Ridiculous

:: Do you see the blue ball in Karis' hand? Look really close. No? Well, I didn't see it either. In fact, I only "noticed" it while trying to wash her hands a few days ago. She had her fingers clenched into a ball, and when I asked her to open up her hand, she matter-of-factly replied, "I can't. Pluto's ball." She informed me it is blue. So after allowing me to wash one open hand and one clenched fist, she stepped off the stool, headed for the door, and then turned around and said in a high pitched voice, "Come on, Pluto. Let's go." I guess imaginary friends Marko and Blue are out and Disney's Pluto is in. And, apparently, she's his caddie.

:: While driving around town yesterday, a decal on the back of a minivan caught my eye. As I drove past, I read the words "Drop 3 sizes in 10 minutes". 10 minutes! TEN MINUTES, PEOPLE! Really??? So, in the same amount of time it takes you to walk the dog, make some toast, or check your email...3 dress sizes lost? Are we talking limb amputation or organ removal?? I've got no other words. Just ridiculous.

:: Yesterday's trip proved to be quite ridiculous all around. On my way back home from running errands, I passed a dog on the side of the highway with an alligator in it's mouth!!! An alligator!! I was driving at highway speeds so I didn't get a chance to safely ogle the spectacle, but it was a medium-build dog with a small, dead alligator in it's mouth!!

It immediately reminded me of the times as a kid spent looking for alligators on the side of alligator alley, the road we traveled to visit family in Miami. The road is aptly named as we often played the game of craning our necks to see who could count the most alligator heads floating above the surface of the canal that ran along the side of the road. So yesterday I smiled to myself thinking of some unsuspecting northerner who had just driven over the Florida state line a few miles away or flew into the airport mere minutes away. They have, of course, heard of the infamous Florida alligators, but they catch a sight of this and seriously contemplate turning right back around. Not the "Welcome to the Sunshine State" they were expecting.

Salty

In spite

She invited me into her "home" to sit at the table and chairs with her and dolly. I barely fit (blush) but dolly slid effortlessly into the high chair.

She gently caressed dolly and asked her in the sweetest voice if she'd like something to eat. Although dolly didn't reply (as far as I could tell), Karis read between the lines. She washed her hands and prepared a bottle.

I was in awe of her tenderness. At first I was tempted to take some credit, but if today's parenting were any indicator, Karis would have yelled at Dolly in the GAP "Do NOT take your shoes off", or in the parking lot "Hurry up", or in multiple public bathrooms "Don't TOUCH that."

In spite of myself she understands grace. In spite of myself I've been shown grace. I am humbled by that.

Lit

A faithful friend.

Yesterday's bloom.

My bedside.

While home for a visit last week...

:: Dad reached high into the tangelo tree to pick a bag full of citrus for us to take home. I got excited just thinking about the many breakfasts to come which would include a glass of fresh-squeezed oj.

:: Grandma read story after story from a 1952 copy of Little Brown Bear and Friends to Karis. She also introduced her to the game dots and boxes, thereby furthering Karis' unending love for "playing games", surely the quickest way to this little girls' heart.

:: I single-parented my child, with one eye on her as she roamed through a home of empty nesters (i.e. not so child-proof anymore) and the other eye on two yappy dogs and the swimming pool out back. It was a juggling act of Olympic proportions.

:: Karis connected with her Cuban heritage. Grandpa and I sipped our cafe con leches and watched her take her first bite of a Cuban sandwich. You wouldn't know she was Cuban to look at her blond hair and fair skin, but she ate up everything on her plate as if she'd been born and raised on the fair island.

:: I made out like a bandit. My mother is a collector of all things vintage, from jewelry to furniture to fine china. A visit home is a lot like a treasure hunt. I spend time looking through the cabinets, closets, and counter tops to see what's new, or old...well, you get the point. She's incredibly generous, and I usually know when to ask for something to be given to me as an "early" inheritance. (wink) Some treasures that this trip yielded: a beautiful string of pearls, an upright secretary desk that will be amazing painted black, a funky set of mismatched tea cups, and a white porcelain dish labeled "Versailles" on the back. My mother and I have no idea what that last piece is, but we have fun dreaming of it's origin and value. I think a little research is in order.

:: I learned the following things:
1. I don't care to inherit my mother's vintage hat collection. Cool but completely useless, in my opinion.
2. Karis, on the other hand, would love them.
3. My parents are total hippies. My mom has always walked the whole foods/natural medicine line, but I think she has officially crossed it with no going back. I was suspicious when she told me she replaced all the chemical cleaners in her home with natural products. I was nearly convinced when she talked about setting up a rain barrel in the yard, but I found proof positive when she talked to the dread-locked cashier at the health food store about growing her own wheat grass. Hippies, I tell you.
4. Karis is an angel on day 1 and 2 of vacation, but when day 3 rolls around, all bets are off. Even Grandma comments on the change in behavior, and I relish the chance to say, "See, I told you she wasn't perfect."

Over the river and through the woods...

Loving

::Temperate weather
The me 3 years ago would have blushed to hear this admission, but it's true. Florida winter weather is growing on me. I've always thought of myself as one who prefers to live in a northern climate, gladly enduring a cold, harsh winter over a hot, muggy summer in the South. But these mild winter days with their cool breezes, bright sun, and blue skies are totally winning me over.

::Riding shotgun
Whenever Matt drives, I get a chance to sit back, enjoy the sights, and play around with my camera. I've been fascinated by blur and motion lately, and I love the random patterns and colors that occur when shooting in manual focus. I am working on an art project for the master bedroom, and this one is a strong contender.

::Family portraits
I gave her some crayons and paper with instructions to draw a picture of our family. What she drew was an extended family portrait that included grandparents, cousins, and a hair bow (!) and birthday card belonging to cousin Evie. I labeled the lines according to her directions, and we delivered it to her Dad at work during his lunch break. When he asked, she proceeded to correctly point out each person/thing, which indicated to us that she either has a good memory or really "sees" each person in that squiggle or line. We were fascinated.