Pip Dog Rides a Bike

You can put your kid in lessons to teach them how to do just about any sport: skating, skiing, swimming...but biking is different. Biking raises the bar on parenting. Biking is something Mom or Dad has to teach. There are no lessons to drop the kid off at and  pick them up from and then one day, they have miraculously learned how to ride. 

If you live on a flat street with a flat drive and put training wheels on your kid's bike--well, maybe you get off a little easy. But that  has not been my experience. My experience involves driving my kids to a flat area and running behind their bikes, back ache be damned!

I've spent late summer teaching our youngest, Pip to ride a 2 wheeled bicycle. We live on a steep hill, so it isn't as easy as saying, "just go and practice on our drive way." Either her dad or I drive Pip and bike to flat parks to practice.

 I never learned with training wheels--I learned with my dad running behind the bike and letting go once I had balance. This is how I've taught my children. It is hard on the back though... 

Did I mention the wee reward we offered each of our kids once they could balance on their own and ride for 1 minute without falling? We offered them a trip to Seven-Eleven to choose a small slurpee. It worked like a charm. I remember my eldest daughter seemed unmotivated to concentrate and steer independently. I thought she'd never be ready for me to let go of the bike. Then I mentioned the slurpee reward. That was it, she told me to let go immediately and she biked along as straight as an arrow, as though she'd been biking for years! Sometimes a little motivational reward goes a long way...

The Pip Dog has done it! She is able to ride a bike on her own.

The pictures are of Pip Dog practicing on a ball diamond--the very best place to practice: smooth, flat and not as hard to fall on as pavement. 

Pip's soccer coach informed me on Saturday that Pip is no longer to be called Pip, but that she only responds to "Pip Dog" (Pip had told her coach this). Pip Dog it is.

 Go Pip Dog Go!

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Ta da!  I did it Mom!

A September Sunday

The following photo essay depicts an early morning hike and swim  on Sunday last. I hiked down our mountain, along with two of my favorite gals (and two favorite wee guys),  for a quick dip in Okanagan Lake. The experience was a little bit of everything: sun and moon, light and dark, warm and cold, wet and dry. Thought for sure the hike back up would warm us up--had to do it bare foot to keep my toes from remaining blue and numb. The water was warm enough but without direct sun overhead, one never really dries off or warms up...

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Lake Okanagan  8 a.m.

Frernando waits for Pip to get into her bathing suit.

Tabby Cat (in her new short hair cut)  is the first one in the lake.

Sister love.

Pablo wants out of the water and into the forest.

Fernando, "I'm done. I've had enough lake for the day."--his paws barely damp.

Sisters explore.

Fernando and Pip.

Pablo and Tabby Cat.

Wait for me Tabby!

Pip, testing the water to see if she should change into a Mermaid or not bother.

Mom, come swim with me--let's be mermaids.

Get in here Fernando! Still waiting for the merdog to get his paws wet...

Time to climb back up the mountain for breakfast. Wait for us Tabby Cat and Pablo!

Dear Starbucks, Please Don't Make My Kid Fat.

Dear Starbucks,

I count on you several days a week, for as a rest stop. A small haven in a busy world. I stop in to have an ice cold drink on hot days and a hot drink on cold winter's days. Often, I have one of my darling children with me, sometimes all three.

My children always feel "hungry" when we stop at Starbucks. What is their favorite snack? The giant cookie, of course. Those things are big enough to feed 4 kids. When I only have one child with me, I end up buying the huge cookie and feeling horribly guilty--I'm going to make my kid fat by stopping for my little personal relax time. 

The cookie is WAY too big for a kid, for anyone for that matter. 

I ask that Starbucks please consider serving child sized cookies 1/3 to 1/4  of the size of their current cookies--just for us parents who still want to stop in on Starbucks regularly with our kids but don't want the horrible guilt from feeding them over-sized sweets.

Sure, I could give up stopping at Starbucks with my kids. And yes, ultimately it is up to me to say no to my children. But all I am asking for is a little support.  Help me keep them healthy children--able to indulge in an appropriate sized treat when they're out and about with Mom or Dad.

Yours Appreciatively,

Modernista Mama (Gold Card Member)

Bare Foot Buddhism

My morning  footprints on the Northwest Coast, Oregon, USA

My feet. Monkey toes.

Another's footprints on the beach that morning.

