Georgia

So...waaaaay back in early September my bf and I (bf stands for best friend and/or boyfriend...same diff) flew across the country to Georgia to visit my granddad, who I haven't seen in a long time.

Before I start showing off pictures, I will say this: Jeff is so awesome to travel with. We weren't able to sleep through the first red-eye flight so there were lots of games of war & battleship. Sometimes I get nervous to fly, but not this trip. It makes me love thinking about all the other places we'll go someday. When we got to Georgia, we drove through the Smokies, and saw all sorts of small mountain towns. There are rivers everywhere, and the hills are so green! I thought it would be hot and muggy, but the weather changed right before we arrived, to record-breaking rains the entire time. Aside from the pictures I'm posting, we did a ton and had a great time with my family. We had good conversations and I met family I'd never met (Uncle Jim & his daughter Cassie). I tried (and loved) grits for the first time. Jeff shot a machine gun. We discovered our mutual love for a certain country singer. Jeff did a bunch of projects around Grandad's house. I slept in every morning. Jeff made me coffee every morning. It was a wonderful time.


That's my grandpa! Isn't he handsome? He drives the biggest truck you will ever see,

and it has a horn that sounds like a locomotive in your ear. 

This is the front view of their house, Loafer's Glory. He and his wife Chris have a beautiful piece of property, full of cats and dogs and chickens and horses and deer and apple trees.

This photo doesn't do it justice.
Picture a long, winding uphill driveway. So long you can't see the house at the top.
Picture it surrounded by green, rolling hills bordered by green forests and creeks.

Jeff and I went out riding ATV's almost every day. At first we rode on the same one. We drove through miles of the Smokey Mountains, and even got lost once. Then we joined my uncle Jim and cousin Cassie and we each had our own. We had to move fallen trees and go through creeks.

I would do this everyday if I could. It was adventure at it's finest. I like driving fast.

This is Molly (it's a dog if you can't tell), and her blonde locks. She followed us everywhere.

My uncle Jim took us to a farm up the road where I met a Zebra for the first time.

Pretty eyes!

And I got to look at this face from morning 'til night for the whole trip. What a lucky girl I am.

It was a wonderful time with my Grandad & Chris. I ate more than I've ever eaten in my life.

I saw some beautiful country. We got to relax, and the monsoon rain helped us do that. Our plans to raft and be in the rivers didn't happen becaue of that, but it forced us to stay in, watch movies, play pool, take naps and eat some more. Just what we both needed!

After 5 days in Georgia, we flew to Michigan...

Dahlia Power

Have you ever seen a dahlia as big as a frisbee? a plate? a fat mans face?

Now you have!

He scattered our debts upon the waves...

Road Warriors

This post is for you, Linda. 

It doesn't require any commentary and the pictures say it all. 

We're baaaaack...

It was a wonderful time! Photos to come shortly!

Tomorrow, Tomorrow

Tomorrow Jeff and I leave for our trip. 

It's only a day away!

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO:
sleeping sound through every flight
playing thumb wars if we get bored (or just want to hold hands)
not losing any luggage
 foggy morning hills and dales (what's a dale, anyway?)
Georgia peaches (guaranteed they taste better there)
drive-in movies
sleeping in
Chris's killer bloody mary's for brekkie (seriously AMAZING)
riding motorcycles and horses
white water rapids (Level 1, por favor)
lightning storms
fireflies
small mountain towns (don't think of Deliverance)
conversations with Grandad
meeting Lynn, Allison and Caden (so excited!)
meeting everyone else (really)
visiting Jeff's hometown
long walks
listening to more of Mike's stories
tall sand dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan
enjoying the non-stop rest and adventure with Jeff (!!!)


This trip already feels so blessed. All the details came together just like we prayed for.
I feel really fortunate to be able to go on a long, full vacation with my wonderful boyfriend.
It will be full of meaning and substance and irreplaceable memories.

So long, for now! 

Say Something Nice!

We need to do something like this in Kirkland. :) It totally made me smile.

[Except I'm trying really hard to ignore how many germs are on that thing.]

In 3 weeks it will all be over...

"What will be over?" you ask.

This will be over:

I'm going to Michigan with Jeff to meet his family. Wooooooooooooo!

I pray to the good, kind, gentle, accommodating and sweet Lord of Hosts that I don't make a complete fool of myself. 

