Sidewalk Chalk

If you stop by your local Dollar Store,
you can often find a bucket of chalk for,
well,
a dollar...

and then
the whole driveway and/or sidewalk
become your canvas
and cleanup is as simple as
waiting for rain :)

Go ahead, express yourself

Self Portrait Thursday - Taking Risks and Learning Something New

I grabbed my guitar, and headed out back for a "photo-shoot" (my daughter is the photographer, here) and no less than 7 small children, including the neighbor kids came running over for "song time", ha ha ha
Little did they know, I can only play the chromatic scale ;)
Step by step
inch by inch
blister by blister
I will learn
I will play
I will sing

If we all retained the enthusiasm and wonder we had as small children
This world would be a better place
full of
laughter
joy
amazement
and
music

Yes, the sunburn hurts, ha ha ha


Hamming it up, and feeling silly :)

Taking risks can be a good thing

Trust and Let Go

When God sends you a child, whether through your body,
or through your heart,
He expects you to care for them,
as He does you.
They come into this world completely dependent, innocent and trusting you
to keep them warm, safe, fed,
and most importantly
loved♥

And then...
you let go..
but not completely

The Part Where You Let Go
Hem
(can be heard on the playlist)


When the rain, breaks the road
are you holding on, are you holding on
to your last good day
when the stone breaks the wheel
are you holding, are you holding on
til the stone rolls away

And I don't know
Is this the part where you let go
and tumbling out of a window
is this the part where you find out im there
for you

When the sun leaves the field
are you holding on, are you holding on
to the last sweet light
when the flame leaves your eyes
i still see you there, i still see you there
on your darkest night.

And i don't know
is this the part where you let go
in sinking under a shadow
is this the part where you find out
i'm there for you now

As your hands breaking free
i am holding on, i am holding on
as you held on to me

And i don't know
is this the part where we let go
tumbling out of a window
is this the part you're there for me

And i don't know
is this the part where you let go
in sinking under a shadow
is this the part where you find out
im there for you
you find out im there for you
you find out im there for you

A Day At the Zoo

Just before school let out this year, I was asked to chaperone the 4th grade class to the Toronto Zoo. What a great place! There was alot of walking, but the boys I was in charge of were able to keep up with me ;)


My oldest son, walking with a Canada Goose


I'm the "cool" Mom, who likes to hold snakes, ha ha ha
the "Reptile guy" asked if anyone wanted to hold him, and I think I trampled a few small children getting to the front of the crowd ;)


My son admiring the Ball Python, right before it had to go back into it's tank


TOP OF THE WORLD, MA!
just beyond this climbing exhibit, were some really cool mountain goats with their "kids"

Over the next several weeks, I'll sneak in some more zoo pics :)

Self Portrait Thursday

Self portrait Thursday...A small peek at the person behind the camera, behind the keyboard...
I have far too many facets to capture everything, but little snippets can be found, here and there...

Trying to figure out the settings on my camera

I think I got it :)

Some days, you have to be reminded to "BREATHE"

'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, girl.
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe

...Breathe, by Anna Nalick
to hear the whole song, click on BREATHE
on the playlist to the right --->

Is it safe to look?


This song was my favorite, while pregnant with my daughter, over 18 years ago; I still love it (also on my playlist)

Sweet Child of Mine
by Guns n Roses

She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that special place
And if I'd stare too long
I'd probably break down and cry

Oh, Oh, Oh
Sweet child o' mine
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
Sweet love of mine


She's got eyes of the bluest skies
As if they thought of rain
I hate to look into those eyes
And see an ounce of pain
Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place
Where as a child I'd hide
And pray for the thunder
And the rain
To quietly pass me by

Oh, Oh, Oh
Sweet child o' mine
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
Sweet love of mine


So that's my "Artsy-Fartsy" Self Portrait Thursday...
Next post will be back to our regularly "un"scheduled Summer
:)

To The Moon, Mama!

My kids love to swing, doesn't matter on what...a rope, a tire, or on one of the swing sets out back
They squeal with delight, "Push me HIGHER, Mama, I want to fly to the MOON!"
I always ask them to get me some cheese while they're there...
That *is* what the moon's made of, right?


I risked life and limb, by laying under the swing, for this shot!

Come Sail Away....

You can lead a boy to water, but you can't make him bathe!
This is my youngest, sailing a little wooden boat in a trough. Simple things bring such joy and hours of amusement...you just can't buy the smile that a puddle of water can bring...or a steep grassy hill to roll down!
It wasn't all that long ago, that laying in the grass, and watching the clouds float by seemed like a perfect afternoon activity...try it sometime, whether you're 10, or 110, you won't be disappointed!