I’m conferencing, and my attention is scattered right now, plus it’s icky humid here in Pensacola and I can’t think when the weather is like this, so all I’ve got are random items o’ famille. (. . .and a couple of posts about the conference; you can read them over here.)
Detail of an Image by ezioman, and used under a Creative Commons license.
ITEM 1: I soon will be an aunt. (Bonus: Guess the baby’s name!)
My sister is having a baby. Yay! Alas, the baby has not yet turned, and attempts to turn her did not work. On April 21, she’s having a C-section, which, she explained to me last night, kind of makes those ELEVEN WEEKS (33 hours!) of childbirth class seem like wasted time. Kindly keep your fingers crossed for her, send good vibes her way, or whatever else you typically do to wish someone well.
My sister isn’t revealing the baby’s intended name, though she did say they think it’s a stubborn girl and her name will start with H. She said it’s a name that evokes the nineteenth century, and that she and her husband saw the name on the back of a boat.
initial H + 19th century + likely boat name = ??? (Hazel, Hannah, Harriet, Henrietta? Hermia, Helena, Hepzibah? Hypatia?!?)
Leave your guesses in the comments, and I’ll let you know what she names the baby. (My sister’s last name begins with an H, and she’s looking for an “R” middle name, so that the baby’s initials will be HRH, which would be an awesome monogram. I suggested that there’s a better middle name–the one we were going to give our child had he been born a girl: our grandmother’s name.)
ITEM 2: I need to write a difficult letter.
To my ill grandmother. A kind, loving thank-you note. I’m not sure what to put in it. I need to finish it soon. Ideas?
ITEM 3: DNA from Danes and Scots
My dad has pale olive skin, and before his hair went gray, it was black. Did I inherit his awesome melanin and coloring? No. And thanks to an Idaho winter, I’m paler than I’ve ever been. Yet did I remember to bring sunblock or a hat on my trip to Pensacola this week? No. Did I get a sunburn on the back of my neck today, despite my collared shirt, the fact that my hair was down, and it was foggy most of the day? Oh yes. Have I found anywhere within walking distance to buy sunblock? sigh.
I’m going with Hortense, mainly because I will choke if it turns out to be correct.
As for writing to your grandma, I wrote a similar letter to my mother in 2005. I kept it fairly conversational and in list form (which made it less intimidating for perfectionist me to work on), but not “bullet points” with words and phrases–actual sentences and short paragraphs. I talked about favorite memories, ways she inspired me, things I learned from her, ways she was a positive influence, ways she’s shaped my life for the better, things I love about her, etc. I’m glad you’re doing this for your grandmother–I know my mom loved hers, and it’s hands down the best thing I’ve done. Every time I think of it, I’m so glad I did it.
I, too, guessed Hortense! But my sister says it would seem, then, as if she’s naming her baby after the janitorial custodian at work–Hortensia–and there are many people she’d like to honor before she makes her way that far down the list.
I’m so glad you had the opportunity to write to your mom. After Grandma’s is finished, I’ll write one each to my parents and my sister.
Enjoy:
http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/artwork/relentlessly-cheerful-art-by-james-hance-143683?image_id=2380307
I ran across some of his work some time ago, but he’s expanded his collection quite a bit–those are awesome! I think they’d look especially nice on my office walls. . .
Really? An H? They’re going alliterative? It better be an awfully good name…
Yes. . . I think our sibilant approach is far superior.
Hillis. When I was growing up, my parents had friends, Hillis and Tom, from the WWI generation, and they were wonderful. If your niece is Hillis, and she’s anything like “my” Hillis, she will be kind and resillient, smart, capable, and generous.
I love the name Hillis, and I don’t think I’ve met anyone with that name. Awesome.
I have a former M.A. student who’s down at the same conference, I think. (Or was, anyway.)
Hester gets my vote, although I think Esther is more fashionable now. (If either name can be called fashionable.)
33 hours of prepared childbirth class is just frackking ridiculous, and anything is better than laboring the “natural” way.
Well, if she comes out with a birthmark that looks like an A, then it’s a fait accompli, yes?
This has been a good conference, though it kind of sucks that most of the federal workers had to bail early so that they could get home before a possible government shutdown. (Taxpayer dollars well spent on last-minute plane tickets!)
Hester!
Hmm, H name, I’d go with Henrietta, however, a cousin just recently named his baby Henley. As to your letter, I’d thank her for showing you how to be strong in the face of great pain and circumstance, for the affection she has given over the years, and that you will be ok when she goes. She is truly an amazing person.
Saw my dad this weekend–he votes for Hermione.
I’m going with Honoria (good lord am I even spelling that right?) which was the name of Lady Dedlock in Dickens’ Bleak House. Of course, she died of a shame and a broken heart so maybe that’s not the way to go.