Spirited Sisterhood

A little sound...

2012-01-13T17:11:00.000-08:00

Neither Monica nor I seemed to have a picture for the 13th... this one showed up in my "14th" bucket - however I know the Goodman Ballroom had a live band on the 13th so I plugged it in. Now to see if my 14th image is accurate...

Historically Peculiar

2012-01-12T19:52:00.000-08:00

Pursed Perfection

2012-01-11T19:50:00.000-08:00

The Kiss

2012-01-10T22:48:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: Yet another night at Ybor. Tonight's showing was on a wrinkled curtain, and I was fascinated by how the images shifted and warped against it. I love the way old love scenes have this long, tremendous, tightly-held kiss; one in which the woman is wrapped in an embrace that almost takes the observers breath away (my breath away), their faces pressed firmly, eyes closed. Such an intimate moment - and sometimes I wish I was the character, taken in by a kiss wraped around every ounce of my being... just for a moment.

Monica's picture was missing on this day... she might have something hidden on her iTouch, but we will just have to be forgiving, as I expect she may have been tightly held in a kiss when picking up Michael in Boston.

Touches of Red

2012-01-09T22:40:00.000-08:00

Embrace

2012-01-08T04:36:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: I was so thrilled to find Monica's pictures of Sativa - and little Lentil. Sativa is a soul-sister, a tremendously loyal and gentle soul. As she awaits a miracle, all of us with bated breath, are determined to push out the energy that we hope keeps her and Lentil safe on this journey. NOTE: I got to hear the story of Lentil. Sophie is beyond excited that she will be a big sister. Along the way, when she first found she would be having a sibling she asked about how big the baby was. Sativa's first measure was "about the size of a Lentil" - that seems to have stuck.

Eye on the Prize

2012-01-07T07:31:00.000-08:00

Wrapped Up

2012-01-06T08:21:00.000-08:00

Fruitfulness of Death and Rebirth

2012-01-05T17:37:00.000-08:00

Heading Out

2012-01-04T17:15:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: I have to comment. I love my dance sneakers. I had been dancing night after night since my return, and flipping off my shoes late after Ybor, I couldn't help to appreciate how much they are being worn, the scuffs and battle wounds of a busy dance-floor beating... and the joyful tassles that are my laces.

Places

2012-01-03T17:06:00.000-08:00

Objects in the Mirror...

2012-01-02T19:48:00.000-08:00

Here we go. Monica has hit the road, and I am settling in back home after 10 days with family. Finding new topics to photograph feels challenging for me... and with different cameras in tow, we both have been wondering what to do with our images. I thought, maybe... just maybe... we would make this a playful year. I can't promise a lot of writing. In fact, the words might show up after the fact... but I expect the pictures to keep appearing...

January 1, 2012

2012-01-01T15:08:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Every year I start with a new Buddha (several of which are strewn about my space, catching my eye at different times). Monica sent me this one weeks ago, and when I began to open the box and saw a bald little head, I quickly closed the box back up. I decided I needed to wait until the first of the year to uncover him and place him where he will be a gentle reminder to keep my life joyful, full of breath, gratitude, and abundance. He was one of the first things I brought into my space today.

As Monica makes her way - starting a new year with some travel and a new job - and likely without access to internet for days at a time, we have contemplated what to do with our site. I know we have both found it a challenge - two whole years. I have already started my year off with pictures, unsure of how things might work. Monica recently got a new camera and iTouch (to her enjoyment - she is playing with Instagram) and our two pictures likely will not fit as they have without toying around with sizes, crops, etc. So, let me say - we plan on keeping it up, without knowing the specifics just yet. I am not sure if at times it will be a solitary journey... but it will be something between us both.

Just ONE More

2011-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:00

Monica: Today I celebrate the fact that my sister and I have successfully completed TWO YEARS of daily photos—that's 730 consecutive days of viewing the world through a little frame and capturing something—or anything—of interest from our day. I'm astonished at my own ability to maintain this daily practice, in spite of the days when I'm exhausted or frustrated or just not seeing any beauty in the world. This practice has forced me to find it, even if I only have 3 minutes left in the day and the only thing I can think of is to photograph my own feet. Tomorrow is the last day of my life here in Mendocino and then we're off to travel and visit family and friends for a little over a month. I'll keep taking photos, but I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post, so the sister blog may change its form for a bit. In any case, happy new year, dear readers, and thank you for visiting our tiny corner of the internet to glimpse a bit of our lives. Here's wishing you a sweet, healthy, joyous, and prosperous 2012.

Evelyn: What she said... 730 consecutive photos? One of my biggest joys with this site has been getting curious on ANY ONE GIVEN DAY and checking what I was doing THEN. I have loved the chronicling of my life in this way, and the ongoing connection to my sister and her life. The late night conversations that emerge from some of our most connected work. Our chortling about giving up, then denying each other the opportunity. The last minute, dying light, what-do-I-do-now shots that sometimes are just as fun. The conversations with strangers about the work we have been doing. Tonight, just moments from midnight, forgetting my SLR, and in a desperate attempt to get in a few shots, I pulled out my camera phone. I celebrate a new year, in a new place, with new emerging friendships, and the abounding enthusiasm I feel about all that is happening in my world, and some hope that we can carry on to 1096 shots (cause this year is a Leap Year - and we have just one more opportunity!)

Saying Goodbye

2011-12-30T00:31:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: The boys are saying their goodbyes - the way boys do; a tumble of antics and gestures and animal sounds. Death threats are the only way to get them to behave half way reasonable for a picture (and frankly, these are way more fun than some serious pic of the boys together). I have over 60 shots, with countless expressions, and it leaves me truly appreciating the energy and fun these three create. If I hadn't been the one taking the pictures I surely would have been making just as many faces.

Monica: As we get nearer to our departure on Monday, I find myself desperately resisting the fact of our leaving. I don't want to say goodbye to our little cottage by the sea where we see the whales spout as they travel south for winter. I don't want to say goodbye to the constant roar of the ocean that has become the background music to my life. I don't want to say goodbye to the cute little towns that I have fallen in love with along this coast. This farewell is harder for me than most others. In fact, I can't remember the last time I was more heartbroken leaving a place than I was excited about the new adventures ahead of me. But there it is. I didn't think this place would wrap itself around my soul quite like it has. There's just no place in the world quite like here, and I will always remember that my years here were happy ones, in spite of the fog and the colder weather.

Prickly Business

2011-12-29T20:41:00.000-08:00

Monica: Our office computer is an old "turn of the century" eMac. It works fabulously and I completely take for granted how cool it is until someone walks into the office and says "Is that an old Mac?" (Old, in technological terms, is anything older than last year.) I will miss this little (big) guy, too.

Evelyn: I love the morning winter light in the garden. I am not exposed to cactus as I used to be, and this little guy brings nostalgia of warm Tucson days. The prickles and weaves are a playground of patterns.

It's This or Socks

2011-12-28T20:16:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: I am so familiar with the Mission Bay view. Dusk comes fast, and I have been enjoying the shifts in color on this coast line... much different from that of Florida.

Monica: Self portrait on the bathroom floor late at night. It was this or a bad picture of my favorite new pair of socks.

Motion & Rest

2011-12-27T21:13:00.000-08:00

Monica: I can't believe how fast time passes, how it seems like only a few months ago when we first arrived in this town and felt awkward calling ourselves "locals" merely because we had an address here. Since then, we've grown into our "local" skin. We've come to know many of the faces in this community and have felt welcomed, accepted, and even valued here. It feels weird to tell people we're leaving. I know they are sincere when they tell us they will miss us because I feel the same way. We've formed symbiotic relationships with the people that ring up our groceries, do our printing, serve our food, rent us DVDs, deliver our mail, process our paychecks, etc. I will miss these faces and the pleasure of the numerous little interactions we've had over the last 2Ω years.

Evelyn: Lots of antics, teenage boys running around and doing experiments (if not on each other, it may well be a social experiment between parents and teens). It felt nice to have a few moments of quiet on the couch, feet up, twinkling Christmas lights, and the blare of late night novellas with the Colombians.

Springing From This Place

2011-12-26T20:55:00.000-08:00

Monica: Every time I step outside, I take an inventory of everything I love about this place. It's my way of letting go and saying goodbye. Today I counted among my loves this Amanita mushroom pushing through a carpet of pine needles in the parking area just outside the Grand Fir cabin. I love the musty smell of the forest mixed with the salt air from the sea. So many things of beauty spring from this place.

Evelyn: I spent a bit of today at Grandpa's house, doing tech-support kinds of things. We hit the Boll Weevil for burgers, then Grandpa & Pito took their siestas as I attempted to make progress with some really old computers. Taking a break from the cat hair, I went into the back yard alone, filled with memories of Grandma's garden filled with exotic flowers or blossoming tendrils and cuttings, pushing themselves into the world from cottage cheese buckets and old jars. The backyard is cleared of anything that needed ongoing attention, however Grandma's Bird-of-Paradise and the tiny rotting picket fence I have always regarded as "my fence" remain. I like how I feel Grandma here, even if most of her garden is gone; she revives it in my memories amidst the artifacts and ruins of what had been and the persistent flowers that thrive despite the neglect.