A teeny crab Anemone found in the Salmon River--that's her little thumb.

Northwest Pacific coastal shore Plant

Northwest Pacific Coastal plant on the rocky shore. Such a beautiful plant with it's colours and shapes.

A still life I created with objects I'd just found in low tide. The rock made me think of my darling little girl at home. I thought Pippi's little fingers would fit perfectly in the rock. Whenever I am separated from my girls, it is often small things in nature that remind me of my darlings--knowing we would cherish the beauty together.

Another fascinating shore plant with interesting green berries at Westwind, Oregon.

One of the great gifts I received from the Buddhist Mindfulness retreat at Westwind, Oregon, was the freedom to walk barefoot for the entire stay: through sandy shores, pine needle paths, rocky paths and wooden floors. The natural beauty of the coast is surreal in its spectacularness and I was blessed to explore this region barefoot--connecting completely with the land and sea. Walking barefoot is the best thing for the brain and mind. All the nerves in the foot are stimulated by the changing surfaces, and temperatures, this stimulates the brain. It forces one to be present in the moment--aware of each and every step one takes, connecting fully with one's movement through space. The retreat was perfection for one's health: barefoot, healthy fresh foods, raw natural setting, many other humans to activate the social areas of our brains and meditation.
I've always been one to forgo the shoes whenever I can. As a child I'd slip off my shoes to run barefoot home from friends' houses, feeling I was so much faster barefoot. I've never liked slippers either, preferring my bare feet on floors. Perhaps this is why, to this day, my toes are very flexible--my sister used to call me monkey toes as a child because I can move my toes in many directions. It's an easy gift we can all give ourselves: walk barefoot to stimulate your brain and body--it feels great. My eldest daughter appears to have flat feet--the flattest I have seen. But a recent trip to a specialist pointed out the true nature of those long, thin, elegant feet of hers: they are super flexible. Her feet are not actually flat at all. In the air, while stepping, she has a lovely arch, on contact with the ground, her over-flexible foot completely compresses--flattens out. The specialist advised no treatment other than continuing to strengthen them with barefoot walking and ballet (she is taking point this year). With those super-rubbery feet of hers I am sure she'll be the first on point! So, my darling daughter and I often walk the rocky mountain trails near our home together-barefoot. The rocks are big and sharp. The hike is the ultimate foot strengthening test. Ideally though, we need to live on a long stretch of sandy beach (like the wonderful Westwind) so we can walk and run with the tide each morning.

Listen To The Sound Of The Mohawk Beat

*Thought I'd post this pic as I stumbled upon it yesterday and I believe a little of these girls' exuberance is needed to motivate my adult self into much work.

My sister Catherine and I (on top) during our high school cheerleading days: The Medicine Hat High Mohawks. With our arms at our sides, the green trim on the sweaters formed the letter M. Yes, the real Mohawk Nation exits thousands of miles East, far from Alberta--just don't tell the Medicine Hat folks that ;)

Any current spine issues Catherine might have, can possibly be traced to this stunt. We performed this stunt  nearly every basketball game, as it made up the right side of one of our team's performance pyramids. I still suffer from a few long-lasting damage  from cheerleading days--very high impact and once I had to hold a short, yet stalky (HEAVY) fellow cheerleader on my leg for about ten minutes during a pyramid rehearsal (a workshop hosted by the Calgary Stampeders' Cheerleaders). My leg was numb for four days after that stunt... But I loved being a cheerleader and would research and design dances and pyramids for our team. This is where my Zumba love all started...

 I leave early Wednesday morning for The Oregon Coast. Not ready on either the leaving front or the packing front. Hard to leave this place when the sun shines endlessly and the temperature is near 40 oC. All I want to do is plan my days around trips down to the beach. I'm teaching Pip to ride a 2 wheel bike too--hate to leave mid training! We don't have much time to practice each day, must do it early or late when it's not too hot.

Paul's Tomb--The Early Hours

I've been heading out the door early the last few days--hiking down the mountain to a private little beach cove near the site of Paul's Tomb. It is a small tomb buried in the side of the mountain about 100 years ago. The tomb has been the topic of many a scary story during evening hikes on the mountain (my kids love my spooky stories). 

