basement. There’s  Nico the dog (his current PCA’s Husky with whom he frequents the dog park to play “hatch”) and Conan the cat.  There are pictures of Toe smiling and laughing and hugging all the girls and boys and critters it’s hard for him to be without.  When Toe is low, he takes down his book and pages through it.  This usually generates a big grin and lots of excited talk:  That’s Jude and Tovi going to the Zoo!  Look, Mommy, Nico has one eye and one brown eye—I love that! And through that I think our little tenderfoot is learning just a little bit about that great big monstrous grownup thing called grief—hopefully the part that there is joy in the remembering.

Toe presented me with this early Mother's Day gift--his art which he calls "Flowers on Fire."  What more could I want?

Remembering with joy the wonderful moms who left this world too soon and who are no doubt busy preparing a new home for us with the King…

Mom, Amy B. and Mom Galvin

And wishing love and blessings for the great moms that bring so much happiness to the here and now!  Happy Mother’s Day!

Tante Donna, Katybird, Tante Linda, Laura Mae, Tante Chicken, Ms. Megan, Tante Lynn, Little Nikki, Amy D., Poots, Gretchen, Mom Schaus, Rachel, Grandma Evelyn, Peg, Miss Cheri, MrsPastor (Stephanie), Miss Jane, Brabara W., Schaetzchen (LN), and many more...

Good work, sisters!

With only 2 shopping days left till Mo’s Day, you’d better get a move on to find the perfect gift for the woman who bore you (or that other lady).  It’s not just enough to know what kind of gifts moms out there crave and expect these days, first you have to know what kind of mom you are dealing with.  So, with my servant’s heart as always, I have prepared for you the following pointers:

TYPES OF MOMS

1.       The gardener (sometimes known as the compost mom, the Ball Jar mom, or the chicken fat lady or simply: grizzly mom)

2.       The shopaholic (moms who buy you gifts for mother’s day even though they are the moms)

3.       The alcoholic (known prior to 1980 as “cocktail moms”)

4.       The foodie (known prior to 2002 as “moms who can cook” or “non-dieting moms”)

5.       The wine connoisseur (see #3)

6.       The fashionista (basically any mom who does not primarily wear pastel sweat pants or embroidered jumpers)

7.       The feminista (moms who don’t want you to “label” them as moms, as if that defines them)

8.       The nature lover (rockhound moms, moms who make you make bird feeders out of pinecones and peanut butter, moms who make you ride in their bike trailers)
9.  The sports fan (moms who tailgate)

10.   The cowgirl  (dairy moms, rodeo moms, swap meet moms)

11.   Theatre junkie moms (moms who wear black turtlenecks year round and gave you nightmares by reading Kafka’s Metamorphosis to you as a bedtime story)

12.   Hippie moms (march on Washington moms, cloth diapers moms, moms who never eat sugar)

13.   Crafty moms (moms with gel pens, moms who turn a potato and a tea light into the empty tomb of Jesus for Easter, moms who need more than one Rubbermaid tote to carry their pinking shears)

Now that you have that roadmap to help you (no thanks required), here are some hot mom gifts for 2010 to get your creative juices flowing.  Good luck!

aRecycled LP Record Bowl   Drag mom kicking and screaming into the green movement by giving her recycled material gifts, while at the same time reminding her she is from an era long gone by.

aBooze and Beer Holster Now here’s one for the cowgirl, the sportsfan, the wine connoisseur and the “cocktail mom” all in one!  Also, not having to lug that 40 ounce malt liquor bottle around with her everywhere will help tame the arthritis in her hands.

aPersonalized Heavy Core Baseball Bat (East Side Moms only)

aSubversive Cross Stitch  Also know as stitch n' bitch, these fanciful craft kits will help mom through those emotional outbursts of the “Change”

aPhrenology Head Model for Personality Analysis  Because you know that mom hasn’t got a stinking clue as to what you are thinking and it is driving her to her grave.

aThe Genius All Star Action Figure Set   Even moms like to get a new set of dolls.  With these there is the added bonus of creative play, in which she can cast her failure children as one of many of the world’s giant thinkers!

