Their Royal Cutenesses

Grace and Curtis outside The Dish. Seattle, Washington

They neither toil nor spin

I just returned from a delightful visit with Grace and Curtis in Seattle. This lily grows outside their cozy little home, Gypsy Cottage.

Kissing Tutorial

There's nothing quite as beautiful as a perfect kiss. Artists through the centuries have tried to capture the allure, the romance, the je ne sais quoi of this intimate gesture.

Well, gang, today is your lucky day. Now you (yes, you!) can learn how the perfect kiss is accomplished. Curtis and Grace--professional kissers after eight months of marriage--demonstrate how it's done. First you find a cozy spot. Maybe a folding chair after a back-yard wedding?
The approach is very important. Take a big breath . . .
Then move in for the "Mmmmm" phase . . .
. . . followed by the, "Wah!"
If you're really brave, go for one more accompanied by a tight squeeze.
And that's all there is to it!
Thanks, Curtis and Grace, for sharing your expertise with the rest of us. May you enjoy a long, prosperous kissing career.

Let the Little Children Come

Vacation Bible School is over. The kids have all jumped back into their time machines and returned to the 21st century, trading robes for play clothes and rustic crafts for video games. Hopefully snatches of story and a sense of belonging will follow them, seeds will take deep root, and they'll enjoy the fruit for the rest of their lives.

Shadow and Fingerprint

"Beauty is the shadow of God on the universe." Gabriela Mistral

Today I took a lap around the house with my camera, and these photographs are a sampling of what I saw. Beauty may be "the shadow of God" but our yard has George's fingerprints all over it.

Final Project Blue: Texas Necessity

Project Blue was lots of fun. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left comments.

If you haven't visited Anna Carson Photography yet, hop over there and check out her wonderful work as well as the impressive efforts of a growing creative community. When she starts the next project, you can join the fun!

Project Blue 8: Troas, A.D. 49

Welcome to the ancient city of Troas. VBS started at our church last night, and the theme is Paul's missionary journeys. I'm the city leader for the citizens of Troas. We live in a coastal city, so our veranda is draped with blue fabric to remind us of the lovely Aegean Sea.



Beneath our breezy canopy, we relax on cushions around a low table, where we nibble on raisins, almonds, and freshly baked bread while we discuss all the exciting events that took place in the market place that day. Don't you wish you could be a citizen of Troas? :)

For more Project Blue, visit Anna Carson Photography.

Project Blue 7: The Facts of Life

A few minutes ago I opened my t-shirt drawer to grab one for my workout, and these two practically demanded I let them make a Project Blue debut. They also spouted their usual philosophical proclamations, but I don't mind hearing it again and again, because I agree. Life is good!
The fronts.
The backs.

The butterfly, smiling beatnik, and I are off to work out now. Happy Monday, everyone. :)

Reading at the Railroad

Today I went to the Marshall Depot to read a story about a train.
This is Erin. She likes cameras.
This is a child whose name I don't know. The anti-Erin, you might say.
But just as adorable.
This is the book I read.
And this is me, reading it. Can you guess who's not paying attention?

Afterward I drew a name out of a box for a door prize.
Can you guess who won?
Have fun with your engineer hat and other goodies, Erin. Whoo-Whooooo!

(For the unabridged version, click here.)