I hike down to the beach with Pablo. It's amazing to start the day with a refreshing swim. I'd take Fernando too but he gets overheated on the climb up. Being a black pug isn't the easiest in the summer months. It is a really good work out as the climb is steep. Pablo loves the climbing but doesn't like the water yet. Today Tabs said she would join me. I'll wake her up soon and head down. 

I'm tired. Went to the late show last night To Rome With Love--not one of Woody Allen's best. He stole the Opera singer in the shower idea from The Simpson's (Homer could sing amazing Opera lying down in bed, so they had him sing on stage lying down on a bed)--in ...Rome With Love it was a shower. 

So far a very busy weekend. Peter's brother and wife and my sister and nephew are in town. Also two birthday parties. It's been fun and the weather's been really hot this weekend, about 40 oC. Lots of swimming needed to cool down! 

--Post is short and sweet because I'm hiking down the mountain and I must leave now before it gets too hot outside...will sneak down the hall and wake Tabs...though she got in late from a party last night...what to do?

Boarding Birthday on the Lake

On every Birthday I like to try a new adventure. Usually this involves attempting a sport I have never tried before. Yesterday it was paddleboarding. So much fun. The lake was fairly calm. Well, I have to admit, it was really calm. The only waves were from passing boats. The sun was shining and it was the best way to spend a birthday afternoon. We all loved it. The tiny girls were deemed to young to try by the board rental shack. Yes, there were tears. I think I just might be ready to try this in Hawaii! Decided living in the Okanagan isn't allowed unless one owns a paddleboard and kayak--both are so much fun. Thank-you to all of my family for making this another great birthday!

Mist and Nem on Okanagan Lake, British Columbia

Hi--having a Happy Birthday...

Mist and I with boat approaching!

Tabs and Nem

Nem and Tabs

Peter, John and Dingy in the middle.

Peter

John

The guys stop to chat.

Tabs and I 

Tabs and Mom

Me

Tabs

Mist

Mist and Nem

Enlightenment on the Beach

One thing I know to be true: a day at the beach is never boring. It is also the best way for me to clear my mind. A cool dip in the lake followed by lying in the sun with a good book--a perfect way to find mindfulness.

An afternoon spent at one of my home town beaches did not disappoint.

As soon as I arrived at the beach, I noticed that is was quiet for a warm summer afternoon. Perfect. I had no trouble claiming beach front property. I spread out my Barcelona beach towel and then headed right into the lake for a quick swim. Refreshing--a little chillier than the Gulf of Mexico but perfect for swimming. After a quick dip, I decided to read as I dried off. I pulled a paperback from my beach bag: Buddhism After Patriarchy--A Feminist History, Analysis and Reconstruction of Buddhism. The book is a treasure. I was immersed in it a month ago and then I inadvertently left it on the plane to Texas. I was so sad as it was the book I had planned to read all holiday. However, as soon as I returned home from my trip, I reordered it from Amazon. A new copy just arrived yesterday in the mail :)

-Back to the beach story:
 I was delving into my book when suddenly the entertainment arrived--a family consisting of a slightly inebriated mother and her 3 teenage children. The foursome set up camp beside me. Every second word out of each member's mouth was "Fuck":

 "Get in the F***ing water!"

"I hate the F***ing seaweed."

"What the F*** are you doing?"

 "I'm F***ing swimming."

"F*** come over here."

"F*** I'm coming."

"Where's my F***ing cell phone?"

 "Come on Mom, F**ing get in!"

 "Just wait a F***ing minute!"

Eventually, the mother did get the fuck into the lake. And then the mother started to fucking panic. She was in deep water, struggling to stay afloat beside her laughing teenage daughter. The mother yelled, "Help me!" The daughter laughed, but I could tell that the mother was seriously in trouble. The mother quit saying, "fuck." Her only words were a desperate, "Help me!"The daughter finally yelled to her teenage brother, "Get the F*** in here and help her. She wants you to F***ing save her."

Yes, (thankfully) in went the teenage boy (it was either him or me), "What the F*** are you doing mom? Just f***ing swim." But the mother couldn't fucking swim. Couldn't he see that was the real issue?  He finally waded in and dragged his drowning mother to shore. So there she sat in the shallows, waving both middle fingers high in the air and shouting "F***you!" to her laughing children.

