Last night, our neighbor did a backbend and attempted to kick over. She asked for help, Margot jumped in – silently, like a back walkover ninja – and was kicked right in the face. Knocked her two top front teeth loose. Which, to her, is awesome. Right in the middle of the blood and tears she smiled and said she couldn’t wait to lose those teeth.
I really want to write this book. I feel eager and inspired. And I feel like I want a hug. Pretty much just like the back walkover-face kick. How the hell do people write books?! I have a gnarly dentist appointment in the morning…perhaps tooth fanagling encourages perspective breakthroughs in such matters.
These days feel fragile and just so fast. School, (striving for!) earlier bedtimes, new routine and so much food to get in jars. We are all fragile, getting used to a pace that feels different from summer’s whimsy.
It feels good and right. And it feels hard and tiring.
We cleaned out our garage a few weeks ago. It took two and a half days, which felt like two and half months to the kids. They shuffled over the cracked concrete, with fleeting attention toward photos of my grandfather in the FBI, trying on my wedding dress and playing It’s The End Of The World And All We Have Is ____ with every piece of our outdoor gear.
At the end of day two, Margot drug an old coffee table into the driveway and announced she was going to sell some vegetables. “So. I need a sign and to collect some food. And then I need customers.”
I helped her gather tomatoes, onions and carrots, she and her sister took care of the rest. “Rainbow vegetables for sale!” Margot cheered as she proudly displayed her sign. And then they sat. We live on a quiet street and it was 6pm on a Sunday.
Cecil stopped his car when Ruby shouted buy vegetables! while running, hugging onions. The girls handed over armloads of food in exchange for a few dollars. Soon, they were sold out, their little fists gripping cash. Probably at least $100 Margot said.
Barely awake, Margot and Ruby were back at it the next morning. Now with leek, kale and increased confidence. In two days, they made $28.
I’ve been cooking and canning every night. I push through the urge to fall asleep with the kids and find the kitchen. It’s dark now, the nights cool. Open windows, loud music and me over the stove getting groovy with peaches, plums, tomatoes, tomatillos, beans, pears, peas, kale. Until 12:45 when I decide I must be in bed by 1. I dream immediately, the kitchen steam rolling into the night sky as jars of our winter’s food seal themselves to sleep.
Margot folds each earned dollar bill with devotion and places them in her denim purse which she then wedges between the wall and her bedside table. For sparkly beads she bursts whenever asked. We made a date of it. She constructed an anklet that will eventually be a bracelet that she plans to wear forever when she grows bigger. Always looking to squeeze every last bit out of everything, that girl.
Ruby treats her money like the pinecones she plays with, which is to say I find wadded up bills all over the place – in artfully arranged clusters, in the bottom of my water bottle and with the toothpaste. The amazing part? It always finds its way back to Ruby; she hasn’t lost a single dollar. It’s a magical, multiplicative game to her, rediscovering her dollar bills in the hiding places she’d forgotten about. She immediately handed over some of her stash to buy a little strawberry doll she named Strawberry.
Two weeks ago fleshy smoke billowed into the blue sky, perfectly framed by our living room window. We drove across the valley to watch five helicopters fetch and dump buckets of creek water. Like a giant, circular crib mobile in real life. The neon flames were undeterred by the sprays of water. We watched as the hillside turned black, just 1/4 mile from our home. It seemed impossible to stop the perfect conditions: wind + crispy grass + fire. But, thimbleful by thimbleful, the water slowed and then stopped the flames. We drove home and tumbled away from the high drama into our beds, thankful.
One night the girls styled their table with mardi gras beads, a pram and seashells. Andy and I watched from the kitchen where we made dinner as Phoebe came over with her ipod playing Call Me Maybe on repeat. Grayson rode his bike down to buy some shells. The kids climbed up on Tim’s car pushing their goods. He asked Ruby how many eggs he could get for $2. We saw her reply and heard him laugh “this is highway robbery!” as he handed over 2 bills for 2 eggs. She threw in some parsley and a wink too.
