"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

Thursday's little things . . .

"Let your life lightly dance on the edges

of time like dew on the tip of a leaf."

- Rabindranath Tagore

Several posts ago I talked about finding things that shimmer beneath

the surface, and well, on a foggy morning you won't need to go far.

One morning the fog was so thick you could see the droplets floating

in the air. So I grabbed my camera and headed over to the park. But the sun

had come out and it wasn't long before the fog lifted, and it didn't leave

until it left everything covered in dew.

As I entered the park there were a handful or two of deer grazing on the

grass from all the rain, and the younger ones were prancing around

playing tag.

I couldn't even get close to the taller waist high grasses because the fields were so soggy from

all the rain, and I was quickly sinking in mud. I'm adding mud boots to my wish list. And trust me,

I tried about all angles to get to that field...I could see the dew sparkling like diamonds, but it just wasn't going to happen.

{Morning}

So I did the next best thing ...I laid down on the sidewalk to get a bugs eye view.

And then I was mesmerized by this tree and its shadow.

Spanish moss anyone? The trees in this park are covered by this moss, and it's quite the sight.

Oh, and I have to share these with you . . . I have always wanted to photograph some fire ants,

but getting close enough is always a problem. If they feel the slightest vibration they are coming out of the nest to investigate and protect it, so being near one in the grass is a really bad idea.  

But we woke up one morning to find them building a nest at our back door stoop so I was able to lay down and watch them through my lens. Even though they pack a nasty sting they are fascinating to watch (yes, nerd alert!). Unfortunately, and even though I highly dislike chemicals, the bait we put on the nest is very localized. They take it back to the queen and when she dies, the mound dies. 

Notice those pinchers, which they use to hold on to you while they sting you with their back end. And I just don't know how something as small as an 1/8" can pack so much pain!

Hope you have a great day, don't forget to notice the little things

Love, Kim

Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Friday Finds
Project 52

Flower therapy . . .

"Flowers seem intended for the solace

of ordinary humanity."

- John Ruskin

{both images edited with a subtle touch of KK avery}

Yes, flowers are always really good for therapy and they make great thank you's.

My boy hit a rough patch last week, then so did I. So a trip to the grocery

store was in order and that's where I found these cute little wax flowers. I've 

never seen them at our grocery story before so it was a nice surprise. And there was

enough in that $3.99 bunch to fill at least 3 different containers. I also picked up

some extra ones for my neighbor. She helped tutor my son in pre-cal since

his teacher has been absent for nearly two weeks and there was a test coming

up. She just so happens to be a math teacher and pre-cal is her favorite. And since she

did it for free, I thought she could use some flowers too. So grateful!

Have a good one, 

Love, Kim

P. S.- We have a new theme for the month over at Focusing on Life, and

you will find me over there musing on some word art.

Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Roses of Inspiration