Santa's Cookies

2011-12-25T17:51:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: The holidays with family always include lots of food and socializing. Leftovers from the Mennonite Christmas Eve party with the Rudesills resulted in a smorgasbord of extra desserts on Christmas day with the Harders. Being with family feels like a long, sorely-missed hug—with a cherry on top.

Monica: We went to breakfast at the Little River Inn, a Sunday tradition now ever since we discovered it. I was happy to catch a glimpse of Santa in his blue sunglasses, taking in the stunning view from the porch. He picked a good place to recuperate from his arduous night of gift deliveries.

Catch Up

2011-12-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

Monica: It's Christmas Eve and we both spent a lot of time on the phone, catching up with family. It will be a quiet Christmas this year; the two of us in an empty house, staying warm by the fire. Even though I can't be with my family, I am still so grateful for all of this: for him, for my family & friends, for everyone's health, for the new job, and for the time we got to live in this little slice of California heaven.

Evelyn: The morning hours in my mother's garden are calm and colorful. My body doesn't quite know what time it is, and part of me is confused by the gently emerging sunlight when Florida is already seeing a late-morning haze. Going through my mom's yard, I am drawn to tiny forgotten accents—probably placed unexpectedly or covered by vines and nick-knacks—that feel like small hide-'n-seek treasures: an aging clothespin, a rusted iron candle holder, dead morning glory vines and a frozen statue of a red bird, all between warm sunlight and greenery.

Wishes and Warm Patches

2011-12-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: I forgot how Gizmo seeks out warm patches of light in the colder winter months. One of the largest areas of sunlight happens to be taken up by the Christmas Tree, and mom reports that Gizmo has occasionally messed up her Pesebre (Nativity scene) to sleep in a well-lit patch. This light—and his contented face—bring out some of his most handsome qualities and I am enjoying having him around every day. I have missed him something terrible.

Monica: We're back to a nearly empty house that will be home for only a few more days. We're down to our suitcases and a few other necessities, plus a few items we forgot to pack or intentionally left out. One thing we left out was our Wish Jar, a large mason jar that I made to hold our wishes, dreams, hopes, prayers, and desires. We've begun a new tradition where on New Year's Eve, we take out the old wishes and burn them in the fire, clearing the Wish Jar for a new year of wishes.

Favorite Things

2011-12-22T18:06:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: I am tempted to snap the 12 days of Gizmo, a certain lap dog who enjoys being up high with us people. He can keep an eye on things, determine if we are headed out for a "ride", assess what is being made in the kitchen, and attend to well deserved belly rubs.

Monica: One of my favorite things about the hotel at Wilbur Hot Springs is the veranda that wraps around three sides of the building. It reminds me of the old houses in the south where you might sit in a wicker chair sipping iced tea and chatting with friends. Right now the veranda is winterized with glass windows. When the weather warms up in spring, the windows are replaced with screens so you can sit on the porch and feel the warm breeze blow through as you sip your iced tea and chat with friends.

Balancing Act

2011-12-21T16:05:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: I haven't seen Gizmo in months, and he is happier than dirt to see me as I am him! We had to run through a series of tricks, to make sure we haven't forgotten any.

Monica: I feel like the Beverly Hillbillies with all of our things loaded into a 20-foot U-Haul truck. It looks like a big pile of junk from here, which I suppose it is. Sure, there are necessities in there, but nearly half of it is Michael's tools and construction supplies, plus bits of rust, driftwood, stones, and cool "objets d'art" that we have collected over the years. I call myself a minimalist, but this is anything but.

Packing

2011-12-20T15:51:00.000-08:00

Monica: Michael spent the past two days loading up the moving truck as I continued packing the last of our things, cleaning up the house, and running the office. Now we're down to an airbed, a couple of boxes of things to get rid of, and our suitcases. Our space feels empty and cold—devoid of furniture and all the cozy makings of home—so I left the paintings up on the wall till we pack them in the truck tomorrow before we head out to Wilbur to store our things.

Evelyn: Decisions Decisions - one of the biggest challenges for me is deciding what to bring. Analyzing temperatures in California, trying to pack as light as possible while bringing what I need for any occasion. It has been a year since hitting the coast, and I am looking forward to this trip.

A Little Green

2011-12-19T19:41:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: This is my little Purple Waffle Angel plant. I spent my day doing my best to tie up the loose ends at work before I leave for CA, and realized I hadn't taken any photos. There are days that run by too quickly, and I am desperate to find something of interest, if only to get that photo in. Little Waffle called to me. It has been patient with the move, has died and come back to life. It's plants like this that I most appreciate—because they tolerate my neglect and grey thumb in the throes of a busy life, and still manage to smile at me every day.

Monica: Forgive me if you've seen this image before. It's the view off my back deck, looking towards the driveway and the tall pines that live at the bottom of the hill. I had to photograph something and this is a view I have photographed often. I love stepping out onto the back deck in the evening before sunset and catching the light filtering through the trees. I love it so much, it breaks my heart to say goodbye. Only a few days left in the year and a few days left of this view.

A New Scene

2011-12-18T20:41:00.000-08:00

Monica: Tonight we attended a winter solstice celebration which included a gift exchange. The gift I received was a small kaleidoscope and when I looked inside, I saw butterflies and bits of bright colors. I can't imagine a more fitting symbol for what's going on in my life right now: a time of metamorphosis and the beginning of a new life.

Evelyn: Jag rides are great. It was much cooler today and I had to wear a few layers, however, it wasn't unreasonable and it usually includes lunch. Not a cloud in the sky today, and I hadn't realized how much country there was until I started driving to Orlando via back roads - and Jag rides.

Zoomers

2011-12-17T17:36:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: I was quickly losing the light, and discovering that my environment was beginning to lose it's appeal. At the end of a road, facing a wall of Florida marshland, I popped out of my car to hastily play with what little light I had. I was surprised to have gotten some interesting pictures - the sun rapidly dimming on the horizon... and suddenly I found it hard to choose an image among the many.

Monica: My sister-in-law has nicknamed me "Zoomer" because she thinks I zoom around all the time, rushing from one task to another. This is true when there are things that need to get done and time is running out, like now, as we get down-to-the-wire with packing our things and getting ready to move them out on Tuesday. I've been zooming through rooms and between boxes. I've been zooming between the office and the Farmhouse, getting work done in between getting packed. I've been zooming so much, I haven't been on my daily walks to connect with Mother Nature or taken the time to take photos. I'll be glad when things slow down a bit, whenever that may be.

Little Stars

2011-12-16T20:23:00.000-08:00

Monica: I opened the door this morning and this perfect little star-shaped shadow of a dandelion on a rock caught my eye. I love how something so ordinary can fill me with delight.

Evelyn: I was delighted by the Sombrero of Carreiro at the College Christmas Party. A different way to be festive, and something new and different to attract my lens.

Little Buddhas

2011-12-15T20:44:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: I got home to find Ed & Justin chattering about Skyrim and politics... both of which I struggle to follow because they make me dizzy and full of anxiety. A close friend, Ed keeps me dancing and decompressing, and it feels nice and safe to have someone on this coast to stay connected with between blowout busy-ness and round trips to Orlando.

Monica: When we first moved here, we discovered a shop down in the harbor that sells imports from southeast Asia. Tucked in a nearly hidden patch of greenery beside the store were four praying buddha statues arranged in a circle. They caught Michael's eye and he's been admiring them ever since. There's something about the peace in their faces and the beauty of the weathered stone with patches of moss growing around the base that intrigues him. Today, we brought them home with us. They're lined up outside our side door, waiting to be loaded on the moving truck and sent to their new home on a hillside at Wilbur.

Afternoon Treat

2011-12-14T21:37:00.000-08:00

Monica: Michael cracked the whip this morning and I set my nose to the grindstone packing up the kitchen. I hate packing the kitchen—all those dishes and glasses that have to be wrapped in newspaper, all those pots and pans that don't nest into each other just so. The boxes have to be small so they don't get too heavy but then things don't fit easily into them. After wrestling with the kitchen for most of the day, we treated ourselves to what has become a Wednesday ritual: an hour in the hot tub at Sweetwater Spa.

Evelyn: I have an appreciation for the warm light of sunset on the white picket fence that surrounds the Spring Hill campus. Never mind the shopping carts and flock of smokers, or the cranky leasing landlord who snarls at where we park, or the fact that I sometimes miss "THIS" light because of the office without windows that keeps me disoriented. When I get it just right, I am cradled by the warmth of this little picket fence reflecting the dimming yellow of dusk, and feel remarkable gratitude for the people I work with.

Navel Gazing & Conversating

2011-12-13T21:17:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: A mess of keys gathered and awaiting a ride out to Ybor. They feel a bit like the connection made for both a celebration and a brief message of love and appreciation. I am really reveling in, and looking forward to, Tuesday nights. Eating, decompressing, conversating (yep - my word), then dancing away until yawns take over and we pull off the dancing shoes for a long ride home.

