[{"content":"After ten years of consideration and one year of actual planning, I launched my new side gig this weekend! I am Poet-in-Chief of the Charlottesville Poem Store. Go check it out. 🙂\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/charlottesville-poem-store/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/charlottesville-poem-store/IMG_6614_hu_92de2a947d1a3f0e.webp 480w, /posts/charlottesville-poem-store/IMG_6614_hu_42f9ac0755edcccc.webp 720w, /posts/charlottesville-poem-store/IMG_6614_hu_379bc6b3d81f582e.webp 1080w, /posts/charlottesville-poem-store/IMG_6614_hu_5ec39bb5a52602c1.webp 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"typing a poem at poem-crafted cocktails\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/charlottesville-poem-store/IMG_6614_hu_88dad4f9395d7205.jpeg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003eAfter ten years of consideration and one year of actual planning, I launched my new side gig this weekend! I am Poet-in-Chief of the \u003ca href=\"https://charlottesvillepoemstore.com/\"\u003eCharlottesville Poem Store\u003c/a\u003e. Go check it out. 🙂\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Charlottesville Poem Store"},{"content":"\nOn a sunny Saturday we hosted a birthday party for a loved one. Soundtrack: Heijera — the entire LP front and back twice. I can never get enough Jaco.\nWe enjoyed lasagna, green salad, and sage and parsley garlic bread elbow to elbow around the Saarinen. In a departure from my usual French drama, we drank Famiglie Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2020, with a nose of sweet leather half-buried in the garden, mouthfeel like butter, and a grape jelly finish. After dinner we walked to the retaining pond, collecting Exceptional Sticks from the woods along the way.\nA hike back up the hill and then we were home, singing around a homemade, lopsided, Dr. Seuss-looking lemon and wild blueberry cake with fluffy lemon buttercream frosting. After they’d gone the house fell quiet and felt empty again.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/gathering/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/gathering/gathering_hu_9e44bda6158867c6.webp 480w, /posts/gathering/gathering_hu_cc287c83acb2ccc1.webp 720w, /posts/gathering/gathering_hu_a08c3ac223da5342.webp 1080w, /posts/gathering/gathering_hu_6a42c728578f610b.webp 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"gathering\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/gathering/gathering_hu_b92192083473de6a.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a sunny Saturday we hosted a birthday party for a loved one. Soundtrack: Heijera — the entire LP front and back twice. I can never get enough Jaco.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe enjoyed lasagna, green salad, and sage and parsley garlic bread elbow to elbow around the Saarinen. In a departure from my usual French drama, we drank Famiglie Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2020, with a nose of sweet leather half-buried in the garden, mouthfeel like butter, and a grape jelly finish. After dinner we walked to the retaining pond, collecting Exceptional Sticks from the woods along the way.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"gathering"},{"content":"\nTrains pass this house many times a day and sound their horns at the crossings. They blend into the soundscape of birds, wind moving through pines, settling walls.\nMy boy and I have new rhythms and new favorites, new jobs and new home offices. He learns to drive on a cherry red Ford pickup. We spend time with sisters, cousins, and uncles. Our voices echo through empty rooms with bare floors and walls.\nIt feels right that we came here in winter. My heavy heart needs a resting, fallow time. I burrow under, and curl to lick my wounds.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/burrow/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/burrow/image-01_hu_31bd709e48605b1.webp 480w, /posts/burrow/image-01_hu_9e452a496dc7ef19.webp 720w, /posts/burrow/image-01_hu_d7dd92487951057a.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/burrow/image-01_hu_8324c72ad4752e12.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrains pass this house many times a day and sound their horns at the crossings. They blend into the soundscape of birds, wind moving through pines, settling walls.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy boy and I have new rhythms and new favorites, new jobs and new home offices. He learns to drive on a cherry red Ford pickup. We spend time with sisters, cousins, and uncles. Our voices echo through empty rooms with bare floors and walls.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"burrow"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/night-beach/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/night-beach/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/night-beach/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/night-beach/image-03_hu_32973bdec9764837.webp 480w, /posts/night-beach/image-03_hu_5e074f577f8cb23f.webp 720w, /posts/night-beach/image-03_hu_658663d648519b2e.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/night-beach/image-03_hu_7417a14d1230ded8.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/night-beach/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"night beach"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/duvet/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/duvet/image-01_hu_8483f8332a84264b.webp 480w, /posts/duvet/image-01_hu_5bca60bd9288ed92.webp 720w, /posts/duvet/image-01_hu_b6bfc1c5c9aa92c6.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/duvet/image-01_hu_29426612498d2f63.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/duvet/image-02_hu_5f52018c7f098740.webp 480w, /posts/duvet/image-02_hu_67e4a2af17053222.webp 720w, /posts/duvet/image-02_hu_5ecf0c393ce3e81f.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/duvet/image-02_hu_bddef992d343f77c.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"duvet"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/putting-in-the-seed/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/putting-in-the-seed/image-01_hu_5942715064dabc4b.webp 480w, /posts/putting-in-the-seed/image-01_hu_917b1eb458c00e56.webp 720w, /posts/putting-in-the-seed/image-01_hu_c39a5bf3c45f7dd1.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/putting-in-the-seed/image-01_hu_75785f163eb073fa.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"putting in the seed"},{"content":"\nSweet, cold air.\nSteam rose hot and white from our mugs every morning. Space heaters softened the chill.\nWe greeted neighbors, shared persimmons from our tree and pawpaws from theirs.\nBought fries on the empty boardwalk but had to pay with cash.\nPassed rows of headless meters and ducked into stores to stay warm.\nRead books cover to cover under scratchy woven blankets.\nSat with silence and ghosts of summer.\nGrains of sand on our feet\nfrom a warmer time.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/ocean-view-in-november/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/ocean-view-in-november/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/ocean-view-in-november/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/ocean-view-in-november/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/ocean-view-in-november/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/ocean-view-in-november/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/ocean-view-in-november/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/ocean-view-in-november/image-07.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/ocean-view-in-november/image-08.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSweet, cold air.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteam rose hot and white from our mugs every morning. Space heaters softened the chill.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe greeted neighbors, shared persimmons from our tree and pawpaws from theirs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBought fries on the empty boardwalk but had to pay with cash.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePassed rows of headless meters and ducked into stores to stay warm.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead books cover to cover under scratchy woven blankets.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"ocean view in november"},{"content":"\nFriday morning. Quiet, soul-enriching playlist on Spotify and my hands in the dirt, propagating life in the only way available to me now.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/senecio-rowleyanus/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/senecio-rowleyanus/senecio_hu_52cf9c61d1e22954.webp 480w, /posts/senecio-rowleyanus/senecio_hu_b83fadb54b350923.webp 720w, /posts/senecio-rowleyanus/senecio_hu_43f188122f503f0c.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"senecio\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/senecio-rowleyanus/senecio_hu_4c591b6e88202a46.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFriday morning. Quiet, soul-enriching \u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/playlist/44C0Wecc7Ju9dipawUZi9P?si=PuMTleqVRlaiv8EZUIBBPA\"\u003eplaylist\u003c/a\u003e on Spotify and my hands in the dirt, propagating life in the only way available to me now.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"senecio rowleyanus"},{"content":"\nReboot. Disconnect from work and home, connect to the ground, air, living things. Touch soft moss and cold water. Hear rocks crunch underfoot and the wind sweep across the mountain. Deep healing.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/hawksbill-loop/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/hawksbill-loop/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/hawksbill-loop/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/hawksbill-loop/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/hawksbill-loop/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/hawksbill-loop/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/hawksbill-loop/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/hawksbill-loop/image-07.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReboot. Disconnect from work and home, connect to the ground, air, living things. Touch soft moss and cold water. Hear rocks crunch underfoot and the wind sweep across the mountain. Deep healing.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"hawksbill loop"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/stony-man/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man/image-07.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"stony man"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/corolla/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/corolla/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/corolla/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/corolla/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/corolla/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/corolla/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/corolla/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/corolla/image-07.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/corolla/image-08.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/corolla/image-09_hu_34f2f7066ad49a5e.webp 480w, /posts/corolla/image-09_hu_5f46955ab75adc6d.webp 720w, /posts/corolla/image-09_hu_1915538245f6a9ef.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/corolla/image-09_hu_be8cec7e36b0f42a.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/corolla/image-10.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/corolla/image-11.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/corolla/image-12.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"corolla"},{"content":"When I am forty nine years old, I will still fit into my size two jeans. I will look hot in my reading glasses. I will know more about wine, history and Latin than I do now. I will be slow to speak[\u0026hellip;]\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/49-a-declaration/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eWhen I am forty nine years old, I will still fit into my size two jeans. I will look hot in my reading glasses. I will know more about wine, history and Latin than I do now. I will be slow to speak[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e","title":"49: a declaration"},{"content":"\nThis book shelf is a crazy mix of random paperback novels and obscure hardcover biographies from the 60’s. No matter how many times I stare at this shelf, I always seem to find a selection I hadn’t seen before, and so I pull it odown and thumb through its crumbly pages. Then little bugs skitter across the letters and I sort of freak out, and that’s the end of that. But there is one bug-free book I come back to again and again, a selection of Thoreau’s writings accompanied by photographs by Eliot Porter.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/beach-house-the-book-shelf/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/beach-house-the-book-shelf/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book shelf is a crazy mix of random paperback novels and obscure hardcover biographies from the 60’s. No matter how many times I stare at this shelf, I always seem to find a selection I hadn’t seen before, and so I pull it odown and thumb through its crumbly pages. Then little bugs skitter across the letters and I sort of freak out, and that’s the end of that. But there is one bug-free book I come back to again and again, a selection of Thoreau’s writings accompanied by photographs by Eliot Porter.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"beach house | the book shelf"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/daddys-office/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"ghosts\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/daddys-office/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"feet on carpet\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/daddys-office/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"daddy’s office"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/en-plein-air/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"en plein air | mango margarita cake\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/en-plein-air/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"en plein air"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/funnies/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"funnies\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/funnies/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"funnies"},{"content":"\nOne short vanilla breve and one short hot cocoa to go before hitting the grocery store. No boys. Big smiles.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/girls-2017-12-16/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"my girl @ freedom of espresso\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/girls-2017-12-16/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"la marzocco @ freedom of espresso\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/girls-2017-12-16/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"rear view\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/girls-2017-12-16/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne short vanilla breve and one short hot cocoa to go before hitting the grocery store. No boys. Big smiles.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"girls"},{"content":"\nA visit to Grandpa’s house means dog spit, hair and barking, Coors Light, cheese crackers, giant weeds, root beer, chips and salsa, theological debate, playing in the sandbox, grilled sausage and peppers, a walk to the playground, indecent desserts and a sleepy ride home.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/grandpas-house/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"drink\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/grandpas-house/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the biggest dandelion ever\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/grandpas-house/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA visit to Grandpa’s house means dog spit, hair and barking, Coors Light, cheese crackers, giant weeds, root beer, chips and salsa, theological debate, playing in the sandbox, grilled sausage and peppers, a walk to the playground, indecent desserts and a sleepy ride home.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"grandpa’s house"},{"content":"\nSix years ago today I sat next to my mother’s hospital bed and held her hand, listening for her final breath. I watched the spiky glowing line of her heart monitor flatten into a solid neon smoothness. After she was gone, I loosened the neck of her hospital gown and gently stroked her still-warm belly, criss-crossed by the stretch marks I had made from within her.\nWhen I was twelve years old, she wrote this letter to me, just before heading into the surgery that would define the rest of her life. She was not sure she would survive the operating table, and wanted to make certain that I knew just how much she loved me. I keep this note in my underwear drawer. I take it out and read it on days when I need her.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/her-note/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/her-note/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nSix years ago today I sat next to my mother’s hospital bed and held her hand, listening for her final breath. I watched the spiky glowing line of her heart monitor flatten into a solid neon smoothness. After she was gone, I loosened the neck of her hospital gown and gently stroked her still-warm belly, criss-crossed by the stretch marks I had made from within her.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen I was twelve years old, she wrote this letter to me, just before heading into the surgery that would define the rest of her life. She was not sure she would survive the operating table, and wanted to make certain that I knew just how much she loved me. I keep this note in my underwear drawer. I take it out and read it on days when I need her.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"her note"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/hot/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"spray\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/hot/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"we really do feed him, honest\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/hot/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"hot"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/midnight-snack/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"midnight snack\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/midnight-snack/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"midnight snack"},{"content":"10:00 AM DST.\nSunny, 30°F.\nMorning soundtrack is www.magnatune.com.\nMom is knitting her first gauge swatch in preparation for the Big Knitting Project, and drinking a single cup of coffee with cream and sugar.\nLittle girl is fingerknitting a scarf for her brother, but takes frequent breaks to Heely through the house.\nLittle boy is eating tortilla chips and vitamins, waiting for math to begin.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/morning-2017-12-16/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e10:00 AM DST.\u003cbr\u003e\nSunny, 30°F.\u003cbr\u003e\nMorning soundtrack is \u003ca href=\"https://www.magnatune.com\"\u003ewww.magnatune.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\nMom is knitting her first gauge swatch in preparation for the Big Knitting Project, and drinking a single cup of coffee with cream and sugar.\u003cbr\u003e\nLittle girl is fingerknitting a scarf for her brother, but takes frequent breaks to Heely through the house.\u003cbr\u003e\nLittle boy is eating tortilla chips and vitamins, waiting for math to begin.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/morning-2017-12-16/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/morning-2017-12-16/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"morning"},{"content":"Julie held a free yoga class for kids at our library today. It was wonderful. She was wonderful. I walked into the library with two kids and walked out with two relaxed, limp noodles.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/namaste/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eJulie held a free yoga class for kids at our library today. It was wonderful. She was wonderful. I walked into the library with two kids and walked out with two relaxed, limp noodles.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"namaste"},{"content":"\nLaura Lucia Roberto Anderson\nborn March 20, 1918\ndied March 15, 2010\n*\n*Her nickname was Ruby. She and my grandfather posed for this picture after Mass one sunny Palm Sunday on Long Island. Maybe they stopped by the bakery on their way home that day. I imagine my mother and her two brothers riding in the back seat of the car, holding their buttered rolls and watching the buildings blur through the windows.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/namesake/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/namesake/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLaura Lucia Roberto Anderson\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eborn March 20, 1918\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003edied March 15, 2010\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*\u003cbr\u003e\n*Her nickname was Ruby. She and my grandfather posed for this picture after Mass one sunny Palm Sunday on Long Island. Maybe they stopped by the bakery on their way home that day. I imagine my mother and her two brothers riding in the back seat of the car, holding their buttered rolls and watching the buildings blur through the windows.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"namesake"},{"content":"\nWe gave up a family bed when our youngest was about two and a half years old. By that time we had been sleeping together in one bed as a family since our oldest was first born, four years earlier. We loved our family bed, but each one of us was quite ready for some more sleeping space, our own comfortable area in which to stretch out and rest without being under direct threat of flailing limbs and pinched tresses. I didn’t sleep a wink the first night we slept in our own big girl/boy beds, but both children did. And they woke up with smiles on their faces.\nBut sometimes, on chilly fall and winter nights, after a long day of living and loving together, we’re not quite ready to go our separate ways at bedtime. Sometimes we make a family nest and sleep in it together like a colony of rabbits. In winter we build a big fire in the wood stove, drag a million pillows and blankets down the stairs, and make the fluffiest, warmest, most inviting space to cuddle. We play games, read books, play…and sleep. Yesterday was Daddy’s birthday, so we celebrated in style in our first family nest of autumn. After a long and chilly night, I built a fire in the pre-dawn light and waited for the little ones to wake up.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/original-nest-text/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"family nest\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/original-nest-text/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe gave up a family bed when our youngest was about two and a half years old. By that time we had been sleeping together in one bed as a family since our oldest was first born, four years earlier. We loved our family bed, but each one of us was quite ready for some more sleeping space, our own comfortable area in which to stretch out and rest without being under direct threat of flailing limbs and pinched tresses. I didn’t sleep a wink the first night we slept in our own big girl/boy beds, but both children did. And they woke up with smiles on their faces.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"original nest text"},{"content":"","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/philly-july-2017/","summary":"","title":"Philly, July 2017"},{"content":"Looking at these pictures helps to remind me of the truth I discovered on that trip: that in a life filled with choices, I need to use every minute wisely. I need to choose between broad and narrow, life-bringing and life-taking.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/shift-2017-12-16/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eLooking at these pictures helps to remind me of the truth I discovered on that trip: that in a life filled with choices, I need to use every minute wisely. I need to choose between broad and narrow, life-bringing and life-taking.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"shift"},{"content":"\nA cold Sunday afternoon with friends. We caught some serious air on the jumps, Jack. We sledded until dark, and then fifty percent of our family fell asleep in the car on the way home.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/sledding-party-2017-12-16/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the krew\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sledding-party-2017-12-16/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"air noah\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sledding-party-2017-12-16/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cold Sunday afternoon with friends. We caught some serious air on the jumps, Jack. We sledded until dark, and then fifty percent of our family fell asleep in the car on the way home.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"sledding party"},{"content":"\nThis summer slipped away in a steady trickle of words and deadlines, graphics and proofs.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/summer-2015/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"summer2015sm\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/summer-2015/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis summer slipped away in a steady trickle of words and deadlines, graphics and proofs.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Summer 2015"},{"content":"\nI know I reeked of cigarette smoke. My second-hand pants were inches too short, my hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail by a 48 year-old father new to single parenthood, and my nails were bitten to the quick. But that Santa pulled me in tight anyways and hugged me close, and he smelled of cinnamon, and butter cookies, and reindeer feed.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/the-santa-of-1977/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"santa1977\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-santa-of-1977/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI know I reeked of cigarette smoke. My second-hand pants were inches too short, my hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail by a 48 year-old father new to single parenthood, and my nails were bitten to the quick. But that Santa pulled me in tight anyways and hugged me close, and he smelled of cinnamon, and butter cookies, and reindeer feed.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"the santa of 1977"},{"content":"\nLord do I miss these spots.\nLa Colombe Rittenhouse\nDilworth Park\nThe Continental Midtown\nGraffiti Bar\nBud \u0026amp; Marilyn’s\nMission Taqueria\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/philadelphia/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-05_hu_42d97d51ecfbdd53.webp 480w, /posts/philadelphia/image-05_hu_71662f4e4bb8d370.webp 720w, /posts/philadelphia/image-05_hu_5bd66614790082b7.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-05_hu_133cf4b3f244ae89.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-06_hu_78a4ad1874c4f7e7.webp 480w, /posts/philadelphia/image-06_hu_dfdb654095ebe4ce.webp 720w, /posts/philadelphia/image-06_hu_f3f6525ab632a83d.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-06_hu_82241843e89a9db.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-07.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-08.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-09.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-10.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-11_hu_52ee72b3d2306ffa.webp 480w, /posts/philadelphia/image-11_hu_51e7265d7cbe246d.webp 720w, /posts/philadelphia/image-11_hu_c0acb4692495f11c.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-11_hu_d0b851434dabd507.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-12.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-13.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-14.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-15.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-16.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-17.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-18.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-19.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-20.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-21.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-22_hu_fbffb984b9277f99.webp 480w, /posts/philadelphia/image-22_hu_9fe93b270595392a.webp 720w, /posts/philadelphia/image-22_hu_bd5e989a74cc8d4f.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-22_hu_6c2ba322aa008990.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-23.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-24.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-25.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-26.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-27.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-28_hu_c518caaf5698773d.webp 480w, /posts/philadelphia/image-28_hu_eeb8a4c54436e36a.webp 720w, /posts/philadelphia/image-28_hu_fb6744ecb9784caa.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-28_hu_72c0baa71414d2dd.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-29.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/philadelphia/image-30.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"philadelphia"},{"content":"\nOn the second to last day of this year, I stand at the clothesline and pin damp sheets and pillowcases still smelling of lavender. They snap and twist in the cold wind. I\u0026rsquo;m surrounded by all the[\u0026hellip;]\nInside, I watch the bone broth simmer through the glass lid. The bubbles wiggle the chicken feet floating on the surface of the golden liquid.\nAnd I\u0026rsquo;m sick and worn down to just the warp in spots. My eyes burn and my ears are blocked and ringing still with the leaving, that final gift that pricks and throbs like so many tiny shards of [\u0026hellip;]\nI drape the dried sheet over the mattress and make crisp hospital corners at the foot of the bed, and the smell of petrichor rises from the linens, warding against evil in the new year to come.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/at-the-end-of-the-year/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/at-the-end-of-the-year/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the second to last day of this year, I stand at the clothesline and pin damp sheets and pillowcases still smelling of lavender. They snap and twist in the cold wind. I\u0026rsquo;m surrounded by all the[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside, I watch the bone broth simmer through the glass lid. The bubbles wiggle the chicken feet floating on the surface of the golden liquid.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd I\u0026rsquo;m sick and worn down to just the warp in spots. My eyes burn and my ears are blocked and ringing still with the leaving, that final gift that pricks and throbs like so many tiny shards of [\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e","title":"At the End of the Year"},{"content":"\nWhile the preacher spoke of a world beyond the veil, one half of a mated pair caught his neck in a loop of nylon cord that he or his mate had worked into their nest. He parted the louvers covering the exhaust vent and launched himself through to the outside.\nI closed the car door, then stood on the sidewalk, staring up at the side of the house. His bloodied head looked as though it was glued to the metal slats, and was twisted at an odd angle to his body dangling below. His mate clung to his bottom half, flapping her wings as if trying to fly for two, swinging them both back and forth. She flitted to an overhanging branch and watched as we freed his body from the vent and the plastic. I buried him in the garden bed along the back fence.\nI told her just after she came through the front door. She asked if it was the mostly brown one or the one with a lot of black on his face, and I said it was the latter.\n“That was Solomon,” she said, her voice breaking. She turned away to mourn privately. I stepped to the back window and watched thick grey clouds pass high above the freshly turned garden soil.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/passer-domesticus/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"passer domesticus\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/passer-domesticus/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the preacher spoke of a world beyond the veil, one half of a mated pair caught his neck in a loop of nylon cord that he or his mate had worked into their nest. He parted the louvers covering the exhaust vent and launched himself through to the outside.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI closed the car door, then stood on the sidewalk, staring up at the side of the house. His bloodied head looked as though it was glued to the metal slats, and was twisted at an odd angle to his body dangling below. His mate clung to his bottom half, flapping her wings as if trying to fly for two, swinging them both back and forth. She flitted to an overhanging branch and watched as we freed his body from the vent and the plastic. I buried him in the garden bed along the back fence.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Passer domesticus"},{"content":"https://youtube.com/watch?v=vDH7Ih3YesQ\nI took another trip to Philly for work last week. I love filming in cities, because the energy/people/sounds are so different from my daily experience. When I got home I noticed that most of my favorite clips were of some mode of transportation or other (with the exception of the part where I try to get my colleague Joy on camera and hilarity ensues), and so I combined them into one short little movie that makes me smile (and laugh at that silly part) every time I watch it.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/transportation-philadelphia/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://youtube.com/watch?v=vDH7Ih3YesQ\"\u003ehttps://youtube.com/watch?v=vDH7Ih3YesQ\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/transportation-philadelphia/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI took another trip to Philly for work last week. I love filming in cities, because the energy/people/sounds are so different from my daily experience. When I got home I noticed that most of my favorite clips were of some mode of transportation or other (with the exception of the part where I try to get my colleague Joy on camera and hilarity ensues), and so I combined them into one short little movie that makes me smile (and laugh at that silly part) every time I watch it.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"transportation: philadelphia"},{"content":"\nClusters of red and white brittlegills dotted the path through the back woods. Can’t know for sure which species, there are over 750 in the genus. But if there is any poetry in happenstance, then surely my path was strewn with Russula sanguinaria, bloody brittlegill, the deep, rich red of a life poured out at your feet.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/the-back-woods-late-october/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-back-woods-late-october/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClusters of red and white brittlegills dotted the path through the back woods. Can’t know for sure which species, there are over 750 in the genus. But if there is any poetry in happenstance, then surely my path was strewn with Russula sanguinaria, bloody brittlegill, the deep, rich red of a life poured out at your feet.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"the back woods, late october"},{"content":"\nWe were alone for the afternoon, and so we walked around the lake, slowly, savoring the warmth of that Indian summer day. She patiently waited for me each time I stopped to take another, and another, and another. We watched flying creatures of all kinds enjoy a large patch of asters (I’d never before seen a Buckeye butterfly). Just as I was zooming in on the center of her web, a spotted orbweaver zipped past my lens and encased a newly-caught fly in a death cocoon, and I felt pity and awe and guilt in equal measure.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/burke-lake/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"img_2966\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/burke-lake/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"img_2957\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/burke-lake/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"img_2968\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/burke-lake/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"img_2960\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/burke-lake/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"img_2970\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/burke-lake/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe were alone for the afternoon, and so we walked around the lake, slowly, savoring the warmth of that Indian summer day. She patiently waited for me each time I stopped to take another, and another, and another. We watched flying creatures of all kinds enjoy a large patch of asters (I’d never before seen a Buckeye butterfly). Just as I was zooming in on the center of her web, a spotted orbweaver zipped past my lens and encased a newly-caught fly in a death cocoon, and I felt pity and awe and guilt in equal measure.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"burke lake"},{"content":"\nAt work or church I would say that the view was breathtaking, that the climb was invigorating, that watching the sun rise over blue mountains was moving, and I would mean every word. But what I would whisper to you in the quiet is this:\n…she reclined like a queen on a cushion of stone and watched birds of prey circling beneath her…\n…he grappled with fear and emerged a victor, unafraid to look down…\n…I drank in the cool forest air, knelt to feel the stubble of giant fern leaves broken by the careless, traced the initials of lovers carved into the bark of a bent tree…\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/stony-man-trail/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"img_2788\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man-trail/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"img_2718\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man-trail/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"img_3263\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man-trail/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"img_2790\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man-trail/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"img_2702\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man-trail/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"img_2747\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man-trail/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"img_2803\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man-trail/image-07.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"img_2775\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stony-man-trail/image-08.