Clicked a link to a new (to me) blog early this morning because she practices photography every day, since 2005 or something like that. I was intrigued--could I do it? Would my photographs improve if I were to take up a challenge like that?

And then it took over an hour to read her October posts. She writes, art journals, photographs, records what she's grateful for, exercises daily, follows through on (daily, monthly, and yearly) projects, cares for her two children under 6, and works for a large corporation. Etc., etc. It's not all perfect--she writes about that too--but right now I'm having the devil of a time not setting our two lives on a scale and feeling mine disintegrate into a poof of worthlessness.

But maybe, just maybe, the very act of identifying the motivation-sapping nature of comparison and naming it out loud might salvage the spark that her "take a photograph everyday to become a better photographer" project inspired in me. And maybe someday I'll be able to return to her blog, read her words, and see the evidence of all her projects without losing sight of the value in my own, very different creative life.

My run of daily posts expired yesterday. I don't suppose the reason matters to anyone but me.

Sun is pretty potent stuff; we Northwesterners have to beware of imbibing too much.

We wear our stories, whether we realize it or not.

Reading

Reading Izzy & Lenore by Jon Katz

What is it about a woman dying without memory being soothed, her terror calmed for a moment, by an unknown dog whose chance presence nudges her briefly out of oblivion, that draws buckets of tears from the well in my chest and spills them indiscriminately on the bus?

What I thought might be, wasn't. I'm still not sure what is.

It rained so hard last night, I expected waking to bare limbs.

Focus

She rushes from one thing to another, utterly fascinated by the 900sf world surrounding her. But when something grabs her attention, she's all there.

I'm becoming more intrigued by the ways humans can flourish, even when our circumstances are not ideal.

Late Night Dinner

Wine counts as a fruit, right?

Dinner

We discussed several possible futures. The impossible ones, they'll have to wait.

Choices

Choosing a nap location is critical to the success of the nap.

Rose has a handle on it.

Theo may need a little more practice.

Settling

Every time I asked for walking shoes with some cushion and arch support, I was directed to running shoes. After about 16 months of searching and 10 or 12 pairs purchased and returned, I finally settled on these. Hopefully, they aren't the reason I've been seeing the chiropractor every week for back, hip, and knee pain.

Wishing

This morning I went to church and had breakfast with a friend. I wish church had been more like breakfast.

Dualism III

How then do I not carry the dark through dawn?

du al ism n  3 a: a doctrine that the universe is under the dominion of two opposing principles one of which is good and the other evil  b: a view of human beings as constituted of two irreducible elements (as matter and spirit)

Dualism II

Photo by Phil

Some have tried to convince me that I have the power to make of the day what I will.

du al ism n  2: the quality or state of being dual or having a dual nature

Dualism I

After the dark turnings of night, day's activity presents itself.

du al ism n  1: a theory that considers reality to consist of two irreducible elements or modes

How Does One Do That?

After a week away, I found myself gorging on all the blog posts I missed until this one from Karen at Chookooloonks tripped me up. Funny how the things we need, but don't necessarily want, to hear can sometimes sail right over our heads and at other times they're the rocks that make us stumble, in a good way.

Kale

I like it, quite a bit.

So does Nahum.

Creativity

She entwined fact and fiction, creating a world of her very own.

False Advertising

The double D might think America runs on Dunkin, but this American isn't included in that remark. See-through coffee just doesn't cut it for her any more.

Cider

Washington cider is terrible, so whenever I'm back in New England during cider season, I make sure to drink as much as I can. 

Leaf Peeping

My favorite season, here and now.

Apple Picking

It was a tasty adventure.

Last Call

No one serves up the color like a farm stand.

Relocating

Last winter Willow slept in front of the fire. This year she's found a new nap spot.

Evening

Evening always comes, no matter the day's activity.

Sun

It was a full day. Standing in this was part of the best bit.

Weekend

Too many late nights at work have pushed my comp time over the edge of respectability. A remedy is in sight though.

Visitor

On the way to the basement with a load of laundry, I met our latest back porch visitor.