Friday, December 24, 2010
these are few of my favorite things...
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
things that make my heart swell...
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
whilst sitting still...
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
tis the season....
ta ta for now, you fine, delightful and kind folk.
Monday, November 29, 2010
i have felt in love...
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
quiet breaks...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Girl Effect: The Clock is Ticking
The Girl Effect is defined as the powerful social and economic change brought about when girls have the opportunity to participate in their society.
When I was 7 my family moved to Africa...the middle of Africa, that is, to Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic...for a young, blond, California girl this was, to put it mildly, a HUGE shift in culture, language, lifestyle, family life, friends, all around LIFE changes beyond description...I saw things and experienced the raw reality of life, for which I had not been prepared for, no one could prepare me for that type of change.
The open market, unusal foods, shifts in security, I remember being viewed as a very different kind of person, my hair and fair skin was something of an awe-like nature to this culture, it made me feel separated and uncomfortable in a way I could not define at 7....this was to be my life for a few years.
Private French school, arts, education, music, so different from life in So. Cal....and I fit in, but always felt different. All the while, I would see the young African girls, close to my age, walking by and working everyday on the busy road near where we lived, carrying large bundles on their backs and heads, carrying babies, which I thought were brothers and sisters, but now do not know...I had no idea what was happening there at this time and now realize that life in these cultures, does not change or shift too much over time, and so The Girl Effect speaks to me on so many levels and I see this and it touches my soul...I know this to be true, I know it is real...let's make a difference...today.
Here is how you can do something right now: 1. Learn more here.
2. Donate to the cause right now.
Get in the know here.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
around the bend...
paths paved by broken down trees,
time, it would seem, had won over here, in the most beautiful of ways.
traveling on still...
up, up further into the hills...
where they find homes in trees and brush...surrounded by the mystical, the magical.
wee creatures greeted us, then flittered home to be with their loved ones.
we danced...like no one was watching...
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
truth be...
and ahhhfter...
that is a fact, i know, however, when it hits you in the face and you are reminded at times when something of importance goes awry, well, it does not feel too great, and often causes much distress....i am here to not always write of the lovely and interesting...but, sometimes of the reality that is life and pretty much can throw one for a loop.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
seeing clearly....
I am seeing more clearly these days, as life takes busy turns with wee ones and their needs and priorities become so clear, and the time spent with them is so important, letting some other things fall to the side is just a natural occurence, of which I accept. I still struggle with the balance of it all, but embrace the resolution of completely being present for them and the attention they require. Around these parts we are shifting and making changes to our living environment and I realize that once you make some choices to move forward, you don't realize how stuck you might have been...now I do. The unstuck feels wonderful, the plans and decisions for our home/yard which FZ and I make together have been overdue and seeing our plans come to life lifts my heart and makes me smile.
On another note, some designs have made their way back from space and have landed on my wee doorstep in the country not far from the sea....soon, to land on a shelf here.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
boy...joy...of my life...
i have vivid memories of our quiet, calm and peaceful bubble of a room. i remember just him and i sleeping surrounded by the sweet smell of new baby, wrapped like a burrito in that soft stripped blue/pinkish hospital blanket...then him in the bassinet/sleeper next to me, listening to his breath, crying softly out of joy and feeling so connected in every way to my new boy. on the second day in the hospital we were informed that there was an issue with his heart, unsure of the origin of the problem, tests were performed and large machinery wheeled into our previously peaceful room. visits from doctors i had never met, nurses checking in at all hours listening to his heart. i was flown headlong into a place of fear, desperation, disbelief and stress.
we went home, but with no real answers and much uncertainty about the upcoming days/months...he returned at 2 weeks to have his heart procedure performed, and it was a success (for now), no medications required in his life, just follow ups, no real restrictions per say. he is an amazing, beautiful boy, full of all the curiosities and wild indian ways of a wee man...he is constantly amazing us all with his quirky, fun and creative ways. he is a lover of kisses, cuddles and hugs, never holds back on sharing his affections. he looks up to and cherishes his sister (even while chasing her with a sword). he has changed my life, altered my views, caused me some stress and countless sleepless nights, i have experienced emotions and feelings of which i never knew existed. i have come out stronger, more grounded, more aware of the fragility of life, the simple fact that one little moment can truly change your world forever. he has taught me lessons of life that will dwell inside me forever, his being is so amazing, his presence always was meant to be.
i am such a lucky girl.
happy birthday to you, our wonderful boy.
Friday, October 15, 2010
prepping...
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
pull of the tides...
fearless and free
crashing into waves with abandon
holding breath
emerging in giggles
watching the other in a silent, secret game
holding sand crabs who tickle their palms
then setting them free...with directions to find their sea families...
Friday, October 8, 2010
spaced out...
Thursday, October 7, 2010
the perfect protest
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
lone fisherman...
may your day be peaceful and calm, even if it is not at the shore casting your line.