Today is the last day of June meaning that the year is half over. I kept saying that or thinking that and it sounded like the whole glass is half empty. So that needed to change. There are 6 more months of awesome stuff to experience and do and take photos of. There are 6 more months of special and precious moments with Shawn and the kit kats. And there 6 more months of just ordinary moments to be present for. The year is half left.
Peeks Around 13 is at the top of the 3rd floor stairs, looking down. It's a very high cathedral ceiling so what we have hanging goes maybe 2/3 of the way up.
There are various framed photos on the right, a shelf with more photos on the left and a painting of mine straight ahead. There's also a sculpture of mine that won a best of show and was selected for another juried show.
On another note ... one more day and this year will be half over. That means I have been doing this for 6 months. It's amazing to look back and see what has transpired so far.
Sun rising on a Monday morningYesterday, Sunday, was a total wasted day. An unplanned wasted day. I had a hangover coupled with a severe migraine, rendering me totally useless for the ENTIRE DAY. I absolutely hate that. The hangover probably would have been mild enough so that I could at least get something done, but the migraine took care of the rest. I could barely watch tv. So yesterday, there were no photos, there was no getting on the internet, there was nothing but laying around, miserable at that. The only consolation was that it was cloudy and overcast, so at least I wasn't missing a gorgeous day.
The one the thing I was able to be present with was Lucy. She hung out close to me for pretty much the entire day, sleeping with me on the bed and couch. Good things cats sleep for like 18 hours a day.
But today is a new day. It's time to step onto the yoga mat to get grounded and awakened. Yeah, I lost an entire day but it's gone now and grousing about it won't bring it back. But knowing how much I dislike when that happens will lead my decisions from now on. It's time to be mindful of what I'm doing, knowing that another glass of wine is in no way worth an entire day.
Looking down on a walking stick in the garden, propped up against the front porch.
I caught Lucy napping on the bed this afternoon. She's kind of wedged between pillows here looking a little odd.
I'm not sure how much this wacky looking carousel horse is supposed to entice little kids to want to ride it. We went to a park yesterday for a bike ride and there was a carousel that I thought would make for some great shots. Until I got up close and realized these are the scariest looking carousel horses I have ever seen. As I was going through the shots this one stood out because this is what a 4 or 5 year old might see as they are getting onto the carousel. Seems like something that might make an appearance in a nightmare. Now I feel like I need to find other carousels to see if all the horses are this psycho looking.
Summer Solstice cupcakes. What a great way to celebrate the most fun and awesome season of the year.
Yesterday I turned 45. Damn ... when the hell did that happen? I celebrated with these girls who have known me since I was 25. Thankfully I am 45 and not 25 anymore:) I would not give up one wrinkle, gray hair or ache and pain of this 45 year old body for the wisdom, knowledge, strength and relationships that I have been graced with over the years.
And most of all, I'm so very, very blessed and grateful for my wonderful husband, who makes my birthday, every year, ultra special and awesome. He is totally the love of my life and I am the luckiest girl alive.
Lucy Poo that is. A year ago today we brought this little creature home to join our family. We had decided we were going to get a new kitten since it had been over a year since Nelli Kitty had passed away. We were a little concerned about introducing a new kitten to the dynamic of Mr. and Tiki. I would have loved to have brought home a tiny little baby but thought it might be better to get a kitten that was just little older, so she could hold her own.
Lucy was that kitten. I met her at a foster home where there were like 7 other cats and two of her siblings. I knew she was the one when she walked up to me, sat down and then looked up at me. All the other kittens I had checked out were too busy playing and wrestling.
You wouldn't believe the amount of joy, laughter, sweetness, cuteness and all around bliss this little creature has brought to our home. Everyone adapted fine after a few days.
I thought I would have photos of her from every month over the last year but I guess I don't. So here is a sample of what I do have from the last 12 months. The photo above is from the day after we brought her home. She was 3 months old. 
This was the night we brought her home. I know, you're supposed to keep new animals separate for like 2 weeks. Yeah right ... this was her first encounter with Mr. Tiki and Mr. were a bit disgusted with the whole situation ... hissing and growling, almost acting like they wanted to vomit. But that didn't last long ...
