Friday, August 03, 2012

{this moment}


A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

:: Inspired by Soule Mama ::

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Looking Around

The house is quiet. Little is stirring. I decided to pick up my camera and have a look around. I know that I see things every day, but sometimes I do not notice those everyday things.

In fact, lately, what I have mostly noticed, and focused on, have been the shortfalls and frustrations, the disappointments. It may not be a conscious effort to wallow a bit, but sometimes it takes a deliberate effort to shake-off the pity party, the funk, or nameless dread. I recognized the heavy way I feel, contrasted with the joy and gratitude I found while browsing the Interwebs, and I made my deliberate move to see the good stuff. There is good stuff. All around.

I see books, waiting to be read... a first time, a tenth time. I see my tape measure, and I think yes, there it is, and later when I want it, I may not have to turn the house upside down searching for it. There is the hat I crocheted, and owl, too. Our felted soap, which twice this week made gifts for loved ones. I see a basket full of note cards, for thank-yous. Resisting the urge to chastise myself for not sending those out to the dozen, or so, people who deserve a thank-you... focusing on my good intentions. Is it too late to say thank you?

Quiet morning, all to myself, with the urge to see the good stuff... and where does this take me? The garden. I stood at the gate, seeing them, Van Gogh's sunflowers, as though in conversation, and I hesitated a moment, expecting them to invite me in, to greet me.

They turn to the sun, and look up. They are expectant, too. I love their faces, the intricacy, such fine precise detail, boldly standing, following the sun. They speak without words, they are comfortable with the quiet.

Passion flower vine cuttings. We are waiting for them to root, so I can plant them along our fence. They make me think of our first visit to the Biergarten, the small transplants along the fence, and seeing them flourish in the last two years. It's a hopeful act, rooting cuttings, planting, waiting... it takes faith. Am I comfortable with the quiet, do I have faith?

Caged tomato. Hang on little tomato!

There is stirring. Benjamin, slipping out the kitchen door, reminding me of more that I love... kitchens, glass doors, our old bench, my woodjie-woodjie-fur-baby-muffin-of-love, and effusive endearments.

Summer light, a lemon, an aloe, garden gloves, old tools. I see the things we love, the things we reach for, in sickness and in health. Squeezing lemons, the air vaporized with citric summer... I cannot be quiet about the smell and sting of lemon juice... it is too good.

I cannot sit here, any more. The day is moving ahead, with both good stuff and other stuff. I see it, and I am ready to move with the day, and say thank you.

Monday, July 30, 2012

That Chick

I want to be this chick.

Yesterday, this Chick left town in a Sunshine Yellow VW Van, on a cross-country adventure. With apologies to Jimmy and Taya, because technically she was imposed on them, as a gift. So, she's more of a stowaway than a welcome guest. Whatever. She's super stoked. Look at her expression. She always looks this happy, this eager to just go for it. What a Chick!

Before she left, I took this picture of her in our *ahem* art gallery. Basically, just a test shot... to see how she reacted to the limelight, to the hot glare of the paparazzi. Just kidding. But you knew that, didn't you? About the "kidding." Because, honestly, who writes about rubber chickens, and assigns them personalities, and tests their photogenicabilityness? Seriously.

Yeah. Great. Probably at this point you're wondering if there is really any point at all to this post. Which is a fair question. I don't mind that this may have crossed your mind. I share your concern.

Or maybe it's not "concern" I am feeling. It may be something more akin to embarrassment, because, I may not actually have a point to make, in which case I find myself publishing a blog post all about relating to a rubber chicken, even going so far as to envy her semi-fictitous life.

Whatever. At least she's super stoked. Just look at her expression!

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Bon Voyage!


We told Brave Sir Robin about Jimmy and Taya's big tour of the USA... two months with their dog, in a Sunshine Yellow VW Van... lucky! We think it's grand, and we're very excited for our new neighbors, but Sir Robin is a worrier, by nature, and he wanted to be sure they were prepared for their quest.

What did you pack for them, Sir Robin?

A candle? Nice. Good for romance, as well as blackouts.
Band-aids? Practical. We hope they won't need any.
Mustaches? Seriously? Oh, for putting on a brave front? I see.
Safety pins? Wha-... ? Oh, for safety, yes. Of course.
And a Kiss, to share... well, that is romantic. You are brave and chivalrous, Sir Robin.



Sir Robin, is that your own dear Chicken? Are you really going to let your Chicken travel around the country in a Sunshine Yellow Van, without you? She'll have lots to tell you when she returns, maybe she'll send pictures, write if she gets work.

Thumbs up to you too, Brave, thoughtful Sir Robin.

Everyday Makers


Today, in Detroit, thousands of thinkers, tinkerers, hackers, and makers are at Maker Faire. They are immersed in a place, a culture, where invention, creativity, curiosity, and innovation are not only recognized, but celebrated... a place where failure is an option, but not the end of the journey. Thinking back on our trips to Maker Faire, Bay Area, I feel excited for those thousands of people, especially the children, I feel reignited about the Make culture, and our own Young Makers, Love & Rockets, Art & Engineering... read more...