C is for...

* Christmas * chocolate * compassion * children * candy * cabin * carats, lots of them * cantaloupe * collage * camping * canoeing * Can Can * cake * cache pot * Capri pants * carousel animals * Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court * circus clowns * crystal * café lunches * cupcakes * colors * cotton candy * canary * canyon * crafty projects * Casablanca lily * clogging * cows * Calendar Girls * calico cats * candles * cabana boys * calligraphy * Circus Peanuts * clothes pins * camel rides * Car Talk * camera * cameo * clothes * campfire tales * convertibles * canal * Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol * crushed ice * carnival rides * caring actions * cheese: cheddar, muenster, havarti, provolone, pepperjack… * canopy * cartoons * cell phones * capitol buildings * caramel * caroling * * carriage rides * cloud watching * chili dogs * choir music * china doll *

Don't you just love the alphabet?

Read more about the Alphabetica project in the sidebar. I made the mosaic using fd's" Flickr Toys, but did not take the pictures. They were taken by Flickr photograthers. Claudefc, stOOpidgErL, Out of my mind, and Pippa.pirate.

Maybe We're All a Little Odd

Jessica at Turkey Cookies just posted a list of unimportant things about herself. At the end of her post she asked her readers to share a little thing about themselves. I had so much fun writing my comment that I thought I would tag myself. Here's my list of a few of the odd and quirky things about me.

1. I write in gel ink only - usually purple or pink. Sometimes in bright green or orange, but never, ever blue or black.

2. I love to eat real chocolate chip cookie dough, but hate cookie dough flavored ice cream.

3. I adore strawberries, but didn't eat my first one till I was in my 20s.

4. I almost always notice people's teeth, but could rarely tell you someone's eye color.

5. I have a song lyric for every occasion, phrase, or mood. I must know at least a thousand songs. If I hear a song once, I know it. Twice and I have the entire thing memorized. (One time Jeffrey and I heard a piece on NPR about a guy who could sing for an hour and never repeat a song. Jeffrey was amazed, but I said, "I can do that. Piece of cake." I did it, too. I sang for an hour and 15 minutes without stopping. Plus, I limited myself only to church songs. Oh the things you'll do on a long car trip.)

6. Because of the above mentioned skill, I love the game Encore.

7. I love playing most board games, but I hate Monopoly.

8. I eat butter, peanut butter, and syrup on my pancakes and french toast. It has to go on in that order, and the syrup really needs to be Log Cabin.

9. I never add salt to anything and usually scrape it off my fries or pretzels.

10. I can carpool with a friend for a year and still not tell you what kind of car they drive. I often can't recognize it in a parking lot either. (This has happened more than
once. When asked about someone's car I usually say, "It's red. And small. Not a truck.")

11. I believe in being silly. It's probably the first thing Sloane or my students would say if you asked them to describe me. Life is too short not to laugh every chance you get - even if it's only at yourself.

I could keep going, but I think I'd better stop at eleven so that I don't scare you off. Now I'm wondering about my dear fireside sitters. What's odd and quirky about you? I really want to know. Happy weekend!

The picture above is of me being silly with one of my fourth grade students. It's cropped oddly because I didn't want to picture someone without permission. This way, I don't think anyone can tell who it is.

Good Things Thursday, Week 8

Last week I promised you ideas about how to host your own backyard drive-in movie night. Turns out that unless you know a home theater buff or have connections at a school or large church, this might get expensive. Still, it's a fun idea, and I plan to keep my promise. Here's how to host your own backyard drive-in.

The equipment: This is the expensive part. To purchase the projection equipment would cost well over a thousand dollars. I recommend renting, at least for the first time. You will need:

• Screen - Create your own movie screen by using an inexpensive, king-size , flat, white bed sheet. Tack the top and bottom onto thin strips of wood and attach it to the side of your house. If you have a portable screen from your days with slide shows and home movies, great! Or, find a place that will loan you theirs.
• Sound and Projection System - You'll need a home theater-in-a-box system including speakers and DVD player that is powerful enough to broadcast outside. You'll also need a video projector to connect to the DVD player in order to project the movie. Use 6-foot wooden stakes to mount your speakers around your seating area. Or if you have access to a projector, bring it outside. Sometimes you can rent a projector from a local college, high school or middle school. Hook up a laptop or DVD player to the projector.
• Seating - Gather all your lawn chairs and have guests bring their own. You might consider setting up blankets for seating too. You'll want to put down a camping tarp first, to keep off the damp. Weight the corners with sandbags. Anything heavy will do, but you want it to be something the dew won't damage. If you want to go all out, set up some air matresses for guests to lounge on.
• Extras - Have a big laundry basket full of sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, and throws. Have another smaller basket with a few flashlights to help guests make their way inside to the restroom.