Isn’t it amazing what can happen with a little creativity and ambition? Putting out fires, preserving food, cleaning garages, gardening, writing books, losing teeth, selling vegetables. I feel like my daughters are saving the world
one moment of boredom-turned-awesome,
one moment of face kick-turned-opportunity
at a time.
You might also like
49 Comments
Holy smokes, I adore those little ladies of yours.
oh man, your girls – your family – is awesome! 🙂 sending you inspirational energy for your book – i can’t wait to read it! along with my own mother, you are the example of the type of mother i strive to be with my daughter as she grows… so looking forward to reading anything else you have to share!
I adored everything about this… well except the lose teeth. My girls,too, took their summer boredom as a way to bring in cash flow… our poor neighbors nearly drowned in lemonade, but my girls loved it and I loved the way it brought us all out visiting until there was nothing left to drink and we were all a hot sticky mess in need of a good run through the sprinkler!
Sending courage for the harder moments.
And I think your girls are there for you and for us to remind us : live this moment. A powerful and very helpful re-focussing on the tough days.
Looking forward to the book – when it comes – and it will come, when it’s ready,
Ali of the Alps 🙂
still dreaming of our house swap sister…
The book will come, one word at a time. What is it, anyway? I assume not a novel; I’m assuming a memoir or collection of essays? Whatever it is, you can be sure we are all chomping at the bit to read it. I read “Use Your Words” a few weeks ago…some great inspiration to get writing.
Also, love the dollar bills stuffed in the egg carton. That is my house times 100.
xo
It will be a collection of essays. I won’t announce anything more specific just yet…but I look forward to sharing when it’s all taken a bit more shape! 🙂
There is so much loveliness in this post i’m almost blind after reading it, in a massive good way!
When you said: It feels good and right. And it feels hard and tiring.
I was like YES!! that is how motherhood has felt for me since it began, summed up perfectly in your words. I have no doubt your book will be awesome.
xxx
…please… Write the book! #youcandoit
What an enterprising little duo! I remember when my siblings and I set up our first road side stand, we were far less successful than Margot and Ruby have been, but 20 years later we still laugh about it!
The first pic sums it up, doesn’t it. The two of them. Sisters. With their secrets, loyalty, love and plans to save the world. So sweet.
Man, that fire.
And I love the 2 for 2. Funny!
-Angie
Oh, and I love the jars sealing themselves to sleep.
Fantastic post…I feel all caught up just looking at the photos alone, then I go back and read and get a double dose of your love for you family & life…you are the best!
I would stop at the “Rainbow Stand” just based on Alice sitting there, another Margot marketing ploy no doubt!
About your book, I would love to have a peek at the thoughts whirling through your head! You can/will do it, not a doubt in my head! AND you have the biggest, encouragement HUG coming your way from me….love you so Burb!
xo, your mama
ps…I see a Tooth Fairy visit on the horizon
Nici, I read this after pulling myself out of bed after a late night of plums. Love the image of the steam trailing out windows while jars seal your work. I really feel you on so much of this – the new routine, the overwhelming mountains of prodce to be preserved, the two sisters who just may save the world. As for writing, it can be so hard. I like to read the work of my favorites when I feel stuck. I’ve been reaching for Richard Hugo and Anne Lamott lately – ‘Bird by Bird’ is good. It will come. (Hugs, friend).
bird by bird. it will come! yes.
Nici, I read this after pulling myself out of bed after a late night of plums. Love the image of the steam trailing out windows while jars seal your work. I really feel you on so much of this – the new routine, the overwhelming mountains of prodce to be preserved, the two sisters who just may save the world. As for writing, it can be so hard. I like to read the work of my favorites when I feel stuck. I’ve been reaching for Richard Hugo and Anne Lamott lately – ‘Bird by Bird’ is good. It will come. (Hugs, friend).
In this one, dig, you captured so much real life. That’s clue number one that you can write this book.
