The one where Zeke kidnaps my camera

I'm borrowing a clever and catchy phrase from my friend Sabrina who I adore (even if I don't really like Friends so very much).
It seemed most appropriate
as Zeke snagged my camera
and created this photo essay of the day.
I confess,
I didn't keep all his 49 photos!!

I like some of his angles, and his subjects.
My particular favorite may be
the one he captured of the front of his spiked hair.
Now the 14 pictures of the grass, well,
it just didn't seem necessary to keep those!!

But obviously I kept several photos. Good job, Zeke.
You may be a blossoming photographer yet. Who knows.



Digital cameras certainly allow for all the inexpensive exploring
and investigating one can imagine.
This final photo by the way,
is not Zeke.
But it is his brother, Basil, who did not want to be outdone
when he saw that Zeke had a camera.
Thus, he became both artist and subject.

Which could probably lead to a post titled,
"The one where Basil grabs the camera."
But, he didn't snag my camera so it won't be posted here!

Foisy Five

Karla and Keith had their baby today. Foisy #5. Soren Micah joins older brothers Zeke and Basil and sisters September and Adeline. Z, B, and S get to enjoy Soren here on earth, while the reunion with Adeline will happen in a different way.

It's a happy day.
And Beth wrote about it...and posted pictures. So check it out and celebrate this beautiful new life!

Welcome baby Soren. We're so glad you're here.


POST EDIT: This just in: I got to see him today. He is beautiful. So I've added a few photos that I captured today. And yes, he is smiling up there.
So sweet.

46 years!!!

Happy Anniversary to my parents!!!
Mom and Dad, it is such a blessing to spotlight you and celebrate your wedding anniversary. Naturally I can't recall the details of the day
(right, i wasn't there)!
But I do witness the love, commitment, laughter
and friendship that develops through the years.

It is a gift from God, to each other, and to all of us! Considering last fall with Dad's health, and the way we saw God answer prayer, it is a gift for us all to receive.

Happy Anniversary dear ones!

May you have many,
many,
many more to come.

080808

As you probably well know, the Olympics started today.
I'm excited.

I had the privilege of being in Beijing two years ago, July, and they were already eagerly preparing for the Olympics. I can slightly envision what it must feel like to be there. I loved the opportunity to visit Beijing. I would put it in the "changed life" category. The people were spectacular. God captured my heart for China!

However, the air quality, the humidity, and the heat were such that the only time I really felt like I was breathing fresh air was when I was on the great wall. Ah. Delicious moments those were.

And you'll have to take my word for it, because, unfortunately, those picture, well, they were on my hard drive that crashed. Thankfully, among the few pictures that I really really really miss. I do have the memories.

Did you notice it's 080808. They say that eight is a very lucky number for the Chinese. Although I believe in God's power over luck, it's still a fun date.

I'm happy to cheer on the games.

a, b, c or none? of the above

It was excruciating. And it didn't get any better. At the same time, I knew it was the right thing to do. The option was presented to hang out with my sisters and my nieces, and my BiL. But I declined. The previous weeks had been busy. I had made earlier choices that influenced this decision.
I said no! to something good. And I missed out.
Yet I embraced something different.

I remember talking to my now friend, Kati, about the spiritual formation MA program. Specifically I asked about her life, her social life, work, and her church involvement. She responded by saying that she had basically said No! to everything because of school.

Truly, the options exist. Ten years ago I may have said Yes! to everything.
But it is not the pace I choose to live today.

As Marjo likes to say, "sometimes you need to say No! to the good, to say Yes! to the best."

Or as friend Betty once described, God invites us to a smorgasbord. We cannot possibly say yes to everything. And so we must choose.

But the choosing is not easy. It still is saying no! to good and fun and fabulous things, or people. For instance, this past weekend, I turned down the opportunity to be with family. Even though I struggled with it, I knew I needed downtime. I needed to be home. The extrovert died a thousand deaths. But my soul regained necessary ground.

As school approaches again I will retreat again. I'll (hopefully) choose the quiet moments necessary to read and reflect and write for my classes, regretfully refusing possible opportunities to be social or even to serve.

It is for a season.
Perhaps in a tiny way comparable to the new mother who forfeits sleep because of a newborn. Or perhaps it is the wife who sacrifices income and her career to attend to her unexpectedly ill husband. It might be the option of engaging friends when we'd rather retreat and be alone with our depression or sadness. You know what you wrestle with. We all face the choices.

