Vintage Moi

I'm steaming along on the many drawers, corners and surfaces in and upon which junk has accumulated for over a decade. That sounds sort of long. Anyways, I got the chance to examine some images of me from my life pre-motherhood. I certainly had very different concerns from those I have today.

An Hour of Fun

The guys are off skiing and an all female house is pretty mellow. Sarah still doesn't feel well, but felt well enough to pose for Nora when Nora's model and friend had to reschedule their shoot for today. Her room is all set up as a photo studio. Pretty fun to see. And me, I am listening to WaitWait...Don't Tell Me! on National Public Radio. It's such a wonderfully entertaining hour that I line up all sorts of chores to do while I am listening and adoring, Peter Sagal, the host of the show. The kitchen always gets a good dose of my attention which means deploying more All-Clad to keep our organization going. I hope to train these kids how to manage leftovers- like downsizing the pot you are using as its content's reduce. Dumb, routine stuff which seems to make everything flow better.

Snow Brigade

More snow and more snow. This time I had to move the car off the driveway to clean it- James didn't want to have to move those piles as well. He's working from home. School was delayed. Midterms and neither of my daughters have tests scheduled. It's all a little disjointed. Probably my best idea is to focus on chores, cooking, laundry and photographs. As long as I keep moving, the momentum promotes activity in everyone else. And that's a good thing.
Friday a.m. has rolled around. I've had a few nice windows of photographing around here. All the pretty light and changing shades of white. The guys did an amazing shoveling job yesterday and I'm very appreciative. I remembered a vintage snow picture and could not resist posting it here. Nothing like bonding.

Another Wintry Day

Woke up to a steady snowfall out our windows. The plows had barely been out and everyone needed to be nudged out the door, especially the girls. Their high school midterms began today and they both had a test at 8 a.m. Luckily, everyone was with the program and Nora and Sarah even managed to eat breakfast before we left. Cleaning off the car was a snap and I got everyone where they needed to be on time. Facing a long list of things that require attention, I feel a little swamped. This is a busy interval for sure.

A Guilty Pleasure

Yesterday was busy and today promises to be the same. I am photographing again- for all sorts of reasons, professional, personal, ebay and all else. I'm trying to make progress in my odd fashion and it's mostly working. Now James is sick with what I had last week, Jacob doesn't feel well and I'm not certain what direction I'm headed next. Last night, Jacob and I indulged in one of our guilty pleasures and watched the premiere of American Idol. I thought Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez were great as judges. I loved Simon but I didn't really miss him. It's nice to see a whole different energy on the panel. Some of the contestents they let through seemed appealing. Pop culture remains a fascination for me, it's true.

A Lazy Day in Momville

The snow sits perfectly on all the branches that surround the house and it makes for some inspired hibernating on my end. Curled up with books from the library (the best kind of frugalista activity- as in using one's brain, absorbing interesting ideas and not spending any money beyond the gas used to drive back and forth to the library). I devoured Steve Martin's An Object of Beauty and Kathy Griffin's Official Book Club Selection back to back and I highly recommend the combination. Each engaging in very different ways as they both offer an interesting glimpse into the workings of the minds of two well known people. You can't really take the author out of the picture when you read either book- something that's easy to do when an author is a relative unknown. It's early in the day and I am well aware of the all the chores that beckon. I want to walk by clutter without a care in the world and go outside, maybe with a camera in my hands.

Backyard Friends

Martin Luther King day creates a day free from school and work. The luxury of a three day weekend and a chance to relax a little. Everyone in my family has gone their separate ways which means some quiet time for me. I am so happy for the dinners at the end of the day that bring us together to reconnect. James and I filled the bird feeders in the yard yesterday and the birds are having a wonderful time feasting on the seeds. Lots of critters are coming by and we have some new birds in the yard, called common red poll whose bright red coloring is arresting to my eye. Earlier, outside taking my photos and having fun framing different shots- I thought I saw a bird yawn on camera. Really. Maybe they know me as their friend. The nice lady who keeps putting out the grub.

Anyone Home?

The day started with a really nice long walk with a neighbor. We both brought our dogs and the sunshine and fresh air felt great. I'm hoping to eliminate more clutter and clear off the surfaces in the office. Especially if I want to create a greeting for February. I have a new idea that I am anxious to try. Well, new for me. Looking at all sorts of stuff that I've been storing, winnowing down files and scanning in images that pique my interest. I love this image from my days in grad school (1978) when I lived in Rochester, N.Y. and first learned how to use a Hasseblad camera.

Positive thinking

There is no end of frustration in this privileged life of mine. Well, I know we're privileged because we have health insurance, live in a home in a safe neighborhood we can mostly afford, and one of the grown-ups has a job. So, in the big scheme of things, we are more than privileged. We are lucky. Three healthy children, who seem to be flourishing in life and public school with parents who are devoted to them. Nothing is perfect- but it's real and keeps us in the game. I've been ill with bronchitis and my spirits have spiralled down to some pretty dark places. I wonder why it is so easy to travel back and why the possibilities of the future beckon less than what has gone on before. So, the goal is to muster some positive spin and gain some inner peace. It' a new day and time to make something good happen in the present.

Forward Momentum

The gang moves out the door in their own staggered fashion- and me, I am off to the city when time allows to visit a courthouse and think about an installation. Amazing how the reality is starting to sink in that my husband is occupied by a demanding job and he is far more relaxed again. It's always easy for me to worry about all the details- will they leave on their bicycles and come back whole? Are they doing okay in school? Will their sore throat be nothing more than fatigue and a harmless virus? All those little alarm bells that ring in my head. Still, the overriding sense of gloom I have felt is breaking apart and melting away. My heart goes out to all the unemployed folks struggling to make their way and stay afloat. I am happy with our simplicity and grateful that acquiring more isn't all that fascinating to this crew on Evergreen Way. I long to do better and be better. It seems like the simplest goals are the hardest to achieve.

January 3rd

                                                    

                                                    

As the end of the weekend approached, James took the time to groom our dog, Comet, who was sorely in need of a trim. The poor dog could barely see. Ever since I bought James dog clippers for his birthday last year, he has groomed Comet at home. (Zero grooming budget- a great economy move.) It was very sweet to photograph a little of the process and record the bond between dog and master. He has so much love and trust for my husband.

I'm grateful to have some time alone again and uncharted in the house. My children are back at school after the holiday break and my husband caught the 7:47 train to New York. The day stretches ahead of me and it's a wonderful feeling. Here's to possibility and finding my way.