Elijah David

The first time I held him he was 13 days old. I was blessed to spend an hour in the park with this little guy the other day. Elijah is now four months old and may be my favorite. Such a gentle spirit about this one, and he is the first baby that I've spent time with who truly behaves like a little person. We like to giggle together, cuddle together, play with his peace monkey and he loves my hair. He is definitely a goofball and adores his mom's playfulness, yet at the same time looks at her knowingly as he seems to say, "mom, you're embarrassing me."

midafternoon sleeping

I took a nap this afternoon that was like good chocolate. Good like cleaning your ears or the smell when you walk out of the cold into a warm house while someone is baking cookies. I woke up refreshed and energized like when you resurface after jumping off a rock into a cold lake. My arms, eyes, and feet have all been overcome by a feeling of newness. It's good, good like chocolate.

thought

I feel like there are some people who can say, in just a few words, what I try and fail to do with all of mine. 

I got my hair cut today...

and lets just say, it looks awesome. I feel like I could actually pass as twenty two years old, instead of the 18 or younger people normally assume that I am. I've decided, as of recently, that yes I'd rather not wear makeup and fancy clothes ever except if I do I actually look my age. Thus I'm trying to look nice when I get up in the morning and go somewhere. 

I babysat in Dana Point last night, which was strange because I don't usually associate Dana Point with anything work related. I did decide, while driving home last night, that I really like it there. It's beautiful really. 

I've been making lots of decisions lately. 

Or trying to at least. 

Tonight I decided I am going to try and finish one cover letter and resume to send in, which shouldn't be to hard. The discipline to make myself sit down and do it is tough to come by. This is my first day off in 7 days and I'd really like to just relax. I'd also like the sun to stick around.

owls, thoughts about gardens and things i like

I have decided, that I like owls. Wise, they are, or a symbol of wisdom and wisdom is a thing I'd like some day. They are graceful, with sharp senses and an awareness of everything around them. Here are some examples. 

A friend of mine asked me recently, for some ideas about her garden. I think if I had no monetary limitations I would plant purple, orange and yellow in a garden. I would have herbs and flowers, succulent plants to add some quirk and lavender, definitely lots of lavender. I also think about how many times flowers are mentioned in poetry. A poetry themed garden sounds wonderful. 

There is something special, I have thought lately, about a good cup of tea. For some reason it brings out the most provocative conversation, and fills us up with warmth. Meant to be enjoyed with company of course and can somehow create the best of company with a book.  I have been receiving lots of tea as gifts lately, with so much appreciation. 

Green tea from Czec Republic, tea with pink roses and strawberries in it. Black tea, my favorite, and jasmine tea in my cupboard. 

Time has been so strange to me lately. All at once it feels like there is no time at all and still a whole summer left. I have deadlines in my mind that don't actually exist and my life feels like it is stretching out before me, a huge space I get to fill. Except the weeks go by so fast and one blurs into the next and before I know it next month is knocking on my front door. 

I'd like to skip to the part where I actually know what my next step looks like. 

did i make that big mess?

The best kids in the whole world came over to my house the other day. 

We painted label sticks for their new garden. Rebekah loved every moment. 

Caleb did too, except as long as I have known 

him he has been more about the process.

Yup, definitely all about the process.

east of eden

I remember my childhood names for grasses and secret flowers. I remember where a toad may live and what time the birds awaken in the summer–and what trees and seasons smelled like–how people looked and smelled even. The memory of odors is very rich.

I just finished John Steinbeck's East of Eden. A novel about two families in and around the Salinas Valley who deal with themes of love and search for identity. As it shadows the story of Genesis' Cain and Abel, the characters often face decisions inside who they are as individuals. Family heritage also plays a large role here, as characters seem to continuously seek love and fulfillment from those around them. Set at the turn of the century among an excitement for a "new America", the first of Henry Ford and war, Steinbeck's beautifully descriptive prose captivates. 

