That’s me in the picture above, bundled beyond recognition, out for walk with my mom in our Pittsburgh neighborhood. I look a little like Randy in A Christmas Story.

Given that this Sunday is Mother’s Day, I’ve been digging around web and reading about the origins of the celebration. While there’s always a good reason to celebrate mothers, I always assumed it was another holiday fabricated by the greeting card industry but what I learned surprised me. The following excerpt is from a Wikipedia article on the subject, the links however are mine should you feel like doing additional reading.

The United States celebrates Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May. In the United States, Mother’s Day was loosely inspired by the British day and was imported by social activist Julia Ward Howe after the American Civil War. However, it was intended as a call to unite women against war. In 1870, she wrote the Mother’s Day Proclamation as a call for peace and disarmament. Howe failed in her attempt to get formal recognition of a Mother’s Day for Peace. Her idea was influenced by Ann Jarvis, a young Appalachian homemaker who, starting in 1858, had attempted to improve sanitation through what she called Mothers’ Work Days. She organized women throughout the Civil War to work for better sanitary conditions for both sides, and in 1868 she began work to reconcile Union and Confederate neighbors.

When Jarvis died in 1907, her daughter, named Anna Jarvis, started the crusade to found a memorial day for women. The first such Mother’s Day was celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, on 10 May 1908, in the church where the elder Ann Jarvis had taught Sunday School. Originally the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church, this building is now the International Mother’s Day Shrine (a National Historic Landmark). From there, the custom caught on — spreading eventually to 45 states. The holiday was declared officially by some states beginning in 1912. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother’s Day, as a day for American citizens to show the flag in honor of those mothers whose sons had died in war.

Considering the state of the world today, with wars effecting so many families around the globe, the history of Mother’s Day resonates all the more poignant. My mother lost a brother in the Korean War and saw my father narrowly avoid the Vietnam draft. It’s hard for me to fathom losing a sibling or spouse, let alone a son or daughter to war. Sending out love and prayers to mothers with children in the military seems appropriate today.

My mother would not have chosen to post the photo above - depite the fact that she looks adorable. Me on the other hand - cute but why didn’t someone tell me to sit up straight?! It’s a little hard to see, but look at me rockin’ that 70’s style with a groovy white belt and red houndstooth check polyester pants. Mom, I know there must be better pictures of us - and I’m hoping they’re in your albums, ’cause there not in mine. As I’m unable to be with her on Sunday I’m sending a virtual big kiss and bear hug. Love you Mom.

Now go call your mother!

“My son’s at that great age when bringing a flashlight to bed and telling stories about animal shadows is pretty much the best thing ever… Tonight, tired from a very busy day, he fell asleep midway through.” Above is a detail of a photograph by Raul Gutierrez.

Over the weekend I started reading a blog by Raul Gutierrez’ called Heading East. It was like walking into the middle of a interesting conversation and compelled me to start working my way through months of post archives. Raul’s a photographer, family man and an exceptionally good writer. In particular his observations as a new dad with two young sons are smart and poignant and funny. While I absolutely encourage you to ‘head east’ I also wanted to share the following post from February 13, 2006, Dark Waters.

“Do you have a metaphor for sleep? For most of my life I thought of sleep as a dark flowing river. I would often dream of being swept far and fast in the powerful enveloping current eventually finding myself on the banks of some foreign land always a moment before waking.

But last year my wife introduced me to a new metaphor. When our son was falling to sleep she would say she imagined tucking him into a small boat and pushing him out to sea. This is the shorthand we use around the house: “Has the boat launched?” I will ask, and she will shush me and say, “The boat is on shore, but the tide is coming in and we can walk it to the deep water.”

My wife’s image took hold and I dream of rivers no longer, now I see a starlit sea with groups of parents standing in pairs on the beaches gently pushing sailboats, kayaks, and canoes into the inky depths.

Sleep is one of the unspoken fears of new parents. When our children sleep we put our hands to their chests to check their breathing. Night is when sickness strikes. And there is always the terror that one day you will wake and they will be gone. In my new dreams the sight of the boats disappearing into the night is chilling, but I know it is a terror we must accept. Then in my dream stars fall from the sky and in the shadows we parents hold each other and sleep on the beach waiting for dawn. By morning the children are back from their night’s journey, changed by degrees, poking us, and watching us stir. And that’s where the dream pushes into the reality of the new day.

I wake up each morning and look at my son and wonder if this is a day he will remember. For a long time, I found it unspeakably sad knowing none of days of the last year would hold. He would not remember the unfettered joy of playing ball for the first time, he would not remember the discovery of oranges, and if something were to happen to his mother or myself, he would not remember us.

Each night we push him out into the deep and each morning he returns a slightly more complex human being. Our relationship changes as his personality grows. He is learning to say “no”. One day something we will disappoint him and he us. Things will change. And I’ve realized that these first years without memory are for us, the parents. The utter sweetness of these days is necessary not only to face the fears of that dark sea but because love is an abyss and these days give us the courage to dive in.”

Below are photobooth images of Raul’s adorable son. See more on Raul’s Flickr sets or portfolio.

What kid hasn’t cast a bunny shadow on their bedroom wall? Well big kid and Italian conceptual artist Mario Mariotti spent much of his life coaxing the art of hand sculpture out of the dark. The results are so beautiful, surprising, humorous and frankly inspirational enough to make me want to try my hand at it (sorry, couldn’t help it). I’m thinking a simple face painting kit could just as easily and safely be used on your kiddo’s hands for an afternoon of experimenting. View more of Mariotti’s ‘AniMani’ here or check out his 1998 children’s book Hanimations.

