“If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies.” Sunday afternoon with my Little Sister at the Butterfly House and the Faust Park merry-go-round. Almost 60 degrees in February. What a wonderful day. We even spotted snowdrops blooming and a little bee friend. It’s hard to believe she’s been my Little Sister for a year now!
Category: photos
Just Gotta Look Around
“Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.” – Camille Pissarro, painter Tiniest old church tucked in a rundown area… Smiles from a building under construction… Random dominoes embedded in the pavement in the middle of an intersection. Beautiful blessings abound for those willing to take the time…
I’ll Get There Eventually
“Aging is the extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been.” – David Bowie So I aged a little bit today. Every now and then, it’s possible to catch a glimpse of something in ourselves that really isn’t as it ought to be. Maybe we’re not as patient or kind as we thought we were. Maybe we could…
Bit of Wisdom
“In your quest for happiness, choose your companions wisely. Surround yourself with people who take responsibility for themselves… …and are actively seeking joy.” — Nanea Hoffman
A Soul Generated By Love
“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” — Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo from a DC trip I took this…
Sunday Stuff
“This is your Sunday evening reminder that you can handle whatever this week throws at you.” — unknown Since the anticipated ice didn’t happen today, my Sunday happily turned out to be a little more active than I’d anticipated. Got to go to church, went to lunch with my son, and headed out for a run….
Icy Stroll Through Laumeier
Photos just don’t do this justice. The ice makes everything look so beautiful. Another bonus? I had the entire park to myself. Somebody is missing this, I’m sure. Somebody else is missing this.
On the Surface
With temperatures outside in the 50s, I decided to grab my Canon and head out for a walk in the woods. I didn’t have anything in mind when I set out, but I settled into a photo project that I really enjoyed. But as I took pictures, I noticed some curious looks from other hikers….
Lighten Up
“There is nothing wrong with having a great enthusiasm for something other people don’t know or understand. Your joy is your own.” – Nanea Hoffman Things that have made me inordinately happy as of late: Pug mugs. Sunrises. Dried lilies. Non-conformists. Serious naps. And cleaning. Lots and lots of cleaning. While most people wouldn’t find…
Let Your Heart Be Light
Our annual trip to the Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Snows looked and felt a little different this year. Our car was a little more crowded with some new faces. But that’s the great thing about love — the more we give, the more we have. The circle can always be expanded. New…
Somewhere Between Darn Good and Dumpster Fire
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language, and next year’s words await another voice.” – T.S. Eliot I’m currently sitting in the hospital waiting room for my youngest’s marathon MRI session to end. Rather than stew for hours in fear and anxiety, I’m opting to put together my annual year-end review post. Honestly,…
Pictures of My Loved Ones…Revisited
When my aunt passed away earlier this year, I’d posted a few times about going through boxes upon boxes of old family photos. It was a fascinating, emotional journey. This image of my grampa’s photo envelope still pulls at my heart. But something interesting happened when I posted these two portraits on Facebook on National Grandparents…
May Your Days Be Merry…
I love this simple acts of kindness list so much. The original link is here. The accompanying photos are just a few from life lately. The Hello Kitty, panda, and heart wood are gifts from dear friends. I am filled with gratitude that, not only do I have wonderful people in my life, they know…
A Day in the Life. Sort of.
So that was close. For three years now, I’ve completed a “day in the life” photo project, taking at least one photo each hour for an entire day (first project link here; second project link here). I recently realized that I haven’t done a “day in the life” since last year (here’s 2015). But I had one work trip left in…
Time to Glow
Started the season off at my favorite place with one of my favorite events — the Garden Glow! I took my Little Sister and her mom with me in celebration of my Little’s birthday (after a trip to Build-a-Bear). It was my Little’s mom’s first trip to the Garden, let alone the Garden Glow. She…
Sunday Stroll in the Garden
“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” – William Cullen Bryant
Restoration
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes…including you.” – Anne Lamott Not only have I begun to purchase Christmas ornaments before Thanksgiving (including the lovely bully mug above), I have every intention of decorating the house this weekend as well. I can’t remember the last time I’ve looked forward…
Obviously
“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” – Coco Chanel And if who/what she wants to be requires a cape for her holiday baking, she absolutely should wear a cape. Because bakers are superheroes, too. Not pictured: this little girl’s twin, donning a matching cape.
Onward.
“If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. The Girls on the Run 5k was this weekend. As I indicated a few days ago, discouragement had given me reservations about running….
Madison in Fall
Just a few photos from my recent work trip. Madison, Wisconsin, you’re lovely.
Saturday Stroll
The first Saturday in November brought temperatures in the 70s. So there was no option but to get outside. And off to Laumeier I went. The fall colors haven’t been great this year, but it’s still beautiful and interesting. I have no idea what this sculpture is all about, but I love this photograph. This…
Healing Measures
This is part of a flower arrangement I picked up this morning for a friend on the way to work. And wow, it sure didn’t turn out to be the transaction I was expecting. As I walked in the door, I was startled by the Santas and holiday decorations saturating the entire floral section. Not…
Thoughts on Kindness
“No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop I’ve noticed a lot of little things lately that have made me stop and smile. Little kindnesses left behind for others to enjoy. And we could all really use it right now. Here are a few photos and a couple of ideas from “100 Ways…
hey there, friends 