It's all a spectrum

I know I keep saying this, but we are going through a sort of funny time in our household. Every day is a mix of good things and challenging things, of small decisions that mount up to feel big and exhausting, of falling behind amidst clutter and errands undone while feeling like we are making progress on the big important things.

Mostly it centers around Miss C. She has Asperger's Syndrome (or "AS" as a lot of people call it) which is is an autism spectrum disorder. It's quite common, and whether or not you know it, you probably know someone who has it. Most typically, it's apparent in extraordinarily intelligent people who have sort of awkward social skills. Think Bill Gates and Albert Einstein, and those computer/science/math nerdy guys you may have known in high school. There huge ranges and differences -- but one of the characteristic issues is difficulty with nonverbal communication. A counselor we know refers to it as "social deafness." All of the nonverbal cues we pick up intuitively during social interactions -- body language, tones of voice (ie, teasing joking versus mean joking) -- aren't apparent or easily understood by people with AS. Another AS characteristic is extreme sensory sensitivity -- being acutely affected by sounds, lights, smells, crowds, etc. On a plain sensory level, the world can be an overwhelming place to someone with AS.

So. Remember 7th grade? And how the social landscape of school suddenly changed? For girls, there is puberty, and body-awareness, and self-consciousness, and new crushes on boys, and trying to fit in, and noticing that some people are popular and others aren't... It's a minefield. And that doesn't even factor in geometry and history and writing essays.

All things considered, C is doing great. She's doing well in school academically. She has some good friends who mean a lot to her. She's incredibly creative, and she has an extremely strong sense of herself. She doesn't worry about fitting in, even though NOT fitting in can make life fairly stressful.

The upshot of all of this is that as R and I try to figure out how to help her stay on an even keel, we're learning to look at the world in a different way. For us "neurotypical brain" types, it's not easy to see the world from an AS point of view ... but we're learning. And because we're understanding more all of the time, we find ourselves realizing that the cookie-cutter, follow-the-mainstream routes may not be the best for Miss C.

Last week, we had the huge realization that there is no reason that C has to finish the school year in her current setting if it feels to us like it's not working. I know, DUH, you think. We'd arrived at the decision that we needed to change her school situation for next year. But in the middle of the night one night last week, as R and I lay side by side in bed staring at the ceiling and worrying outloud about C's migraines and her increasing misery about school, it hit us: we can take her out of there right now if we conclude that that's what would be best for her.

So I've been doing pretty constant research into educational alternatives. And you know? There are amazing options. We're thinking "outside of the classroom box" these days -- so I've been learning about homeschooling and distance learning and working with tutors and a host of different options that could lessen C's stress and improve her happiness and get her back to actually enjoying learning. It's been scary to allow ourselves to even think of wandering off of the well-charted paths (to use yet another cliche) but it's a source of huge relief. And we've come up with some really, really terrific options.

I tell you, parenthood is just one amazing process of education and humbling awareness.

It's no wonder that I'm behind on my projects, the clutter is piling up around the house, the yard looks like it hasn't had any loving care in months ... but the three of us are feeling like we've gotten a handle on a pretty big problem. We have options, and we have plans in place if we need them. We're all feeling a lot better.

Oh, by the way, if you want to learn a bit more about Asperger's from the perspective of an adult with AS who explains how the world feels to her, check out this blog, Asperger Journeys. For all of the books and articles I've read, this brings home to me most clearly what AS feels like from the inside.

Book Review: Art Quilts at Play

I was so excited to get my hands on the newest book by Jane Davila and Elin Waterston, Art Quilts at Play (C&T Publishing, 2009.) I love the work of these two amazing artists, and their first book, Art Quilt Workbook (C&T Publishing, 2007) is one of my favorites.

If you're not familiar with Jane and Elin's work, then you are in for a treat. They are both talented quilt artists and teachers. They're both bloggers, too, and you can find regular inspiration at Jane's blog Chary Sprouts, and at Elin's, will.love.logic. Both are on my regular reading list.

I'm drawn to Jane and Elin's work for a variety of reasons. I like the graphic quality of their compositions, their use of color, the perfect balance between simplicity and complexity that their work often shows. I can look at their pieces again and again, and always feel like I learn something new from studying it.

But back to the new book. The focus of their first book (and their terrific DVD) is on jump-starting creativity in art-quilt making through exercises and some techniques. The new book focuses on experimentation with surface design techniques and playing with new materials.

