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Dirt & Noise

A blog by a left leaning mom of 2 boys

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family

This is Motherhood.

Ilinap · May 10, 2026 ·

  When you were little boys, milestones were pebbles plunking down every which way. A new word babbled. A favorite foo discovered. A motor skill mastered. At 18, 20, 21, and so on, milestones are more like flat paver stones marking a walkway. Weeds will grow amongst the … [Read more...] about This is Motherhood.

Tags: Bird, children, Deal, family, motherhood, parenting

Children in America Wake Up Behind Locked Doors. By Design.

Ilinap · April 13, 2026 ·

6200 children detained since inauguration.  As some of you know, I’m new to Texas. I’m all in and have my voter registration, library card, and driver’s license, secured in that order. Having grown up on the East coast, I admit I came with my preconceived notions of Texas. Truth … [Read more...] about Children in America Wake Up Behind Locked Doors. By Design.

Tags: advocacy, America, childhood, children, family, politics, responsibility

What I Want for My Kids

Ilinap · February 24, 2026 ·

I want my kids to know that home will always be a safe place to land. I want my kids to lay their head in a warm bed with cozy covers and the cool side of the pillow to strike the perfect balance. I want my kids to revel in the joy of a home cooked meal and riveting, sometimes … [Read more...] about What I Want for My Kids

Tags: America, children, community, family, family dinner, friendship, parenting, values

Immigrant Ilina

Ilinap · January 26, 2025 ·

Look at little Ilina sporting Stars and Stripes. This is me not long after we moved to the United States from India. I am an immigrant despite my twangy American accent and western ways. I would argue I am more American than someone born here. My family relinquished its birth … [Read more...] about Immigrant Ilina

Tags: America, family, immigrant, India

For the Love of Lark

Ilinap · April 19, 2023 ·

I am much better at hellos than goodbyes.  But he is ready. It matters not that I am not.  But are we ever ready to say goodbye? Our Lark was so aptly named when we rescued him. We got him on a lark after our younger son took to playing pet store with his stuffed animals and … [Read more...] about For the Love of Lark

Tags: dog, family, pets, rescue dog

Just Let Me Take the Pictures

Ilinap · April 15, 2023 ·

Dear Deal, In this season of new beginnings, just let me take the pictures. You squirm with visible impatience while irritation brims over, but understand that as you, forever my baby boy, close doors behind you, I am left in the wake of a new normal. And it’s exactly the … [Read more...] about Just Let Me Take the Pictures

Tags: boy mom, family, milestones, motherhood, parenting, sons

Immigrant Christmas Spirit

Ilinap · December 24, 2022 ·

I remember the mauve-ish pink knee socks for me and the white tube socks for my brother. We didn’t have stockings so my mother went to our dresser drawers and pulled out those socks. I recall feeling a bit off that we now had socks with no match. Even as a child, I was a … [Read more...] about Immigrant Christmas Spirit

Tags: America, Christmas, family, holidays, immigrant, parenting

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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
Learn more about Ilina...

Featured Posts

The Failure of Diversity

October 21, 2019

Wordless Wednesday in Honor of a Day That Leaves Us Speechless

September 11, 2019

Go Home

July 16, 2019

Free Summer Meals

June 21, 2019

Resist Tokenism.

April 25, 2019

Fighting for All Women. Again and still.

April 11, 2019

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