This wonderful journal, by Keri Smith, came to me recently as a gift with the directive to absolutely follow as many of the page's directions as possible. Ha. It sounded easy until I flipped through this seemingly benign little black book. I couldn't possibly abuse the book as instructed to...could I? I was raised to revere books, treat them with kindness and respect, never abuse them. I put it on a shelf, gently slipping it between two craft books, until yesterday.
Again, I carefully read through the pages, wondering where to begin. It seemed to go against the "rules" (if there is such a thing with a book titled "Wreck This Journal") to start on the first page, so I took it with me to the shower (as instructed). A cleansing, a beginning, if you will.
It felt a little naughty, a little bad, to do such a thing as purposely soaking a book. I have to admit I looked at the page "bring this book in the shower with you", closed my eyes, and the little black book and I took the plunge into the falling water. She (yes, the book is a she, and no, I don't have a name for her yet) is now out on the edge of the garden, drying and most likely being invaded by ants.
25 June 2009
the journal :: a beginning
Posted by
Laurie
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25.6.09
1 flutters
24 June 2009
reflection, part 2
As I was cleaning up, organizing, and reminiscing my way through oodles of photos (you know, like you do...), I came across some sights specific only to the town I grew up in. Those formative years, those years upon which impressions of the world are built. Caution: the county has legal gambling (which for some folks is not such an "oh!" these days) everywhere...in the grocery store, at the petrol station, at the bowling alley...everywhere.
Someone years and years ago killed, stuffed, and mounted a polar bear. It still resides inside this casino, forever on display behind a huge glass box, standing upright to greet everyone who enters. I have never felt good about seeing that regal creature, even as a child, in such a state.
The county also has legal prostitution.
I don't know how to add on to that last statement. These establishments are located over the "tracks" and down by the river. That sounds cliche but it's true.
Growing up with these businesses in town was normal for me. Some have been around since long before my time, some have sprung up since I have left the area. They were just part of the town. Such as small towns are, I'm sure everyone knew everyone else's "business". We knew my friend's uncle spent most evenings in this neighborhood. The first places we went as high school-ers to sell raffles and fund raisers were here. The last places we would tell anyone we went by were here.
Posted by
Laurie
at
24.6.09
1 flutters
23 June 2009
fever of summer
Yikes! Summer heat has hit. Knocking at the door of the hundred degree (F.) mark today. With this heat comes the sweetening of foothill peaches and mandarin oranges, the ripening of tomatoes to a deep luscious red, and the making of fresh lemonade.
Posted by
Laurie
at
23.6.09
1 flutters
22 June 2009
reflection, part 1
Time doesn't seem to be a constant. I know this to not be true, but there were times during this past school year when minutes seemed like hours, and then hours cruised by like minutes. For sure there were a few valleys as well as the many beautiful peaks. I prefer to savor the peaks, those high points that make everyone's day.
Posted by
Laurie
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22.6.09
0
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21 June 2009
signs of summer
Welcome SUMMER! Glad to see you again.
The rope is ready for "pond dropping".
The dock is the perfect spot for dipping feet.
I do believe the fish are hiding amongst the cattails and lilly pads.
Grape jelly is forecast. Just look at those wee grapes!
A perfect start to the summer season. These snapshots are seen daily by my folks. I spent the day moving rocks for my mom, sipping iced green tea, and clicking away with my camera.
Posted by
Laurie
at
21.6.09
1 flutters
24 April 2009
22 April 2009
earth forces
"I am done with great things and big plans, great institutions and big successes. I am for those tiny, invisible, loving human forces that work from individual to individual, creeping through the crannies of the world like so many rootlets, or like a capillary oozing water, yet which, if given time, will rend the hardest moments of human pride." ~~William James~~
This Earth Day brings promise and hope. I believe that. Yes, there are cascading events happening around our planet showing us heart-breaking destruction. But I believe there is hope in individuals making change. There is greatness inside us--strength, with attitudes that our cup is "half full".
Posted by
Laurie
at
22.4.09
1 flutters
11 April 2009
candy for the senses
Loving this song today as I dance around in the sun beams, dye eggs, and make fresh bread for tomorrow's BBQ. The tequila and lime...they're for the fresh scallop ceviche (we are in charge of appetizers and bread).
