Fresh Snow

So good to get a clean white layer!

Nature has no mercy at all. Nature says, "I'm going to snow. If you have on a bikini and no snowshoes, that's tough. I am going to snow anyway." - Maya Angelou

Flash Back Friday 108

Bridget, 3 months old, July 1998

Oops...

So I missed the 3rd anniversary of this blog on February 17. This is post 1,068 which means I haven't missed too many days over the past 3 years. And this seems to be a good time to say that I won't be posting every single day anymore. My life is longing for some kind of adjustment and I want to find out what that is. I hope to be able to post more photos and write more but without pressure.

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. ~The Wonder Years

Becoming Real

Edward & "Bunny", 1994

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." - from the "Velveteen Rabbit"

Some Blue Sky

I was so surprised
Last night
By the little bit of blue sky
Next to the setting sun
It was enough to make the dead trees before it sing.

Looking for Inspiration

photo by A. Boyer, Feb. 2009

I received this nice photo surprise in my inbox this morning from Uncle Alan from New Hampshire and it gave me a chuckle. Am I losing my marbles? Is Leo the only thing I can think of to photograph lately? I'm inspired now! I just have to get the camera out, that big huge bulky thing that comes out so easily when the cat is looking at me so funny or when the weather is not so frigid and grey or when I'm in a new beautiful part of creation or when the kids are doing something I want to remember.

We met some friends, Paul and Deirdre, over in Gaslight Village yesterday for a laugh until you cry kind of lunch. She is a photographer and it was nice to talk to a real flesh and blood person about it some. It reempasized the need to get out and do it.

Snow in the Abstract

Out my window this morning

After a brief respite, the snow is coming back. We are supposed to get 4-6 inches which is nothing compared to the 100 plus we've already had this winter. One month from today, it will be Spring (which around here just means more snow :) ).

Flash Back Friday 107

LosAngeles, CA 1998

Still Rolling

Last summer, I blogged about a music video done by Maria & friends for That's Just the Way We Roll by the Jonas Brothers. Bridgie had her own interpretation below with this picture she took of her & her friend Jessie. I thought it was very creative and cute.

A Couple More...

Maria before the Homecoming Dance, 2009

Bridget's Picnik

Bridget, 2007

I remember taking this photo of Bridget a couple of years ago and being really happy about it showing the instant before she hit the ball. Or she might not have hit it, but it looks like she might! Anyway, I discovered yesterday that she had some fun editing the picture in Picnik.

He Was Just Sitting There Looking At Me...

...like the Prime Minister of the world or something. Leo, February 2009

Ode to a Tree

Happy Valentine's Day!

1988, John & Julia

Flash Back Friday 106

Edward & Maria, July 1994

This Just Makes Me Happy

Julia, Oma & Marianna

When I was back home at Christmas, I was looking through one of my grandma's old photo albums and I saw this photo which I had never seen. So much happiness in one picture...

"Kitty on a Pillow"

At the risk of boring Uncle Alan with yet another photo of Leo, I am posting one today. (Hey, it's February in Michigan). But this falls more in the category of silly moments at home than a post about Leo. The other day, Maria started channeling Edward vibes, picked up the big red pillow with Leo on it, and floated him around the room like it was a magic carpet, all while singing "Kitty on a pillow." I think Ed would have been proud.

Mysterious (?) Maria

Maria, looking rather mysterious

Last Saturday, Maria went to the Homecoming Dance at her school with some friends. I took this picture of her while she was waiting. It reminded me of when she was little and John's dad thought she had a mysterious look about her.

Warning: Wacky Week

It's wacky week at the middle school. Bridget was posing rather emotionless at the door when she came home, and I wanted her to act wacky. And that's what I got.

Rehoboth Sunday

Today our Rehoboth Team led the worship at Monroe Community Church. We told stories of how God is at work and did the chapel which we had given twice out there. The message was about how fear of rejection gets in the way of our purpose. Jesus promised never to reject us, "I will never leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13:6.

Not to beat a dead horse, but here is the final version of the slide show which we showed in the background today:

A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss

Maria dressed for "Decade Day" on Thursday morning

John said that back in 1980 when he went to a Rolling Stone's concert and bought the t-shirt, he had visions of his kids wearing it some day. It has come to pass now as all three of our kids have worn it for some kind of 80's dress-up occasion. What a visionary!

Flash Back Friday 105

Four generations present for Edward's baptism, 1990

This One Isn't Even Really About the Red Wings

Maria before school Wednesday

As I was saying before, Maria's school is celebrating Homecoming week and they have a whole festival of days during the week (eg. Clash Day, Color Day). Wednesday was named "Sports Fan Day" and let me remind you that Maria loves sports like a cat loves to swim. But, Maria does have great sportsmanship and so she donned her brother's old Red Wing's jersey. The best part???? Out of the junior class, she won best costume! Go Maria, get your game on.

The Elusive King Leo

King Leonardo Fibonacci poses thoughtfully for his Master yesterday

I thought I was going to be able to take a photo yesterday of it snowing while the sun was shining, but when I got my camera out, the moment was gone. Leo came through though for a second, let me take his picture, and then he got up and left. At least I got something.

Sugar and Spice

I walked into my kitchen yesterday morning on Ground Hog's Day, and I saw this fun, fun girl packing her lunch. Hmmm, must be homecoming week, I guessed.

Kind of a unique look I would say. I dropped her off in the high school parking lot on my way to work. With screams, she greeted a friend who was dressed exactly the same. Good thing we have these things to break up our winter.

Ye Olde Covered Bridge

November 2009

Sunday Afternoon Nap

Edward came home today after church for lunch and is relaxing here this afternoon. He's on interim break right now - the new semester begins tomorrow! I was so excited to have everyone home for lunch - the girls have been insisting that I don't need a B-12 shot this week :)