My sister challenged me with those words recently, "it's about choices, Di."
And she is right.

It still doesn't make things easy.
I'm not sure I always make the right choice.
Sometimes, though, good does not equal best.
Hopefully, however, it is something that strengthens our soul and enables us to love well, for when we face engagement again.

Sister #1

It's Jenni's turn.
One fun thing about Jenni is that she gets to be the same age as her younger sister for a couple days.
Not many kids can say that.
Not many adults can figure out what I mean.
But here she is, now, on her very birthday, having her age all to herself again, so to speak.

And I celebrate her, too. I'll tell you just one thing about Jenni, or, maybe two. She is an incredible lady. God has fashioned her in such a way that she absorbs information and knowledge. Seriously. she knows a ton, about numerous things. And as such, she is also very interested in learning more and asking questions. That also translates into learning about things when we travel. She is the one who investigates activities and suggests things for us to do.
This means she is also a really good teacher. And so I have learned,
a ton, from my oldest sister.
And I love that.
And I love her!!

Happy happy Birthday dear Jenni.
I celebrate you and the gift of your very life today!!

Picture credit: other sister Carmen, Galena, 0608.

Hap

Today is a day of celebration.
You might argue that everyday is such, and probably should be.
But today is my sister's birthday. That alone dictates a celebration.

Our grandpa loved nicknames. We all have one. Mine happens to be Cleffy. But my sister, Hildred, who I celebrate today, well, Grandpa called her Hap. There is something in a name and I think Grandpa knew that Hildred would inspire and provoke happiness.

And she does.
And so it is more than fitting to break out into ridiculous smiles, belly laughter, and much mirth in celebration of my sister.

Happy Birthday Hildred. Happy Birthday Hap!
May your generous spirit dwell with you, too.

Subjects I avoid

My coworker told me recently that it is 100 days until our presidential election.
(I haven't checked the math but perhaps it's less than that by now.)

Confessions: I don't know who I will vote for (is that a whom sentence? I don't know for whom I will vote?). I am weary of politics.
If I'm watching tv and a political ad comes on, I flip the channel like I fear an electronic virus might overtake my house much less my computer or television. I have friends who are very certain about what candidate they are supporting. I appreciate their passion and their knowledge. I can't presently match their certainty or zeal.

Part of my weariness is laziness. I haven't researched things. I don't want to talk about the issues because I don't really know what I trust.

At the end of the day I just keep thinking, no candidate will save our nation (if that is even an appropriate wish) or the world.
Jesus is still the only Savior.

Now that is a subject I like to talk about.
No weariness.
Just energy.
Enthusiasm.
Excitement.
Anticipation.
Hope.

Wonder what HE thinks about our country? Our systems? Our treatment of people? Our use of money? Our political process? Our conversations?

Do I really want to know?

magnets and more

A long time ago...like literally months and months, a friend of mine threw out a fun challenge that we post pictures of "what's on your refrigerator?" I fully intended to do so. I immediately took this picture (way back then). But, unfortunately, I never created the post. Until today, because this very photo popped up on my screensaver to remind me.

So, the commercial asks, "what's in your wallet?"
But I'm asking, "what's on your fridge?" Does a clear or cluttered fridge communicate something about your style, personality, organizational preference, family life, etc?

Any takers out there?

endings

There is something so glorious about the final moments of the sun.
Not so much the same with trips. Anticipation on the way TO something generates excitement. Returning gets the job done, but seems to inspire different reactions.
Thus different tactics may be necessary for a long road trip.
Take my sister Hildred and I as an example,
we are arguably the most funny people in the world when we travel.
At least, after about four or five hours in,
and typically under the cover or darkness,
we think so.

On this current trip, I learned a new word, "crunk."
You might not be familiar with it. But it apparently is a word
to describe how craziness translates
into a state of rather extreme silliness
without any use of alcohol whatsoever.

And so, in some crunk moments, some of these photos were snatched.
Time passes pleasantly and possibly more swiftly in crunk moments.

Now if only I could find a way to communicate the sound of crunk laughter,
you know the kind when the very sound of your own laugh prompts a bout of hilarity?
Yep, that's the one.
It is good for the soul!

shrimp cakes, shrimp cocktail, jumbo shrimp...

