January 5, Crystal Clear

We’ve been told by the weather man and a famous rodent that the worse of winter has come and gone. This photo is from the single “blizzard” of this winter.

I won’t miss you winter, but you had your beautiful moments.

February 4, Morning Boardwalk

Here is a wonderful place to sit, reflect and people watch. Though this morning it was empty – and that too is just as nice.

Happy Saturday!

I’ve Been Distracted

There is nothing – nothing cuter than a bunch of boys who love each other. That kind of camaraderie is found in rare environs like, fighter squadrons, ministry groups and – wrestling teams.

Since my car accident last November, my mind has been in a fog – I found it hard to jump start my creativity and a sinking fear started to sink in – the fear that teenagers are joining twitter – and becoming my friends on Facebook – and finding that there is content on this blog about them.

And as I sit here I realize that I stand behind every typo-ridden post.

Behind every complaint about teenage uncleanliness, obstinate position, unfortunate decision making and general I-want-to-tear-my-hair-out confrontation is this – I love them and in every truce we make, I want them to know that.

Last night was Senior Night for the wrestling team and if how I felt after that ceremony is any indication of how I’ll be during graduation, then get ready for some raw emotion like you’ve never seen before.

The boys in the photo with me above are some that I love fiercely and the events of the last couple of weeks have been tough on them, their team, their coach and especially their parents.

I won’t go into detail but there was some behavior from some boys on the wrestling team (not pictured above) that caused ejection from the team, suspension from school and general disappointment from everyone.

Everything is good now – injustice was imposed, grace was bestowed, humility reigned and did those boys ever learn a lesson -

Tonight was the boy’s last mandatory practice and on the way home I asked how he felt.

He said it was bittersweet and that there was a lot that happened in that gym over the last three years. We reflected on the events of the last few weeks, from the lowest lows to well – an acceptance that once we do what we feel is right, the outcome is ultimately out of our hands.

The boy said it was an experience worth having, that he learned not only about wrestling the sport – but life in general – like when his coach made him wear a belt, or when he shaved for the first time, courtesy of his coach – or in this latest incident, how to accept the consequences for the decisions one makes. I was so proud of how he handled himself among his team mates. I can’t find the words to tell you.

He’s special. Then we went to get his hair cut. And I finally can quit nagging about his hair.

The end.

February 3, Today

Today I am at Vision and Verb. Please join me there…

February 2, Five O’Clock Somewhere

Shoot – it’s only Thursday…

Can you start celebrating Friday on Thursday? Yes? Oh good!

My Introvert

As a child, my sister was extremely shy. So much so that she refused to go to school without me and since we were only 15 months apart, my mother held her back one year so that she would feel more comfortable starting school with her sister. Therefore, we were always together, had the same friends, and took the same classes. I’m not sure if it helped her to develop more self-confidence but it was nice to always have someone with whom to hang out – until of course our high school years when I started craving my own identity.

I’ve often wondered how things would have been for my sister had she started out on her own – independent of her security blanket.

Would she have been like my girl? Fiercely independent, calmly confident, secure in her own skin.

They are very much alike my sister and my girl. Both are extremely shy – some would say painfully so. I encourage the girl to always look adults in the eye and acknowledge their greetings. I tell her she doesn’t need to have a conversation but should always answer when spoken to.

And she does – for the most part.

I find that shy people tend to make others unsure of themselves. I find it so with the girl – people will approach and then sometimes feel rebuffed. It’s not her fault or theirs, but admit I wish it was different sometimes. She does teach me a couple things about myself – one of which is that it’s ok to not be liked by everyone. I’m a pleaser, she’s not. It is one of the many ways that I know she is a better person than I am.

And then there are her friends – it’s funny how she picks ‘em – or they pick her in some cases.

They’re a hoot – the whole lot and kit and kaboodle of them. It’s a wonderful blessed thing.

For Wordful Wednesday.

February 1, Snow Baby

This horse was romping in the snow and was such a pretty baby that I left him/her SOOC. This photo was taken on one of the rare snowy, blowy, cold days this winter. It just so happens that it was a day that the girl and I had to spend all day outside. Beside the irony, I trust that it happened that way so that I can get a photo of this pretty snow baby.

Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

January 31, Without Exception

The promise of a new day is – without exception – the most beautiful thing of all…

Welcome Topaz Tuesday! Photo edited with Topaz Adjust.

Dogfight

Hey you two – quit fighting!

Huh? Us?

I told you so! I knew you’d get us in trouble!

Sigh. It’s a day in a life don’t cha know? But they’re cute . . . it’s a good thing.

January 30, Big Red Barn

It’s Instagram Monday! Better known as “I Didn’t Download My Weekend Photos Monday.”

This barn was big and imposing and I wasn’t sure how to capture it well. The composition aside – the scale of the barn to the girls shows its size quite well.

I love Instagram! Happy, happy Monday!

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