Red and Yellow, True and Green

the colors of fall. the air has a chill that can only be described as crisp, although there are some people who do not like that word. i feel grateful for the days that warm up in the afternoon, when you can still be outside and get some yard work done without being uncomfortable. i wanted to note that despite the brightness of these pictures, i did not use a filter to make them prettier.. this is what they are. there is something about a sunny fall day that takes your breath, as if all the light and clarity are there for the taking, all at once. 

listen here....gale garnett will tell you how it is

Kind of Blue

 I have been gone a long time and a far way. Places and loved ones were many. The sky was bright with full and open wonder.

When I looked closely I thought that I might have seen myself. 

  

It all keeps going. I wonder if I close my eyes how much would change. 

There is time to take  a  long  breath  of  salt and think about things. 

If I open my arms and am ready to receive, then I am saving time. 

What is my wish? 

We Took a Trip to the Woods

We went to the Michaux for Paul G.'s seventieth birthday campout, and it was just perfect. 

There were lots of mushrooms that we did not eat. 

Sometimes it's just better out there!

Early rhododendron bud. 

More fungii!

The most beautiful cup of camp coffee ever. 

Happy Birthday to you!

Oh Lovely Thank You For This

Just something pretty from this morning, to sweep away the cobwebs of last week's post, and hey, it's almost time for some vacation! Taking a trip to Philadelphia to see my brother and his family...I haven't squeezed that baby in a while! It will be good because it's been too long and it's time to take a break. Oh, and not to mention we are going to see Grease, so I am priming little gal with all these songs she's never heard. She pats my shoulder like, "there, there, mom, that's nice," and then goes to watch Adventure Time. It will be great, don't worry! 

In Memory of...

This may seem like a sad post, but it is not. I have written a few of those over the last few years mostly about clients or parents of clients who have passed away. A sudden death of someone not-so-close always strikes me as an opportunity to sing that worn but true song of being grateful for the people around you - the ones who love you and who are alive.

This person was not someone I knew although I have a connection through one of my clients. I am struck with the finality of it all, and how it just can't be taken back. I looked at my own kids this weekend, probably a bit too long, trying to memorize the details of their faces and the lines of their limbs and fingers. I hugged them for a few more seconds than usual. I tucked little gal in for the night for much longer than was actually necessary. 

But this is what there is. This happens sometimes, and we go on until there is something else. I guess this post is a little sad after all. 

Just One More

I know someone else's beach pictures aren't all that interesting, but what if they are full of joy, almost tangible? These kids are pros at vacation, in the water from morning to night, until their soggy heads finally crash on their pillows. I think I can get to the place of happiness and contentment too, but it's not really the same as being this free.                                      

Ahhh.

Thank you. 

Happy Friday Guys!

I don't know about you, but I had never seen MY name on a sign...

...until now, WOOP WOOP

Mother's Day Hike

One young son made the trip from the big city back to old timey town for a mother's day visit. Second annual mother's day hike! Not everyone went but it was still fun. 

Little gal was especially happy to see her big brother. I love how the almost-fourteen years between them doesn't matter one bit, and they are able to meet somewhere in the middle of things. 

My little brother and I were close like that too even though there wasn't quite as much time between us. I could always tell him what I needed to tell him and I knew he would be true. It's the coolest to see that kind of connection between your kids, too...aww, I'm getting all mushy. 

 Hope you had a great mother's day, but that is every day, right? 

Wisteria

We spent some time in the parents' yard, just walking around enjoying the day. This wisteria has the distinction of not being attached to an arbor or building and trying to reduce it to a pile of rubble, so it is freestanding but still arching and lovely. 

La la la, I zoom in and see what my wonky camera can do. 

So nice, so nice. 

And then this guy shows up! He was shy despite his very loud buzzing, 

and tried to avoid having his picture taken. I guess I was too close to his wisteria. 

I don't know about you, but spring just makes me feel better. I am so happy to be able to be outside and putter around in the yard. I feel like I get the other half of my life back. Yay!

Who's The Man?

 One Young Son crushed it and had a great time doing it. He earned his 2Fort Degree and a yearlong membership to the alumni association...wondering if he can get me into the alumni lounge? 

What to say? This guy is toowonderfulforwords,

full of love and love of life, and he makes my heart full. 

have been thinking of trees. i have all these plants in the kitchen mostly, and it makes me feel like a good person to take care of them and water them and not let them die. i am recalling an idea i had so long ago of a silhouette of a tree painted in the corner of the kitchen. we took a stab at it but it

wasn't what i was after. 

oh the lovely birch

what about this?

i have dreamed of trees on walls

or this?

even though pete says it is overdone, what the world needs is more cowbell, i mean pigeons

i think pigeons and doves are right next to each other, cooing and flapping in unison

maybe not for kitchen, though.

one more 

i think this would be a happy addition to any kitchen, a tree full of bubbles?

sigh. 

“All grown-ups were once children... but only few of them remember it.” 

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince

If I Were To Own A Turtle, I Sure Wouldn't Want To Lose It, or Other Things to Crochet Besides Hats

I can't help it...this is just hilarious. Try to be dignified while wearing a baby-doll pink crocheted sweater and also being your normal turtle self. Go ahead, I dare you!

If you happen to be a person who is worried about losing your turtle in your yard, this is the ticket!

Maybe I am on my own here, but this may just keep me smiling all day. 

Number one found here; two and three found here.

As Ready As I Could Ever Be

It's here! I found proof in the woods that despite my doubts that winter would ever end, spring has actually arrived. We took the kids to the Michaux to run about and play. They were worried that they would be bored without any electronics, but it seriously took about twelve seconds for them to start skipping and playing their imaginary game.

It took forever, but now is the time. Dust the cobwebs off your boots and lace up! I am laying in supplies, like my new ultralight spork, for adventures to come. I might be able to navigate a bit by the north star. 

Does anyone want to come with me? 

The woods are waiting. 

Maybe I will see you there!