Love these photos & look forward to your book, whenever it happens. No doubt in my mind that you’ll make it a work of art. Props to you for staying up late and dealing with all that food. I still have many-an-issue with food, and sometimes I wish we didn’t have the seasonal lifestyle and I could grow and preserve like you. Someday.
i so delight in your stories, your pictures, and your whole family’s determination, and most importantly, your creativity! 🙂 love seeing the montana life through the dig this chick lens. thanks for sharing this goodness. ♥
oh i just love their rainbow vegetable stand!
THIS is a FABULOUS post! so many terrific images!
“It feels good and right. And it feels hard and tiring.”
I can so relate to that right now. Hugs to you… waiting with bated breath for that awesome book of yours to come… inspired by your inspired girls… and hoping Margot’s mouth feels better soon.
Oh, and happy Friday!
Nici, just remember the advice Anne Lamott’s dad gave her brother when he had to write a report about birds. Just take it bird by bird. You can write the book. Just take it bird by bird. Strong thoughts headed towards you and your whole lovely family. Susan
I love that book. I actually got it signed by Anne herself.
I also love ‘Writing Down the Bones” by Natalie Goldberg.
Writing is good when it is good, but oh my, can be self-induced torture.
two of my favorites! thanks for your words below too. 🙂
You are writing a book lady. Your writing on your blog seems effortless, perhaps that is just as it appears. Your voice is beautiful and your phrases. Dig deep, dig clear. You will find your way. I am having the same difficulty too about writing my book — going in all kinds of zigzag directions.
I give the advice easily, but gulping it down myself — well that is another story.
Another lovely piece of writing. I could see it all in my head :: the steam, the teeth, the girls and the window to summer closing. xoxo
,,,you realize nici you’ve been writing this book all this time, by way of your sweet blog “dtc” and we, your readers, have been sipping on and enjoying every word. you know you have already a million copies sold! there’s no doubt, when practical and you’re not dashing to the dentist, that you will eventually move the words to a book. CHEERS! to vegetable stands (damn right! $2 for 2 eggs #dontbudge) mardi gras beeds that add to the aesthetics of the mechandise, seashells, lost teeth, garages that tell stories all their own, and the fine customers that stopped to patronize two bright, creative, darling girls that have learned from their loving parents that creativity and ambition are only thoughts and boredom away,,,
oh rebecca! I always appreciate your comments so much. thanks for your continued support, lady. xo
this makes me excited for you book.
no pressure.
check
as I read, the goat rodeo sessions plays in the background. perf post to perf tunes. book, yes, please.
and just realizing that I have been reading this already started book of yours for almost 4 years. my dedication to this space surprises me.
thanks for continuing to read. what a sweet comment. my dedication to this space surprises me too!
There is so very little I have to teach you, but I have written a book and am about to complete a second. I would be happy to share any of my ideas with how to get started, organized and published — if you are interested.
Otherwise, how i wish I was a neighbor spending time with your sweet girls, eating carrots with Alice and watching as your gorgeous landscape fades into fall.
Love from the AZ desert!
~K
Damn Chic, you did kick it. Your blog is as good as any book (that is until your book arrives!).
well if it’s any consolation I read a beautiful writer on this post. so beautifully written, thank you for an exquisite post.
This post was rich.
And Alice, you had me at your sideway glance, leaning so hard into the rainbow stand.
I have been reading your blog for a long time… Think it’s time I comment. 😉 Your girls are so precious and just such sweet little ladies. Who gets kicked in the face hard enough to loosen their teeth and then smiles about it?! Seriously. You are raising such awesome kids. They are going to do (and already are doing!!!) awesome things. Keep on keepin’ on mama! 😉
Love Ruby’s pricey eggs, Alice’s lean & I can totally hear the plink plink sound of jars popping in a house where everyone is sleeping. And the book will come. You will nurture it & grow it & birth it like one of your babies. All in good time.