After a week or so Lucy tried to engage Mr. in playing. She might go up to him and then run away. He was interested but playing hard to get. After about two weeks she just said "f" it and would just run up and jump on him. I remember the first night they played rough and tumble. I got home from one of Shawn's gigs, turned on Metal Mania and chase and playtime ensued. It was awesome. I was transfixed watching the whole ordeal. That continued until Mr. passed away just 6 weeks ago. They loved to play with each other and when Lucy would start getting too vicious Mr. would slap her down and that would be it. Mr. could have seriously ripped her apart but he always played so gentle only giving back what she was handing out. I thought for sure I would get to watch that for at least 5 more years but that wasn't what the universe had planned.
Somewhere about August or so I started calling her Lucy Poo. I'm certain I had heard my friend Lisa call one of her cats "name" Poo and that's probably where I got it from. But it is a name that totally fits. Her full name became Lucy Poo Shabibi. Nelli was Nelli Kitty, Tiki is Tiki Baby, Mr. was Mr. Man but Mr. just fit better. Eventually we started calling her Lucy, Lucy Poo or just Poo.
Here she is at Halloween.
My attempt to put the cutest Kitty witch hat on her but she was having none of that shit.
Another attempt at a costume. I swear no animals were harmed in this effort. It only looks like it. Again she was having none of that shit.
This is a scene from dinner time. She goes nuts. I've actually called Shawn and left messages of her howling and carrying on at dinner. I guess part of it could be me getting them all worked up. But the cuteness ...
Here she is playing with Mousey. She has a lot of toys but this one makes it all over the house. I can throw this mouse in the air and she will jump to catch it and she will actually catch it. 
Here she is in April and I'm pretty sure at this point her nickname of Poo has morphed into yet another nickname of PooHead. Shawn pointed out that essentially we are calling our cat shit head. 
And finally this is the cuteness and joy that makes everything I go through worth it. To be able to walk into my home or wake up and experience this keeps me present and filled with bliss.
The fun thing about this year's garden is that Shawn planted a lot of different bulbs and some things had foilage last year but never bloomed. So we're seeing a lot of stuff for the very first time.
Sometimes there are little surprises. I took this shot on Sunday in Occoquan. I totally forgot about it until I looked at the folder for that day, just now.
What a poser.
Here are the pots Shawn painted a few weeks ago. They are so bright and colorful they just look fun.
Confucious say "Be present and love life." I don't know if Confucious would actually say that but it seemed appropriate. This wood Confucious is part of the set that also includes Kuan Yin and Happy Buddha. Here he is hanging out in the backyard.
This moth's beauty is hidden. On the outside it is brown just barely standing out from the deck. But when it's wings are spread it's a beautiful orange-red. I saw it with open wings from the kitchen window but by the time I got outside with the camera, it was like this. Just like the cats. They're all cute until you grab the camera. So, you'll just have to imagine.
The lovely Leslie from Leslie in Adams Morgan asked if I could post some photos that showed the whole garden/yard, to get some perspective on how it all fits together. What I didn't realize is that I really don't have any photos of the whole yard. And I don't have any from when all of the Spring flowers were in bloom. Right now there is a bit of a transition and growing period, so there is a lot of green but not much color. Essentially there is a whole other perspective that I haven't really been aware of.
So, here is a tour of the outside of our home.
The photo above is the front entrance. To the left is where the lillies were. They are just ending their life cycle. To the right is the garden with the azalea, tulips, pansies, hosta and crocus. In a few weeks we'll have some more lillies and black eyed susans.
In front, by the sidewalk, is a barrel with petunia and coleus. In a month this will be overflowing with color and beauty. 
Walking around to the right you see the tree and more of the front garden. The daffodils are under the tree. 
Continuing around to the right you see the side of the house. The chimnea, rosemary, lemon balm and a barrel of hyacinth and hydrageana are along here. 
A wider angle and you can see the rock wall. 
And then you get to the fence. The amazing pink rose bush climbs up and over the fence.
Thanks Leslie for opening me up to a new view.
Sometimes our dinner looks so awesome, we're compelled to take photos. Tonight we had fajitas. We can't think of any reason to eat out when this is what we have at home.
This is the newest lily in the garden. We've had deep red, yellow and now orange. They are just spectacular.
