Sunflowers

Sunflowers are blooming everwhere right now. When I think of sunflowers, I am reminded of a moving poem that was read in the movie Calendar Girls. It was read in a way that expressed the husband's true love for his wife. Here it is:

Sunflower Woman by Handsum Hart:

A sunflower must follow the rules of gravity. When its florets ripen with hundreds of edible seeds It must bend its body into the earth's bosom And allow the birds to eat its seeds That are rich in oil. A woman must follow the rules of romance. When her lips ripen With hundreds of edible kisses She must surrender herself into her man's arms And allow him to eat her kisses that are rich in passion A sunflower on a sunny day Will turn its face Towards the sun And with joyful eyes Watch it move across the sky. A woman on her wedding day Will turn her veiled face Towards her husband-to-be And with eyes soaked in matrimonial joy Watch him move across her soul. The nickname for Kansas Is the Sunflower State For it is where every sunflower dreams of living. The nickname for a man's heart should be Kansas For it is where every sunflower woman dreams of living.

Newborns

Last year, after I discovered and spread the news of my fertility challenges, wouldn't you know it, all of my friends became pregnant. In the past year I have had 15 friends (yes, 15!) tell me they are pregnant. I guess they all figured it was time to start on #2. I've watched them get morning sickness, get round and beautiful, some have gone on bedrest, others made it to the finish line with no problem. Now they are all talking about what a challenge it is with 2 and I am enjoying the freedom of one. One beautiful, healthy, fabulous 3 year old. I am so thankful for my darling Georgia. What has come out of my year of wishing I was pregnant is the birth of something a little unexpected. I LOVE photography. In fact, every free moment I have I spend it pouring over photography books, blogs, and my own efforts. I've been trying to take advantage of being around a lot of newborn babies. The photo above is of little Caelan Love. He was born two weeks ago today. I didn't come up with the idea for this pose. I've seen it on other photographer's blogs. But isn't it cute? And isn't he adorable? It is fun handling and being close to the newborns. And I cannot wait until I get to take some toddler shots. I am trying to build up a portfolio and maybe, in time, start a website.

50 Year Anniversary

Here she is with my old barbie box and barbie canopy bed.

Georgia looks like a doll to me. A doll playing with dolls.

Georgia discovered my old Barbie stuff while we were cleaning at Omama and Opapa's house. She has enjoyed pulling out all the clothes, brushing their hair and putting them to sleep. When we ate bar-b-que chicken the other night she gave us all a lesson explaining that barbie and bar-b-que are the same thing. She is still confused on that topic. :) I was in Pottery Barn Kids the other day and noticed that they have an entire Barbie bedroom ensemble. Apparently this year is Barbie's 50th anniversary. The bed decor celebrates this milestone. That would mean that she first presented herself on the retail stage in 1959. Hmmm... Barbie is such a controversial symbol now-a-days. Sometimes I feel guilty allowing Gigi to play with her because of all the psycho-babble hype. Is it all that bad to let your child play with a beautiful doll? Does she really embody a female role that is negative? I know for sure that I never used Barbie as a measuring rod when I compared myself to an ideal woman. In fact, I've always thought it kind of funny when people look too much like Barbie. Not that I wouldn't love big boobs and long full hair, but still, Barbie is not my go-to source when I wonder how I should behave, look, be as a woman. When I was growing up, every now and again I would receive the admonishing that I should strive to be like the Proverbs 31 woman. Now if anyone that woman is setting a standard that is way difficult to achieve. Still, I believe there is much truth in that passage, and my favorite line is "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD shall be praised." So, Barbie, happy birthday. And Georgia, dear, have fun playing with my old dolls but remember the ultimate standard is not Bar-b-que, but Proverbs 31.

Wild at heart

Penelope, blooming again. As lovely and as fragrant as ever.
My Spanish lavender. Stinky but beautiful.

My garden has gone completely wild. It had such great potential to be this little oasis of structured fecundity. Instead it is this jungle of weeds, flowers and fruit. I can't say that it is all that bad to have this jumbled mess. It is still nice to see things sprouting and growing, and when the sun shines on it in the morning and evening it is still beautiful to me, but it is not what I had planned. I was speaking to a man from India the other day about the Indian goddess of destruction, I think her name is Kali. She is symbolic of the forces in nature that destroy and she is not evil, she just exists as a natural cycle of life. Life emerges, is organized and is then destroyed and she represents this final stage in the cycle. I guess my garden is nearing its final stages. It is about to be destroyed by the coming winter. Harvest time is right now, and I am still getting carrots, tomatoes, tomatillos, bell peppers, kung fu peppers, banana peppers, basil and all the other herbs. But the winter is near. It is sad to see a garden destroyed by winter. But winter time has its benefits too. It allows the ground to rest and there is always the promise of spring. I've heard that there are plants that one can grow during the winter months-- beans, garlic, onions and cabbage. The French do that. Those crazy French. Always doing what they want because they can. I think I will too.

Nieces are nice

Had the pleasure of photographing Elle-belle this past weekend. She is the happiest, most angelic child. She smiled every time I'd twinkle my eyes her direction and would wave her chubby little baby paw to say hello. Don't know what is better than smiles and waves from babies you love!

Untitled

Today started out very pleasant. Painted Gigi's nails. We relaxed around the house and ran a few errands. This afternoon I received the biggest shock of my life. It was not a good shock. I guess a new path is being forged now. Can't explain what it will be. Don't even know if I'm thinking straight. Now everything will change.