...yet.

One of the most beautiful images I've ever seen--

Years ago. Late summer. A lakefront in Michigan. An afternoon rainstorm beating down on the tree-tops, the lawns, the wooden docks, the picnic tables, and the windowpanes from which I watched the wind whip the water into waves and blur the shorelines.

A lone woman in the middle of the lake--swimming. Between white caps--stroke, stroke, breath; stroke, stroke, breath.

Though I can't tell you why exactly, I'm inclined to think that swimmer was, is, me.

Amidst debris of recent conversations regarding what happens to one's independence when in a relationship; feeling overwhelmed by the monotony of work and house chores; reading a book about living a good story, not simply writing one; and the news of a graduate school professor's passing--I'm trying to piece together the point, the message, the lesson...but the picture isn't clear. Yet.

Though it feels like a storm is brewing, I've got to keep swimming--taking those next strokes and breathing.

Chaos and Something Pretty

I had myself a minor mental breakdown last night.

I came home to a mess beyond all messes--Bishop attacked three rugs. Count them--THREE! Besides the general disarray, there were fabric shreds EVERYWHERE. Some serious time was put in on those rugs, that's for sure. And boy did he knew he was in trouble--ears back, tail between his legs, and crouching by the door. Yet, without even saying a word to him, I started crying...

I've been pretty overwhelmed lately--with work, with side projects, with house chores (obviously worsened by Bishop's recent destruction of our house). And with all of my New Year's hopes/wishes/dreams for myself--to get in shape, to make art, to cook fabulous meals--I'm at a crossroads. Prioritize job and house work? Or health and creativity? I'm too wiped by the end of the day to do both, it seems.

I've been losing myself in the chaos, yo...

http://tivapam.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=4

Then A and I watched "Shameless." Pray tell me y'all have that show DVRed. I lurve it. Anywho, the most recent episode touched upon Fiona's inability to remove herself from her home life (all the responsibilities and chores and care-taking). She has issues just plum relaxing. So Steve, her smokin' hot BF, takes her out on the town to a swanky hotel where they order room service, take naps on the million-thread-count bedding, and skinny-dip in the pool. Basically, they relax the hell out of themselves. This, you see, is what I need to do. Without the swanky hotel or room service or naps or luxury bedding or skinny-dipping...but relaxing nonetheless! At some point, I have to pause this, that, and the other thing in order to make time for myself.

And so I'm brainstorming, friends. I'm thinking up ways to squeeze "happy time" into my days. Exercise during my lunch hour? I just might. Pre-cook fab meals on the weekends to eat as leftovers during the week? It's gonna happen. Lay out pretty outfits the night before? Doneski.

Cause 24 hours really ain't that many...

...and life really is too short...

so here's a pretty picture to make us all feel better!

http://arenbi.tumblr.com/

P.S. Pray Bishop lives through the week.

JK.

Kinda.

;)

P.P.S. Just read today's post on Christian Reflection & Prayer. Bizarrely fitting:

"I have come to the realization in my life
that inner stillness is an absolute necessity
to knowing God. I remember learning this
during a time of great crises and turmoil in
my life. Everything in me, my entire being,
seemed to throb with anxiety, and the
sense of need was immediate and
absolutely overwhelming. Yet the
circumstances were such that I could do nothing
to overcome my crises.
This is when I discovered that to overcome my
crises, I needed to be still in my spirit and "rest"
in God. I effectively
learned that my strength is "to sit still."
You see, there is perfect passivity that is not
laziness. It is a living stillness born of trust
in God. I YEARN FOR THAT STILLNESS,
I LIVE FOR THAT STILLNESS, I HAVE
RECEIVED THAT STILLNESS THROUGH
GOD."

Love Mash-Up

The following make my heart swoon.

<3



http://jqnheartscheese.tumblr.com/page/21


excerpt from Out of the Woods by Nickel Creek

"I wish you out of the woods
and into a picture with me.
I wish you over the moon.
Come out of the question and be.

If this is gonna run 'round in my head,
I might as well be dreaming.
Run 'round in my head...

I roller coaster for you.
Time out of mind must be heavenly.
It's all enchanted and wild--
just like my heart said it was gonna be."




http://jqnheartscheese.tumblr.com/page/7


"When love first tasted the lips of being human it started singing."--Rumi



Fireworks making love to the night sky...

http://hellovit.tumblr.com/page/8

 November 14 by Ted Kooser

"In the low forties and clear.

My wife and I walk the cold road
in silence, asking for thirty more years.

There's a pink and blue sunrise
with an accent of red:
a hunter's cap burns like a coal
in the yellow-gray eye of the woods."

http://justtadreamerr.tumblr.com/page/8



http://jqnheartscheese.tumblr.com/page/2


My friend A's Love List...

