How does your garden grow - a month into summer

Thrilled to report that the early summer weather was much milder than last year, with significantly more rainfall. Thanks to the moderate weather up until about a week ago, my garden is thriving.

We have enjoyed several salads with spinach from the garden, and have already finished our first harvest of radishes:

The tomatoes, squash, carrots, green onions, cucumbers, peppers and pumpkins look great:

Even our potted flowers look good. 

The sun has gotten more intense and the humidity and heat have kicked in this past week, but here's to early success and a summer full of backyard garden harvests. 

Silly Jump Through Hoops Day, more like it

I'm still not sure how it happened, but BAM - just like that, I'm the mom who does her kids' homework at 10PM the night before it's due, when they're already in bed.

Let me assure you - if this was "real" homework that had any bearing on their intellect or academic standing, I would not have caved to the pressure, or given in when I realized they'd be the only kids without in the morning. But this week is Camp Invention, and despite Justin and my best intentions, we're just not that in tune with the details.

Thank goodness for friends whose kids are going to the same camp - a text (received at 9:45PM last night, mind you) alerted me to the fact that today was SILLY HAT DAY. Ugh - how could I have missed that? There's no doubt that every.single.kid would show up with a silly hat today. I couldn't let my two munchkins be the only ones with bare, completely unsilly heads.

First thought - what do we have that we could pass of as silly? Pink cowgirl hat with tiara - check. Except Little Miss Particular may not care to wear a cowgirl hat to Camp Invention. Because cowgirl hats are for the rodeo, which is in Texas, and Camp Invention is decidedly neither of those. Little Mister Easy Going probably would've gone along with my insistence that a glow-in-the-dark M on a Mickey hat was silly, but I knew the jig would be up once he got to Camp. I mean, my friends were gluing straws on a safari hat, for crying out loud. Now that is silly.

Insert loud sigh, eye roll, and slumping shoulders here. It was the moment of reckoning. Honey, find the glue gun. I'll get the ribbons, the pom poms, the googly eyes, and the paper flowers.

I'll let you develop your own mental image of me hunched over the kitchen island, coaxing glue out of a glue gun while trying to avoid the stringy strands that create a glue gun spider web every time I use one of those things.

Good thing I like to randomly buy art supplies and scrapbooking embellishments. Otherwise, my kids would've had floppy hats nominally decorated with whatever I could find in the kitchen drawers. Instead, I think I pulled off something that looked - dare I say it - planned. And they were all smiles when they came down for breakfast this morning and saw them on the counter, waiting for their silly heads.

They all have names

This past week was an exciting one for several of my West Point classmates. After sixteen years of active duty service, we celebrated some promotions to Lieutenant Colonel. 

It was especially gratifying to see pictures of one of my female classmates' promotion ceremonies. There were fewer than 100 of us women who graduated in the Class of 1997, and I think less than ten of us are still in uniform. To see Robyn in her dress uniform with the new silver leaf of an O-5 was a thrill for me. As Justin and I sat at the dinner table one night talking about the promotions, we talked about the few women who are still in. One of those women was Jaimie Leonard. 

Today, I learned that Jaimie was killed in Afghanistan yesterday. 

The shock of learning a classmate has passed never lessens, even though you know there is always a chance of the bad news when people are deployed all over the world at any given time. There had been an article in the paper this morning about three American soldiers killed in an attack by an Afghan soldier. They were trainers, and there had been an argument. 

Three American soldiers. No names - just American soldiers. 

And one of them was my classmate. 

We don't hear regular news stories about battles or skirmishes any more. There aren't uplifting stories about free elections, stable governments, or economic recovery from Iraq or Afghanistan. There are just occasional headlines and stories stuck toward the back of the front section in the newspaper giving the perfunctory details of attacks by individuals. I've always said a quick prayer for the families, especially the mothers, of those killed when I see these stories. I'm doing the same today, adding a prayer for all of the members of the Class of '97. 

When you're a West Point graduate, when it comes to your classmates - whether you were good friends, casual acquaintances, or just familiar with a face - you're all part of the Long Gray Line. So once again we grip hands though it be from the shadows, and we say:

Well done. Be thou at peace.

Update: Honoring the life of LTC Jaimie Leonard, USMA Class of 1997. On June 8, 2013, LTC Jaimie Leonard was killed in action while serving with the US Army in Afghanistan. The Class of 1997 has set up a memorial fund with the West Point Association of Graduates (AOG) to purchase a four-person shell (rowing boat) and to dedicate it in her name for the use of the Army Crew Team for years to come. The Army Crew Team’s boathouse will also display a box with pictures and narratives of Jaimie’s service to the nation. The fund requires $25,000. Upon fulfillment, the Class of 1997 will plan a dedication ceremony at West Point, possibly in May of 2014 or fall of 2014. Any person wanting to support Jaimie’s legacy in this way, may do so. 