But seriously, I'm really excited. Excited, as in, I have no idea what to expect, but I'm looking forward to seeing that side of Jeff's life. His dad is in town this week so we've just met, so I have sort of a preview of what our trip to Michigan will be like. He's the most warm, genuine man with the greatest laugh. We had dinner at Milagro a few nights ago, and at one point we were all weeping from laughter. Personally, I think if you can laugh with someone that hard that you just met, that's a good sign.

Now if I can avoid long, awkward prayers at the dinner table, pool volleyball and admission to milking my cats teats (which I've never done), I'm good to go.

Our trip to Michigan will actually be Part II of our adventure out East. Part I is Georgia, and Jeff is coming! Yeeee! $%&@#!!! Can you sense my excitement? First ever vacay with my man!!

Lord, have mercy.

Your Song, My Song, His Song, Her Song

Fave BAND! Great SONG! New VID! Awesome BEARD!

Also check out Rivers & Roads. Gorgeous location and killer acoustics.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Jeff and I tried watching the Perseids meteor shower this weekend, but were so bummed at the clouds covering up the show!

I hope you had better luck than us!

(photo found here)

P.S. Jeff's new form of entertainment is asking me to whistle "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"...because I stink at whistling! Then he makes me laugh, and really can't do it. I sound like a dying tea kettle.

Blue Ridge, Georgia

In just a few weeks I'm going to visit my Granddad and his wife Chris in Blue Ridge, Georgia. It's been about 8 years since we've spent face-to-face time together. I'm looking forward to seeing what his life in the eastern hills is like. They live on a huge piece of land down in a valley, in a big house with lots of rooms. They have horses and motorcycles and gardens. I can't wait! I want to pick apples, drink sweet tea, sit on the front porch and hear stories about his life. HE, on the other hand, is hoping I'll go river rafting on one of the Level 5 rivers near his house. Sorry Granddad, but I don't want to die.

[photo of the Blue Ridge Mtns. found on this sweet blog]

In his younger years, when he was in the Navy, he was the most handsome man I've seen in photographs. Then years later, he wore his hair long with tiny glasses and leather and rode Harley's all over the U.S., and looked just like Jerry Garcia. Still handsome, in a different way. Now he's 72 and his hair is short and I want as much time as possible with him.

I don't have very many family members who are active in my life. I wish I did. Family to me is like the missing link, the thing that helps me make sense of who I am, why I am, etc. When I have a family someday, I want my kids to have a sense of belonging, of knowing who they are, whose they are, and why they are. I want that sense of legacy to start now, with my family, my Grandad, and this trip.

I hope he's prepared to answer all the questions I have for him. I want to know about our Cherokee relatives, and how connected he is to them. I want to ask him about my Grandma, the one I've never met, what he remembers about her, and if her hair was really as platinum blonde as the black & white photo I have of her makes it look. I'm going to ask him why he left Southern California and Warner Brothers and moved across the country to start a new life. I want to know what it was like when my mom got back in touch with him after almost 15 years of silence. And I want to know what it was like for him to say yes to Jesus Christ, just a few months back. And just ask him what it's like to be him.

I might be able to dig these things out of him, and I might not. Either way, I pray it's a sweet time with him and Chris. I'm just happy I get to be with him.

Waves & Sand

This song is ok, but I like the video because it reminds me to not get so old and responsible that I lose the wonder I had as a kid, where every step into my yard became an adventure, where I didn't mind so much what people thought of me, and where everything had meaning.

move.learn.eat

1 trip of a lifetime

3 guys

44 days

11 countries

18 flights

38,000 miles

2 cameras

1 terabyte of footage

3 ambitious linear concepts

3 beautiful short films

Rick Mereki: director, producer, camera & editing

Tim White: DOP, producer, editing & sound

Andrew Lees: actor, mover, groover

Found here.

On a lighter note...

Every time I watch this, I weep. My body doesn't know how else to respond. Laughter is not enough.

BARTLE DOO?!!

Friday Thoughts

I like this guy (a lot).

And I like it (a lot) when we're together.

On a dock.

In the sun.

Or wherever.

He makes me smile (a lot).

And I'm so thankful I'm in his life.