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt work or church I would say that the view was breathtaking, that the climb was invigorating, that watching the sun rise over blue mountains was moving, and I would mean every word. But what I would whisper to you in the quiet is this:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e…she reclined like a queen on a cushion of stone and watched birds of prey circling beneath her…\u003c/p\u003e","title":"stony man trail"},{"content":"\nI saw your ghost standing at the top of the steps last night.\n(your dark hair reflected the beams of that hunter’s moon)\nYou looked down, head tilted, smiling. You walked a few slow paces, stopped.\nI watched you move from the corner of my eye but did not turn to face you. My ears filled with the roar of my own heart’s blood and I heard nothing else.\nThe hours between then and now are thin, brittle sheets that crumble in my fingers when I try to reclaim their utility.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/super-moon/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"img_2800\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/super-moon/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI saw your ghost standing at the top of the steps last night.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(your dark hair reflected the beams of that hunter’s moon)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou looked down, head tilted, smiling. You walked a few slow paces, stopped.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI watched you move from the corner of my eye but did not turn to face you. My ears filled with the roar of my own heart’s blood and I heard nothing else.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"(super)moon"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/late-summer-in-our-garden/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/late-summer-in-our-garden/image-01_hu_12a405390c6b878b.webp 480w, /posts/late-summer-in-our-garden/image-01_hu_44c1adacf739ec0.webp 720w, /posts/late-summer-in-our-garden/image-01_hu_d47bf40618950c26.webp 897w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Late summer in our garden\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/late-summer-in-our-garden/image-01_hu_d772c799aff7778f.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"late summer in our garden"},{"content":"\nI text her a photo: pictures of her life hang from clothespins on my kitchen wall.\n\u0026ldquo;It cracks me up that you took pics of all of the messy places,\u0026rdquo; she texts.\n\u0026ldquo;Those are all of the beautiful places,\u0026rdquo; I text back.\nAnd it\u0026rsquo;s true. Every corner of her home held beauty. All things burst green with the late northern spring in the Oran Valley. We stayed at her place even though she was away, but her family memb[\u0026hellip;]\nBruce gathered eggs from the hens\u0026rsquo; favorite corner of the barn (why they don\u0026rsquo;t lay in their coop, no one understands, but chickens are complicated people) and served them up for our Saturday m[\u0026hellip;]\nAnd then there were those chickens. I couldn\u0026rsquo;t stop myself–I took about 900 pictures of chickens that weekend. Why? I have no idea, but who wouldn\u0026rsquo;t take pictures of giant pet birds that w[\u0026hellip;]\nWhen we were away from the house doing family things, attending the events for which we\u0026rsquo;d made the trip north in the first place, we talked about what Tilly, Monty, Jag and the chickens might be[\u0026hellip;]\nWeeks later, I stand in the kitchen while the tulsi steeps. I reach out and touch each picture and remember sweet birdsong, the squeak of trampoline springs, the crack of a bonfire, the quiet of a[\u0026hellip;]\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/at-ericas/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-01_hu_4e87b6ba75e481d.webp 480w, /posts/at-ericas/image-01_hu_d1ea9580d267b6ab.webp 720w, /posts/at-ericas/image-01_hu_6cebcb7430c33e38.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-01_hu_4773a77f62c52cc.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-02_hu_b3d69114b8ec659d.webp 480w, /posts/at-ericas/image-02_hu_87602b0a232b9da7.webp 720w, /posts/at-ericas/image-02_hu_7d4b55b061325f94.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-02_hu_59f88fa9995cb99c.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-03_hu_fd533d5d4fb28d77.webp 480w, /posts/at-ericas/image-03_hu_4efc399ffd59ef7b.webp 720w, /posts/at-ericas/image-03_hu_70fe16033a3f1eaa.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-03_hu_d33b520f2e0dc21d.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-04_hu_b3605045bb92366d.webp 480w, /posts/at-ericas/image-04_hu_a4b7091e2cd7deee.webp 720w, /posts/at-ericas/image-04_hu_8ce1ea6811560d0d.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-04_hu_b773216e43dcb231.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-05_hu_10cbb8268ee14c9f.webp 480w, /posts/at-ericas/image-05_hu_4da8394e04d24c5c.webp 720w, /posts/at-ericas/image-05_hu_ae7f272ccde0b7f2.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-05_hu_736eee7916ad045f.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-06_hu_34cf1796b344a774.webp 480w, /posts/at-ericas/image-06_hu_a5ea8b6f3dd9cbc1.webp 720w, /posts/at-ericas/image-06_hu_8e80a59acb96f462.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-06_hu_30f951e1d3fa3ba.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-07_hu_d324913040bff60b.webp 480w, /posts/at-ericas/image-07_hu_1ffa8740b840bb3a.webp 720w, /posts/at-ericas/image-07_hu_965716cffed8abdb.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-07_hu_6bca36422626a13.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-08_hu_8cf7eeed1a001782.webp 480w, /posts/at-ericas/image-08_hu_f8a336ea3bb5394e.webp 720w, /posts/at-ericas/image-08_hu_4732eb4bdf6637f0.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/at-ericas/image-08_hu_37148d4aeb855450.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"at erica's"},{"content":"\nI could barely believe the beauty of Manhattan Beach. Lemon trees and succulents in nearly every front yard, warm and fragrant breezes, my feet in soft sand after a painfully long winter.\nI’d never before attended a wedding held outside in the rain, but now I can heartily recommend it: huge smiles peeking out from under dripping raincoat hoods and umbrellas, steam rising from the pavement, the sound of water all around.\nI made a cake, sewed a colorful bunting and watched a newly minted teenager dive into blue water over a long weekend.\nBonum est praestolari cum silentio salutare Dei.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/spring-2016/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"spring2016\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/spring-2016/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI could barely believe the beauty of Manhattan Beach. Lemon trees and succulents in nearly every front yard, warm and fragrant breezes, my feet in soft sand after a painfully long winter.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’d never before attended a wedding held outside in the rain, but now I can heartily recommend it: huge smiles peeking out from under dripping raincoat hoods and umbrellas, steam rising from the pavement, the sound of water all around.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Spring 2016"},{"content":"Lately I\u0026rsquo;ve wanted to be more creative in the physical realm versus digital. Over the past few months I have made a tangible shift in habits and possessions at home, unloading the unnecessary to [\u0026hellip;]\nI started an analog notebook. It\u0026rsquo;s a fuchsia Moleskine notebook, and I am filling it with pressed flowers, photos taken on instant film, and my words.\nI have a homely, stately little Smith-Corona typewriter now, purchased from a nice woman who had owned it since high school in the 60\u0026rsquo;s, and I incorporate its use into my analog journaling. My d[\u0026hellip;]\nMore and more often on the weekends and in the evenings I\u0026rsquo;ve insisted on vinyl and reading instead of mindless TV blaring in our sole living space.\nI\u0026rsquo;ve been slightly obsessed with bifurcated sleep patterns for about two years, loving the idea of breaking my night\u0026rsquo;s sleep into two distinct blocks with meaningful, analog-y stuff in the dar[\u0026hellip;]\nI know that this yearning for what used to be does border on pointlessness (from the New Yorker, The Pointlessness of Unplugging). But for me, one who spends all day staring at computer screen for[\u0026hellip;]\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/analog/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eLately I\u0026rsquo;ve wanted to be more creative in the physical realm versus digital. Over the past few months I have made a tangible shift in habits and possessions at home, unloading the unnecessary to [\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI started an analog notebook. It\u0026rsquo;s a fuchsia Moleskine notebook, and I am filling it with pressed flowers, photos taken on instant film, and my words.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have a homely, stately little Smith-Corona typewriter now, purchased from a nice woman who had owned it since high school in the 60\u0026rsquo;s, and I incorporate its use into my analog journaling. My d[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e","title":"analog"},{"content":"Surgery would never be my first choice to treat any dysfunction. But sometimes our bodies need raw, physical intervention to function properly, and are opened, and our insides are rearranged by skilled doctors with the best of intentions.\nAs I write this, a loved one of mine is snuggled up in his bed, recovering from his second surgery in three months. Nothing life-threatening, but surgery nonetheless. His recovery will include several days spent in bed, followed by several weeks of crutches and physical therapy. I’m by no means an expert on natural healing (really I have so much to learn) but I believe in the power of preventative care, am learning more and more about nutrition as medicine, and am wide open to ancient and naturopathic healing wisdom. I thought it might be worth sharing about how I prepare our home for convalescence, and the natural remedies I use to encourage rest and healing.\nA calm and serene environment Before the period of convalescence begins, I make sure to thoroughly clean the bedroom where my loved one will recover. I remove clutter, wash, fold and put away laundry, and clean off all surfaces with a non-toxic natural cleaner. I also wash the bed linens and dry them on the line outside, to bring fresh air and a bit of nature inside. Once my patient comes home from the hospital, I tuck him or her into a bed that smells of sunshine. I also vaporize a mixture of orange, patchouli and ylang ylang essential oils to create a peaceful vibe in the room.\nA plan for things to do Hanging out in bed can be a little tedious, once the novelty wears off. I always check out a stack of new-to-us books from the library for my patient to read. Once a trip to the television becomes possible, we choose a movie series and spend the next few days and/or evenings watching a movie while snacking on freshly-popped organic popcorn. Family favorites include the Back to the Future trilogy and the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies.\nNourishing food for healing Again–I have so far to go in this department, but do have certain items that I keep on hand when someone has a need of healing. We drink several cups of organic tulsi tea each day, incorporate organic turmeric into our diet via golden milk or vegetable curries, and make smoothies with whey protein and green superfood powders (thanks to my stepdaughter for the recommendation) to get some semblance of greens into even the most reluctant of bodies. We supplement with multivitamins and vitamin C drink mixtures as needed. It’s good for me to remember that even the tiniest of baby steps in this area moves my family forward towards better health.\nA way to get clean Eventually after a period of extended convalescence we all reach a point where we long for a nice, hot shower. I’ve found all kinds of neat products at Walgreens that keep incisions of all shapes, sizes and locations dry. But waterproof dressings aside, you don’t have to purchase a bunch of medical equipment just to assist your patient with bathing. For me, helping an injured loved one into the shower is a precarious ballet that includes strategically placed towels, a waterproof limb cover from Walgreens and a small plastic step stool from IKEA sitting under the water stream, ready to be repurposed as a shower seat. It feels wonderful to put on clean clothes and towel off sweet-smelling hair for the first time after surgery.\nA good night’s sleep We all know sleep is necessary for healing. Melatonin, no screens for the 1.5 hours before lights out time, and adequate pain control all contribute to a good night’s sleep. I don’t hesitate to give the pain medication prescribed by the doctor, as pain really does interfere with rest. Once pain is under control, we move to over the counter pain relief, but we are in no rush to stop taking stronger medicine because of fear.\nI can say with certainty that these measures are a great comfort to a person weakened by pain and dependence on others. I prepared in this way for my own surgery a few years ago, and was much more comfortable during my recovery than if I’d been surrounded by mess, in pain, and bored to tears.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/healing-after-surgery/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eSurgery would never be my first choice to treat any dysfunction. But sometimes our bodies need raw, physical intervention to function properly, and are opened, and our insides are rearranged by skilled doctors with the best of intentions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs I write this, a loved one of mine is snuggled up in his bed, recovering from his second surgery in three months. Nothing life-threatening, but surgery nonetheless. His recovery will include several days spent in bed, followed by several weeks of crutches and physical therapy. I’m by no means an expert on natural healing (really I have so much to learn) but I believe in the power of preventative care, am learning more and more about nutrition as medicine, and am wide open to ancient and naturopathic healing wisdom. I thought it might be worth sharing about how I prepare our home for convalescence, and the natural remedies I use to encourage rest and healing.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"healing after surgery"},{"content":"\nWe take the Metro to the National Mall to watch the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover. We walk to the western slope of the Washington Monument grounds and stake our claim. A black dog sits nearby and pants in the bright sun. We eat our simple picnic lunch on a blue plaid blanket in a dense forest of legs, lawn chairs and tripods. My girl passes the strawberries around, one eye on the sky.\nThe first warbirds appear just to the right of the Lincoln. He raises his binoculars to his eyes. I hear the clicks of a thousand camera shutters. Veterans and distinguished guests are gathered for a service at the World War II Memorial below. The public address system shouts sentiment, fills in the space between flyovers. I feel the engines in my chest, and close my eyes to imagine war, death, and life, the sound of victory rattling my ribcage.\nWhen the last formation passes, the speaker asks the crowd to stand for Taps. All of the chatting and clicking stops, and we are hushed and reverent as we listen. As the last note falls away, I sweep one finger behind my sunglasses to wipe my eyes.\nOn our way back to the Metro station, we wander through the farmer’s market and make new friends. We cool off underground as we wait on the platform for our westbound ride home. As the train heads towards Rosslyn I say we’re under the river now, so they can imagine the car full of fish and current.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/flyover/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"noah\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/flyover/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"lincoln\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/flyover/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"friends\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/flyover/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"people\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/flyover/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"planes\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/flyover/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"breads\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/flyover/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"mom\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/flyover/image-07.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"teeny\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/flyover/image-08.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"cookbook\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/flyover/image-09.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe take the Metro to the National Mall to watch the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2flyover.org/\"\u003eArsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover\u003c/a\u003e. We walk to the western slope of the Washington Monument grounds and stake our claim. A black dog sits nearby and pants in the bright sun. We eat our simple picnic lunch on a blue plaid blanket in a dense forest of legs, lawn chairs and tripods. My girl passes the strawberries around, one eye on the sky.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Flyover"},{"content":"\nThe tender friendships one gives up, on parting, leave their bite on the heart, but also a curious feeling of a treasure somewhere buried. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Southern Mail, 1929, translated from French by Curtis Cate\nThe truest, most loving friends in the world helped us pack our truck and clean our house on a Friday night. Kids raced around, got underfoot and played hot potato. Crazy Phil discovered some 20 year-old homemade pickles in my basement. Despite the corroded lids, despite the fact that the pickles were floating around in a murky, green water filled with unidentifiable objects of plant origin, he ate them. Then he passed them around. Video of that disgusting event here. There was pizza and a little drinking and my girlfriends washed my bathrooms, packed my food, washed my fridges, and slipped care packages of new toys and goodies into the truck for us to discover on our arrival. Their acts of kindness that night filled my heart to overflowing.\nEven more blessings awaited us at our new home in Virginia. Our new housemates had vanilla candles burning in every impeccably clean room, more dear and devoted friends helped us unload what we had loaded just hours before, and we shared a meal of very good Chinese food in our dining room to celebrate this new beginning. The next morning, running on adrenaline, I dug into the work of creating a home, but had to pause to satisfy a mysterious craving for fresh salsa. And as expected, eventually the migraine came, forcing me to bed and to rest. But we’re here, and we’re loved, and will forever be indebted to our dear ones.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/the-move/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"moving_4285287761_o\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-move/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe tender friendships one gives up, on parting, leave their bite on the heart, but also a curious feeling of a treasure somewhere buried. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Southern Mail, 1929, translated from French by Curtis Cate\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe truest, most loving friends in the world helped us pack our truck and clean our house on a Friday night. Kids raced around, got underfoot and \u003ca href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb5Rdg_BZq8\"\u003eplayed hot potato\u003c/a\u003e. Crazy Phil discovered some 20 year-old homemade pickles in my basement. Despite the corroded lids, despite the fact that the pickles were floating around in a murky, green water filled with unidentifiable objects of plant origin, he ate them. Then he passed them around. Video of that disgusting event \u003ca href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KJFW2ePDJU\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e. There was pizza and a little drinking and my girlfriends \u003ca href=\"http://cagefreemonkeys.blogspot.com/\"\u003ewashed my bathrooms\u003c/a\u003e, packed my food, washed my fridges, and slipped care packages of new toys and goodies into the truck for us to discover on our arrival. Their acts of kindness that night filled my heart to overflowing.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"The Move"},{"content":"I’m reusing last year’s bamboo tomato teepees (assembled and installed Martha-style last spring) to support my tomato plants. Bamboo supports are natural and biodegradable, cheap, and a lot nicer in appearance (in my opinion) than metal cages. This year I added jute twine to provide side support for the plants as they grow in the center of each teepee, something that Martha’s gardener did not really discuss but something that I definitely could have used last summer. I tied one end of the jute to the first pole, wrapped the twine around the second and third poles, then returned to the first pole and tied it off. I added enough layers of these “triangles” to hopefully let me weave the growing plants in and out for support.\nOther garden notes:\n–\u0026gt; Killed my seedlings that were started way too late by overfertilizing them. Too much love, hyper-vigilance, overparenting, the story of my life. But I found some lovely heirloom transplants at my friendly neighborhood garden center and adopted them.\n–\u0026gt; Lettuce is growing and I cannot wait for the first homegrown salad of the season.\n–\u0026gt; Peas, melons, peppers, cukes, herbs, they’re all growing away, but this time I am determined to avoid a jungle mess, and so am studying pruning techniques.\n–\u0026gt; My garden is child’s play compared with the restorative agricultural work being done by my Regrarian heroes, but we all must start somewhere.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/bamboo-tomato-teepees/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI’m reusing last year’s bamboo tomato teepees (assembled and installed \u003ca href=\"http://www.marthastewart.com/912012/tips-growing-tomatoes\"\u003eMartha-style\u003c/a\u003e last spring) to support my tomato plants. Bamboo supports are natural and biodegradable, cheap, and a lot nicer in appearance (in my opinion) than metal cages. This year I added jute twine to provide side support for the plants as they grow in the center of each teepee, something that Martha’s gardener did not really discuss but something that I definitely could have used last summer. I tied one end of the jute to the first pole, wrapped the twine around the second and third poles, then returned to the first pole and tied it off. I added enough layers of these “triangles” to hopefully let me weave the growing plants in and out for support.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Bamboo Tomato Teepees"},{"content":"Every Monday afternoon I spend time in Old Town Manassas while my girl studies with her violin teacher. Sometimes I do a bit of studying of my own, sometimes I window shop on side streets, but most of the time I visit this cafe.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/mondays/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eEvery Monday afternoon I spend time in Old Town Manassas while my girl studies with her violin teacher. Sometimes I do a bit of studying of my own, sometimes I window shop on side streets, but most of the time I visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.groundscentralstation.com/\"\u003ethis cafe\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Mondays"},{"content":"The first friend I ever had, someone who came into my life when I was just three years old, sent me these two photos taken on our first day of kindergarten. I cannot get enough of the Donnie and Marie? Luke and Leia? lunch box I am carrying, or the crazy 70’s get ups, or her blond pigtails, and can you believe the adorable red flower I am holding for my teacher? We were so little and sweet, and had no idea that bus steps were supposed to be taken single file. We were innocents, pure in intention, ready to love and be loved, a universe of possibility in tiny packages.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/first-day/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe first friend I ever had, someone who came into my life when I was just three years old, sent me these two photos taken on our first day of kindergarten. I cannot get enough of the Donnie and Marie? Luke and Leia? lunch box I am carrying, or the crazy 70’s get ups, or her blond pigtails, and can you believe the adorable red flower I am holding for my teacher? We were so little and sweet, and had no idea that bus steps were supposed to be taken single file. We were innocents, pure in intention, ready to love and be loved, a universe of possibility in tiny packages.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"First Day"},{"content":"I receive an email from my landlord. Our lease here will be renewed for one final year. Two hours later, I plant the first seeds of spring in newspaper pots and set them under the grow light to germinate. I’m so far behind, but I couldn’t bear to start seeds this year, not with a household move looming. But now, this unexpected change of plans. I think I can catch up.\nI spend hours in the garden. I weed the beds and tie the bamboo supports with fresh twine. I spread black gold from my illicit compost pile over the turned soil. For a while I listen to music, then I listen to the wind, then I just listen. I feel gratitude for the warm sunshine and cool air, for a functioning (if aging) body, for the worms and dirt, for the smell of the wild mint and chives made fragrant by the cut of my spade.\nBut I also ache: for a little farm to tend with my gentleman farmer at my side; for the quiet evening conversation that often follows a long day spent outside; for sweet words of poetry whispered back and forth by the light of the full moon.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/spring-garden/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI receive an email from my landlord. Our lease here will be renewed for one final year. Two hours later, I plant the first seeds of spring in newspaper pots and set them under the grow light to germinate. I’m so far behind, but I couldn’t bear to start seeds this year, not with a household move looming. But now, this unexpected change of plans. I think I can catch up.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Spring Garden"},{"content":"I sewed a Japanese-style cross-back apron out of Baltic linen for a very beautiful and dear friend of mine. I was in such a hurry to ship it off to her that I didn’t bother to take any photos, but she’s graciously allowing me to post her pics here. I used the instructions found here to piece it together in just a couple of hours. Then I slipped a quilted heart into the oversized pocket for extra love.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/cross-back-linen-apron/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI sewed a Japanese-style cross-back apron out of Baltic linen for a very beautiful and dear friend of mine. I was in such a hurry to ship it off to her that I didn’t bother to take any photos, but she’s graciously allowing me to post her pics here. I used the instructions found \u003ca href=\"http://www.thedailysew.com/2015/02/japanese-style-smock-apron-to-sew/\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e to piece it together in just a couple of hours. Then I slipped a quilted heart into the oversized pocket for extra love.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cross-back Linen Apron"},{"content":"https://youtube.com/watch?v=D1bUDS2rwP8\nFitting in is assessing situations and groups of people, then twisting yourself into a human pretzel in order to get them to let you hang out with them. Belonging is something else entirely—it’s showing up and letting yourself be seen and known as you really are. — Brené Brown\nBeing seen and known as you really are…is there anything more terrifying? Or, when it finally happens, more freeing? Or, if lost, more debilitating? This morning the red-winged blackbirds are in full song.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/belonging/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://youtube.com/watch?v=D1bUDS2rwP8\"\u003ehttps://youtube.com/watch?v=D1bUDS2rwP8\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/belonging/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFitting in is assessing situations and groups of people, then twisting yourself into a human pretzel in order to get them to let you hang out with them. Belonging is something else entirely—it’s showing up and letting yourself be seen and known as you really are. — Brené Brown\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeing seen and known as you really are…is there anything more terrifying? Or, when it finally happens, more freeing? Or, if lost, more debilitating? This morning the red-winged blackbirds are in full song.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Belonging"},{"content":"Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly. – Epictetus\nI’m shedding clothing that I’ve kept for decades, things that I’ve held dear. A race t-shirt from 1990. A tailored, pinstriped suit from 1998. A black backless gown with beading along the hemline, the one that used to turn heads. I pull it all from the closet, sort it into piles for consignment, donation, and cleaning rags.\nWhat is left? Only what I really need. Two shirts. Four skirts. A pair of jeans. All are of the dust, and all turn to dust again, does it really matter all that much what we wear on our bodies? I know myself and adorn myself accordingly: I am a caretaker, a breadwinner, obedient to divine ordinance, pushing deeper into the closet toward the back wall and emptiness.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/kenosis/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/kenosis/image-01_hu_e5b614be09005744.webp 480w, /posts/kenosis/image-01_hu_e821b83eddd12c39.webp 720w, /posts/kenosis/image-01_hu_e2e6e86389f6d93.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/kenosis/image-01_hu_ef5db38472977f7e.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003cem\u003eKnow, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly. – Epictetus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m shedding clothing that I’ve kept for decades, things that I’ve held dear. A race t-shirt from 1990. A tailored, pinstriped suit from 1998. A black backless gown with beading along the hemline, the one that used to turn heads. I pull it all from the closet, sort it into piles for consignment, donation, and cleaning rags.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"kenosis"},{"content":"\nSo many below freezing days, and then this storm of heavy and wet snowflakes that stung our cheeks as we walked. The pond, transformed by a layer of ice and snow, was a white meadow ringed by bare trunks. I snapped a few photos and then the wind told us it was time to turn back. Just as we started on our way home, I looked down and noticed: she’d worn her purple sneakers instead of her boots. Silly girl.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/snow/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/snow/image-01_hu_57e302221386700f.webp 480w, /posts/snow/image-01_hu_f2a49e7739e4bc02.webp 720w, /posts/snow/image-01_hu_5947eef9684628fb.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/snow/image-01_hu_413697b2a13f9c98.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/snow/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/snow/image-03_hu_f63be9e60c13d63.webp 480w, /posts/snow/image-03_hu_ec5e632e9db61b03.webp 720w, /posts/snow/image-03_hu_dc81e35d5738ed0a.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/snow/image-03_hu_dad5038df33659ec.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo many below freezing days, and then this storm of heavy and wet snowflakes that stung our cheeks as we walked. The pond, transformed by a layer of ice and snow, was a white meadow ringed by bare trunks. I snapped a few photos and then the wind told us it was time to turn back. Just as we started on our way home, I looked down and noticed: she’d worn her purple sneakers instead of her boots. Silly girl.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"snow"},{"content":"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. — William Morris\nWe are moving in two months, so I am taking William Morris’ words to heart. I am making choices, selling off, giving away. I feel stripped down to a ribbon inside. I move from room to room, pulling items out of corners and closets. I hold each thing in my hand, feel its weight, and I whisper to myself: And this? Does this matter to you? Will its loss tear through you, leave you broken and wanting?\nThe whispered answer:\nJust let it go.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/letting-go/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/letting-go/image-01_hu_2bebbf75db8ca080.webp 480w, /posts/letting-go/image-01_hu_3f81b0f617cae03.webp 720w, /posts/letting-go/image-01_hu_8a872a3863b9d0c8.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/letting-go/image-01_hu_74339982671d966.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003cem\u003eHave nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. — William Morris\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are moving in two months, so I am taking William Morris’ words to heart. I am making choices, selling off, giving away. I feel stripped down to a ribbon inside. I move from room to room, pulling items out of corners and closets. I hold each thing in my hand, feel its weight, and I whisper to myself: \u003cem\u003eAnd this? Does this matter to you? Will its loss tear through you, leave you broken and wanting?\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"letting go"},{"content":"\nI leave the trail and follow a narrow deer path along the shoreline to a small, sheltered cove.\nI stand very still in sparse underbrush and listen to voices echo across the water.\nI drop to my knees in the middle of a stand of hardwoods.\nI bring my face close to moss, bugs and fallen leaves.\nI hover over clusters of soft, grey mushrooms.\nI stare too long at a patch of sunlight on bark.\nI lose hours to the forest.\nI wear the woods home:\ndirt on my knees,\nburrs in my hair,\nmud on my boots.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/lake-sky-woods/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/lake-sky-woods/image-01_hu_4c8688057f93a502.webp 480w, /posts/lake-sky-woods/image-01_hu_7083ee9510900928.webp 720w, /posts/lake-sky-woods/image-01_hu_7efb063215ee7398.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/lake-sky-woods/image-01_hu_a31026b82ba3d000.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI leave the trail and follow a narrow deer path along the shoreline to a small, sheltered cove.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI stand very still in sparse underbrush and listen to voices echo across the water.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI drop to my knees in the middle of a stand of hardwoods.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI bring my face close to moss, bugs and fallen leaves.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI hover over clusters of soft, grey mushrooms.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"lake, sky, woods"},{"content":"I work with my hands to heal:\nA pencil roll for my sweet artist.\nNew cotton coasters to protect wood.\nA Minecraft t-shirt repurposed into a journal for a birthday gift to a friend.\nPages of pen and ink mandalas, to quiet my mind.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/making/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI work with my hands to heal:\u003cbr\u003e\nA pencil roll for my sweet artist.\u003cbr\u003e\nNew cotton coasters to protect wood.\u003cbr\u003e\nA Minecraft t-shirt repurposed into a journal for a birthday gift to a friend.\u003cbr\u003e\nPages of pen and ink mandalas, to quiet my mind.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"making"},{"content":"\nMy interrupted photographs illustrate the Winter 2015 issue of online literary nonfiction journal Brevity Magazine. I clucked over this project like a mother hen, and gave it the majority of my spare time in November and December, to the dismay of those I love. Now this project is out in the world, and I bend to the task of redemption.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/brevity-magazine-winter-2015/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/brevity-magazine-winter-2015/image-01_hu_2b21726937fd6934.webp 480w, /posts/brevity-magazine-winter-2015/image-01_hu_5106973e210e4437.webp 720w, /posts/brevity-magazine-winter-2015/image-01_hu_d5eba68e17ab9fa8.webp 870w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/brevity-magazine-winter-2015/image-01_hu_f5364d3a51925299.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy interrupted photographs illustrate the Winter 2015 issue of online literary nonfiction journal \u003ca href=\"https://brevitymag.com/category/issues/issue-48-winter-2015/\"\u003eBrevity Magazine\u003c/a\u003e. I clucked over this project like a mother hen, and gave it the majority of my spare time in November and December, to the dismay of those I love. Now this project is out in the world, and I bend to the task of redemption.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Brevity Magazine, Winter 2015"},{"content":"She has been folding her thoughts and the meditations of her heart into paper shapes, and I find them all over the house. A menagerie from her imagination. I didn’t know the hole was there before she came into my life to fill it.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/origami/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eShe has been folding her thoughts and the meditations of her heart into paper shapes, and I find them all over the house. A menagerie from her imagination. I didn’t know the hole was there before she came into my life to fill it.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Origami"},{"content":"When I am an old woman, I will be a milkweed seed pod drying in the sun, wrinkled and spotted.\nYou will pull me open on the seam until my silver-white floss pushes through, and you’ll blow my sweet, tender seed to the wind until I am an empty shell.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/the-end-of-our-story/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eWhen I am an old woman, I will be a milkweed seed pod drying in the sun, wrinkled and spotted.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou will pull me open on the seam until my silver-white floss pushes through, and you’ll blow my sweet, tender seed to the wind until I am an empty shell.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"The End of Our Story"},{"content":"\nThirty minutes before closing. The grounds are dotted with little houses, each one filled with whispering old objects.\nElectric fans move the air inside the main building and I wander through three levels. A man browses through silverware on the ground floor. I see him again on the second floor, looking at a small wooden puzzle box. And then we’re on the third floor where the air is thin. We are spirits looking for lost possessions.\nEyes closed, my hand wraps around a small glass bottle that once held a tiny bouquet of buttercups.