The snacks: Target has those big boxes of movie candy (the kind that sells at the theater for $2.50 and up) for $1 each. Popcorn is a must. If you have a popcorn machine, even better. Many churches and schools own their own commercial poppers and might let you borrow or rent it. Of course, most rental stores have them, too. I am going to try to find one or two of those old fashioned air poppers. I'll ask friends and check thrift stores. For fun, check Target or your local party supply store for paper popcorn boxes. You might even go for the big time with hot dogs and nachos served in red plastic baskets. You'll want a cooler full of sodas and juice boxes and maybe even ice cream sandwiches. YUM!

Tips: The larger the screen, the better the view. Test your theater set up first to make sure everything works properly before the guests arrive. If you can be sure of the weather, I think it would be fun to have a family movie night on the night before the big party. You could order a pizza and watch the home videos that you would never subject your friends to. You will definitely need bug spray - lots of it.


Further Fun: A backyard drive-in movie can be a pretty simple process. For your first one, you might just go with the basics. My own entertaining philosophy is usually in for a penny, in for a pound. If you love to plan parties, or just have a personality that is prone to excess, here are some more ideas for you.

• If you are going to spend the money to set this all up, you might as well go ahead and set the tone with fun invitations. Include real-looking movie tickets in the invitation with instructions to bring the tickets for admittance to the movie.
• You might even have a door prize drawing using the ticket stubs. Wal-Mart always has a $5 movie bin and a fun family DVD would make a great movie night prize.
• Start the movie night with a selection of vintage drive-in advertisements.
• Have your children (or adults who are not easily embarrassed) film an intermission video to show.
• Plaster the path to the backyard with vintage movie posters.
• You might have a few younger family members dress up as theater ushers to take tickets and offer to spray the guests with bug spray.
• Serve old-fashioned snacks in drive-in style containers: plastic baskets, paper boxes, paper cups and bendy straws.

Final thoughts: To purchase the projection equipment could cost well over a thousand dollars. I recommend renting, at least for the first time. I found some local information about renting, but it still seemed expensive to me (about $125 for one day). I thought of a few things that might make the expense more justified:

• A family drive-in movie would make a humdinger of a birthday party, especially if it were followed by a kids-only camp out.
• One family could offer to host and arrange the party, but split the rental expense with several families.
• Speaking of splitting the expenses, this would make a great neighborhood block party.
• This could be a terrific fund-raiser for your church or school group. Even if you only charge for the snacks you should be able to cover your rental and still make a little money.
• If you are the owner of a sturdy, large-ish deck (or level spot in the yard), a BIG TV, a DVD player, an extension cord, and a small crowd, why don't you save a small fortune and just move everything outside?

Whether you host a backyard drive-in movie or not, I hope this post has inspired you. I hope you will take the time to make some fun and do something out-of-the-ordinary this summer. Happy summering!

By the way, I didn't forget the movie itself. I imagine choosing it will be the most fun you have. Or, maybe the most stressful part of all this. Coming next week, my own list of wonderful summer movies. In the mean time, click here and here for lists of "classic" movies that once played at drive-in theaters across the country.

The vintage image from this post can be found here. Click here for arcane drive-in theater facts.

A Little Help From My Friends

Our summer vacation this year is a short trip to Chicago. I have been wanting to visit Chicago for a long time, so I'm pretty excited about this vacation. We have heard about so many wonderful things to do that my head is spinning. It probably doesn't help that I've read four or five travel guides already. I just don't know how to narrow it down to a manageable handful of great fun. Jeffrey and I don't want to push so hard that there is no time for relaxing, either.


So far, we have our hotel and a plan to take Sloane to the American Girl Place. She has been saving every bit of her money for a year and a half in order to purchase an American Girl doll. At the time of this post, Sloane is not certain which doll she will get. She loves Josefina and really wants her. But, Sloane also loves Samantha and likes her clothes better. (Molly is my favorite, in case you were wondering.) My bet is that once the American Girl movie about Kit comes out, it will be a Kit doll for certain. Our project from now until our trip is to finish reading all the Meet.... books. That way Sloane will know every girl and find it easier to make a choice. For the uninitiated, American Girl dolls are beautiful but expensive dolls. You can buy clothes and furniture and so on. Each girl is the character in a series of books set during different times in U.S. history. The books came first and remain great children's literature. Many of my students have become fans of history and the historical fiction genre by reading the American Girl doll books. Yikes!! I didn't mean for this post to be about dolls, American or otherwise.


