Summer

I need it. Thank you Robin for giving me the heads up on the new fabric store in the old neighborhood. Now I can stare at my bathroom curtains and wait for warmer weather.

Youth

This is probably the most beautiful photograph I have ever taken. This is a photo of my sister Kelsey, taken at my wedding reception last year. Amazingly, she doesn't even know how beautiful she is.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Have any of you noticed that some of your most favorite songs created by somewhat obscure bands are now the soundtrack to major network commercials? I just saw one of the most amazing commercials with the background of "Women of the world, take over" by diamond james o'rourke. You know the guy. The song never comes to the perpetual chorus, nor are there any japanese men with stuffed rabbits latched to their crotches. There are however hundreds of these amazing plastic figures moving around in stop and start animation fashion, holding hands. It's brilliant. I am amazed by the personal connection the music makes, but then I remember that 3 of my close friends are in the design industry, causing me to rationalize the music connection and recognize how great it is to find something strangely meaningful in common places.

Evidence of Spring

Home again

Even SE 82nd looked good to me...


but my backyard looked better.

Going to California

This is Prunedale, CA. It is one of the small towns on the way to the San Francisco airport. Salinas was corporate meetings and politics. I am glad to come home.

The San Francisco airport has a machine that virtually frisks you. I was pulled aside for a detailed search when trying to fly standby on an earlier Portland flight. I was asked to step inside a glass booth while quick blasts of air made an assessment of my person. Next they swabbed my bags and shoes with powder. It was all very intimate.

Good Day Sunshine

good breakfast.


good company.


i want to stay.

Hallowed Halls

For the first time in almost 10 years, I set foot on the bland linoleum tiles that stretch across the floors of Sheldon High. Kim was having a fundraiser, and it didn't take me long to remember how uncomfortable the cafeteria felt. Those class signature placards still hang high on every wall. These are the same relics 9th graders can't wait to sign and few seniors care about. I couldn't find my name listed, but thankfully, Kim had located it during her first week of freshman year.

Thats me below, right between Tiffany Guthrie and Katie Cundif.

today I feel:

I have a problem

Learning to Lose Gracefully

For those of you who don’t know me, I am a sore loser. I am extremely competitive and allow those who are closest to me witness my embarrassing outbursts in all of its embarrassing glory. I am pretty sure I got this from my dad, and both my mother and my husband has confirmed that my suspicion is correct. The good news is I am getting better. I make careful choices and try not to loose control.

Eric is an excellent chess player. He is modest and will say he’s mediocre, which we all know isn’t true. Eric is patient and gracious and tries to accept it when I throw a fit when he wins. I am surprised that he continues to play chess with me since I have been known to toss the board at him afterwards. I was less mature in my early twenties.

A few weekends ago Eric and I stay huddled up inside and had a weekend of wine and chess. I lost every game. Seriously, every game. At one point I was so frustrated and pissed that I reached for the board to throw it to the ground. Instead, I lifted my wrist to shake his hand. Progress.