cool weather friends

what could be finer than a walk with freinds on a cool autumn day?

fall fun

so many reasons to celebrate.
so may ways to celebrate.


C's birthday.
Cake.


Friendship.
Bobbing for apples.


Happy dogs.
Lots of food.


Harvest plenty.
Clear buckets so you can watch your friends' underwater faces.


Pumpkins.
Carving.


Togetherness.
Roasted seeds.


(Have you ever seen a pumpkin spouting on the inside???)


Autumn weather.
Bringing us closer. Bringing us indoors.


Watching wii boxing.
Expelling energy.


"Ocama" pumpkins.
Pumpkins of many moods.


Families.
Candy Corn.


Martinis carved in pumpkins, complete with olive.
Watching your friend wield sharp objects.



Getting in there and getting dirty.
Joy. Laughter. Smiles.
Full Bellies.

week-end favorites: a list

used book sales and stacks of books
cool weather and blankets to cuddle under
yummy treats and recipes to share
friends to share with and laughter
children's artwork and slobbery tongues
parties and peace vigils
yard sale finds and peanut brittle
deep cups of decaf and clean floors

and then, at the end of that day
i love a dog-tired dog.

Friday afternoon

so this is what we do
now that we are cooped up in a house in town.
we walk the dogs to a field across the street
and whack tennis balls
for these four-legged creatures to chase.

and then pick up after them
because that is just how much we love them.

and how could you not love faces like these?
i mean really...
and we are happy
because we are reminded of what a sweet little family we have.
crazy, but lovely, all the same.


and when we are all tired
and all happy
its time to go on home.

constantly greateful

for:
knowing happiness
photography
being over the hump
days working alone
big, fat fiestas
re-connections
friends that can write Rx
our silent friends
swimming dogs

remembering to bring coffee to work
quiet mornings
cool breezes
long recesses
snuggles
tired mornings with my wife
blue jeans
summer clothes
laughter
sleeping in
shared meals
the satisfaction of finishing a good book
a job with respect
Fridays.


What are your grateful for each time your pour a cup of coffee?

contrast in black and white

just before my run
with peace in my heart
in a stream of light
on the guest room floor
i studied the contrast
and tried to shoot
to capture it all.

you can say a lot with a picture
but you can never say it all.

contrast: the series

a few more from the series.

fiesta!

the table was set for ten
the bar was set with pitchers of margaritasthe flowers were arranged
the wii was on
and we were a spectacle for all to see.

thanks for a great time, friends!

spc: contrast

i enjoy running in the dark
when the shadows caused by the streetlights are long
and i hear the leaves crunch underfoot.

easton enjoys the runs too
and occasionally inspires me to a full blown
wind in the hair
sprint
just to watch him gallop beside me.

blooms

now that we are back to school
and work
and routine life.
todd and i have started a new routine.

each morning when we pour a cup of coffee
there is a magnetic pad on the side of the refrigerator
and each day
we write a gratitude.

so far the list includes:

• home
• a comfortable bed
• my beautiful wife and family
• lights, streetlights
• a new job
• wednesday night dinner
• SLEEP
• warm rain
• challenging runs
• cozy afghans, good books
• week-end breakfasts
• a new perspective on students
• roof overhead
  

and i am so grateful for the gratitude list.
it calms me in the morning to spend my shower and run and dressing time
just thinking of the right one to write down
and so i reflect each day
on these many blessings.