A friend led us on our first blessed pilgrimage to the Cupcake Café in Minneapolis.  We were taken as at treat to soothe in icing and homey goodness the wounds of a couple of challenging weeks in the BCD house.  Behold the healing power of cupcakes, in nearly 100 varieties.  Frosting fanatic Roo, a sucker for the seductive colors of nature, chose and knocked back two of the Robin's Egg variety (a seasonal spring offering of tender white cake iced with a lightly minted birdegg blue top), while little tippler Toe went for the Kirsch alcohol-enriched Chocolate Covered Cherry party cake (I think it was that big red cherry on top, but then again it was cocktail hour...).  It was a fun break in the routine and an amazing bakery.






Droolers can salivate while watching like crazed peeping Toms as the bakers bake and forst the cakes behind a huge plate glass window (a bonus for the gluten free who can only enjoy the cupcakes vicarioulsy).







My personal cupcake Everest:  the lemon raspberry.  When I am able to recreate the taste and texture of this masterpiece in a gluten free eggless cake that doesn't taste like a mealy garbanzo bean, I'll feel accomplished.

Aw, look at him.  Hub at 19, growing into manhood.  An international traveler, a scholar of East Asia, a compassionate young Christian.  A new smoker.

Hubby has now been smoking for 19 years--this habit being one of  2 nasty things he brought home from a year in Thailand (the other being an intestinal parasite). 

Hubby would want me to pause here and mention all the fabulous things he also brought home from a year in Thailand, lest you look negatively upon his wonderful experiences abroad: fluency in the language, training as a kickboxer, a heart for the gentle-spirited Thai people and their beautiful culture, a renewed appreciation for life after several near-death experiences on high speed motorbikes and rickety tuk tuks, the skills to roast lizard on a stick over an open fire, a third eye in the top of his head to keep vigilant for dropping geckos, a taste for Singha (the champagne of beers), mouse dropping chilis ("prik kee nu", yes they call them THAT) and mango salad (hot enough to take the roof off your mouth), and an energized interest in political science after having witnessed first hand a major third world governmental coup.  Oh, and he has a lovely portait of King Rama framed in 24 karat gold he got for like $2.

But now, with his explicit permission, let's say sawatdee* cigarettes and put our hands togehter in prayer for Hubby's newest, most intense and LAST smoking cessation program, starting today.  With God's help, the watchful encouragement of his longtime internist Dr. Feisty, and a specially designed quit plan made for him (and including Chantix), I know my handsome Marlboro man can do it!    Chan rak khun!

*I have been warned on threat of being blog-grounded to mention there will be no such "sawatdee" to Singha, a golden kingdom treat forever welcome in our refriderator (in wholesome moderation, of course--great for beer batter and tempura!).

It’s so adorable when church ladies get together to lunch.  Of course, the word luncheon implies more than just slamming a half-sub and without taking off your jacket (men!), but something more refined.  Christian ladies lunch with a purpose, usually at cheerfully-dressed long tables in church basements, typically on a variety of fruits and salads and always something deviled.

The Church of the Nazarene ladies spent their luncheon taking back the apron from a cruel woman-hating world.  We reclaimed it for the awesome thing it is: handy tool, decorative art, fond memory-evoking maternal icon.  We ate, celebrated the rewards and joys of having a servant’s heart, read apron poetry and told our favorite apron stories.  There were crafts involved, of course—apron-themed—including handmade aprons for all (some more bedazzling than others—not all of us have the girly skills to sew).  We talked about the new trends of Apronistas and vintage apron collecting, and of course came out of there even more cutting edge than we already are.  Go sisters.





The view from my seat...lucky me!













One of the many very good reasons to be a Christian lady.














Apron itinerary (breakout sessions for offtrack betting omitted).























My BlueCollar Apron.






















A lesser-known function of aprons: torturing teens.















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