Monica: I've been procrastinating on packing, mainly because I'm avoiding the horrendous task of packing up the kitchen. Instead, I've been "researching" what I want for Christmas (a.k.a., surfing the internet) which is ironic in so many ways. I'm trying to pare down and simplify my life but somehow my desire for simplicity has morphed into an obsession with seeking gadgets I imagine will make my life simpler. The desire quickly turns into suffering, as I become overwhelmed with indecision over which gadget is best and what if I get the wrong one? I watch my monkey mind and throw up my hands. Better take a picture apropos of all the navel-gazing I've been doing today.

Hints of Orange

2011-12-12T06:18:00.000-08:00

Monica: It feels like winter here with temperatures in the 40's during the day and I can't get warm enough. There's no escaping the fact of winter. Fortunately, the shortest day of the year is almost here and I can look forward to longer days, albeit colder ones. I was thrilled to discover a patch of blooming orange poppies downtown today—a much-needed dose of visual sunshine in this muted world of winter.

Evelyn: I got home late. Justin had his slider phone retrieved from the bucket of rice we threw it in a good 2 months ago. Even grownups accidentally drop their phones in liquid, but I am thinking this just isn't going to work. A good minute in the washing machine? We were hopeful, but it is time for a new phone... Justin did well, caring for his phone for almost 2 years. The price of a teenager.

Flags & Flagships

2011-12-11T06:09:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: Papito and I discovered an industrial area near Lake Dora with a fort built by kids out of junk. My brother-in-law, Michael, would certainly appreciate the creativity with plastic bag flags, and little niches. Reminded me of a pirate ship blown to land from a storm. Of course, we had to take Jag pictures, but this one was really fun - piping jutting out from the pile, like a fish line, bouncing in the wind. (Pito, we need to take a Jag crawl on a Horizontal day so I get better pictures!)

Monica: Every Sunday at noon, this group of men gathers with their assortment of flags on the east side of Highway 1 in Caspar. Their flags cover a broad political spectrum from the black & white POW/MIA flag to the rainbow LGBT flag. I see their weekly gathering as a demonstration of unity and peace. We usually pass them on our way back from Sunday brunch in Little River and we always honk and flash them the peace sign as we drive past.

I Wanna Bite

2011-12-10T20:02:00.000-08:00

Monica: Another busy day of packing and no time to cook. Thank goodness for take-out pizza.

Evelyn: Early morning Starbucks run - one of the first ones in what feels like weeks, if not a solid month. Outside two Mastiffs gaze at their owners, who sit under the warm morning sunshine consuming coffee and pastries, waiting for a potential treat. I am in love with the two faces watching me walk through the parking lot. Henry (left) and Sydney (right) are affectionate (and slobbery), but sweeter than the pumpkin bread I had set down so I could take photos.

Little Familiarities

2011-12-09T19:55:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: We don't have a Christmas tree up. I got rid of the fake one in the process of moving, determined to start some things anew. This year, we head to California and I hesitate to make Christmas visible on this side of the world... yet I enjoy the lights and reflections found on the trees of others... and grateful for the little things that are festive and illuminate the holiday season.

Monica: After over a month of pleading with Michael to please, let's get the wood stove going in our house...finally, he started the fire. We came home to an icebox that couldn't be warmed well enough by our radiant space heaters. Now it feels cozy and warm and smells of wood smoke when I walk outside.

Stillness & Movement

2011-12-08T19:49:00.000-08:00

Monica: We were walking around the nature preserve at Wilbur when I spotted what looked like a hummingbird perched on the window screen of an empty cabin. As we crept closer, the bird didn't move. I started taking photos as I continued to move closer and finally the noise of my camera shutter startled the little bird awake. He turned his head and I'd swear he glared at me for disturbing his nap. I was surprised he would let me get so close and I was concerned that maybe he was stuck but when I got within 6 inches of him, he took off and flew into a tree.

Evelyn: Spring Hill is a long drive for me, especially with a quickly fading sun at a time of day where just 3 months ago I could easily take an hour walk on the beach before the sun even hinted at retreating. I have discovered new passages to Spring Hill; roads that are less stressful, with fewer signals and more stretches of nature and farm land. At night, however, it is more of a lonely road.

Change in Weather

2011-12-07T16:34:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: This is the view out back. What you can't see is the drizzle and chill in the air. Secluded in a space lit by just florescent lights, I forget what time it is... only to find that the weather has drastically changed in just a few long hours.

Monica: On our way to Wilbur, we hit the Clearlake area just in time for sunset. It's California's largest freshwater lake and quite beautiful, too. Surprisingly, this isn't a high-end resort area in spite of the natural beauty of the area and its proximity to wine country.

Bits of Red

2011-12-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

Monica: It happened this morning while I was in the shower. Michael came in to tell me that he had sad news. "I broke it," he said. I knew immediately what it was. I sighed. "It's okay, sweetheart. I knew this day would come sooner or later. Today was the day." And so it goes. My favorite mug that I've had for 19 years slipped out of Michael's hand as he was placing it on a shelf and came crashing down onto the counter. The top smashed into four perfect pieces. I felt no anger or disappointment or sense of irreparable loss; I have always known that someday I would lose this simple object that I've loved for years. Everything that comes into my life will eventually be gone from it, a fact that I have come to accept without attaching too much grief to it. The flip side of loss is that it creates a space for something new to enter. And although the object (or person, or place) may be physically gone, its essence lives on in my memory of it. I told Michael we will save the mug for a future building project, as we do with all broken bits of beauty.

Evelyn: The light changes so quickly in the winter. I took a few moments to get some sunshine (not another "smoke break") and was enthralled with the little berries this tree was flashing. I caught a glimpse of a wren jumping between branches, eying us carefully while stealing a few berries for a late afternoon snack. I couldn't quite catch him, but the berries struck a nice pose.

Apple in Hand

2011-12-05T20:50:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: A little ripe smile amidst the labor. New space, new temporary desk, and lots of data to compress... my mind wishing for opportunities to stop as I take to "smoke breaks" with a few peers. My apple was about the happiest looking thing in a florescently lit, bare-walled, faculty office... something familiar amidst all the ways this job keeps me challenged.

Monica: Slowly, things are getting done and checked off the to-do list. There is so much to do, I get overwhelmed thinking about it. I have to remind myself to breathe and savor the present moment, whatever it is. Crawling into bed after a busy day, I remembered I still needed a photo. I grabbed my camera and peered over Michael's shoulder as he lay propped on his side, reading his book.

A Little Disorganized

2011-12-04T06:01:00.000-08:00

Monica: This is what our life is like right now and what it's going to look like for the next 3 weeks. Then our life will be compressed down to a couple of suitcases and several miscellaneous bags. It's a wonder that I have done this so many times before and can maintain a certain level of calm in the face of a certain level of uncertainty. I know even this time I will look back on with nostalgia and sigh.

Evelyn: Took a very gentle, very short, hike in Cassadega today. The park, with the founding father's home, a humble pile of ruins along a path, has a series of historical markers along the way. I love the seedpods I find, sharp and burly, large like ping-pong balls, yet each a frayed disorganized looking mess. I kick them along as we walk, sometimes picking one up to roll in my hand, and feel the texture. I wander in and out of the crevices through my mind, contemplating the ways in which our lives can be prickly and yet smooth like a shadow, a little frayed and yet all in one piece.

Hometown Thoughts

2011-12-03T17:11:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: A lot of driving today, and photo-op's along all kinds of country roads. Amidst the drive to Orlando from Clearwater to clients I found a field with cows lit by the sun. They got skittish when I approached, my camera in hand. Instead I got caught up by the dry warm grasses and rusted chain of the farm gate. Interesting the things you appreciate in your home town when it isn't your hometown anymore.

Monica: Once you decide to leave a place, everything changes. This place called "home" now becomes the place you are leaving behind. It's a little heartbreaking, seeing the world through leaving eyes, saying goodbye to the little things you love: the walk down to the sea that you've made through all seasons, the way the winter light kisses the Farmhouse in the late afternoon, the wild turkeys pecking their way across the lower meadow, the black-eyed susan vine that greets you with her neon flowers when you come home from the grocery store, the caw of ravens in the orchard. You tell yourself that change is inevitable; you must let go of all that you loved here so you can step forward and embrace the unknown beauty that is to come.

Friday

2011-12-02T19:21:00.001-08:00

Monica: We've been home for only three days and I've been avoiding the inevitable upheaval that is about to take place in this house. Michael booked the moving truck and we have less than three weeks to sort all of our possessions and either pack them or get rid of them. I made the first move today, going through my papers and shredding a large garbage bag-full. It seems that only a few months ago we were moving in here and were living amidst a chaos of boxes and stacked furniture for nearly a month before my sister arrived to help us sort things out. It's transition time again. Not my favorite, but I know that this too, shall pass. In a few months, the chaos will have subsided and a new adventure will be beginning.

Evelyn: It's Friday. The light is gone and my belly is full. Monica chatters on the phone while packing as I, camera in hand, wander looking for a photo opportunity between questions and commentary. "Are you taking your picture?" she reprimands... the gentle click of my camera a retort, "Of course!"

