Necessary Objects

Monica: I've had this fork since my sophomore year of college, when my grandmother gave me some of her extra cookware and utensils to get started living on my own. Michael discovered it one day and it became his "favorite" fork for grilling. A few months ago, one of the rivets broke, and I tossed it in the trash, thinking there was no way to fix it. With chagrin, Michael dug it out of the trash and continued to use it even though it kept coming apart. (Meanwhile, my stepdad and I tried to find him a new "favorite" grilling fork at thrift stores and antique shops. Michael got three new forks, but none of them were quite right.) After hearing one too many threats to toss it again, he finally took it up to his workshop and "fixed" it with a nut and bolt through the rivet hole. "As good as new!" he proclaimed. And now Grandma's fork is back in the utensil drawer.

Evelyn: This has been my life all week, however today we got to go into the "Teen Room" to play with the Wii. Justin hit Guitar Hero, and it felt good to see him joking and playing. Had a visit from Chris (Rubik's Cube Genius) and two trips to the Cafeteria. I think if his food stays down we may see the doors tomorrow, then I can take photos from outside this space.

Unpredictable

Evelyn: It's hopeful, it's not. Eager, then disappointed. It's swallowed, then back up. It's painless, then painful. We're awake, then asleep, then awakened, then returned to slumber. I'm feeling more settled, then back to concerned. This journey of healing is SO unpredictable. 

Monica: This evening, a visit to the Caspar Community Garden and I was surprised to see the strawberries are already ripe for picking. Our strawberry patch is just barely past the flowering stage. Why is that? Does the garden across the road get more sunshine, or water, or love? I wandered past the strawberries to this lovely patch of borage mingling with yellow daisies. The light was fading fast and I was lucky to photograph them just in time. One minute more and the light in the garden would be flattened by shadow. 

Secret Noises

Monica: Every time I walk out the door, I see the chives waving their purple pom-pom flowers in the breeze, cheering me on as I go about my chores.

Evelyn: Playing on the walls of the Disney Pavilion has been providing me some time to get away from all the tired energy of healing and distress. I also discovered, tonight, that there are spots on the floor that activate all kinds of great jungle noises.... I keep wondering what else happens when all the kids are tucked away in their beds and the jungle creatures are left alone in the dark.

Keeping Watch

 

Evelyn: All these gizmos, and meters, and wires, and lines. Every adjustment results in the adjustment of half a dozen other things— pillows, blankets, IV lines, table, monitors. I fall asleep to the breathing-wheeze of a saline pump regulating his IV fluids. Something feels comforting about it, monotonous and ambient-like. His little breath exercise gadget waiting for more practice, more breathing deeply, in the disco lights of the child ward. 

Monica: When I got home yesterday, there was a package waiting for me: a belated birthday present from my best friend containing a shared art journal, some alphabet stamps, and monkey slippers. MONKEY SLIPPERS! I love them. Every time I look down at my feet when I'm wearing them, I crack up. Monkey slippers make me happy.

Recovery

Monica: I'm loving the sunshine, the relative warmth of the air, the light through the trees, the flowers, and the fact that summer is on its way. I needed a day away from the coast to recover from the constant chill and wearing layers. It was lovely to wear a dress and flip flops and feel the warm sun on my skin.

Evelyn: Recovery - exhausting - critical - soft - uncomfortable - boring.

Sacred Spaces

Evelyn: I stopped at the Dandy for dinner before my Creative Soulcare class; they have a small garden with a healing tree. It houses all kinds of artifacts that people have left with a prayer or two: bells, Buddhas, crystals, notes, flags, etc. As I walked around it I remember thinking a healing thought for my Kidlet whose aching belly and fever were a growing concern. I had no idea that we would be staring at an emergency room in just a few hours. 

Monica:  We took a much-needed day off and headed to our favorite little hot springs retreat tucked in a beautiful mountain valley. The moment we walked through the gate, it felt like we had stepped into the Garden of Eden. Roses, irises, poppies, tulips, and wisteria were in full bloom, the sun was shining, and the air temperature was a deliciously warm 75°. We soaked in the hot springs and walked the grounds, finding little lounging nooks with statues, stones, and offerings from guests. Some musicians sat in one such area and played their music softly. It was quite romantic and such a nice way to spend a day and night away from home and work.

Mother's Day

Monica: We had a group of marine ecology students from Sonoma State University staying with us this weekend, and they invited us to join their field trip to some tide pools early this morning. I've become a bit of a bum about sleeping in till 9:00 a.m., so it was an adventure to get up at 6:30 and venture to the ocean in the early morning light. I learned a few things, but mostly I was excited to have the chance to photograph some beautiful creatures in the intertidal zone.

Evelyn: Mother's day moved by in a quiet sort of way. Plans for breakfast together fell through and Justin stayed home, sick and feverish. My dad took me out for a light meal at a great little place in Mt. Dora, then I spent most of the afternoon trying to fix my blog and checking the teen for proper fluids. I most appreciated the small acknowledgements from my close friends and loved ones, spread out through the day, the small texts, the verbal greetings, a hug or two. I took myself to swing class, danced delightfully, then met a friend for a movie. Breakfast with chocolates, dancing, pampering, worrying, movies, and a walk. Sounds about right.