All donations are tax deductable. Checks should be made payable to the West Point Association of Graduates, with “DCA Crew Team—in Memory of Jaimie Leonard” in the memo line or in an accompanying note. Gifts can also be made online at www.westpointaog.org/givetoWP or by calling 845-446-1658. AOG mailing address: Gift Operations Department, West Point Association of Graduates, 698 Mills Road, West Point, NY 10996. If you give online, please ensure that you go to the link on the left that says "ways to give" and make sure to indicate that its for "DCA- Army Crew IMO Jaimie Leonard". In addition, many companies match funds, so please provide your employer information so that AOG may determine whether matching funds are available.

Please direct financial questions to the AOG. All other questions contact Pam Long, ’97, at rypamlong@comcast.net. Pictures of rowing shells are posted on the West Point Crew Team facebook page.

Friday Feature: Caroline's summer journaling

The twelve weeks of Coussoule Curriculum have begun! Today's journaling topic: List 10 things you love about your sibling. Unfortunately, the two were at each other's throats apparently since about 9:00 this morning, so they weren't in a great frame of mind for this particular topic.

That periodically observed behavior, of course, is exactly why this topic was on the list. It was an epic intellectual struggle with much moaning and groaning, but the ultimate result isn't bad. John's needed quite a bit more effort - maybe next week he'll get closer to the mark. 

As much as I love her reasons she loves John, my favorite part of the journaling isn't the words: it's the picture. The way she drew them, they look more grown up than a 6 and 7 year old. Perfect way to illustrate that they really are Forever Friends. 

The Coussoule Curriculum

Summer is here!! No more school, no more books, no more learning... well, unless you're a kid in the Coussoule household. If that's your lot in life, then your Fayetteville Public School year may be over, but the Twelve Weeks of Summer Coussoule Curriculum has just begun.

Justin and I both have very high expectations when it comes to our children and their education. We think the local school district does a great job, but there's always an opportunity to enhance what they learn from their teachers. Given that both kids already read above grade level, and John's math skills tested off the charts for a kindergartner, we decided that this summer, it isn't enough to ensure simply that minimally they didn't lose their skills. This summer is an opportunity to give them something to really challenge them (not to mention keep them from getting on each other's last nerve before the end of the first week of break).

I spent most of last Sunday putting together a by-subject, by-week curriculum to keep them academically engaged during the summer. This summer, we're going to read; write; color; create; and discover some new wonders of science. We're also going to take piano lessons, memorize Bible verses, and do our daily and weekly chores. (You can access the spreadsheet by clicking the image below.)

And of course, the Fayetteville Public Library's summer reading program will ensure we make our way through hours of good books - one of the raffle prizes this year is an iPad Mini. John is off-the-charts motivated to get as many entries as possible in for that one!

On Monday, Justin took them to the local teacher supply store and picked out a stack of workbooks. Math; Science; Handwriting; Social Studies. Just think of the possibilities.

I think what I'm most excited about is the journaling. I had a ton of fun brainstorming three prompts per week for twelve weeks. Some of them are seasonal, some of them require critical thinking, and some of them are just fun. Based on the results from the first one this week, there will be plenty of Friday Feature material throughout the summer.

With all of this structure, I figure I'm well on my way to solidifying Meanest Mom on the Block status. Never fear - there will be plenty of free time for the kiddos this summer. Next week is Camp Invention; Gramma and Papa arrive on the 18th; we're signed up for Catholic Kidz Camp; and we'll definitely fit in a trip to Houston. Caroline has big plans to participate in a Kids Triathlon, and of course, it isn't summer if there isn't lazy time to play with the neighborhood kids, dig in the sandbox, or chase your sister around the backyard.

I have my own curriculum this summer - I've committed to making at least one new recipe per week all summer. It's a little bit self serving - making every recipe in a cookbook is an item on my life list, and there's no time like the present to get working on it - but it's also a great way to see if we can find some new ideas for the meal rotation. I also plan to read aloud to the kiddos as many children's classics as we can get through. We're starting with The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, and so far, it's a hit. I can't wait for James and the Giant Peach; Wind in the Willows; Charlotte's Web; or whatever classics we check out from the library.

So, Summer - we're so glad you're here. We can't wait for all of the fun we're going to have, and the things we're going to learn.

Sara Lawrence Lightfoot said: "There must be a profound recognition that parents are the first teachers and that education begins before formal schooling and is deeply rooted in the values, traditions, and norms of family and culture."

Justin and I are taking that to heart this summer.

