One of the writing prompts as I remember it was to describe a person as an animal (anthropomorphism) without actually stating the animal and have others try to guess what it was. See if you can guess mine. I chose to describe a mother.
She darted in and out, here and there, always busy. The kids would call her name and she would drop what she was doing to see what the need was. With three kids in the house, it was on an as need basis.
She’d flit away from the dishes and hover over the child with the scraped knee. Or she’d stop folding the clothes long enough to pop a Barbie arm back into its socket.
She was quick because there was always something to do, someone to help, someone who needed her.
Sometimes she moved so quickly you weren’t ever sure she had really been there at all. That’s how her husband felt at times as she flew through the room in a flurry of nervous energy.
When she stopped it was only briefly to grab something and then she was off again. It made him nervous and tired.
She always seemed bright and perky though. How did she do it? he wondered. If only he knew it all falls apart when everyone is in bed.
Only then can she rest and quiet the buzzing of her internal chatter. Dishes need to be done. Laundry. Beds made. Groceries. Dinner. Bills paid. Kids taxied.
Flit and hover. Flit and hover. Flit and hover.
She was petite but she managed to carry the heaviest load of all. She was the manager of the household, keeping things in order. A blur rushing through the house, but when she stopped long enough for anyone to catch a glimpse of her, her beauty was astounding.
Kiss me I’m Irish. As a young lass, I always wore that button during the month of March hoping that someone might take me up on the offer. No one did. I’d like to think that they were intimidated by my beauty. But at sixteen I wore my too short hair and braces on the outside and my beauty on the inside. So I’m guessing it had nothing to do with beauty.
But that didn’t stop me from displaying my Irish pride for all the world to see. And while I no longer invite random lips into my personal space, I am still proud to be Irish.
As Irish luck would have it I did find someone to kiss me eventually. When Warner and I got married we had our small reception at Kevin Barry’s an Irish pub on Riverstreet in Savannah, and our friend, Irish folksinger Harry O’Donoghue sang some of our favorite Irish songs. Warner and I both wear Celtic knot wedding rings.
Just last year my mom introduced me to Celtic Thunder, a group of four Irishmen and 1 Scot who sing traditional Irish songs, as well as some more modern tunes. We went to see them last year in Atlanta and the show was phenomenal.
Living in Savannah it’s hard to ignore St. Patrick’s Day. We have the second largest parade in the United States. In my younger days, I would go every year and share the sidewalk with dogs dyed green, and drunks with green beer in hand. I haven’t ventured there with my boys. It’s a bit too crazy for me. I’ll probably wear something green and I think I’ll start a new tradition this year with the boys and make a Leprechaun trap. And maybe, I’ll dig out my old Kiss Me I’m Irish button. With three boys in my house that seem to adore me most days, I think this Irish girl will finally get lucky.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Enjoy a bit of Ireland on me:
P.S. In honor of Allegra, my friend from Ireland, please visit her Facebook page and learn about her latest project, and how you can help the Irish Space program.
Today I attended a writing workshop – The Imaginative Storm – where I got to play with my words all day. The workshop conducted by poet James Nave and writer Allegra Huston allowed me to explore words in a whole new way with some really surprising results. We danced, we acted and, at times, were downright silly. And it was amazing.
I was so inspired and fired up about my writing that I decided it was time for another giveaway – time to get my readers to spread a bit more Moxie love. I am so happy to say that I secured my goal of 50 new subscribers by last Sunday. Thanks to all of you who signed up to have your sass kicked. I really appreciate it.
I have a new goal and I need your help. I want to have 100 subscribers by Sunday night. I know that’s putting a lot of pressure on you but I have faith in you. If I get 100 subscribers (I have a total of 65 now) then I’ll be giving away a signed copy of Allegra’s book Love Child. That’s only 35 subscribers left to get. If each person passed Moxie on to just one person that would put me well over my goal and I’d love you forever.
And since Allegra was kind enough to offer her Moxie support, I’d like to invite you to meet Mr. Gorski, Allegra’s latest project. Good Luck, Mr. Gorski is a “really great short film: a love story about the benefits of moon travel for those on earth.” You can read the full script here – just scroll down the page where you’ll find the prompt “read full script”. Allegra is asking anyone who is touched by this story to consider becoming a part of Gorski history. By donating $20 you will be helping Mr. Gorski’s story reach liftoff. You can also join the Facebook group Good Luck Mr. Gorski.
I’ll check in with you all tomorrow and let you know how you’re doing. So if you know someone who could use a little kick in the sass tell them about Moxie Momma and you could be the winner of the second Moxie giveaway. What are you waiting for? Get your sass outta here and spread the Moxie!
writing | Moxie Momma | 
June 22, 2010 5:00 am | 
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