Pink Ribbons

Evelyn: Catching my friend Jamie attempting to photograph the Mother's Day ribbon on her slightly paranoid foster-dog Mona was a captivating production. Mona was perplexed and indignant that not only did she have to endure a grooming session today, but that she was also left with an absurd pink bow, an itchy left ear, AND needed a photograph to add to the humiliation. Regardless, Mona tolerated the addition of a second camera - say, "stinky slipper!"

Monica: Within a few days, the wildflowers have burst into a riot of color on the bluffs. Today there was a carpet of yellow mixed with the small pink blooms of wild sweet pea, their tendrils seeking an anchor among the greenery.

Distant Views

Monica: This morning on the way to breakfast, I saw that the Botanical Gardens were having a free admission day. I came back in the early afternoon with my camera and took my time soaking in the beauty of the place. At a little pond tucked away in the rhododendron garden, I spotted several frogs camouflaged in the water, their little heads poking just above the surface, watching for their next meal.  Later, I passed a group of six women who were gasping and giddy over the magnificent blooms everywhere. They were laughing, eyes wide, throwing their hands up in the air as if they'd just discovered the garden of Eden. Their enthusiasm was infectious.

Evelyn: I attended opening night for the Orlando SNAP! Event showcasing the work of international, national, and local photographers. I pranced around in my little black cocktail dress and red sneakers - eating up the photography on the walls. Through my meanderings I was complimented on my red shoes by a widowed author working on his sequel, a local photographer who gifted me his weekend pass (because I looked like I would enjoy it more) and a handsome 50-something who practically ate me up with his eyes leaving just my red sneakers - until his girlfriend returned to redirect him. Quite fun!

Grounding

 Evelyn: I figured it was time for a new self portrait... just got the hair cut (shorter than ever) and I was noticing that my soft short locks look a lot like my mother's.I feel a bit sassy with the shorter hair. I also didn't realize that my brown eyes can glow in photographs - I appreciate regaining some equilibrium so that my eyes glow bright and warm - which comes from being filled with soulful energy... kinda leaks out in a smiley kinda way. I like it.

Monica: I haven't felt like cooking ever since my parents were here a couple of weeks ago. They spoiled me with their cooking and meals out. Tonight I needed some grounding, so I made vegetable soup with ground turkey and served it with a crossword puzzle on the side. 

A Walk in the Park

Monica: We've been having some gloriously sunny and warm spring weather on the coast. I decided to go for a walk at the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse and was rewarded with all kinds of beauty: patches of wild iris blooming along the bluffs, whales spouting and flipping their tales, and two mama seals and their newborn pups sunning themselves in a quiet cove. I found a sunny, windless spot, took off my coat and basked in the warmth of the sun on my skin. It was delicious.

Evelyn: Feeling more centered again... slowly. Can't make sense of how my sanity seems to leak out every few days or so lately, but it does... and a brisk walk with a good friend feels soothing and keeps me connected - or at least connected to my feet. The fountain at Cranes Roost bursts with water to a series of songs, and I sat for 10 minutes watching as I waited for my walking partner. Water always calms me - reminds me of my mermaid days.

Contemplation

Evelyn: Contemplation... seems my head likes to meander through endless issues, and does it when I am not looking so that later I am kicked over by array of beliefs that don't serve any other purpose but to throw me into more thinking. I think I need to go back to daydreaming instead.

Monica: Pulling into the parking lot at the grocery store, I noticed this sweet yellow lab resting his head on the window frame with a wistful look on his face. He was so adorable, waiting patiently for his keeper to come back, maybe with a treat in hand. I said hello and took a few pictures. I love sweet, gentle animals that don't bark and scrabble at you when you're walking past.

Monday

Monica: Today was a hit-the-ground-running-and-keep-on-running day. While Michael is in the bath, I check my e-mail and realize I forgot to take pictures today. This will have to do.

Evelyn: This has been my routine on Mondays (although THIS Monday did not fall into place). I usually get myself to the gym, shower, dress, eat, and run to the college to teach a 4 hour class, then scuttle off to the Spiral Circle for the Artist Way Workshops I have been facilitating. I park my car in the shade, then carefully shake around through a pile of tootsie rolls in my cup holder to search for snoopy, attached to a set of keys, of which ONE belongs to the door of my workshop room. It is here that I get centered and pay attention to the lives of others, on their journeys, and help nurture their inner creative. It is the most amazing start to my week - to laugh and collaborate on making each other stronger, more connected, with self and others. Today, it was just a warm place to rest my tired head.

Patterns

Evelyn: There is a big oak in front of the Enzian Theatre whose arms are heavy and massive, and remind me of the arms of father, supportive and secure. I always take a moment to drink in how that tree looks in the light, and imagine climbing up into it, and just resting there, letting my weight melt into the branches, down into the earth, and melding with the energy of being.

Monica: The days are getting longer and busier, passing at breakneck speed.  A moment with my camera and a patch of pink flowers outside my favorite Thai restaurant where we had a quiet, pleasurable dinner after a long day.