Perseids

The last few years, I've gotten to watch the Perseids meteor shower pass through the skies over my house at night. Or should I say morning? I've set my alarm for 2 or 3am sometimes. Luckily, we have a pretty comfy hammock, so that helps. But it's ALWAYS worth it.

This video shows Perseids over Mt. Rainier. Incredible!

This year, the peak viewing time for Seattle is August 13th. I will be there, praying for clear skies and welcoming the wonder.

One in 8 Million

I ran across this website a few days ago.

One in 8 Million - New York Characters in Sound and Images






I love the uniqueness of each person, and I love the fact that they are all created by and known deeply by my Father. It makes each one feel like less of a stranger to me.

Listen to the stories and look at their pictures. I've only watched a few, but I'm so glad I did. I'm going to try and watch them all. Whoever created this website did such a beautiful job!

Beach poppy

I went to Seabrook, WA this last weekend with the gals. It was so lovely.

Words

This is one of the more sweetly convicting songs I've heard, and such a good reminder of the power of my words.

You have a choice
You have a choice to make
Are you gonna speak life
Or break the back of your brother?
Are you gonna lift up?
Or are you gonna choose to curse each other?
'Cause it's our greatest weapon
In His image you were made
You have a choice
You have a choice to make
Life or death
Blessing or cursing
Hope or doubt
Faith or fear
Purpose or confusion
Love or hate
It's your choice to make

April, May

Oh man. April, May's Fall 2011 line is gorgeous.

Jungle vs. Woods

Sometimes, when the Holy Spirit is speaking to me, I hear Him right as I'm waking up, in the in-between.

About two months ago I woke up to one of His rhetorical questions, and I've been thinking about it again today.

Would you rather be at peace in the jungle or lost in the woods?

I could come up with a my answer, with good reasons and guesses as to what He means, but I don't think that's the point. I think He wants me to let the question settle in deep. And I think He wants to use it someway, either to point to my future, or to confirm my past. Or to just let me sit in the tension of it, which He loves and I don't love so much, and let it create a deeper trust in me.

So I'll settle into the tension today, and watch Him fashion my life, and confirm my belonging to Him, no matter what it looks like, jungle or woods.

Listener

I woke up with this going through my head.

everything falls apart at the exact same time
that it all comes together perfectly for the next step

His voice is a hard one to forget. I saw this video a couple times a few weeks ago, and for some reason it didn't reappear in my memory until today.

The lyrics are too much to quote, and I can't pick my favorites, so here they are, all of them.

Secrets are My Fave, Part 2

I got another installment of mystery flowers yesterday: this time, dahlias!


Except it's not a mystery anymore. They were from a client's garden. :) How sweet is that?!

Pretty darn sweet if you ask me.

Summer Solstice

"Close your eyes and follow God." [Fenelon]

One day, several weeks ago, I was convinced that a relationship with Jeff would never work. And the next day, God broke through all that and put him in my heart, and everything changed. My hollow reasons turned into a yes of sweet self-suicide. I realized this wasn't as much about Jeff as it was about the tight grip I had on my life.

That day, as the Holy Spirit made His way past my senses, as He unlocked my fearful heart and reminded me who I am, and as He whispered His promises to me, I became compelled to put away my sight, not taking into account what I do or don't see with my natural eyes. I made a decision that I wouldn't be ruled by my own preferences or passing feelings, reaping the bitterness of my own appetite. I'd be giving myself too much credit by saying I just made up my mind to say yes, because my heart change was simply a work of the Holy Spirit - it was a work that was born of pure faith and a sovereign gift from God. I know this.

"...she received a special assurance from God. What God did in this case made it perfectly plain that His purpose is not a hit-or-miss thing dependent on what we do or don't do, but a sure thing determined by His decision, flowing steadily from his initiative." [Romans 9:11,12]

So it suddenly all became very simple: let go of the life I think is mine, reject fear, embrace His wild plan for me and hang on for the ride. And say yes to Jeff.

"But God is greater than our hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves." [1 John 3:18]

I'll spare you the details, except to say this: I'm thrilled to be on this journey with my dear friend Jeffrey. I respect and trust him. I love to be with him, and when I'm not with him, I miss him. He's kind and thoughful. He's full of strength and conviction and depth. He makes me laugh so hard. He's a maze of brilliance. He adds so much value to my life. And he's given me a place my heart can safely land.