\nAll of the silver, all of the linen, all of the brass and the wood and the glass, every small and large thing wears a fragile coating of dust and soul and each thing wonders\nwho will ever love me again\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/the-old-lucketts-store/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-01_hu_626c5369edcdae30.webp 480w, /posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-01_hu_9092eaf9ee3b5c5f.webp 720w, /posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-01_hu_e8094bb10b5f4375.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-01_hu_dbdf9f3255bb281b.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-02_hu_f18ff4b582fe2eb2.webp 480w, /posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-02_hu_f1c008e2b0a3d61c.webp 720w, /posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-02_hu_89aed4efd5a99e02.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-02_hu_cdbca21d9ed6af6b.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-03_hu_5826c4cb703fcac8.webp 480w, /posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-03_hu_143342ef72b51a5a.webp 720w, /posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-03_hu_7e6ef9dbcee32aea.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-03_hu_d6144f875d5fdd0.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-04_hu_491c0849b79770aa.webp 480w, /posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-04_hu_a9fac7ec2efee911.webp 720w, /posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-04_hu_4088a24ff3687c23.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-04_hu_c2dc1ee916e8741d.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-05_hu_8ebeac63dd91c687.webp 480w, /posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-05_hu_1b156a5f0ae2b06.webp 720w, /posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-05_hu_1758ad32edabafbe.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-05_hu_50fea3090256464a.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-old-lucketts-store/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThirty minutes before closing. The grounds are dotted with little houses, each one filled with whispering old objects.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElectric fans move the air inside the main building and I wander through three levels. A man browses through silverware on the ground floor. I see him again on the second floor, looking at a small wooden puzzle box. And then we’re on the third floor where the air is thin. We are spirits looking for lost possessions.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"the old lucketts store"},{"content":"\nI sat on that very same flat hometown rock when I was her age, on the side of a rushing cold water creek filled with crayfish and bubbles.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/limestone-creek-manlius-ny/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"limestone creek | manlius, ny\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/limestone-creek-manlius-ny/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"limestone creek | manlius, ny\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/limestone-creek-manlius-ny/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI sat on that very same flat hometown rock when I was her age, on the side of a rushing cold water creek filled with crayfish and bubbles.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"limestone creek | manlius, ny"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/chickory-morning-run/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"meet me in the meadow\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/chickory-morning-run/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"chickory (morning run)"},{"content":"\nA coffeecake for new homeowners. I\u0026rsquo;ll never be able to wrap presents in plastic bows and bright paper again.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/a-gift/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"ferns \u0026amp; honeysuckle\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-gift/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA coffeecake for new homeowners. I\u0026rsquo;ll never be able to wrap presents in plastic bows and bright paper again.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"a gift"},{"content":"\nMy girl and I walked between buildings in our townhouse development and found a patch of fragrant honeysuckle at the edge of the woods. I washed the blossoms, then steeped them overnight in simple syrup. The syrup is lovely mixed with soda water, poured over ice with a squeeze of lemon or sprig of mint.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/honeysuckle-syrup/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/honeysuckle-syrup/image-01_hu_b69892cdeccaa847.webp 480w, /posts/honeysuckle-syrup/image-01_hu_745428e47a44bcf6.webp 720w, /posts/honeysuckle-syrup/image-01_hu_fa247978fac064b6.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/honeysuckle-syrup/image-01_hu_bc3cb49140f732a3.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy girl and I walked between buildings in our townhouse development and found a patch of fragrant honeysuckle at the edge of the woods. I washed the blossoms, then steeped them overnight in simple syrup. The syrup is lovely mixed with soda water, poured over ice with a squeeze of lemon or sprig of mint.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Honeysuckle Syrup"},{"content":"Not a fancy hack at all, just functional and needed. I love the look of IKEA’s faux sheepskin rug TEJN draped over my FRANKLIN stool, but it never wanted to stay in place. I had to reposition the thing fifteen zillion times a day. The fifteen zillion and oneth time I pulled the fake fur up and over the seat back, I noticed that the edges matched up pretty well on both sides of the pointy end. I threaded a large needle with thick polyester-covered cotton thread, sewed the edges together on both sides, and made a pocket out of the entire end of the skin. The rug still drapes well but no longer slides off of the back rest.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/ikea-tejn-franklin-hack/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eNot a fancy hack at all, just functional and needed. I love the look of IKEA’s \u003ca href=\"http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30229077/\"\u003efaux sheepskin rug TEJN\u003c/a\u003e draped over my FRANKLIN stool, but it never wanted to stay in place. I had to reposition the thing fifteen zillion times a day. The fifteen zillion and oneth time I pulled the fake fur up and over the seat back, I noticed that the edges matched up pretty well on both sides of the pointy end. I threaded a large needle with thick polyester-covered cotton thread, sewed the edges together on both sides, and made a pocket out of the entire end of the skin. The rug still drapes well but no longer slides off of the back rest.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"ikea tejn+franklin hack"},{"content":"\nThree things that remind me of you:\nthe Hillstreet Blues theme song\nplum eyeshadow\nseashells\nYou were the first, the first one to push through the membrane between our worlds. I touched the soft stretch marks on your belly after you’d gone, while you were still warm. Hours later in the shower, I stood helpless under the water as your final minutes repeated over and over again in front of my unseeing eyes.\nNow each loved one that crosses to the other side thins the barrier between us by degrees, and I feel myself half there with you these days.\nI registered to become a bone marrow donor last month, the gift of time to another daughter, maybe. Happy Birthday, Mom.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/on-your-birthday/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Untitled\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/on-your-birthday/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree things that remind me of you:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ethe Hillstreet Blues theme song\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eplum eyeshadow\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eseashells\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou were the first, the first one to push through the membrane between our worlds. I touched the soft stretch marks on your belly after you’d gone, while you were still warm. Hours later in the shower, I stood helpless under the water as your final minutes repeated over and over again in front of my unseeing eyes.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"on your birthday"},{"content":"\nI had a lot of time to say goodbye to the places where I’d spent most of my time, but wasn’t able to say goodbye to the people who I’d miss the most. People \u0026gt; places. I was disappointed.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/goodbye-portland/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"rainy window cliché shot | portland, oregon\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/goodbye-portland/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"caffeination (public domain) | portland, oregon\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/goodbye-portland/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the end of the bar (imperial) | portland, oregon\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/goodbye-portland/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI had a lot of time to say goodbye to the places where I’d spent most of my time, but wasn’t able to say goodbye to the people who I’d miss the most. People \u0026gt; places. I was disappointed.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"goodbye portland"},{"content":"\nI bought a fluorescent light fixture with two full-spectrum grow bulbs and installed it in our basement pantry. I made pots out of newspaper and we planted seeds. I water them twice a day and imagine them tall and strong in the sunshine.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/seeds/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the planting_12919550664_o\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/seeds/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"seedlings_13154051125_o copy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/seeds/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"markers_12919549064_o\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/seeds/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"grow lights_12919140865_o\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/seeds/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI bought a fluorescent light fixture with two full-spectrum grow bulbs and installed it in our basement pantry. I made pots out of newspaper and we planted seeds. I water them twice a day and imagine them tall and strong in the sunshine.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"seeds"},{"content":"\nWe found a new trail and followed it to its end.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/across-the-highway/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"bow\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/across-the-highway/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"flight path\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/across-the-highway/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"across the highway\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/across-the-highway/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe found a new trail and followed it to its end.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"across the highway"},{"content":"\nA beautiful fog. The pull of memory. I close my eyes and live a thousand lives.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/a-beautiful-fog/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"morning fog\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-beautiful-fog/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA beautiful fog. The pull of memory. I close my eyes and live a thousand lives.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"a beautiful fog"},{"content":"\nMy gift wrapping this year started with a walk in the woods to gather bits and ended with brown paper packages tied up with string. All of our gifts were handmade, out of necessity and also just because. I’m feeling super-inspired by Mary Jo Hoffman’s STILL project lately, so much so that I just ordered a plate for my tripod, and have plans to finally learn how to use my bounce flash once and for all.\nOh, and that last gift is a bottle of my daughter’s favorite barbecue sauce that the local stores have inexplicably stopped carrying. Because that is how I roll.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/gifts/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"toppers\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/gifts/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"for the men\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/gifts/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"for the women\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/gifts/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"for the littles\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/gifts/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/gifts/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy gift wrapping this year started with a walk in the woods to gather bits and ended with brown paper packages tied up with string. All of our gifts were handmade, out of necessity and also just because. I’m feeling super-inspired by \u003ca href=\"http://stillblog.net/\"\u003eMary Jo Hoffman’s STILL project\u003c/a\u003e lately, so much so that I just ordered a plate for my tripod, and have plans to finally learn how to use my bounce flash once and for all.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"gifts"},{"content":"https://youtube.com/watch?v=J7JWzoFSnLw\nOnce a week I make bone broth.\nI strip the chicken carcass bare, throw it into the pot, cover it with clean, cold water. Throw in the wing, leg and thigh bones.\nThe chicken feet are alien and I can’t bear to touch them without wearing thick purple kitchen gloves\n(chicken feet with little brown calluses on the bottom, like people feet after a long summer of walking barefoot to the swimming pool)\nbut they add glucosamine, chondroitin, and minerals to the broth and so I throw them in.\nFloppy, forgotten celery from the back of the fridge. Onion peelings, two dried bay leaves and garlic whacked with the side of a kitchen knife. I read that apple cider vinegar helps to extract the minerals, so I splash some into the water and cover the pot with its lid.\nThe soup pot bubbles for 24 hours. The house smells sweet and meaty, and the windows fog and our sinuses open.\nWhen cooled, the broth is thick with gelatin. I heat up spoonfuls with peas, sauteed cabbage, cooked potato, leftover millet, and chicken meat, and call it soup. This broth will boost the immune system, Italian grandmother-style. This broth will remineralize teeth and soothe aching bellies. This broth will steam from mugs on the cold, dark days of December.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/bone-broth/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://youtube.com/watch?v=J7JWzoFSnLw\"\u003ehttps://youtube.com/watch?v=J7JWzoFSnLw\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/bone-broth/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce a week I make bone broth.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI strip the chicken carcass bare, throw it into the pot, cover it with clean, cold water. Throw in the wing, leg and thigh bones.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chicken feet are alien and I can’t bear to touch them without wearing thick purple kitchen gloves\u003cbr\u003e\n(chicken feet with little brown calluses on the bottom, like people feet after a long summer of walking barefoot to the swimming pool)\u003cbr\u003e\nbut they add glucosamine, chondroitin, and minerals to the broth and so I throw them in.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"bone broth"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/its-easier-for-me-to-get-closer-to-heaven-than-ever-feel-whole-again/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"it\u0026rsquo;s easier for me to get closer to heaven than ever feel whole again\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/its-easier-for-me-to-get-closer-to-heaven-than-ever-feel-whole-again/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"it’s easier for me to get closer to heaven than ever feel whole again"},{"content":"\nWe spent about two weeks preparing for a Market Day at our homeschool co-op. During those two weeks our home buzzed with quiet industry and focus. The experience yielded valuable lessons in ordering, inventory, budgeting, pricing and perseverance. The actual event was a success: her hand-painted wooden families and gnomes were a hit, and his sweets sold quickly as soon as lunch was over. Now she is exploring the possibilities of opening an Etsy shop, and he talks of new recipes to try.\nDuring the Market Day festivities, a fellow homeschooling mama asked me how we manage to fit creative endeavors into our school days. I explained that, when given this sort of opportunity to practice and refine real-world skills, we basically abandon most of our formal lessons and throw ourselves wholeheartedly into the project at hand. In other words, teaching my kids how to earn a living sometimes trumps first conjugation pluperfect tense. I suppose that wraps up my homeschooling philosophy in a nutshell.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/market-day/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"market day\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/market-day/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe spent about two weeks preparing for a Market Day at our homeschool co-op. During those two weeks our home buzzed with quiet industry and focus. The experience yielded valuable lessons in ordering, inventory, budgeting, pricing and perseverance. The actual event was a success: her hand-painted wooden families and gnomes were a hit, and his sweets sold quickly as soon as lunch was over. Now she is exploring the possibilities of opening an Etsy shop, and he talks of new recipes to try.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"market day"},{"content":"\nI’m experimenting with through the viewfinder photography again. I find that I still love the feel of the old Kodak and the distortion and noise introduced by the dirty lenses and mirror. I love the brokenness and imperfection and mess.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/print/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/print/image-01_hu_a560d29fc1cdd8de.webp 480w, /posts/print/image-01_hu_532edf7bfae710f9.webp 720w, /posts/print/image-01_hu_c3c11827d9857705.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/print/image-01_hu_bd1dead090d3f542.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m experimenting with through the viewfinder photography again. I find that I still love the feel of the old Kodak and the distortion and noise introduced by the dirty lenses and mirror. I love the brokenness and imperfection and mess.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"print"},{"content":"\nWe returned to Woods Edge farm for our third annual bonfire on Saturday. Angelina‘s non-profit hosted a camp for Native American youth this summer, and many of her campers returned for the day. So many sounds: Johnny Cash coming out of the barn speakers, horses neighing, a leaf blower making a giant pile for jumping, laughter, native flute.\nI spent time in the chilly upper pasture trying to get a good shot of the boy horses grazing. The only way I could keep them near me was to sing, so I made up the most ridiculous, operatic songs about horses and belted them while setting up my shots. Just when I thought I had the perfect picture, the horses were spooked by a squirrel. A SQUIRREL. So much for the power of opera.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/bonfire/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"why the long face?\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/bonfire/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe returned to \u003ca href=\"https://laurafrantz.com//wordpress/2010/11/woods-edge.html\"\u003eWoods Edge farm\u003c/a\u003e for our third annual bonfire on Saturday. \u003ca href=\"http://www.pathkeepers.org/#!board-of-directors/cee5\"\u003eAngelina\u003c/a\u003e‘s non-profit \u003ca href=\"https://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/08/19/nonprofit-gives-native-youth-summer-remember-150880\"\u003ehosted a camp\u003c/a\u003e for Native American youth this summer, and many of her campers returned for the day. So many sounds: Johnny Cash coming out of the barn speakers, horses neighing, a leaf blower making \u003ca href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurafrantz/8125956912/\"\u003ea giant pile for jumping\u003c/a\u003e, laughter, native flute.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI spent time in the chilly upper pasture trying to get a good shot of the boy horses grazing. The only way I could keep them near me was to sing, so I made up the most ridiculous, operatic songs about horses and belted them while setting up my shots. Just when I thought I had the perfect picture, the horses were spooked by a squirrel. A SQUIRREL. So much for the power of opera.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"bonfire"},{"content":"I adore the rain. Can\u0026rsquo;t help myself. Rain means Good Earth sweet and spicy roiboos tea. Claude Bolling and Jean-Pierre Rampal on vinyl. A thick blanket warm from the dryer. I\u0026rsquo;m folding down and[\u0026hellip;]\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/a-cold-sunday-rain/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI adore the rain. Can\u0026rsquo;t help myself. Rain means Good Earth sweet and spicy roiboos tea. Claude Bolling and Jean-Pierre Rampal on vinyl. A thick blanket warm from the dryer. I\u0026rsquo;m folding down and[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e","title":"a cold sunday rain"},{"content":"We celebrated the life of a loved one this past weekend at the bay. Before stepping into the knee-deep water to take pictures, I pulled the bottom hem of my long grey skirt up between my legs and tucked it into the front of my waistband (think Lucy meets grapes). The flowers were so beautiful floating on the glassy surface. I followed them across the cove for a few minutes, watching the ripples from my movements gently rock each petaled head. After the sun set, the lanterns filled slowly with fire-warmed air and pulled away into the purple sky, flying in her memory and honor, while her flowers drifted in the tide below.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/in-memorium/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eWe celebrated the life of a loved one this past weekend at the bay. Before stepping into the knee-deep water to take pictures, I pulled the bottom hem of my long grey skirt up between my legs and tucked it into the front of my waistband (think \u003ca href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kpdZUn39Yvg/Tj2lBeIwSSI/AAAAAAAAAyc/z7UW4LhGykE/s1600/lucy+grape+stomp2.jpg\"\u003eLucy meets grapes\u003c/a\u003e). The flowers were so beautiful floating on the glassy surface. I followed them across the cove for a few minutes, watching the ripples from my movements gently rock each petaled head. After the sun set, the lanterns filled slowly with fire-warmed air and pulled away into the purple sky, flying in her memory and honor, while her flowers drifted in the tide below.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"in memorium"},{"content":"\nA walk:\nto show them beauty between strips of asphalt\nto console myself\nto let the urge pass\n(not all good things are wild and free)\nsweet gentle green moss\nfrail butterfly wing\nround red berries\na single thorn\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/salve/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/salve/image-01_hu_32f536981b98c82f.webp 480w, /posts/salve/image-01_hu_947e88848bbd16bc.webp 720w, /posts/salve/image-01_hu_6164590a6da10aa4.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/salve/image-01_hu_3c4a4ba53cf157fa.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA walk:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eto show them beauty between strips of asphalt\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eto console myself\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eto let the urge pass\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(not all good things are wild and free)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003esweet gentle green moss\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003efrail butterfly wing\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eround red berries\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ea single thorn\u003c/p\u003e","title":"salve"},{"content":"\nToday is dark, cloudy and brooding. I’m listening to Pandora, making applesauce and enjoying the darkness.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/fresh-figs/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"fresh figs\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/fresh-figs/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday is dark, cloudy and brooding. I’m listening to Pandora, making applesauce and enjoying the darkness.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"fresh figs"},{"content":"\nhttps://youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/DNZGlcfXM14\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/labor-day-2013/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"tide\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/labor-day-2013/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"bed\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/labor-day-2013/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/DNZGlcfXM14\"\u003ehttps://youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/DNZGlcfXM14\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/labor-day-2013/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"labor day 2013"},{"content":"\nI brought 16 balls of pizza dough, a big jar of my homemade New York-style sauce, and a jar of my spicy caramelized onion and hot cherry pepper mix to a friend’s house Sunday afternoon.\nPizza for 16 was quite a project. I slid pizza on and off of the hot stone for about two and a half hours, red-faced, hair piled high on my head and sweat trickling behind my apron. Lovely image, I know. I sipped on a glass of old vine Zin and chatted with lady friends while working. Children popped in and out of the sweltering kitchen to place their pizza orders and check on status. My pizza was last to come out of the oven. It was delish, if I may say so myself.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/pizza-for-16/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/pizza-for-16/image-01_hu_f928dc982fe959b9.webp 480w, /posts/pizza-for-16/image-01_hu_5db261eefd7f7d3b.webp 720w, /posts/pizza-for-16/image-01_hu_d5c04440b364293.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/pizza-for-16/image-01_hu_90719fb6611366ee.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI brought 16 balls of pizza dough, a big jar of my homemade \u003ca href=\"http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/10/new-york-style-pizza-sauce.html\"\u003eNew York-style sauce\u003c/a\u003e, and a jar of my spicy caramelized onion and hot cherry pepper mix to a friend’s house Sunday afternoon.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePizza for 16 was quite a project. I slid pizza on and off of the hot stone for about two and a half hours, red-faced, hair piled high on my head and sweat trickling behind my apron. Lovely image, I know. I sipped on a glass of old vine Zin and chatted with lady friends while working. Children popped in and out of the sweltering kitchen to place their pizza orders and check on status. My pizza was last to come out of the oven. It was \u003cem\u003edelish\u003c/em\u003e, if I may say so myself.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"pizza for 16"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/dock/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"river house\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/dock/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"dock"},{"content":"\nI stand on the deck of the boat, brow furrowed against whipping hair, wind lashing my back.\nI watch my heart trampoline hard on the wake, tethered to me with the thinnest rope.\nHe swings wide, an inked stylus recording a round swell of current, then jerks left and right, scratching thick and black the sharp spikes of my fear. A final jolt, and he slips under the dark water.\nLater, we thump hard and fast back to the marina.\nHis brown skin glows a life vest orange,\nhis blue eyes closed against fat rain drops.\nHe scratches his jellyfish stings.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/wye-river/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/wye-river/Image-10_hu_9f9e86bb6de1bd5d.webp 480w, /posts/wye-river/Image-10_hu_7d356dbc8591ca00.webp 720w, /posts/wye-river/Image-10_hu_69f8b4a6c3e48c11.webp 726w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"wye river\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/wye-river/Image-10_hu_e6d5a9b71274da6b.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI stand on the deck of the boat, brow furrowed against whipping hair, wind lashing my back.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI watch my heart trampoline hard on the wake, tethered to me with the thinnest rope.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe swings wide, an inked stylus recording a round swell of current, then jerks left and right, scratching thick and black the sharp spikes of my fear. A final jolt, and he slips under the dark water.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"wye river"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/swing/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"party\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/swing/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"golden hour\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/swing/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"barn\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/swing/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"tree swing\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/swing/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"swing"},{"content":"\nI turned the surprise cucumbers into sweet and spicy pickles this weekend. Let me just say, pickling is far easier than fermenting. No vegetal whey taste, no wondering about exactly what kind of microbe I am growing, and the cukes were ready to eat two hours after hitting the vinegar and spice. They are delicious. I am eating them with everything, at every meal, and dreaming about making my next batch as soon as we can locate more vegetables in the jungle out back.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/pickles/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"homemade pickles\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/pickles/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI turned the \u003ca href=\"https://laurafrantz.com//wordpress/2013/07/surprise.html\"\u003esurprise cucumbers\u003c/a\u003e into \u003ca href=\"http://www.marthastewart.com/316122/sweet-and-spicy-bread-and-butter-pickles\"\u003esweet and spicy pickles\u003c/a\u003e this weekend. Let me just say, pickling is far easier than fermenting. No vegetal whey taste, no wondering about exactly what kind of microbe I am growing, and the cukes were ready to eat two hours after hitting the vinegar and spice. They are delicious. I am eating them with everything, at every meal, and dreaming about making my next batch as soon as we can locate more vegetables in the jungle out back.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"pickles"},{"content":"\nWhen it’s twelve degrees outside on New Year’s Day, it’s important to stay near the fire, have a guitar dance party, and drink eat leftovers for dinner.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/twelve-degrees-2013-07-21/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"my kind of leftovers\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/twelve-degrees-2013-07-21/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it’s twelve degrees outside on New Year’s Day, it’s important to stay near the fire, have a guitar dance party, and \u003cdel\u003edrink\u003c/del\u003e eat leftovers for dinner.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"twelve degrees"},{"content":"\nHappy Friday. xxoo\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/tartine/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"tartine\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/tartine/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHappy Friday. xxoo\u003c/p\u003e","title":"tartine"},{"content":"\nI saw a flash of yellow behind big green leaves and called to my kids to come see what I’d found. They dashed around our tiny backyard and squeaked with excitement. We had no idea these Boothby’s Blonde cukes were even growing deep in our jungle. Now to find the best sweet pickle recipe…\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/surprise/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"boothby\u0026rsquo;s blonde cucumbers\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/surprise/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI saw a flash of yellow behind big green leaves and called to my kids to come see what I’d found. They dashed around our tiny backyard and squeaked with excitement. We had no idea these Boothby’s Blonde cukes were even growing deep in our jungle. Now to find the best sweet pickle recipe…\u003c/p\u003e","title":"surprise"},{"content":"\nPortland in July was a temperate, low humidity heaven on earth. Bungalows, restaurants, cape cods, bars, and flower shops are mixed together and spread out across the straight line of Southeast Division Street. I sat at a tiny outdoor table at The Woodsman Tavern, sipped a coa de jima and thought if I lived in that little house across the street, this would be my regular haunt.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/portland-in-july/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/portland-in-july/image-01_hu_4907f5d6681e470.webp 480w, /posts/portland-in-july/image-01_hu_614e1e2c970ad63.webp 720w, /posts/portland-in-july/image-01_hu_b55eb4fec32c9319.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/portland-in-july/image-01_hu_45c9b91ea3cf58ff.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/portland-in-july/image-02_hu_a0c778e8e8457f58.webp 480w, /posts/portland-in-july/image-02_hu_660f899ac05046f6.webp 720w, /posts/portland-in-july/image-02_hu_a579139940409ba9.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/portland-in-july/image-02_hu_eecbb0a0bb7544de.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/portland-in-july/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePortland in July was a temperate, low humidity heaven on earth. Bungalows, restaurants, cape cods, bars, and flower shops are mixed together and spread out across the straight line of Southeast Division Street. I sat at a tiny outdoor table at \u003ca href=\"http://woodsmantavern.com/\"\u003eThe Woodsman Tavern\u003c/a\u003e, sipped a coa de jima and thought \u003cem\u003eif I lived in that little house across the street, this would be my regular haunt.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"portland in july"},{"content":"\nJust spent four days in Syracuse to attend a loved one’s memorial service. I am pretty weary. We made little excursions to favorite places, and I saw some of my most favorite people, but really, I am just sad and tired.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/syracuse/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the sale\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/syracuse/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"sidewalk\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/syracuse/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"donuts\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/syracuse/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"strut\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/syracuse/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust spent four days in Syracuse to attend a loved one’s memorial service. I am pretty weary. We made little excursions to favorite places, and I saw some of my most favorite people, but really, I am just sad and tired.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"syracuse"},{"content":"In late winter we huddled around a Baker Creek seed catalogue and considered each variety. They ordered whatever struck their fancy. At sowing time they pushed the seeds into whatever corner of the raised bed felt right–their harried mama was in full surrender mode and did not pay attention to bush versus climber, big versus little, high versus low. The result?\nJungle. I mean serious jungle chaos.\nBig Apple gourds, Snow Cap beans and Boothby’s Blonde cukes (I think–did I mention we didn’t mark anything?) are taking over my fence. His melons are attacking her carrots. The tri-sticked teepee is maxed out and Good Mother Stallard bean tendrils wave around in the air above, disappointed.\nThe other bed is overflowing with lettuce and…uh…cukes, I think. I have a big Genovese basil plant. The Holy Basil I grew from seed is coming to life finally, I will use it to make a healing tea with fresh turmeric and ginger. Last week I had to perch on the back edge of the raised bed and hog tie the whateveritis to the fence to keep it from smothering the cilantro. I felt the eyes of neighbors, who already think I am crazy, bore into my flailing body as I struggled with the twine and the spiky stalks. It will all be worth in when we cut into the first melon, right?\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/july-garden/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIn late winter we huddled around a Baker Creek seed catalogue and considered each variety. They ordered whatever struck their fancy. At sowing time they pushed the seeds into whatever corner of the raised bed felt right–their harried mama was in full surrender mode and did not pay attention to bush versus climber, big versus little, high versus low. The result?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"climb\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/july-garden/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"basil\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/july-garden/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"lettuce\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/july-garden/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"blossom\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/july-garden/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"jungle\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/july-garden/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJungle. I mean serious jungle chaos.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"july garden"},{"content":"\nMore music on our front steps. The kids played hide and seek in the dark spaces between the buildings. One nearby door slowly opened a crack, an unseen man or woman probably peering out to pinpoint the source of the sound. I sat on my stool, listened, swatted away mosquitos. My neighbors’ television sets cast strobing stripes of light on their front lawns.