You're such a relief in this crazy world -- honestly, I'd much rather muse about your question than dutifully go over and listen to Obama's strategy for dealing with the crazies in other parts of the world. So... You're right! I can't think of the books I read as a teen and the cultural references within them. If the pattern holds, that would mean there would be references to Frank Sinatra or something, right. The stuff that MY parents listened to? Hmmm.

Well, the Goldfinch crowd is certainly the wrong crowd for me, and I do love everything that Atkinson writes. I'm not much of a mystery lover, but I did like Case Histories, and I keep hearing about Tana French. Have you read her stuff?

Truly wonderful post. I want a foot fountain. And I love the word "bilious." Brava to you for using it so beautifully!

Wow. I love the starfish, but the last two lines of your post really resonate with me. Thank you for them --

That is so cool --

That exhibit looks really beautiful -- I especially liked the mermaid embroidery. Thank you for the link!

I love how you've woven a tiny piece of your own history into this post. And all the paintings are great -- but the most amazing to me is the illuminated one --

I meant WON'T be the only testament to their life! But I think you'd know that --

I just hope your and other's fabric creations of sealife will be the only testament to their life. Thank you for this moving post and for the links.

I still remember the horror of seventh grade! I wouldn't take back that year if you paid me for it! I wore aviator glasses and was extraordinarily skinny, curled my hair into scary "wings" and wore a puka bead necklace around my skinny neck. I looked like a bug and was a "brain" to boot, which was completely uncool at the time. Just remembering gives me the creeps -- you sound like such a wonderful mother that I imagine all the dark days of your daughter's year will also be tempered by your concern and love. Here's to a happy eighth grade year!

That's awesome. And I love, love that you're posting so much these days!

Excellent post -- and I'm off to donate more money to Homeboy. I have a friend who's on the board, so I'm used to the appeals but it's certainly a symbolic time to contribute! Thank you for bringing this to everyone's attention -- especially those quick to judge --

Wonderful post -- I have such conflicted thoughts about soldiers and war -- your post articulated them nicely.

Now that's a lovely little world right there!

Congrats! This was actually my favorite one! Will it be difficult to get a bottle?

I love this post. It's such a relief from the constant barrage of stuff I hear about marriage that inevitably makes my own seem inadequate, messed-up, less than, etc. Sometimes I honestly think that marriage is an outdated institution, at least as described in current romantic terms. You have written in a practical and lovely way about marriage, and that is refreshing.

I have to tell you that when your blog post opened, my heart stopped. My son has been drawing what looks to be the exact same thing for a year or more. It's so freaky that I'm tempted to email you some scans.