These doves make the most wonderful purring/cooing sound. They, too, are enjoying the return of the sun.
Posted by
Laurie
at
11.4.09
3
flutters
10 April 2009
spring is leaking
Spring break began so beautifully the first part of the week with symphonies of bird calls early in the morning, sun and warmth throughout the day. Inside duties were ignored. Summer "equipment" such as the hammock, air chairs, and sun tea were set out. Potted plants that didn't make it through the rigorous winter were dumped. It was good--no, it was grand. I was warned that I was being a wee bit premature in setting out summer lounging furniture, but I had plans, you see, visions really, that included sun, books, and abandonment of time.
Then the rain began. Heavy rain at first, which I thought was fine--it was needed. It washed the dust off the leaves of the palms, watered the sprouting bulbs, knocked off the last leaves of the oak tree which diligently holds tight the previous year's leaves through the winter. But the rain didn't stop. It's been followed by a constant drip and drizzle every day, all week.
The hammock...soaked. The air chairs...filling with water. The sun tea...not as tasty when one is curled up in a quilt instead of stretched and basking in the warmth of a bright, blue-sky day.
Still, I am determined to make the most of this spring break, damp or dry. I am working on those much-needed spring deep cleaning projects inside. Much like our cat catching an opportunity to drink from the dripping faucet, my cup is half full of possibilities.
Posted by
Laurie
at
10.4.09
3
flutters
31 March 2009
Posted by
Laurie
at
31.3.09
0
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28 March 2009
last of the winter harvest
With only one week of spring under our belts, I'm listening to the weather reports of snow in Colorado as well as other parts of the country. Here, it's been spring for several weeks (sorry to you folks out there shoveling snow and scraping ice). Some of the trees are done with their pink and white blossoms and have moved through the color palette onto the bright green of new leaves.
We've harvested the last of the winter crops, turned the soil, checked the drip system, and are ready to plant for the summer. I can hardly wait...I am so tired of tasteless tomatoes.
Posted by
Laurie
at
28.3.09
2
flutters
16 March 2009
joyous month of march
I'm still here, quite busy with lesson plans, rain-soaked days, and those little things that seem to pile up when one is looking the other way.
Posted by
Laurie
at
16.3.09
0
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20 January 2009
to service
It seems to have been such a long time since we could stand with pride and say we are Americans. Today we will see a new, fresh, young, plugged-in president sworn into office who has already made leaps and bounds of progress even before this historical day.
Posted by
Laurie
at
20.1.09
1 flutters
27 December 2008
the wall, she is gone
"Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls." ~~Joseph Campbell~~
I would like to thank my husband for continuing to putt up with me and my ideas of change. "This is just a small wall, can we take it down? What if we push out the side of the house a few feet on the west side? See this space here, which we really don't use to its best potential--what if we take off the roof of the garage, use this space for a staircase, and add on another bedroom, bathroom, exercise room, and gathering room up there. It's "do-able", isn't it? Let's build a walled-in terrace, our own little grotto." These proposals are but a few of the many I have thought up.
I would also like to thank our daughter, for being such a good worker and great sport about her nutty mother. And then there's the great big thank you to her for having strong bones and not breaking any of these said strong bones when the wall fell on her (oh, yes it did!)--actually it somewhat bounced on her several times as gravity pulled it down, then it pinned her leg as a final assault. Just to make it clear, it wasn't the dry wall that fell on her...it was the massive amount of wood framing. She has bruises--big bruises--and scrapes. She's a red-head--she rarely bruises. Sorry daughter, for sending you back to your home with lumps and bumps, back to the barrister world of the courtroom, skirts, and heels with bruises.
Posted by
Laurie
at
27.12.08
3
flutters
26 December 2008
boxing day...day of goodwill
I rather love the origins of "boxing day", and I see that South Africa continues that genuine spirit as "day of goodwill" where gifts are given to those less fortunate in society. I like that. Our home is blessed with gifts, electricity, warmth, a refrigerator and pantry of food, friends, relatives, and love. Sadly not everyone can claim this to be the case.
Go to Free Rice. Play. Have the kids play. Watch your bowl of rice multiply.
Posted by
Laurie
at
26.12.08
0
flutters