"You!
Nap time.
Dinner with the family.
The first whiff of my sailing stuff in the beginning of my season.
A really great book that sticks with you for days.
My mom's voice (that one made me tear up a little!)
Dreaming big goals.
"Big" dreams (the ones you have at night that explain something in real life).
My wedgewood necklace charm that I bought after my grandma died (she had all this wedgewood stuff at her house). Now I can keep her with me all the time
The gold bracelet from Dave's wedding because it reminds me of my siblings.
Getting a super scared little kid at work to smile.
Playing sports.
Cooking new things- and having them turn out damn good!
Drinking coffee with you out of crystal wine glasses! (I really loved that morning).
My bed (God, I love the shit out of that).
Meg R.
Knowing that I get to see my sister almost every morning when we go to the gym together.
Masts clanging in the harbor (I copied the other Erin).
My house slippers (I have even brought them to Denver).
The front porch at my Michigan house.
Cherry pie for breakfast the last day of vacation in Door County.
Cuddling.
Laying in bed and chatting (naked and clothed).
The warm sun all over me on the beach in Michigan. And taking a nap wrapped in it!
How surprisingly easy this list is to write.
Crushing on someone and knowing they like you back.
Getting into bed with just shaved legs.
Seeing the people I love succeed.
Being there for a patient.
My mom's Christmas cookies.
When my brother makes me tea.
Taking a good dump. And singing about it!
Your blog. No really, I check it fairly often.
Cereal and good milk.
Juicy fruit--pineapple, peaches, blueberries, cherries.
Celebrating the power of life.
Yoga.
My ticket to CHINA!

 http://theuberblog.tumblr.com/page/130

Dancing...

 http://iheart-stolenimages.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-07-21T00:18:00 08:00


"Sometimes I praise love; sometimes love praises me."--Rumi

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/34072405@N05/4695216447/

http://flawlesslyundone.tumblr.com/page/86

This Kind of Love by Sister Hazel

"This kind of love makes me feel ten feet tall.

It makes all my problems fall.

This kind of trust helps me to hold the line.

I'll be there every time.

This kind of love--it's what I dreamed about.

Yeah, it fills me up.

Baby, it leaves no doubt.

This kind of love--it's why I'm standing here.

It's something that we can share.

I can't enough of this kind of love.

This kind of hope is what I tried to find.

And now I can't deny I believe.

This kind of faith is so unshakeable.

It's unmistakable.

It's bigger than me.

This kind of love--it's what I dreamed about.
Yeah, it fills me up.
Baby, it leaves no doubt.
This kind of love--it's why I'm standing here.
It's something that we can share.
I can't enough of this kind of love.

Your love can move a mountain.
It makes my world go round.
It's always there to guide me.
I'm so lucky that I found...

...this kind of love."

http://shelteredfantasy.tumblr.com/page/127

"Love has no desire but to fulfill itself. To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving."--Kahlil Gibran

http://drawbox.com/outa.html

Here I love You by Pablo Neruda

"Here I love you.
In the dark pines the wind disentangles itself.
The moon glows like phosphorous on the vagrant waters.
Days, all one kind, go chasing each other.

The snow unfurls in dancing figures.
A silver gull slips down from the west.
Sometimes a sail. High, high stars.
Oh the black cross of a ship.
Alone.

Sometimes I get up early and even my soul is wet.
Far away the sea sounds and resounds.
This is a port.

Here I love you.
Here I love you and the horizon hides you in vain.
I love you still among these cold things.
Sometimes my kisses go on those heavy vessels
that cross the sea towards no arrival.
I see myself forgotten like those old anchors.

The piers sadden when the afternoon moors there.
My life grows tired, hungry to no purpose.
I love what I do not have. You are so far.
My loathing wrestles with the slow twilights.
But night comes and starts to sing to me.

The moon turns its clockwork dream.
The biggest stars look at me with your eyes.
And as I love you, the pines in the wind
want to sing your name with their leaves of wire."


Florence, Italy

http://www.vacationspots.me/2010/02/14/europe/top-tourist-attractions-italy/

http://algumasmanias.blogspot.com/


Now go love on somebody, for Pete's sake!



Love me some o' dat.

It's February, folks! The month that entertains Valentine's Day, the holiday of love.

Though these subarctic temperatures are threatening to turn my soul into ice, I've retained a few warm, lovey-dovey feelings and figured I should share them before they're freezed out for good.

<3

I know that I've posted love lists before, but I was recently reinspired by THIS beautifully textured "Love Fest".

1. A really good book.
2. Atypical nail polish colors (orange, light blue, purple).
3. Ted Kooser's poetry--

"Clouds to the west, clear in the east.

Older this morning, the moon,

hid most of her face behind a round gray mirror.

In a half-hour's walk, I saw

six shooting stars. Celestial notes,

I thought, struck from the high end

of the keyboard."

4. Oatmeal banana pancakes.
5. Bedtime.
6. An interesting point of view or observation.
7. Coffee, coffee, coffee.
8. Bishop's howl.
9. Clean stacks of folded laundry.
10. Dipping bread in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
11. Pink.
12. Unexpected compliments.

"Your hair-clip inspires me!"

13. When Bishop nuzzles his head into my lap.
14. Billowy tops.
15. Coloring books.
16. Beautiful candy.



http://pinkconfetti.tumblr.com/



http://thipham.tumblr.com/



http://carleighfrohlich.blogspot.com/



http://iheart-stolenimages.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-12-28T18:26:00 08:00

17. Elastic-waisted pants.
18. Dog-earing pages in magazines (looking to buy doesn't hurt, right?)
19. A stocked fridge.
20. Cupcake wine.
21. Feeling beautiful.
22. Bishop in a sweater.
23. Letterpressed paper products.



http://ffffound.com/image/617dfe8b054a0a7fe7e531aad50256a6c9bbc00b


24. Long necklaces.
25. Roasted, salted pumpkin seeds.
26. Winery / brewery tours.
27. Sushi.

...and counting.

Now look in the depths of your hearts and tell me some of your loves!