hello summer

happy solstice.
the beginning of summer.
playallday time of year.
swim. homemade popsicles. sleep late.
and maybe some multiplication drills thrown in for good measure.

bring it.

times have changed

yeah...it was a fun night.
brutal.
but fun!

write, she said

the first day of november: #nablopomo .
andrea's post reminded me that it is that time of year
to challenge the writer within and publish a post every day.
every single day for the 11th month of the year.
30 days of words.
here.

this is just what i need.

a kick in the rear.

i have been spinning my wheels lately,

trying to fill my heart again.

something to grasp onto.

need to find my "f#$k yeah!"

so yeah...

i'll do it.

join me?

i'll be here.
and for #naphopomo i will be over here.

unlikely places

and above all, watch with
glittering eyes the whole
world around you because the
greatest secrets are always
hidden in the most unlikely
places. those who don’t
believe in magic will never
find it.
 -Roald Dahl

numbered

this summer has been epic.
the days of lazy mornings,
cousins visiting,
days at the beach,
guilt-free ice cream eating,
river-rafting,
skateboarding all afternoon...
they are numbered.

summer daze

in the spirit of the dog days of summer,
i've started over.
the photos that didn't get posted 
will just have to understand.
i am continuing with purpose.
*strapping camera onto body*

http://katmcculloughphoto.blogspot.com

how summer rolls

summer is about saying yes 
when friends invite you to grab midday nosh 
and ride around the harbor. 

iced over

trapped inside.
the cute bunny
along with the sad boy
is almost too much to bear

sea legs

my legs were shaking as i stood up in the dinghy.
i put my clunky boot on the metal support bar of the wind vane,
grasped the rail tightly, and
pulled myself up and over
the rigging and down into the cockpit.

i carefully climbed up and walked along the side toward the bow,
holding onto nothing.

i still have my sea legs.

i secured my footing and balanced on the deck.
lifting my gaze, i was taken by
the reflection of the shoreline.
i smiled and felt the cold, damp air on my face.
the stillness of the night and the
dark, arms of the trees illustrated the
ache i have felt in my heart as of late.
the glass-like water  moved with nereid,
allowing her to slightly rock in the water.
movement: not good for taking photos in the dark.
i lifted my camera, took a deep breath
and held it in.

*click*

it wasn't what i expected.
it isn't  the capture i had intended.
i think it is even better.

the end of a year.
the beginning of another.
this night, this cove. the gentle rocking of the boat.
this deep friendship that picks up where we always leave off.
all fueling my heart's meditation to be open to the surprises
and challenges that await.

christmas eve

the most magical day of december: christmas eve.
you can feel it in the air;
feel it in your energy;
in your heart.

it's not about the presents.
it's about people.
it's about the love.
near and far.

merry christmas.

the dog

having a furry being in the house forces one to get out.
look around.
breathe.
and maybe even find a reason to be in awe of colors
and textures
and lines.
and perhaps find some love left by a stranger
for another stranger
like you.

evah flesruoy a yrrem elttil samtsirhc

the last two days have been so stellar.
i have nothing to say and everything to say.
so if you want to hear about it, call me.
or not.
just roll around in these images and then go.
go find some magic in your incredible day.
or night.

peace out.
(until tomorrow).

tonight

screen printing at the tool library happened tonight.
creating within this amazing, creative community makes me so stinking happy.
my hands are covered in paint. and i love it.
new plans are happening for 2014.
i feel like anything can happen, really.
and i am going for it.

it all begins with moments like tonight.

sunday snow

saturday

pancakes.
mandolins.
gingerbread and icing.
and horse feathers.

what a full day it has been.

this

is what i've got today.
no words
trying to be clever
or funny.
just this.
and i am happy with it.

how about you

mama, do you believe in santa?

i do, yes.

zahari, in my class, she said that santa isn't real.

what do you think?

i believe, mama. i really do.

start small

something about saying-it-out-loud is motivation.
"i am going to post every day for a month."
so i did. (almost)
and it was hard. but worth it.
i am shooting.
every day.
and that is one of the things that fills my heart like nothing else.

so i am going to do it again.
this time, looking for the magic of the season.
the small moments that make my day.
the real reasons that make me say "life is good."

join me?
you can post your entry in
in the comment section.
share your magic.
spread the love.
c'mon.

wake up call

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life? - Mary Oliver



#naphopomo day 17.

thank you.

thank you, veterans, for all that you have done for our country.