Flickers of Gold

2011-12-01T22:30:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: I am discovering all kinds of friendly, small, homegrown places to eat around town. The kinds of places you pass, and never think twice, yet all the locals gather to drink, eat, and be friendly. There is a little Thai place near my once-a-month, two-room Lindy-East Coast & West Coast Swing Dance hall, where the owner roasts her own spices, and everything is fresh, crisp, and tasty. The place is decorated in a contentedly colorful way, and the booths a cozy mix of cheap vinyl and delicate dishes. On the ledges are dozens of Asian dolls, and before I run off to swing, I snap away at the bright dancing ladies.

Monica: It was fortuitous that we got to drive through northern California at this time of year, when the trees were dressed in their most stunning fall colors. The cherry tree in the driveway is sporting a mop of bright yellow leaves. I had been eyeing it all day, telling myself I needed to capture some photos before the light disappeared. I made it barely in time as the the sun sank below the pine trees that line our driveway.

Home at Last

2011-11-30T22:19:00.000-08:00

Monica: After two weeks and 3,000+ miles, we are home again. The Mendocino coast greeted us with clear skies and a rare dramatic sunset. I whipped out my camera just as we were crossing over the Noyo harbor bridge to capture this moment, realizing this is the last November day I will call this place home.

Evelyn: I drove home in the dark. That means the likelihood of an outdoor photograph is shot. I move into the safety and comfort of my little house with pizza in hand, sit down with a modest glass of wine, and begin the dismantling of my day: first my boots, my bags, my devices, my makeup, my email... then slowly off come the little things that I love - that decorate my being in ways only I know. A favorite pair of earrings, my flowery-stripy sisterly socks, all settling in with me as I write and read in the dim light of my office.

Pebbles & O's

2011-11-29T17:03:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: My recovery and my story landed on the ear of a friend, and I let tears fall... replacing them with 3 hours of dance in Ybor. A soft recovery, faced with warm smiles and familiar hands, my dancing connected and fluid—the light dim and easy. This weekly dance has become my best friend, dependable and encouraging.

Monica: On our way up the coast, we stopped at Pebble Beach just south of Half Moon Bay. It's a little state park that is easy to miss just driving by but worth stopping at. The beach itself is made up of countless multicolored, perfectly smooth quartz pebbles chipped from an offshore reef and polished by ocean waves. I remember when I lived in Santa Cruz, I drove up here on a broken-hearted day and gathered 24 stones to make a set of Runes. I had planned to keep them for myself, but instead gave them to my best friend to take with her when she moved to Amsterdam. I know she still has them tucked away somewhere in their velvet bag, their gold paint worn off from use.

Quiet Light

2011-11-28T19:56:00.000-08:00

Monica: This morning we awoke to flint gray skies and a filmy fog hugging the coast. Big Sur has quite a different feel from where we live up north. The coastline is more rugged and the views more dramatic. We stopped at Nepenthe for coffee and the Henry Miller Library to browse the books and admire the funky, bohemian atmosphere.

Evelyn: A long day, filled with the felicity and gratification of teaching, matched by the distress and exhaustion of being misunderstood and not seen for my deepest intentions. It was hard to hold on to the morning delights that started my day, and I returned home, exhausted, disappointed, and deeply sad. I missed not having an arm to fall into, and instead wrapped myself in blankets and the quiet light of my bedroom for an early withdrawal.

Left Behind

2011-11-27T19:49:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: I had a visit that graciously interrupted my isolation this weekend. We disappeared in the late afternoon for a nice walk on Clearwater beach. Later, we plunked ourselves in the sand, cameras at attention to capture the sunset, wildlife, and interesting people wrapping up their Thanksgiving weekend. It felt sweet and warm to be caught in the embrace of friends, and not feel quiet so isolated on the quiet walk I have taken these last few days.

Monica: We decided to take our time and the scenic route home—Highway 101 to Highway 1 up the coast through Big Sur. We stopped in Lucia around 3:00 and rented a cute little cabin by the sea. We hiked up a hill to settle ourselves on a bench and watch the sunset. Numerous others before us had visited the same spot and etched their initials in the wood railing. We decided to add ours to the mix, using a sharp stone we found nearby.

Squares & Spirals

2011-11-26T19:41:00.000-08:00

Monica: I've driven past the Getty Museum in L.A. so many times on my way between southern and northern California, curious about that enormous structure on the hill just past the exit for Hollywood and before the exit for Mullholland Drive. It was only 3:00 p.m. and Michael and I had no agenda of where we needed to be, so we stopped. We paid the $15 parking fee and took the tram up to the museum which has "free" admission. I wasn't too impressed with the art displayed there and the boxiness of the architecture did nothing to stir my soul. However, the landscaping was gorgeous. And it was worth the $15 for the spectacular view of the city and the curve of the coastline as it jutted into the Pacific. The buildings in the twilight created strong silhouettes against an impressively smog-free skyscape.

Evelyn: I have always been drawn to spirals in nature. My favorite shells the ones with twists and spirals that disappear into what looks like no end. They show up in my artwork, in my mind as I lull to sleep, in the doodles I mindlessly scribble while on phone calls, in conferences, and as decorations. This white one, about the size of a Susan B. Anthony coin, I found walking in Caladesi. Delicate, flat, and already a favorite at my desk.

Light & Shadows

2011-11-25T19:28:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: An afternoon at Caladesi Island, moving among sea grass, soft sand, mangrove forests, and cool gulf breezes. The return a spectacular show, both a dreamy curtain closure, and a highlight of realizations and wonder that lingered with me through the weekend.

Monica: Another night with family, this time carne asada taco night at my aunt & uncle's home. My aunt had set a sprig of bougainvillea in a vase on the dining table and I immediately noticed the play of color with light and shadows.

Thanks Giving

2011-11-24T08:41:00.000-08:00

Monica: I'm so thankful for what has turned out to be a very good year. There's a lot of change swirling in the air, for myself as well as for my loved ones. My sister got a new job and a new home in a sweet little seaside town I have yet to visit. My mother's health has improved, allowing her and my step-dad to take off on a two-month adventure through southeast Asia in January. My best friend is expecting her first child in May. Michael and I were hired to be be the new General Managers for Wilbur Hot Springs starting next year and we'll have an opportunity to do some traveling of our own. There have been unexpected surprises and new experiences and simple pleasures. I am especially thankful to be spending this holiday in my mother's home, surrounded by the familiar sounds and smells and textures and warm love of my family.

Evelyn: I have had the house to myself most the day, up early to start work on Thanksgiving to share. I find myself dancing between rooms and tasks to my blues-jazz-swing-folk compilation, joyful at the gift I am concocting in my kitchen, and with deep gratitude that I am loved. I miss having my whole family together, as Thanksgivings together are always in a collaborative spirit - everyone chatting and cooking together, joyful and busy. Yet, somewhere I feel them moving through my kitchen with me, in spirit, while they busily tend to their own antics in California, and I dance with their shadows, laughing that I can hold that feeling. Then later, sit with my son, my Pito, and my good friend Les (whose wife had to be away this year) to fatten our bellies with my favorite meal of the year.

Flowered Desserts

2011-11-23T11:31:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: I find myself working on dessert at midnight. I love the way desserts fill the house with lovely, hunger provoking smells, and the warmth of the oven on a cold night.

Monica: Early morning in my mother's garden. The roses are tightly budded and drenched in dew. Her garden is a jungle of green with spots of color, a sensory surprise in late November. It helps that she lives in San Diego, though I credit the tenacious beauty of her garden to the fact that she speaks to her plants with affection and encouragement. My mother can grow anything, anywhere. I didn't inherit her green thumb, but I sure appreciate it.

Unusual delights

2011-11-22T21:50:00.000-08:00

Monica: We've been doing a lot of driving in the past week, more than I'd like for being on vacation. That's the way it goes when you're trying to see friends and family who live far away in a relatively short span of time. Today we drove to San Diego and, once again, made it in time for sunset as we made our way through El Cajon to Spring Valley. Michael drew my attention to the birds lined up on one of the traffic light posts and I grabbed my camera just in time to capture them.

Evelyn: The hotel in Ybor City was packed with generations of dancers, full of music, and movement. A respite on the way out took me by several stained glass, Tiffany-like lamps whose colors were fun and vibrant. I love this venue. I love the variety of music, the old men who sit outside to smoke a cigar, and return to take a lady on the floor. I love their subtle eccentric swing, their warm smiles, the gentleness of the dance, the pickup lines they use

Unexpected Appreciation

2011-11-21T23:05:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: The start of something new. The build out is down to its last tweaks and adjustments in Spring Hill. I am quite impressed with the change, and excited about the space. Much different from the beach-cabbana colors we are currently residing in, with tight classrooms and confused desk layouts. I expect that I will spend the day before Thanksgiving adjusting the new classrooms for the migration next Monday, and it feels good to be part of the team to hand over the space to our students and teachers.

Monica: I'm not really a cat person. Or a dog person. I like animals well enough, but I'm more of a person person. But then I meet an adorable little spirit like Dharma and I fall in love with the bundle of unconditional love and sweetness. It gets me every time.

Magic Discoveries

2011-11-20T19:00:00.001-08:00

Monica: An allergic reaction to my sister-in-law's cats sent us to her best friend's house to stay while in town. Willow & Richard's house is spacious, uncluttered, and filled with light--literally. In their living room, they have a beautiful collection of metal star lamps hanging at various levels that is pure magic.

