Not so... fresh

Strawberries were on sale today, so while picking up a rotisserie chicken for dinner, I grabbed a two pound container of the juicy, sweet delights.  They looked divine.  As I drove the short distance home, I mentioned to Chi that putting a few strawberries on a plate of sugar would make a beautiful still life.  She chuckled and said, "Yeah, as long as I get to eat it and the sugar afterward."  I agreed.

Then I got sidetracked on the computer when I got home.  I checked e-mail, wrote my Educational Specialist entrance essay, and prepared a blog post.  My kids called for the chicken (they didn't want the rice side, just the fowl).  I delayed.  And they ate.  Ate all but one of my precious strawberries, leaving the tufts of leaves and a tiny bit of fruit from each to mock me. 

"Sorry, Mom."

{Sweet} Class of 2011

I got an opportunity to shoot some of the graduates in a spontaneous photo shoot on the loading dock of our school about three weeks ago. Thirty minutes later, I had quite a collection of pictures. 

What I wouldn't give for a little more time with them!

Poplar Run

According to family history, the land that Poplar Run sits on is ours.  And the county has use of it so long as there is a church or a school placed on the grounds.  At the time the church was built, there was already a working school.  So, Poplar Run AME was created.

I remember reunions when I was younger.  On Sunday morning, the family would dress in their Sunday Best and drive the short distance to Poplar to worship with the local congregants.  Now, however, the parishioners seem to have dwindled to nothing.  And yet the local pastor opened the church's doors so we could have a family service - with our own ministers, deacons, and choir. 

The scripture was John 14:12-14, and the Word was delivered by my cousin Adrian, who is a decorated police officer in Philadelphia in addition to being a minister.

And the testimony!  There's nothing like hearing the triumphs of your family after praying for them to overcome the trials.

{Sweet} Zander travels around the world

He hails from Florida.  He's traveled to China and sat on the Great Wall.  He went to Hong Kong. And then he took a short break from international exploring to drop in on us. 

We took him to Mt. Vernon. 

He met Mrs. Washington (and fainted!).  She recalled a painting she once saw of a young royal who had a pet monkey - - and Mrs. Washington once had a pet bear cub.

He posed in front of the Potomac River. 

The General's statue proved a little scary for shy Zander.

He took a tour of our neighborhood by bike and then by trike.

(Where's your helmet Zander?)

And finally, he practiced his photography skills.

Zander is a very special guest.  You see, he's working to raise money for the Central Florida Pediatric Therapy Foundation.    CFPT Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps children with special needs.  Its mission is wonderful :

Because building opportunities for people with disabilities strengthens the entire community, it is our vision to provide a place to live, work and play for everyone. We are committed to the idea that everyone has gifts that can impact others. It is our challenge to build venues and create opportunities for cooperative growth through the use of these gifts.

Kayla of Struttin My Stuff Photography dreamed up "Around the World with Zander" as a venture directly assisting in making CFPT's FAITH (Families Achieving Independence through Him) projects a reality. It's really a worthwhile effort that will make a huge impact.

And we're so excited that Zander came to spend a little time with us!

PS: Zander might make a stop near you if you send him a note offering to host him for a few days.

Four!

This nose knows something...

I think it sniffed something in the air...

Or maybe, those eyes saw the signs written in the sky?

Perhaps there was something up there...

Grabbed his attention, caught his ears...

Either way, he knew. And he dressed for the occassion.

Because it happens once a year, his birthday celebration.

Round up the party goers.  Stand at attention.

Happy Fourth Birthday my canine boys, dear Grigio and Nero. Take a standing ovation.

{Sweet} Dance and Palmer's Kisses

There's an exchange in The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet that talks about a Palmer's Kiss - palm to palm in an outward - albeit symbolic - expression of affection.  This isn't what the "kiss" looks like, but I loved how her hand clutches his as though he were her source of strength.

Those Rennies have some serious tempers!  The entire skit after the Queen's March was yelling and accusation.  Sure is hard to find her favor.

Or is it?

Princess Chi had no trouble getting attention.  She was even chosen for a dance with Queen Elizabeth! And then she kept dancing, and dancing, and dancing.

Then she became an actress, performing The Princess and the Dog and receiving rave reviews for her convincing performance.

It was truly a sight to behold and this mommy was beaming with pride.

Oh, the dresses and pagentry of the upper class.  Lovely, intricate gowns were replete with lace, puckered fabrics, and layers upon layers of fancy brocaded cloth.

**VA Rennaisance Faire 2011 at the Lake Anna Winery

Circle of life

A few years back (yikes, time flies), I offered Chi a dandelion.  I insisted that she blow the delicate puff and make a wish on the winds as each feathery stem drifted away.  She said with such perfunctory absolution that to blow it would merely be "spreading seeds."  I think my mommy heart broke.  What happened to childhood wonderment? To belief in magic? There's no mystique to spreading seeds. 

But judging from the fields of dandelions that Ya and I see all over the grassy fields during our nature walks, someone has been wishing quite a bit...

I wonder if it was this little bug who made the wish - - who dreamed of fields filled with dandelion flowers ready and waiting for his pollinating power?

Well, little man hasn't studied science yet.  He has no idea that these puffs of magic are seeds waiting to take flight, root, and grow.  And so, he huffs and puffs.  He closes his eyes for a wish, and opens them just in time to see the wafting white feather dancers drift away.

Reading Bugs and Book Worms?

Ya and I go bug hunting.  Chi likes to harvest pill bugs (aka rollie pollies).  As long as we're actively trying to seek out insects, we think they're pretty cool.

But let an ant trail into our home in search of the succulent orange of Orange scented PineSol... let him call out his troops in a food hunt... let a wayward moth or night flyer drift toward our foyer light... or a spider select a vacant corner to weave a home in... and We Are Not Amused.

The same can be said for invaders we've not invited to join in our outdoor festivities.  Yes, it's their domain, but there's a personal bubble that mustn't be crossed. 

No one told this reading bug that.  Apparently, he's a fan of Wimpy Kids.  And he figured, since the owner of the book was occupied walking through murky waters, that he'd pick up where she'd left off.


He really didn't think she'd mind.  And he knew the rock throwing champ wasn't going to tell of his invasion.

He was so occupied in his sport that he didn't even know there was an interest in the discarded novel.

And did you see the page reading bug was looking at?  We couldn't believe our eyes! Seriously, book worm has some bibliophile competition.