Easter

Another post

Long time readers of the blog may recall that I was going to post a really good poem about missing your wife a while back, but was unable to find it. In lieu of the very good poem, I created my own poem that veered into disturbing paths that none of us wish to retread. Suffice it to say that there was mention made of pizza, Breakin' 2 and nudity. Anyway I'm proud to say that those days are behind us and that I have found the poem I was looking for way back then. It was written by a man named John Talbot (a former professor of mine) and published in "Poetry" magazine. I really like it. What do you think?

SHAVINGS

You gone, I thought to look
for warmth in the pith of trees,
so I went to the chopping-block,
taught axe's edge to kiss
soft knotty-hearted pine
whose sinews might warm mine.

Matchstick's rasp, blue chuff:
the fine-shaved kindling caught,
curled into twenty fists
that cupped their fingers shut
till fire fastened to the wood
and wooed it close and hot
and soon the room was warm enough
but I was not.

I just really like this poem. It's like Shrek in that it has layers. It's proper and restrained (not like Shrek) but as you continue to read you start to get a feeling for the "soft [naughty]-hearted pin[ing]" that runs throughout the poem. I love the way he uses the sounds of the words to convey a mood. I love the subtle half-rhymes. I really like how well he captures the mood in the home when your wife is away. Very nice. What do you folks think?

Pains

Big props to Marianne McPhie for pointing me in the direction of this gem. The band is called "The Pains of Being Pure in Heart". Isn't that the most disgustingly indie band name you've ever heard? But I am willing to overlook the name because the band allows me to feel like I'm listening to the Smiths for the first time. And what's better, this time there is a girl singer and a boy singer, rather than one sexually confused Morrissey embodying both roles.

What I Want

We just heard what Liz wants. I want to someday be able to do this:



Let's see...that means I need hair dye, perhaps some hair plugs, a nice turtle neck to go with my sports coat and many guitar lessons. No problem, I'll just quit school and instead of doing therapy I'll heal the world with the gift my music and my fabulous, bushy hair. Watch for it.

Let me just say...i have had it with optimism. Nope. I am done. We all know I have tried to like Pittsburgh; to look past its problems. But, now that my dream of leaving is actually possible, i can't help but feel released from my obligation to be something i am not...optimistic. I think i am a realist...and lets be honest now... which is better:



ewwww


OR


ahhhh...what splendor!

So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pray for us that jon can find a job in utah!

lots of stuff

Our night time ritual...one of my favorite times of the day.



This is the face of pneumonia...oh yeah...and jon.



And again.



Max blowing out his candle at his birthday party, no we aren't just trying to be mean (no frosting on his cupcake) he is allergic sadly.



Two of Max's favorite people...Jane and Malin; enjoying themselves at his party.



We did a little fishing game at the party...you really missed out.





Max LOVES the zoo; and most especially the seals.



This is how we get things done at the Ahern house: jon reads, Max rides(watches a movie), while i do the dishes.



A fun day at a nearby farm. Max loved this horse, and all the puddles and mud he could find.