Evelyn: I took a very long walk on the beach today, pressing my feet into the sand, dodging waves, and wiggling my toes in random clumps of seaweed. The beach is ever-changing, and my return to Symrna warm, like an old friend, bringing forth new treasures to photograph. I discovered on my walk that I had forgotten to replace my SD card, so I took "finger shots" when I saw something I liked. I was grateful for the backup card I returned to the car to gather up, so I could capture the strange, pearl-like layer in a translucent shell caught in seaweed.

Mesmerizing

2011-11-19T18:54:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: Seems I get lots of adventures on the weekends. A quick stop into Sam Ash, and I was drawn to the huge wall of electric guitars, as high as a second story. All to the background and buzz of people trying out instruments; some unorganized and ragged, and others liquid, mesmerizing, and melodic.

Monica: Sitting on the front porch of my sister-in-law's apartment, I watch a flurry of activity around her hummingbird feeder. There's always one greedy little bird that has to defend the feeder from everyone else. When he's had his fill of sugar water, he perches on a not-too-distant branch to keep an eye on it. If anyone else gets near, he comes buzzing in with an angry screech, chasing the other bird(s) away. I sat still with my camera, waiting for a lucky shot.

A Familiar Drive

2011-11-18T19:58:00.000-08:00

Monica: We arrived in Tucson just before sunset and drove to the top of Swan Road to take in the view of the city below. My heart swelled with gratitude to return to this desert, the place that has been the closest thing to "home" for me in my wayfaring life. I'm loving living in California. I'm loving the ocean and the forests and the rolling golden hills. But there's something about the solid mountains, spacious sky, and sparse beauty of the desert that calls to my soul. It's good to visit and recharge my spirit with desert energy. It's good to be back for a few days in the place I've known so well since I was 5.

Evelyn: Long day, Long Drive. (Not nearly as long as I imagine Monica & Michael are driving) however I made it to Pito's house, took off my sneakers, and took a deep breath. Rest, unload, connect, plan, and make the most of a weekend in a familiar place.

A Different Art

2011-11-17T19:47:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: "Sunny" the ambulance, part of an unexpected adventure to the Sunstar Ambulance Command Center. I enjoyed a turkey dinner, and a tour, in the late evening, amazed at the efficiency of the paramedic teams, and the cool blue command center where calls and chess plays among grids of the county are lit up on screens. Sunny, part of the educational programs, a friendly face among many.

Monica: Yesterday we drove 14 hours to a little town near Palm Springs and spent the night, so today we could do a little sightseeing. We visited Palm Springs to check out the mid-century modern architecture and maybe catch a glimpse of the house John Lautner designed for Bob Hope. (We did.) Afterward, we headed to Joshua Tree to check out the funky, artsy little town in the desert. We stopped at the Noah Purifoy Sculpture Garden just after sunset and wandered through a surreal landscape of found-art sculptures interspersed amidst cactus and Joshua trees.

The Journey

2011-11-16T19:31:00.000-08:00

Monica: We woke up at 5:00 a.m. to get an early start on a long day of driving, this being day one of a much-needed vacation. We decided to take Highway 20 over to Willits, a road that winds through
densely-forested mountains for 30 miles. As the first light of dawn began to paint the sky pink, we rounded a bend and had a sudden spectacular view of the valley below with an ocean of fog rolling in
and creating islands out of mountain tops.

Evelyn: Busy week, and this seems to be what has kept me the most busy. I haven't been to the beach, and missed lots of sunsets. It gets darker sooner, and the light has slipped away before I get out of work. I miss the flexibility while enjoy the challenges.

On Vacation

2011-11-16T14:48:00.000-08:00

Well, Monica and Michael are journeying around and I was informed they wouldn't be sending pictures right away. That leaves me waiting, as well as our loved ones and friends... and those intermittent visitors who have faithfully kept up (but stay silent back there - we love you anyway!) As soon as they get me pictures, I will be updating. Until then, be patient and check back!

Fall Colors

2011-11-15T22:41:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: Apples remind me of the fall, full of warm earthy colors, colors that Florida foliage fails to produce. Yet, the grocery store's produce section displays with remarkable care. I miss New York autumn, full of orchards and the fireplace, the smell of burning cedars, and wet leaves. At least I have the apple display.

Monica: On my way out the door this morning, a tiny filament of green caught my eye. I looked closely and was astonished to see it was a tiny tendril of the black-eyed Susan vine pushing its way through a crack in the door frame. Somehow, it made its way through the front wall of the office and found an opening in the door. It's a perfect example of the tenacity of the tiny.

Shadow Play

2011-11-14T20:56:00.000-08:00

Monica: We spent the day getting things checked off our long to-do list as we prepare for leaving on vacation in a day or two. This included a 4-hour stop at Starbucks to download an enormous map update for our GPS. I passed the time reading and at one point I looked out the window and noticed these multi-colored pansies kissed by sunlight and shadow. I took a break to go outside and say hello to them and admire their perfect design.

Evelyn: Playing with shadows with the kidlet...and the bribe? A trip to GameStop. The series of photos are captivating—a bit like something I might see out of the corner of my eye, creeping up behind me in a dream, or a stealthy zombie coming for my brains. The light warm, luminescent, and well-placed for long, lanky, spidery shadows.

Early Evening & Late Afternoon

2011-11-13T20:49:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: Gleefully attending an "art day" with tender-close friends in Orlando, something I have been needing for a while. We sat on the porch to work, leaving me to gaze at the water, captivated between the fluid bright colors of my India ink and the ripples of waves along the edge of a weathered pier under the late afternoon sun. It filled my cup to be among friends, collecting hugs and kisses and sharing stories, catching up on what has been moving in my life and what has not. Taking snapshots in my mind of their faces and their energy to carry with me into the weeks ahead.

Monica: A quiet Sunday evening at home, kicking around just before twilight. It's been a long and challenging week and I look forward to our upcoming two-week vacation. We'll get to see some loved ones and spend some time in warmer and sunnier climes.

Epiphanies

2011-11-12T18:18:00.000-08:00

Monica: Small sacred reminders are everywhere. I believe this one is true; too many wishes detract from being present in the moment.

Evelyn: I got to hang around my area of the world for part of my weekend—which has only happened roughly 3-4 times since I moved here in August. A morning adventure landed me in Tarpon Springs, settled by the Greeks. It is home to sponge fishing and the "Epiphany Festival" in February where they toss a huge cross into the Bayou and tons of boys dive in to find it. We checked out the Bayou as well, which had a pod of manatee lounging about keeping warm and panic stricken fish tossing themselves about here and there. I loved the textures and variety of sponges along shops downtown, which made for some enthralling pictures, and I enjoyed the opportunity to walk under the warm sun and discover the fun things to do on the west coast.

Intention

2011-11-11T23:11:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: An 11/11 ritual, under a shaved full moon at 11:11 p.m. Carrying the wishes and intentions of a team on little slips of paper, I promised to release them to the universe, both on behalf of a college we all are working so hard to nurture and grow, as well as for each of us, who carry our own nest of hopes. I felt warm—that a handful of new people in my life would trust me with those little messages—and that I am part of something big—in my own life—with a new trail on this journey—and it is starting to feel comforting. I feel gratitude under the sage smoke, fire, and simmering light of intentions.

Monica: I have gathered a few sacred objects for a ritual we will be attending tomorrow. I've been preparing for this all week—considering what my deepest intention is, what I want to let go of in my life to make space for what I need to receive, and what guidance might be helpful as I journey forward in my life. I came up with these objects that symbolize different aspects of my intention: heartfulness, aim, and wholeness.

Grazing

2011-11-10T19:08:00.000-08:00

Monica: I went to my coworker's house to help her organize her papers and while we were sorting papers into piles, I looked out her back window and saw a beautiful buck grazing beneath the apple tree in her backyard. My coworker was surprised as the yard was fenced and the deer had to navigate through a narrow side yard to get to the back. I grabbed my camera and started shooting. I saw another pair of antlers turn the corner. Then there were TWO bucks grazing in the back yard. It felt like a renaissance-era painting of the Garden of Eden with the apple tree and the grazing bucks and singing birds in the branches above.

Evelyn: Late days for me and I barely get home with the energy to figure out meals. Justin was pleased I had half a sub in hand, as he is quickly consuming things around the house. I couldn't help but to capture his ravenous energy at 9:30 at night, making things disappear within just a few chomps.

Love Notes Attached

2011-11-09T17:22:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: All this hard work for this: a world of encouragement, an opportunity, being a part of nurturing other human beings and their dreams and goals, making a difference. Love notes attached.

Monica: The golden hour is getting earlier each day. I've noticed that the best light is between 3:00 and 4:00 now, even though the sun is setting closer to 5:00. The light is softer, shadows are longer, and everything is more golden but for a briefer time. I just love this light, even though it means I have less of it.

Evening Lights

2011-11-08T20:35:00.001-08:00

Monica: I made it out just in time for a rare colorful sunset and moonrise. My grumpiness gave way to a moment of sheer gratitude for another day of beauty and grace.

Evelyn: Ybor City—Don Vicente Swing Dancing. The drive in is always so interesting, full of light and craziness, parties and restaurants. This venue is one of my favorites, but I get lost on the way in every time. Best exercise of my life has been the dancing that follows the trip into Ybor.