Actually, what I wanted was to ask for your help. I imagine that several of you have visited or live near Chicago. Please tell me, what wonderful things should we do while we are there? Sloane will be with us the entire time, so all entertainment must be kid-friendly. We are not huge shoppers, but love a good deal. I love home stores and we live for art museums. We are all big readers, in case you know of a great used book store or two. We do know about Tyrannosaurus Sue at the Field Museum and the Chagall windows at the Art Institute. Those are the only definites on our list. I've been enamoured of the Hyde Park neighborhood since reading Chasing Vermeer, but would Sloane be completely bored? We've heard of SO many things that sound wonderful (including an IKEA). Please help!!


Any thoughts? Tips? Favorite restaurants? Favorite stores? Places to absolutely avoid? Money saving tips? Thoughts on transportation? I really would appreciate your advice. Can you help me?










The photo above was taken by Flipped Out.

B is for...

* books * bouncy balls * blue: eyes, jeans, suede shoes * blue: color, mood, hour, moon * blue: robin’s egg, sky, lapis, navy, midnight, periwinkle * balloons * British accents * butterflies * bobsledding * Best Christmas Pageant Ever * Bilbo Baggins * bake sales * blowing bubbles * banana splits * Build-a-Bear * bobby pins * baseball * baked goods * Boo Radley * banana pudding * Bride and Prejudice * belly flops * bubblegum * bobbing for apples * Blues, the music * baskets * being present in the moment * bridesmaids, all in a row * B.B. King * backward rolls * bluebird of happiness * bunnies * blue skies, smilin’ at me * Bozo the Clown * brown paper packages * bumper cars * Boston * Babar * buttercups * boats: sail, paddle, row, motor, toy… * bicycles * Battenberg lace * bumble bees * bonfires * Book Lust * Burt’s Bees lemon butter cuticle cream * bonnets * Bible stories * boxer shorts * Batmobile * botanical gardens * birds’ nests * bookstores * buttons * bowling alleys

Don't you just love the alphabet?

Sursum corda. Lift up your heart.



You can read more about the Alphabetica project in the sidebar. I made the mosaic, but did not take the pictures. They were taken by Flickr photographers Leo Reynolds, Pretty Petals, Cally Creates, and Ilya Boyandin.

My Weekend Wish For You Is...

That's all. Just lots and lots of love.

Happy weekend, my friends.

The photograph, Shoe Loves Me? is by Boopsie Daisy.

Good Things Thursday, Week 7

Have you ever been to a drive-in movie? There is really nothing like it. It is such a slice of America. Nostalgia being served with a side of buttered popcorn. So why not add drive-in movie to your summer fun list?

If you are lucky, there is a drive-in movie theater not too far from your home. The most comprehensive listing I was able to find is here. Might I suggest you make plans now to carpool with a group of friends and enjoy a slice of summer, vintage style?

The mood: Be sure to ask your friends if they will attend in pajamas and no makeup. (Tip - hair in curlers might be asking a bit too much.) The co-ed pj party atmosphere really adds a sense of illicit fun to the whole experience. If you invite your friends via email, be sure to add a link to this video.

The snacks: We have been to the drive-in when the family in the car next to us brought a tiny grill and cooked burgers. The burgers smelled great, and turned their family night into a party. You might want to consider that, but we were happy with our cooler full of drinks and egg salad sandwiches. You'll want to stock up on each family member's favorite snacks, paper plates, napkins, and baby wipes. Remember that you always need more chips than you think, and that cold pickles are always a hit.

The set up: You can always watch the movie from your car seat, but we have more fun sitting in front of our car. Part of the fun of a drive-in is that you don't have to be so quiet and considerate of your neighbors. Put your chairs in a semi-circle and switch seats every so often. If you choose to do the drive-in this way, don't forget to bring lawn chairs, a boombox with plenty of brand new batteries, and a few blankets in case it gets chilly.

In case you don't have a drive-in near you (or even if you do) check your local paper for movies in the park. Those can be just as much fun. Next week, a list of perfect summer movies and tips for hosting a drive-in right in your own backyard.

Happy summer!




