Friday, May 28, 2010

The Disjointed Artist, the Rockstar Dilemna: Thoughts about a kindred spirit, Melissa Etheridge

I've been reading through some of Tammy Etheridge's blog, HollywoodFarmgirl. This is just nosiness and pure speculation, but maybe Melissa Etheridge got too comfortable and bored in her home/married life with Tammy and tykes to be productive. As artists, we often flourish (our work flourishes) during moments of drama or turmoil. That is to say: intense emotions have a habit of increasing artistic productivity.

When things become too simple or repetitive or mundane -or when our emotions no longer drive our art, the artist might become restless. She may even misinterpret that restlessness for unhappiness rather than seeing it for whatever it truly may be. Then, as a result of this misinterpretation of self, the artist might self-sabotage in the name (misname) of happiness or freedom (or whatever other bull-shit she's selling herself); when in fact she is actually seeking out the unhappiness that drives her to create her "best" art. The "best" art may also be a MISinterpretation by the artist, as she has bought into the public's valuation of her art (and, therefore, internalized their valuations and devaluations of her art).

Her self-worth then becomes tied so deeply into her public image and artistic fame that she will abandon anything that poses a threat to either. Day-to-day family life (aka life with children) DEFINITELY threatens artistic productivity, public success AND fame. It's pretty much impossible to live the Rock Star Life and commit oneself fully to family life.

As a stay-at-home mom, I know that the balance is very difficult to maintain. I'm a semi/low-productive poet and full-time stay-at-home mom. Family comes first because it has to come first AND because I am committed to it coming first. If you're famous and you have a lot of money, you can delegate and hire and come in and out of the family dynamic more freely. But that disengagement comes at a price, usually.

To be continued. LIFE calls.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

MammaSi's Tilapia Chowder Recipe



Tilapia Chowder

Prep Time: 35 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Ready In: 1 Hour
Servings: 6

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil + Smart Balance
1/2 large mild onion, diced
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken stock
1 can Rotel tomatoes (mild)
1 peeled, cubed sweet potato
1 1/2 cups fat free half and half
1 tbs Thai red curry paste
salt to taste
1 pound frozen tilapia fillets (about 4 pieces)
3 C kale, chopped


Directions:

1.Melt the oil/margarine in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes and garlic, and continue cooking until the potatoes have softened slightly, about 5 minutes.

2. Pour in the chicken stock, curry paste and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, add kale then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the fish and cook until it falls apart easily, about 10 more minutes. Stir in the half and half and heat. Put cheddar cheese into bottom of bowl and ladle soup on top.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Mother's Day Poems (from a Three Year Old Daughter to her Motherly Sources)

These are some captions for pictures and "writing" in Darah's Mother's Day cards for Momma Si, Grandma Sue, Great Nana, Gigi Mel and Nana Jan. (In other words, these were her spoken replies when I asked, "What does that say?")


To Grandma Sue/in her card:
Dar: "P.S." Mum: "What does that mean?" Dar: "That is a word for that letter."
"I miss you."
"I wanna say thank you."
"You're cute."
"Thank you."
"Thank you for my heart."

To Momma Si/in her card:
"Momma Si Butt."
"I love you, Momma Si." ("I yuv you Ma Si.")
"It's booby milk from your booby, OTAY?!"
"It says yellow."
"Happy birthday to you!" ("Haypeh beerf-day to you!")

To Nana Jan/in her card:
"Thank you for my flower."
"Play with me." ("Pway wiss meeee.")
"This is a good idea."
"It says I want some."
"There's a hole."
"Flowers."

To Great Nana/in her card:
"Thank you for my birthday."
"I love you, Nana."
"A cat." (As requested by Mummy J...because GN is afraid of them!)
"Twinkle star, twinkle star."
"Happy birthday to you."

To Gigi Mel/in her card:
"Thank you for helping me with Mummy J."
"Thank you for my birthday."
"Thank you for my heart."
"Awe. Thank you."
"It's Mother's Day."
"It says McFadden Darah."