Bits & Parts

2011-11-07T17:04:00.000-08:00

Evelyn: Enjoyed the MOSI today, and near the end of my visit I stole off to wander the butterfly garden alone. Tremendous variety among butterflies, and the station was unmanned, so I walked into the viewing room and found a basket full of wings and parts situated under a microscope. I loved the variations in color, texture, decoration. Some of us are a bit more modest in our display than others; it seems that carries over into nature.

Monica: I'm having a hard time transitioning into the shorter days of the season now that we've all had to set our clocks back an hour and it's dark by 6:00 p.m. I've been especially grumpy today, irritated with other people, the weather, anything and everything. Walking down to the beach, I noticed dozens of different mushrooms ripped from the ground and strewn all over the trail in bits and parts. My irritation level skyrocketed, as I realized mushrooming season has begun and numerous mushroom-seekers are tromping through the woods in search of prized edible mushrooms. There's nothing wrong with harvesting mushrooms; I take issue with the mindless ways people are interacting with the forest, tearing out countless mushrooms that they have no intention of eating or keeping for study, then crushing them and dumping them on the trail. They perhaps don't realize that these mushrooms are a big part of the local ecosystem, growing out of decay, helping to nourish the forest floor in which majestic redwoods and other plant life grows. The mushrooms have their own life cycle that needs to be completed in order to grow again the next year. Treating the mushrooms so disrespectfully is akin to vandalism in my mind. GRRRR. Okay, my rant is over!

Surface Tangles

2011-11-06T14:56:00.001-08:00

Monica: I spent much of the day deep cleaning our home—dusting surfaces, clearing cobwebs, getting rid of things I haven't used in ages. By the time I finished, it was nearly 2:00. I hadn't eaten anything since the coffee and two slices of toast I had for breakfast and I was too tired to even think of cooking (or messing with my freshly sparkling kitchen.) Michael took me to lunch at North Coast Brewery and the afternoon light was just right to capture reflections on the polished wood table across the way.

Evelyn: I had a beach walk with a high-school friend, catching up with the trust and fluidity that a good friendship can sustain, despite years and years of distance. It was warm, learning about each others lives, laughing and sharing stories about the lives of others in our old gang or our new gangs. Even in the tangles of life, it is interesting how things connect, how we recognize the teen and the young adult in each of us, despite hitting 40, and maintain a familiar smile.

Leisure

2011-11-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

Evelyn: In Orlando, waiting in a pocket of unexpected extra time. I parked myself at a dead end to discover the edge of rough marshy terrain salted with yellow wild flowers. It was quiet, overcast, and breezy, and my soul joined the quiet moving dance of blossoms. I wanted to stand in the middle of what looked like a half mile of yellow, and look up to the overcast sky through lovely bright swaying warmth.

Monica: It rained all today. I went into town to enjoy a leisurely afternoon of window shopping and thrift store hopping. Michael stayed home to nap in his favorite chair.

The Little Comforts of Home

2011-11-04T15:32:00.000-07:00

Monica: I took the time today to gather some bits of color from the garden to place on the dining room table: a calendula flower, a couple of chive blossoms, and a twig from one of the plum trees on the property. The year is nearing its end and I've been in a contemplative mood, thinking about what I want in my life and what I want to let go of. I am gathering my energy, going within, slowing down for winter.

Evelyn: I have this great fence around out courtyard. It is slated to be removed and rebuilt, with fresh clean wood and new hinges. However, there is something lovely about how decrepit it is, with rusting nails, rotting wood, and how all kinds of creatures are making homes between the slats. One afternoon we watched birds move in and out of the panels and eat worms and insects. At night, when we push open the gate all kinds of nightlife moves around. I like that it reminds me of rotting trees in the forest, becoming home to other things, returning to the dust it was born of.

At The Edge

2011-11-03T15:25:00.000-07:00

Evelyn: The building where I work is surrounded by jungle, and that jungle manages to creep onto the edges of the of world of work, resistant to the asphalt, glass, and rubber that are in denial of it. Even one of our welcome mats outside the building is completely moss covered... like a reminder to take off my shoes and breathe in the fresh air before I enter the abyss that is office and paper.

Monica: When I woke up this morning and opened the shade in our bedroom, I saw that it had rained overnight. The rainy season has begun and my afternoon walk confirmed that the wet season is here. Little villages of mushrooms have sprung up from the leaf- and needle-strewn forest floor and raindrops have remained beaded on blades of grass and flower petals throughout the day. The sun isn't warm enough to evaporate them. The scent of forest overpowers the scent of ocean. Just yesterday it was sunny and warm inland. Today it feels like the onset of winter.

Wednesday Handle

2011-11-02T19:24:00.000-07:00

Monica: A quick shot of the morning glory vine still blooming in Adriana & Kevin's yard. It's November and 77° outside. I love California.

Evelyn: Inspired by an NPR article I bumped into today, I couldn't help but to add a photo of my own suitcase treasure, found in an antique shop in Tucson, AZ. Although I am not the suitcase collector like my sister, I am drawn to old things just the same. Jon Crispin's work triggered my nostalgia for the history my grandmother kept through small artifacts and hat boxes in her closet, and I found myself journeying the photography and web of links on his site for at least an hour. Just a few years back I remember hearing my family question where my grandmother's original engagement ring was. I have always been curious about Grandma's things. Even her purses were a treasure trove of nooks and crannies to investigate. I rummaged through Grandma's closet, sharing what I had remembered from one of my last visits with her before she died. In that time I did the same thing: perusing the artifacts of her life, emptying tins, hat boxes, and shoe boxes to uncover hankies, glasses, old laced pieces, delicate hat pins, photographs, and the collection of stories that followed. We found her ring, and I felt a longing for the days that I could ask her about what she had. She was quite the historian, really, and I am grateful for the little notes she was good at attaching to items she buried away. Perhaps I will photo-archive them next time I have an opportunity.

Wrapping Up

2011-11-01T19:36:00.001-07:00

Evelyn: The first day of fall for me always follows Halloween. Like clockwork, the temperatures begin shifting more drastically that last day of October, and I am eager to dig through warmer clothing as evening chills edge their way to my bedroom windows. I am exhilarated by my favorite scarf, after a late night massage, and feel gratitude for the things in my life that warm me.

Monica: It's fascinating to watch a spider go about her routine, wrapping a newly caught fly as she injects it with her anesthetizing poison or simply mending a broken strand of web. There's a spider web on one of the rear view mirrors of our car that I've noticed stays intact in spite of my driving up to 70 mph on the freeway. I suspect the spider is living in the mirror housing. She found the perfect location for harvesting meals as well as staying sheltered and safe.

Ghoulish Glamour

2011-10-31T19:31:00.000-07:00

Monica: We decided this morning to head to Petaluma for a supply run and a visit with friends. It didn't even occur to me that it was Halloween until we turned onto Petaluma Blvd and saw a parade of angels, demons, superheros, villains, fairies, monsters, and cute little bugs crowding the sidewalks with their trick-or-treat bags in hand. At Kevin & Adriana's house, Kevin let us have the honor of answering the doorbell for trick-or-treaters. I got to hand out the candy while Michael got to jump out wearing the bloody monster mask and wielding a hatchet to scare the kids.

Evelyn: Ghoulish Glamour. Justin and I went to Les & Delene's to help distribute two storage bins full of candy. Visited by every type of colorful ghoul and princess, we basked in the delight of eager faces, felt gratitude by weary parents to whom we offered water, and chattered between candy eating, nacho chomping, and ongoing hauntings.

Kids at Heart

2011-10-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

Evelyn: A kid at heart. I think grown-ups love the opportunity to be something other than themselves, putting on a new career, or a new outfit, or even a new personality, just to bask in taking on life in another way. Justin and I attended Delene & Les' 3rd Annual Pumpkin Carving Party where not only the pumpkins were intriguing, but the costumed friends as well!

Monica: An early evening walk down by the lighthouse. The sky had grayed over and there was a sense of quiet, in spite of the roaring ocean. A mama deer and her teenaged fawn grazed nearby, unperturbed by our footsteps.

Resurrected Fun

2011-10-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

Monica: A group of knitters from Healdsburg rented the Farmhouse this weekend and I found myself "checking up" on them frequently, if only to get a look at their projects and soak up some of their feisty female energy. When I told them that I had a 6-year-old sweater project hidden in the back of my closet that I had given up for dead, they urged me to go get it and join their circle; they would help me out. I ran home and pulled my knitting bag off the closet shelf. When I showed it to them, they admired the yarn and commented that I had done a great job knitting what turned out to be a very complicated pattern. They looked at the pieces, figured out what was wrong, helped me to rip out the parts that needed to be redone, and proclaimed that I was more than capable of finishing that sweater. It felt good to be so encouraged and supported by complete strangers, to be welcomed into their circle of laughter and sharing. And it felt good to bring fresh energy to a project I had long since given up on but always hoped I'd someday have the courage to complete.