“As I sit at my desk facing an empty page, a thousand thoughts race through my head. Out of that whirling grab bag of possibilities, how do I choose, pick one word or the other, violate the virgin blankness of the paper with a pitifully inadequate rendering of my complex imaginings? No, thank you, I decide. Easier to keep the thoughts in my mind, spare the snowy white paper, avoid the discouraging compromise between intent and technical ability that is the written word.
So goes a certain mood familiar to all who would and do write. This gentle daydream, however, is the true violation of a writer’s spirit and talent. The bravest act a writer can perform is to take that tiny step forward, put down the wretched little word that pricks the balloon of inflated fantasies with its very mundanity, and then put down another word directly after it. This act marks the decision to be a writer. That first word bridges the gulf between the person who imagines what it is like to write and the person who writes.”
From ON WRITER’S BLOCK: A New Approach to Creativity
by Victoria Nelson
Keep on Dig!
xo
Kate
Love Ruby’s pricey eggs, Alice’s lean & I can totally hear the plink plink sound of jars popping in a house where everyone is sleeping. And the book will come. You will nurture it & grow it & birth it like one of your babies. All in good time.
“As I sit at my desk facing an empty page, a thousand thoughts race through my head. Out of that whirling grab bag of possibilities, how do I choose, pick one word or the other, violate the virgin blankness of the paper with a pitifully inadequate rendering of my complex imaginings? No, thank you, I decide. Easier to keep the thoughts in my mind, spare the snowy white paper, avoid the discouraging compromise between intent and technical ability that is the written word.
So goes a certain mood familiar to all who would and do write. This gentle daydream, however, is the true violation of a writer’s spirit and talent. The bravest act a writer can perform is to take that tiny step forward, put down the wretched little word that pricks the balloon of inflated fantasies with its very mundanity, and then put down another word directly after it. This act marks the decision to be a writer. That first word bridges the gulf between the person who imagines what it is like to write and the person who writes.”
From ON WRITER’S BLOCK: A New Approach to Creativity
by Victoria Nelson
Keep on Dig!
xo
Kate
‘the kitchen steam rolling into the night sky as jars of our winter’s food seal themselves to sleep. ‘
I LOVE IT!
I love all your posts though. A book is wonderful idea. It is very enjoyable seeing your girls and your daily lifestyle.
Having a fire that close to your house must of been scary! My man fought some fires this summer, luckily it hasn’t been too bad this year in British Columbia.
I can’t believe how late your canning! I can’t as I’d wake up the teething baby, canning for me is done in the early morning after a glorious morning cup of coffee. There is less canning this year as we’re trying (hoping?) for a full on fall/winter garden (hello 30 kale plants!).
Lovely how creative your girls were. I would totally buy vegetables from them if I were closer 🙂
I’m a fairly new reader of your blog, but i adore your writing… can’t wait for your book! and i am totally jealous of your garden! i am inspired 🙂 thank you for being open and honest with your readers and giving us a glimpse into your life!
Tomatillos!what do you do with your tomatillos? I just acquired some and have never used them ever.
Oh they are so wonderful in sauces and salsas! Also, they are AMAZING dehydrated, sprinkled with lemon pepper.
Amazingly well written pist
Darn iPhone and posting before it should. That should read amazingly well written post. Your words are such a joy to read. The imagery and poetic language is awesome. The bit about the steam rolling out the window and jars cooling is memorable. I love the popping sound of cooling jars: success.
Hi, Nici,
Loved your post. I am having trouble writing on my blog let alone a book. You can do it!
Your girls personalities remind me of qualities my girls have and maybe I am attributing it to birth order. Ella (9) knows exactly where her money is and makes very carefully planned purchases after some contemplative time. Juliet (6) crumples it, stashes it, wipes peanut butter on it, but always knows where to find it when it’s time to purchase that special something.
I love reading your blog!
Thank you so much for giving everyone such a remarkable opportunity to read from here. It’s always very pleasing and also stuffed with amusement for me personally and my office peers to visit your site particularly 3 times in a week to find out the latest items you have. And lastly, I’m at all times pleased considering the effective creative concepts served by you. Some 2 tips on this page are certainly the most suitable we have all had.