This was one of my favorite picture books as a kid—and I think even more so when my brother was a kid and I'd read it to him. It's funny how that little bit of taboo nakedness felt so essential. I think I could feel the energy of: the nakedness makes SENSE and isn't shameful, but also adults just don't know how to deal. This applies to so many things.
Seriously. I keep thinking about how so many adults seem to have one lens for sensuality. Everything becomes sexualized. Just get naked in a cold lake and let your body be its most animal self in all the ways, no shame. That can be really hard for lots of folks, which is why I love seeing such joyful presence in Mickey. Being in the milk is a birthright!
And now I'm wondering how it went, when you finally were able to lie down and rest? Did you find yourself ruminating on all the stuff you weren't getting done, or were you able to take that wide focus? And if so, what did you see? Did you have any insights?
I so dread that feeling of "oh, no, I really have to sit down like right now..." when your body takes its own break whether you like it or not. Jeesh. It's hard to just stop and accept that you're sick, your body is telling you something here, or you're getting older, or the weather's changing and that arthritis is kicking in...it's just one more reminder of our own fragility, vulnerability.
And on that topic of childhood nakedness...it's interesting that Americans are so obsessed with sex. Other cultures are not bothered by this stuff. They understand nudity or nakedness (they're not the same thing though finally, are they?) are just normal parts of being alive. But here, in the states, we are both obsessed with having sex and pretending to find it appalling and the tension that exists between those two very opposite poles is what drives people to distraction, and then we see all this book banning and social and religious posturing as a result.
What is it that has created such a prudish image of sex in this country? Origins lie probably in the Puritan beginnings of our country, but I look around and come to the conclusion, that some people....really have too much time on their hands.
I did lay down and listened to all the little noises of the house and Yme’s quiet wandering from room to room. It felt cozy and safe and I slept for two hours!
I’m still sick and cancelled yet another thing this weekend, but more bread is rising, and I’m gonna go take another nap. All the rest can wait.
I’m reminded of this embroidered picture my mom had hanging in my brothers’ room when they were babies: cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow for babies grow up, we’ve learned to our sorrow, so quiet down cobwebs and dust go to sleep, I’m rocking my baby, and babies don’t keep.
This week, I’m doing some version of that silly but true saying. It’s not awful once I resign myself to it, but occasionally I’m annoyed!
This was one of my favorite picture books as a kid—and I think even more so when my brother was a kid and I'd read it to him. It's funny how that little bit of taboo nakedness felt so essential. I think I could feel the energy of: the nakedness makes SENSE and isn't shameful, but also adults just don't know how to deal. This applies to so many things.
Seriously. I keep thinking about how so many adults seem to have one lens for sensuality. Everything becomes sexualized. Just get naked in a cold lake and let your body be its most animal self in all the ways, no shame. That can be really hard for lots of folks, which is why I love seeing such joyful presence in Mickey. Being in the milk is a birthright!
So beautiful - relating to every part: Crohn’s, being a body, taking a nap ;)
Thanks. Hope you get a great nap real soon ;)
And now I'm wondering how it went, when you finally were able to lie down and rest? Did you find yourself ruminating on all the stuff you weren't getting done, or were you able to take that wide focus? And if so, what did you see? Did you have any insights?
I so dread that feeling of "oh, no, I really have to sit down like right now..." when your body takes its own break whether you like it or not. Jeesh. It's hard to just stop and accept that you're sick, your body is telling you something here, or you're getting older, or the weather's changing and that arthritis is kicking in...it's just one more reminder of our own fragility, vulnerability.
And on that topic of childhood nakedness...it's interesting that Americans are so obsessed with sex. Other cultures are not bothered by this stuff. They understand nudity or nakedness (they're not the same thing though finally, are they?) are just normal parts of being alive. But here, in the states, we are both obsessed with having sex and pretending to find it appalling and the tension that exists between those two very opposite poles is what drives people to distraction, and then we see all this book banning and social and religious posturing as a result.
What is it that has created such a prudish image of sex in this country? Origins lie probably in the Puritan beginnings of our country, but I look around and come to the conclusion, that some people....really have too much time on their hands.
Hahahaha! Yes, too much time!
I did lay down and listened to all the little noises of the house and Yme’s quiet wandering from room to room. It felt cozy and safe and I slept for two hours!
I’m still sick and cancelled yet another thing this weekend, but more bread is rising, and I’m gonna go take another nap. All the rest can wait.
I’m reminded of this embroidered picture my mom had hanging in my brothers’ room when they were babies: cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow for babies grow up, we’ve learned to our sorrow, so quiet down cobwebs and dust go to sleep, I’m rocking my baby, and babies don’t keep.
This week, I’m doing some version of that silly but true saying. It’s not awful once I resign myself to it, but occasionally I’m annoyed!