Hello.

 

Hi, I'm Annie.

Mother of 3,
spouse to G,
writer of things,
former batgirl,
sister,
daughter,
lucky friend,
and American
living in Australia.

Basic Joy = my attempt to document all of this life stuff, stubbornly looking for the joy in dailiness. 

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On my bookshelf
Annie's bookshelf:

Mama, Ph.D.: Women Write About Motherhood and Academic LifeMountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the WorldThe Sweetness at the Bottom of the PieThe Island: A NovelThe PassageSecret Spaces of Childhood

More of Annie's books »
Annie's  book recommendations, reviews, favorite quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists
On my mind
On my playlist

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Gallery

Just a collection of images that bring out the happy & hygge in me. 

More at my tumblr, Gather

and at my Pinterest pinboards

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Saturday
Apr182009

That's just what we do...

Once my mom was making dinner to take to someone.  Again (insert teenage eyeroll here).  I think I started making the initial squeaks and squawks about "why do they get that?  Can't we just keep it for ourselves? Why..." Or maybe I was a little more tactful and expressed my concern about my mom's busy schedule and did she really have time for this? But I remember she put down her spatula, looked at me and said kindly/firmly "Annie, this is just what we do."

I tucked that one away and have pulled it out now and then.  Who's we?  Women? Mothers? People? Neighbors? Humanity?  And how do we know what to do and what's enough? Make bread?  Have lunch together? Donate an organ? Give spare change?

* * *

You probably already know I'm a fan of writer Kelly Corrigan.  I subscribe to her blog and received a link to a new video today, which led me to another one.  Both (one funny, one poignant) are lovely reminders of just what we (friends/sisters/spouses/fathers.  But, I daresay, especially mothers) do.



I secretly hope we will be friends someday.
Happy Friday!  {I'm heading outside to appreciate our 70 degree weather!}

Maddy in China today: According to the itinerary, she visited the Olympic Park and Bird's Nest and Water Cube.
Attended a dinner with (luckies!) a kung fu demonstration.

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Reader Comments (7)

love her too.

04.18.2009 | Unregistered Commenterseven smiles

Oh, she is fabulous! I just sent a video clip to my sisters-Love it!

04.18.2009 | Unregistered Commentercalibosmom

Wow -- I loved both videos. Thanks! And I just subscribed to her blog. :)

04.19.2009 | Unregistered Commenterellen

My girlfriend (Gabi's old roommate) just got back from China and told us yesterday at book club all about the bird's nest and the water cube!!

04.20.2009 | Unregistered CommenterRochelleht

Great clips. I hadn't ever seen her speak before.

04.20.2009 | Unregistered CommenterBridget

Just had to say that I met your hubby yesterday! He was the speaker in our ward:) So of course I had to tell him after, what a great talk he gave (he really, really did, and I know all kinds of fun stories about your family now!) and that I one of your blog stalkers I mean fans :)

04.20.2009 | Unregistered CommenterJoanna

I always love the things you share-- thanks A!

04.21.2009 | Unregistered CommenterMichelle

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