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/weekend-notes-2013-07-01/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"neighbors\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/weekend-notes-2013-07-01/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore music on our front steps. The kids played hide and seek in the dark spaces between the buildings. One nearby door slowly opened a crack, an unseen man or woman probably peering out to pinpoint the source of the sound. I sat on my stool, listened, swatted away mosquitos. My neighbors’ television sets cast strobing stripes of light on their front lawns.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"weekend notes"},{"content":"Sunday afternoon I watched this short film about a life with singular purpose. His goal was to recreate a flavor from his childhood, and in the process he crafted a unique place for himself in this world. He sleeps in a tiny cabin built on the roof of his business, writes ideas and plans into little notebooks, carves away fins with surgical precision. I ache to carve away excess in my life, to find my singular purpose.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/the-salmon-smoker/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eSunday afternoon I watched \u003ca href=\"https://vimeo.com/fvonf/ole-hansen\"\u003ethis\u003c/a\u003e short film about a life with singular purpose. His goal was to recreate a flavor from his childhood, and in the process he crafted a unique place for himself in this world. He sleeps in a tiny cabin built on the roof of his business, writes ideas and plans into little notebooks, carves away fins with surgical precision. I ache to carve away excess in my life, to find my singular purpose.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"the salmon smoker"},{"content":"\nOur house is featured in the July 2013 online issue of Ikea Family Live Magazine, a digital publication of Inter IKEA Systems B.V. The mag’s editor Helen reached out to me via email and asked if we’d like to be featured. When I accepted, she sent me a digital package containing photo guidelines, interview questions and FTP instructions.\nI styled our place myself. I used my Canon Rebel XT and my 18-55mm kit lens to take the shots, used my free Gimp download to gently edit the shots, and used my brain and rusty writing voice to craft some explanation of the crazy that is our place. And our place is crazy, make no mistake.\nMy interview emphasizes how well our space suits our needs, and it does, but we have to constantly stay on top of* the clutter or all bets are off. I spent quite a while staging these photos, and like any other magazine, they show our place at its tidiest.\nI thought it would be funny to look at the shots in the mag, taken after a day of staging, and compare them with shots of the same rooms taken with my iPhone on a normal day.\nThese comparisons make me laugh so hard. If all magazines published “reality” shots, Pinterest stress would be a thing of the past. But in that case I suppose no one would be inspired to do any better. This process reaffirmed for me that beauty exists in my life, in every moment and every where: in a car held together with duct tape, in the weeds dotting our lawn, in a flea market painting of a cat and a family room bursting at the seams with mess/life.\n——————————————–\n*”staying on top of” may or may not involve yelling, semi-violent pile-making, and the waving around of trash bags in a menacing fashion.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/ikea-family-live-magazine-magazine-vs-reality/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/ikea-family-live-magazine-magazine-vs-reality/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur house is featured in the \u003ca href=\"http://ikeafamilylivemagazine.com/us/en/article/33314\"\u003eJuly 2013 online issue\u003c/a\u003e of Ikea Family Live Magazine, a digital publication of Inter IKEA Systems B.V. The mag’s editor Helen reached out to me via email and asked if we’d like to be featured. When I accepted, she sent me a digital package containing photo guidelines, interview questions and FTP instructions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI styled our place myself. I used my Canon Rebel XT and my 18-55mm kit lens to take the shots, used my free Gimp download to gently edit the shots, and used my brain and rusty writing voice to craft some explanation of the crazy that is our place. And our place \u003cem\u003eis\u003c/em\u003e crazy, make no mistake.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"ikea family live magazine: magazine vs. reality"},{"content":"\nWe took a walk after dinner Friday evening, following mossy trails to the playground. I admit to doing a little climbing, a little playing, but only as much as becomes a forty year-old. At the end of our walk, we approached our front steps. Fireflies twinkled all around the concrete and the grasses, but only at our house. We were chosen. I lit them a candle to keep them company.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/weekend-notes-2013-06-24/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"firefly evening\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/weekend-notes-2013-06-24/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe took a walk after dinner Friday evening, following mossy trails to the playground. I admit to doing a little climbing, a little playing, but only as much as becomes a forty year-old. At the end of our walk, we approached our front steps. Fireflies twinkled all around the concrete and the grasses, but only at our house. We were chosen. I lit them a candle to keep them company.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"weekend notes"},{"content":"\nThis early summertime has been lovely. Some notes:\nWe waited with bated breath for cicadas to visit, but in the end had to settle for finding a few husks out at a friend’s place in Haymarket.\nMy kids were the very first people in our community pool on the Friday before Memorial Day. It was 54 degrees outside.\nWe three went strawberry picking, our first time ever. My first time ever. There is no thing sweeter than a freshly-picked, ripe, red strawberry. Except for maybe a ripe and juicy peach.\nMy garden is really thriving. It felt like an epic struggle against entropy and all forces of nature to get the garden pulled together, but now? Now I have lettuce, two varieties of basil, arugula, beans, melons, peppers, three varieties of heirloom tomatoes, chives, cilantro and probably a bunch more stuff I can’t remember growing in our humble backyard. And only one unmentionable incident involving a varmint and my lettuce plants.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/early-summer-2013/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Early summer 2013\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/early-summer-2013/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis early summertime has been lovely. Some notes:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe waited with bated breath for cicadas to visit, but in the end had to settle for finding a few husks out at a friend’s place in Haymarket.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy kids were the very first people in our community pool on the Friday before Memorial Day. It was 54 degrees outside.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe three went strawberry picking, our first time ever. My first time ever. There is no thing sweeter than a freshly-picked, ripe, red strawberry. Except for maybe \u003ca href=\"http://www.hollinfarms.com/\"\u003ea ripe and juicy peach\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"early summer 2013"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/meet-me-in-the-high-meadow/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"journal-200\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/meet-me-in-the-high-meadow/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"meet me in the high meadow"},{"content":"https://youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/VaDTv4mP2j4\nThe fourth downpour of the day outside my home office window. I am a lead writer on a proposal due soon, so most of my words are aimed at my work life right now.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/downpour/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/VaDTv4mP2j4\"\u003ehttps://youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/VaDTv4mP2j4\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/downpour/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fourth downpour of the day outside my home office window. I am a lead writer on a proposal due soon, so most of my words are aimed at my work life right now.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"downpour"},{"content":"\nI have tons of soft, sweet clover growing all over my backyard and I and refuse to cut it short or spray it with herbicides. I just can’t do it. I often sit on a bar stool in my kitchen and watch the bunnies and birds hang out. The bunnies chow on the flowers and the birds look for worms near my de facto/illicit compost pile.\nOn warm spring evenings, our neighbor carries his huge bass across the driveway and plants it in the front yard. His little ones often follow him over. We grab the sidewalk chalk and whatever instruments are handy and then we jam. People dance, people draw, people come out and stare.\nWhatever. We are that family, the one with puffs of unruly clover in our lawn and messy drawings on our stoop and a ten year-old playing cajon and a twelve year-old dancing with a box on her head and a crazy mother filming the entire circus on an iPhone.\nhttps://youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/o8yUl8mw6oE\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/front-back/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"front/back\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/front-back/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have tons of soft, sweet clover growing all over my backyard and I and refuse to cut it short or spray it with herbicides. I just can’t do it. I often sit on a bar stool in my kitchen and watch the bunnies and birds hang out. The bunnies chow on the flowers and the birds look for worms near my de facto/illicit compost pile.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn warm spring evenings, our neighbor carries his huge bass across the driveway and plants it in the front yard. His little ones often follow him over. We grab the sidewalk chalk and whatever instruments are handy and then we jam. People dance, people draw, people come out and stare.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"front/back"},{"content":"\n*\u0026ldquo;The aphid is a stupid little creature which lives by thrusting its bill or sucking tube into a stem or leaf if a plant, and thus settles down for life, nourished by the sap which it sucks up[\u0026hellip;]\nWe three step outside our front door and walk down a paved path to a bridge that spans a small trickle of water, banked on both sides by honeysuckle. They pick small bunches of the flowers, then s[\u0026hellip;]\nMoments later, at the dining room table, we open the thick book and search the index in vain for honeysuckle, then cicadas, but then settle on reading about our most recent house guests, ants. The[\u0026hellip;]\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/ants-and-aphids/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"morning nature study\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/ants-and-aphids/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*\u0026ldquo;The aphid is a stupid little creature which lives by thrusting its bill or sucking tube into a stem or leaf if a plant, and thus settles down for life, nourished by the sap which it sucks up[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe three step outside our front door and walk down a paved path to a bridge that spans a small trickle of water, banked on both sides by honeysuckle. They pick small bunches of the flowers, then s[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e","title":"ants and aphids"},{"content":"\nMy older sister invites me to come stay at a house on the beach to celebrate her 50th birthday. I rent a Ford Escape that has Bluetooth and satellite radio and cruise control, pack up my two kids, a suitcase and a cooler, kiss my husband goodbye and head for North Carolina.\nWe stop too many times for too many potty breaks, get too deep into the country to find a Starbucks, I drive too fast and get a speeding ticket five miles from the house, but eventually we pull into the driveway as the sun is setting behind Salter Path Road.\nShe meets us at the door and we hug tight and long. She has our mother’s eyes, different color but same shape.\nWe file through the doorway, take in the view, drop bags on our beds and have dinner with our brother and my sister’s friends from work that have come to celebrate, too. That night we fall asleep to the ocean sounds coming through my sister’s open window across the hall.\nThe next morning we rise at dawn and look for shells, pick through deposits of brown sea lettuce, lengths of rope, wilted plastic bags. Little white piles of dried and empty sand flea skeletons are everywhere, as if swept into neat heaps by the sandpipers. Our collected treasure swings at our sides in green buckets.\nWe return to the house, hose sand off of our toes and heels and make coffee, make small talk, make chicken salad and salsa. We spend the day moving between inside and outside. We play cornhole and Frisbee and Quirkle, listen to Jimmy Buffet and Steely Dan, drink pitchers of sangria and chilled Coronas, swim in the pool and the ocean.\nLater we make dinner, then her friends head out. The rest of us settle into an evening of cards and chatting. During a game of Greek Poker we disagree about something unimportant and my sister starts to mother me, gently correcting me. I stare down into my iPhone and read a random email over and over again, angry. I look up and it’s my mother’s eyes that are looking back at me from across the table, and when my sister’s friends suddenly pile into the kitchen, back from one bar and ready to bring her out to the next, I make my apologies and follow the kids upstairs to get ready for bed. Asleep, I don’t hear her slip into her room when she gets back from her night out.\nI am scrambling eggs when she comes into the kitchen the next morning. She pours herself a cup of coffee and then begins to move around the room, tidying up while I cook, and we talk about nothing, really. I want to know if she saw my face flush angry last night but I don’t ask. I step out of the kitchen onto the deck, into a chill morning wind, and look out at the beach.\nThe sky is grey, the sunrise blocked by clouds. A large pod of brown pelicans is feeding in the shallows right in front of the house, all wings and distended pouches and flying spray. A lone adult glides in from the south and approaches the flock, sailing over the dark waves, and as she reaches the group she hurls herself towards the sea with great purpose, plunge-diving they call it, a precision strike meant to catch the living thing shimmering like silver just under the skin of the water. I hold my breath until she emerges from the deep.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/indian-beach/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/indian-beach/image-01_hu_eebbf5af584213c6.webp 480w, /posts/indian-beach/image-01_hu_d7a45a7abd3f282.webp 720w, /posts/indian-beach/image-01_hu_72f490b31669d19c.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/indian-beach/image-01_hu_53c7d7989fe21864.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/indian-beach/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/indian-beach/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/indian-beach/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/indian-beach/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/indian-beach/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/indian-beach/image-07.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/indian-beach/image-08.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/indian-beach/image-09.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy older sister invites me to come stay at a house on the beach to celebrate her 50th birthday. I rent a Ford Escape that has Bluetooth and satellite radio and cruise control, pack up my two kids, a suitcase and a cooler, kiss my husband goodbye and head for North Carolina.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe stop too many times for too many potty breaks, get too deep into the country to find a Starbucks, I drive too fast and get a speeding ticket five miles from the house, but eventually we pull into the driveway as the sun is setting behind Salter Path Road.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"indian beach"},{"content":"\nLittle Rock, Arkansas is not a friendly city at night, so you must wrap yourself around your craft cocktail at the hotel bar and not move around too much.\nMy tiny and withered arms pulled together great slabs of lumber and leveled compost. Seedlings are pushing toward light, waiting in starter containers for their true planting.\nI found God’s Word lying in green grass, covered in dew, and brought it home. The stranger’s handwriting looked out of place in my kitchen full of familiar.\nI dropped to thirty hours of my office job a week and replaced those two hours a day with morning homeschooling. I haven’t felt this connected to my kids in a long, long time. More on that to come.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/lately/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"lately\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/lately/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle Rock, Arkansas is not a friendly city at night, so you must wrap yourself around your craft cocktail at the hotel bar and not move around too much.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy tiny and withered arms pulled together great slabs of lumber and leveled compost. Seedlings are pushing toward light, waiting in starter containers for their true planting.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found God’s Word lying in green grass, covered in dew, and brought it home. The stranger’s handwriting looked out of place in my kitchen full of familiar.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"lately"},{"content":"\nWe took the train into the city on a cold Friday morning. Union Station was gothic, beautiful and quiet in the early hours of the day. I sipped hot coffee and the children shared a cinnamon sugar pretzel in the white tiled food court. We walked across the street and into the National Postal Museum inside the Old City Post Office.\nWe spent the next two hours moving back and forth through two hundred years of history. I lost myself in lives lived and lost, my mind filled with their stories. The international stamp collection is stored in a wide wall of skinny vertical display cases, and we thrilled to the variety of sizes, shapes and colors. In a gift shop bin my son found a fat and heavy plastic bag labeled “OVER 500 STAMPS FROM ALL COUNTRIES INSIDE!!” His eyes were bright with excitement so I had no choice but spend the $7US. He held the bag tightly in both hands during the entire train ride home.\nHe sat down at their work table, made a hole in the bag and turned it upside down.. We watched the stamps spill out of that hole, big stamps, small stamps, all colors and countries and soon the pile covered much of the table. Over the next two hours we sorted stamps together, found countries on our world map, talked about how countries sometimes just dissolve and form new countries, and made many little piles all over the table. We each picked our favorite stamps from the whole lot–how lovely is the butterfly and those mushrooms?\nThe next day while he was at a friend’s house I sewed a stamp pile organizer of sorts, a temporary place to keep his piles sorted and visible until we devise a more permanent way to display his new (instant) collection. While the stamp holder isn’t as colorful as the last organizer I made, the green makes a lovely billiard-table-ish background for his treasures.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/stamps/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"union station\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stamps/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Untitled\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stamps/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Untitled\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stamps/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Untitled\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stamps/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Untitled\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/stamps/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe took the train into the city on a cold Friday morning. Union Station was gothic, beautiful and quiet in the early hours of the day. I sipped hot coffee and the children shared a cinnamon sugar pretzel in the white tiled food court. We walked across the street and into the \u003ca href=\"http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/\"\u003eNational Postal Museum\u003c/a\u003e inside the Old City Post Office.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe spent the next two hours moving back and forth through two hundred years of history. I lost myself in lives lived and lost, my mind filled with their stories. The international stamp collection is stored in a wide wall of skinny vertical display cases, and we thrilled to the variety of sizes, shapes and colors. In a gift shop bin my son found a fat and heavy plastic bag labeled “OVER 500 STAMPS FROM ALL COUNTRIES INSIDE!!” His eyes were bright with excitement so I had no choice but spend the $7US. He held the bag tightly in both hands during the entire train ride home.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"stamps"},{"content":"\nThe above photo was awarded an Honorable Mention by the judges of the 2013 Mobile Photo Awards. This shot will be part of a show being held at the Soho Gallery For Digital Art in Manhattan from February 22-28. Opening reception is this coming Friday night and Lord willing I will be there to take it all in. We’ve needed an excuse to drive up to NYC and this seems like a pretty good reason to make the trip.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/honored/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"journal-27\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/honored/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe above photo was awarded an Honorable Mention by the judges of the 2013 Mobile Photo Awards. This shot will be part of a show being held at the \u003ca href=\"http://www.sohodigart.com/\"\u003eSoho Gallery For Digital Art\u003c/a\u003e in Manhattan from February 22-28. Opening reception is this coming Friday night and \u003cem\u003eLord willing\u003c/em\u003e I will be there to take it all in. We’ve needed an excuse to drive up to NYC and this seems like a pretty good reason to make the trip.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"honored"},{"content":"\nI lit a candle in the dark morning hours and sat in silence with my nine year-old. We stayed in the quiet for only five minutes and then the day had to begin. My favorite part of the morning: the kids and I singing Looney Tunes words to the overture of Rossini’s Barber of Seville. Leftover drop biscuits held spoonfuls of homemade jam, or in some cases, small piles of Nutella.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/morning/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/morning/image-01_hu_76c5dcaeb8f6a598.webp 480w, /posts/morning/image-01_hu_ad1a7eb739a6c3ea.webp 720w, /posts/morning/image-01_hu_f57d12bd597733d9.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/morning/image-01_hu_c3add4a51b753480.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI lit a candle in the dark morning hours and sat in silence with my nine year-old. We stayed in the quiet for only five minutes and then the day had to begin. My favorite part of the morning: the kids and I singing \u003ca href=\"https://vimeo.com/456078993\"\u003eLooney Tunes words\u003c/a\u003e to the overture of Rossini’s Barber of Seville. Leftover drop biscuits held spoonfuls of homemade jam, or in some cases, small piles of Nutella.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"morning"},{"content":"\nI finished crocheting my little blue bowl, then wet-felted it and blocked it to dry. Once it was dry I held it in my hands and considered it for a while. The curve inward at the top seemed very protective to me, like a nest. I picked up one of the many bird’s nests we keep around the house and slipped it inside the bowl. The two objects came together as if meant for one another. Tomorrow we will go to the woods and look for more discarded nests that are missing their woolen bowls.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/finished-piece/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/finished-piece/image-01_hu_6ad300814756570.webp 480w, /posts/finished-piece/image-01_hu_f619e309ee4e6840.webp 720w, /posts/finished-piece/image-01_hu_4f497dd7374cfa51.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/finished-piece/image-01_hu_c63143d496f59a48.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI finished crocheting my little blue bowl, then wet-felted it and blocked it to dry. Once it was dry I held it in my hands and considered it for a while. The curve inward at the top seemed very protective to me, like a nest. I picked up one of the many bird’s nests we keep around the house and slipped it inside the bowl. The two objects came together as if meant for one another. Tomorrow we will go to the woods and look for more discarded nests that are missing their woolen bowls.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"finished piece"},{"content":"\nI’m stealing moments here and there between chores this Saturday to create. Pale blue, scratchy wool roving will soon be a smooth, friendly felted bowl to hold treasure.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/in-progress/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"in progress\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-progress/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m stealing moments here and there between chores this Saturday to create. Pale blue, scratchy wool roving will soon be a smooth, friendly felted bowl to hold treasure.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"in progress"},{"content":"\nMy sous-chef drizzled the maple sugar on the scones with more skill and style than I’ve ever brought to bear. My return to work weighed heavily on my heart and mind all day.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/new-years-day-2013/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"scones\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/new-years-day-2013/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy sous-chef drizzled the maple sugar on the scones with more skill and style than I’ve ever brought to bear. My return to work weighed heavily on my heart and mind all day.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"new year’s day 2013"},{"content":"\nSpent the morning with my loves at a cozy coffee shop in Arlington. I wrote in my journal about 2013, about my hopes for renewal and rebirth. My girl began writing in her tiny purple Moleskine, too. Tonight we will light candles, share our writings and craft a family vision for this year to come. Then we will pop popcorn and play a game, and then we will blow out the candles and nestle down into our covers. And when we wake, it will be a new year.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/new-years-eve-2012/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"31 dec 2012\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/new-years-eve-2012/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpent the morning with my loves at a \u003ca href=\"http://northsidesocialarlington.com/\"\u003ecozy coffee shop\u003c/a\u003e in Arlington. I wrote in my journal about 2013, about my hopes for renewal and rebirth. My girl began writing in her \u003ca href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Moleskine-Notebook-Purple-Legendary-Notebooks/dp/8862938454/\"\u003etiny purple Moleskine\u003c/a\u003e, too. Tonight we will light candles, share our writings and craft a family vision for this year to come. Then we will pop popcorn and play a game, and then we will blow out the candles and nestle down into our covers. And when we wake, it will be a new year.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"new year’s eve 2012"},{"content":"\nThe blue-grey light returned on Boxing Day, along with snow, sleet, rain, cold. I felt like I was back in central New York. I burned Nag Champa and played 80’s music in our warm kitchen. John fried cold slabs of leftover grits in the cast iron skillet, and I ate two of them with butter and my most favorite-est thing ever, Sriracha.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/boxing-day-2012/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/boxing-day-2012/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/boxing-day-2012/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/boxing-day-2012/image-03_hu_efe1a19769e43f47.webp 480w, /posts/boxing-day-2012/image-03_hu_8718fb7ab5db8b2b.webp 720w, /posts/boxing-day-2012/image-03_hu_40cf5866c83addbf.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/boxing-day-2012/image-03_hu_888dd086be172670.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blue-grey light returned on Boxing Day, along with snow, sleet, rain, cold. I felt like I was back in central New York. I burned Nag Champa and played \u003ca href=\"http://www.sky.fm/the80s\"\u003e80’s music\u003c/a\u003e in our warm kitchen. John fried cold slabs of leftover grits in the cast iron skillet, and I ate two of them with butter and my most favorite-est thing ever, Sriracha.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"boxing day 2012"},{"content":"\nPre-dawn whispers (I stuffed my head under a pillow and went back to sleep).\nPresents opened before the eight o’clock hour.\nHot coffee from the Chemex.\nSweet, soft challah French toast eaten continental style by a bad piggie.\nOrganic, fresh-pressed juice to cut through the sweet.\nBeautiful music streaming through the house.\nGentle, quiet focus on a new art.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/christmas-day-2012/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/christmas-day-2012/image-01_hu_88363c05daa1db2f.webp 480w, /posts/christmas-day-2012/image-01_hu_52fc89dfbfabefee.webp 720w, /posts/christmas-day-2012/image-01_hu_186cfc62bf311a94.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/christmas-day-2012/image-01_hu_6c70bddc054627f.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/christmas-day-2012/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/christmas-day-2012/image-03_hu_caeac1931e9612.webp 480w, /posts/christmas-day-2012/image-03_hu_c0eb635b0412b939.webp 720w, /posts/christmas-day-2012/image-03_hu_d3301b5994320ae3.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/christmas-day-2012/image-03_hu_f3fcad73874dd89c.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePre-dawn whispers (I stuffed my head under a pillow and went back to sleep).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePresents opened before the eight o’clock hour.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHot coffee from the Chemex.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSweet, soft challah French toast eaten continental style by a bad piggie.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrganic, fresh-pressed juice to cut through the sweet.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.weta.org/fm\"\u003eBeautiful music\u003c/a\u003e streaming through the house.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"christmas day 2012"},{"content":"\nFor the first time, my girl helped braid the challah, her small fingers gently moving the ropes and curling in ends. We used the knife as a chisel and popped chunks of Callebaut in our mouths while we worked.\nThe challah baked up quick. We left the hot loaf to cool on a wire rack and drove to church, where I sat on the edge of my seat as our pastor hit all the high notes in O Holy Night. Once home I sat in my bent wood chair under my mother’s cable-knit afghan and stared at the lights on the tree.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/christmas-eve-2012/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/christmas-eve-2012/image-01_hu_6b16dd047d6dd821.webp 480w, /posts/christmas-eve-2012/image-01_hu_ac7d040904a8bc1b.webp 720w, /posts/christmas-eve-2012/image-01_hu_3b31318fb61ec4a0.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/christmas-eve-2012/image-01_hu_f6a3f407e804496b.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/christmas-eve-2012/image-02_hu_a4b51fa93f8594ca.webp 480w, /posts/christmas-eve-2012/image-02_hu_c44d38e61291fac3.webp 720w, /posts/christmas-eve-2012/image-02_hu_353c70a0431d19d0.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/christmas-eve-2012/image-02_hu_c59e6b15a6ef2888.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/christmas-eve-2012/image-03_hu_df30daa5ccf9e608.webp 480w, /posts/christmas-eve-2012/image-03_hu_7ae3acbd0fd888b.webp 720w, /posts/christmas-eve-2012/image-03_hu_3b34bcc5f96b9bfd.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/christmas-eve-2012/image-03_hu_8d8b1d5dc81e7602.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the first time, my girl helped braid the challah, her small fingers gently moving the ropes and curling in ends. We used the knife as a chisel and popped chunks of Callebaut in our mouths while we worked.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe challah baked up quick. We left the hot loaf to cool on a wire rack and drove to church, where I sat on the edge of my seat as our pastor hit all the high notes in \u003cem\u003eO Holy Night\u003c/em\u003e. Once home I sat in my bent wood chair under my mother’s cable-knit afghan and stared at the lights on the tree.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"christmas eve 2012"},{"content":"\nMerry Christmas. xxoo\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/girl-with-a-doll-christmas-portrait/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"girl with a doll {christmas portrait}\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/girl-with-a-doll-christmas-portrait/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMerry Christmas. xxoo\u003c/p\u003e","title":"girl with a doll {christmas portrait}"},{"content":"\ndiscovered while tidying the bookshelves.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/found-wisdom/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"found wisdom\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/found-wisdom/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ediscovered while tidying the bookshelves.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"found wisdom"},{"content":"\nAfter building up my courage with coffee and Ella, I spent the morning sewing a hefty curtain to replace the broken bi-fold door of our coat closet. I’d been waiting for five years to cut into this Ikea fabric, and couldn’t have used it for a better purpose, as the length of this curtain really shows off the pattern.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/saturday-morning/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"saturday morning | coffee, ella, \u0026amp; sewing\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/saturday-morning/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter building up my courage with coffee and Ella, I spent the morning sewing a hefty curtain to replace the broken bi-fold door of our coat closet. I’d been waiting for five years to cut into this Ikea fabric, and couldn’t have used it for a better purpose, as the length of this curtain really shows off the pattern.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"saturday morning"},{"content":"\nAs predicted, the record player is getting a real workout. What is surprising–but probably should not be knowing this boy and girl of mine–is that most every selection they make is classical. I’ve raised them on a steady diet of jazz, classic rock, and cheesy 70’s love songs, but there is no denying their visceral hunger for strings, piano, brass. Mozart was his choice one afternoon this week, and the sounds of the quintet filled the first floor of our house.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/his-choice/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"his choice\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/his-choice/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs predicted, the record player is getting a real workout. What is surprising–but probably should not be knowing this boy and girl of mine–is that most every selection they make is classical. I’ve raised them on a steady diet of jazz, classic rock, and cheesy 70’s love songs, but there is no denying their visceral hunger for strings, piano, brass. Mozart was his choice one afternoon this week, and the sounds of the quintet filled the first floor of our house.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"his choice"},{"content":"\nSpent another three days in Portland last week. The city has become more familiar to me. I have a favorite coffee spot. I got lost slightly less frequently than I did a month ago. I barely noticed rain-soaked hair and hem. And I found a nice warm place to have dinner that feels like my dining room at home. All of these small comforts combined made the separation from my family a little more tolerable.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/third-times-a-charm/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"three days\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/third-times-a-charm/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpent another three days in Portland last week. The city has become more familiar to me. I have a favorite coffee spot. I got lost slightly less frequently than I did a month ago. I barely noticed rain-soaked hair and hem. And I found a nice warm place to have dinner that feels like my dining room at home. All of these small comforts combined made the separation from my family a little more tolerable.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"third time’s a charm"},{"content":"\nI rearranged the living room this weekend and made a spot for the turntable we bought two years ago. It had been about 20 years since I’d actually listened to any of my records, so I spent this afternoon with Wings, Led Zeppelin, Roxy Music, Blind Faith. I’m looking forward to digging into the Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn from my husband’s extensive LP collection.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/vinyl/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"vinyl\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/vinyl/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI rearranged the living room this weekend and made a spot for the turntable we bought two years ago. It had been about 20 years since I’d actually listened to any of my records, so I spent this afternoon with Wings, Led Zeppelin, Roxy Music, Blind Faith. I’m looking forward to digging into the Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn from my husband’s extensive LP collection.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"vinyl"},{"content":"http://youtu.be/-Wvp8b4Djiw\nI’m actually writing from yet another airplane, on my way to Portland. Wondering if I will see this lady again, the one who serenaded me with Bob Marley at the food trucks near the office. For the life of me I could not find a dollar in that ridiculous handmade purse of mine to pay her for her music.