Tag: life

Of Beauty and Bouncy Balls

   I’ve known this young woman and her family for quite a few years now.. her Dad was my sons soccer coach, her brother is one of my sons BF’s … her parents are just awesome, dedicated folks and we’ve been glad to know them.  SHE is a sweetheart – beautiful inside and out, although she would shy away from any of this  praise.

  Once upon a time, when the kids were younger and dating meant you were “going out” but you didn’t really talk to each other much, if at all, although notes were passed back and forth and flowers were bought on Valentines Day…. my son and this beauty were a couple.  What does that mean when you’re 12 or 13?  Not much in the grand scheme of things.  But I have a picture that represents the joy and innocence of that age.  She and he are in it….. I love this photo.. it captures what I wish we could all conjure up now and then… pure, uncluttered joy.

I was asked to take pictures of her and her new beau (not so new really – I believe a year or so together) for prom this past weekend, and she just took my breath away. What a beauty, as if she even knows it. Her guy is handsome, to say the very least.

 Even though they are still very young… there is an ease between them that shows even on film.  Ofcourse there is much ahead of them… the remainder of HS, college and plans for the future. They always say the odds of HS sweethearts lasting are slim, but I’ve known a few.  I am thrilled to have captured these moments for them….and strangely enough, for me.

 

 So what do bouncy balls have to do with it?
Her mom over the years and between three kids
 has been collecting all those little colorful rubber balls
the kids get out of the quarter machines at grocery stores,
goody bags at birthday parties,
consolation prizes at the dentist…
you know the kind
..and she put them in a big glass vase
that sits on the living room coffee table.
How cool is that.

It seemed like a good idea at the time

 Last night Junior decided to have a bonfire in the firepit and invited a few friends over.  Then it was a sleepover.  So at 9:30 the husband went to Stop & Shop and got burgers, hotdogs, marshmallows for the smores deal, and there was a late night grilling session.  Then someone thought it would be really cool to set up the tent and sleep outside. 

I took these photos from my spy area, the porch behind a shrowd of darkness because moms aren’t supposed to be anywhere near the camp vicinity, you know.

 

I warned that it was still kinda chilly,
 but at 15 these things don’t phase you.

But rain does.
 No one bothered to check the forecast, and that includes me. 
So at 4am, voices were heard climbing the stairs to the bedroom
where there would be no blankets or pillows
or even an air mattress
because  they were ALL
here.
Soaked.

 So much for rough’n it.

A Semi Formal Education

    This Mothers Day weekend I learned three things –  1. -Just how grown up my son is becoming,  2. how only young people can truly walk in these shoes and pull it off gracefully – (this ability is no longer in my grasp)   – and  3. how FORMAL Freshman semi-formals have become.  This ain’t your mother’s semi-formal, I can tell you that.

 This couple was just so handsome, love the blue hues between them…
 Can I have a do-over?

How to be a really awesome totally cool Mom…

  You didn’t really think I’d have the answer, now, did ya?   

 I can tell you what NOT to do…..

Me:  … (walking over to picnic table full of soccer boys with two pizzas and two liters of soda)

Him:   Thanks mom!…. (and all start devouring said pizza & soda)

Me:  Can I have a sip of your coke please?…

Him:   Um No.

Me:  Are you kidding?  Just a sip!

Him:  NO mom.   I don’t want your germs!….get your own.

Me:  There are no more cups, can I just have a sip??…..

 ( I’m thinking, I  just drove 200 miles to and from a soccer game on a freezing  cold afternoon, catered to their care and comfort  and stopped at pizza place so they could  refuel.  The least I can expect is a sip of soda, right? Too much to ask???)

Him:   Uh-uh.

Me:  You do know that THIS body made the body YOU LIVE IN, right?  YOU CAME FROM ME.  SO… my germs are your germs, kid.  Give me a  freak’n sip.

Yeah… so… don’t ever remind them of that if you want to be considered a really awesome totally cool Mom.  Especially when they are sitting at the table eating pizza with six other 11 year olds. 

Really… don’t.  
Happy Mothers Day, all….

William & Kate

  I’m not a “royal watcher” by any means, but you can’t help notice what’s happening on the other side of the pond, it’s all over the news… constantly.   Like many others, I ‘ve certainly grown weary of the constant media barrage regarding the upcoming royal wedding.  There’s an awful lot of serious things happening around the world right now, this is just a wedding after all.  Throw in all the catty gossip and overly publicized scandals to the Royal Family over the years, and it casts a tacky shadow.  Some say the monarchy is outdated.

  So now I’ll admit to you that I happen to like most of the royals and there’s something to be said for upholding centuries old traditions, maintaining rituals, dignity and grace in the face of all that crap.  It’s easy to forget that they are also very real people trying to live and thrive in a surreal world. The expectations are almost impossible.

I love William and Kate as a couple – looks to me like a genuine happiness when they are in each others company and I feel a weird sense of resurrection and renewal for the royal family.  I do believe these two are going to bring a lot of good to the world.

The ceremony was beautiful, the gown was perfect
What a beautiful bride….
talk about grace under pressure!
I was amazed at the sea of hats on just about every woman…
 I’m sure the hatmakers of England can now retire.
..and these two?
Beatrice and Eugenie  …well.. no words needed, really.
OK, one word.
Really? 
What I would have given to be riding one of those magnificent horses
in the procession through the streets.
I admired their composure in the midst of the cheering crowds.
If you know horses, no easy feat!
 Summing it up, I’m a sucker for a good love story,
and for beauty and inspiration
in a time when we need all we can get.
I was surprised to find myself crying as I watched this piece of history
unfolding across the pond.
A mix of joy, hope…
and sadness.

73 degrees

 That’s what the thermometer read yesterday.
We spent a good part of the day working outside and it felt . so . good.
My side door rock garden with Newport and Hammonasset  real estate.
I need more rocks – a near future trip to Newport is in order.
I planted three kinds of phlox in the border and there are
purple cone flower and daisies coming up, but most of  the Lavender didn’t make it
through that bitter winter.  I’ll have to find something to replace it.

New kind of phlox I haven’t seen before… not sure of the name, I found it at the grocery store.

A dozen fruit trees have been planted behind the garage/barn next to the coop.  This is a Red Haven Peach.

  The chicken sh*t has done a glorious job.. the grass is incredibly green after less than a week! 
  Amazing.
The aroma has died down, but it’s still present when the wind blows a certain way. 

Ben couldn’t  care less.

 The Geese were moving yesterday…

After a few hours work and before the family Easter gathering,
 I turned my face to the sun and silently gave thanks for all that is good.
I hope you were able to do the same  –

Firsts

 Today was a big day for these two.
My little man and niece….
She is at her first big horse show with her first horse, Dude…
 ..and He is outside washing his first vehicle, which we picked up this morning.
I’m pretty sure it was spotless at the dealership…
but since we won’t be driving it for a year or so,
 I guess there will be a lot of washing & waxing.  
He’s been saving up his money and talking about his first vehicle since he was about three, no joke. This one needs some work, so he’ll have plenty of time to do what needs doing alongside his Dad until he actually gets his license.
Lord help me. 
Please.