Messy shoes.

This morning I was out walking with Nat (the edgy one). Exercise helps both of us to navigate life. We came to this ridiculous pile of dog poop and I tried to steer him away from it but he seemed determined to step in it. Then he was determined to get it off of his shoe. Yuck.

I know that kids have to learn from their own mistakes, but I do feel life can be hard enough and I wish someone would have steered me away from a number of the piles I stepped into during my adolescence and young adulthood. There were times when people tried and I didn’t listen (Nat has to get it from somewhere, right?), but I wish I had received more guidance so I try to offer more to my kids. Sometimes it sinks in. Sometimes, notsomuch.

Monday News: The Olympics.

I used to be a serious Olympics fan. I would watch the opening ceremony, the nightly telecasts and anything else I could squeeze in in terms of coverage. Now, I’m happy with what I see on the news and read. One day I’d like to view a competition. It’s a nice diversion from the usual craziness that goes on in the world.

Missy Franklin by Doug Mills/The New York Times

Life is short.

It’s a bit of a cliché, but it is one that has been with me repeatedly. Maybe because it’s true. How many of us act like it’s true? How many of us make it a point to tell our loved ones that we love them and do everything that we can to avoid/clear up misunderstandings? Do we hold on to the right people? Do we let go of the right people? Sometimes I wonder.

Monday News: Introducing Judy Bluhm.

This is Judy Bluhm. She is a 14-year-old ballet dancer from Maine who led a movement to end Seventeen Magazine’s use of photograph retouching to alter the bodies of its models. The editor of Seventeen, Ann Shocket, published a Body Peace Treaty, which promises to celebrate a wide spectrum of body types, skin tones, and hair textures and to feature healthy models. Two of her friends started a group that has Teen Vogue in its sights, with the hope of obtaining similar assurances. Having observed the goings on in fashion magazines for almost three decades now, I’d love to see this executed in magazines which feature women of all ages. Change is definitely in the air, with magazines like O requesting models over 30 for editorial and advertising content.