Much Ado About Chickens

I'm staying true to my code of ethics, by chopping everyone's head off at the Halloween parade.

It's a shame, because my favorite kind of photography is "street photography" (check out that link...wow...love it!)

Aside from the code of ethics, I know there are actual laws regarding taking recognizable pictures of people, and using their photos without permission, but I can't imagine walking around with a bunch of release forms for everyone to sign. I think it would just take the fun right out of it.

I should look into it a little deeper, but my brain doesn't like to read legal mumbo jumbo, so I guess I'll just keep chopping heads off.

Poor, little, headless firemen...I wish I could show everyone how dang cute you are.

Oh, look a chicken! (ADHD humor)

I have my permission to photograph this one. She's my chicken. :)

...and this one. Hey, big sis!

...and this one. Hey, sick little brother, with grandma's chocolate kisses in your teeth.

My little chicken was the only one who had school yesterday. Doesn't that stink? But at least it was only half a day, and most of that time was spent parading and partying.

Once, when Macy was about two years old, and I was getting her out of her car seat, she was crying and screaming, "My chickens! I hurt my chickens!" I had no idea what she was talking about. I even started looking around the yard, but there was no poultry in sight.

Then, I noticed that she was pointing at her checks. She thought her "cheeks" were called "chickens".

Needless to say, she has carried the nickname, "Chickens" around with her for quite some time.

Today, I'm changing it. I think "Flying Monkey" might suite her better.

But, seriously, about chickens...I've been thinking about raising some.

Not now. Not where my life is right now, but it's been something I've been dreaming about.

Maybe it's just me feeling discontent with the way things are, and wanting more.

Now you know too much about me. Now you know that where some people dream of penthouses and fancy cars...I dream of raising chickens.

Painting the Town

I love this time of year, when the windows of our town burst with color and creativity.

It's one of my favorite things about living here. I consider it a perk. :)

My girls had the chance to be in on it this year, which makes me extra happy.

We are in a good groove of lazy and busy over here. Everyone has been some degree of sick this past week, but we are moving right along with all of the things there are to do.

Macy had her parade at school today, but I don't have the pics yet...and I let the girls carve their own pumpkins (with real knives)! Another rite of passage, that I used to wonder "when" about.

Anyway, we're good, and busy, and lazy...

How about you? What's going on with you?

"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint you can on it. - Danny Kaye

Sluggish

Have you seen my momentum?

I seemed to have misplaced it, and I really, really need it back!

Halloween, and all of it's festivities, is sneaking up on me. Griffin doesn't even have his costume yet.

Oy!

Please let me know if you see it. I will be forever grateful. K, thanks.

Butterfly Moments

Last week, during Griffin's IEP meeting, his preschool teacher and I were getting all choked up about how far he has come the past few years.

It's been both painful, and wonderful watching him emerge from his little cocoon.

There is rarely ever a blank stare, or a feeling like there is so much in there that can't find it's way out.

He is flying now!

When his teachers mentioned Kindergarten next year, I said, "Say what?"

He's getting ready. I better get ready too.

I've been taking Oprah's Lifeclass (thanks, Soraya!).   It's soul work, and it's hard, but it's wonderful too...

I guess I kind of have my own butterfly thing going on.

Do you think butterflies feel tired?...because I am exhausted.

Anyway, how are you doing?

Do you have any growing, emerging, flying, butterfly stories to tell?

Stirring the Pot

1. This song. I love how they harmonize.

2. Derek Walcott's poem, Love After Love

The time will come

 when, with elation,

 you will greet yourself arriving

 at your own door, in your own mirror

 and each will smile at the other's welcome,

 and say, sit here. Eat.

 You will love again the stranger who was your self.

 Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart

 to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

 all your life, whom you ignored

 for another, who knows you by heart.

 Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

 the photographs, the desperate notes,

 peel your own image from the mirror.

 Sit. Feast on your life.

3. This Bible verse...

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, 

but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

- Proverbs 13:12

4. Flower Patch Farmgirl's Letting Go series . Each one is an excellent read, and they are really making me think, think, think.

5. This test in Oprah's Lifeclass. I was honest, and there is hope for me. :)

Lots of things have been stirring my pot lately, many more than I mentioned above even. It seems one thing leads me to another, and so one.

This is a good thing.

It means change is brewing.