On spending the afternoon . . .

"I don't want to come to the end of my life

and find that I have just lived the length of it.

I want to have lived the width as well."

-Diane Ackerman

{KK 212}

Remember the story about the tortoise and the hare? How the hare laughed at the tortoise, who he said was too slow. How he bragged and bragged about how fast he could run....yep, that one.

Remember what a joke he thought the tortoise was for even challenging him to a race? And that the hare ran so fast that he left the tortoise behind, and how after half the race was over he got so confident that he stopped to play in the meadow and then took a nap?

Well, I think there is more to the moral of this story than "slow and steady wins the race."

Because, I don't believe life IS a race.

We live in a world so full of technology that we fool ourselves into thinking we can accomplish more than we do. It's simply an illusion.

We live in a world where "fast and furious" is prized. Where people live only for the next big "thing" that will make them happy. The next vacation, or car, or when they are debt free. For the next job promotion, or when they lose weight. We are an "if" and "when" society. If and when I do these things, and accomplish this or that, then I will be happy kind of society. The kind of society that thinks the more that's on the schedule, the faster you will get to your destination.

But life isn't really about the destination, it's about the journey . . . it's about all the moments we touch from here to there. There is no medal to be found in getting to the finish line first, and no points for big meadows (of course the meadow is a metaphor, because meadows are quite lovely). And just like the hare, when we go too fast we become delusional about our time, how much we have and what our goals really are. And, when we have completely exhausted ourselves by going so fast, we may even find ourselves fast asleep in between.

We buy into that thought that life is lived at the next pit stop. But life commences here, and now, taking advantage of all that surrounds us as we plod on ever so slowly.

When we go slow enough, we don't necessarily have to stop. We can take in the view, and reach out and touch everything. We can see things because the road isn't moving so fast.

And then we can say, 

"I owned ever second that this world could give . . . " - One Republic

It's a choice to spend an afternoon, one slow step after the other. It's also a choice not to.

Trying to be the tortoise,

Love, Kim

Texture Tuesday, Song-ography, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Roses of Inspiration
Wednesday Around the World

It's coming soon . . .

. . . to a neighborhood near you!

"The Ladybug wears no disguises.

She is just what she advertises.

A speckled spectacle of spring,

A fashion statement on the wing . . . 

A miniature orange kite.

A tiny dot-to-dot delight."

- J. Patrick Lewis

I've been trying to make it to my nursery once a week to check on the flower inventory.

Been looking for poppies, anemone and or ranunculus, and the only one I've managed

to come across is the ranunculus. But they have been the really tiny ones and no

soft peachy pinks, my favorite.

But last week, I came across dozens upon dozens of ladybugs. Not sure if they put them

there or they found their way there. But I can say that there will positively be little

ladybug larva soon.

I was so enthralled by them I must have spent at least 45 minutes with my camera in

the same spot.  But boy oh boy can they move fast, which sure makes it tricky to get

them in focus.

I know most of you have had either bitter cold weather or have been buried in snow

this past week(s), and I just want to let you know that it won't be long...

. . . spring really is coming, I promise.

I know this because it happens every year without fail, and the tree pollen

has been off the chart here. I don't think I've ever had this much trouble with asthma before.

So, keep your eyes peeled, it may be subtle, but she's on her way.

Love, Kim

Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Friday Finds

"Thinking Out Loud" - Song-ography

. . .we found love right where we are

Over the weekend we decided to take a drive to see the college girl. After all what's a Valentine's Day celebration without the whole family?  

"Mount Bonnell" at 785 feet {miniature effect}

And at 785 feet it's one of the highest points in Austin. Now I know why I almost had a heart attack by the time I walked up all the stairs! And, I think it's safe to say that we probably picked the busiest day ever to climb to the top of this limestone rock.

You see, there is a legend in them hills . . . legend has it that a couple will fall in love on their first visit to Mount Bonnell, become engaged on their second visit, and marry on the third. And we did see a couple getting their engagement pictures done, with a sign that said . . . he stole her heart, so she stole his last name.

