No matter what your position may be on Michael Jackson, today is a sad day. I think for me, it is a feeling of vulnerability. I am actually old enough to remember watching Michael moondance live on the 17″ Sony. I bought the Thriller cassette, and then poured over the lyrics when I discovered the couple I babysat for owned the album.
It seemed like yesterday. Then again…
I haven’t got out the Thriller tape in years, and wouldn’t even have a tape player anyway. But I have a few tunes on my iPod. It seems like a good time to listen again and remember.
And goodnight as well to Farrah Fawcett. I recently saw her autobiographical film about her journey with cancer. What a brave, smart, and amazing woman.
Practically every night I walk in the door and am greeted with: “mom, do you have a surprise for me?” To which I reply, “Of course! I’m your surprise.” Then Jake feigns disappointment and we carry on. It’s just a thing we do.
But tonight, Michael announced that Jake had a surprise for me! Moi? I am the giver of surprises from Jake, not the taker. Michael led me outside to see it. He set up a ladder so I could get the best vantage of Three Little Birds right outside my window! Can you believe my luck? They had taken up residence in my robellini. As soon as I gently parted the fronds for a shot, they pointed their little beaks up to the sky and squeaked out a tune. They squeaked bird speak, I heard Marley.
Still can’t believe my luck, and I can’t help but wonder if it would have been as special if I hadn’t learned to appreciate things through my lens.
Thought I’d share with you a few things that have captured my interest lately.
First, my dear friend, Katrina Kennedy, is teaching a photography class at Get It Scrapped. Want to peer into the brain of a fabulous photographer? Here’s your chance. Enrollment’s still open. Check it out here.
Then check out Linnea’s Lights. I’m a candle fanatic. They create a mood and ambiance, and generally just cozy up a home. Plus, I associate scents with memories. Linnea’s Lights is known for their fabulous, hand poured, soy candles. Each Friday at Linnea’s Lights, they are hosting a giveaway. Don’t miss this week’s drawing and your chance to win!
Finally, another dear friend, Sarah, writes about her creative ideas for keeping her kids busy this summer. Not only are they entertained, each week she shares activities and all around fun-family-goodness that make me want her to adopt me.
Tonight I leave you with a little dose of childhood: Jake’s and mine. Is it so wrong to steal a scooter from a 6 year old kid? I think not.
I love those evenings when we pop in the car and head to the beach. I fake myself into a little vacation for awhile, but without the luggage and airport delays.
In a little boy’s world, it’s all about playing. Jake is always on the lookout for kids he can hook up with. “Can I play with them mom? Please?” I’m always amazed that he is so comfortable walking up to unknown peers, looking for a connection. And it usually works out for him. From one of his new new friendship, I know he wants a boogie board for his birthday.
I may never get my iPod Touch back again. Jake has discovered games. Notepad for story writing. And movie previews. I’m not showing him that there is a quick way to access Lego instructional videos via YouTube. I really loved my iPod.
Jake hasn’t. Tonight he came up with this wonderful little ditty:
Jake: Mom, how about if I put your brain in my head, and I’ll put my brain in yours?
Me: Seriously? Why?
Jake: Because I’ll be rich, and you’ll have to be a little kid!!! (Insert machiavellian laugh here - mwha-ha-ha-ha.)
Me: I’m rich? Really?
This led to a game where I sucked his brain out, and suddenly became entranced by Legos, chocolate milk and A Light in the Attic. I think I freaked him out a bit because he kept saying, “mom, you’re kidding, right?” I did eventually put his brain back, but it was fun.
No segue here…
Ever since I got my zoom lens, I have been so excited to get up close and personal with an alligator. There’s a local park that’s on a huge lake, and it’s swarming with them. Which is why you will NEVER see me in or on a Florida lake. Sharks? Jelly fish? Sting rays? Sure. They’re just a little scary. But can’t we just all get along? On the other hand, alligators and unknown vermin in a tepid bed of weeds and other reptiles? I’m going to say… NO. I didn’t expect to see one tonight, but there he was, just hanging out, waiting for a little din din. Just a short seawall and a few feet separating us.
And it was getting dark, but I managed to get this shot before we were chased out by the park ranger.
I’m sharing a collection of the shots I got today with my new 70-300 zoom. What a lens! Love standing on the shore, perfectly dry, and happily snapping sharp closeups. We had a great day with Lynn and Gus, but I’ll be a little more generous with the zinc oxide on my backside next time we’re out during midday. Jake burned a little because mom forgot that his swim shorts would rise above his knee when sitting on the waverunner. So tonight it was: “What does it feel like to peel? Will I look like a snake? A diamondback? Does it hurt? Does it?”
When this little dude stuck his little suction cup claws on my window yesterday morning, I could have sworn he was posing for me. I was inches away, on the other side of the glass, seeing the side of a lizard few have seen before. Doesn’t he look like the Geico guy?
Doesn’t he look like the Geico guy?