Evelyn: An unexpected yet brief trip to Cassadega landed me in shops of every kind of ornament and tarot influenced spiritualistic token. I love the energy of this place, hopeful to return for more adventuring soon. I am always drawn to places like this, expecting that somewhere in my history it has been a part of me in some way. I usually walk away with a stone or something that fits in my hand, however, this time I carried just my camera to capture the colors.

Warm Socks & Baling Out

2011-10-28T06:18:00.000-07:00

Evelyn: During our driving lesson to Orlando (full of grabbing the seat or wishing for a roll bar) we took the country roads to avoid the pressure (fear) of driving I-4. Taking a pause to switch and take pictures, I handed Justin the driver's seat. We were on a small side road, so he could practice a 3-point turn that wasn't in the high school parking lot and hopefully get us back on track. My leisurely observance of bales of hay turned into a 5-minute ordeal, with pleasant farmers waiting for us to get turned around. Justin drove us into the ditch on the side of the road, and stalling out, all with a captive audience. I stepped out of the car, assured other motorists that "we are just fine... student driver!" and with nods, people continued on. One farmer waited, just to make sure we could get out of the ditch, and to prove that was possible, I took over, got us out, and again swapped seats. Not helpful for Justin's confidence, however, sometimes you just have to move on.

Monica: I officially gave in to fall this week when I pulled my boots out of the closet and put on my first pair of socks since last spring. Up until now I've been running around sockless in my summer flats, in complete denial that it's October. I also had to pull out my warm hat and warm coat to walk down to the beach. Another sign that we are well into fall: the mushrooms blooming out of the damp, pine-needle carpeted earth. This fly agaric mushroom was about 5-inches in diameter.

Feng Shui Moments

2011-10-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

Monica: This afternoon I had what my friend Adriana calls a "feng shui moment," a sudden need to pare down my possessions and get rid of things I don't need or use anymore. I tackled the old steamer trunk that holds all my bellydance costume pieces and filled two bags to donate to the thrift store. In the midst of deciding what to keep and what to give away, I put on some music, tried on various pieces, and danced. It felt good to dance again and I realized how much I miss it. I'm not sure if I'll ever perform again, but I know I'm not quite ready to give up all of my costume pieces.

Evelyn: Good Morning. Seems our sunrises can be just as spectacular as our sunsets on the suncoast. I am greeted by sunshine every morning, warmly lighting up my bedroom and stretching shadows over my floor. I love that I can play hopscotch on my morning sun patches on the way to my wake-up shower.

Sleek Cars & Fast Criminals

2011-10-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

Evelyn: Swing Dance Monster-fest and I came right from work into a den of costumes (dressed as a... uh... a Program Director?) I struggled on my feet all night, tripping over wolf-toes, grabbed by chains, bumping into super heroes and vampires, and practically flopping over from sheer curiosity. Needless to say, I was pleasantly distracted by the costumes.

Monica: We parked next to a gorgeous old Chevrolet and I remarked that they just don't make 'em like that anymore. I love our Prius, but aesthetically it's about as pleasing to the eye as a can of tuna. There's just something about the gleaming chrome and sexy curves of classic American cars.

Stems & Straws

2011-10-25T05:03:00.000-07:00

Monica: A couple of days ago, a guest handed Michael several wax-paper sacks filled with wild chanterelle mushrooms he had harvested locally. It was a generous gift, considering wild mushrooms sell for anywhere between $20-$100/lb. I got out my cookbooks and fired up Google to pore over recipes. I decided to make a risotto, combining elements of different recipes to come up with my own creation: chanterelle risotto with rosemary & sage. Michael likes the taste but not the texture of mushrooms, so I figured I'd make something that could handle minced mushrooms. The risotto turned out perfectly AND Michael ate a good portion without complaint. (I did fully disclosed the fact that I was serving him mushrooms. I learned early on that deception doesn't work with him.) Today on my walk, I was thrilled to discover several patches of small chanterelles on the property. Now I have to figure out what to make next.

Evelyn: Date night, car adventures, and ice cream. Justin is learning to drive. Getting where we need to go is a blend of luck and an amalgamation of new skills supported by internal yelling and external distress. Regardless, we are usually on "breaks" between each episode, and so eating burritos and laughing seems to ease the process quite a bit.

Poised

2011-10-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

Evelyn: Stepping out - the day settled and productive at work, a long drive home still on the agenda - I was suddenly aware how quickly the light was fading and I made a mad rush to wander near campus and find an image worth shooting. I came upon my shadow; sharp, humble, and certain. There she paused, posing, waiting to be captured.

Monica: I had to cajole him into joining me on today's photo walk. It's been awhile since we've walked down to the bluffs together to take in the majestic view of the sea and watch the sun sink below the fog bank lurking on the horizon. Sometimes I just have to stop and savor the moment, committing the details to memory, my heart filled with gratitude for the years we have behind us and the partnership we've built together that is the truest thing I know.

Fiery Red

2011-10-23T19:38:00.000-07:00

Monica: The days are getting shorter and I keep forgetting that I don't have all day to capture the light. Today I made it out the door as the light was beginning to flatten and lose its golden glow, about 20 minutes before sunset. It turned out to be perhaps the most spectacular sunset I've seen here in Mendocino, with layers of fiery red, dark orange, and deep pink. I missed Michael being at my side to see it, but when I got home, he was standing out on the back deck taking it all in.

Evelyn: Hanging at the mall today, I enjoyed a stint of time at Barnes & Noble, drinking coffee and catching up with friends, perusing the shelves and swimming in a sea of language, words, pictures, and paper. Passing the magazines I am intrigued by the influences - standing bright red among other more muted pages, and I question, again, what is beauty, really? Is it all this, or what I find every day in the variety of people and faces, each wearing their experiences, scents, clothing, and smiles in different ways. Or even the ways in which nature flaunts itself, with flowers and color and different efforts to lure us closer. How is it that we make this media our reality, every day, and allow it to influence how we feel about ourselves, our bodies, our minds, our life?

Playing Together

2011-10-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

Evelyn: I love the live band in Orlando, and any opportunity to dance. Tonight was the Little Big Band - resounding old fun songs to swing to - a nine piece. The light is low, and sometimes it is hard to capture their jiving performance - however this was an unexpected and fun picture; capturing their joy of playing together.

Monica: I was headed to the bluffs to take photos when I heard the shrieks and laughter of children on the beach below. The sounds piqued my curiosity, so I made my way down the trail to the beach and pulled out my camera. There were four boys chasing each other in the creek, kicking and splashing water at each other, hurling clumps of sand, whooping and shouting as they battled each other. In contrast, there were two little girls squatting in a shallow pool away from the commotion, chatting away as they dug in the sand to expand their "hot tub." A group of adults was sprawled on the sand nearby, clearly enjoying watching their kids' antics. I was reminded how much fun it was to PLAY as a kid, to imagine mermaid worlds with my sister, to scream at the top of my lungs while being chased. It was a perfect day at the beach.

Moments & Time

2011-10-21T19:18:00.001-07:00

Monica: This morning I opened our kitchen door and there was a monarch butterfly on the doorstep, waving her wings at me. "Well, hello!" I greeted her, and scurried back inside to get my camera. She was gone when I got back, but I looked for her and found her perched on the chives, cleaning her delicate antennae. She was beautiful. I love it when nature greets me first thing in the morning, reminding me that there's beauty to be seen each moment.

Evelyn: Time is an interesting concept - it is completely man-made, and it controls every aspect of our lives: my computer won't work without the proper setting of time, when a deposit posts impacts the ability to pay a bill. "Time is Money" and with sleep thrown in, it can not be saved, recycled, stored. Once it is lost, it is impossible to recoup. I recognize that I am sensitive to how my time is used, and feel the heavy disappointment when my time is not honored, with little consideration of the commitment of time, the agreement. I find myself feeling sad, discouraged, insignificant, and deeply disappointed. It leaves me in a space in which I could be doing something different, to ensure I am using my time in ways that feel good to me. I didn't expect my picture today to trigger such strong feelings.

Returns & Relief

2011-10-20T04:23:00.000-07:00

Evelyn: Relief. I am at then end of a tremendously challenging day. I rode through it until the phone call to my "little sister crisis hotline" and finally let go of being strong to melt the drama out over the air and regather myself. My days are good, I am learning so much, I know it will get better, I know that is just one day of many really great ones. I have gratitude for the ears that take me in, knowing there is nothing to fix, but listen and support, so that I can jump back on the horse the next day and carry on the ride. My remedy? Mindless stuff, for just a half hour; words with friends, glass of wine, feet up.

Monica: Another hike today, this time up a heart-thumping hill till we have a view of the valley below. The air is a little hazy, likely from fires in the Sacramento River valley to the east, we are told. It's our last morning here before we head home to the coast where the redwoods and ocean await us.

Shift in Climate

2011-10-19T04:20:00.000-07:00

Monica: We got up early this morning to go for a hike before the sun got too strong. The air was crisp but I put on a pair of shorts anyway, knowing it would warm up once the sun peeked into the valley. We walked along the valley floor, through groves of oak and walnut trees, past the ruins and remnants of the old mining town that used to be here over a hundred years ago. There's a quality of stillness that reminds me of the desert where I grew up, though it looks nothing like it.