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/portland-redux/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://youtu.be/-Wvp8b4Djiw\"\u003ehttp://youtu.be/-Wvp8b4Djiw\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nI’m actually writing from yet another airplane, on my way to Portland. Wondering if I will see this lady again, the one who serenaded me with Bob Marley at the food trucks near the office. For the life of me I could not find a dollar in that ridiculous handmade purse of mine to pay her for her music.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"portland redux"},{"content":"\nA shaggy-haired guy with a toothbrush in one hand and an empty plastic gallon-sized milk bottle in the other approaches me as I walk down Stark Street and asks if I know where he can find some water. I tell him I have no idea, and he gives me a smile and thanks me and keeps walking. At Pioneer Square a man with a blue face leans against a bike rail and smokes a bowl of weed. I ask to take his picture and he smiles his yes, and after I take the shot, he blows smoke in my face. Head spinning, I cross the street and stop near the Starbucks to watch a game of chess. People gather in groups, talking and greeting passers-by, so different from how people act where I live that I just stand staring in awe until they start staring back. On my way back to my hotel I pass a musician playing buckets with a friend.\nhttp://youtu.be/c5sC_n5f4Xs\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/the-underemployed-portland/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"street | portland\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-underemployed-portland/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"blue man toking up | portland\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-underemployed-portland/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"chess @ pioneer square | portland\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-underemployed-portland/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"group | portland\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-underemployed-portland/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA shaggy-haired guy with a toothbrush in one hand and an empty plastic gallon-sized milk bottle in the other approaches me as I walk down Stark Street and asks if I know where he can find some water. I tell him I have no idea, and he gives me a smile and thanks me and keeps walking. At Pioneer Square a man with a blue face leans against a bike rail and smokes a bowl of weed. I ask to take his picture and he smiles his yes, and after I take the shot, he blows smoke in my face. Head spinning, I cross the street and stop near the Starbucks to watch a game of chess. People gather in groups, talking and greeting passers-by, so different from how people act where I live that I just stand staring in awe until they start staring back. On my way back to my hotel I pass a musician playing buckets with a friend.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"the underemployed | portland"},{"content":"Finding nourishing food while traveling in a new city is a challenge, but it’s important to me to not eat junk while on the road. I Yelped my way to Prasad for an amazing dinner of lightly steamed kale, cabbage, beans, avocado and quinoa. I sat at a high counter in the front window and enjoyed the bowl with a fresh green lemonade. Two guys passed by the shop, deep in conversation. One then stopped in his tracks, turned around, came inside and ordered a wheatgrass shot at the counter behind me, his skeptical friend watching through the glass.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/prasad-portland/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eFinding nourishing food while traveling in a new city is a challenge, but it’s important to me to not eat junk while on the road. I \u003ca href=\"http://www.yelp.com/biz/prasad-portland\"\u003eYelped\u003c/a\u003e my way to \u003ca href=\"http://prasadcuisine.squarespace.com/\"\u003ePrasad\u003c/a\u003e for an amazing dinner of lightly steamed kale, cabbage, beans, avocado and quinoa. I sat at a high counter in the front window and enjoyed the bowl with a fresh green lemonade. Two guys passed by the shop, deep in conversation. One then stopped in his tracks, turned around, came inside and ordered a wheatgrass shot at the counter behind me, his skeptical friend watching through the glass.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"prasad | portland"},{"content":"\nWe managed to slip out of town to the beach house and have enjoyed a few warm and sunny days, but now a cold front is rolling on in. At the ready are Playmobil sets, plastic Civil War soldiers, vintage Hardy Boys hardcovers, two decks of playing cards, and a variety of other wet weather beach house staples. I have good chocolate and a good book on hand, and am snuggled underneath a fleece blanket, so I say let the weather come.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/weekend-in-delaware/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"weekend\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/weekend-in-delaware/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe managed to slip out of town to the beach house and have enjoyed a few warm and sunny days, but now a cold front is rolling on in. At the ready are Playmobil sets, plastic Civil War soldiers, vintage Hardy Boys hardcovers, two decks of playing cards, and a variety of other wet weather beach house staples. I have good chocolate and a good book on hand, and am snuggled underneath a fleece blanket, so I say \u003cem\u003elet the weather come\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"weekend in delaware"},{"content":"\nI’m headed to Portland today. I’m listening to jazz on satellite radio, looking out the window at the canyons colored with dawn and just feeling so in awe of creation. A dirt road carved into the deep red earth below folds into a sharp angle, looping around a little town as an afterthought.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/in-flight/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"in flight\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-flight/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m headed to Portland today. I’m listening to jazz on satellite radio, looking out the window at the canyons colored with dawn and just feeling so in awe of creation. A dirt road carved into the deep red earth below folds into a sharp angle, looping around a little town as an afterthought.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"in flight"},{"content":"\nAlastair and Jacqui were once \u0026ldquo;the church sound guy and his worship singer wife\u0026rdquo; to me, little more than strangers. In fact the first real conversation I had with Alastair went something like [\u0026hellip;]\nAlastair, standing in front of me, a microphone stand between us: \u0026ldquo;Sing louder.\u0026rdquo;\nMe: \u0026ldquo;I can\u0026rsquo;t.\u0026rdquo;\nAlastair: *sigh*\nSlowly we became good friends, and now ten years later, Alastair and Jacqui are as close to my heart as family. They invited us over for dinner this past Saturday evening. The meal Alastair cooked[\u0026hellip;]\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/allonda/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"pate\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/allonda/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"satay\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/allonda/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"salad\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/allonda/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"risotto (aka chicken wing bokeh)\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/allonda/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlastair and Jacqui were once \u0026ldquo;the church sound guy and his worship singer wife\u0026rdquo; to me, little more than strangers. In fact the first real conversation I had with Alastair went something like [\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAlastair, standing in front of me, a microphone stand between us\u003c/em\u003e: \u0026ldquo;Sing louder.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eMe\u003c/em\u003e: \u0026ldquo;I can\u0026rsquo;t.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAlastair\u003c/em\u003e: \u003cem\u003e*sigh*\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlowly we became good friends, and now ten years later, Alastair and Jacqui are as close to my heart as family. They invited us over for dinner this past Saturday evening. The meal Alastair cooked[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e","title":"all'onda"},{"content":"\nI slip outside with my camera, leaving behind the chatting and smiling that always makes me self-conscious, uncomfortable, embarrassed. I walk the property line, trailed by dragonflies, and stoop down to touch soft mosses and strange willowy seed pods. I descend to the culvert to look for frogs, but the heat has shrunken their pond to a puddle where a lone tadpole circles, believing himself to be the only of his kind.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/behind-the-church/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"behind the church\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/behind-the-church/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI slip outside with my camera, leaving behind the chatting and smiling that always makes me self-conscious, uncomfortable, embarrassed. I walk the property line, trailed by dragonflies, and stoop down to touch soft mosses and strange willowy seed pods. I descend to the culvert to look for frogs, but the heat has shrunken their pond to a puddle where a lone tadpole circles, believing himself to be the only of his kind.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"behind the church"},{"content":"\nI’m hoping to begin this book with the little ones as soon as we’ve settled into our new dinner–\u0026gt;cleanup–\u0026gt;schoolwork–\u0026gt;bedtime routine.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/new-read-aloud/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"photo.JPG\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/new-read-aloud/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m hoping to begin this book with the little ones as soon as we’ve settled into our new dinner–\u0026gt;cleanup–\u0026gt;schoolwork–\u0026gt;bedtime routine.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"new read-aloud"},{"content":"\nSauerkraut experiment #1 is underway. I love the deep purple color of the cabbage juice in the jar. I found postcard art by illustrator Phoebe Wahl tucked into Issue 3 of Taproot Magazine, and it now hangs on our kitchen line, reminding us of the colder weather heading our way. I dusted off the kitchen scale and about a thousand other neglected kitchen tools to make a ri-DI-culously good Coconut Layer Cake for a special birthday.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/weekend-notes/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"kitchen\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/weekend-notes/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"grapes\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/weekend-notes/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"on the line\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/weekend-notes/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"scale\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/weekend-notes/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"last bite\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/weekend-notes/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSauerkraut experiment #1 is underway. I love the deep purple color of the cabbage juice in the jar. I found postcard art by illustrator \u003ca href=\"http://phoebewahl.com/\"\u003ePhoebe Wahl\u003c/a\u003e tucked into \u003ca href=\"http://www.taprootmag.com/\"\u003eIssue 3 of Taproot Magazine\u003c/a\u003e, and it now hangs on our kitchen line, reminding us of the colder weather heading our way. I dusted off the kitchen scale and about a thousand other neglected kitchen tools to make a ri-DI-culously good \u003ca href=\"http://www.food.com/recipe/cooks-illustrated-coconut-layer-cake-481254\"\u003eCoconut Layer Cake\u003c/a\u003e for a special birthday.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"weekend notes"},{"content":"\nA leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked. ~Anais Nin\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/joy-as-i-walked/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"ask i walked\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/joy-as-i-walked/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked. ~Anais Nin\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/blockquote\u003e","title":"joy as i walked"},{"content":"\nI keep my distance, as usual, camera as buffer and coping mechanism. The cast and crew of my friend’s film are called into the poolhouse in groups to watch behind-the-scenes clips on his laptop. The kids steer chunky white rafts around the water. I am called to bear witness to a ritual that is strange to me, but apparently is a very traditional part of this sort of celebration: the throwing of the directors into the pool. I ask no questions, just lift my lens and get the shots, pleased that I chose photography over movie-making.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/the-wrap-party/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"peek\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-wrap-party/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"behind the scenes\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-wrap-party/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"pool house\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-wrap-party/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the push\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-wrap-party/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the splash\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-wrap-party/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI keep my distance, as usual, camera as buffer and coping mechanism. The cast and crew of \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/SeniorPranktheMovie\"\u003emy friend’s film\u003c/a\u003e are called into the poolhouse in groups to watch behind-the-scenes clips on his laptop. The kids steer chunky white rafts around the water. I am called to bear witness to a ritual that is strange to me, but apparently is a very traditional part of this sort of celebration: the throwing of the directors into the pool. I ask no questions, just lift my lens and get the shots, pleased that I chose photography over movie-making.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"the wrap party"},{"content":"\nI came across a completely beautiful (and completely dead) cicada while on a walk with my girl. It now clings to the side of a nest in my home office.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/found/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"nature bowl\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/found/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI came across a completely beautiful (and completely dead) cicada while on a walk with my girl. It now clings to the side of a nest in my home office.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"found"},{"content":"The flagstone path leads me away from the main house, through dark undergrowth and past waterfall to a clearing. The cabin is made of stone, built before the American revolution. A sweet garden wraps around from side to back. The front door is unlocked, and I step inside. The room is stained glass, dark wood, thick and quiet air that smells of books. A side table holds a bottle of Grand Marnier and two glasses. I want to sit at the desk and write and write until my hand cramps and my mind is still but the sun is going down and I feel the pull of home. I close the door behind me and stand in the back garden, feeling the hot Virginia breeze lift my hair as all around me honeybees stir in the twilight.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/the-cabin/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe flagstone path leads me away from the main house, through dark undergrowth and past waterfall to a clearing. The cabin is made of stone, built before the American revolution. A sweet garden wraps around from side to back. The front door is unlocked, and I step inside. The room is stained glass, dark wood, thick and quiet air that smells of books. A side table holds a bottle of Grand Marnier and two glasses. I want to sit at the desk and write and write until my hand cramps and my mind is still but the sun is going down and I feel the pull of home. I close the door behind me and stand in the back garden, feeling the hot Virginia breeze lift my hair as all around me honeybees stir in the twilight.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"the cabin"},{"content":"\nI designed a postcard for my husband’s real estate brokerage. Kind of wonky composition but I like to think that is part of the charm?\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/postcard/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"postcard\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/postcard/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI designed a postcard for my husband’s real estate brokerage. Kind of wonky composition but I like to think that is part of the charm?\u003c/p\u003e","title":"postcard"},{"content":"\nI push the broken storm door closed once, two, three times before it latches. I wave and blow kisses to my littles standing in the front window, turn, and make the short walk to my bus stop. I scan the headlines through the newspaper box glass and wait. The bus pulls up to the curb and I step through the open doors, climb the stairs, tap my commuter card to the fare machine, then take my usual seat. The bus threads its way down the narrow street and makes several stops, picking up small, orderly lines of people. The daily riders greet each other with the ease of the long-married, remarking on a new haircut, asking about the weekend, pointing out an uncharacteristic suit and tie in a teasing voice. Fifteen minutes later, we climb the HOV ramp to the highway. I close my eyes and listen.\nThe other riders rise and stand in the aisle as soon as we exit the highway. The bus comes to a stop and the doors open. I step into the current and am carried past idling taxis and buckets of flowers to the pedestrian bridge. A newspaper is thrust into my hand and I float across a sea of red tail lights. Halfway down the tunnel the others turn toward the Metro gates, but I break free of the tide. I walk to the far end of the tunnel and emerge onto the street. I make my way down the hill and enter the housing development bordering my office campus. Most balconies are bare, but one is not. The streets are unswept, and the withered lilac blossoms release a sweet, stale fragrance as they are crushed under my Converse. I pass a long-haired cat sleeping on a concrete porch. I turn a corner and my office building stands grey against grey sky. I slip the lanyard of my employee badge around my neck as I pass through the glass entrance doors.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/morning-commute/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"bus fare\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/morning-commute/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"taxi\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/morning-commute/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"metrofleur\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/morning-commute/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"morning paper\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/morning-commute/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"overpass\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/morning-commute/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"patio\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/morning-commute/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"curb\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/morning-commute/image-07.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"approach\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/morning-commute/image-08.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI push the broken storm door closed once, two, three times before it latches. I wave and blow kisses to my littles standing in the front window, turn, and make the short walk to my bus stop. I scan the headlines through the newspaper box glass and wait. The bus pulls up to the curb and I step through the open doors, climb the stairs, tap my commuter card to the fare machine, then take my usual seat. The bus threads its way down the narrow street and makes several stops, picking up small, orderly lines of people. The daily riders greet each other with the ease of the long-married, remarking on a new haircut, asking about the weekend, pointing out an uncharacteristic suit and tie in a teasing voice. Fifteen minutes later, we climb the HOV ramp to the highway. I close my eyes and \u003ca href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN8shRyrtYY\"\u003elisten\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"morning commute"},{"content":"\nShe gets an unreal amount of attention when she rolls around in public wearing these skate/shoe thingies. Every comment she overhears from a little one (Mama, HOW is that girl skating on her SHOES??) makes her smile wide. The floors at IKEA are the bestest of all.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/heelys/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"heelys\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/heelys/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe gets an unreal amount of attention when she rolls around in public wearing these skate/shoe thingies. Every comment she overhears from a little one (\u003cem\u003eMama, HOW is that girl skating on her SHOES??\u003c/em\u003e) makes her smile wide. The floors at \u003ca href=\"http://www.ikea.com/us/en/store/woodbridge\"\u003eIKEA\u003c/a\u003e are the bestest of all.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"heelys"},{"content":"\nBeen spending time in the kitchen, working on my fermentation chops. Haven’t you heard that fermentation is the new canning? Three half-pint jars of whey came from one container of organic yogurt, and now I am sneaking that stuff into all of my kids’ food. I made a batch of Carolina Slaw from the book Real Food Fermentation and it’s sitting quietly on the countertop, changing from one thing to another. The inside of the glass is thick with condensation after only two days.\nOn Sunday afternoon the kids and I kind of geeked out over the renovated and enlarged bulk foods section of our local Whole Foods. All three of us squealed with glee over the multicolored popcorn, and brought some home to try. The kernels fluffed white in the Dutch oven, the colors turning inside out. We chewed thoughtfully, remarking around mouthfuls that all of the colors seemed to taste the same.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/in-the-kitchen/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"whey\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-the-kitchen/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"slaw\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-the-kitchen/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"bulk\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-the-kitchen/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"rainbowcorn\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-the-kitchen/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeen spending time in the kitchen, working on my fermentation chops. Haven’t you heard that \u003ca href=\"http://www.ediblebrooklyn.com/featured-article/fermentation-fever/\"\u003efermentation is the new canning\u003c/a\u003e? Three half-pint jars of whey came from one container of organic yogurt, and now I am sneaking that stuff into all of my kids’ food. I made a batch of Carolina Slaw from the book \u003ca href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Real-Food-Fermentation-Preserving-Cultures/dp/1592537847\"\u003eReal Food Fermentation\u003c/a\u003e and it’s sitting quietly on the countertop, changing from one thing to another. The inside of the glass is thick with condensation after only two days.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"in the kitchen"},{"content":"\nI used blurb.com’s book creation software to prepare a gift for our host at Surfside Beach. I wrapped her book in the recycled paper with which I wrapped ceramic bowls at the checkout lane of my IKEA, and finished the wrapping with shells we gathered from the very beach shown in the book. She was thrilled with the gift, and it was passed around the dining room table from guest to guest at her birthday party. You can view a modified (omitting the most personal photos) preview of the book online by going here.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/surfside-the-book/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"blurb book packaging\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/surfside-the-book/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"blurb book cover\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/surfside-the-book/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"blurb book detail\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/surfside-the-book/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"blurb book detail\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/surfside-the-book/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"for sharon on her birthday\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/surfside-the-book/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI used blurb.com’s book creation software to prepare a gift for our host at Surfside Beach. I wrapped her book in the recycled paper with which I wrapped ceramic bowls at the checkout lane of my IKEA, and finished the wrapping with shells we gathered from the very beach shown in the book. She was thrilled with the gift, and it was passed around the dining room table from guest to guest at her birthday party. You can view a modified (omitting the most personal photos) preview of the book online by going \u003ca href=\"http://www.blurb.com/books/3412107\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"surfside (the book)"},{"content":"\nSprouted buckwheat groats, chopped tomatoes, sliced cucumber tossed with lime juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh mint and parsley. Recipe by the Gluten Free Hippie. I have begun sprouting grains and learning about lacto-fermentation, and have quit alcohol, caffeine and sugar (sigh), in a bid to prevent a recurrence of my disease. I’ve lost five pounds and so need to find new things to eat and pronto!\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/it-aint-chocolate/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"sprouted buckwheat salad\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/it-aint-chocolate/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSprouted buckwheat groats, chopped tomatoes, sliced cucumber tossed with lime juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh mint and parsley. Recipe by \u003ca href=\"http://www.glutenfreehippie.com/2008/02/sprouted-buckwheat-tabbouleh.html?m=1\"\u003ethe Gluten Free Hippie\u003c/a\u003e. I have begun sprouting grains and learning about lacto-fermentation, and have quit alcohol, caffeine and sugar (sigh), in a bid to prevent a recurrence of my disease. I’ve lost five pounds and so need to find new things to eat and pronto!\u003c/p\u003e","title":"it ain’t chocolate"},{"content":"\nTaken while going a little stir-crazy during my recovery.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/bad-hair-day-four-ways/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"bad hair day, four ways\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/bad-hair-day-four-ways/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaken while going a little stir-crazy during my recovery.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"bad hair day, four ways"},{"content":"\nOn a day trip away from Surfside, we walked around historic Charleston, SC. The air smelled of horses and ocean. As we walked up King Street from The Battery I peeked through countless wrought iron gates at the lovely private courtyards, which were my favorite part of the entire visit.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/charleston/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"surfside\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/charleston/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"surfside\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/charleston/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"surfside\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/charleston/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"surfside\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/charleston/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a day trip away from Surfside, we walked around historic Charleston, SC. The air smelled of horses and ocean. As we walked up King Street from The Battery I peeked through countless wrought iron gates at the lovely private courtyards, which were my favorite part of the entire visit.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"charleston"},{"content":"\nMy mind and heart were bleached clean by the sun and salt water during one June week in Surfside Beach, South Carolina. I found myself wanting to use my Canon again after years of disinterest. I’ll be sharing a few sets of shots from that week in the next few posts.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/surfside-beach-one/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"surfside\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/surfside-beach-one/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"surfside\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/surfside-beach-one/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"surfside\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/surfside-beach-one/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"surfside\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/surfside-beach-one/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"surfside\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/surfside-beach-one/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy mind and heart were \u003ca href=\"https://laurafrantz.com//wordpress/2012/07/hello-its-me.html\"\u003ebleached clean by the sun and salt water\u003c/a\u003e during one June week in Surfside Beach, South Carolina. I found myself wanting to use my Canon again after years of disinterest. I’ll be sharing a few sets of shots from that week in the next few posts.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"surfside beach | one"},{"content":"\nI’m staying cocooned in my home this week, working through each little pain and complication of last week’s surgery. The pain brings clarity of focus, and I find myself considering small details, like the banding on this teeny hand-thrown vase, for long moments.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/within/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"within\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/within/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m staying cocooned in my home this week, working through each little pain and complication of last week’s surgery. The pain brings clarity of focus, and I find myself considering small details, like the banding on this teeny hand-thrown vase, for long moments.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"within"},{"content":"\nI hear giggles mixed with serious discussion drifting up the stairs to my sick bed. I haul myself to standing, hobble to my camera, and tiptoe down the open stairs to see exactly how this day of their summer vacation is starting.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/monopoly/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"monopoly\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/monopoly/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI hear giggles mixed with serious discussion drifting up the stairs to my sick bed. I haul myself to standing, hobble to my camera, and tiptoe down the open stairs to see exactly how this day of their summer vacation is starting.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"monopoly"},{"content":"\nSurgery is over. I’m filled with gratitude for surviving, and I’m also in a lot of pain. Friends have been so kind, bringing flowers and meals, and my best friend has been at my side every minute. I will be in bed for a little while longer but have some good reads to keep me company.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/recovery/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"20120722-204611.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/recovery/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurgery is over. I’m filled with gratitude for surviving, and I’m also in a lot of pain. Friends have been so kind, bringing flowers and meals, and \u003ca href=\"http://johnfrantz.com/\"\u003emy best friend\u003c/a\u003e has been at my side every minute. I will be in bed for a little while longer but have some good reads to keep me company.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"recovery"},{"content":"\n“…and being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” ~ Luke 22:44\nI clear the dinner plates from the table, pile them into the sink and begin to rinse them off when the crushing weight of remembering hits me again, making my heart thump heavy. In three days my mind will know nothing.\nThe night before, I lay curled on our bed, weeping, terrible fear smothering reason. I asked John what happens to our souls when we are under anesthesia. He pulled wet ribbons of hair off of my cheeks and said our souls sleep, honey, we just go to sleep so we don’t feel pain.\nI stand in front of the sink and watch the water flow down from one rounded plate edge to the next, and I begin to think about Jesus in the garden, praying in the dark hours of the night. He understood exactly how His days in this world would end: “drawing the breath of life amid long drawn-out agony” on a hillside crossbeam, missing great portions of His flesh and most of His blood. In the garden, the knowing of what was to come caused Jesus unbearable suffering, and while His love brothers slept a stone’s throw away, His fear fell down around Him like fat raindrops.\nAnd yet when His prayers were complete, in an act of astonishing self-control, He rose from His knees for a third and final time and turned to face His fate.\nI finish the rinsing and file the plates away into the dishwasher. I wash down the kitchen counters in slow circles, the rhythmic motion soothing, and I whisper under my breath, not my will but Thine.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/my-soul-will-sleep/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"20120717-223257.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/my-soul-will-sleep/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“…and being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” ~ Luke 22:44\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI clear the dinner plates from the table, pile them into the sink and begin to rinse them off when the crushing weight of remembering hits me again, making my heart thump heavy. \u003cem\u003eIn three days my mind will know nothing.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe night before, I lay curled on our bed, weeping, terrible fear smothering reason. I asked John what happens to our souls when we are under anesthesia. He pulled wet ribbons of hair off of my cheeks and said \u003cem\u003eour souls sleep, honey, we just go to sleep so we don’t feel pain.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"My Soul Will Sleep"},{"content":"I stood at the edge of the tracks, very close, maybe too close. But I’d never had a train pass within feet of my body. I did not know what it felt like to be nudged by that great wave of air coming fast in front of the engine, and I wanted to know, just in case. So I stood close and felt a cracking pain in my eardrum when the whistle blew.\nThat night I lay awake in bed, unable to sleep, fear radiating out of my bones\n(I was sure my husband could feel this fear from across the bed)\nand I wondered if I would be alive in a week, or if maybe my very last earthly sensations will be the coldness of liquid anesthesia creeping through the needle in my arm and the remembered whistle of this train filling my ears to bursting.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/crossing/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI stood at the edge of the tracks, very close, maybe too close. But I’d never had a train pass within feet of my body. I did not know what it felt like to be nudged by that great wave of air coming fast in front of the engine, and I wanted to know, just in case. So I stood close and felt a cracking pain in my eardrum when the whistle blew.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"crossing"},{"content":"\nIt is kind of weird to be shopping at Whole Foods on a Sunday afternoon and come across a band standing in a little triangle-shaped space between the olive oil, fish fry counter and bulk dried beans, jamming their faces off. It’s even weirder when the music is actually incredibly good. I wedged my body between two parties of greasy-lipped diners woofing down their fried oysters to take these shots, but in my defense, I did give them the apologetic photog face.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/mixed-business/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"mixed business\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/mixed-business/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is kind of weird to be shopping at Whole Foods on a Sunday afternoon and come across \u003ca href=\"http://www.mixedbusinessmusic.com/Index.html\"\u003ea band\u003c/a\u003e standing in a little triangle-shaped space between the olive oil, fish fry counter and bulk dried beans, jamming their faces off. It’s even weirder when the music is actually incredibly good. I wedged my body between two parties of greasy-lipped diners woofing down their fried oysters to take these shots, but in my defense, I did give them the apologetic photog face.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"mixed business"},{"content":"\nI wonder if a butterfly hanging wet-winged and upside down from a slender branch doesn’t look up at the grass or down at the sky and think to herself, “Hello, Grass,” or “Hello, Sky, I have been away for a while. But I am here now.”\nIn June of 2010 started working full-time in order to provide for the family during a long financial dry spell. I found out quickly that I was not Super Woman. I failed often at work, excelled at nothing at home. I stopped writing, crafting, cooking, stopped playing a meaningful role in the homeschooling. The loss of eight, nine, ten hours of every one of my days forced me to abandon nearly every parenting practice and homekeeping habit that I held dear. It was all I could do to survive from day to day as I tried to keep work tasks, thoughts and stress from completely taking over my mind, body and spirit. I just…stopped making a home for my family. And after two years, this became a new normal, and I thought that this “who I am” was going to be forever.\nAnd then, last month, I spent a week with my family and some good friends in the sunshine and sea air. I walked beaches and collected shells, cooked simple meals for eight, and took pictures. My skin became bronzed, my long hair curled in the salt and damp.