{KK 2810}

"Mount Bonnell, in miniature"

 And I do wonder how many people fell in love that night, and how many were engaged.

Just thinkin' out loud here . . . wondering if you've already fallen in love, been engaged and married (with kids) by the time you make your first trip to the top, do you get bonus years?

At the very least a gold star for climbing the stairs before you find out that there was

a much easier way to get up there besides straight up?

Yep, as a family, we not only found love, but lots of laughs, right where we were!

{Insert puffy heart here}

Love, Kim

P.S. I'm over at Focusing on Life today with some thoughts on what happens when my heart and

the mindfulness of a moment converge, and the crossroad when it does not.

sharing with Texture Tuesday, Song-ography, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Roses of Inspiration

I can see clearly now . . .

"We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did

this happen to me?" unless we ask the same question for

every moment of happiness that comes our way."

- Author Unkown

When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.

When you go to the sunrise without your tripod mount,

you make abstract images.

This was the Friday of the bad week I mentioned last week. My boy was home from school for the second time in a week because of an arthritis flare, which was making it difficult for him to walk.

I decided to head out to the sunrise for a little therapy, meditation, solitude . . . to one of my meeting places with God. Unlike me, He is never late. (stop laughing Michelle) ;)

When I made it to the top of the bridge I could see the sky was gorgeous. I parked and got out to get my tripod and realized I hadn't put my tripod mount on my camera. But when I went to fetch it out of my bag, it wasn't there. I could not find it anywhere . . . so instead of fight the slow shutter speed and bump my ISO into oblivion I just went with the flow...literally.... 

...until there was enough light to hand hold without (unintentional) camera blur.

This weeks song-ography is kinda perfect for my day . . . I can see clearly now, by Jimmy Cliff . . . 

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone

I can see all obstacles in my way

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind

It's gonna be a bright, bright, sunshine day.

After the sunrise, I went to the nearby Starbucks for my usual Salted Caramel Mocha, and had intended to bring my journal and a photography book . . . which I also somehow managed to leave at home on my kitchen table. 

So I sat down with my overflowing coffee at a table, the only table left in between two other occupied tables. I was having a hard time that morning . . . some days are harder when you're managing a child with a chronic illness, and no 17 year old should have trouble walking because of arthritis. No 17 year old should have to tell his mom he feels old when he gets out of a car. So yeah, with this flare he had I was feeling really sad for him.

As I was sipping my coffee, the song "Hallelujah" started playing, and that's about all it took for me to lose it. As in, I had to go outside with my coffee because I couldn't cry quietly, because I didn't want to cry quietly. I wanted to scream . . . this, this isn't fair!

I quickly finished my coffee, took the mug back inside and preceded to take a very brisk walk on the boardwalk that overlooks the bay. I came to the railing and just stood there. I was feeling angry, and I'm pretty sure I used some curse words. It was a windy morning and as I was standing there watching the waves, suddenly I notice a huge rock, a boulder being pounded by the waves. Being completely engulfed in the water and then reappearing. 

And almost instantaneously I feel calmer, and get this urgent feeling to go back to the car and get my camera. I wanted to document this conversation I was having with God.

He was trying to remind me that when I try to stand alone there is no solid foundation. But when I put all my trust in Him, he will take the brunt of all the waves that crash in. He will hold me steady when I cannot stand on my own. 

{KK love}

The rest of the lyrics go like this . . . 

Oh yes, I can make it now the pain is gone.

All of the bad feelings have disappeared.

Here is the rainbow I've been praying for,

It's gonna be a bright, bright, sunshine day.

I can see clearly now . . . . as long as I keep my eyes (and ears) wide open to what He is telling me. Life is, always will be, full of adversity. And there is hope in overcoming it when our feet are standing on a firm foundation, and when we also question all the happy moments that come our way!

. . . when we choose to see the rainbow, and not the clouds. 

Love, Kim

sharing with Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Song-ography, Roses of Inspiration