Attempting a photo with all six family members often results in images like this:
Our matching expressions say everything that needs to be said about this attempt.
But with perseverance and a 2.0 GB memory card, this can happen:
Not perfect, but far far improved. Many thanks to our fabulous Eph neighbors up the hill. When living toward the end of a dead end dirt road in rural Vermont, it is reassuring to have such wonderful people living just up the road.
Can I get a HELL YEAH?!
This Consumer Report had me standing at my desk, clapping. Who cares that I’m now known as the crazy lady on floor 3 who gives standing ovations to her computer:
A key reason [the US is failing when it comes to infant mortality and maternal death] appears to be a health-care system that has developed into a highly profitable labor-and-delivery machine, operating according to its own timetable rather than the less predictable schedule of mothers and babies. Childbirth is the leading reason for hospital admission, and the system is set up to make the most of the opportunity. Keeping things chugging along are technological interventions that can be lifesaving in some situations but also interfere with healthy, natural processes and increase risk when used inappropriately.
Definitely head on over and read the report, but to bullet the key points, the top 10 Overused Procedures in Pregnancy and Childbirth are as follows.
1. A C-section with a low-risk first birth
2. An automatic second C-section
3. An elective early delivery
4. Inducing labor without a medical reason
5. Ultrasounds after 24 weeks
6. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring
7. Early epidurals
8. Routinely rupturing the amniotic membranes
9. Routine episiotomies
10. Sending your newborn to the nursery
And I like the follow up that includes 10 Things You Should Do During Your Pregnancy, most notably A. Consider a midwife, B. Stay home during early labor and C. Get labor support (doulas, what what!).
If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, well, then you’re thinking, DUH! But this report gives me hope that more US mamas and US hospitals/OBs will hear these words and maternal care will shift accordingly.
And now a round of applause for healthy moms and babies.
*standing ovation*
This is for Kimmy, and all those that rejoice in speaking without words.
As long as you have a beat inside, dance is for you…
Upon moving into the Vermont house, a small package arrived filled with the most beautifully designed seed packets I’ve ever seen.
Each little bundle held not only the promise of fresh, homegrown food for our family, but was delivered wrapped in a piece of miniature artwork. A bundle of art and life.
Talk about one of the most thoughtful housewarming gifts we’ve received. Thanks, Meg and Michael! We are blessed to have such incredible people in our lives.
These seeds are part of the catalogue of the Hudson Valley Seed Library. Their goal is threefold:
1. To create an accessible and affordable source of regionally-adapted seeds that is maintained by a community of caring farmers and gardeners.
2. To create gift-quality seed packs featuring original works designed by artists in order to celebrate the beauty and diversity of heirloom gardening.
3. To help farmers, gardeners, and eaters understand where seeds come from, how they are grown, who grows them, and why seed saving is more important than ever.
I know where I’ll be sourcing all of my seeds for next year’s garden. More on this year’s garden in a forthcoming post. But here is a taste of the seeds we now have germinating on Cartwheel Farm. And yes, I absolutely saved the seed pack covers. I don’t know how I’ll use them yet, but they were far too beautiful to discard.
Sent to me via Kimmy with the subject, “fuck manners, give us knowledge.”
Amen, sister.
If anyone has a source for this image, do let me know. My Googling led me no where but from Tumblr to Pinterest and back again. Ugh.
