Today was such a full day, including a 4:30am rising, 6:30am coffee and breakfast with my old/new
neighbor, helping her pack, finishing unpacking my books, grocery shopping, and lots of nesting. I feel satisfied (if not still a little bit sad - I miss Seattle like I miss an estranged lover. I never expected to go through such culture shock and separation pains) and sleepy.
I must apologize for the copious pictures of Octavia, but she makes such a natural and beautiful subject.
Happy Weekend,
Recipe for turning a soulless shelter into a meaningful habitat (aka: how I spent the day recovering my home):
~Walk to mailbox and realize that I've been shut indoors for days, not taking advantage of a place that needs no unpacking, no decisions.
My forest.
MY YARD.
It needs nothing of me.
I walked the property with my camera (my close eye)
and acquainted myself with the
trees
rocks
spider webs
chipmunks
horrible lawn decor
(that makes me laugh so much I feel I cannot remove it)
~ Sit and watch cat.
Octavia's outside debut!
This cat has never been outdoors on her terms.
Though we've been leaving the door open for her to test it out, until today she had not ventured.
(She LOVES it here).
~FINALLY get the bookshelves where they belong
and let the books out from their stuffy boxes
so they can find breath
to tell me where they belong
~
Friends helping you unpack and giving you structure on ways to unpack.
Also, friends who bring you doughnuts and Whole Foods sandwiches for lunch.
Also, friends who eat these sandwiches outside in the sun whilst sipping rosé*.
Also, friends hanging things, listening to the plants, and making decisions.
Also, a wee bit of cheeeesy-ness** to finally make me laugh
about this whole crazy thing called
H
O
M
E
*Ever been curious about the difference between White Zinfandel and Rosé?
Wikipedia explains it well.
** Though funny in the moment, Kelly stands like this about 80% of the time.
Tonight this place feels foreign.
Also, I have a bad attitude about it.
I keep thinking that I should be settled or at least headed that way,
That my routines should be set in stone
Or that I can reach for the measuring cup and actually know where it is.
Then I remember that I've been here only just over a week.
That until my books have a home, I will feel
Uprooted
The only thing that feels at home are elemental.
The alchemy of my soul.
Fire.
Joel.
Food.
As for the rest,
In this place I am a tourist.
I'll be sure to let you know when I aquire the language
And acclimate to this culture shock.
~C
I am quite glad that this month's challenge coincided rather nicely with my trip to visit my sister. Not only was it her birthday weekend (which is picturesque enough), but we also wanted to capture a few images of her pregnancy. I set out to take 25 images per diem, and have certainly filled that quota and then some. San Diego is a rather tempting muse (even if it's not Seattle).
A few of my favorite images:
My sister's awesome pooch, Clarence
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