just now :: june 14, 2013

current time: 6:44 am
in my belly: I was in a slump last night, so we had big bowls of homemade macaroni and cheese.
in my ears:  "Wicked Game"  by Chris Isaak
out the window: a crow standing sentry on the telephone pole, gray clouds filling the sky, sopping earth. we were supposed to have a violent series of thunderstorms last night, but they just missed us.
watching: still obsessively watching The Good Wife, now on Season Two.  It doesn't help that watching on streaming means you can always watch just one more.
by my bedside: Still working on Afternoons With Emily, it is beautifully written.  I keep stopping and re-reading passages.  I, of course have the six new ones piled up and ready.
good things: K got the all clear to use her ankle, fluffy boots curled up next to me purring, summer vacation means morning are so much easier, everyone seems to be getting along at work, vacation is coming soon, good friends who have pitched in and helped with my girls when I needed them.
icky things: driving K (who now has pink eye and a miserable cold) to the doctor in a downpour/thunderstorm that looked straight out of a Stephen King novel, my grandmother in pain and having to have another disc surgery, lack of enthusiasm to do any housework this week, still not eating well and can't seem to get out of comfort mode,

the love list:
i have to try this recipe
this interview (again and again) with poet Marie Howe, I love her.
On Being, conversations that give me hope
this video that leaves me in awe of nature
and this video that beautifully reflects science and the mystery of life
this article on birdsong
this article on how we talk about our bodies in front of our children
31 unmistakable signs you are an introvert
this weeks simple life inspiration

summer reading

I brought six books home from the library today for vacation.
Do I think I will be able to read six books?  Probably not.
Do I hope I could read six books?  Definitely.  
As they stacked up in my arms did I remind myself that I didn't want to run out.
You betcha.

We are heading off soon to a little cabin in West Virginia.  I have nine days straight away from work.  NINE DAYS.  Soon our days will contain sleeping in, hiking trails, a river, a lake, canoes, kayaks, horseback riding, jigsaw puzzles, board games, a swimming pool, our own cabin and lots and lots of books.

So here is the list of the books I am taking for my summer vacation reading.  What are you reading or hoping to read this summer?

Left Neglected, Lisa Genova
Pictures of You, Caroline Leavitt
The Ten Year Nap, Meg Wolitzer
Before I Go to Sleep, S.J. Watson
The Violets of March, Sarah Jio
The Orchard, Jeffrey Stepakoff

one day i will be the bride

This photo was easy to pick a title for.  I love the shot of the girls looking up at the bride as they were getting ready to go.  I was thrilled to photograph the preparations for a wedding of a friend's family this past Saturday.  There was such joy, excitement, frenzy and funny faces while all these girls got ready.  I found myself happy to be on the outskirts taking it all in.  It was easy to see where the shots were and at then end of the day when I got home and looked through my afternoon's work, I realized one thing.....

I am a photographer.



growing :: morning with Em

(some days I wonder what this solitary life will look like, after this period of growing them is done)

we lay together like spoons
in her narrow bed
our hands clasp,
fingers intertwine,
palms cupping each other,
creating a pocket of warmth

it is our morning
and evening ritual
beginning and ending
here together
in the dim light
our time

she is growing faster
in this moment of quiet
than my mind can imagine
shattered as I realize
one day she will no longer be
across the hall.

the new neighbors

No doubt if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter you have heard me talk about my neighbors.

 

We have celebrated a few births over the last couple years, including this new buffalo (beefalo?) We saw this one the day it was born, mother buffalo still trailing her placenta on an early weekend  morning.

Though we have a distant relationship with the farmer, we are absolutely grateful for the view we have been provided.  Last evening K and I stood in my bedroom window and watched the two newest calves romp through the fields.

This latest calf was born last week.  Newborn white, you can't miss it.  I've been desperately trying to grab some photos, but they are quick to dodge behind Mama.  This morning when I walked K  to the bus I caught a glimpse of them by the road and headed down with my camera.  Mama eyed me carefully, as all good Mamas do.  I thank her for letting me get close enough to steal a few shots to share.

A Few Good Words :: May 2013

In the mid-month of May, I decided to create a little word box on the sidebar to keep any words I come across in books, articles or conversation that catch my ears or tickle my fancy.  It will be nice to have a little word bank to look back through when I am writing and I know there are other lovers of words here, so why not share them.

 I will create a category here to post them once the month is over, then I can start a new month over there on the right hand side. I will also be adding a badge over on the sidebar in case you want to join in on your own site.  I will post my list of words on the first Wednesday of the following month and feel free to link your words to the post, so we can explore together. Please share any words you have found to be inspiring, intriguing or just plain silly.

So... here are May's words, a bit brief as I only started keeping track of them around the last week of the month.  Each word contains a link to the definition in case you are curious to their meaning.

boorish

languish

solace

bumblebee

pinnate

lilting

gregarious

snuffle

waft

just now :: june 3, 2013



(hard to type, with the cat on the left hand letters)

current time: 4:24 pm
in my belly: fresh strawberries, long spears of asparagus, new scallions, hearty lettuces...it's that time of year
in my ears: Ho Hey, The Lumineers
out the window: a sudden downpour
watching: started watching The Good Wife (the television series) this weekend, instantly hooked
by my bedside: Just finished The Good Wife (the book, not related) that my mother recommended to me quite a while ago until I remembered it this weekend.  Next I'm starting Afternoons With Emily
good things: Farm grown strawberries, ruby red and oh so sweet, yard sale finds, summer reading sign up at the library, watching movies with the girls all afternoon because it's too hot (Hoot and A Series of Unfortunate Events), scrubbing the oven, cabinet doors and mopping the floors (spring fever finally), watching two of the outside cats stalk a squirrel at the feeder who bravely just sat there and ate nuts and eyed them, another new calf across the road, dodging around the field with the new buffalo.
icky things: backaches from household chores, laundry (how is it that it never, ever ends!), dishes in the sink, heat and humidity, going back to work on Monday, my grandmother suffering with another disc problem


the love list:
this podcast with Stephen King
looking forward to this movie (who else has followed this series?)
kitteh love
reading thoughts: here, here and here
excited to have tickets to see lyle lovett  this summer
if you don't like insects (hint: Debbie), skip this one, a beautiful time lapse of cicada life
think i'm going to make this next week
quiet simple life inspiration...here