"Full of peace and safety, adventure wasn't missing. It pulled through every fiber forming the rugged hills and delicate wildflowers. It existed as an integral part of the peace, and now I could identify it. God's spirit made me safe on the cliffhanging adventure of growing close to the Maker of the universe, the ultimate hand holding my small life." [Perpetua]

The field surrounding Clise Mansion - the place everything changed.

my lazy lunch

Falling asleep on a public park bench in the sun always makes for interesting dreams.

What do you love?

Kinda cool.

I said "secret passages".

we can start moving forward

I like everything about this.

Love's Definition

This song has rocked me since the first time I heard it, but especially lately.

greens and blues

The calendar said it was summer, and I believed it.

So I drove until I found a nice, wide stretch of grass.

I found the perfect spot.

Under a tree.

And as I laid there curled up under the canopy I realized: I find Jesus the most in my failures, mess-ups and weaknesses. When I recognize my sin, I recognize Him even more.

John Charles

I can't remember the last time I called my dad to chat, but I did tonight. He'd been on my mind all day.

It was a sweet, sweet talk. He's so much softer then he ever was when I was a kid. I guess time and pain and weakness change your perspective on life.

I found out that he hiked Mt. Olympus in his younger years (in the Olympics). He could talk about his hiking adventures all night, and I'd do anything to hear his voice so I asked as many dumb questions I could think of to keep him going. The hike to the base of Blue Glacier took 4 days down the Ho River, through fields of wildflowers and rainforests, until they got to where they camped on top of the glacier. He said he could hear the glacier creaking and cracking while they slept. Then they summited. No big deal.

Apparently he's also a fan of horse races. News to me.

And he told me he thinks I'm so smart, and he wished he told me that a long time ago. Oh, dad...

At one point, he told me he used to be a runner. I never knew that! I said "Dad, I'm half you. I love hiking and being outside and playing sports and running because of you. Mom never liked that kind of thing." I think it made him happy to hear that. I love that I'm my dad's daughter.

Here he is, helping me waddle along. Doesn't he have great hair and great forearms?

He's still in pretty good shape. He rode his bike 20 miles just yesterday. I think it's cute to picture him peddling along, because he never rode a bike when I was growing up.

I found some photos from the day he & my mom married. He's so handsome to me. And my mom has awesome legs!! (Side note: she made her own wedding dress. Go mama.)

People were always naturally drawn to him.

Just look at him.... I would've fell for him too. Again, go mom. She knew what was up. She is PUMPED - look at her face!

Some things I got from my dad: my smile, my prankster ways, my ability to put people at ease, my love for nature, my impatience, my desire to be loved, my simple-mindedness and my love for beer.

Happy Fathers Day, Daddio. You are so loved, by your daughter, who is half you.

Francoise Nielly

The man is amazing.

I want to understand the shadows and terrain of the face like he does.

What once was lost...

...now is found.

Kill the fatted calf!! I found my ring!

Seriously - this is a big deal. My little sis the silversmith made me this silver ring and set it with a citrine gemstone. (Say that sentence 10 times really fast.) Lately, if I think about how I misplaced it, I'd get this little stab of sadness, picturing it in some field or parking lot or on some strange girls hand.

I was doing a deep-clean of my room tonight, organizing important papers, putting my paintings in a safe place, and assorting my lip gloss by color...when I found it. What a relief. It's a ring I hope to have forever.



Ignore my alien hand.

Secrets are My Fave

Someone out there is a real sweet person. I got back from lunch today and found these two peonies on my desk. They're huge, and they smell so lovely! No one seems to know where they came from. And honestly, I don't want to know. I like wondering. And I like knowing that someone else out there has a secret to keep...that they gave flowers to a girl today, and she doesn't know where they came from.

Which reminds me of an encouraging word my friend James gave me last summer:

"You are the fragrance of God. You permeate darkness and penetrate the unmoving. With gentleness like a wind, a breeze, you fell great borders and stone gates. You are His scent. You smell like Him. You awaken the vivid memories that turn hearts, bring tears and take us back to the moment of first love."

truth for me today

finding my heart now

peonies on my desk

I wish they never died and fell to pieces.

Fierce was the Wild Billow

Fierce was the billow wild, dark was the night;

oars labored heavily, foam glimmered white.

Trembled the mariners, peril was nigh;

then said the God of God, "Peace: it is I."