The wonderful picture above, along with many more vintage images can be found here.

l'heure bleue

I just came inside from the backyard. My feet are slightly damp and chilled. My spirit is light, buoyant. I’ve been enjoying my hour. Each day has 24, but there is only one that I call my own. The French call it l'heure bleue. The blue hour. This particular time between daylight and darkness that is my favorite hour of every day. You probably know it as twilight. In Scotland it is called the gloaming. Wonderful words for a magical time.


I think my love affair with this hour began in some distant childhood summer. This is the hour when the scent of summer flowers are strongest. This is the hour when children play hide and seek and hope their parents wait to call them inside long enough for them to play just one more game. This is the hour when lightning bugs begin rising up from the grass like fairies on their way to a dance.


The light during this hour is always romantic and lovely, like this song, written just for this lovely, melancholy blue hour.


I once read a story about a woman whose only perfume was l’heure bleue by Guerlain. The narrator was a man who had loved her nearly 40 years before. As he sat beside his wife in a darkened theater, he caught that particular scent and his mind traveled back to Nathalié , his first love. He was not a man who usually noticed perfume, but he always remembered Nathalié’s. Maybe because it was the only scent she wore. Maybe because it had the dusky scent of candies and almond cake bought in an old world apothecary. Maybe he remembered that scent because it belonged to his first love. First loves remembered, a perfect contemplation for the blue hour.

I’ve spent my blue hour watching fireflies and a full moon rising. It is June. There are fireflies. There are memories. There is a hammock, a full moon, and friends with whom I can share all this bounty. All is right with my world. Sweet dreams to you, my friends.

The first photo above came from this blog. The second photo came from an interesting article here. Please listen to this song, perfect for the blue hour.

Last Saturday...

The day was hot. Very hot. Over 90 degrees in early June. And humid. Always humid. Too hot for doing much of anything. How did people live in this climate before airconditioning?

But, Daddy is a genius.





We put on swimsuits, grabbed some towels and water shoes, headed to the creek. Oh yes! This is what summer was made for.





The place was cool and green. The day was bliss.

We saw

sunpennies dancing on the water,

black dragonflies with one perfect stripe of irridescent turquoise,

a single butterfly with zebra stripes

We heard

the soothing rush of water over rocks,

birds singing their love songs from the branches over our heads,

Sloane shrieking as she jumped and splashed and laughed

We felt

the bounce of the bridge as we crossed,

the icy shock of the water,

the gentle kiss of a fish nibbling on toes

We were

cooled,

contented,

happy

A is for...

* America * alphabet blocks * alphabet soup * angel wings * Anne of Green Gables * agapanthus * apricot, the color * apricot, the fruit * Alice and Wonderland * Ansel Adams, photographer * applause * ABC books * attitude * Aslan *acquaintances you hope to know better * Ascot scene in My Fair Lady * aviary * Andes Mountains * atlas * Alaskan ferry rides * archeology * apple-cheeked children * Alpha Centauri * art museums * Artful Blogging magazine * aquamarine, the color * audio books * architecture * adjectives * April Fools' Day * anemones * ankle bracelets * admiring glances * Albelardo Morrell, photographer * Art and Ghosts blog * autumn leaves * Anthropologie * amethyst * Arabian Nights * Appaloosa * artistry * Aspen grove * Asian elephants * artichokes * Art Deco style * arbor * astronauts * aprons * antiques shopping * ants * accessories * Africian safaris *


Don't you just love the alphabet?

Sursum corda! Lift up your heart.


Read more about the Alphabetica project in the sidebar. I made the mosaic, but did not take the pictures. They were taken by Flickr photographers Sarah Hyndman, White Red Flower, Teknargumma, and Kaycatt.

About Alphabetica

I have been engaged in a passionate love affair with words and letters, books and reading for most of my life. The two hobbies most central to who I am are reading and writing. Words and language, IDEAS, and the tools to communicate them - those are the things I am most passionate about.

In the most elemental form, words are a collection of symbols known as letters. The alphabet, as far as I am concerned, is man's crowning achievement. Words allow us to give shape to our thoughts and dreams. Hence, the alphabet allows us to communicate. To connect. To convince. Even to shape a world. Isn't the Constitution of the United States simply a collection of letters on a page? And yet, those letters gave birth to the greatest system of government known to man. That genius was captured by words on a page. The ideas perpetuated by letters and the ability to read them.

Alphabetica, a collection of words and images, created for my own pleasure. Shared, for yours. In homage to man's crowning achievement.

