A new wind.

I'm full of all sorts of art ideas. Some of them are for paintings and some of them are practical crafts (like my quilt, shelving, etc.). So I'm hoping that something comes from all of this. I will need to pick up some minor supplies, but I'm really excited about it.

Also, I think that this recent spur of artistic motivation is largely do to the change in weather/seasons. I love the change. Change/transition is my favorite season. There is so much excitement in the anticipation.

I am also eager to wear boots again.

Cheers.

Sans Makeup

It's been another hot, muggy day in Columbia. Thankfully, I had a half day at work and I've had the opportunity to shower and lazy around in the AC (which we keep at a modest 78 degrees to save money). I didn't feel like wearing makeup today. I don't normally depend on it. I wear it more out of habit than anything. But it feels nice to be a clean pallet. With doing this I realized that I normally shy away from pictures when I'm not "ready". My hair is in a state of continual growth, and without makeup, I would normally not want a camera near. So I decided to take some pictures. Even though I feel awkward and vulnerable, I do realize that they are just pictures and it is just me. I have no standard to live up to, and I am comfortable in my skin.

Eternal Honeymoon

I was looking in a book and stumbled apon something interesting. It was the story of Glen and Bessie Hyde. The adventurous newlyweds decided to have a honeymoon in the Grand Canyon, rafting down the Colorado. If they would have made it through, Bessie would have been the first recorded woman to have ventured it. Unfortunately, half way through, after making a stop for more supplies, they were not heard of for several months. With winter coming, search parties were sent out, however all they found was their raft full of their supplies, as if they had just wandered off from it. There was a cooked ham in the skillet and all their gear remained. They were never found.

I find stories like this incredibly interesting--of course, I can do this, being detached from the people and the time. If this happened to someone now, or even to someone I knew, I would feel much differently. But as it is, they are ghosts of the Grand Canyon, on an eternal honeymoon.

Friendly Nebraska Visit

This past weekend, Caleb and I got to visit some really great friends of ours that moved to Lincoln, NE last year. It was so great seeing them. Being around them and their six kids is always so fun and encouraging. And I'll admit, being around the kids makes me all the more excited about someday having my own. It was a really relaxing weekend. We helped/hung out at their First Fridays Artwalk. Their church is in the downtown area and they host one of the galleries. We got to meet some of the artists, and one of them, Robert Donlan gave a performance--basically a monologue of the meaning behind the art. It was pretty neat. For the rest of our time, we mostly caught up and hung out--got ice cream, amazing street tacos (they were soooooooo good), walked around with the kids. It was a great weekend.

Cheech and Ruth

Me and the girls, Hadassah and Fairlight

Gideon doing his pose

Aaron in his gear. Him and older brother Moses are playing football.

Moses

Haddy being adorable. She's so big! I hadn't seen her since January.

Beautiful Fairlight

One more of Haddy. Silas is the only one I didn't get a picture of. He was in time-out for a large portion of the picture taking.

Pictures by me and the Sorilla kiddos.

If today were ideal...

If today were ideal, I would be in Chepstow.

I would be drinking coffee and dining on the patio of a cafe.

I would be wearing this.

And would stroll down a park with my husband.

All if today were an ideal day.