Evelyn: A coolness swept through this evening that left me a bit chilled and eager. On my way to dance, the sky brilliant, my bones chilled, I thought, "Goodie, I get to start wearing my scarfs!" Ultimately, that is one of my favorite accessories: long, bold, colorful scarfs, that wrap me up and around.

Giddiness

2011-10-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

Evelyn: I have a thing for frogs. I don't know why. Perhaps a part of it is in the way they show up in my life, little "check-ins," like a sticky wide-eyed visit. In the way that my own eyes are drawn towards a tiny creature, breathing and moving through life after quite the transformative journey, and reminded that I share this space with so many things I don't always see. It was almost 8:30pm when my "bunkmate" spotted him hanging out on the office window (as frogs tend to do in my life) and remarked on his presence - triggering an excitable hustle to pull out my cell phone and hope for a decent shot. I love these little visits.

Monica: It's getting towards the end of October and things are finally beginning to slow down here at the Farm. Michael and I decided to take a whole two days off (!) and head back to Wilbur Hot Springs for some deep relaxation and to explore the area a little more. It was 80° outside and sunny when we arrived, which made me giddy with happiness. We turned off the highway onto the dirt road that leads to Wilbur and were greeted by golden hills and a sparkling creek. I could feel the weight of tension lifting as we drove through the valley, over the bridge, past the gate, and into the little heaven that is Wilbur.

Evening Conversations

2011-10-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

Monica: I'm talking to my sister on the phone. It's after 6:00 p.m. and neither of us has captured an image for the day. "Let's just do a self-portrait already," I say. After a few shots in the mirror, I share my observation: "You know, in your 30's, you really start to notice that you're aging. It's just a hint, but there it is: a loosening of the skin on your bones, a shifting of your features that makes you a little unrecognizable to yourself in pictures. You notice that you're not you anymore. You're someone else." Evelyn sucks in her breath and says in that big sister knowing voice, the one that hints at mysteries unknown to me because I haven't crossed that bridge yet, "Yeah, just wait! In your 40's, you wonder what happened to your eyes, you need glasses. Things start to get saggy. And there are weird bumps." "Bumps?!" And then the conversation dissolves into peals of laughter.

Evelyn: Tired eyes. Feels good to be home, where I can put things away and not think about them until tomorrow. Where I can sit on speaker phone and jabber with my sister, while snapping secret desperate pictures, last minute, last moment, just so I can go to bed and rest my tired eyes.

Afternoon Antics

2011-10-16T17:26:00.001-07:00

Evelyn: Not feeling well, likely a combination of stress and being exposed to three weeks of sick people. Regardless, my remedy is tea, and a late afternoon nap on the beach, taking in some sunshine and fresh air.

Monica: There have been several fox sightings in the last few days, so I thought I'd hang out in the garden today and see if he'd make an appearance. I didn't see him, but I did get to watch the antics of a blue jay as he fussed in the sunflowers and screamed at me from his high perch in one of the plum trees.

Temptations

2011-10-15T17:05:00.000-07:00

Monica: A late lunch at Mendocino Cafe, a little place we had never tried before. Michael got the breakfast burrito and I had a spicy Thai chicken vegetable soup with bean thread noodles and tons of cilantro. YUM.

Evelyn: Sometimes all that is left is temptation, and a pocket filled with lint, a dollar bill, and not a coin to be found.

Shots & Drinks

2011-10-14T16:37:00.001-07:00

Evelyn: It is rare to go out for "beers" with friends. I don't normally drink, but decompressing from some of the unexpected and disappointing stressors at work, taking my mind off difficult decisions and upcoming challenges with laughter and easy-spirited conversation reminds me that I have an amazing community both in my work and personal life. I am grateful, for the amazing people I work with, the fantastic team of educators who strive so hard to nurture our students, and for opportunities to grow (as difficult as that may feel at times!) Cheers!!

Monica: It's much easier to take airborne shots when I'm not the one jumping. My $8 trampoline is too much fun.

Oh, The Places We Go

2011-10-13T16:18:00.000-07:00

Monica: It was such a lovely, sunny fall day that I decided I would walk to our mailbox, a little less than a mile away at the Caspar community center. When I got there, I decided to keep walking. I wanted to prolong the pleasure of the warm sun and cool air on my skin and the gravelly road beneath my feet. I walked to the end of Caspar and then headed out to the bluffs to take in the view. I don't walk this way very often but I'm glad I did.

Evelyn: The little ice cream shop in Palm Harbor (The Sweet Spot), right off of Crystal Beach is an oasis of wholesome homemade ice cream. I love that it is open until 10 p.m. every night, even Sundays, and welcomes me with opportunities to drown myself in the yumminess of unique fall flavors like pumpkin ice cream. They make all kinds of things, other than ice cream, and the shop is so colorful, I am like Gretel, checking out the candy cabin in the beachy Florida tropical swamps.

Paying Attention

2011-10-12T15:57:00.000-07:00

Evelyn: I am fascinated by the plant that grows in my courtyard. It has thick flat leaves, and new ones start as a horn-like spike before they roll out. It provides a bit of shade, but mostly, it talks sort of friendly. I don't hear it, I feel it "friendly." That alone makes me feel welcome when I return home.

Monica: How easy it is not to see the beauty right in front of me as each moment passes. I find myself taking for granted the warmth and light of the sun, the crisp fall air, the way the light hits a patch of fern leaves just so and highlights the little bits of brown decay at their tips. There are new mushrooms, feathery clouds, a patch of dandelions waving their yellow heads in the breeze. There are golden leaves creating a crunchy carpet beneath my feet. I see these things every day, but then again, maybe I don't. I have to force myself to pay attention, to appreciate, to say thank you for the grace of another day.

Moments of Wonder

2011-10-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

Monica: This morning Michael brought me my coffee and the news that he had just sighted a new mushroom near the Farmhouse. "It looks like a flower—with petals and a round ball in the center that puffs brown powder when you push on it..." I followed him out with my camera and sure enough, there was a patch of these mushrooms I'd never seen before. It's a rounded earthstar, not edible, but really one of the coolest mushrooms I've encountered. I experienced one of those rare moments of wonder when you see something for the very first time, something you never knew existed and hadn't imagined, but there it is.

Evelyn: On the way to Ybor City I couldn't help but to almost squeal in the delightful glimmer of the moon over Tampa Bay. The latest body of water I lived near was the size of a grocery store parking lot... and from Orlando, the nearest beach an hour and a half away. I feel like a kid getting glimpses of the water in new ways, and although this image is hardly spectacular, it at least bookmarks my delight on one given evening, in my life, on a ride to Ybor City to dance.

Brief Walks

2011-10-10T20:53:00.000-07:00

Evelyn: I was inclined a few weeks back to do some painting and finally decorated a piece of pottery I have had for as long as I have had my kidlet. It was nice to put some creative energy into something structured, something I didn't have to think a lot about, but could simply dabble and decorate. It hangs on our fence door, and greets me on the way out, right in line with the rising sun and moon.

Monica: Of course I didn't take enough pictures of Wilbur while it was light out yesterday and today we awoke to a steady rain. We had planned to go hiking on the nature preserve but hadn't planned for rain, so our hike turned into a brief walk through the valley in between downpours. It was still lovely, though.

Circles & Stems

2011-10-09T05:02:00.000-07:00

Monica: We took the day off and headed to Wilbur Hot Springs for a mini-retreat. We have friends who highly recommended Wilbur for its tranquil atmosphere and therapeutic thermal waters. Wilbur is tucked away in a golden valley surrounded by rolling hills with a creek through it. There's no TV or internet, so it felt very much like home. Guests bring their own food and can cook in their enormous kitchen. I prepared us a simple dinner of asparagus & lemon risotto with a green salad & white wine, the perfect meal to eat out on the screened-in veranda as the nearly-full moon rose over the hills.

Evelyn: A drive in Pa's Jag, hair whipping around in a mosh pit of locks, sand blowing from crevices and holes into my grinning smile, and the guttural drone of not one, but two, growling mufflers. Quite the adventure between rain storms, on a late Sunday afternoon.

Outside/Inside

2011-10-08T05:08:00.000-07:00

Evelyn: Warm, nurturing. Perfection on wet, rain-cleansed days that require a scarf and a T-shirt. I was treated to homemade chicken-noodle soup, and tossed all plans to the wind to hunker down and take in the quiet connection under the storming skies.

Monica: Our "mystic enchantment" dahlias are just blooming now in front of the Creamery. I love their deep burgundy stalks and leaves that contrast nicely with the bright red blooms.

Paths & Drives

2011-10-07T16:18:00.000-07:00

Monica: The two lovely Aussie photographers, Jessica and Cherina. I took them hiking on the Staircase trail and introduced them to the delight of feasting on wild huckleberries. They left this afternoon, headed north to the old growth redwood forests of Humboldt county. I feel like I made two new friends and hope that someday our paths cross again. Have a safe trip, you two!

Evelyn: My son is learning to drive. This is a huge lesson in trust, a test of patience, and an opportunity to instill in him the care, awareness, and regard that befits a healthy driver. I find us having conversations about how others are driving, about what to look for, about what I am doing, AND what I am doing wrong. And in all of those, I am willing to admit my mistakes, eager to share the conversation, and so proud that he is careful and patient with me.