Ten Things I’m Into (June)
1. Spike Lee - This month marks the 25th anniversary of Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing.” I took my children to the block party celebration and talked all things Spike lee to them in the days before the event. It was a crash course full of passion on cinematic history for African-Americans, on class and culture, on racism in America, the issues addressed in the film and, current events that make you question how far we’ve come. We watched the first part of When the Levees Broke and grieved over the graphic images of a city seemingly abandoned in the face of a natural disaster. I’m grateful for the talks with my tweens. Their world is and isn’t so different from the world I grew up in. Engaging in adult conversation, with my children, whatever the topic, is a treasure.
2. Figure Skating - my girls just finished 2 weeks of figure skating camp at Chelsea Piers. It was an intro for Chailah, our youngest. I don’t want to force skating on her but thought it would be practical for her to learn. We’re a skating family because of Ila’s passion for the sport. So learn she must. She struggled through the first week. Because we homeschool, Chailah’s never spent an entire day away from me. With the exception of a few days with dad or grandma, she works at my side 24/7, the estrogen counterpoint of my “Littlest Lovelies” pair. The separation was hard. But I loved seeing past the immediate frustration to the growth in her as a girl. She grew and changed in those 2 weeks and even lost a tooth.
3. Hair Braiding - I’m thinking about braiding my hair for the summer. I tried twists with Marley hair extensions a month ago and took them out after 2 days. The hair was light weight but too bulky. I did not take pictures. Thinking of taking it back this time with old school box braids that, like Lupita, I’ve learned to do myself. The Afro halo is on my last nerve. Time apart would do us well.
Check out Lupita braiding hair..
4. Camping – June brought an invitation to go camping. This month was all about setting plans in motion to make that happen – but I’m starting from zero friends. My experience with camping is one night in a park in Queens, NY hosted by the Urban Park Rangers. They provided tents and food. Basically a camping experience for city dwellers who wouldn’t dream of owning tent or roughing it in the wild. We’re researching tents, and sleeping bags. This should be fun. Right?
5. Blow Up Pools – We are fortunate to have a terrace and last year bought a blow up pool for the littlest lovelies, it’s not big but fills up with just enough water to keep them cool and happy in the NYC summer heat.
6. 40 days of blogging – I signed up to do a 40 day blogging course with Story Sessions. Feeling the blogging drought and hope this will inspire me to develop a regular writing practice.
On the blog I received lots of feedback from a post written the day after Father’s Day and I wrote a poem
7. When Women Were Birds by Terry Tempest Williams the title of this book is other worldly beautiful. I saw Maleficent last night and the visual imagery reminded me of the title. Oh, it’s like a song. When Women Were Birds. When Women Were Birds. So good.
8. Taking Care of myself – Alison Hector of Learn to Embrace the Struggle wrote this post on Deidra’s site today and it got my holistic head aflutter with all I know but don’t make time to do with regard to my health. For the most part I eat right but I don’t work out as much as I’d like . So I’ll read something like this and get all super-duper motivated and workout every day for a week and then burnout because I’ve pulled a muscle or more likely just bit off more than I could chew by cramming it all in to an already overbooked day. Baby steps is the way to go and in my excitement…I forget that. This post reinforced for me the most important thing to remember…make small lasting changes.
9. Avocados – so it’s all about avocados for me lately. Two summers ago a friend introduced me to an avocado burger and since then I serve it with rice and beans, add it as a filler for my plate when I enjoy a fried egg or spread it on toast with a little lemon and a drizzle of olive oil. Up next – quinoa avocado sushi and dark chocolate avocado truffles.
10. Dates with my husband – Big Daddy and I are talking about buying new sneakers. The purchase of said sneakers will be the jump off point for speed walk dates around the Harlem Meer sans children. Now that’s God-inspired midlife marriage sexy.
Ten Things I’m Into…( June) http://t.co/ZORFcJMn9o
I kind of like the African halo, but I think you’d look lovely no matter how you do your hair. We are a gymnastics family in the same way you are an ice skating family due to my youngest daughter’s all-consuming involvement in the sport. Next week I’m taking her to a college gymnastics camp, where she’ll be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. And she can’t wait!
Kim recently posted…Five Minute Friday: Release
i enjoyed your 10 things lisha:) good luck on the camping:) are you going with friends who are experienced campers? btw, i enjoyed watching the video on braiding.
martha brady recently posted…LOVE AND FEAR DO NOT COEXIST…
Our friends go every year and often invite us. This time we said yes. They are prepping us well and I feel good knowing I’ll experience this adventure with veterans.
Lisha, I enjoyed learning more about you I’m with you on #8. I need to realize, too, that “baby steps” are the way to go. I’m trying to at least walk every day but I’ve not done well with it the past week. Avocados are great. I need to incorporate them more into my diet. Camping is great for the most part. Our first camping trip we were not well prepared. Ask Jamie Bagley about it sometime.
Love this, Lisa. I’m looking forward to learning more about you.
*Lisha <3
Brittany Michelle recently posted…The Great Grief and Hope of Easter
Can I tell you how much I love this post? And thanks so much for the video of Lupita braiding! She’s my girl crush.
Like Kim said, I love the halo but I feel you re: getting tired of it. Every now and then I get the urge to switch it up re: my TWA. But the urge passes… LOL!
I so remember Do The Right Thing! I was in New York visiting one of my good girlfriends from back home and we went to see it. My favorite line was: “You need some brothers on the walls!” I still use it, especially at work. I also loved “That’s the truth, Ruth!” LOL! I know you must have had a blast at the block party!
The book’s title is truly dreamy. Tell me how you liked the book; it might have to be added to my summer reading list.
And thanks for the shout-out, Lisha. We will definitely have to talk. I see God’s hand all over the fact that you went to IIN and I want to take their program next year. #God!
Alison Hector recently posted…For Ayana
What I’m Into….
#summer http://t.co/v66DW9UUs0
Lisha, might I just tell you that my husband and I love camping! And yes, we camp in a tent, in sleeping bags on pads. And I’m here to tell you, it is really FUN! There’s nothing quite like that feeling of being in touch with the land, like you’re a part of it. My best advice? Pack for both hot and cold weather – depending on where you’re going, the temperature extremes can be surprising.
And, for the record, I love avocados!! (I live in California, where it’s mandatory to love them?!) I can’t wait to read your interesting recipes. Chocolate and avocado? Who would have thought that would go together? Avocado sushi – well, that I’ve heard of – California rolls!!
GOD BLESS!
Sharon recently posted…21,000 DAYS
Avocados, skating and 40 Days of Blogging. I’m with you on all of these! So glad I’ve found your blog.
Speed walking dates! That is such a great idea. I just bought some new sneakers, two pair because if something fits comfortably, I want to make it last! Not sure I’d get my husband on board, though.
Camping! I haven’t done that since having kids of my own. I think what I enjoyed most about it was the stillness and peace of the world at dawn. Though the S’mores and campfire coffee were pretty high up there on the list for me, too. I hope you will blog about the experiences!
I’m so glad to be doing the 40 days blogging collective with you. It’s been fun getting to know you better through your blog.
I love the braiding video – how fantastic! So much goodness in this post. Those recipes sound amazing. (We met at Allume last year – love your blog!) Blessings to you Lisha! (And can I say – love your headshot – your hair is gorgeous!)
Sarah Caldwell recently posted…What I WAS Into ~ May 2014 : {The I-CANT-BELIEVE-SHE’S-STILL-BLOGGING-EDITION!}
Hi Sarah! Wow, I do remember you from Allume. Should have done a blog hop sooner. Connecting with so many people. Thanks for reading.