Cheri, over at Scrap Dreams, is running a year long challenge focused on acts of kindness. This week, she's focusing on being kind to the earth through planting trees. In that spirit, I wanted to share the story of this wonderful woman. I often see her walking her dog, Lady, in the park when I walk to work. She's hunched and grey, probably in her 80's, but she walks with boundless energy and a bright smile. And every spring, she tends a plot of earth in the corner of the public park. She plants flowers. Trims them. Waters them. And every time I see her, my faith in humanity take an uptick. I think she's awesome. And I think the world would be a better place if we were all just a little bit more like her. Have a great weekend!
I love watching this girl run. She's strong. She's fast.
And she's a winner. Here she is, leading the pack and heading toward the finish line in a 1600 meter race. I've been spending a lot of time at track meets this spring. Watching her run the 1600, the 800 and occasionally the 3200. She also does relays (often running 400 meters).
This group of girls is her high school 4x1600 meter relay team. They have performed so well this year that they were invited to compete in the highly selective Arcadia Invitational in Southern California. I was one of the parent drivers who went along on the trip. It was a long drive and a tiring weekend.
But definitely worth it to give the girls the fantastic experience of participating in a high level, professional meet. The did great, setting a new school record and placing well among the elite competition. They also had fun!
They're a great group of girls, and so happy that Clara has gotten to know them and now calls them friends. Posting to zoom in zoom out, the wonderful meme sponsored by Helena.
I had been under the somewhat mistaken belief that most of my parenting work would be over once my boy went off to University. But, truth to told, there are still things to be done. Money to be sent for books and house boat trips to the lake. Essays be to proof read (at his request). Calls to be answered when he just feels like talking. And, always, nudge, nudge nudging him along to remember to register for classes, to study for that midterm and try to find a summer internship.
One such nudge resulted in him scoring an interview with the San Francisco Giants for a summer internship. It would be his dream job. And it's very competitive. So, we agreed to fly him down for the interview. And pick him up at the airport, drive him to the interview and then drop him back off at the airport in the evening. He looked very sharp.
And every bit the college kid.
We got to the ball park early and had breakfast together before it was time to head over to the Giants Corporate Offices at 24 Willie Mays Plaza. While he went for his interview, I wandered around a bit. It seemed a good time to capture another pair of zoom in zoom out photos, and I chose to focus on the Juan Marichal statue to come up with the pair featured up top.
Before I knew it, the boy texted that I should meet him at the car. I ferried him back home for a bit and then later to the airport. It took up an entire day in an already busy week. But,
truth be told, I didn't mind one bit. I'm glad that my parenting work is not over yet because I love this boy with all my heart and welcome every phone call, every interaction, and every call for help. And I'm sending up a little prayer that he gets this job for the summer. Keeping my fingers crossed.
A few weekends ago, I took a weekend trip up to Eugene, Oregon to spend a crafty, girl weekend with a group of friends I have know for about ten years now. We met because we were all members of the monthly scrapbook club, Club Scrap. We also all lived in the greater San Francisco bay area. Over time, many of us have stopped receiving Club Scrap's kits and people have moved away. But we've still remained friends.
And every so often, we get together to craft.
And have fun.
And do girl stuff.
It's all good!
Since I was in Eugene, I took Henry out for dinner and we went for a walk around campus where I found the wonderful flowering tree which I'm using for this week's Zoom In, Zoom Out.
It's late. I'm tired. Ready to crawl into bed. My computer is neatly tucked under my bed. I had planned to turn it on tonight, read some blogs and write a post. Maybe catch up with my ZIZO's; maybe blog about the weekend crop I went to in Eugene, Oregon; maybe brag a bit about my girl's running success or share an uplifting story from my morning walk.
I meant to do that last night, too. And the night before. And Sunday morning, too, truth be told. But I just haven't had the energy. I've been busy. My work-work has been draining; my kids keep me hopping; and I've actually been reading. I didn't plan a blog break, but other things called to me instead. I haven't forgotten about my blog or my blog friends. I've been taking pictures; storing memories; planning posts in my head. And I know I'll be back. Because my blog, and all of you, are an important part of my life. Even if other things are taking precedence right now. See you soon.
******************************************************************
I meant to link this up with Alexa's Simple Moment meme, but I keep getting an error message when I try to go to her blog. Anyone else having this problem?
My job has been very stressful lately, so today I decided to run away to my art studio. I finished up a bunch of backgrounds for my 2013 Learn Something New Everyday faces journal and came really close to finishing my December Daily (will blog those later).
Along the way, I put bits and pieces aside to use in my art journal. I drew a bird; added some background colors; doodled here and there; and finally declared it done!
And I'm really happy with it. Love the colors, love the symbols. The major journaling reads "Keep a song in your heart and art in your life."
Have a wonderful weekend!
It's been rainy around her lately. That path on which I walk to work is wet and puddles have formed. When I stop and gaze into a puddle,
I see the reflections of eucalyptus trees, an entire world in a puddle.
And I find the perfect pair for this week's zoom in < zoom out meme, sponsored by Helena. To see other pairings, click here.
![LEAP [into lightroom]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sZbAyUMBJm4rwHIO-OGuobpgzA0I5bsdQ7O5aKC9cAbgMu4yBscycm5WfQ9bUZbpxUPC3G4Jf0jj7vFc7SrVww67-kzckhme0U4l2S0EZQpvWKXj7seUxt4yXlwZ6ZKbikW54baGtCYIpBawEoVUx_JI8wsS9aeQ=s0-d)
Posts