(Please click the label below to see all the Alphabetica posts so far. Thanks.)

For My Dad

My Father

The memory of my father is wrapped up in
white paper, like sandwiches taken for a day at work.

Just as a magician takes towers and rabbits
out of his hat, he drew love from his small body,

and the rivers of his hands
overflowed with good deeds.


~ Yehuda Amichai
Translated from the Hebrew by Azila Talit Reisenberger

and the rivers of his hands overflowed with good deeds.

That single, poetic phrase captures my father completely. It is exactly my Dad.

If I had pictures enough of his hands, the mosaic would look something like this:

• hands, folded in prayer
• hands, childish, but uncomplaining in care for an invalid mother
• hands, snapped to attention in a salute for more than 20 years
• hands, filled with affection and contentment, resting on my mother's knee while he drives
• hands, tickling my brother and I as we roll around on the floor, weak with laughter
• hands, pumping gas at midnight, so his teenage daughter won't have to get up early to stop for gas on her way to school
• hands, holding up wedding rings just before he pronounces both his children, and their new spouses, man and wife
• hands, carrying his worn Bible to the pulpit as he goes to share the Good News
• hands, cradling his infant granddaughter, as he prays a blessing on her life
• hands, placing Scrabble tiles as he attempts to trounce his son-in-law
• hands, holding a book as he reads aloud to me, to my brother, to his granddaughter
• hands, reaching out in greeting to his students in Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Russia, Finland, Guyana, Belize, Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia

Hands. My Dad's hands. Offering, by example, lessons in how to live. Offering love. Offering affection. Offering help to all who have need.

Open hands. Always offering to serve. Always offering love.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy. I love you.

The photo above is of my father's hand during my brother's wedding last October. It was taken by my Aunt Rita.

Double Rainbow

"A happy childhood can't be cured.
Mine'll hang around my neck like a rainbow,
that's all,
instead of a noose."

~ Hortense Calisher

May all your todays be filled with joy.

May your life be full of rainbows.

Sursum corda. Lift up your heart.




This, and many more amazing photos were taken by Nicolas Valentin.

I've Been Playing

You know from my summertime mosaic that I have been spending a lot of time this week playing around with Flickr and Flickr Toys. The pictures I am posting below will demonstrate a few really cool toys you can use. I am loving this, and I thought you might like to play, too.

~ photo as I took it with my digital camera ~ same photo after I played with Dumpr.net

The actual diptych was created using this site. First, choose mosaic maker. Then, choose two columns, one row with seven pixels between. Follow instructions for the rest. I like to just copy and paste the actual URLs in. Easy as pie.

The after photo above was created using the LOMO setting on this site. Again, easy as pie. But, please do leave a comment or drop me an email if you need more help on any of this. I would be happy to help if I can. A big thanks goes to Jek and Honeypieliving for helping me get mosaics figured out. Also, if you like the look of lomography and want to see more of mine, click here.

Big Huge Photo Labs offers several Flickr Toy options. Sloane and I had a great time playing with this. We probably spent an hour the other night making funny photos. Here are a few.

I hope you feel inspired and have fun playing.

I'm sending you a a wish for a happy, creative weekend for you and yours.


All photos were taken by me, except photos in the mosaic used to make the circle. The special effects were created by Sloane Lawson using dumpr.net features. From left to right and top to bottom, she used Museumr, Easter Egg, Paparazzi, Pencil Sketches, and Amazing Circles.

Showers of Blessings

Monday was my day to be surprised by showers of blessings. It was just an amazing day!!

I woke up and, as is my new habit, turned on the computer first thing. Because I did, I began my day with this happy news. Imagine that! I never win. When I say never, I mean that literally. I don't even win door prizes. I don't win the prizes at Bunco. I never win. Until Monday, that is!! When my package arrives I will post pictures of my lovely first prize from the ever-talented Dawn of The Feathered Nest. Until then, click here to see what I won.

My day kept getting better. I met a girlfriend for an early lunch at our favorite tearoom. We sat and talked and talked and talked while enjoying amazing chicken salad sandwiches and pieces of to-die-for four layer chocolate cake. Then, we spent hours poking around tiny gift shops; still talking and talking. That's not the best part. The best part is that we have a standing date for a girlfriend day every Monday all summer long. To say I am thrilled is not an overstatement. (Can you tell we are both teachers and therefore have the time for this?)

