i
n days to come:
such monsters

wild ones
horse and carriage

don't taint it
raw cotton

picking time
i
n days to come:
such monsters

wild ones
horse and carriage

don't taint it
raw cotton

picking time
h
ello world!
Yesterday was wonderful.
And happy.
And bright.
And hopeful.
It was also my birthday. I woke up next to my rascally pup and opened the door for her, expecting frolic and mischief. But no: she peed, then pranced back inside and snuggled with me for a glorious half hour. Then we went for a walk, waiting for Aby to come and share in our happiness. It was a walk through the woods in the morning sun, just her and me, hunters to be.
Returning an hour later, we found Aby sitting in his gleaming pollen-free not-a-Jeep. We dropped the pup off at home for some more much-needed sleep (she exhausts herself in my house) and went to our favorite Northside Social. We always get the poached Polyface egg and bacon: sometimes it’s a hit, sometimes it’s a miss. Yesterday’s was a Babe Ruth Home Run baby, and man oh man was I a happy chick. We saw the pig smoking outside for goodness’ sake. I also had cream in my coffee (what a treat) and my best friend in the whole wide world and beyond across the table. Lucky indeed.
That alone would have made my birthday (or any day really) but then, then, we went on an adventure. Into DC, that mish-mash-pish-posh of maybe-it’s-cool and oh-my-gosh-it-is-super-busy-get-me-out-of-here. And it was definitely cool. We got street parking (woot woot) for free (woot woot woot) and we wandered to the Newseum. Incredible. I learned about the Berlin Wall, and cried my eyes dry at the September 11 exhibit. Aby quickly rescued me, but geesh I always appreciate a good cry for something that matters, and so it only made the day better. We had a brief glance at the pulitzer-winning photographs, my emotional instability (once the waterworks start I’m prone to sputtering) taking us through more quickly than we’d have liked.
Aby walked us to a spanish restaurant (yum) where we had spicy guac (yum) scallops in pumpkin sauce (yum) and flank steak (yum) oh my gosh it was a perfect meal. Portions were right, flavors were delicious, weather was great, company, again, was superb. More surprises to come…Teaism down the road! And what a tea I had! A smoky green (I chose it because the name was Japanese) that was reminiscent of Lap Sang Souchong but undeniably grassy. Punctuated by my predictable mix-up and the fact that we liked the other’s better…fortune you are ever in our favor! Incredible flavor accompanied us on a walk to the Art Galleries. Reluctant to give up our finally-cool-enough teas, we waived our tunnel-walk for a return to our pup to continue my series of favorite Sundays.
Fun in the kitchen and chicken pot pie to show for it. I snuggled with boom as Aby did responsible things. Then we all snuggled before we made our way to my house. House-time was nice, but the best part was sitting with dad at the kitchen table . We did our normal things, and I was again astounded by my best friend’s curiosity, clarity, and though-process, and my pop’s wisdom. Wrapping it all up was ribs by my ma, humour by my sis, awkward awesomeness by my little bro, cake from randolph and cookies by my student. Then glorious sleep.
It’s a good life I lead, with good people and a good pup. I’m a lucky girl.
Praying for all those who are troubled with really troubles–may God comfort you, and may you feel His love everyday. For Mary Senkarik.

a reminder for me...every day can be like yesterday. aim true.
borrowed from someone who borrowed it
My dad sang me “Maria” yesterday morning, with “Kristina.” Life is grand in serenade! And like that, I knew the day would be great.
It was, though, threaded with firey moods. At inept waiters, at selfish mothers, at tactless uncles, at dirty brothers, at silly sisters, at trafficced loves, at football teams, and pretty girls and pasta. But that warmth I felt at being loved, at being special…that was the story of the day.
He drew me aside and told me, twice, that he was so happy I came. I realized how selfish I had been, how ungrateful to be wishing myself away. To be here with them is to be here with them, not with an ideal, a Stepford family. Sure I may wish some could just see the magic and smile, but how can I wish for others what I do not do myself? Enough worrying…
And so I have.
(Also, I bought presents because I like making other people happy :) beer for pops, stuff for mom, and finally I found Japan! Oh Epcot, you’re almost as good as being there.)
As high as he lifts me up, so long is the fall. (oh freshman mechanics…) I was happy and cold so I was skipping, dancing, leaping pirouetting forward and back and around my family, expressing how wonderful life is and this family about which I pranced so joyously.
“Knock it off” he exclaimed. Deflated, I halted in place, coldly trailing behind. And I realized, I cannot live my life for my father’s approval. I cannot hang on his every word. But this does not mean I love him less; no, for it is a mature love which goes beyond fealty, flowering to a fully informed unconditional.
I love you daddy. I’ll always be your little girl.
I’ll just try to be more, too.

and parkour and hunt and be wonderful
Woke up clean, woke up happy. Ish. Sad to say goodbye to my turtle and my dog. But we were off and we were giddy with the promise of the trip. Travel wears, but the first leg was good. Pictures, silly faces, camaraderie: we’ll get there again.
Hooray for new days. Dawn points
Jack London gave me a story with a happy ending. I thought of Boom with every passage…her story, her thoughts; what does she see?
Reading trash without a book is offputting. But wisdom is wisdom in whatever form; indeed I did not mind the smooth chrome that replaced the swoosh of pages and comfortable weight in the hand. I explored worlds of tea and then lost myself in the story of the wolf-dog.
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