Man Q; terrifying article/situation

While grilling a pizza and helping Elia finish packing, we turned on the Saints-Seahawks game. The second half was fabulously exciting, and though I love the Saints and am sad they lost, A) the Seahawks deserved the win, and B) way to NEVER give up, NOLA. The 52 yard interception, onside kick, and long pass towards the end had me jumping and screaming. J was having trouble getting to sleep so watched the last ten minutes with me. Listening to my broadcast from the couch, you'd have thought I was a pro player in a former life. Who knew?! I did make it clear to J that while I think football is an awesome and often thrilling game, it was not one he or Ol would likely ever play. I don't need to have worked this damn hard for them to get their brains all bruised and shit and go to seed. Fuhgetaboutit! Question: why when a football player, for ex: Marshawn Lynch, makes an incredible play, everyone supports and cheers for him by punching and slapping him?? He got hit and slapped and whooped so many damn times upon leaving the field that I felt bruised. I don't get this part of manhood. Why all the hitting?!

In the midst of all this I came across this heart-wrenching, terrifying article about American Day Care that a friend posted on FB. If you're not a parent who has looked into childcare options for your kids and thus already been appalled by much of what's out there -and at what cost!!- read this and be moved and/or scared. I find it in.ex.cusable that so many of our politicians and citizenry go on and on and on about how abortion is an indefensible outrage -when nearly HALF of pregnancies in America are UNintended- yet refuse to support, fund and make damn sure to regulate and police the childcare centers many, many parents must rely on. Many parents, who in some ways and/or on some occasions had to have their children, cannot stay at home with their kids; they have to work and too often at below-minimum wage jobs and so MUST take whatever childcare is available to them. To leave them at the mercy of unregulated child "care" seems like an evil hard to describe. And don't even get me started on the public "education" that then awaits many of these children.

Meanwhile, on a related front, a terrific article by Charles Blow. sex is not our problem

Overstimulation

People, I am starting to feel very frazzled. That it is preposterously vile outside doesn't help. Neither does the realization that today is, unfortunately, not Sunday, nor does a quick glance at next week's schedule. I am starting to daydream about installing a quiet chamber in my garage; it will be fully soundproof and have a chaise lounge inside.The amount of noise, calls, texts, tears, questions, animal sounds, bodily noises and so forth are beating against my psyche like a wave against a beach. Gah!!!!

Outstanding dinner

Have I mentioned that my sister is here? She arrived Wednesday and heads back to Italy tomorrow, but it's such a treat having her as a short-term roommate. Her best friend from the age of 4 (who lives in Abu Dhabi with her hubs but is an American citizen and wanted to have her baby here; so they moved to DC for two months) had a baby girl last month and my sis wanted to spend time with her and the new parents (who are basically members of our family; we're all close; it's great) hence this pass through. This morning, we visited together which was wonderful. I cannot get enough of holding babies. How many times have y'all heard me go on about holding babies?? Seriously, it's a balm. I looooove to hold those sweet, cooing bundles of warmth. Aah! Anyway, last night, El, T and I stayed in, and I made us an outstanding feast: zucchini-feta fritters; a fennel, feta, sumac and pomegranate salad from Ottolenghi; and a roast chicken stew with preserved lemon, sumac, caramelized onions and Israeli couscous. We drank too much wine and stayed up too late, but it was great fun. Naturally, the boys chose today to wake up at 6 instead of the closer-to-7 they've been gifting us with lately, so I have now been up for 8 hours and am definitely feeling it.

It is revolting out today- freezing rain sleeting down from a gray shroud of a sky. Ugh. Glad I am inside and just enjoyed scrumptious leftovers from last night's meal.