Kate Wicker

Storyteller & Speaker

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Now Hear This

Earlier this week, I heard the annoying noise of the landscapers at work. They arrive onsite at our townhome community in throngs and all day their industrial blowers and mowers roar, making naptime a bit of a challenge.

“Oh, I hear the landscapers,” I sighed.

Usually, Madeline hears the deafening noise and says something like, “Silly landscapers.”

On this particular day she became very still and appeared to be really concentrating.

“I don’t hear the landscapers,” she finally said.

“Really? Why not?” I asked since the sound of the mower traveling across our tiny strip of grass was ear-piercingly loud.

“Because my ears are lazy.”

Hmmm… Wish my ears were lazy enough to shut out not only the maddening landscapers but also the whining that’s currently reaching record decibels. “I want a snack! I want a snack!”

Indolent, loafing ears, tune it all out!

No such luck.

“‘Peas,’ Mommy,” said in a polite, non-whiny voice.

Now that’s something I like to hear. Off to get some grapes…

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· November 9, 2007 · · Filed Under: Tales from the Trenches

Hi, I’m Kate

I’m a wife, mom of five kids, writer, speaker, storyteller, bibliophile, runner, eating disorder survivor, and perfectionist in recovery. I'm the author of Getting Past Perfect: Finding Joy & Grace in the Messiness of Motherhood  and Weightless: Making Peace With Your Body.

I’ve tried a lot of things in my life – anorexia, bulimia, law school, teaching aerobics, extended breastfeeding, vegetarianism, trying to be perfect and failing miserably at it – and through it all I’ve been writing. And learning to embrace the messiness of life instead of covering it up, making excuses for it, or being ashamed of my brokenness or my home’s sticky counters.

Nowadays I’m striving every single, imperfect day to strike a balance between keeping it real and keeping it joyful.

 

“She could never be a saint, but she thought she could be a martyr if they killed her quick.”

―Flannery O'Connor

Copyright © 2025 Kate Wicker · A Little Leaf Design

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