When I got home from my day with Krista, my lovely family was waiting for me with hugs and kisses and stories of their day. We talked a lot and then spent a good bit of time snuggled up listening to Daddy read The Hobbit aloud before bedtime. Then, as a lovely end to a fantastic day, I heard from my dear friend, Tangobaby. She graciously gave me a this award. I am still feeling giddy, let me tell you.


I still smile as I think that a woman like Tangobaby enjoys my blog. Yes, I know we are friends, so I should know that. But still... she is so smart and articulate and talented. Tangobaby is interested in so many things. Reading her blog always teaches me something, makes me think. She has the gift that all teachers need, to challenge someone and make them laugh at the same time. If you couldn't tell already, I would give Tangobaby this award back if I could. She's that wonderful.

If you have been reading this blog for a while you already know how awed I am by all the talent in the blogosphere. The world is full of so many talented women with generous, loving hearts. I feel so excited that I get to pass along information about a few of those ladies. (With apologies to all the talented blogging men I'm sure are out there. I just haven't come across you yet. Give me a shout so I can discover you, why don't you?) Since Monday I have been thinking of my own magic five. In no particular order, these are the blogs that make my day:

My Castle in Spain Lala always indicates when the photos are by "your devoted blogging hostess." That's a perfect description of how her blog feels - like a lovely afternoon with a devoted hostess. Lala lives in the south of Granada in Andalusia  She shares lovely images and delightful peeks into her daily life. Lala makes me want to update my passport and jump a plane today.

Persisting Stars Maddie has a romantic heart, and it shows up in everything she does: her inspiring words, her dreamy photography, the thoughtful links at the end of her posts, even her blogroll. Maddie makes me want to don a pair of pink Chuck Taylors, grab a handful of balloons, and race along the sand before letting the balloons go and watching them float away.

Ragamuffin Gal Katie is one talented woman and an amazing friend. She is a paper artist whose generosity has filled my home with art. Her blog sometimes features her creations, which is a treat. What it always features is her generous spirit and loving heart, which will brighten any day. Katie's blog and her life makes me want to try new things. She has lead the way in many of my own new ventures - even this blog.

Studio Wellspring Studio Wellspring is one of those people who combine passion and and gentleness into the most pleasing mixes. She is a designer and dancer. She is also a perfect example of how to be a lady. Does that sound too trite? I hope not. It's just that the art of being a lady seems to be disappearing from our modern hurry-hurry world. Studio Wellspring is like a cool hand on a fevered brow, the offer of a glass of iced tea on a hot summer day. She reminds me of my mother. (That is a high compliment, indeed.) Studio Wellspring makes me want to create a more beautiful life for my family; not only in how our home looks, but in how I honor them.

Something White When I visit this blog I always come away inspired, delighted, and a little bit awed. How does she take such amazing interior photographs? Something White is a blog full of home inspiration. What is amazing is that all of this beauty is created by one woman, in one home. M. makes me want to create more beauty in my home and learn how to photograph it.
Isn't this a wonderful world we live in? Thank you all for reading this blog. Thank you for the inspiration your blogs and lives provide me. Life really is one shower of blessing after another.

Sursum corda. Lift up your heart.

You can click here to discover more work by the artist/ photographer who took the picture above of the adorable child. The other two images came from my creative friend, Katie's inspiring blog. You can see them in their original context, here. For you award winners, click here for a great description of the award rules.

Feels Like Summertime

I spent hours on Flickr today learning how to create mosaics and playing around to get this one just right. I love the way it turned out. For me, it captures all the lovely, happy, joyful exuberance of June.

And, oh! It was fun!

Sursum corda! Lift up your heart!
Click here for photo credits. I think you will enjoy discovering all the wonderful new photographers featured here.

Ode to the Tote

I am a not really a purse girl. I am more of a tote bag aficionado. In fact, I have so many tote bags that both Jeffrey and Sloane just grab my hand and pull me away whenever I stop to look at more. And, I always stop to look at more. (I also love smalls. You know, the smallish bags for sorting and organizing all the stuff in my enormous bag.) I am the kind of girl who carries nearly everything with me and then leaves it in the car. I grab only what I really need at the moment and haul that inside.