The drama wrapped up almost as quickly as it started and my entertainment crew decided it was time to go. As they were packing up to leave,  a new neighbor arrived: a man, a single, quiet man. First his shirt came off, and then his shorts. Suddenly, I questioned the sex. What was he/she... really? The tiny bathing suit was fitted (tight). OK, decided he was definitely a man. The man was wearing a teeny-weeny black women's bikini (yes a 2 piece). I'd like to be able to tell you that he rocked that teeny-weeny bikini, but he was a rather hairy beast. He was a fine neighbor though, a quiet neighbor indeed.

I returned to my book and then back into the water for a brief swim, and then back to the book. That is when the strangest thing happened, as I was reading my treasured book, my eyes followed a short-legged dog and its female owner along the beach. They waded into the shallows in front of me, strolling along the water's edge together. Under the brim of my hat, I saw the short doggy-legs come closer and closer towards my beach towel, followed by the tanned and tattooed legs of its owner. The tattooed legs bent down beside my towel and a red haired woman whispered into my face, "Is that a man or a woman on the beach beside you?"
I replied calmly, "A man."
Red Haired Woman: "Why is he wearing a woman's bikini?"    
Me: "I don't know. I guess he likes it."
Woman: "That's unusual!"
Me: "Yes, not something you see often."
And then the woman with the short-legged dog stood up and walked away.

And so, back to my book, another swim and more reading. Then I was hungry. I packed up my camp, ready to head home. As I passed the bikini guy he said something to me. I couldn't hear him so I said my usual, "Sorry?"
"A nice day at the beach was it?"he said.
"Yes it was," I said. And oddly, from that very brief exchange of words, I felt that there was something about him, something interesting, something true.

The Sisterhood of Soccer

Pippi and the Jewels--first Soccer game ever. Pippi scored the team's first goal and her first goal! She was so thrilled with the whole soccer experience :)

Pippi loves soccer--always has a smile on her face as she intently  focuses on the game.

Pippi in action.

My niece, Artemis. As luck would have it, Artemis' team The Diamonds had their first game against Pip's team The Jewels.

Artemisia in action--so happy to be playing soccer!

Tabs in action. Tabs has a smile on her face as she plays too.

Tabs receives a greeting from Pip during the game.

Sisterhood love.

Pippi as butterfly, cheering Tabs and the Cyclones during their soccer game.

I have been baching it this past week. Peter is in Saskatchewan visiting family. It has been a very busy time for me as all of my darling girls have had activities galore. I have been juggling soccer games, birthday parties, jazz festivals, dance lessons, choir lessons, piano lessons and teaching Zumba.

The city I live in is a new city. It has grown rapidly only recently. Twenty years ago it was a sleepy town. Suddenly it a large city spread throughout the Okanagan Valley,  creeping up all surrounding mountains. Beautiful? yes. Easy to navigate? NO!

Kelowna has a pathetic public transport system. The city bus doesn't even come up my mountain and we have no sidewalk down the mountain. And yet, it is a very large city geographically, so one must be in the car constantly. I long to have a great pubic transport system like Portland, Oregon. That city has hills, they manage fine.

I have a 1/2h drive each way to the places I teach Zumba. Add that to chauffeuring my 3 children to various activities and you have the makings of a life out of balance. Too much travel time. How to remedy this? Many options. To move to a more central location within  the city that is serviced by the city bus is really the only practical one. Or move cities. Will I move? Not right away. Too many other issues to sort in my life. The house issue would overflow my teapot.

My teapot is filled with work-force angst:

Women who choose to stay home and raise their babies and toddlers miss out on crucial work-force career building years. So, when their babies are of school age and they wish to make an income--things are difficult. It is one thing to be in one's 20's starting out but to be in one's 40's is another thing. And yes, the person in their 40's has more education, more experience, more knowledge, more talent etc. But the reality is that, employers look to the twenty somethings regardless. Because dedicating one's life to raising one's children is not valued in Western society. It is valued only as long as you don't dare try and do anything within the "other" work force after your babes are school age.
Raise your babies yourself, without daycare or a nanny and then see which  employers value the time you spent doing that job. None.
So, the solution is to be self employed or keep going to school for a PhD.

 I will get my novels out and published (two to start) (phase II)--and then move onto phase III.  Oprah says the money will come if you do what you love. I never watched Oprah, except perhaps for the odd show over ten years ago. And I don't read her magazine so that shows you how much faith I have in her words. Yet, I hear them repeated, over and over--and not surprisingly, most often by people making an income at something other than their passion.