Upchucking rainbows, bye bye kids, delicious meal

I was so high all day yesterday following the Supreme Court's decision that ALL can marry. My heart and mind were suffused with pride, thrill, a deep sense of justice served, and rivers of teary love. This ruling is truly momentous, and I felt like my parents must have when the Berlin Wall came down, that they'd just witnessed a sea change that would change the course of the future.

My social media feeds looked like I'd vomited rainbows all over them. One friend said that it was awfully hard to keep up with me, but I just couldn't stop sharing and cheering and spreading the love. I mean, just look at this image. The message this sends to our country and the world cannot be underestimated.

I spent a little time reading negative reactions to the marriage equality decision, but they were so ugly and pathetic and on the wrong side of history that I happily closed shop on them. They are neither here nor there anymore, and rightfully so. As I've always said about abortion too, if you don't like it, don't do it, but don't take away the rights of others to choose for themselves.

It was also thrilling for me to share the news with the boys as I picked each up at camp. We have always been open about their absolute right to love anyone they choose and about our support for same sex marriage. But to tell them that our country had finally chosen fairness and equality over bigotry was really something special.

Isn't this a spectacular photograph? Storm's coming. -courtesy of capital weather gang

As night crept in, so too did a storm that has rained down upon us since. The kids were up early today, and Tom and I were terribly sick of them by about 9 am. I mean, they set new records of obnoxious, gross, insufferable behavior, and to be stuck inside with them? My god.

Jack was wearing a man's tee-shirt that said Autobahn on the front; he resembled some kind of street urchin. He was finally willing to put on pants when I insisted they come to the market with me, a trip I knew would be a sure hell, but I was desperate to get them outside. By this point, Oliver was wearing a size 2-4 astronaut costume which comes up to his knees, and they were both dirty since they'd been lolling about on the floor for hours, screeching about farts and butts and all manner of hole. 

People these are the types of days during which I find it hard to appreciate them. #truth

On days like these, I love Nutmeg even more than usual. He is so quiet and independent and tidy.

The nut cleans his toes.

The incredible luck is that both boys are now gone: Oliver at a sleepover with a friend, and Jack at Tom's parents' as he's going on a lengthy hike tomorrow with Topta (which is what he's always called Tom's Dad as early on he couldn't say Grandpa. I love "Topta.")

Tom and I are celebrating by staying in and eating well and watching Real Time from last night. I made the chicken korma recipe from the May 3 New York Times Magazine, a watermelon and arugula salad with goat cheese, and a plum tart. Duh. 'Tis the season. 

chicken korma

Tom is now test-flying (and crashing) the drone he bought Jack for his birthday. We have not yet given Jack this drone, and I keep hearing, "Uh-oh," "Hmm...," "That's not good." Put the toy away, Dad! #menareboys

A day in pictures

Nutmeg in bird pose

summer squash gratin with salsa verde

the best brothers

coriander sugar-poached figs with fresh ricotta

Sittin' in my she-shed

I feel so happy right now. My running is coming along well, and I am no longer scared that I won't be able to finish the half-marathon in September. Turns out I'm actually a pretty good runner, and, delightfully, my frozen shoulder has fully thawed. Finally.

Jack is in the homestretch of his first camp, a great tech-fitness combo that thrills his mind and reminds him daily that it's no good to be a total screen zombie. Play and sports (even for the athletically less-inclined) are critically important balances for indoor and cerebral work. He's made a robot a day, has a core group of pals and comes home every day bubbling with excitement and that best sort of fatigue that comes from having immersed yourself in something over a good bit of time.

I have never made a robot in my life but watching my J so jazzed about gears and programming and such reminds me how much fun it can be to support your child's interests, help them find educational outlets for them and run. 

Oliver was heartbreakingly nervous to start camp on Monday but has been very brave and is now mostly happy. 

I have finally learned to manage my own nervousness about new situations but am reminded that doing so took many years. It was totally worth it, and so even though my heart crumbles when Ol's lip trembles, I must help him walk through  the fires of anxiety -rather than around- for that is the only way to extinguish them.

I'm in AROMO right now and can hear birds chirping all around. For those of you who are unfamiliar with AROMO, it stands for A Room of My Own. This room is the lovely cedar playhouse Tom and I built for the boys several summers back. They never played in it, so I reclaimed it, put a desk, rug and lamp inside and now write out here regularly. A friend recently said she wanted a she-shed; I realized that's what I'd made and loved that such things are a movement of sorts. Go ladies and the spaces we need and deserve!

a hydrangea from my yard

This week has provided me some much-needed recalibration. I'd lost my proverbial oxygen mask but have now found and reapplied it. I am grateful that I'm learning how to recognize the danger-zone speed and apply the brakes sooner. 

Soon, some darling kids are coming over for a birthday-inspired playdate for J, my 4th of July baby. He wants to play Pokemon (total gag; I cannot believe this is back in my life) and have a giant ice cream sundae bar. Done and done. I'm also going to grill burgers and boil corn and cut watermelon and let them eat and play themselves silly. And so I'm off, refueled and raring to go.