You Talkin' to Me?

Taking a brisk morning walk down Fifth Avenue on the way to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I got this gift. What else do I need? 

We Took A Trip to the City, Four Years Later

We visited the Native American Museum in Washington DC where we have been several times before, although with a much smaller kid. Always fun to recreate past moments when you can, and I love that she can be counted on for a cheerful outfit. This time, we took a new family member who is really short, but totally ready to embrace the world around him. It was a very good day! There was a carousel ride, a brownie cupcake, a parade with big drums, and remarkably few tears. It was good to get out. As always, the nimble-fairy was her usual lovely self. 

Apparently little gal is very fascinated by large bodies of water. It was a perfect day. 

We Took a Trip to A City, or Oh, I Just Remembered That I Have a Blog

The Magnolias! The Magnolias!

A beautiful boy willing to share his toys. 

The portions are very small in Philadelphia, so it's best to eat before you get there.

Also, wear good walking shoes because the sidewalks can be treacherous.

We Took a Trip to a City

we went to visit philadelphia's magic gardens

 where there was inspired lighting,

and an owl, my favorite!

lovely among the chaos

(can you find the lovely?)

 the kid was in heaven

where is the lovely in your life? 

We took a trip to a city.

welcome to my museum!

there were circles

doug fir

what more can i say?

got me all nostalgic for danzig

i love your smile

nimble-fairy paused just for a moment

 words of advice, anyone, anyone? 

everything is just perfect. 

Who are these mysterious heroes?

Laughter is the closest distance between two people. - Victor Borge

My Broken Heart.

Captured: The Ruins of Detroit | Plog — World, National Photos, Photography and Reportage — The Denver Post
via The Woods Company

hold your breath, there is more

The Nimble-Fairy's Tale

She traveled to the pool of wishes

She held hers in her hand

And let go. Hers was the brightest wish

To one day work in "the White House"?

She was full of indecision.

Called her people, but did not get the answers she was looking for.

Not even one.

She looked within.

"I know the truth lies inside me."

She enacted a ritual dance before a Georgia O'Keefe just in case.

Ah.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

- Marianne Williamson

I went away and then returned

We took a quick trip to Philadelphia this weekend to visit my brother Adam’s shop, which was part of POST. It’s always a pleasure to visit and soak up the energy and enthusiasm of the city. I am enthralled by those who have centered themselves around a creative life.

On the turnpike home, I found myself not sure that I wanted to return, as if I could reorient my life, real quick, to living in an urban environment…I could live in a loft space, cook on one burner, get used to having enough floor space to take up unicycling, right? My compact life in the county seemed pale and somehow shrunken, as in, what’s the point? What am I really doing here anyway?

We were back home by early afternoon Sunday after picking up the kid and settled in to enjoy what was left of a sunny fall afternoon. She was happy to see us and struggled to put her overnight trip to Grammy’s into words. She finally ended up with, “When I was at Grammy’s, I felt kind of bad, like I was homeless.” After another thoughtful pause, she added, “but only at nighttime.” This crushed me. As if there had been any doubt in my mind what I was returning to. I remembered that we go away, and then we return to the people and place that makes up our home. Hopefully we bring some new ideas or inspiration with us. Whether we do or not, I’m reminded to be grateful for my compact life, no matter how pale it seems next to the shiny city. It’s full of the right things.