28 Weary Woeful

Between chores, politics, crunch-time, and the increasingly divisive language and attitudes on social media, Neo Cairo Nepenthes is feeling put out, fed up, and perturbed.

{Domestic Perils has always been my blog label for chores, leaks, laundry, vacuuming, dusting, organizing, packing, moving out, moving in, cleaning. With this new administration, it feels like a more ominous expression. In my happy, sheltered, peace-loving life, I have never wanted to face perils more perilous than laundry.}

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

27 San Gabriel Mountains Through Middle Earth

Looking far north, that snowy horizon, the mountains beyond the University of California at Irvine, sure looks beautiful.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

26 At The Top of The Stairs

My mom gave me one of her printer's drawers, and last week I found a smaller one with bigger drawers. I like letters, words, rabbits and birds, old wood, tiny shelves and drawers, morning light, and feeling at home. I love everyone that has helped me feel at home.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

25 Unhappy Tradition

It's been almost a year since we were in a similar situation. Big storm. Same yard, different section of fence. I don't wish this to become any kind of actual tradition... losing parts of our fence.

Sigh. Well, at least we have an experienced work force!

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

24 That Would Make a Good Party

I could host a Toast and Jelly Party. There would be chamomile tea. Loaves of fresh baked breads. We've amassed a remarkable assortment of jellies, jams, preserves. We have tiny, adorable jars of berry preserves from Bandon, Oregon, and fabulous, homemade preserves... fig and onion in a spicy balsamic. We could make our own butter, and ask a couple of friends to bring along extra toasters. I see this as a brunch gathering, and perhaps there could be little quiches, or a fruit platter, but really nothing that would detract from the stars... Toast and Jelly.

And there you have a glimpse, inside my wandering mind, where parties form and flow, where daydream travels and roadmaps unfold, and take me away. I can revel in planning a party, nearly as contentedly, and happily, as actually being at a party. And reflecting on an event, or journey that I've already enjoyed... I may like that even better, at least I love that I can revisit the moments, again and again.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

23 Like a Girl

Maria came home from the the Women's March with some new pens... We marched, then we explored, and stopped at Blick, in Little Italy. Back at home she set to making art.

When I read fight like a girl, I think be yourself, and take a stand. Be a girl and know your worth, your resilience, your mind, your voice. Maria has shown me how to be a girl, how embracing our identity should be based on what we love, what we feel, and not on what, or how, others define us. And so, I am happy to note that Maria not only fights like a girl, she also dances, paints, draws, reads, reasons, learns, writes, explores, plays, studies, researches, cooks, cleans, runs, shoots hoops, builds, tinkers, makes, and programs... like a girl, which turns out is also very much like a supported, respected, loved human, and I wish no less for anyone, boy, girl, man, or woman.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

22 The Amazing Washburn Foo

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.