\nIn the quiet hours of that week, I came to understand that the overall breakdown of my family life had everything to do with the small choices I made every day. Grain by grain the hourglass is emptied and filled. I realized that in any life, every minute of the day must be used wisely to work towards a worthy goal. On the last evening of that trip, while standing at the edge of the Atlantic, I made a decision to make my life and my home into what I knew it could be.\nThat decision made at the seaside three weeks ago has had wonderfully positive effects at home. We’re living in more order, have initiated and begun garden and decorating projects, and the overall atmosphere swirling around us is hopeful and excited. The children are bright-eyed and enjoy their days. I have learned to fully refocus my brain on the things of home once my workday ends.\nAnd my posting here resumes, this site that is, was, and always will be a celebration of family life and people and places that I love. It feels good to be back.\nParting note: I’ve moved this site from a free Blogger blog to a privately-hosted WordPress site. If you are reading this in a feed reader, thank you so much for remaining subscribed to this desert of a journal, and, my God, either you are a special breed of person, or you haven’t dethatched your feed in many moons.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/hello-its-me/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"scotty\u0026rsquo;s beach bar\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/hello-its-me/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI wonder if a butterfly hanging wet-winged and upside down from a slender branch doesn’t look up at the grass or down at the sky and think to herself, “Hello, Grass,” or “Hello, Sky, I have been away for a while. But I am here now.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn June of 2010 started working full-time in order to provide for the family during a long financial dry spell. I found out quickly that I was not Super Woman. I failed often at work, excelled at nothing at home. I stopped writing, crafting, cooking, stopped playing a meaningful role in the homeschooling. The loss of eight, nine, ten hours of every one of my days forced me to abandon nearly every parenting practice and homekeeping habit that I held dear. It was all I could do to survive from day to day as I tried to keep work tasks, thoughts and stress from completely taking over my mind, body and spirit. I just…\u003cem\u003estopped making a home for my family\u003c/em\u003e. And after two years, this became a new normal, and I thought that this “who I am” was going to be forever.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"hello, it’s me"},{"content":"\nThe older men always doze on the evening bus ride back to suburbia. Their heads nod in unison, lowering to their chests, and with each pneumatic sighing press of the brakes, their heads flick upright, as if mounted on hinges, and so they nod their agreement that, yes, their days are numbered.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/prayer/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/prayer/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe older men always doze on the evening bus ride back to suburbia. Their heads nod in unison, lowering to their chests, and with each pneumatic sighing press of the brakes, their heads flick upright, as if mounted on hinges, and so they nod their agreement that, yes, their days are numbered.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"prayer"},{"content":"\nThree of my photos have been selected to be a part of the InstantDC Mobile Photography Show 2011, sponsored by the DC Ad Club and APA and in partnership with FotoweekDC. Opening night is Wednesday, November 9th at Interface Media Group, 1233 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC. I attended this same show last year as a wannabe. I moved from grouping to grouping and wondered if I’d ever be “good enough” to have anything of mine hanging next to anything of theirs. Crazy stuff.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/instantdc-2011/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/instantdc-2011/image-01_hu_f56e352c30880c88.webp 480w, /posts/instantdc-2011/image-01_hu_8946fd91d36f8828.webp 720w, /posts/instantdc-2011/image-01_hu_901b187f5d2b18cc.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/instantdc-2011/image-01_hu_8db6f65a1081899b.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/instantdc-2011/image-02_hu_d15642cd2cde7e07.webp 480w, /posts/instantdc-2011/image-02_hu_2a6aa4ea1ebe933d.webp 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/instantdc-2011/image-02_hu_4c85a610a91fdf7c.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree of my photos have been selected to be a part of the InstantDC Mobile Photography Show 2011, sponsored by the DC Ad Club and APA and in partnership with FotoweekDC. Opening night is Wednesday, November 9th at Interface Media Group, 1233 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC. I attended this same show last year as a wannabe. I moved from grouping to grouping and wondered if I’d ever be “good enough” to have anything of mine hanging next to anything of theirs. Crazy stuff.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"instantdc 2011"},{"content":"\nI can’t describe what a joy it is to have a son. This bedroom of his speaks volumes about the person he’s becoming…if you can read the clues.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/his-room/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"sea panels II\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/his-room/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"his spot\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/his-room/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI can’t describe what a joy it is to have a son. This bedroom of his speaks volumes about the person he’s becoming…if you can read the clues.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"his room"},{"content":"\nI wanted to sleep through this very grey and rainy day in Virginia last week. Instead I stared at the green of this cutting and imagined spring.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/curve/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"curve\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/curve/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI wanted to sleep through this very grey and rainy day in Virginia last week. Instead I stared at the green of this cutting and imagined spring.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"curve"},{"content":"\nIt was slippery outside this morning, too slippery to run. I made maple oatmeal scones instead. We sipped coffee and read about dinosaurs, then I retreated to the home office to begin my day.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/tuesday-morning/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"tuesday morning\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/tuesday-morning/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was slippery outside this morning, too slippery to run. I made maple oatmeal scones instead. We sipped coffee and read about dinosaurs, then I retreated to the home office to begin my day.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"tuesday morning"},{"content":"\nWe walked. The rivulets running across the path were choked with layers of leaves, mud and twigs, and thick, dark clumps stuck to the sides of my boots. I hugged my camera to my belly and hopped across rocks through deeper, freely running waters. They ran ahead, but I lingered at the sides of the path. Brittle mushroom skins covered a tree with brown, curling scales. I stooped to feel moss and bark. I turned to admire an empty peanut shell in a hollow. A single red berry clung to the end of a dark red, thorny stem. I heard their voices calling to me from deep within the wood. I looked up, and found that I was alone.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/late-winter-walk/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"journal-64\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/late-winter-walk/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe walked. The rivulets running across the path were choked with layers of leaves, mud and twigs, and thick, dark clumps stuck to the sides of my boots. I hugged my camera to my belly and hopped across rocks through deeper, freely running waters. They ran ahead, but I lingered at the sides of the path. Brittle mushroom skins covered a tree with brown, curling scales. I stooped to feel moss and bark. I turned to admire an empty peanut shell in a hollow. A single red berry clung to the end of a dark red, thorny stem. I heard their voices calling to me from deep within the wood. I looked up, and found that I was alone.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"late winter walk"},{"content":"\nHappy December! I’m downloading lusselatter recipes and making lots of plans for the month. I’m also listening to **Silje Nes** obsessively.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/december/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"christmas\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/december/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHappy December! I’m downloading lusselatter recipes and making lots of plans for the month. I’m also listening to **\u003ca href=\"http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/artist/Silje+Nes\"\u003eSilje Nes**\u003c/a\u003e obsessively.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"december!"},{"content":"\n**ACKC** on 14th Street NW. Can\u0026rsquo;t even describe how perfect **The Audrey** was, a cupful of melty bi[\u0026hellip;]\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/ackc/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"ackc bar\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/ackc/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e**\u003ca href=\"http://www.thecocoagallery.com/locn_dc.htm\"\u003eACKC**\u003c/a\u003e on 14th Street NW. Can\u0026rsquo;t even describe how perfect **\u003ca href=\"http://www.thecocoagallery.com/menu_cafe.htm\"\u003eThe Audrey**\u003c/a\u003e was, a cupful of melty bi[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e","title":"ackc"},{"content":"\nAn extremely pierced, pretty woman watched from the other side of the glass as we approached from the street. She pushed a grey button on the wall to release the door, and we walked inside **Fathom Creative**. The **instant dc** exhibit was spread out across the walls of the second floor space, and I spent the next 45 minutes geeking out over the work, entirely comprised of iPhoneography. If I didn’t have iPhone envy before, I am a hurting unit now. The second shot from the bottom is a special message painted on the bathroom wall above the toilet for those gallery visitors who stand while using the “facilities”.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/instant-dc/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"instantdc@fathom\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/instant-dc/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"instant dc diptych\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/instant-dc/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"oh, jim darling\u0026hellip;\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/instant-dc/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"view from the loo @ fathom creative\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/instant-dc/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"self@instantdc\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/instant-dc/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn extremely pierced, pretty woman watched from the other side of the glass as we approached from the street. She pushed a grey button on the wall to release the door, and we walked inside **\u003ca href=\"http://www.fathomcreative.com/\"\u003eFathom Creative**\u003c/a\u003e. The **\u003ca href=\"http://instantdc.com/\"\u003einstant dc**\u003c/a\u003e exhibit was spread out across the walls of the second floor space, and I spent the next 45 minutes geeking out over the work, entirely comprised of iPhoneography. If I didn’t have iPhone envy before, I am a hurting unit now. The second shot from the bottom is a special message painted on the bathroom wall above the toilet for those gallery visitors who stand while using the “facilities”.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"instant dc"},{"content":"\nThis is my office away from the office. Wooden bowls on my windowsill hold treasures gathered and formed by little hands.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/home-office/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"home office\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/home-office/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"nest\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/home-office/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is my office away from the office. Wooden bowls on my windowsill hold treasures gathered and formed by little hands.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"home/office"},{"content":"\nWe have many nests in our home. They are filled with rocks, shells, eggs, toys, and husks. The cicada husk reminds me of one hot summer in Virginia when my daughter was small and the cicadas flew thick and loud. I found the fuzzy bee body on the back deck one fall morning, but I haven’t had the time to figure out its species.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/husks/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"husk\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/husks/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have many nests in our home. They are filled with rocks, shells, eggs, toys, and husks. The cicada husk reminds me of one hot summer in Virginia when my daughter was small and the cicadas flew thick and loud. I found the fuzzy bee body on the back deck one fall morning, but I haven’t had the time to figure out its species.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"husks"},{"content":"\nThis is where my children spend their days learning, only Daddy does the teaching now. They like to listen to Bach while they study. Or so I’m told.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/home-school/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"home/school\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/home-school/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"in jars\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/home-school/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"marbrees\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/home-school/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"curridiculous\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/home-school/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is where my children spend their days learning, only Daddy does the teaching now. They like to listen to Bach while they study. Or so I’m told.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"home/school"},{"content":"\nA sign hangs at the beginning of the long driveway, but I only catch the first word, Woods, white painted letters on dark pine. We pass fenced pastures dotted with small barns and stands of tall trees, only tufts of orange and brown leaves left at their very tops, their bodies spare streaks below. The horses lift their heads as we pass. We park under an old maple and haul folding chairs, blankets, and backpacks holding flashlights and sweatshirts past the farm house and into the back yard where the gathering has started.\nThis is Angelina’s farm. She is a former lawyer turned farm-owner. Her long, black hair hangs down her back, almost brushing her thick leather belt. Many of her family are here, and friends, and friends of friends like we are, standing around the food tables or sitting in small groups. Children run through and between the barns, jump into the leaf piles and then pull poking leaf bones from their hair and pockets. The sun hangs low. Thick rays skim the tops of the dry branches piled high in the fire pit. The air smells of horse and hay, salad dressing and vegetable stew, grass and sun-warmed wood.\nWe eat and laugh. The men pick up guitars and try out a tune or two. The grey mare gives rides to the little ones, circling in the pea gravel until the passing three wheeler spooks her to a standstill. The sky deepens and the barn darkens as the children take turns swinging blindly at a pinata hanging from a cross beam. One final crack of the broom handle and candy pours from the fatal wound onto the cement floor.\nThe moon is round and orange. The sweet mares whinny for attention and carrots from their fences. We sit near the fire and watch the bats make laps around the horse barn, passing in front of the floodlight with each go-around. We circle little limbs and pull blanket corners down and around body edges. A flashlight hunt for a lost belonging takes place in the giant leaf pile; we hear a shout of victory and know that what was once lost is now found. Sparks fly upward.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/woods-edge/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"woodshed\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/woods-edge/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"sweetgirl\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/woods-edge/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"gee-tars\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/woods-edge/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"as sure as\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/woods-edge/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"ancestors\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/woods-edge/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA sign hangs at the beginning of the long driveway, but I only catch the first word, \u003cem\u003eWoods\u003c/em\u003e, white painted letters on dark pine. We pass fenced pastures dotted with small barns and stands of tall trees, only tufts of orange and brown leaves left at their very tops, their bodies spare streaks below. The horses lift their heads as we pass. We park under an old maple and haul folding chairs, blankets, and backpacks holding flashlights and sweatshirts past the farm house and into the back yard where the gathering has started.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"woods edge"},{"content":"\nWhen we are here there is no hurrying and no herding and no lunch-packing, no prying small hands off of my body, no pushes toward the school door, no blue eyes full of longing to be home. We walk along the bay bottom at low tide and dig, and we poke at slimy things with long sticks. We pick up the hermit crabs, and we talk about how we love our visits to the beach, and we don’t talk about the times in between. We are different people when we are here.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/its-always-ourselves-we-find-in-the-sea/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"it\u0026rsquo;s always ourselves we find in the sea\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/its-always-ourselves-we-find-in-the-sea/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"as large as alone\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/its-always-ourselves-we-find-in-the-sea/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we are here there is no hurrying and no herding and no lunch-packing, no prying small hands off of my body, no pushes toward the school door, no blue eyes full of longing to be home. We walk along the bay bottom at low tide and dig, and we poke at slimy things with long sticks. We pick up the hermit crabs, and we talk about how we love our visits to the beach, and we don’t talk about the times in between. We are different people when we are here.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"it’s always ourselves we find in the sea"},{"content":"\nFour cousins who had never met became fast friends. The brothers gave a free concert to the frogs in the pond, and the frogs gave a free concert back to the brothers. And I floated barefoot throug[\u0026hellip;]\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/a-wedding/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"ivy\u0026rsquo;s wedding\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-wedding/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFour cousins who had never met became fast friends. The brothers gave a free concert to the frogs in the pond, and the frogs gave a free concert back to the brothers. And I floated barefoot throug[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e","title":"a wedding"},{"content":"\nI turned 37 years old on an eastbound Metro train. Two German women sat talking across the aisle from me. I caught every tenth word or so. A Vietnam veteran and his family waved from the front of the car, thanking me again for guiding them through their passcard purchase back at the Vienna station. A warm and little six year-old hand rested on my belly skin for comfort. I closed my eyes and felt the curve of the tracks beneath me.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/thirty-seven/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/thirty-seven/image-01_hu_5e140cc87fa0958a.webp 480w, /posts/thirty-seven/image-01_hu_2090c9005fc56bcd.webp 720w, /posts/thirty-seven/image-01_hu_31340a4989f2c4b0.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/thirty-seven/image-01_hu_ee7d5f5c9ebe672d.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI turned 37 years old on an eastbound Metro train. Two German women sat talking across the aisle from me. I caught every tenth word or so. A Vietnam veteran and his family waved from the front of the car, thanking me again for guiding them through their passcard purchase back at the Vienna station. A warm and little six year-old hand rested on my belly skin for comfort. I closed my eyes and felt the curve of the tracks beneath me.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"thirty seven"},{"content":"This morning we discovered in a most comical way that my eight year old is a grapheme-color synesthete, meaning that, in her mind, each letter of the alphabet has a color associated with it. Words have colors, too, usually based on their first letter but not always. Watch the video for an explanation of our discovery, and a demonstration. I am amazed that I have been her mother for eight years and never knew this about her, and she is amazed that not everyone “feels” colors in letters and words like she does. She would like to know if there are other girl synesthetes out there with whom she may correspond, so we’re putting out a call to other color-feelers. What color is your “A”?\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/grapheme-color-synesthesia-or-the-word-irritating-is-orange/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThis morning we discovered in a most comical way that my eight year old is a grapheme-color synesthete, meaning that, in her mind, each letter of the alphabet has a color associated with it. Words have colors, too, usually based on their first letter but not always. Watch the video for an explanation of our discovery, and a demonstration. I am amazed that I have been her mother for eight years and never knew this about her, and she is amazed that not everyone “feels” colors in letters and words like she does. She would like to know if there are other girl synesthetes out there with whom she may correspond, so we’re putting out a call to other color-feelers. What color is your “A”?\u003c/p\u003e","title":"grapheme-color synesthesia; or, the word “irritating” is orange!"},{"content":"\nLast week we sat together on a single chair at Starbucks, waiting for our Frappucino. I piled her long limbs into my lap and circled her with my arms, holding in her angles and big feet. I rubbed my nose into her hair, and she closed her eyes. “You two are so in love,” said a woman to us in passing. “That’s so rare to see.”\nShe lingered in the kitchen with me all of this morning while I made scones and coffee. She slipped out for a few minutes, then returned and handed me this card. I whispered my thanks into her sweet, soft neck.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/daughter-love/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"my card\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/daughter-love/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLast week we sat together on a single chair at Starbucks, waiting for our Frappucino. I piled her long limbs into my lap and circled her with my arms, holding in her angles and big feet. I rubbed my nose into her hair, and she closed her eyes. “You two are so in love,” said a woman to us in passing. “That’s so rare to see.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe lingered in the kitchen with me all of this morning while I made scones and coffee. She slipped out for a few minutes, then returned and handed me this card. I whispered my thanks into her sweet, soft neck.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"daughter love"},{"content":"\nMy part of the world is being hit hard by the Orange Death. Thick deposits of Tang-colored powder cover my c[\u0026hellip;]\nI\u0026rsquo;ve been coordinating with editors on some submissions that are already on retainer. I\u0026rsquo;ve been sending queries, which makes me feel like a trollop begging for fifteen minutes in the backseat.[\u0026hellip;]\nPeople, I am in trouble. Simply sitting back down at the computer does not end the procrastination insanity. The Internet is like a giant window that looks out on a giant stand of maple trees that[\u0026hellip;]\n+ Analogue Daydreams, a documentary-style amateur video explaining the art of Holga photography\n+ A video interview with Karen Laborie, illustrator and friend. I spent two summers at her home in southeast France when I was a teenager, and now sh[\u0026hellip;]\n+ Brian Ferry (no, not of Roxy Music) takes the best pictures and makes some great mixes on 8tracks, too\n+ My kids and I have been laughing for two days over all the franglais on the McDonald\u0026rsquo;s France website. \u0026ldquo;Le cheeseburger\u0026rdquo; hits their funny bone especially hard [\u0026hellip;]\n+ I\u0026rsquo;ve been half-heartedly monitoring the mass-hysteria resulting from [ABC\u0026rsquo;s story on unschooling](http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/unschooling-homeschooling-book-tests-classes/story?id=1[...]\n+ Listening to WQJZ\u0026rsquo;s live webcast, complete with commercials for Delmarva businesses, makes me feel like I\u0026rsquo;m at the beach house in Dela[\u0026hellip;]\nOK. Back to work, if one can in fact call compulsively checking email \u0026ldquo;work\u0026rdquo;.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/a-head-full-of-fluff/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"pollen\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-head-full-of-fluff/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"helicopters\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-head-full-of-fluff/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"cuffs\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-head-full-of-fluff/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"grounds\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-head-full-of-fluff/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/05/AR2010040503721.html\"\u003eMy part of the world is being hit hard by the Orange Death\u003c/a\u003e. Thick deposits of Tang-colored powder cover my c[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI\u0026rsquo;ve been coordinating with editors on some submissions that are already on retainer. I\u0026rsquo;ve been sending queries, which makes me feel like a trollop begging for fifteen minutes in the backseat.[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeople, I am in trouble. Simply sitting back down at the computer does not end the procrastination insanity. The Internet is like a giant window that looks out on a giant stand of maple trees that[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e","title":"a head full of fluff"},{"content":"\nJohn’s late grandmother would sit here in her Jordache cut-offs and read in the evenings, her feet propped up on the ottoman and a glass of watered-down wine beside her. At low tide, a warm breeze would come to her through the sliding glass door, smelling of muck and mussels and ruffling the pages of her book.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/beach-house-ellens-corner/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"ellenschair\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/beach-house-ellens-corner/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn’s late grandmother would sit here in her Jordache cut-offs and read in the evenings, her feet propped up on the ottoman and a glass of watered-down wine beside her. At low tide, a warm breeze would come to her through the sliding glass door, smelling of muck and mussels and ruffling the pages of her book.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"beach house | ellen’s corner"},{"content":"\nWe weren’t really lost; we could see the house just across the cove. But the fields were so very cold and muddy, and the winds came off the water and whipped stinging sand at our eyes and mouths, making the evening seem desperate and epic. And so our thoughts and conversation turned to fire and food and warmth and shelter. The Muscari pushed toward the sunset, unfeeling, insensitive to our struggle for survival.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/james-farm/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/james-farm/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/james-farm/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/james-farm/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe weren’t really lost; we could see the house just across the cove. But the fields were so very cold and muddy, and the winds came off the water and whipped stinging sand at our eyes and mouths, making the evening seem desperate and epic. And so our thoughts and conversation turned to fire and food and warmth and shelter. The Muscari pushed toward the sunset, unfeeling, insensitive to our struggle for survival.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"james farm"},{"content":"\nI found it at the edge of the Atlantic, lifeless, grey, sliding in the foam. The pain of the frigid waters shot up my legs as I darted in to pluck the ocean’s dead from her shallows. The white last now sits on my window sill, the trophy of a landlocked housewife.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/desecration/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"last\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/desecration/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found it at the edge of the Atlantic, lifeless, grey, sliding in the foam. The pain of the frigid waters shot up my legs as I darted in to pluck the ocean’s dead from her shallows. The white last now sits on my window sill, the trophy of a landlocked housewife.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"desecration"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/a-walk-to-chinatown/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"paddle boats\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-walk-to-chinatown/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"engraving\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-walk-to-chinatown/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the wonder\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-walk-to-chinatown/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"lamp\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-walk-to-chinatown/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"att\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-walk-to-chinatown/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the gate\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-walk-to-chinatown/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"starbucks bokeh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-walk-to-chinatown/image-07.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"a walk to chinatown"},{"content":"\nI am very glad that I am not a mama pig. Wait a minute. My young roll around in the mud, too. Maybe I am a mama pig. If so, I got gypped in the boob department.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/oink/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"mud\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/oink/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"boobage\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/oink/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am very glad that I am not a mama pig. Wait a minute. My young roll around in the mud, too. Maybe I am a mama pig. If so, I got gypped in the boob department.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"oink"},{"content":"\nSchool in the mornings, play in the afternoons, writing at night after everyone else has fallen asleep, so the days pass here. Our days have found a new rhythm that quite resembles the old…well, except for the sun. The new kitchen and dining room get lots and lots of delicious morning sun. I love nothing more than to sit in it and bake my poor bones, made frigid by five years spent in one of the snowiest, cloudiest, rainiest cities in the States. I’m not sure when I’ll ever be warm again. We’re heading to the National Zoo on the Metro today to see Cyrano the giant anteater. I wonder if he likes sitting in the sun, too?\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/our-days/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/our-days/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSchool in the mornings, play in the afternoons, writing at night after everyone else has fallen asleep, so the days pass here. Our days have found a new rhythm that quite resembles the old…well, except for the sun. The new kitchen and dining room get lots and lots of delicious morning sun. I love nothing more than to sit in it and bake my poor bones, made frigid by five years spent in one of the snowiest, cloudiest, rainiest cities in the States. I’m not sure when I’ll ever be warm again. We’re heading to the National Zoo on the Metro today to see \u003ca href=\"http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Amazonia/Anteater/\"\u003eCyrano the giant anteater\u003c/a\u003e. I wonder if he likes sitting in the sun, too?\u003c/p\u003e","title":"our days"},{"content":"\nThe walking path was covered with seed pods. The kids thought they looked like alien faces. They found a squirrel’s nest that had fallen from a tree and poked it with sticks, looking for life. Most everything along the path was brown and grey, except for bright green patches of moss at the base of some trees, and the river itself, colored green by long ribbons of algae that quivered in the current.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/river-walk/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/river-walk/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe walking path was covered with seed pods. The kids thought they looked like alien faces. They found a squirrel’s nest that had fallen from a tree and poked it with sticks, looking for life. Most everything along the path was brown and grey, except for bright green patches of moss at the base of some trees, and the river itself, colored green by long ribbons of algae that quivered in the current.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"river walk"},{"content":"\nOne packing problem specific to LP owners: I keep getting distracted by all the eye candy. I’m a sucker for album art. Check out the LPCover Lover blog for more awesome album covers.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/the-problem-with-packing/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"peter and the wolf album art | 18:365\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-problem-with-packing/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne packing problem specific to LP owners: I keep getting distracted by all the eye candy. I’m a sucker for album art. Check out the \u003ca href=\"http://lpcoverlover.com/\"\u003eLPCover Lover blog\u003c/a\u003e for more awesome album covers.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"the problem with packing"},{"content":"\n“We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” — Ray Bradbury, on writing\nWriting is one of the most important components of our homeschool. I want my children to enjoy their journaling, narrations and compositions, and in my experience the feel of one’s notebooks contributes to the overall appeal, or lack thereof, of the work at hand. The standard, black and white marbled covers of their history, science and language arts notebooks not only threatened to make dull work out of a task that should be meaningful and pleasant, but also threatened to trigger one of my migraines. I covered them up with bits from my fabric stash: hers are covered in a petite Japanese print, his are covered with a bold graphic Ikea print. Their notebooks are now personalized, soft, comforting, ready to receive.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/handmade-homeschool-notebook-covers/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/handmade-homeschool-notebook-covers/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/handmade-homeschool-notebook-covers/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/handmade-homeschool-notebook-covers/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” — Ray Bradbury, on writing\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWriting is one of the most important components of our homeschool. I want my children to enjoy their journaling, narrations and compositions, and in my experience the feel of one’s notebooks contributes to the overall appeal, or lack thereof, of the work at hand. The standard, black and white marbled covers of their history, science and language arts notebooks not only threatened to make dull work out of a task that should be meaningful and pleasant, but also threatened to trigger one of my migraines. I covered them up with bits from my fabric stash: hers are covered in a petite Japanese print, his are covered with a bold graphic Ikea print. Their notebooks are now personalized, soft, comforting, ready to receive.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"handmade homeschool notebook covers"},{"content":"\nI use a sharp paring knife to remove a cone from the center of each cooled cake, the last step before filling each one with creamy, delicious, Fluff-based guts. Out of the corner of my eye, I see half-filled moving boxes in the living room, waiting their turn. Then the oven timer rings: the pizza dough is ready to divide and shape. At this rate, by the time this house is packed and ready to go, I may no longer be able to fit into any of my jeans.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/procrastination-can-be-delicious-you-know/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"homemade hostess cupcakes\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/procrastination-can-be-delicious-you-know/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI use a sharp paring knife to remove a cone from the center of each cooled cake, the last step before filling each one with creamy, delicious, Fluff-based guts. Out of the corner of my eye, I see half-filled moving boxes in the living room, waiting their turn. Then the oven timer rings: the pizza dough is ready to divide and shape. At this rate, by the time this house is packed and \u003ca href=\"https://laurafrantz.com//2010/01/three-weeks.html\"\u003eready to go\u003c/a\u003e, I may no longer be able to fit into any of my jeans.