Letter to a friend

Dear Friend,
Oh how I love you! You are my most patient, trustworthy, dedicated friend. You are the bridge between my deepest feelings and the creative expression of them. You are so comfortable to be around because refreshingly, we share an identical perspective. You see what I see, and we never differ. Sometimes you notice something that I don't, and you gently point it out until I soon discover it too. You have a magical way of freezing time, capturing memories that would have otherwise quickly faded. You look deeply into the eyes of the people I love and draw out from them, their spirits. When I feel misunderstood by humankind, you take my hand and together we seek out the perfect release of my feelings. You always make yourself available to me, day or night, without restrictions. At times, I tend to dwell to much on the past...I think that's partially your fault, but I forgive you. Because you also help me to live in the present, to see the unnoticed beauty around me, the tender mercies painted across the canvas of my life. You are kind enough to allow me unlimited use of your forgiveness, so when I make my many mistakes, you simply let them go, never to be remembered or even brought up again. Thank you for that! Thank you SO MUCH for that! I love you dear friend! I hope our friendship never ends. (Just to make sure, I'm ordering you another battery)
Love, Me

Our Favorite Park

We were craving s'mores and the great outdoors, so we opted for a city-slicker type fire at our all time favorite park. Not that it has the best playground, but it's got the biggest trees, best shady grass, and it evokes great memories, as we've spent many pleasant hours there. It's comforting to live in a place where the crime is soooo low that the local police have plenty of time to hobnob with the after dark park visitors. I'm thinking by now, my photo should definitely be in their database under "Harmless" but IDK. Either way, it was great fun!

Fired Up

We got an awesome, insiders tour of a fire-station, by no less than the Studliest Fireman in America.

Wielding the "Jaws of Life". Those things are heavy....and amazing!

Buddy tried out his muscles at the fireman's pole. Fun stuff!

The most excitement came at the end, when we all participated in a simulated house fire. The room filled with smoke very quickly, and we had to take turns bailing out of the window. It was pretty intense. We couldn't breathe or see, and with the smoke alarm blaring, things got kind of crazy. Good practice though...just in case.

Cousin Fun

What more could a kid ask for than watergame fun with cousins?

My Secret Plan

If you know her, you sympathize with the fact that it's nearly impossible to get a photo of her both holding still and looking at the camera. So I've enlisted the help of Baby Einstein, and together we'll get her yet.

Deck Campers

Even when the low of the evening is 85 degrees, these kiddos still have a blast camping on the deck. We all love the deck. It's our favorite room in the house!

Under The Table

In the hallway of our home stands one very old, very unique table. My mother gave it to me. It was her grand-mother's. It's my sole inheritance.  Over the years Uncles, Aunts, and Second-Cousins have all TRIED to confiscate it.  Much of the time that it's been in my possession I would've gladly let them take it, just to free up the space it was consuming. But now...I'm happy it's here with us. I wonder if the tree it's made from once held a backyard swing, or a tree-house. This table likes children. It seems to naturally draw them in, the same way it's been doing for well over half a century.

Pay no attention to the dust and particles all over the floor. We're doing an important Science experiment here.