No Longer Standing Over Running Water

I have been Standing Over Running Water since 2010 (although my mothering journey began 3 years before my blog did).  The water is still running, the children are still growing, and I am still journeying...however, I'm now doing it with more intention over at With Every Intention...please join me over there.  You'll find all of …

Stolen Words

Recently I discovered that one of my blog posts had been copied onto someone else's website.  Literally, just copied and pasted, photos and all.  When I discovered it, by a random fluke, I felt rather violated...and annoyed.  It felt like high school all over again. {*the names have all been changed in this story to …

The Tale of a Little Ballerina

Once upon a time there was a little girl who was surrounded by a world of blue and toy guns and boys.  All day long she dreamed of pink and tutus and dancing.  She watched ballerinas with wonder in her eyes and dreamed of the day she could dance across a stage just like them. …

A Tea Party

"Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think.  It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world."  L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables Katie met a kindred spirit, Eliza, at ballet a few months ago.  Fancy Nancy was the common factor (along with a love of pink …

These Halls of Refuge

This isn't my house.  In fact I have never lived here. I don't have any roots.  I don't have a childhood house to run home to.  There's no specific structure that carries the stories of my childhood.  I don't have the privilege of saying, "This is where I grew up," to my kids. Yet home …

Romeo and Juliet

Personally I love Shakespeare. In all his original ways.  The words are almost melodic with their medieval sound. But Shakespeare is, of course, meant to be seen.  Acted out with humor and passion. And that's why I like WATCHING it...because even if I get a bit lost in doth and thou and wherefore, I can …

The Parenting Decision I Never Question

There are many things I do as a parent that I question. What happens if I don’t feed my kids organic foods?  How do I effectively discipline so that my kids become functioning, productive members of society?  Which books should line our shelves?  Should I let my child do…?  Did I make the right choice …

Finding Balance in Motherhood

I still remember the first time I heard the phrase “Don’t put your eggs all in one basket.” I was about four years old and we had an old Atari game where you had to catch eggs in a basket and during the game, the little chicken would remind you not to put all the …

Preserving More Than Food

Every year, the conversation is the same.  My husband insists that I am wasting my time canning. I’m talking about good, old-fashioned canning.  You know, the kind with the water bath canner, the glass mason jars, the old screw top lids.  Canning.  The art of preserving food.  I argue that canning is a lost art, …

One Glimpse (and I’m in Love All Over Again)

I caught a glimpse of him standing outside the kitchen window.  His face was turned down with his visor covering his face, his jawline the only visible part of him.  I snapped a picture of him in my mind, that strong jawline, the well defined calf muscles, the relaxed stance.  Age has been kind to …