Caroline's First Holy Communion

We are faithful parishioners at St. Joseph's Catholic Church here in Fayetteville, and the kids attend PRE all school year long on Sunday mornings. I even taught Caroline's first grade class last year, but not having grown up Catholic, I didn't feel comfortable teaching her second grade class this year since it's such an important year. This year she went through all of the classes to receive two sacraments: the sacrament of Penance, and this past Sunday, the sacrament of the Eucharist.

I'm sure sometimes people wonder whether children truly understand the fullness of their faith, but everything I've seen with Caroline - the questions she asks, the way she articulates the tenets of our faith, the interest she has in the Mass and her Sunday School lessons - tells me that she truly has the faith of a child. I'm so proud of her, and hope that she continues to live and grow in her love of Jesus Christ.

"Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” -- Matthew 19:14

Caroline and our wonderful parish priest, Fr. John Antony

Race Report: DNF, War Eagle 50k

Unfortunately, this is not my typical race report. Today, I attempted my first ultra - the War Eagle 50k trail run at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area. And today, I had my first DNF - Did Not Finish. 

I'm frustrated. I'm embarrassed. I'm disappointed. 

It's been a tough week leading up to my first attempt at a 50k. Last Saturday, on my weekly long run, I got 1.5 miles into it and stepped on a rock on the sidewalk. I have notoriously weak ankles; I spent much of my high school basketball career in the training room, enduring an endless loop of ankle taping - cut the tape off - foot in a bucket of ice. Somehow, I've managed to avoid any serious injuries in the last year of basically nonstop training. I guess I was overdue.

The first questionable choice in preparation for today's 50k was to keep running last Saturday even after I rolled my ankle to the point that my ankle bone touched the sidewalk. I've walked off a thousand similar injuries; six miles later, though, I finally threw in the towel. Good thing I have awesome friends, one of whom came back to pick me up at the park in his car. Post-run, post-Epsom salt soak, post-ice, I thought: maybe it won't be too bad:

Sunday morning, though, the jig was up: I had a straight CANKLE. 

As the week went on it got better each day, and I stayed optimistic about my ability to do the 50k. Not only was it my first attempt at an ultra, I had already paid the $75 entry fee. Come on, people - you can't just let that go. 

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

I ran Thursday, just 3 miles, to see how it felt. A friend taped me up with K tape, and I thought I was going to be okay. 

Friday morning it felt great, seemingly no negative impact from the previous day's run:

By Friday after work, though, I could tell I'd had a setback. I began to question the wisdom of running on Saturday. It didn't help that severe storms (including possible tornados) were forecasted for the area. On the other hand, it also doesn't help that I'm a sucker for peer pressure. So this morning, I got up, got dressed, and headed out the door to do my best. 

If it hadn't been for my friend Jeff, there's no way I would have been able to muster the courage and grit to make the attempt. We met up at the parking lot and planned to stay together on the run. He did it last year and was familiar with the trail, so I figured that would help me avoid the worst spots. I needed to get my ankle taped, so naturally, I had world famous photographer Luis Escobar do it for me. Who else?

I don't think the gift shop lady was too keen about me sitting on her counter. But we were quick. One picture inside, then time to hit the trail. 

I could tell pretty much in the first two miles it was going to be a rough day. I essentially had to walk the downhills - and since I assumed I would have to walk a lot of the uphills, too, things weren't looking too good. The trails at Hobbs are amazing, but they're still trails, and still have rocks and roots and uneven footing. Right around mile 7, I did it again - stepped on a rock, rolled the ankle pretty badly. That was it - I knew I would be walking to the next aid station for a ride back to the finish. 

In those seven miles, though, I totally got why people love trail running. It was raining, but it really wasn't that bad under the canopy of the trees. It was muddy, but that made it more of an adventure. The quiet and solitude of a trail run are so different from the crush of the crowd in a huge traditional marathon. The runners come equipped with Camelbaks, and the aid stations have pretzels, gummy bears, and Coke. The challenge of the path sharpens your focus; makes you pay strict attention to your steps; requires that you demand more of the amazing machine that is the human body. 

I got an idea of the difference in the mindset needed for a trail run, as well as for an ultra. You can't halfway mentally commit to a 50k. You're either in or you're out - there is no halfhearted effort. I think that's why I'm convinced I'm well suited for the ultra distances. I'm all in - or I'm not in at all. 

Admitting defeat and accepting my first DNF feels terrible. I crow so much about my running, I was embarrassed to report my inability to suck it up and drive on. But that's when I realized, for maybe the thousandth time, how special the community of runners is. I was brought to tears by a dear friend who posted these for me on Facebook:

"...who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." -- Teddy Roosevelt

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." -- Teddy Roosevelt

I'll try again next year. For now, I'll mope a little bit, nurse my ego a little bit, and spend the next week providing embarrassed explanations to co-workers and friends. But something like a sprained ankle isn't enough to keep me on the sidelines. 

Time to hit the pool. With a vengeance.