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"procrastination can be delicious, you know"},{"content":"\nThis night I watched a man at the bar stroke his wife’s hair over and over again. I watched women and men stumble around the makeshift dance floor in front of the band. I watched my husband strain to hit some high notes while nailing most of them. I crouched in corners behind my camera. If life was a spectator sport, I’d be world champion.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/new-years-eve-2009/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/new-years-eve-2009/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/new-years-eve-2009/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/new-years-eve-2009/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/new-years-eve-2009/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/new-years-eve-2009/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/new-years-eve-2009/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis night I watched a man at the bar stroke his wife’s hair over and over again. I watched women and men stumble around the makeshift dance floor in front of the band. I watched my husband strain to hit some high notes while nailing most of them. I crouched in corners behind my camera. If life was a spectator sport, I’d be world champion.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"new year’s eve 2009"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/eight-words/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"eight words\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/eight-words/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"eight words"},{"content":"\nI made a world for them. When I couldn\u0026rsquo;t find the perfect bunny house for sale, I glued wood and moss and stone, late into the night. I crafted grass, and a pond, and a path between the two bunn[\u0026hellip;]\nI love you.\nI believe in you.\nI am so happy to be your mommy.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/a-world/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-world/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-world/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-world/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-world/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-world/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-world/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI made a world for them. When I couldn\u0026rsquo;t find the perfect bunny house for sale, I glued wood and moss and stone, late into the night. I crafted grass, and a pond, and a path between the two bunn[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eI love you.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eI believe in you.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eI am so happy to be your mommy.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"a world"},{"content":"\nLast night I had such a vivid dream of the beach house in December: huddling against the bitter wind blowing through the uninsulated front wall, trying to coax water to flow through frozen pipes and out the tap. The winter will be long.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/dreams/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the big storm | sunset bath\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/dreams/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLast night I had such a vivid dream of the \u003ca href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurafrantz/sets/72157603505321889/\"\u003ebeach house\u003c/a\u003e in December: huddling against the bitter wind blowing through the uninsulated front wall, trying to coax water to flow through frozen pipes and out the tap. The winter will be long.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"dreams"},{"content":"\nWe’ve decorated our tree (suffering only a few ornament casualties) and had a jolly Saint Nicholas celebration, with our favorite sour cream coffee cake taking the place of the Dundee cake of old. We are reading our favorite Christmas stories. When the kids are at school I am quite busy crafting presents in between bits of “real” work. So much to do yet.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/countdown/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"mrs tiggywinkle\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/countdown/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"broken\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/countdown/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"sour cream coffee cake\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/countdown/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"favorites\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/countdown/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe’ve decorated our tree (suffering only a few ornament casualties) and had a jolly Saint Nicholas celebration, with our favorite sour cream coffee cake taking the place of the Dundee cake of old. We are reading our favorite Christmas stories. When the kids are at school I am quite busy crafting presents in between bits of “real” work. So much to do yet.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"countdown"},{"content":"\nOne short vanilla breve and one short hot cocoa to go before hitting the grocery store. No boys. Big smiles.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/girls/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"la marzocco @ freedom of espresso\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/girls/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"rear view\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/girls/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne short vanilla breve and one short hot cocoa to go before hitting the grocery store. No boys. Big smiles.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"girls"},{"content":"\nI forgot to arrange a sitter, so I sent him without me. Part of me wanted to go, but I was afraid I’d have nothing to say to them. I didn’t realize he was going to come home so late and so hungry.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/late/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"fridge\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/late/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI forgot to arrange a sitter, so I sent him without me. Part of me wanted to go, but I was afraid I’d have nothing to say to them. I didn’t realize he was going to come home so late and so hungry.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"late"},{"content":"\nWhen it’s twelve degrees outside on New Year’s Day, it’s important to stay near the fire, have a guitar dance party, and drink eat leftovers for dinner.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/twelve-degrees/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"my kind of leftovers\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/twelve-degrees/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it’s twelve degrees outside on New Year’s Day, it’s important to stay near the fire, have a guitar dance party, and \u003cdel\u003edrink\u003c/del\u003e eat leftovers for dinner.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"twelve degrees"},{"content":"\nThe first time I visited the website of accomplished Stockholm-based illustrator Ingela P. Arrhenius, she was coincidentally having a giveaway. I entered, and to my great surprise I won this studly little Swedish man. He now sits on our nature table and watches over the children as they do their homework. He has found a compatriot in my grandfather’s Dala horse.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/ralf/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"package\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/ralf/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"ralf close up with note\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/ralf/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"ralf\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/ralf/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first time I visited the website of accomplished Stockholm-based illustrator \u003ca href=\"http://www.ingelaparrhenius.com/\"\u003eIngela P. Arrhenius\u003c/a\u003e, she was coincidentally having a giveaway. I entered, and to my great surprise I won this studly little Swedish man. He now sits on our nature table and watches over the children as they do their homework. He has found a compatriot in my grandfather’s Dala horse.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"ralf"},{"content":"\nThis walleyed draft snake came out of the swirling flokati rug mist and took his place along the bottom edge of our front door, full of kitty litter and all business.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/a-face-only-a-mother-could-love/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"draft snake\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-face-only-a-mother-could-love/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis walleyed draft snake came out of the swirling flokati rug mist and took his place along the bottom edge of our front door, full of kitty litter and all business.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"a face only a mother could love"},{"content":"\nI do like this time of year, when the outside colors are shifting from vibrance to reserve, diving deeper down into their end season. I, for one, think grays and browns are quite lovely, and bittersweet.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/shift/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"pile blur\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/shift/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI do like this time of year, when the outside colors are shifting from vibrance to reserve, diving deeper down into their end season. I, for one, think grays and browns are quite lovely, and bittersweet.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"shift"},{"content":"\nWarm cookies and gloomy skies are the October norm in central New York. He was home all week with the flu. We sat next to each other on the couch, our respective laptops at hand. She wished for fl[\u0026hellip;]\nPost script: Our chalkboard wall was [featured on the lovely Ohdeedoh today](http://[\u0026hellip;]\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/after-school/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"after school\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/after-school/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWarm cookies and gloomy skies are the October norm in central New York. He was home all week with the flu. We sat next to each other on the couch, our respective laptops at hand. She wished for fl[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePost script: Our \u003ca href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurafrantz/3277050658/\"\u003echalkboard\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurafrantz/3974300217/\"\u003ewall\u003c/a\u003e was [featured on the lovely Ohdeedoh today](http://[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e","title":"after school"},{"content":"\nA classic dinner scene at the beach. I am honored that this shot was chosen as photo of the day today over at The Maternal Lens.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/cereal-at-night/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"cereal for dinner\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/cereal-at-night/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA classic dinner scene at the beach. I am honored that this shot was chosen as \u003ca href=\"http://thematernallens.blogspot.com/2009/10/photo-of-day-wednesday_21.html\"\u003ephoto of the day\u003c/a\u003e today over at \u003ca href=\"http://thematernallens.blogspot.com/\"\u003eThe Maternal Lens\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"cereal at night"},{"content":"\nAs I watched this day end I somehow knew that I was really watching the end of a season. When we left the next morning, the air had turned much colder. The leaves that lined the turnpike with fire on our way down turned brown and curled in the wake of our speeding northbound minivan.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/the-last-sunset/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"i carry your heart_4018246084_o\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-last-sunset/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs I watched this day end I somehow knew that I was really watching the end of a season. When we left the next morning, the air had turned much colder. The leaves that lined the turnpike with fire on our way down turned brown and curled in the wake of our speeding northbound minivan.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"the last sunset"},{"content":"\nWhen they got home from school they began filling the boxes with their plans, hopes and dreams for the month.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/october-chalkboard-wall-calendar/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"october\u0026rsquo;s chalkboard\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/october-chalkboard-wall-calendar/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen they got home from school they began filling the boxes with their plans, hopes and dreams for the month.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"october chalkboard wall calendar"},{"content":"\nI am not the only one who waits at the window for my little friends’ return.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/on-the-sill/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"waiting for the school bus\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/on-the-sill/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am not the only one who waits at the window for my little friends’ return.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"on the sill"},{"content":"\nI could have tried to describe with words the unbearable cuteness of the three tiny peppers that grew in my garden this summer, but the camera makes easy work of it. Next: Laura sews tiny clothes for the peppers and stages a pepper puppet show.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/red-pepper-garden-fail/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"red pepper garden fail: the nest\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/red-pepper-garden-fail/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"red pepper garden fail: garlic\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/red-pepper-garden-fail/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"red pepper garden fail: soup can\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/red-pepper-garden-fail/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI could have tried to describe with words the unbearable cuteness of the three tiny peppers that grew in my garden this summer, but the camera makes easy work of it. Next: Laura sews tiny clothes for the peppers and stages a pepper puppet show.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"red pepper garden fail!"},{"content":"\nCooler weather brings the smell of green coffee beans roasting out on our back deck. We all wait quietly and listen for first crack. The beans are best the day after roasting. And the coffee is smooth and delicious.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/roasting-coffee-home/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"first crack\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/roasting-coffee-home/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"beans\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/roasting-coffee-home/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCooler weather brings the smell of green coffee beans roasting out on our back deck. We all wait quietly and listen for \u003ca href=\"http://www.sweetmarias.com/roasting-VisualGuideV2.php\"\u003efirst crack\u003c/a\u003e. The beans are best the day after roasting. And the coffee is smooth and delicious.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"roasting coffee @ home"},{"content":"\nIt was hard work. I had to lift heavy pine branches over my head to finish the lean-to, and while I held still to staple the sides of the tee pees, the mosquitoes nearly ate my face off. In fact, one bit me on the left side of my lower lip, and I have been doing dead-on Silvester Stallone impressions all afternoon. Adriaaaaaaan!\nI wanted to tell them no, because I am old and tired and over-caffeinated. But this was the first weekend after the first week of a new school year, the end of the first week of our new days spent more apart than together. So I said yes instead. Yes, I will play with you. Yes, I like what you do. Yes, I love you.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/i-said-yes/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"sticks + fabric + staple gun = tee pees_3917011224_o\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/i-said-yes/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was hard work. I had to lift heavy pine branches over my head to finish the lean-to, and while I held still to staple the sides of the tee pees, the mosquitoes nearly ate my face off. In fact, one bit me on the left side of my lower lip, and I have been doing dead-on Silvester Stallone impressions all afternoon. \u003cem\u003eAdriaaaaaaan!\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"i said yes"},{"content":"\nOur family is going through a time of necessary change. This new season in our lives is exciting, and nerve-wracking, and emotionally exhausting. Some of us are pining away for what was, and some of us are straining toward the new adventure. Some of us find ourselves standing, bewildered and in between, like a transmission half-received.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/to-everything-there-is-a-season/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/to-everything-there-is-a-season/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOur family is going through a time of necessary change. This new season in our lives is exciting, and nerve-wracking, and emotionally exhausting. Some of us are pining away for what was, and some of us are straining toward the new adventure. Some of us find ourselves standing, bewildered and in between, like a transmission half-received.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"to everything there is a season"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/oooo-shiny/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"in-sink-erator\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/oooo-shiny/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"oooo…shiny…"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/thursday-market/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"onions\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/thursday-market/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"2.00 ea\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/thursday-market/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"radishes\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/thursday-market/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"eat it, you\u0026rsquo;ll like it\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/thursday-market/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"thursday market"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/my-second-byline/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"journal-65\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/my-second-byline/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"my second byline"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/one-must-bring-a-very-long-string-when-releasing-crayfish-into-the-wild/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"neighbors\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/one-must-bring-a-very-long-string-when-releasing-crayfish-into-the-wild/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the string\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/one-must-bring-a-very-long-string-when-releasing-crayfish-into-the-wild/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"release\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/one-must-bring-a-very-long-string-when-releasing-crayfish-into-the-wild/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the deep\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/one-must-bring-a-very-long-string-when-releasing-crayfish-into-the-wild/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"one must bring a very long string when releasing crayfish into the wild"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/featherworks/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"featherworks\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/featherworks/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"featherworks"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/showdown/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the make\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/showdown/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"close\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/showdown/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"closingin\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/showdown/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"closest\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/showdown/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"staringcontest\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/showdown/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"showdown"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/sno-top/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"sno-top\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sno-top/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"waffle bowls\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sno-top/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the line\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sno-top/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"sno-top"},{"content":"I’m not so brave as to enter their tangled web. Only they know which threads are sticky and which are not.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/web/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI’m not so brave as to enter their tangled web. Only they know which threads are sticky and which are not.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"web"},{"content":"\nWooden paths and bridges lead to trout pools lovingly tended by ghosts. A thick layer of moss covers every surface, absorbing our words and footfalls. In a neighboring yard, a woman hangs her laundry on the line. We float past her unnoticed.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/perry-park/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/perry-park/image-01_hu_540b40fcc07e16d.webp 480w, /posts/perry-park/image-01_hu_636ab0f1295f215b.webp 720w, /posts/perry-park/image-01_hu_2a0aced1a2fda3f2.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/perry-park/image-01_hu_1d2152b4b21a3c35.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/perry-park/image-02_hu_b06543abc016fcf.webp 480w, /posts/perry-park/image-02_hu_cdc677cf6f4b882.webp 720w, /posts/perry-park/image-02_hu_1e7591105794ea2b.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/perry-park/image-02_hu_24f952c4fc2bf926.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/perry-park/image-03_hu_7e0469120538ba31.webp 480w, /posts/perry-park/image-03_hu_38b4b447489183fd.webp 720w, /posts/perry-park/image-03_hu_aaddc3a2b66cfb18.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/perry-park/image-03_hu_eb46d3eedfb94cc7.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/perry-park/image-04_hu_91e98243e6592c29.webp 480w, /posts/perry-park/image-04_hu_445916395e05950d.webp 720w, /posts/perry-park/image-04_hu_4e2c3cfe6e158fe4.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/perry-park/image-04_hu_f43a8b585f12309e.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/perry-park/image-05_hu_2d8355520c11af4a.webp 480w, /posts/perry-park/image-05_hu_a9319369e94e2008.webp 720w, /posts/perry-park/image-05_hu_c9a275004706eff1.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/perry-park/image-05_hu_66c14da8dedb6854.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWooden paths and bridges lead to trout pools lovingly tended by ghosts. A thick layer of moss covers every surface, absorbing our words and footfalls. In a neighboring yard, a woman hangs her laundry on the line. We float past her unnoticed.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"perry park"},{"content":"\nI water my garden every morning. When I’m finished, I sit on my front steps, tuck my hands between my knees for warmth, and listen. The water makes a crackling noise as it seeps into the concrete at my feet. If the windows of the passing cars are open, which they often are, I can make out the wax and wane of NPR or Coldplay or Taylor Swift, or an ad for a car dealership in the city. Through the open door behind me I hear the kids crunching their cereal in the dining room. They both sing wordless, keening little kid songs between bites. I close my eyes and memorize the sounds.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/sounds/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"papillon\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sounds/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI water my garden every morning. When I’m finished, I sit on my front steps, tuck my hands between my knees for warmth, and listen. The water makes a crackling noise as it seeps into the concrete at my feet. If the windows of the passing cars are open, which they often are, I can make out the wax and wane of NPR or Coldplay or Taylor Swift, or an ad for a car dealership in the city. Through the open door behind me I hear the kids crunching their cereal in the dining room. They both sing wordless, keening little kid songs between bites. I close my eyes and memorize the sounds.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"sounds"},{"content":"\nIt’s very strange to see my name in a magazine. But I’m not complaining.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/my-first-byline/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"journal-66\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/my-first-byline/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s very strange to see my name in a magazine. But I’m not complaining.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"my first byline"},{"content":"\nThe succulents on our front steps look so beautiful after the rain.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/into-every-life/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"into every life\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/into-every-life/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe succulents on our front steps look so beautiful after the rain.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"into every life"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/sale/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"yard sale today\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sale/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"snack stand\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sale/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"sale"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/what-they-do-when-told-to-act-normal/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"these are not my children\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/what-they-do-when-told-to-act-normal/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"what they do when told to act normal"},{"content":"\nTomorrow evening, the kids and I will be at John’s grandmother’s place, watching the sun set over **the** **bay**. This is probably the last summer we’ll be able to spend time at the beach house: John’s grandmother passed away in December and the house most likely will be sold at the end of the season.\nTen random traditions we’ll be observing over the next ten days:\n:: **Morning coffee** on the dock\n:: Saying **goodbye to the sun** on the dock\n:: Midnight visits to the dock (can you tell we like the dock?)\n:: A large pie with onions, sweet peppers and mushrooms from ***Nicola Pizza*** in Rehoboth\n:: **Fisher’s caramel corn** in Bethany (can you tell we like to eat?)\n:: Book browsing at **Bethany Beach Books\n**:: Letterboxing at **James Farm**, which is within walking distance of the house via road or squishy bay bottom at low-tide\n:: $1 toy shopping at ***Fun For All*** in Rehoboth\n:: Clamming at low tide, followed by our famous clams casino (again with the eating)\n:: Wading to the far shore of the cove to hunt for dessicated baby horseshoe crabs (not for eating)\nI’ll miss you while I’m away, but I promise to send you a postcard. Or a **picture**. Better yet, hop in the car and drive on over. We’ll be waiting at the end of the dock.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/pause/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"dock\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/pause/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTomorrow evening, the kids and I will be at John’s grandmother’s place, watching the sun set over **\u003ca href=\"http://blog.laurafrantz.com/2008/06/delaware-may-2008.html\"\u003ethe**\u003c/a\u003e **\u003ca href=\"http://blog.laurafrantz.com/2008/10/this-time-before-snows.html\"\u003ebay**\u003c/a\u003e. This is probably the last summer we’ll be able to spend time at the beach house: John’s grandmother passed away in December and the house most likely will be sold at the end of the season.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTen random traditions we’ll be observing over the next ten days:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e::\u003c/em\u003e **\u003ca href=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2959705249_01cceb0561_o.jpg\"\u003eMorning coffee**\u003c/a\u003e on the dock\u003cbr\u003e\n:: Saying **\u003ca href=\"http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/415783662_5d9a8d6821.jpg\"\u003egoodbye to the sun**\u003c/a\u003e on the dock\u003cbr\u003e\n:: Midnight visits to the dock (can you tell we like the dock?)\u003cbr\u003e\n:: A large pie with onions, sweet peppers and mushrooms from ***\u003ca href=\"http://www.nicolapizza.com/\"\u003eNicola Pizza***\u003c/a\u003e in Rehoboth\u003cbr\u003e\n:: **\u003ca href=\"http://www.fisherspopcorn.com/\"\u003eFisher’s caramel corn**\u003c/a\u003e in Bethany (can you tell we like to eat?)\u003cbr\u003e\n:: Book browsing at **\u003ca href=\"http://www.bethanybeachbooks.com/\"\u003eBethany Beach Books\u003cbr\u003e\n**\u003c/a\u003e:: Letterboxing at **\u003ca href=\"http://www.inlandbays.org/cib_pm/james_farm.php\"\u003eJames Farm**\u003c/a\u003e, which is within walking distance of the house via road or squishy bay bottom at low-tide\u003cbr\u003e\n:: $1 toy shopping at ***\u003ca href=\"http://www.funforalltoys.com/about_us/about_us.html\"\u003eFun For All***\u003c/a\u003e in Rehoboth\u003cbr\u003e\n:: Clamming at low tide, followed by our famous clams casino (again with the eating)\u003cbr\u003e\n:: Wading to the far shore of the cove to hunt for dessicated baby horseshoe crabs (not for eating)\u003c/p\u003e","title":"pause"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/seven-eyes/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"seven eyes\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/seven-eyes/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"seven eyes"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/after-dinner/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"dishes are done\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/after-dinner/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"after dinner"},{"content":"\nI found this little guy sitting on a table at the church rummage sale today. His ticking is loud and he sits on my desk and keeps me company.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/wedgie/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"wedgie\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/wedgie/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found this little guy sitting on a table at the church rummage sale today. His ticking is \u003cem\u003eloud\u003c/em\u003e and he sits on my desk and keeps me company.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"wedgie"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/sorry-makes-it-all-better/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"sorry\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sorry-makes-it-all-better/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"sorry makes it all better"},{"content":"\nOur neighbors have an awesome deck, a welcoming firepit, and a killer fashion sense.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/saturday-evening-marshmallow-roast/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"reaching for the marshmallow\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/saturday-evening-marshmallow-roast/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur neighbors have an awesome deck, a welcoming firepit, and a killer fashion sense.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"saturday evening marshmallow roast"},{"content":"\nI just love these little guys. Several times a day I open the tray lid, lower my face down to them and breathe in their warm, brown breath. Soon they will each have proper names, and we will take turns reading poetry and singing to them.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/seedlings/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"alyssum seedlings\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/seedlings/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI just love these little guys. Several times a day I open the tray lid, lower my face down to them and breathe in their warm, brown breath. Soon they will each have proper names, and we will take turns reading poetry and singing to them.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"seedlings"},{"content":"\nThe sound of Noah learning how to hammer nails on our front steps rang through the neighborhood, acting as a beacon to all knights neighbors within hearing range.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/good-knight/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"nails\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/good-knight/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sound of Noah learning how to hammer nails on our front steps rang through the neighborhood, acting as a beacon to all \u003cdel\u003eknights\u003c/del\u003e neighbors within hearing range.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"good knight"},{"content":"\n“Before beginning a hunt, it is wise to ask someone what you are looking for before you begin looking for it.” – Winnie the Pooh\nThings here are still brown and gray, so we hearty Northern types have to hunt for Colour in March. We found a marble, played Pooh Sticks, collected rocks, and endured A Perilous Crossing. I think five is my favorite age.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/in-which-we-hunt-for-colour/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"yellow\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-which-we-hunt-for-colour/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"stones\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-which-we-hunt-for-colour/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"sticks\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-which-we-hunt-for-colour/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"aqueduct\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-which-we-hunt-for-colour/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"fence\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-which-we-hunt-for-colour/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the perilous crossing\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-which-we-hunt-for-colour/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"purple\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-which-we-hunt-for-colour/image-07.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Before beginning a hunt, it is wise to ask someone what you are looking for before you begin looking for it.” – Winnie the Pooh\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThings here are still brown and gray, so we hearty Northern types have to hunt for Colour in March. We found a marble, played Pooh Sticks, collected rocks, and endured A Perilous Crossing. I think five is my favorite age.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"In which we hunt for Colour"},{"content":"\nOn our way to the shops in the upper village, we always stop by the memorial park to greet the lion in the fountain. He doesn’t start spitting water until April.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/in-the-upper-village/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"bellsystem\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-the-upper-village/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"lion\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-the-upper-village/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"water\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-the-upper-village/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"button\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-the-upper-village/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn our way to the shops in the upper village, we always stop by the memorial park to greet the lion in the fountain. He doesn’t start spitting water until April.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"in the upper village"},{"content":"\nA little one acting not quite right. A pizza lunch at the amphitheater, sheltered from the drizzle. A visit to the library. A confession: a sore throat since morning. A quick ride home. A fever. A[\u0026hellip;]\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/a-wednesday/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"amphitheaterpizza2\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-wednesday/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA little one acting not quite right. A pizza lunch at the amphitheater, sheltered from the drizzle. A visit to the library. A confession: a sore throat since morning. A quick ride home. A fever. A[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e","title":"a wednesday"},{"content":"\nOne day, when I was about five years old, my mama found this piano on the side of the road. She recruited friends to haul it back to our falling-down farmhouse, and then just like that, we had a piano. She played it, I played it a little, and when he visited, my crazy Swedish grandfather played it a lot.\nWe were very poor when she found that piano. My father still slept on our downstairs couch because he had nowhere to go after the divorce. We scrounged clothing for free from the Rescue Mission. I had sores in the corners of my mouth from malnutrition. You know, that kind of poor.\nMy nutty mom, my sardonic dad with the Brooklyn accent, my grandparents, friends from church, they would all gather in our kitchen with their guitars and pipes and jokes, and they would talk and smoke and play games of penny poker and laugh and laugh. I would lie on my back under the glass table, between pairs of feet, and watch the cards and coins move across the surface above. Later on my grandfather would crank out tunes on the red piano, and we would dance and sing.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/the-red-piano/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"red piano\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-red-piano/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne day, when I was about five years old, my mama found this piano on the side of the road. She recruited friends to haul it back to our falling-down farmhouse, and then just like that, we had a piano. She played it, I played it a little, and when he visited, my crazy Swedish grandfather played it a lot.