finding hope

i just realized that i'm in optimism recovery mode
these last few years have been a bit hard emotionally
nothing too scaring but hard never the less

***
anyway, the other day, i took a drink
of real ginger -no chemicals added-
soda and it took my breath away
so much flavor, so much potency

i want to be like that ginger soda
i want knock my socks off {and yours too}

i think i've gotten use to the chemical taste
and while "natural" flavors are okay
the *real thing is much better.

*straight ginger would be "realer" but way too real for my taste buds.

how are you finding hope these days?
***
favorite blogs lately-a cup of tea & a wheat penny , irene nam-blog &  about today
books on my night stand- fire{graceling}
favorite drink as of lately-green smoothie
favorite album these days-hello love:be good tanyas

the opposite of perfect

i use to think i needed a "perfect life" but now i am seeing that sinks with dishes

and tables that need dusting are not the end of the world

the end of the world is when kindness is replaced by the need to be right

when those who are different are shamed and scorned

the end of the world is when i am asleep 

walking in auto-correct mode

this imperfect life

 this not trying to hide the holes life

is where hope happens

dirt can be removed, always

but shots in the spirit are harder to repair

if all i do is pick my sister's shoe up

handing it to her with a hug

then it is enough

to transform one day

into a smile

plenty

it is good to walk in the sun
to cup a tomato in your hand
to see the light dance between building
to notice your own smile

***
listening to a loving this album by santigold
picked up ripe from around here from the library the other day. so many inspiring recipes.
brandi introduced b. and i to busboys and poets. the veggie burger is too delightful for words.

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual via soulemama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment we want to pause, savor and remember. 

life here

“I am an act of kneading, of uniting and joining that not only has produced both a creature of darkness and a creature of light, but also a creature that questions the definitions of light and dark and gives them new meanings.~Gloria E. Anzaldua

***
life here:

first two ripe tomatoes with a touch of salt.
evening jazz: san diego's jazz and WPFW.
following along with liz lameroux's read along.

walks in a "swamp". trust me i've got the mosquito bites to prove it.
garlic scape pesto. a .95 cent investment that rocked my world.

trips to the library. i love to have my trips be a mix of browsing and picking up holds.
reading{see above}: girl in translation, the yoga teacher and cook food.
giving myself with a daily yoga practice. lots of these two poses.

trying to stay open. when it feels easier to shut down.
reminding myself that i'm a work in progress.
enjoying the small miracles like fresh tomatoes, garden-fresh basil and hugs.

what's it looking like in your "here"?

The Small Things

 “Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
― Mother Teresa

today, i am thinking about the small things that add texture to this life. there are so many things i take for granted like pretty flowers and fluffy clouds. feels good to pause and say:  life, i love you.

domestic truisms

i find sharing my life with people and animals a joy.
there is never a dull moment. there can be a learning curve...but all the good stuff has one.
below are a few um, domestic truths that i've discovered in these past few months. i'm sure they will evolve overtime.  each space, season and/or outfit may dictate a new truism. however, at this moment here's what i know:

-owning one cutting board is pushing it. especially, if your kitchen is small and cutting boards can double as counter space.

-nobody really wants to load the dishwasher.

-never say you won't use a dishwasher. given the option of doing a sink{or two} full of dishes or simply loading them for a machine, the former is likely to win.

-nobody wants to unload this dishwasher but most people prefer it to loading.

-let your house go during the week. let the clothes pile up by the closet, don't make your bed and try to ignore the pile of shoes by the door. okay, give in on thursday night about the shoes. save as much as *you can stand for a pocket of cleaning.  the world will not end, and you will actually have more time to do what you wants  doing the week.{*note, you does not mean you. of course, you means all able bodied folks. stick a cleaning cloth in their hand and set them off}

-watching t..v before bed equals you staying up later than you planned. always. give yourself a cushion of 30 minutes{at least} between t.v. watching and bedtime.

-you can never get up before a cat. don't try to sneak and do anything because you won't succeed. cats are all knowing creatures and they have your number.

what are some domestic truisms in  your home?

bits of happiness

a few photos from life lately:

one of my favorite summer meals is a cold sandwich
i could literally live on them for days.
lately, i have been eating an old stand-by
toasted bread, {plain}hummus, tomatoes and spicy mustard

recently, we took a trip to the harbor. it's the nearest i've been to a body of water in awhile. it felt good.

last week, we ventured to artomatic.  the photo below is the edge of an {unknown to me} installation from there. if you are in the area, it's worth going.

i can't believe it's june already but it is. june always feels like summer to me.

schools out, things are blooming, it's hot and the pool is open. what more could one want?

seriously, i have very few summer plans. i would like to learn how to properly make cold-water pie crust{for fruit pies}, see a few local sites, visit some friends and family and garden.  mostly, i just want to rest and be present.  how are you greeting these warmer days?

***

other good things:

-i'm going to join the read-along Liz Lamoreux is having for her book. it's free{minus the cost of the book}. i hope you'll come along.

-if you are a instagram nerd Karen is hosting instacamp. it's a phone photo summer adventure!