Catchup - Sept 3

Evelyn: Poker party, sitting with friends, with hot dogs and cupcakes.

Birthday Zombie

Evelyn: [Vinna & Randy] I invite friends to meet at the Palm Pavilion on Clearwater Beach for my birthday, my 3rd annual celebration of my 40th - Shocker? Or the subtle hint that the Zombie Apocalypse is looming...

50 Years

Evelyn: Just past midnight, we are cleaning up, and I have the opportunity to get these two together. I feel warm, blessed, to have them in my life, and their stories that remind me there is work in relationships, and joy, and bumps and rides, and the regard they hold for each other seems timeless. I am encouraged.

Looking Towards

 

Evelyn: The evening with Bud & Betty - celebrating 50 years of marriage, family of every kind embracing them with dance, and play, and words.

Party Favors

Evelyn: I couldn't believe all the thought put into Jamie's wedding. I returned home with two lovely bottles of wine (it will take me a year to drink them). 

Reds

Evelyn: Jamie & Steve's wedding was filled with flowers, paper, real, cupcake... dalias everywhere. 

Happy Birthday

Evelyn: It is Monica's birthday, and at the Gulfport Swing, Katy's friends & Family have brought Katy a cake. I think of Monica living among a new community of people, and wonder how she celebrates. I think of her all day - all the things I love about her... and I am eager for the 20th when I fly out to see her.

Eye on the Prize

Just ONE More

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!)

Santa's Cookies

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.

Little Familiarities

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.

Sleek Cars & Fast Criminals

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. 

Happy Birthday, Sativa!

Monica: It's Sativa's birthday today and she and her family are celebrating with my sister in Florida. (Did I mention I wish I were there right now?) It was a beautiful sunny day here in Caspar, and these flowers reminded me of candles aflame on a cake. Happy birthday, Sativa. You're beautiful, kind, talented, smart, inspiring, and a fabulous friend. May your wishes come true this year.

Evelyn: There is something about watching someone you love make wishes - the joy of having a wish opportunity, the anticipation the audience holds as we watch her prepare to blow out the candle, the curiosity of what wishes float behind her eyes as she brings her gaze back to the flame and directs her breath, her energy, into the fulfillment of something heart-felt and meaningful. The exhale, the release... and do we remember our wishes after they have been made and trust the universe to fulfill them, or do we hold them tight to our breast in fear that they may not be fulfilled? At least, I imagine, the audience of the wish-maker share a hope that the wish will blossom, as I do for Sativa.

Gatherings

New Moon

Fireworks