Essie
When I work in downtown Minneapolis, I drive home past a boarded up store spray painted with: “REST IN POWER, GEORGE FLOYD.” Invariably, I read it aloud to myself, alone in the car, and it gives me some hope. After the inhuman, brutal, cruel murder of Floyd in May, I was so relieved to see a national and then international series of protests. Judging by their duration, intensity, and organization, this could be what it looks like when the baton from the Civil Rights movement is taken up again to continue and escalate the fight against the inextricably intertwined institutions of United States racism and United States policing.
It is fun to compare this picture to one taken nine months before it.
Mykala took this stunning portrait of our daughter at Essie’s request — Mykala had been taking pictures of her Naturally Dyed Goods in this nice even light through the sheer curtain, and Ess stopped by and wanted in. We’re very lucky she did.
Ess, you are growing up so fast. I love you.
Mykala has been growing amazing broccoli and bean sprouts. Ess LOVES them and eats them like she’s a little rabbit. Notice how Ess is holding Doctor Toonie’s wing.
Mykala saw Ess’s head poking up above the back of the couch and immediately ran in to investigate.
52° and time for a walk with mama.
I’ve been taught to avoid excuses, first by my parents and then later in the wisdom of those I read. It was the latter that taught me an excuse for many things should never be offered when this a better explanation: “I didn’t care enough to produce the outcome you were looking for.” This is especially true when one is late. For years, if I was late, I would compose the reason in my head, what the extenuating circumstances were, why this was unusual, how I would correct it in the future. Then, with embarrassment, I realized these thoughtfully-composed reasons skirted reality: they were simply another way to say I hadn’t cared enough to be on time. So, while I have many interesting reasons (excuses) why I haven’t written here lately, it is quite simply because I haven’t cared enough to do it. But, I can’t let my birthday weekend come and go without listing the details of it. And also, I should write here more frequently.
I walked upstairs after a long day at work to Mykala and Essie on the floor. It felt great to join them.
This picture is currently Mykala’s phone background. I’ve lost significant amounts of time just staring at it before I do anything useful on her phone.
Esmé in the Baby K’Tan.
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