So, I'm in Gulf Shores. And it is beautiful.
Last night, we went with Forrest and Bubba on a boat, to get shrimp.
Well, okay, not with Forest, but with Cap'n Lori.
We hauled a literal boatload of shrimp and other fish.
The beauty was, we got to feed the leftovers to dolphins.
And they,
well, they are amazing creatures.
I could watch them play,
swim, jump, even feed,
for a long long time.
(Unfortunately, I couldn't quite get my camera
to react quick enough to catch them.
But you can probably use your imagination with these photos!!)

Nice work Father!!

present

Friends from Rhode Island visited last week. They stayed at Beth's house. But we all wanted to gather with them. So we decided to camp for the weekend. Three families. Nine children. Nine adults. And did I mention, one blue racer snake? But that is for another post.

I love camping.
I love awakening because of sunlight edging the tent.
The bird songs and chatter beckon morning activity much more hospitably than an electronic alarm.
Campside laundry seems to wave an invitation of hospitality and play.
Fireside conversations are among my favorite.
Pancakes, grilled food, smores, among other things are delightful.
Rain's dance on the tent provides a comfort in sleeping that surprises me. (Of course, it always rains when we camp).

More than any of that, though, the pace of camping draws me.
It is the very rhythm that forces and allows one to separate
from everything else and simply be.
You become more present to each other, to the elements,
to simple tasks, to the moments.
I love the idea of waking up to stir the fire
and provide a cozy place for people to gather, get warm and converse.
I may be crazy but it seems like food
tastes better while camping,
perhaps because often so many hands are used to prepare it.

I like the freedom from distractions.
yes, one might be distracted wondering if your kids have wandered too far away.
But it's different out in the woods then in a neighborhood,
even in the best of neighborhoods.
It seems right to engage in life in this way at this pace.
Part of me feels restored and realigned while camping because it allows me to be present to God and people in a different way.
I like it.
I guess that's all I'm trying to say.


Oh, and, that first really cool picture, I stole it from Karen. I hope that's okay Karen.

a girl, a sister, and their nephew

The days of summer fly at an alarming rate. With the break from school I've been trying to read "fun" books that have piled up, neglected given the attention demanded by my course reading. i've been re-reading the Chronicles of Narnia. About the time I finished A horse and his boy, I had opportunity to hang out with my sister and our nephew and we had an adventure of our own (admittedly, not as exciting or charming as the book but an experience none the less).

Moments with family are rare for me but I anticipate them greatly.
On this particular outing, our nephew traveled to Chicago and then he and my sister met me in Michigan City. MC was chosen for it's location on the lakeshore, and the proximity for both of us, not so much for what might be "on offer" activity wise.

As I arrived in MC, I drove to a few places to check them out. I mentioned to one particular gentleman who was collecting entrance fee money that I was meeting some people and asked, "what is there to do here?"
He seemed a bit puzzled as he responded, "do about what?"
Perhaps that should have been the indicator of the day...
As you might gather from this photo, folks in MC are concerned about what NOT to do there. As Jonathan and Hildred are so blatantly disrespecting the posted rules by standing next to the "no standing" sign. Such rebels.

love affair

I've felt this way for quite some time. It may have been at first sight.
One gaze in the eyes and I'm a goner. I remember looking the very first time. It was years ago already at His Mansion. A few of us went out for the evening. I don't know if anyone else noticed it, but I had fallen and fallen hard.

Lately, it's been the early morning, or late at night.
On a walk one morning with Jordan, we caught a glimpse of them under the trees, in the grass, lying down.
It was so lovely.
And then, the grace of movement is also breathtaking.
It's sad that they disappear as they flee into the woods. But watching them is amazing.
And the flip of the white tail.
Yep, that gets me too.

They are glorious creatures. I love looking on them.

Pix credit: Beth, from our latest camping adventure. She has a really good camera. Hooray!

holding things loosely

My macbook did not arrive solo.
By that I mean, when I purchased it, I could also receive some other items, at much reduced rates, to accompany it. (It needed friends or something.)
One friend was a great scanner/printer, which oddly, I've only employed once.
Although I was reluctant, I also purchased MS office.
And the third friend, a fabulous deal, was an Ipod.

As far as toys go, I'm not really a collector.
And to be sure, my ipod has capabilities beyond what I utilize.
I don't really listen to it that often.
But I've loaded all kinds of my favorite music on it.
In fact, when I lost my harddrive in January, I was grateful to still have all my music loaded on my ipod.

