Everyone may think it strange, but I do LOVE LOVE LOVE Southern Utah. It. Is. Gorgeous! Everyday I ride or drive to work looking at the mountains, desert, rock formations, clouds, and ever spectacular views feeling inspired. I can hardly keep myself from stopping the car, jumping out, photographing everything, and then going back later in the day to paint it. Every day that I get to spend outside is so beautiful I often fear that the next day I will find out I have just a few more days to live or something! That sounds morbid, but I don't mean it like that. I guess I mean, as sappy as it sounds, I feel truly thankful that the powers that be allowed me to experience the beauty of the world. I am so blessed to have the eyesight to see it, the legs to hike about it, the work that takes me out into it, and the soul to appreciate it.
I smile when I hear people complaining about this little snowstorm in May, or the fact that it's not 'summer' yet, or 'I'm so tired of rain'... because I realize that they haven't been able to look at the snow clouds dropping snow on the Pine Valley Mountains with the red and tan sandstone cliffs of snow canyon in the foreground, dotted with soft, new, baby green sage brush... or that maybe, they looked and couldn't see how amazing and gorgeous it is! In a month, it will likely be a sweltering 110 degrees everyday and everyone should just look out the window and soak up what little, beautiful spring we have here... it's gorgeous!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
But Mom! Everyone is doing it!
While I have been considering starting a blog, I was waiting for the right moment to do so. Mother's day is a perfect day to give life to my words and thoughts. So: welcome to my blog! It promises to be as disjointed, random, and passionate as any conversation with me typically is.
Mostly, I intend to blog about Archaeology, Makeup, and little bits of randomness.
For Mother's day 2010, I am far from my matriarchs. We have a pretty tight little society of feisty ladies in my family. I am so proud of these women (and of being one of these women) because, they taught me the strength of being an individual. Women multitask, sacrifice, and exist in a constant state of flux, though they often are seen as the stable pillar of the household.
How can I tie this into anthropology? Only in about a billion ways...
Well, Grandmothers, did you know that there is a whole theory in Evolutionary Biology named after you? "The Grandmothering Hypothesis" basically supposes that the aid of postmenopausal females (Grandmas!) may have enabled our species to develop larger brain sizes! I think many a new mom can attest that having her mom, grandma, or mom-in-law around greatly helped her cope with a new baby and that having them nearby helped the children all throughout their lives.
Grandmothers in traditional societies often contribute the most in food procurement, usually favoring their grandchildren as the recipients. My Grandma feeds me the second I walk in the door, even if I protest... she'll always sneak the food in somehow, often through bridge mix, See's candy, or the ever tempting bowl of pretzels. I NEVER leave Grandma's house hungry. In addition to the food contribution my kinswomen provide, they always provide guidance, jobs, couches to sleep on, and cards or pockets with surprise money in then. Without the women in my family, my existence would be significantly tougher!
I am rambling and being a bit unscientific, but it's my first blog entry and you can all look it up on Wikipedia if you want a full outline of the theories discussed!
An interesting personal note: Today, I attended a Mormon church service (no, Family, I'm not converting) because a coworker of mine is going on a mission and was doing a talk and having a 'farewell'. Anyway, I heard one of the speakers say that women who are unmarried and childless (dun dun duuuuuuuuun) often express a sadness or something on mother's day. While I am not getting any flowers today, I don't feel sad. I have been temporary Mommy to a few different children and have treasured those moments as much as any Mom could, and Mother's day is a wonderful opportunity to hail and praise the other Moms in my life! It's all happiness and thankfulness here!
Mostly, I intend to blog about Archaeology, Makeup, and little bits of randomness.
For Mother's day 2010, I am far from my matriarchs. We have a pretty tight little society of feisty ladies in my family. I am so proud of these women (and of being one of these women) because, they taught me the strength of being an individual. Women multitask, sacrifice, and exist in a constant state of flux, though they often are seen as the stable pillar of the household.
How can I tie this into anthropology? Only in about a billion ways...
Well, Grandmothers, did you know that there is a whole theory in Evolutionary Biology named after you? "The Grandmothering Hypothesis" basically supposes that the aid of postmenopausal females (Grandmas!) may have enabled our species to develop larger brain sizes! I think many a new mom can attest that having her mom, grandma, or mom-in-law around greatly helped her cope with a new baby and that having them nearby helped the children all throughout their lives.
Grandmothers in traditional societies often contribute the most in food procurement, usually favoring their grandchildren as the recipients. My Grandma feeds me the second I walk in the door, even if I protest... she'll always sneak the food in somehow, often through bridge mix, See's candy, or the ever tempting bowl of pretzels. I NEVER leave Grandma's house hungry. In addition to the food contribution my kinswomen provide, they always provide guidance, jobs, couches to sleep on, and cards or pockets with surprise money in then. Without the women in my family, my existence would be significantly tougher!
I am rambling and being a bit unscientific, but it's my first blog entry and you can all look it up on Wikipedia if you want a full outline of the theories discussed!
An interesting personal note: Today, I attended a Mormon church service (no, Family, I'm not converting) because a coworker of mine is going on a mission and was doing a talk and having a 'farewell'. Anyway, I heard one of the speakers say that women who are unmarried and childless (dun dun duuuuuuuuun) often express a sadness or something on mother's day. While I am not getting any flowers today, I don't feel sad. I have been temporary Mommy to a few different children and have treasured those moments as much as any Mom could, and Mother's day is a wonderful opportunity to hail and praise the other Moms in my life! It's all happiness and thankfulness here!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)