February Is For Ducks

The ducks. Are back. It must be spring.

This year I am particularly under their spell. I get all eager ethologist on them at first sight. Tumbling out of my car with sweet words and a camera.

The ducks, on the other hand, are not quite so enamored of me.

Here's how our process works.

1. oblivion (I maintain my ninja-like stealth for exactly one frame):

2. concern. (I've been spotted. Now the duck is wondering: What is that shiny contraption I'm holding. Why is it whirring and clicking, extending and retracting. What on earth could I be up to?):

3. self-conscious aloofness (They are trying to trick me here. Figuring that if they are boring enough or restless enough I won't be able to take their pictures, so I will skulk away):

4. finally, adieu (But, I am no skulker. Take that, du--- Hey, wait! Where are you going?):

They are so over me.

(Maybe next time I should bring breadcrumbs too.)

Unrequited

This is Mika. She's the "shop dog" over at American Cyclery. And we are in love.

I entertain schemes of luring her away with me one day.

But -- I don't know -- something tells me they'd miss her.

Ms. Fancy Pear

(Or, Things That Are Yellow.)

A gem I found at the Curiosity Shoppe. For obvious reasons, we connected.

I Spy

Early signs of Spring:

Smallest, Cutest

Two words that necessarily go together, as far as I'm concerned. Even when it comes to snails.

But then, I have a sort of soft spot for snails in general.

(Which will make me a very bad gardener indeed.)

I Did Dynamo

yum!

Rick and I shared a toasted coconut donut (vanilla cake) and a chocolate cake donut with rosewater frosting -- a special for valentine's day.

We are thrilled to announce that Dynamo makes the best donut ever.

Thrilled because Dynamo is much closer to home than Top Pot or Voodoo. Also thrilled because there's no way I'm crossing Dynamo off my list until we are able to try one of those bacon maple donuts on the menu.

And so there is a trip #2 in my future.

<3

In Honor Of This Day

photos by growin' Up

Today at lunch I took a walk instead of my usual routine: staring blankly at a computer screen.

Clouds and sky and brisk gusts and trench coats and one foot in front of the other and the promise of rain in the air feel downright luxurious in the middle of a sedentary day.

Into The Labyrinth

(Or, Everything I Needed To Know I Learned From Mr. Rogers)

I am in the throes of a choose-your-own-adventure sort of internet day. Where one click leads somewhere magical. And each destination has its own recommendations to make. And so here I am, clickety-clicking through, finding things so beautiful I could cry.

I started here.

Which took me here.
A site that is, in and of itself, pretty cool. (But then, I have always wondered at the process of creation. Always been fascinated to get inside the routines of those who accomplish so much.)

But then -- glory be! -- I landed here.
Which is beautiful and touching. And, if you are lucky enough to be within reach of a tissue box, I urge you to read it. All the way. It is worth every verb, comma, and period.

(And we will live happily ever after.)

The End.

Quickly, On A Wednesday

It's raining here. Pouring, actually. And I just heard thunder. And I'm so giddy about it that I can hardly stand to be just sitting here at my desk. Completely unable to concentrate on anything. Except the sound of the drops hitting the skylight. And how my kindergarten teacher used to make us all popcorn and hot chocolate on rainy days. And we would throw blankets over tables to make forts, crawl in, and enjoy.

Also, for some reason, I am thinking about these leaves.