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe were very poor when she found that piano. My father still slept on our downstairs couch because he had nowhere to go after the divorce. We scrounged clothing for free from the Rescue Mission. I had sores in the corners of my mouth from malnutrition. You know, that kind of poor.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"the red piano"},{"content":"\nHe will be eighty years old this October but he still mans the grill on Sundays.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/dad/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"dad\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/dad/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe will be eighty years old this October but he still mans the grill on Sundays.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"dad"},{"content":"\nShe walked out of the gray woods holding this pot. She found wild snow drops under a shaggy mat of brown. She freed them from leaf bones and dried tangles, then plopped them, dirt and all, into discarded plastic. Now the pot sits on our front steps and makes Mama happy.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/for-me/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"snowdrops\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/for-me/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe walked out of the gray woods holding this pot. She found wild snow drops under a shaggy mat of brown. She freed them from leaf bones and dried tangles, then plopped them, dirt and all, into discarded plastic. Now the pot sits on our front steps and makes Mama happy.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"for me"},{"content":"\nHe tried the yarn\u0026rsquo;s length around my neck after each trim, over and over again. I put Fray Check on the end of the yarn to keep it from unraveling and told him I wasn\u0026rsquo;t peeking. His little man[\u0026hellip;]\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/a-necklace/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"necklace\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/a-necklace/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe tried the yarn\u0026rsquo;s length around my neck after each trim, over and over again. I put Fray Check on the end of the yarn to keep it from unraveling and told him I wasn\u0026rsquo;t peeking. His little man[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e","title":"a necklace"},{"content":"\nI participated in my first creative exchange recently. Nancy of Round Rabbit ceramic jewelry fame sent me a really sweet, blue, handmade heart dish, and I sent her a clutch that I made for her.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/creative-exchange/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"round rabbit heart\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/creative-exchange/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"nancy\u0026rsquo;s clutch\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/creative-exchange/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI participated in my first creative exchange recently. \u003ca href=\"http://therabbitmuse.blogspot.com/\"\u003eNancy\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5037939\"\u003eRound Rabbit\u003c/a\u003e ceramic jewelry fame sent me a really sweet, blue, handmade heart dish, and I sent her a clutch that I made for her.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"creative exchange"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/hankies/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"hankies\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/hankies/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"hankie hold\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/hankies/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"hankies"},{"content":"\nI sit down at the table with a perfect cup of coffee: a preheated mug filled three-quarters of the way with Freedom of Espresso’s organic blend, finished off with really long pours of both white sugar and heavy cream. As I take my first, second, and third sips of the morning, I can feel my mood lift from conscious to maniacally chipper. High on caffeine and eager for conversation, I look over at my seven year-old as she works on her spelling.\n“So, Joss, what do you think about coffee,” I ask her.\n“I think I’m going to like coffee when I get older, and I’ll probably drink it,” she says, not looking up from her book.\nGood answer.\n“So, Noah,” I say, turning to my left to look at my five year-old, “do you have any thoughts about coffee?”\nPause.\n“Well,” he says with much gravitas, “I did try a Red Bull once.”\nI nod my head slowly and furrow my brow a little, matching his tone. Then I take another sip of coffee and watch the morning traffic pass by the front window, and we all think about coffee.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/on-coffee/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/on-coffee/image-01_hu_2361768f614e321f.webp 480w, /posts/on-coffee/image-01_hu_a3956bc5e952e2e.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/on-coffee/image-01_hu_b736c95458580fca.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI sit down at the table with a perfect cup of coffee: a preheated mug filled three-quarters of the way with Freedom of Espresso’s organic blend, finished off with really long pours of both white sugar and heavy cream. As I take my first, second, and third sips of the morning, I can feel my mood lift from conscious to maniacally chipper. High on caffeine and eager for conversation, I look over at my seven year-old as she works on her spelling.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"on coffee"},{"content":"\nI had $3 in change in my pocket, scrounged from various change jars and couch cushions in the house, so no buying for me that day. It’s more fun to look, anyway.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/sunday-flea-market/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"nesting dolls\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sunday-flea-market/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"e shed\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sunday-flea-market/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"creepy baby, only twenty dollars\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sunday-flea-market/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"mirror\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sunday-flea-market/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI had $3 in change in my pocket, scrounged from various change jars and couch cushions in the house, so no buying for me that day. It’s more fun to look, anyway.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"sunday flea market"},{"content":"\nWe stopped at Varsity on the Syracuse University hill for some pizza last week. We were surrounded by lots of college students, hospital staff wearing scrubs, and blue collar dudes. People didn’t seem to be able to deal with a lady with two kids and a camera. I think I scared them a bit.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/varsity-pizza/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/varsity-pizza/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/varsity-pizza/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/varsity-pizza/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe stopped at Varsity on the Syracuse University hill for some pizza last week. We were surrounded by lots of college students, hospital staff wearing scrubs, and blue collar dudes. People didn’t seem to be able to deal with a lady with two kids and a camera. I think I scared them a bit.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"varsity pizza"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/the-heckled-hen/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the heckled hen, manlius, ny\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-heckled-hen/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"pyrex | the heckled hen, manlius, ny\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-heckled-hen/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"glasses | the heckled hen, manlius, ny\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-heckled-hen/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"mirror | the heckled hen, manlius, ny\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/the-heckled-hen/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"the heckled hen"},{"content":"","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/presidents-day-frantz-style/","summary":"","title":"president’s day, frantz-style"},{"content":"I half-finished a purse. Mostly we talked, and ate, and drank, and pet the cat, while the wonderful smell of Jake’s Polish soul food cooking in the kitchen drove us to further distraction.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/crafternoon-at-ambers-house/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI half-finished a purse. Mostly we talked, and ate, and drank, and pet the cat, while the wonderful smell of Jake’s Polish soul food cooking in the kitchen drove us to further distraction.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"crafternoon at amber’s house"},{"content":"\nCanon ink cartridge shipping material. I saw these happy dude faces the minute I laid my eyes on them. Not everyone sees them right away, though.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/happy-plastic-dudes/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"happy dudes\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/happy-plastic-dudes/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCanon ink cartridge shipping material. I saw these happy dude faces the minute I laid my eyes on them. Not everyone sees them right away, though.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"happy plastic dudes"},{"content":"\nNot done yet. We’re going to IKEA this weekend for the finishing touches. Boy, am I glad those curtains are finally up, sewing them almost killed me…\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/sneak-peek/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"room remodel | sneak peek #1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sneak-peek/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"peekaboo\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sneak-peek/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot done yet. We’re going to IKEA this weekend for the finishing touches. Boy, am I glad those curtains are finally up, sewing them almost \u003cem\u003ekilled\u003c/em\u003e me…\u003c/p\u003e","title":"sneak peek"},{"content":"\nWe’ve been staying inside during this frigid week. Warming by the fire, playing with Legos, watching shows, deep conversations, preparing meals, drilling holes…feeling quiet and buried. Snuggling in.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/cold-snap/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"dewalt\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/cold-snap/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"cold snap\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/cold-snap/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe’ve been staying inside during this frigid week. Warming by the fire, playing with Legos, watching shows, deep conversations, preparing meals, drilling holes…feeling quiet and buried. Snuggling in.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"cold snap"},{"content":"\nBeginning last summer, John and I felt a need to be really present at home and in our neighborhood. We planted a garden and hung out more with neighbors. We listened to the church bells ring through our little village and tucked into the moment. Now in the deep winter the pull of the local dovetails nicely with my cyclical, borderline agoraphobic, hermit-like desire to stay inside my house until spring. I was pleasantly surprised to read this article and discover that I am accidentally hip, timely and eco-conscious, it seems.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/staying-home/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/staying-home/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeginning last summer, John and I felt a need to be really present at home and in our neighborhood. We planted a garden and hung out more with neighbors. We listened to the church bells ring through our little village and tucked into the moment. Now in the deep winter the pull of the local dovetails nicely with my cyclical, borderline agoraphobic, hermit-like desire to stay inside my house until spring. I was pleasantly surprised to read \u003ca href=\"http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/3628\"\u003ethis article\u003c/a\u003e and discover that I am accidentally hip, timely and eco-conscious, it seems.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"staying home"},{"content":"\nWe had a lovely Saturday night date during a big snowstorm: sandwiches at The Blue Tusk, followed by a $5 movie at The Palace Theater. I wish I had known that The Palace doesn’t actually heat the theater in winter. I watched most of the movie sitting sideways in my seat, my stockinged feet in John’s hands and the rest of me buried deep inside my down jacket.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/date-night/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"armory square snowstorm\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/date-night/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"roast beef with stilton\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/date-night/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the blue tusk | syracuse, ny\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/date-night/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the palace theater | syracuse, ny\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/date-night/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"popcorn at the palace theater | syracuse, ny\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/date-night/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"hands up\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/date-night/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe had a lovely Saturday night date during a big snowstorm: sandwiches at \u003ca href=\"http://www.bluetusk.com/\"\u003eThe Blue Tusk\u003c/a\u003e, followed by a $5 movie at \u003ca href=\"http://www.palacetheatresyracuse.com/\"\u003eThe Palace Theater\u003c/a\u003e. I wish I had known that The Palace doesn’t actually \u003cem\u003eheat\u003c/em\u003e the theater in winter. I watched most of the movie sitting sideways in my seat, my stockinged feet in John’s hands and the rest of me buried deep inside my down jacket.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"date night"},{"content":"\nA cold Sunday afternoon with friends. We caught some serious air on the jumps, Jack. We sledded until dark, and then fifty percent of our family fell asleep in the car on the way home.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/sledding-party/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"the krew\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sledding-party/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"air noah\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/sledding-party/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cold Sunday afternoon with friends. We caught some serious air on the jumps, Jack. We sledded until dark, and then fifty percent of our family fell asleep in the car on the way home.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"sledding party"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/regularly-scheduled-programming/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"reading is an adventure\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/regularly-scheduled-programming/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"quote reading unquote\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/regularly-scheduled-programming/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"regularly scheduled programming"},{"content":"\nThe Christmas cookie project took us from daylight to darkness. But we could feel those extra few post-solstice moments of light.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/day-to-night/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"daytime snow\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/day-to-night/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"icing them all\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/day-to-night/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"cookies for neighbors\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/day-to-night/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"burning down\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/day-to-night/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"nighttime snow\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/day-to-night/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Christmas cookie project took us from daylight to darkness. But we could feel those extra few post-solstice moments of light.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"day to night"},{"content":"\nI spent our snowy winter solstice indoors, watching the snow fall out of the corner of my eye as I crafted last-minute gifts. All under the watchful eye of one feverish director, that is.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/solstice-snow/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"wind chimes under snow\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/solstice-snow/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"winter windsock\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/solstice-snow/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"winter stumps\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/solstice-snow/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"christmas cards hanging on a line\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/solstice-snow/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"grandpa\u0026rsquo;s hat\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/solstice-snow/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"many bookmarks all in a row\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/solstice-snow/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"spine care\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/solstice-snow/image-07.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"feverish\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/solstice-snow/image-08.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI spent our snowy winter solstice indoors, watching the snow fall out of the corner of my eye as I crafted last-minute gifts. All under the watchful eye of one feverish director, that is.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"solstice snow"},{"content":"\nI hung this windsock off of our back deck months ago, on a late summer afternoon, right before a family barbecue. I couldn’t have known then how much it would brighten up a very gray day in December.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/windsock/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/windsock/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nI hung this windsock off of our back deck months ago, on a late summer afternoon, right before a family barbecue. I couldn’t have known then how much it would brighten up a very gray day in December.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"windsock"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/in-the-studio-11-27-pm/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/in-the-studio-11-27-pm/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"in the studio | 11:27 PM"},{"content":"\nCedar Bay Park\nDecember 1, 2008\n~2:45 PM\n44°F\nHeavy clouds coming in;\nlight layer of ice on the canal;\nthe man sitting on a picnic table just over my left shoulder is smoking a cigarette and wondering why we’re there.\nActually, we were looking for our first letterbox and after three previous attempts and not one stamp to show for it, we didn’t care one bit if the guy watched our every move. We found the box, stamped our guts out, noisily re-hid it and left. From the highway I spotted the smoking guy poking around the hiding place, trying to figure it all out. I guess we’re bad letterboxers.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/first-stamp/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/first-stamp/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/first-stamp/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCedar Bay Park\u003cbr\u003e\nDecember 1, 2008\u003cbr\u003e\n~2:45 PM\u003cbr\u003e\n44°F\u003cbr\u003e\nHeavy clouds coming in;\u003cbr\u003e\nlight layer of ice on the canal;\u003cbr\u003e\nthe man sitting on a picnic table just over my left shoulder is smoking a cigarette and wondering why we’re there.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActually, we were looking for our first letterbox and after three previous attempts and not one stamp to show for it, we didn’t care one bit if the guy watched our every move. We found the box, stamped our guts out, noisily re-hid it and left. From the highway I spotted the smoking guy poking around the hiding place, trying to figure it all out. I guess we’re bad letterboxers.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"first stamp"},{"content":"the view from our front window\nthe view from the kitchen hallway\n8:32 am\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/outside-inside/","summary":"\u003cp\u003ethe view from our front window\u003cbr\u003e\nthe view from the kitchen hallway\u003cbr\u003e\n8:32 am\u003c/p\u003e","title":"outside | inside"},{"content":"\nthree miles around the lakes\ncold noses and toeses\nthen hot fire and hot cocoas\nwaiting for the snow\nlove to you on this sleepy friday afternoon\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/before-the-week-ends/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/before-the-week-ends/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nthree miles around the lakes\u003cbr\u003e\ncold noses and toeses\u003cbr\u003e\nthen hot fire and hot cocoas\u003cbr\u003e\nwaiting for the snow\u003cbr\u003e\nlove to you on this sleepy friday afternoon\u003c/p\u003e","title":"before the week ends"},{"content":"It’s very hard to write eloquently about a subject that’s already been written into the ground. A death in the family tears you off of your feet and out of the everyday, unwilling, stunned into silence, glancing over your shoulder at what should have been as you begin walking the rut of the mourner. Gather at Mom’s house, wash dishes, murmur reassurances of eternal life through Jesus that land on unwilling ears. Bake the casserole, wipe off the table, wince as you overhear every unfeeling cliché being directed at the widower. And as you work you pine away for the normal, not just for yourself but for the whole family. You’d rather Sunday never happened. If only we could be grocery shopping, solving math problems at the school table, putting in the next load of laundry. At this time of year we should be at Mom’s house to decorate Christmas cookies. Instead we keep busy with glasses and hot plates and the napkin pile as Mom prepares to bury her youngest child.\nAnd yet there is a gift: we are reminded that we are alive. We have today. We remember that we are here on Earth for a reason. At this moment my reason is to set out bagels for those who mourn, to hold people I love close to me, to put out the butter bells. But the next moment it may be to share the reason for the hope that I have. And in so doing my faith ignites and burns, my love for He who is in me is renewed, and I am once more brought to my knees, so grateful for a God who came to Earth as a baby to deliver us. Through death, we sometimes find life, again.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/the-gift-in-death/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIt’s very hard to write eloquently about a subject that’s already been written into the ground. A death in the family tears you off of your feet and out of the everyday, unwilling, stunned into silence, glancing over your shoulder at what should have been as you begin walking the rut of the mourner. Gather at Mom’s house, wash dishes, murmur reassurances of eternal life through Jesus that land on unwilling ears. Bake the casserole, wipe off the table, wince as you overhear every unfeeling cliché being directed at the widower. And as you work you pine away for the normal, not just for yourself but for the whole family. You’d rather Sunday never happened. If only we could be grocery shopping, solving math problems at the school table, putting in the next load of laundry. At this time of year we should be at Mom’s house to decorate Christmas cookies. Instead we keep busy with glasses and hot plates and the napkin pile as Mom prepares to bury her youngest child.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"the gift in death"},{"content":"\nI want to need to remember:\n:: a pod of dolphins hunting for their breakfast in the waters across the cove\n:: the smell of laundry that has dried in the salty bay air\n:: laughing and carrying on with old friends over wine and clams casino\n:: a funky haircut that heralds a new season in my life\n:: rounded triangles of moonlight reflected off the backs of thousands of waves and minnows\n:: linguine con le vongole made by my former chef of a husband using clams dug from the bay with our own big and little hands. so. very. yummy.\n:: reading sonnets under blankets after the weather turned much colder\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-01_hu_e2ac4e7d9cb8f777.webp 480w, /posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-01_hu_2e7b5b7ef6f7cf51.webp 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-01_hu_b833d14fe5bc1ba1.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-02_hu_39df491d825382.webp 480w, /posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-02_hu_7b4fe70a266cc202.webp 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-02_hu_17c100507fa1d0e7.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-03_hu_b8bf94188eb44a24.webp 480w, /posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-03_hu_2fd21879ce48c34f.webp 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-03_hu_a63e59d7a3018407.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-04_hu_b581857a63724017.webp 480w, /posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-04_hu_eca3083b558de23d.webp 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-04_hu_ae113ded0c56ca92.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-05_hu_3e59b8b58d9740.webp 480w, /posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-05_hu_89f2ee1ef5142f44.webp 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-05_hu_b431507e33dbb5cd.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-06_hu_bd28f474adb0c766.webp 480w, /posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-06_hu_8e70ab29c962e842.webp 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-06_hu_2d006173541517b6.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource type=\"image/webp\" srcset=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-07_hu_4bc0acb564c498d3.webp 480w, /posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-07_hu_eb328dcb78a78a55.webp 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-07_hu_bab8e144419292af.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/this-time-before-the-snows/image-08.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI \u003cdel\u003ewant to\u003c/del\u003e need to remember:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e:: a pod of dolphins hunting for their breakfast in the waters across the cove\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"this time, before the snows,"},{"content":"\nFunniest conversation overheard:\nAbbie: “Wow, you can see the whole world from up here!”\nJocelyn: “Can you see Italy???”\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/goats-on-a-roof/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/goats-on-a-roof/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/goats-on-a-roof/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/goats-on-a-roof/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/goats-on-a-roof/image-04.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFunniest conversation overheard:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/goats-on-a-roof/image-05.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAbbie: “Wow, you can see the whole world from up here!”\u003cbr\u003e\nJocelyn: “Can you see \u003cem\u003eItaly\u003c/em\u003e???”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/goats-on-a-roof/image-06.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"goats on a roof"},{"content":"It was one of those parties where you talk to yourself in the bathroom mirror: you talk about how much fun you’re having and then you look yourself in the eye and say that maybe you should slow down on the wine. You speak French much of the night, and are complemented on your accent by your expat hosts. You catch your husband’s eye from across the table and with one raised eyebrow you broadcast plans for later. That kind of party. You adjust your scarf, check your teeth, and then head back into the fray.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/dinner-party-post-mortem/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIt was one of those parties where you talk to yourself in the bathroom mirror: you talk about how much fun you’re having and then you look yourself in the eye and say that maybe you should slow down on the wine. You speak French much of the night, and are complemented on your accent by your expat hosts. You catch your husband’s eye from across the table and with one raised eyebrow you broadcast plans for later. That kind of party. You adjust your scarf, check your teeth, and then head back into the fray.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"dinner party post mortem"},{"content":"\nThe smell of simmering soup stock and baking bread filled our home yesterday. It did much to take the edge off. Fighting siblings and long-standing worries seem much more manageable when warm bread[\u0026hellip;]\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/bread/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/bread/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe smell of simmering soup stock and baking bread filled our home yesterday. It did much to take the edge off. Fighting siblings and long-standing worries seem much more manageable when warm bread[\u0026hellip;]\u003c/p\u003e","title":"bread"},{"content":" sit in bed and sip on a cup of coffee to see if caffeine will help constrict those brain vessels\nsit in bed, kids on either side, and watch the free daily episode of peep\nsit in bed and google mary shelley’s frankenstein monster to show curious, nagging, begging kids what it looks like\nsit in bed and try to convince kids to bring their math blocks upstairs to play math with mama\nsit in bed, search for frog and toad on youtube and find lots of really interesting videos\nsit in bed and help seven year-old write a list of supplies needed to make two octopus costumes\nsit in bed and catch up on google reader subscriptions while kids play i spy school days on downstairs computer\nstagger downstairs at 11:30 am in search of food\nreheat and eat this stuff made two days ago and make and serve pasta to babes\nreturn to bed while kids watch little einsteins…to learn about music and fine art…\n…repeat…\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/how-to-homeschool-with-a-migraine/","summary":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003esit in bed and sip on a cup of coffee to see if caffeine will help constrict those brain vessels\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003esit in bed, kids on either side, and watch the free daily episode of peep\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003esit in bed and google mary shelley’s frankenstein monster to show curious, nagging, begging kids what it looks like\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003esit in bed and try to convince kids to bring their math blocks upstairs to play math with mama\u003c/p\u003e","title":"how to homeschool with a migraine"},{"content":"\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/not-back-to-school-party/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/not-back-to-school-party/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/not-back-to-school-party/image-02.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/not-back-to-school-party/image-03.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Not Back To School Party"},{"content":"\nIf you live with a guitar player, you must be prepared for one unfortunate truth: you, your children, and your children’s children will be tripping over guitar cases as long as your guitar player draws breath and you share a roof with him or her.\nAfter the fourth time in a week that one of my poor, innocent children tripped and fell over a guitar case left in the middle of our living room floor, I threw up my hands. Then I cried, Uncle! Then I ate some Doritos. Then I Googled “hang guitar”, which brought me to this tutorial, the perusal of which ultimately resulted in me hatching an evil plan to rid my home of random guitar case leavings.\nWhat You’ll Need:\nLaser level\nStud finder\nElectric drill with drill bits and screwdriver bits\nLength of handrail appropriate to your wall\nMounting hardware appropriate to your wall (I used drywall screws)\nPadded tool hangers, enough to accommodate your guitars (I bought these)\nA friend to help you, if your handrail is loooong\nWhat To Do:\nIf you want the handrail to match your wall, prime and paint the handrail and let dry.\nUse the stud finder to locate the studs in your wall.\nMark the location of your studs on the wall.\nHold the handrail against the wall where you plan to position it, and mark the location of the studs along the length of the handrail.\nDrill pilot holes in the studs and handrail.\nUse a screwdriver bit to drive screws through the handrail pilot holes and into the studs to mount the handrail\nDrill pilot holes into the handrail where you want the hangers to go\nScrew hangers into the pilot holes. You’re done!\nAll of this took place at 11 o’clock at night, after my kids were in bed, when my husband was out of town, with smooth jazz blasting from my iTunes radio to try to calm my drill-frazzled nerves.\nMusic stores charge at least $15 for a hanger that supports one guitar. I spent $30 in materials and ended up fitting six guitars on my wall.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/guitars-storage-as-display/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"final\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/guitars-storage-as-display/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you live with a guitar player, you must be prepared for one unfortunate truth: you, your children, and your children’s children will be tripping over guitar cases as long as your guitar player draws breath and you share a roof with him or her.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the fourth time in a week that one of my poor, innocent children tripped and fell over a guitar case left in the middle of our living room floor, I threw up my hands. Then I cried, \u003cem\u003eUncle!\u003c/em\u003e Then I ate some Doritos. Then I Googled “hang guitar”, which brought me to \u003ca href=\"http://www.instructables.com/id/Guitar-wall-hanger/\"\u003ethis tutorial\u003c/a\u003e, the perusal of which ultimately resulted in me hatching an evil plan to rid my home of random guitar case leavings.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"guitars: storage as display"},{"content":"I made a sweet little tote bag for a friend’s fifth birthday.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/tote-bag/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI made a sweet little tote bag for a friend’s fifth birthday.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"tote bag"},{"content":"The babysitter is in the kitchen. I think she’s sitting at the table, reading the paper and smoking a cigarette, but the door is closed so I am not sure. I am in the next room, the living room. I am smiling. I lovingly arrange my mother’s pink polyester nightgown on my little rocking chair. It’s her favorite nightgown and so when I am lonely for her I take it out of her dresser and I spend time with it. Its sleeves are slippery and so over and over I have to put them back on the arms of the rocking chair, but I don’t mind. The babysitter comes into the room and tries to ask me questions about the nightgown but I don’t speak to her. I am thinking only of my mother. I scoop the nightgown up in my arms and I’m giving her a hug. I push my face into it and I am cuddling her. I drag it around the room by an arm and I’m holding her hand. And we dance together to Kenny Rogers on the radio.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/nightgown/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe babysitter is in the kitchen. I think she’s sitting at the table, reading the paper and smoking a cigarette, but the door is closed so I am not sure. I am in the next room, the living room. I am smiling. I lovingly arrange my mother’s pink polyester nightgown on my little rocking chair. It’s her favorite nightgown and so when I am lonely for her I take it out of her dresser and I spend time with it. Its sleeves are slippery and so over and over I have to put them back on the arms of the rocking chair, but I don’t mind. The babysitter comes into the room and tries to ask me questions about the nightgown but I don’t speak to her. I am thinking only of my mother. I scoop the nightgown up in my arms and I’m giving her a hug. I push my face into it and I am cuddling her. I drag it around the room by an arm and I’m holding her hand. And we dance together to Kenny Rogers on the radio.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"nightgown"},{"content":"Sunny\n77°F\nAlmost seven hours straight of outside play today. We\u0026rsquo;re shedding winter like an old skin.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/ahhhhhhhh/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eSunny\u003cbr\u003e\n77°F\u003cbr\u003e\nAlmost seven hours straight of outside play today. We\u0026rsquo;re shedding winter like an old skin.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"ahhhhhhhh"},{"content":"\n10:12 AM\nTuesday, April 15, 2008\nHaircut time\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/posts/barbershop/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/posts/barbershop/image-01.jpg\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n10:12 AM\u003cbr\u003e\nTuesday, April 15, 2008\u003cbr\u003e\nHaircut time\u003c/p\u003e","title":"barbershop"},{"content":" I\u0026rsquo;m Laura. Since 2008 I\u0026rsquo;ve kept this journal as a record of a reflective and changing life: family and homeschooling, things made by hand, my garden, meals shared, slow living, analog intention.\nI recently restored this blog as an antidote to social media. These pages hold 15 years of moments remembered — seasons in the Blue Ridge, a beach house in December, a move across the country.\nI also write poems. In 2023 I opened the Charlottesville Poem Store, where I write poems on demand, on the spot. Come find me there.\nYou can reach me at laura@charlottesvillepoemstore.com · subscribe via RSS.\n","permalink":"http://laurafrantz.com/about/","summary":"about","title":"About"}]