Amma's Blog

Kitty Boy And Lucianna Take A Good Nap

Why is it that when my body is weak and in need of rest, I’m such a bad self mother? I tell myself in a mean inner voice,’ “Don’t be such a wimp. Get moving!”
And when my body says’ I’don’t feel good. I want to sit around and rest” or “I need a nap.”
I say, “Get moving. You’re just being lazy.”
Get the picture?
Even though my more enlightened, internal mama says “You need rest,” That self hardly gets listened to.

And so here I am, trying to type with half a brain, a head full of snot, and a postnasal drip, and I don’t know if this makes any sense. But I’m saying to you, “Love your body, be gentle with it, take care of your body as if it were your darling child, or your beloved, because it truly is. By being kind to yourself it will help speed your recovery since we all benefit from encouragement, love and respect.”
And, finally I’d say to you, “In other words: Do what I say, don’t do what I do.”

Tags: Being sick and miserable, cold, hay fever, self parenting

BEANSTALK
The Bone Bread with its crusty exterior and soft nutty flavored interior provided the ideal complement to the bean soup.
Baby trees with golden egg hollandaise, proved to be a rich accompaniment to the delectably tender Rack of Jack. While the singing harp lent atmosphere, perfect for a romantic date.

Madeleine Sklar© 2012

Tags: bread, harp, jack and the beanstalk, restaurant review, romantic

The Devil, always knowing when we were happily oblivious, and doing fine, appeared to be having a good laugh as the part of the Great Multi-One, who, while talking to His/Her self, had made Their Almighty, omniscient mind up, to mess with us all just one more time.

Madeleine Sklar© 2012

Tags: devil, god, One, paradise lost

AWAKENING IN A PERFECT WORLD
Shikina carefully drew her bow across the strings. Small birds surrounded her. Larger birds settled on nearby branches.
She played on. Rainbows flew from her strings becoming flowers. Animals and people, one by one took their place in her beautiful circle. Peace filled Her loving re-creation.

Madeleine Sklar© 2012

Tags: birds, music, perfect world, Shikina, violin, world

AWAKENING IN A PERFECT WORLD
Shikina carefully drew her bow across the strings. Small birds surrounded her. Larger birds settled on nearby branches.
She played on. Rainbows flew from her strings becoming flowers. Animals and people, one by one took their place in her beautiful circle.
Peace filled Her loving re-creation.

Madeleine Sklar© 2012

Tags: birds, music, perfect world, Shikina, violin

AWAKENING IN A PERFECT WORLD

Shikina carefully drew her bow across the strings. Small birds surrounded her. Larger birds settled on nearby branches.

She played on. Rainbows flew from her strings becoming flowers. Animals and people, one by one took their place in her beautiful circle.

Peace filled Her loving re-creation.

Madeleine Sklar© 2012

Recently I led a Passover Seder at my daughter’s house in Berkeley it was one of my favorites because it was the first I’ve shared with my granddaughter. So although Passover is past for this year, freedom as an on-going personal process remains.

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES
MORE FROM THIS YEAR’S PASSOVER SEDER

On Passover, we retell the story of the Jews exodus from the land of Egypt, and their journey through the Red Sea, to emerge as a free people. At each Seder, we say the words: “This year we’re slaves in the land of Egypt, next year we will be free people…”
We say this because we believe freedom is not a fixed thing but an on-going process.
When I suggested, that beginning with the youngest, we each name that which still enslaves us. My granddaughter immediately said,
“I want to be free of our unfair lunch lady.”
Next, it was her father’s turn.
“Fear,” was his response.
“Can I say something else?” asked our eight-year old.
“Sure.”
“I want to be free from having to be like everyone else, so I can be more myself.”
Turned out she’d spoken for us all.

Madeleine Sklar© 2012

Tags: children's wisdom, family celebration, Freedom, Passover seder, slavery

Driving over the mountains her ears plugged up.
Beside her, his voice blurred to a grey drone. The radio flickered, static; then silence. Snow clouds released their heavy burden. Sky and road merged in white brilliance.
Blindly she drove into the light.

Madeleine Sklar© 2012

Tags: driving in snow, flash fiction, short short stories

Gray ocean walls fold over Pharaoh’s army. On the insecure, shifting sands of paradox, fear always seeks absolutes, and so we enslave ourselves. The easy answer creates our golden calf.
Later, when forced to abandon that golden calf, we, fearing true freedom, will never abandon some One Right Answer.

Madeleine Sklar© 2012

Tags: Freedom, Passover, philosophical musings, slavery

SPRING CLEANING
“Iris, heads like spears, knife shaped leaves like hands in prayer, press through the unconscious, tear-softened earth. Is it not the same for us?” she said.
“Of course, Dear. … Don’t forget the laundry.” he replied.
She startled, hearing their door slam behind him… one last time.

Madeleine Sklar© 2012

Tags: flash fiction, flowers, hands in prayer, iris, short fiction