Reaching Upward

Here's another in my tree series. This one was inspired by the work of one of my dear friends. It in no way compares to her talent, but I'd like to think that I captured her love of bold colors, and maybe, just maybe, the way I always feel I'd like to melt into her paintings and be a part of them. Please check out the amazing Wanda Collins Johnson here.

I particularly love stumps and the remains of dead trees. I feel they have such amazing stories to tell. I think this tree lived a glorious life and will retain its beauty and optimism long after its death.

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For the Love of Trees

I love trees. I always have.

When I was a kid I counted the trees in my yard amongst my best friends. The Chinese Tallow tree in the front yard was where I'd climb up with all kinds of gear...a pillow, a drink, and a book, of course...and plan to stay for many, many hours. The loquat tree in the corner near my room would hide my late night escapes and early morning returns. And the tree, more of a bush actually, of unknown type on the side of the house, well, behind that is where I'd meet boys and try out kissing.

Yes, trees are wonderful. I painted a couple of trees a week ago and really loved paying tribute to these wonderful creatures, so I thought I'd do a series of trees.

Here's a sweet little cluster of late spring or early trees. They remind me of Crepe Myrtles when they're not in bloom.

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Hair

I have wacky hair. There's really nothing I can do about it...or at least nothing I'm willing to do about it. But every once in a while someone says something charitable.


As I entered the YMCA...

Nice counter guy: "Look at you coming to the gym with your hair looking great."

Me (after looking behind me to see who he was actually talking to): "Um, thanks. Just wait till I'm done working out, then it'll look really great."



After I'd been working out for about half an hour...

Nice counter guy who was now a nice floor guy: "Your hair still looks great!"

Me: "Thanks, you're sweet."


I'm pretty sure he was fulfilling a personal challenge to say something nice to a bunch of strangers that day, but it was super nice of him anyway.

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Big Eyes

Dave's been using our family as his guinea pigs lately for his photography. It's actually quite fun. But one thing I'm noticing is that if I'm smiling, as I'm apt to do, I squint...like crazy! So I figured, why not try not smiling and see how it goes. Well, my eyes were still not what I'd hoped. So I tried opening them a bit more, you know, just to see how it'd go. Did I look like a supermodel? No way. Nope. Not ever, really. But I looked like a cross between a lemur, Marty Feldman, and Crazy Eyes.

"Big eyes" fail.


P.S. Yes, this wee one looks sweet...that was so not the look I pulled off.

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Three

We've lived in our house since '91 and my kids have both lived here since the day they were born (home births, ya know). And even though my little guy has lived in our house for over sixteen years, he learned something new about it the other day.

I was walking around the house turning on the external lights and I flipped the middle of three switches in our kitchen. My kiddo was standing right there.

Little guy: "That switch turns on our carport light?!?!?!"

Me: "Yes, you didn't know that?"

Little guy: "I knew about the outside switch, but not about this one."

Me: "What did you think this switch was for?"

Little guy: "I had no idea."

I love that! May my little guy be a lifelong learner making many more fabulous new discoveries along the way.

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Winter

Funny thing about winter. Historically I'm so not a fan. I've got years worth of complaining about it under my belt. Years. But something's changed. I'm rather in love with the overcast skies. The trees' beauty fills me with awe. And the chill in the air makes me feel alive.

Perhaps it's age...you know, all that woman approaching "the change" stuff. Maybe it's that once we decided we'd retire in the northwest my mind/body/spirit decided it better start adapting. Or it could be that I'm just happier now than ever. 

Whatever it is I'm loving it. 

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Fall Leaves

I spent quite a while out in the chicken yard this morning. I was raking all of the fall leaves. Yes, fall. As in those leaves have been there for several months. Anyway, all the leaves were making it so grass couldn't grow, and our chickens love grass, so they had to go.

And I tell you what, raking around chickens is pretty much a comedy show. I'd rake a beautiful pile and move on to another part of the yard where I'd rake another beautiful pile. The thing is, while I'd be raking the second pile, the chickens were quietly being quite busy turning my first pile into about eight small piles.

Adorable...I love my girls!

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