At this moment my cornflower blue tote bag sits by the door, like a faithful dog, ready to accompany me anywhere. Here's a peek inside:

• a magazine or two
• usually just one of the books I am currently reading
• my journal (I never go anywhere without it. I even take it to concerts and antiquing.)
• a hot pink, rubber pencil case full of: pens with brightly colored inks, a highlighter, a pencil, a good eraser, a pair of very cool folding scissors, paperclips, rubber bands, and sometimes whiteout...
• a raspberry colored beauty bag with: 2 lipsticks, lip gloss, face powder, blotting paper, a few band aids, emergency nail care items, Advil, sugar free peppermint gum, and Walgreen's cucumber and aloe vera hand lotion
• an adorable light blue mesh bag for my techy toys: digital camera, iPod, Sloane's Shuffle
• a similar, but larger mesh bag full of letter-writing paraphernalia: note cards, book of stamps, letters I need to respond to, list of thank you notes to write, pile of post cards pre-addressed to my new students, copies of pictures and Sloane's art to include in the letters, and good pen, just in case my pink bag doesn't have the right color
• a folder full of papers to grade whenever school is in session
• whatever random things I think Sloane might like to do in the car
• datebook
• wallet
• sunglasses
• sunglasses cleaning cloth
• cell phone
• keys

I guess you could say I believe in being prepared. Some day I'll have to tell you about my Car Bag and what I always have on hand in my car's glove compartment. Anyway...

Totes are just so handy! Not only do I use the smaller ones as my grab-it-and-go purse, I stock them (depending on random whims and current activities) and use them as sort of kits. I have a brightly colored orange floral tote that is bulging with things for summer swimming jaunts. It holds all our suits, beach towels, water rings and other diving toys, cheap sunglasses, swim goggles, and a ziplock full of sunscreen, combs, shampoo for the pool shower, lip balm, etc. My gorgeous Dash and Albert rug bag makes a cram-it-all-in carry all for days when we are going to town and doing many errands. I have an absolutely enormous black canvas Coach tote that works beautifully for weekend trips. I have a plain, sturdy, bulging, little tote that we use for library jaunts. (Eventually, I will replace that one with a cuter version if I can ever find one both sturdy and attractive.) I've found some adorable versions on Etsy that I would like to add to my collection. A bag similar to this one might make a great library bag.

In spite of all this tote bag love, every summer I like to switch to a large straw purse. I am fairly finicky about said purse. The straw needs to be straw colored and the design simple. Straps are preferable to handles and the whole thing needs to be capacious.

I got out my summer purse a few days ago and the strap promptly broke. (As I read the list above, I thought, "No wonder my purse strap broke.") Sadness abounded. I mean, I spent hours last May and June trudging from store to store searching for the perfect straw tote-cum-purse. And, hours the previous summer, but I did not succeed then and had to be purselesss. There are always many, many straw purses. Inevitably, they were too small or too expensive. Finally, I found the pictured purse, which was nearly perfect for me. Then it broke! I've checked already and the strap can't be repaired. It wasn't real leather, which explains the fact that it also wasn't hugely expensive.

So, here's where you come in. HELP!! Do any of you know of a source for a bag like I've described? If you do, please tell me as soon as you can. I am a desperate woman! I am having to carry a non-straw tote, and it just doesn't feel like summer.

And, I'm curious. What's in your bag? Are you a schlepper, like me? Or, are you a basics only kind of woman? What's in your purse?

Sursum corda. Happy Sunday.

This Is What I Saw

Spring

This is what I saw – old snow on the ground,
Three blackbirds preening themselves,
And my neighbor stepping out in her nightdress
To hang her husband’s shirts on the line.

The morning wind made them hard to pin.
It swept the dress so high above her knees,
She had to stop what she was doing
And have a good laugh, while covering herself.

~ Charles Simic





Isn't it good to be able to laugh at yourself? Much better than being embarrassed.


Happy, happy weekend to you and yours.


Sursum corda. Lift up your heart.









I love laundry hanging on the line. This perfect photo was taken by Sarah Huntington.

Flickr Love

Oh, how I love Flickr!! I am a recent convert, but my love is deep. There are so, so, so many beautiful images to gawp at; so many talented photographers sharing their work. I love Flickr! And now, for your viewing pleasure, a few of my favorites.

Jek in the box has a wonderful set called Mosaic Monday. I literally spent hours absorbing these images, following links to particular photographers, always returning to dear Jek.

Did you know the Library of Congress maintains a photostream on Flickr? You must see for yourself. Such bounty!

I can't use enough superlatives to describe Art and Ghosts. This is one amazingly talented woman. I spent hours here, too. I can honestly tell you that I have viewed every one of her Flickr images.

