lavender blue dilly dilly....

There is a park that I love very near my office. Very easy access, picnic tables for a bag lunch and plenty of roses and lavender. I always hated lavender as a child - it smelled like a grandmother's closet and, I don't know...I just didn't like it. But, like squash - I have fallen in love with this beautiful herb this year. Avondale Park has an abundance of it and the bees in the park are in heaven between lavender, roses and salvia. The park is still a soft explosion of pinks, reds and purples and I love to sit and watch the wind blow through the flowers.

Today I was wandering around with a camera when a homeless guy scared me - getting close enough to whisper in my ear "so you like flowers?" I gulped and nodded my head...easing back and casually putting my hand in my pocket with my cell phone. He nodded a gap-tooth smile and almost yelled "Me too." I wandered off a few more steps and he stood watching me take pictures. Checking every few seconds, he stood his ground as I drifted further away - trying not to insult him by completely flipping out.

We are so taught in our society to be scared of the homeless and I suppose in some cases rightfully so. But here was this guy, enjoying nature like me. Better safe that sorry though?

covered bridges

This morning, it mattered. It mattered a lot. At lunch, it still stung but I figured out that nothing much was going to be done about it. Now, I will pretend that it never happened at all. That's what I do - I am the peacemaker. The eldest child of a volatile relationship. We learned it hands of masters really.

I will never say another word about it. I will nurse the hurt and swallow long and hard. I will smile and go along to get along. I've tried the adult role on for size and found that in the playground of life - most people do not like adults that do not play games. They want their silly little world of slings and arrows. I hate that, but why beat my head against a brick wall. I end up battered and cut and the wall still stands.

Besides, I have a decent smile and a good heart. When I go home, then I can let it out. I can punch the pillow and cuddle the cat. And maybe eat a pint of ice cream.

Seeing the world around me

Photography classes started back up. The "Art of Seeing" which has been my most interesting class to date. It's more psychology driven and how to understand composition that is pleasing. Last night the lecture was on color - last week it was about emotions. I am so diggin' it - it opens my eyes to so much more.

And...this is my quote for today: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" ~~ Maya Angelou. Lately I'm reminded...kindness goes a very long way.

I wanna be the cool aunts when I'm 70 too.

*my sister is cropped out of this shot as she has threatened to kill me for posting any pictures of her without photo approval. (shhhhh!)

Friday my sister, one of my brothers and I had lunch with my supercool aunts. They were two of my mother's very best friends in addition to being beauty women and it always makes me feel so warm and very fuzzy when I'm around them. Too often in a family as large as mine (my dad was one of 13 children) we never see each other unless its a funeral. Sure, we laugh and joke ('we gotta quit meeting like this') but life just swirls by so damn fast that it's hard to take the time to make lunch plans. So...we did.

We sat in the restaurant for about three hours, until the bus boys were giving us the evil eye of wanting to go home. I always come away with funny stories about my mom, memories of past days and plenty of gossip about my cousins scattered across the states and sometimes, the world.

At 65 and 70, I hope they will be around a while....but I always treasure the time together. I love you Aunt Brenda and Aunt Betty. You two are the best.

bringing the new month home

What does it mean when a friend sends a box of melted chocolate? I have no clue but I thank them anyway. It is the thought that counts.

I feel the layer of winter blubber beginning its annual trek to the middle of my waist and feel the gnawing monster in me to eat everything in sight. As I try to fight Mother Nature and her natual habit of advising me to load up for the winter, I'm past the age of bearing babies (no, really - I swear, I'm over it.) So instead of buying that pint of Ben and Jerry's Creme Brulee - I'll make do with a bag of carrots. damn it

Today is October 1st - so in addition to everything that it is touted to be (free candy, cooler weather, etc.), don't forget it's also the month to feel up your boobies. (In whatever context you want to take that - your own personal set, your girl's-wife-lover's set, whatevs) Make sure they are healthy and happy and not lumpy and sickly. It can be very sexy and fun if done with the right person. Grow your hair long and donate it to make a wig. Race for the cure or give some money if you can spare it to cancer research.

October and March are my favoritest of months - each for similar reasons. They both hold the promise of changing seasons and have an excitement to the air we breath. Colors explode around us, either in the pangs of birth or the gasps of dying. The light is magical and runs like sparkly pebbles through my veins...and the hint of exotic scents are rampant. The wind rushes around me, urging me, pushing me, thrusting me into the open....and I long to sit with my hair blowing around me and just "be." They are the months where I'm most "zen" with myself.

Today promises to be a good day to be alive.