I've mentioned before how I dip my toe into the surface design world cautiously. It's not that it seems difficult -- it's that I tend to get overwhelmed by the processes. The lists of materials and preparatory steps and safety precautions and workspace set up suggestions tend to exhaust me before I've even started, to be honest. Someday I hope to have a dedicated wet studio space, but for now I'm stuck with the kitchen table or backyard patio, which means I have to set up, do the project, and clean up in the same session. So call me lazy, but sometimes I'm just not up for all of that.

That's why I'm encouraged when I find ways of playing with surface design that are quick, easy, and not terribly mess-making. And Jane and Elin's book has me chomping at the bit to experiment a bit more. They make it look easy, and not daunting. I know, I know, it's NOT hard stuff. But they make it look do-able and fun, without a ton of time and money invested in supplies and set-up.

The book covers a host of design play to try: screen printing, painting fusible web, stamp making, bleach discharging, paintstiks, shrink film, angelina fibers. The steps are clear and simple. Best, to me, are the examples of what they made with the techniques -- inspiration abounds. The artwork shown here -- from Jane, Elin, and various students, is exciting and gorgeous.

They also cover the fun of collaborative projects as a way to explore creativity. They suggest different types of challenges, swaps, and online connections.

So, if you're thinking that you might like to try some new surface design techniques but want a simple way of experimenting, give this book a try. I highly recommend it!

The Little Things

I can't seem to stop taking pictures of the fruit trees that are blooming around our neighborhood. I'm in love with the soft billows of white and pink I see see from afar, with the delicate fragrance of spring flowers as I stand under a blossoming tree, with the gentle buzz of the bees dancing among the blossoms, with the drifts of petals that have floated on the breeze to the ground below.

But most of all, I love looking at each individual blossom. They're so small, yet so different. Some are ruffly and jaunty, some are perfectly formed and upright, some droop or have petals flopping... But they're all little masterpieces, and when I get up close with my macro lens, I lose myself.

I suppose it's no accident that focusing on one tiny flower provides a bit of mental rest. Isn't there some Zen saying that applies here?! Most days I'm adrift in a sea of small details -- household stuff, and what homework Caroline has due this week, and what phone calls need to be made, and bits of clutter that accumulate around the house whenever I turn my back. Perhaps it's a lesson -- take one detail at a time, focus on it up close, take care of it, and then move to the next detail.

Take life one blossom at a time. Perhaps I've coined a t-shirt. :-)

Surprise! Quilting Content!

I've just returned to a visit with my aunt Carole and uncle Jack who live in Penn Valley, a town in the Sierra foothills of Northern California. I don't get up to see them as often as I'd like as it's a solid 3-hour drive up there, so it was good to have the opportunity to spend a bit of time with them.

The occasion of this visit was my appearance as "guest speaker" for my aunt's "Collectibelles" group. It's a group of senior ladies who get together once a month in their neighborhood to see someone's collection of something. When my aunt was designated to find a guest speaker, I offered to bring my quilts and show them... so that's what I did. I pulled all of the quilts down from the walls around the house (Roger asked whether I was moving out!) -- I'd never really seen them in one big pile like that, so it was kind of startling!

In any event, the talk went well -- there wasn't a quilter in the bunch (to my great surprise) but they all oohed and aahed and fondled them and argued over which were their favorites, and my aunt just sat there grinning with pride. It was fun, and my aunt was pleased. She's not a quilter either, and I don't think she expected the pile of them that I brought along. She kept saying, "You've made ALL of these???"

On the way home, I took a short detour to visit a quilt shop I've heard raves about -- Cabin Fever Quilt Shop in Auburn, California. What a fun place -- great quilts on the walls, a wide assortment of fabrics, all sorts of stuff to admire. I did break down and buy a few fat quarters (from Moda's new Momo collection) and a magazine.

Now I'm rehanging quilts (and moving them around to "refresh" the collection) and preparing to start my "windows" quilt for the Twelve by 12 challenge due in two weeks.

Only YOU can prevent endangerment of helpless words!

We are all taking part in one of Caroline's homework assignments this weekend, and we're darn proud of it. In fact, we're ecstasiated to participate.

Savethewords.org is a site designed to bring disappearing words back into use AND back into the dictionaries. When you go to the site, you can register (which just requires a user name and email address), choose a word, and then adopt it by promising to use it as frequently as possible in conversation and correspondence. It's quite empowering, thinking that you can --through your daily communications -- give life to a withering piece of language. No wonder I'm ecstasiated, yes? (My word: Ecstasiate, to go into ecstasy or cause to become ecstatic.)

You receive (via email) a lovely certificate and can even order a t-shirt proclaiming your chosen word.

