stuff I like
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Inca terraces and snow-covered peaks, Peru, July 2016 I’m not going to get into all the reasons I have had to pull myself out of despair over Trump becoming president. I won’t say “winning the election,” since he lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million. But I will say this: climate change terrifies me. I am writing a book set in a world where the permanently snow-covered mountains are living gods, deities of the highest order. In the Andes, that reverence still exists today. But the glaciers are receding, threatening not only lives and livelihoods in a country that depends on them (Peru, like my native California, is heavily dependent on snowmelt for fresh water supplies), but also the survival of an entire worldview. Climate change is likely the most pressing issue facing our world today. It is what I most fear about the future we are leaving our children. In this country, at least for the next few years, government will not be leading. Therefore, business must lead. The non-profit world must lead. Mikhail is working for a company – Interface – that recently (pre-election) made its mission to reverse climate change. When ... more -
Rebecca - - 2 responsesWeaving workshop, October 2014 The main character in my novel is a weaver. This is not surprising, since weaving in the Andes used to be an integral activity. One needs clothing, after all. Thankfully weaving traditions are still alive, though they've taken a huge hit in the modern world. In places traditional backstrap loom weaving is being rejuvenated through the hard work of organizations and individuals. When we lived in Peru, we were great appreciators of weaving, and amateur collectors, but I never attempted to learn. People tried to explain backstrap loom weaving to me, but ... more -
Rebecca - - No responsesLego creation, April 2015 What on earth have I been up to? Oh, yeah, that writing a book raising a family doing work in the world cooking cleaning laundry juggling act called life. I have a lot I could say. Sometimes having a lot to say equals not saying anything. Circuits get overfull, or something like that. And so, a poem for you. "Advice to Myself" by Louise Erdrich, via The Writer's Almanac Leave the dishes. Let the celery rot in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator and an earthen scum harden on the kitchen floor. Leave the black ... more -
Rebecca - - No responsesReward boots It was a beautiful fall day, and I was only a little bit sick, so I decided to do my first round of the Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up technique (the author calls it the KonMari method). I decided to start with something specific and manageable: my shoes. I gathered up all my shoes in one place, ferreting them out of their various storage spots, even remembering the old slippers under my nightstand and a pair of flip flops hanging out in my bike pannier. All ... more -
Rebecca - - No responsesElan, Emry & my nephew Judah, 7, 3 & 4 years old, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, August 2014 The beach is my happy place. Being where the land meets the sea turns a good day great, lifts me up if I am feeling down or tired or head-spinny or harassed, and gives me perspective if I am lacking it. My nephew Bowie pulling Emry Usually these days, beach time is accompanied by a gaggle of boys. Bowie, littlest of the gaggle, 1 year old & seriously adorable Occasionally Mikhail and I sneak down alone for a ... more -
Rebecca - - No responsesUnrelated except it made me laugh: I was going to buy a Dr. Pepper, but this Coke called my name. Literally. One of my tricks for squeezing in writing time on my novel is to find a quiet parking spot on a tree-lined street and write in my car. Knowing this, a member of my Writer's Circle group recently recommended that I get a laptop desk, which hooks onto the steering wheel and provides a work surface, rather than my general method of pushing the seat all the way back ... more -
Rebecca - - No responsesIn the yard, May 2014 Hydrangeas are the perfect plant for me. Ours always comes back, no matter how much we neglect it. Suddenly, our little yard has become everyone's favorite place to hang out, though no matter how gorgeous these blooms are, I think that's more due to the hot tub than anything. Yes, hot tub. This hot-water-lover's dream come true... *** Say hi! To leave a comment, click here & scroll down. -
Rebecca - - No responsesMy baby, Emry at 3 days old, October 2010 I love birth stories, birth junkie that I am, but it's not often that one makes me laugh. You should read this (by one of my sister's friends). Even if you're not a birth junkie, it's great. -
Rebecca - - No responsesShadow, Japanese maple, June 2012 Oh, hello. I've missed you. More on that later. I've posted before about YogaToday, but I wanted to direct you to this week's free class (if you missed the free week for this class, you can buy any YogaToday class for a few dollars - you download it and it's yours to do whenever and however many times you want). If you're a yoga novice, haven't practiced in a while, or are just in need of a centering/grounding activity, I recommend ... more -
Rebecca - - One responseJournal, March 2012I don't make a lot of New Year's Resolutions. I like to look back, set intentions for the future, create possibilities. But I don't "resolve" to do many things for an entire year. This year, however, I resolved to read more. Specifically, these awesome things called books. Even more specifically, these even more awesome things called novels.They say You are what you eat. For writers, they say You are what you read. I read a lot online, and while it's fun and ... more
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it’s a boy!We are so thrilled to welcome our baby boy to our family! Emry Isaiah Brams Davis October 22, 2010 7 lbs 15 oz, 20.5 inches Emry is a Welsh name…
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the end of an eraToday my grandfather, Popa Al Alper, passed away. He was 101 and a half. June 2008 Back when he turned 99, many of you sent him postcards in the mail.…
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In DecemberIt is December now, and I notice that for the past several months I have maintained silence here on my blog about how I have continued to deal with the…
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a goalYesterday I spent a lot of time thinking and writing about what kinds of habits or practices I could put in place that will support my vision of myself as…
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about my week offlineFamily photos at Bodega Bay in the fog, August 2011 I absolutely loved taking a week offline. We were in Colorado for a family reunion, so there were lots of…
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All The Rest Is Just Icing30 weeks Warning: this post involves vomit. You might want to put down your sandwich. I might have mentioned before that I am not a puker. I have not vomited…