I was excited to learn recently that California-cool kid haberdashery George World is offering a selection of tees designed by none other than Junior Society member and clubhouse illustrator S.Britt!  Summon summer early by pairing them with madras and board shorts from this great little shop.

An invitation to Southern California readers, this Sunday is Patchwork, the premier indie arts & crafts festival in the OC! Please see details below the image.

SHOP: Over 60 local vendors featuring handmade goods for you, your family & your home

EAT & DRINK: Memphis, the Gypsy Den and the Crosby will be serving up barbeque, veggie delights and libations

LISTEN: Evocal, Kuci and Crew DJ will dish out live music

CHECK OUT THE MAP: It’s right off the 5 and it’s a Sunday so if you’re headed down from LA (only 30 miles!) or up from San Diego there should be very little traffic! If you’re coming in from out of town it’ll be a fun all day event and there’s lot’s to do around the area including: the Bowers Museum, the beach, the Discovery Science Center, the best antique stores in downtown orange, art galleries bars & restaurants in downtown Santa Ana

PATCHWORK SHOW
www.patchworkshow.com
2202 1/2 North Main Street
Santa Ana, Ca 92706
714.836.8727
May 4th - 11-5pm
hello@patchworkshow.com

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With warmer weather comes thoughts of puttering around outside, considering the task of raking last fall’s leaves (perfectly preserved by the now melted snow), hauling patio furniture up from the basement and bringing the garden gnome out of hibernation. And I can’t help but think that the designer of Pomme’s nightlights had lawn ornaments on the brain when he or she sat down to draft the following luminous beauties. While you’re deciding between the rabbit and the goose, take some time to browse the other offerings of this lovely little shop.

Now as Grand Poobah I work very hard to keep Junior Society matters separate from my other venture Mahar Drygoods, lest this blog become one big MDG ad and obliterate any credibility I may have. But I beg your forgiveness for this rare egregious exception - because when I received the photo shoot images for the release of Little Hero Capes, I knew I had to share.

These gorgeous capes (donned by these gorgeous kiddos) have been masterminded by Philadelphia based designer and super-mom Allison Faunce. What began as a simple project to upgrade her three-year-old from a dishtowel cape to something more befitting a superhero has developed into the creation of a tool empowering kids around the globe to tap into their imaginations.

Each Little Hero Cape is meticulously handcrafted in aerodynamic satin, features a snap closure for quick take-offs and boasts a flip-up collar guaranteed to create intrigue. Choose from two sizes and three symbols to adorn the back of your cape which is available in five saturated color combinations. You’ll find all of capes here.

Yes, ‘green’ is everyone’s new favorite color. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled that pop culture is beginning to embrace eco-stewardship - I just have a little migraine from Ed Begley Jr. beating me over the head with it this week. But who knows, with hype like this maybe they’ll actually make Earth Day a federal holiday and give postal workers extra time off to garden.

Ahh, now I’ve done it. I’ve gone and made myself sound cynical. I’m really not (that much). How can I be when faced with the kind of sincere and joyful upcycling exhibited by indie businesses such as rikrak whose line of bibs and blankets, purses and patchwork is pure sunshine. Kristal Davis‘ clever use of bright vintage fabrics gives new and modern life to material that might otherwise end up in the rag bag. One item I think particularly brilliant is the reusable wrapping cloth - a product created from vintage material, crafted to beautifully wrap and re-wrap small gifts like cds and books - and in doing so prevents wrapping paper and ribbon from being trashed. A great way to green it forward.

1. quilted fabric cards, 2. cutie little tags, 3. felt gift card pouches, 4. sweetiepie little lovenote mailbox….full of lovenotes!, 5. reusable wrapping cloth part one, 6. reusable wrapping cloth part two!, 7. new card holders!, 8. little toy quilt - little ted modelling, 9. finished bibs!, 10. almost ready…iron-on heart patches, 11. little stars play mat, 12. little soft blocks

There are so many great bloggers who have recently parlayed their special talents into print. And always striving to adhere to the universal rules of the playground I want to take the opportunity to share (which is rule #2, preceded only by rule #1 which is ‘play nice’) a few great new books and perhaps introduce you to some wonderful new blogs in the process. Given the context of the Junior Society I’ve selected this particular group because their ‘how-to’ books have kid-applicable content with either projects to create with your kids or for your kids. So go do a little exploring and then do a little shopping, adding great volumes to your shelves and supporting these creative ladies in the process.

name: Amanda Blake Soule
blog: Soule Mama
book: The Creative Family

name: Therese Lasky
blog: Softies Central
book: Softies, The Softies Kit

name: Amber Caravan
blog: Kids Craft Weekly
book: Everyday Craft

name: Amy Karol
blog: Angry Chicken
book: Bend the Rules Sewing

name: Kristen Rask
blog: Plush You!
book: Plush You!

Do you know any child that doesn’t have at least one Eric Carle title on their bookshelf? I’m hard pressed to think of one. From the Very Hungry Caterpillar to the Grouchy Ladybug his distinctive style of illustration has placed him in the pantheon of children’s book illustrators. While it may be old news to those living in the area of Amherst, Massachusetts, I recently learned of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art - with thousands of annual visitors, numerous workshops, classes and exhibitions (currently showing the work of Arnold Lobel of Frog and Toad fame) it seems like an amazing place.

And like most museums it has a gift shop, except this one is packed with all things Carle, including their newly released line of fabrics - my favorite depicting lines of holey foods (also see the pic of the museum cafe’s famous Hungry Caterpillar cookies complete with chew holes). To celebrate the new fabrics, the Carle Museum is offering crafty Junior Society members 10% off fabric orders through April 30th - just mention JrSoc during checkout!