I say all this to say, on vacation, after riding the exercise bike, I joined my family who were watching Enchanted on the big screen in the game room at the little resort we stayed at. It was my cool down of sorts, to sit and join the movie already in progress.

A lingering tho't popped into my head over the next few days, but I ignored it. When we packed a few days later, the tho't reappeared. I couldn't find my ipod. We asked around. We looked everywhere we could think of. We left information at the front desk. But alas, I was convinced the thing had fallen out of my pocket in the game room, slipped b/tw couch cushions, and was now happily in the home of some resort employee. (I don't think the worst of people or anything! Sheesh.)
I experienced a variety of responses. Mostly I was mad at myself for not being responsible. And then I was sad to loose this "thing." And finally I tho't, who really cares, it is, after all, a thing. And maybe someone else gets to enjoy "my" favorite music. Good for them. I came to peace about. Really, others have taught me the importance of holding things loosely. It's much easier to detach and hold onto something else.

Last night my sister calls and mentions they cleaned out their van and found my ipod.
Since they had already snagged my tennis racket from vacation, it should be no surprise that they also took my ipod. (J/k guys.) I was surprised, really, but ultimately I was glad to hear it. I have another opportunity to be responsible for something, whether or not I need it.

And not to be ungrateful or anything, but I'm still wishing they'd find the cool red and black earring that I lost at their house on Easter.
I probably should be satisfied with my recovered ipod!

Sister 3

Of course I can't rank my sisters, as I love them all dearly. But we are ordered, obviously, in the way we entered this very world.
Today, right very now, I celebrate the anniversary of Carmen's birth.
Happy Birthday number three.
I love that you're my sister.
I celebrate who you are and the life you live. It's a privilege to see you in the roles of wife and Mom. The beautiful spirit within your daughters was nurtured and cultivated by you and is most precious.
You are tons of fun to be with. And I don't mind your reminders, you know, to call, email, do the right thing, etc, most of the time! :-)

I'm excited to see what this new year brings.
God Bless you and keep you
God cause His face to shine upon you
and grant you His peace.
Happy Birthday number 3!

pace

my friend beth recently blogged about the summer slow down kids experience whilst in school.

This week I lunched with the instructor that had a major car accident back in January. She mused how before the accident, she had asked God for a break. Now she and her kids joke about being more specific in their prayers. Oodles of bones broken in her arms and legs, well, u can imagine that those fractures were not the type of break she was hoping for. And yet, her schedule drastically changed. She cannot keep the lifestyle or the schedule she once pursued.

Life's pace while on vacation last week definitely slowed down. We played cards, we read books, we took walks, we visited historic and other fun places, we ate when we were hungry, we snacked when someone else did, we took pictures, we talked, we watched movies, we played games, we slept in, we splashed in the pool, we sat in the hottub, we braved the sauna, we disregarded alarms and schedules...well you know the rhythm.

How does one schedule that type of pace into daily and weekly life? We need the leisure. We need the space. We need moments to contemplate, to read, to breathe, to sit and stare,
and yes, I might argue, even to roll down hills to provoke unrestrained laughter.
We need room in our schedules so we can be present to life.
Finding some semblance of balance can make all the difference.

Photo credit: these are all Hildred's from Galena 0608

a few of my favorite things

so last week on the vacation with very little sun,
but with so much fun, we were on a jaunt
in the quaint little town of Galena, Illinois.
We came upon a levy.
And my sister said, "hey, let's roll down the hill."
"What?" Kate responded, "what does that mean Auntie Hildred?"
And so we showed her.

People, I can't even tell you how laughter burst forth from the depths of me as I rolled and rolled and rolled down this hill.
Tears spring to my eye corners even as I type this.

It is one of those pleasurable moments of sheer delight and joy.
Fabulous.

One can't really capture all of that in a photo. But we tried.

060708

This really has nothing to do with anything.
But my Mom reminded me it was 060708 today
and it seems too fun NOT to mention it.

As Gilly in the UK would say, "you know that way?"

I've missed some other noteworthy days...
like 020408 for instance.
So this day, for the blog record, is now mentioned.

In other news,
in the category of just because,

today I'm featuring
a
few
favorite
fotos...
from vacation.

(Yes, I know photos is the correct spelling.
Alliteration, people.
It's the priority over spelling.)

But there are many more to come.
I'll find an excuse to post them,
I promise!
In the meantime,
vacation is over.
And laundry,
mail,
bills,
plant watering,
dinner,
you know, the regular things of life,
they're all waiting.