Took a drive this evening and just started snapping from the hip, so to speak. The weather was so perfect. Humidity and temperature just at that point that you don’t feel as if there is any discernable air surrounding you. Not cold, not hot.
I could have stayed out forever.
And I saw someone air gliding. I have always wanted to be up there flying free like that.
Good night. Sleep well.
I haven’t really been carrying my camera around much lately. I don’t know what to call it. Burnout? Not really, because I’m not sure I have ever loved doing anything so much as I have loved learning to make photographs.
Maybe it’s stress, and a bunch seems to have descended upon us lately, that is making it hard to relax enough to enjoy the process. My very hard-working husband has been working an extra job lately to help make ends meet as he strategizes to take his own entrepreneurial endeavor to the next level. That means lots of hours here at home, within these four walls, getting to know one another again outside the realm of running crazy. If we want to go somewhere we have to take our bicycles. Which could very well make me crazy, but could just as well help me finally unplug.
Sometimes, it’s just so plain hard to relax.
When you begin to not be able to sleep and you spontaneously start weeping as you are mowing the lawn, it might be a sign you have been pushing too hard. Ya think?
So, in the next few days I will be rediscovering my camera and posting some pictures each day for a month. Won’t be saying much, just posting pics. I might call it “daily calm” or “unplugged” or something like that. Literally 30 days of Camera-cation. Ha. I made that up all on my own. Camera-cation. Kinda like a “vacation” with your “camera”. Get it?
Ok, sorry.
Just a daily view from my seat. Which I promise will not be one of a mower.
Psalm 3:5 :: “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
I adore July 4th. I think it’s the colorful band uniforms and the jaunty nature of the parades that gets me. And, of course, what it all means.
I’m free.
Someone, somewhere in time, bought that for me and I am so grateful. More than I’ll ever be able to express. Both of my grandfathers were in the military, one was a fighter pilot in WWII, the other in the Navy. An uncle was in Vietnam and actually was a funny and endearing man, despite his continued struggle throughout the rest of his life with PTSD.
I had a cousin who fought with a tank division in the first Gulf war and a brother-in-law who briefly served with the Marines. Not to mention my other brother-in-law who is a defender of his local community as a dedicated police officer. My husband, who has never served in an official capacity, but who I know would die for me and our children if it was necessary. And, last but not least, my eight-year-old son who avidly comes to my defense when I’m being tickled. He is already exhibiting that manly ability to see when someone needs to be freed and protected. *grin*
I love that.
Yesterday our town had a parade and, despite the fact that it was pouring rain, people still came in droves like the die-hard, Midwest people they are. I loved it when some veterans strode by how people stood and saluted and cheered and had little tears in their eyes.
So, how about you? Who are your heroes? Post a comment…I would love to hear.
We went up to visit family this last weekend. It never, ever fails to be a complete hoot. There were 8 children under the age of 8 running around, flinging, falling, laughing, crying, hitting, making up, and basically loving on each other in the manner that little children do.
Of course, it wouldn’t be any fun at all unless we got to take part in some of the mayhem.
And, boy, did we love it.
We also tried to get a “passel” picture. You know, a picture of the whole lot of them.
“Tried” is the key word. Their little bodies just wiggled and giggled and wouldn’t quit.
So, we just kept trying until we realized it was as good as it was going to get. And then we quit and allowed them to go on to whatever they needed to do. Which happened to be giving each other piggy back rides and chasing at top speed around the tree.
Take 1.
Ooops. A nose-picker and an itch.
Take 2.
Everyone trying to get Red Shirt Boy to stop crying. Also, this is about when a mommy saw that the littlest was still in her long underwear. Can’t have that.
Take 3.
I’m trying here, people. Give me a break! And Red Shirt Boy is still unhappy. hmmm.
Take 4.
Almost there, I can feel it.
Take 5.
Okay. Well. Maybe next time, huh?
In the meantime, I think it’s absolutely hilarious that in the middle of it all this one…
Never budged an inch.
If only all of them could have taken a tiny dose of Littlest Girl, we would have had it easy.
Weather is getting warmer and warmer.
Lots of rain. A little bit of sunshine.
The result? Little surprises everywhere. Coming up from warm, moist compost. Creeping out from between rocks and popping up in a child’s dreamy garden.
Soft, pretty little things just in time for Mother’s Day.
Lovely. ahhhh.
Not to mention the three sweet, soft, wonderful, little people tucked in their beds, breathing softly, waiting for tomorrow so “we can give you the very special gift just for you!”
Good night and have a very happy Mother’s Day.
Motherhood is priced
Of God, at price no man may dare
To lessen or misunderstand.
~Helen Hunt Jackson