Ridge of the mountain wave, lower thy crest;

wail of the tempest wind, be thou at rest.

Sorrow can never be, darkness must fly,

where saith the Light of light, "Peace: it is I."

Jesus, Deliverer, come thou to me;

soothe thou my voyaging over life's sea;

thou, when the storm of death roars sweeping by,

whisper, O Truth of truth, "Peace: it is I."

Best Camera Challenge Results

Last January I entered a photo contest with some of my iphone favsies. You can see my entries here. If you have some time to check out others entries, do it - you won't be disappointed.

The winners were just announced, and sadly I wasn't one of them. Still, I was so inspired by everyone else.

Here is the winners gallery!

My particular favorites are Merit Award Winners Jayms Ramirez and Michael DeAngelis, and Places Winner Philip Drucker.

Congratulations everyone!

Chisel Me

Pastor Norm ended yesterdays talk with this video.
Ahh, I can so relate.

Sometimes this is all I can say.

Accident

Here's a watercolor I did a few months ago that was completely accidental. I was working on a flower, got bored and started a face. The way it ended up looks like the flower is meant to be in her hair, but they started out completely separate.

I want to get really good at faces and expressions.

Who is John Galt?

I've been making my way through a very well-worn Atlas Shrugged (on page 188 of 1084), and Ayn Rand is blowing my mind. What an incredible writer.

Some excerpts that need no context:
_________________________

He glanced at her and did not answer. Then he said, "I like cigarettes, Miss Taggart. I like to think of fire held in a man's hand. Fire, a dangerous force, tamed at his fingertips. I often wonder about the hours when a man sits alone, watching the smoke of a cigarette, thinking. I wonder what great things have come from such hours. When a man thinks, there is a spot of fire alive in his mind - and it is proper that he should have the burning point of a cigarette as his one expression."
_________________________

"Francisco, you're some kind of very high nobility, aren't you?"

He answered, "Not yet. The reason my family has lasted for such a long time is that none of us has ever been permitted to think he is born a d'Aconia. We are expected to become one."

He pronounced his name as if he wished his listeners to be struck in the face and knighted by the sound of it.
_________________________

"Francisco, what's the most depraved type of human being?"

"A man without a purpose."
_________________________

The three of them set out every morning on adventures of their own kind. Once, an elderly professor of literature, Mrs. Taggart's friend, saw them on top of a pile in a junk yard, dismantling the carcass of an automobile. He stopped, shook his head and said to Francisco, "A young man of your position ought to spend his time in libraries, absorbing the culture of the world."

"What do you think I'm doing?" asked Francisco.
_________________________

And I just found out there's a movie coming out. The book was published in 1957, but I love that the story is timeless enough to create the film in a modern setting, 50+ years later. She was ahead of her time. I can't wait to see the movie, but I want to finish the book first.

May Day Clean at Heritage Park

Home

I can't wait to sing with my kids someday!
This video melts me every time.



I've seen this a few times, and I just now noticed that at 1:48, she says "One day I'm gonna whistle??"...too cute.

As a kid, my favorite song to sing with my stepdad was Dance, Dance, Dance by The Steve Miller Band. He'd get out his 12-string every night. I'm pretty sure he's one of the main reasons I love music so much. So I look forward to times like that with my kids. (And they won't care how bad my guitar playing is.)

Here's the original Home by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros.

Me. U2. Qwest Field. June 4th.

"U2 is not a rock band really.. I dont think so, I think its like we're a folk band or something. The LOUDEST folk band in the world... but once in a while.. there's a song, that makes you want to burn the house to the ground." - Bono

I'll be there.
And I'm seriously pumped.

Yeeeee!

Sweet Song

And sweet light through the trees.

And sweet lyrics...

"I just want adobe slabs and four walls for my boys."

Uhhh...

...somehow I deleted my blog template.

%&$@#!!!

So sorry, friends. I'll be working on it the next couple of days and hopefully make it into something you'll enjoy looking at.

Meanwhile, I leave you with this happy song sung by a girl named Rosie who loves bonfires and bike rides and dancing. (uh, me?!)

Wallace Falls

Saturday morning, some girlfriends and I had a nice little hike up to Wallace Falls. I recommend it if you want a day hike with gorgeous views of falling water and lots of moss-covered trees.