New photos from years past

Catching up with some editing this weekend and found some old photos that I haven't posted here before.

I think this might be one of my favorites...

Pat Hull @ 1078

Surrogate @ Cafe Coda

Ellen Knight @ Cafe Coda

Kyle Williams CD Release

Beauty in the insanity

I spent the last two weeks (the first two weeks of my summer vacation) in Washington cleaning, organizing and packing up my grandparents home in order to help my sister and cousins sell it this summer.

It was insane.

First, my grandparents lived on a remote island in the San Juan's of Puget Sound, Washington.

Second, did I mention this is a remote island?

That being said, it is a beautiful place. Quiet and lush. Only 4 square miles, you can walk to the beach, or to the point to view the ocean and other islands, in an afternoon.

In between the times of insanity - truck axels breaking, running out of gas, finding multiple dead animals (birds and rats -yuck!) - I was able to appreciate the beauty and document it with these photos.

I also brought home all of my grandfather's slides and negatives and will be scanning them throughout the summer. So look for some reproductions of his work on the blog later this summer along with more from this trip!

"My future depends on this learning" or "yes, it's eighth grade, but it still matters"

My future depends on this learning

When I wake each morning, wipe the sleep from the corners of my eyes, I am not sure quite how to greet the day.

The first thing I think, is how much I want to return my head to my perfectly molded pillow and sink back into a simple, dreamless sleep

but then,
I think about my dreams
what do I want to accomplish in my seemingly thus far, unaccomplished life?

It's eighth grade
but maybe today my future depends on this learning
Maybe today my life will begin
Maybe today my otherwise uneventful life will become
forever eventful

Today I may discover my calling, or perhaps I will discover that girls don't really like it when I say mean things about them.
Today I may find out that I really understand math, and that when I look my teachers in the eye, they appreciate it.
Or perhaps, I may find that I the pants I wore to school have a huge hole in an unsightly place.

But either way, maybe today

Maybe today my future depends on this learning
my future
depends
on this
learning

This learning may be grammar and syntax, or how to wink without closing both eyes

But either way, maybe today

My future depends
on this learning

Finding my soul again (it's not hard to find if you just spend some time looking)

Sometimes I get into these spots in my life where I feel as if I have misplaced my soul. That's not quite as dark as it might sound, but it does get me into a funk. I have found however, that music tends to help me find it quite quickly. This weekend really did that for me. I had the honor and privilege of singing back-up for my good friend Ivan Paredes (aka Jahny Wallz). It was so much fun to be on stage doing something I love! Then, I got to see another friend perform for his new CD release. Kyle Williams has an amazing voice and extraordinary song writing talent. His new EP, "Stage Fright" is a beautiful expression of his ability. Below are a few photos from the EP release and one of me on stage! If you want to check out Kyle's music go to ILoveKyleWilliams.com.

How Amazing!

At the beginning of this year, an old friend of mine from home (we were friends all throughout school), posted on her Facebook a random acts of kindness challenge of sorts.

"Good morning! Inspired by a post from my high school volleyball coach, here is the 2013 Pay-It-Forward Project. The first five people to comment on this status will receive some random act of kindness from me, sometime within the calendar year. It might be a handwritten note, kind deed, or some small random gift. There will likely be no warning, just a small surprise to put a smile on your face. The catch? Those five people must make the same offer in their FB status. Go. Create. Do! Happy New Year friends!"

Being someone who enjoys offering random acts of kindness to my friends, I thought this was a great idea, and was one of the first five to comment.

Now, of course this was now 3 months ago, and I have not thought about it since; but, today when I got home I had the best surprise! Allison had taken photos from my blog, and used them to make me a customized note pad. It is wonderful and I am so thankful! Thank you so much Allison for this amazing random gift it brightened my day and made me inspired to continue to pass on the kindness!

Allison is also a blogger and I love following her adventures from the other side of the country! Check it out at Math In My Head.

We are holding up air

We are holding up air

she said she would haunt us and we laughed
welcoming the haunting from her

will she haunt me in the kitchen; the recipe books worn with wisdom?
flour and water mixing with the starter bringing the perfect sour the next morning

will she haunt me in the garden?
sweet raspberries each summer with a dollop, or two, or three, of fresh cream on top

will she haunt me driving down the mountain?
the perfect push on the clutch and the gears grinding right into place

will she haunt the paths, the beach, the agates glimmering in the sun?

will she haunt the hummingbirds? bumping their heads against the skylights, laughter and squeals coming from those who attempt their capture and release

her haunting will be in the wind, the rain, drenching the garden and bringing it to life
her haunting will be in the crunch of sand between little toes, watching for otters
her haunting will be in the first cup of coffee, keeping hands hot with a warmed cup
her haunting will be in the sunlight bouncing off the water and peeking through the lofty branches onto the deck

her haunting is and will be

without her, we are holding up air and welcome the haunting as we laugh

April 1, 2013