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the world we create Living in NYC there comes a time when you will undoubtedly encounter a cockroach or two, particularly if you live in a multi-apartment dwelling like we do. When we took this apartment the first question I asked the previous tenant was, "Are there any roaches?" She lied. Of course I understand why she lied. She had broken her lease and had an agreement with the landlord to find new tenants. Mind you the apartment is adorable and very reasonably priced for a one bedroom, but if I had known there were roaches this would have been a deal breaker. Last night I was writing at the kitchen table when I saw something move. It was late and I wasn't sure if it was a reflection in the glass bowl that sits on our table filled with fruit. But when I leaned over to investigate, low and behold...a roach. This isn't the first time I've encountered one of these slimy, scampering, bothersome creatures. It was only days after we'd moved in when they literally came crawling out of the woodworks. Not that many mind you, maybe two or three a day, but one is too many as far as me and my husband are concerned. Every time we encounter one of them it puts us in pissy mood. Especially my husband who makes it his mission to catch and kill them or cannot sleep at night. And while he's looking for what he refers to as the "little bastards", he doesn't stop swearing for a good hour or so after the said "little bastard" has met his demise. Then undoubtedly he will blame me for not keeping the apartment clean enough. Of course he and I both know roaches don't give a damn how clean you are, as long as you keep any shred of food in your house they're happy. I didn't expect to see one so soon. Usually they don't start coming out of hiding until the warmer months. But alas we've had a VERY mild winter (to mildly put it), frightenly so actually, and so here they come! And speaking of the weather, is anyone as concerned as I am by this "beautiful" weather we're having in March? It's 56 degrees outside in NYC today! Seriously, if I hear one more meteorologist say, "It's going to be another beautiful day today," I will scream. There is nothing beautiful about the fact that the environment is out of balance due largely in part to human negligence. I worry about what kind of world we're creating for our children. Of course I didn't consider this nearly as often as I do now that I am a mother. I worry about the continuing increase in natural disasters; tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides, typhoons, monsoons, and what the heck is the name of that thing that creates tidal waves large enough to swallow an entire population? Will there come a day when our children, or our children's children have to relocate to another planet because this one has run out of natural resources like water and oxygen, leading to a scarcity in food as well? And will people then become so desperate to survive that they're willing to kill for it? Don't laugh, it's quite possible. We are very lucky in the United States, spoiled actually, because we take for granted every day (at least I do), the ten to twenty minute shower we're able to take, or the tub filled with water that allows us to soak our tired muscles. We take for granted the variety and quantity of food we have to feed our children and to show how grateful we are for this privelege we over indulge, and we hoard, and we get fat. I don't want my son to be spoiled, or over indulgent, or fat. I want him to respect, appreciate and share. I want him to use the word "we" instead of "me". I want him to have empathy, sympathy, and apathy. I think that mothers in the United States are particularly challenged when it comes to instilling these qualities in their children because, although hunger and poverty do exist here in the United States, a small percentage truly know what it means to suffer here. Until you truly understand what it means to go without, you cannot begin to appreciate what it means to have. Wow, it's amazing how you can go from cockroaches to famine in a matter of minutes. And while I'm on the topic of famine, if you have the time to check it out I have a "Pay It Forward" section on my blog, all causes that I feel strongly need our attention. A few only require clicks of your mouse to make a difference. Have a wonderful day!
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