So go look, rescue a poor, withering word, and come back and tell me what you've adopted! Please, ecstasiate me!

Civics 101

So, how'd you do on the Civics quiz?!

Here are the answers, in case you were wondering:

1. What are the three branches of the US government? Legislative, judicial, executive

2. What are two requirements to be president? Age 35, born on American soil

3. Which house of Congress can propose bills to impose taxes? House of Representatives

4. Name 4 rights guaranteed by the 1st Amendment. Freedom of speech, assembly, religion, and press.

5. Which amendment gives you the right not to be searched without a warrant? 4th Amendment

6. Which amendment protects your right to own a gun? Second.

7. Which amendment provides that you cannot be tried twice for the same crime? Fifth

8. What is required to override a presidential veto of a bill? 2/3 vote of both houses of Congress

9. Can you name your two senators? You can find yours here.

10. How many members are in the House of Representatives? 435

11. Which two amendments granted voting rights to groups who had not been able to vote, and what are the groups? 14th (blacks) and 19th (women)

12. Which amendment outlawed slavery? 13th

13. What are 3 things that the states may regulate, and the federal government may not? Schools, private property, marriage

14. How many people are there in the President's cabinet? How many of the positions can you name (by job title)? 15 not counting the Vice President; Examples are secretaries of housing and urban development, defense, education, health and human services, attorney general...

15. How old do you need to be to be a senator? 30

16. How old do you need to be to be a member of the House of Representatives? 25

17. The legislative branch is empowered to impeach the president. What is the House's role, and what is the Senate's role? The House votes whether to impeach and the Senate hears the impeachment trial.

18. Which branch of government ratifies treaties with other countries? Legislative (Senate)

19. Which branch of government has the power to pardon convicted criminals? Executive

20. What is the 16th amendment? Income tax

Now, don't you feel informed and patriotic?!

Are you smarter than a 7th grader?

Miss C has been studying for her trimester final in history class, and they have been studying the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and basic function of the federal government. It's kind of amazing to realize how fundamental this stuff is, and yet how it's not stuff most people know off the top of their heads. So, in the great Blog Quiz tradition, here's a Federal Government quiz to see whether you can match up to a 7th grade history student!

1. What are the three branches of the US government?

2. What are two requirements to be president?

3. Which house of Congress can propose bills to impose taxes?

4. Name 4 rights guaranteed by the 1st Amendment.

5. Which amendment gives you the right not to be searched without a warrant?

6. Which amendment protects your right to own a gun?

7. Which amendment provides that you cannot be tried twice for the same crime?

8. What is required to override a presidential veto of a bill?

9. Can you name your two senators?

10. How many members are in the House of Representatives?

11. Which two amendments granted voting rights to groups who had not been able to vote, and what are the groups?

12. Which amendment outlawed slavery?

13. What are 3 things that the states may regulate, and the federal government may not?

14. How many people are there in the President's cabinet? How many of the positions can you name (by job title)?

15. How old do you need to be to be a senator?

16. How old do you need to be to be a member of the House of Representatives?

17. The legislative branch is empowered to impeach the president. What is the House's role, and what is the Senate's role?

18. Which branch of government ratifies treaties with other countries?

19. Which branch of government has the power to pardon convicted criminals?

20. What is the 16th amendment?

Answers tomorrow. Pat yourself on the back and consider yourself a good citizen if you can answer most of these!

Unfortunately

"Small things amuse small minds," my mother used to joke when one of us kids would become absorbed by something silly. I think of this saying often, especially because I'm often entertained by goofy little things.

Helen turned me on to something that amuses the heck out of me -- and at the risk of demonstrating how easily amused I am, I'm spreading it here. It's one of those Google games. You search the phrase "Unfortunately [insert your name]" and then read the results for general hilarity.

Here are a few of the ones that got me grinning:

Unfortunately, Diane is no longer breeding

Unfortunately Diane didn’t have the strength to take on a troubled teenager

Unfortunately, Diane can only offer this service for brides who have booked a couture gown with her

Unfortunately, Diane (The Cake Lady), has retired.

Unfortunately, Diane could not easily use the new gadgets

Unfortunately, Diane had an accident while away last week and will be convalescing for at least a month

Unfortunately, Diane had to take a break from teaching because of the devastating effects of a rare and incurable blood disease.

Unfortunately, Diane who is estimated to be 13 years of age, was found in lower Manhattan with a severely arthritic wing

Unfortunately, Diane isn't a credible character

Yeah, I know. Easily amused. But I'll bet you're headed off to Google now to see how YOUR name comes up...