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DOTS

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:34:00 -0500

This is the second winter I’ve had here in Philadelphia. We’ve had record breaking snowfalls, igloo-making times, coffee times, party times, movie times. It’s been great. But it’s also been arduous and long, long, long. Longer than I thought or imagined or even wanted out of a winter. I keep telling myself I want to move back to California, but I think what I really want is some sun. Which I’ll get soon enough. I guess I’m dealing more with some impatience with the weather. And maybe SAD, but probably just impatient and being dramatic about it.

This picture below is drawn from a first graders perspective. I was chosen to be the subject of a first grade class’ exploration of what they called a person’s “inside story.” During this exploration, I was questioned and prodded about anything from hair color to sexual orientation.

I went into their classroom and sat in a tiny wooden chair with my hands in my lap. They are all little sweethearts, of course, looking confident and eager. Once we commenced our interview, some of the first things that came out were musings about my facial hair, which I am always interested in because it seems to continue to change despite being 25.

“He has a mustache!” said one little girl.
“Wellll, it’s sorta a mustache,” said another.
“Yeah, it’s not really a beard, it’s like kinda a beard.”

Turns out this particular artists’ interpretation quite accurately accounts for the actual number of hair follicles on my face.

Photo

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:27:49 -0500

Been moving along in the pre-K nursery…making caterpillar and butterfly crafts, having kids do...

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:17:45 -0400

Been moving along in the pre-K nursery…making caterpillar and butterfly crafts, having kids do water play on the blacktop, trying to have all the kids sit in their seats for meals. Been watering some flowers and letting the days do the rest. Been traveling up to New York. I’m eating well, exercising some, reading Steinbeck books and dreaming about Monterey,

I’m growing a small patch of flowers. Here’s a cosmo...

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:09:26 -0400

I’m growing a small patch of flowers. Here’s a cosmo goin strong.

Summer photo with Susans

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:06:00 -0400

Summer photo with Susans

This was my 25th Birthday Party in the park. This is some of my...

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:34:00 -0400

This was my 25th Birthday Party in the park. This is some of my family over here in the East, dogs included. I was presented with delicious and smooth root beer, great sandwiches, and a sturdy Bocce Ball set. Hooray! Also, Charley baked up incredible cupcakes (maple frosting with sprinkles) for all to share. You’re the best, Charley.

Wish you were here!

Micah, Paul, Me, Independence Hall. (missing? Micah Moore....

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:27:26 -0400

Micah, Paul, Me, Independence Hall. (missing? Micah Moore. BroTrip!)

Paul and Micah at Micah’s wedding in March. Santa Barbara.

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:25:46 -0400

Paul and Micah at Micah’s wedding in March. Santa Barbara.

Photo

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:38:45 -0500

Here’s part of the backyard. Another snow day happened and...

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 13:44:00 -0500

Here’s part of the backyard. Another snow day happened and so we ran around and went wild in the snow. The snow was too powdery for snowballs and snowmen, but not too powdery for snow fun! Today it’s supposed to get warm out. ? Will it?

Been having a great time with friends, with snow, and also with “Planet of the Apes” starring Heston, which is number three in our house Thursday night VHS Dinner and a Movie series that started happening recently (First was “Shaft”, second was “Ace Ventura 2, When Nature Calls”). Also, I’ve been making my slow way through X-files season three, which is making a run at best season SO FAR (neck and neck with Season Two. Season 1 was excellent, but in third place right now).

Today’s news: SNOW DAY. All the kids that come into the...

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:59:13 -0500

Today’s news: SNOW DAY. All the kids that come into the nursery are staying home, and so am I. In Bakersfield, I would roll over and listen to the alarm clock say, “All schools in the greater Bakersfield area have a two hour fog delay….” Tule fog = a great feature of Central Valley high school winter experience.

I’m spending my winter days staying warm, wearing glittens, having hot drinks, wearing at least four layers of shirt/jacket and two pairs of socks always, playing cards, walking, and fantasy basketball stat tracking.

Pretty major part of being home.

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:27:59 -0500

Pretty major part of being home.

Found this in an old notebook today while I was rummaging. The...

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:47:09 -0500

Found this in an old notebook today while I was rummaging. The answer is, of course, C, but my creative options must have fooled Micah when put to the test.

Merry Christmas ‘86, everyone!

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:44:33 -0500

Merry Christmas ‘86, everyone!

A Young Angels Fan Meets Strange Snotty Dog

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:36:00 -0500

A Young Angels Fan Meets Strange Snotty Dog

Christmas 2005!

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:59:34 -0500

Christmas 2005!

Thanksgiving wreath with the family. (not pictured: you!) ...

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 11:32:00 -0500

Thanksgiving wreath with the family. (not pictured: you!)

Praying

It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.

Mary Oliver

Photo

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:35:26 -0500

Baynton Street Home.

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:09:00 -0500

Baynton Street Home.

Good-bye October, see ya next year I want to tell you what...

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 13:08:00 -0400

Good-bye October, see ya next year

I want to tell you what hills are like in October
when colors gush down mountainsides
and little streams are freighted with a caravan of leaves,
I want to tell you how they blush and turn in fiery shame
and joy,
how their love burns with flames consuming and terrible
until we wake one morning and woods are like a smoldering
plain —

a glowing caldron full of jewelled fire;
the emerald earth a dragon’s eye
the poplars drenched with yellow light
and dogwoods blazing bloody red.
Travelling southward earth changes from gray rock to green velvet.

- Margaret Walker, October Journey