Girl Hula. I love this girl. I love this project. I love these colorful, happy pictures. To look at them is joyous - like spotting a double rainbow.

Honeypie Living has wonderful sensibility, and her eye is amazing. I want to live in these images.

Sakura*Aya is oneof the most phenomenal photographers I have ever encountered. Her work is incredible. How does she do that?

Sursum corda. Lift up your heart.

The photo above is called Vine of a Cucumber and is by Sakura*Aya. (Link is above.)

Maybe

roadside in Pennsylvania, photographed by Susanna Gordon

An entire trailer full? What kind of sparkles?

Maybe it's Pixie Dust for our newest Neverland adventure.

Maybe it's small mountains of silver and white glitter. That way we can be sure to leave a joyful trail so our friends can find us, wherever we wander.

Maybe we'll drive ahead a bit and come upon the trailer holding an enormous birthday cake. On top of that cake, we'll find 100 lit sparklers to celebrate Grandpa's birthday.

Maybe the trailer is full of little girls in summer dresses, waving and smiling big, toothless grins.

Maybe we'll find a child's wading pool, full of pond water and glinting with the wings of a thousand dragonflies.

Maybe every child in this small town left mason jars full of fireflies to wink at us through the dusk.

Maybe we'll discover a trailer full of costumed show girls on vacation from Vegas.

Whatever we discover, a trailer full of sparkles sounds just like a dream.

Happy sparkling to you! Sursum corda.

I absolutely love the photograph above. When I wrote the photographer, Susanna Gordon, to ask permission to use it, I told her that looking at it made my brain bubble and my fingers itch to write. She graciously gave me permission to feature her photograph here. If you don't know Susanna already, you must spend some time on her blog.

Happy Birthday, Dear Ibu

Sloane and her Ibu

Today is my mother's birthday. This post is for her. I love you, Mom.

My mother's name is not actually Ibu. Ibu (pronounced EE-Boo) is an Indonesian word. Our family lived in Indonesia for a time when I was a child. I attended Kindergarten there and my brother's first language was Indonesian. When we got married, Jeffrey needed something to call my parents. Mom, or some version of that, just wouldn't work; Jeffrey has a wonderful mother of his own. First names wouldn't work either because we wanted something special - more intimate than just a first name. We decided then that Jeffrey would call my parents what we wanted our child to call them. Now, we just had to decide what that would be.

Choosing to use Indonesian pet names was easy. Life in Indonesia was a wonderful time in our family history, and such a name would pay tribute. Even when we lived in Indonesia, we had teasingly called my mom, Ibu. We thought it meant "old woman." As in, "Hey you. Get over here, old woman." The name was funny because my mother has always been young and stylish, and gorgeous. Almost thirty five years later and she's still not an old woman. The name was also funny and not insulting because my father adores my mother and never, ever disrespected her. And, we kids wouldn't dare.

So, we settled on a joking, "old woman" for the someday Grandma. Ibu. We chose "honored and respected father" for my Dad, the someday Grandpa. Bapak. More than ten years later my parents had an old friend visiting. Leatha had been a missionary in Indonesia for decades. To say she is fluent in Indonesian is something of an understatement. Anyway, Leatha heard Jeffrey call my Mom, "Ibu." Leatha was so pleased, moved almost to tears that we would bestow on my mother such an honored title.

... Turns out, my Dad's Indonesian was off. Ibu doesn't mean old woman. It is a term of highest respect. A nickname bestowed on a wonderful, lovely, and well-loved older woman. Ibu means something like this, "most honored, respected, and loved mother or grandmother."

I couldn't have chosen a better name if I tried.

I love you, Mom. I honor you. I respect you. I cherish you.

We all do.

Happy, happy birthday!

& Run Towards It

Get quiet

& listen

to what is most

important

to you

& run towards it

with an open

heart.

~ Kay Foley

Wishing that you will find some time this weekend to be quiet and to listen.

Wishing you the courage to run.

Sursum corda! Lift up your heart.

The photos above were taken by my very talented sister-in-law, Lucy Lawson. You really should click on it and view it larger. The beach scene was taken at Honeyman State Park in Oregon. The other two were taken at Crater Lake, Oregon. Lucy gave these photos to me as a gift and I created the collage. She is a terrific photographer, isn't she? Crater Lake is a magical place, and my favorite place on earth. You know how God created the earth in six days, and on the seventh day, He rested? Well, Crater Lake is where He went to rest. It's that beautiful. An unknown wonder of the world.