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Dirt & Noise

A blog by a left leaning mom of 2 boys

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children

My Thanksgiving Wish. Again.

Ilinap · November 22, 2022 ·

The more things change, the more they stay the same. I wrote an essay about this  concept as a writing prompt in high school, and the sentiment pops into my head every so often. Today is one of those days.  This is becoming a tradition, I guess. I originally wrote this in … [Read more...] about My Thanksgiving Wish. Again.

Tags: children, family, holiday, holidays, hope, joy, motherhood, sons, thankful, Thanksgiving, values

It’s a Small World After All

Ilinap · August 9, 2022 ·

tappity-tap-tap There was an ever so faint knock at the door. With a fussy baby nestled in my arms, I peeked out the window and saw a little blond kid, our neighbor Adam. “Can I bring baby Bird to my school for Show and Tell?” he asked. I literally LOLed. Of course I said … [Read more...] about It’s a Small World After All

Tags: Bird, children, education, learning, school, teachers

Mom Activists Are a Force — “From Changing Diapers to Changing the World”

Ilinap · March 29, 2022 ·

Truth be told, I’ve been woefully disengaged. It’s a symptom of being disenchanted, disgruntled, disheartened. The weight of goings-on in my community, my state, and my country have left me feeling deflated. I’ve been feeling like my voice, no matter how loud, is muted. There are … [Read more...] about Mom Activists Are a Force — “From Changing Diapers to Changing the World”

Tags: advocacy, books, children, motherhood, poverty, voice

Thanks, Teachers

Ilinap · May 27, 2021 ·

Thirteen years in our wonderful public school system went out in a sputter as my oldest son closed a tab to end his last day of classes his senior year. He remarked how anticlimactic it was, a disappointing end to a difficult year. The class of 2021 demonstrated equal parts grit … [Read more...] about Thanks, Teachers

Tags: Bird, children, education, milestones, school, sons, teachers

America is Still Burning.

Ilinap · September 24, 2020 ·

To my sons, Bird and Deal, America is still burning. Do not look away. In less than a week's time we lost a Supreme Court Justice and our sense of justice. We are ruth-less in a world without Ruth Bader Ginsburg and we are ruthless in a world that took Breonna Taylor's … [Read more...] about America is Still Burning.

Tags: America, children, equality, motherhood, protest, racism, values

Happy 15th Birthday, Deal!

Ilinap · June 23, 2020 ·

a My baby boy is 15 now. He's about to get his driver's permit (Lord, help me!). I swear I can fit both my feet into one of his sneakers. He indulges me. He cracks me up. He started talking late but has not stopped. His patience comes from within because I surely have not … [Read more...] about Happy 15th Birthday, Deal!

Tags: birthday, children, Deal, love, motherhood

Who’s looking after the mothers?

Ilinap · April 28, 2020 ·

Motherhood takes the form of many hats, not all of them flattering or comfortable, but each uniquely necessary. Who's looking after the mothers? We talk about "self care" because there's no one but us to do it. And yes, sometimes the language of motherhood is martyrdom. In the … [Read more...] about Who’s looking after the mothers?

Tags: children, family, friendship, home, motherhood, pandemic, smash the patriarchy, work

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Writer. Marketer. Energizer.



Progressive, mom, writer, reader, traveler. Believe in good manners, home cooking, spending $ on experiences, not things, Oxford comma. ENFJ.

There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl's complexion. - Holly Golightly
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