Ms. Cymantha

Yesterday I went to my friend's house to take pictures of her sweet pregnant belly. (more pix are posted here.) She is a single mom with a 9 year old daughter and, late this fall, she is going to attempt to deliver TWINS at home! I am sort of amazed at her courage right now. I think I would be panicky all the time if I were her.

I admire all of those multiple moms out there. One birth at a time was a challenge. I have a hard time imagining any more than that! Lots of warm wishes my friend!

Savoring Summer

For the last few days, I have had that "Sunday Feeling". You know how you feel on Sunday afternoons when you realize that Monday is right around the corner. That feeling in your stomach that lets you know that your restful weekend is almost over and you can't fight the inevitable. No matter what you do, you can't change the fact that MONDAY is right around the corner.
I have been feeling like that for a few days. My summer is slipping through my fingers and I am feeling a little panicky!
So today, I took Stella outside to eat a popcicle in the sunshine. She thoroughly enjoyed herself. And once again, she reminded me that the summer isn't over yet! There are still some lazy days ahead. Stop. Breathe. Enjoy every little minute!

Nostalgia

I read about CuriousGirl feeling rather nostalgic not too many days ago...and it must be in the air because I too have been experiencing it. Waves of my past keep washing over me at random moments.

The other day we ate at one of my favorite places, The Common Market, and as I sat down to enjoy my veggie wrap and my coke in the bottle I had a flash of childhood. I looked at the bottle and instantly pictured a little blond girl with big blue eyes running through a huge grassy field. I pictured the kid and then thought.."Hey! That's me! I know her!!" (Kind of like when Liz sees herself in the elevator mirror in Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert)

I suddenly found myself, 6 years old, on my Dad's property in the country. He built a house back then and he owned 23 acres of land. Before the house was complete, we used to fly kites in the field. Every trip out there required a stop at a tiny little gas station that had the yummy coke in the little glass bottles. (and cheerwine too. used to lovelovelove cheerwine as well.)

I can't help but wonder what little moments my children will remember...what smells will take them there...what sights and sounds. Nostalgia. Bittersweet.

A walk through the past...

Last weekend I went to Asheville with my Mom and my sisters. I planned this trip for my 40th birthday. I wanted to celebrate this new era with my favorite women!
We had a great time! We ate wonderful vegetarian food at some awesome restaurants (Early Girl Eatery, The Laughing Seed) and shopped in wonderful little sidewalk shops.
I really wanted to shoot some photos... so I asked my Mom where we should go to do just that. And she suggested a graveyard....Where Oh Henry and Thomas Wolfe were buried. As soon as she said "graveyard"....I fell into a lovely fit of laughter. How perfectly appropriate for my 40th birthday. So here we are...living it up in the graveyard.

Grammy's Garden

Yesterday Stella and I got to hang out at my Mom's house for a while. Mom has had a rough couple of years and is finally starting to reclaim herself a bit. She planted a garden this year for the first time in a while. We spent some time wandering around, picking plants and flowers. Stella loved it. She carried around her little red bowl of goodies and was quite proud of her collection.
When we got inside, she wanted to place her flowers in a vase. Her first creation was so sweet and special. She wanted to make sure that each bloom had enough water so she placed them in carefully, upside-down. After a few moments, she took them out and put them back right-side-up. Watching her made me happy. Watching her let me pull myself right into the moment with her. She was so thoughtful and careful. Every movement was well planned and cautious. If only I could have more moments each day like that. Thank you little girl...for helping me remember to stop and smell the marigolds!