The whole valley floor, and the foothills too, would be carpeted with lupins and poppies. Once a woman told me that colored flowers would seem more bright if you added a few white flowers to give the colors definition. Every petal of blue lupin is edged with white, so that a field of lupins is more blue than you can imagine. And mixed with these were splashes of California poppies. These too are of a burning color–not orange, not gold, but if pure gold were liquid and could raise a cream, that golden cream might be like the color of the poppies.

movies under the stars

I can't believe they do this here.

Stretched out on blankets, enjoying snacks and friendship a few friends and I enjoyed the free, FREE showing of The Wizard of Oz tonight at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The first of six movie Mondays outside, I have to say this one was wonderful. 

I grew up watching movies under the stars, near the lake in the often fridged mountain air. Today was the first day it actually felt like summer here and tonight just about topped it off. The girls and I sang and quoted lines, giggled and laughed at this wonderful classic, bundled together in the almost unnecessary blankets. 

The show starts at 8, with previews until about 8:30. So if you go late you are on time. For more info if you are in the area: show times and information.

Charles

There are worse things.

I have been in the car buying process for about a month and each car I have borrowed in the meantime has been its own experience. With the Honda Civic I am currently scootin around in, for which I am forever grateful, I received this list. I laughed through each point and I have to say that about five of them have helped supremely. 

1. To lock/unlock all doors, the driver's side door must be open past the point that goes "click" a second time.

2. The CD player works, but the display is shot. Left side operates volume up/down, right side operates track sequence. If other buttons are pressed, they will still operate, but the operator will not know what is going on via the display.

3. The car's name is Charles.

4. Charles is a fussy gimp. 

5. Since Charles has a limp, shifting gears in the automatic car will help with acceleration, when pedal to the metal doesn't work.

6. To go up hills over 40mph, use 2nd Gear.

7. Charles has an empty 1-gallon jug in the trunk, as well as jumper cables.

8. The car's light system does not go "ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding..." if they are left on and the door is opened.

9. Sometimes the CD player will not play. Eject CD and then re-insert, rinse and repeat until it works.

10. The radiator cap is NEW. It has a pressure release feature that will make things easier and less painful if it is needed to be removed.

11. The notebook with the gas/mileage information is in the driver's door pocket. 

12. There are two places to keep small belongings. The first is beneath the leftmost vent by the steering wheel. The other is the ashtray. 

13. The car information is in the pocket of the passenger-side chair. 

14. To unlock the passenger front door, a key is needed on the outside. The lock itself is broken on the inside. It CAN turn. Be gentle.

16. The rear right passenger door lock has been replaced by another version of a Honda's lock. A thumb or index finger can pull it up.

17. The the left-side of the car is scarred where the two doors meet in the middle. They still open, but might take some coaxing.

18. Talk nicely to Charles. Swearing will not make him go faster. 

19. Sometimes Charles is happy to go very strong (not necessarily fast). Anywhere past 5,000 rpm will hurt the battery power. The battery light will turn on, and if the car lights are on, they will go dim until the rpm goes under 5,000.

20. The trunk door needs to be slammed -hard- to shut and stay shut. Do NOT be gentle, or you will stand for a minute or two, trying to shut the poor thing, with no agreeable result.

21. The volume control on the CD player will sometimes (but rarely) play the fool and not change the volume. Sometimes a single push will send it 100% louder. This is a rare event, so don't worry too much. 

22. The items are not

23. Order

24. Listed

25. In. 

26. If the car weight is blessed with over more than 300 pounds, please take ALL speed bumps carefully. Even if the area is known. Charles sinks very low when stressed for weight.

27. Keep an eye on the tire level. 

28. Charles is currently out of windshield washing fluid.

29. The glove compartment is cool.

30. To lock the "unlock" function of the gas tank and trunk from the driver's side, there is a keyhole located at the switch location.

31. I have to go back to packing. Charles is a good car. Speak to him, he does have a personality.

Sincerely,

Ian M. Pierce

Thanks Ian! 

a little Hope

"I rarely use this space to complain or express my negative feelings about the world, however this theme in my life keeps coming up. 

It seems to me that my entire friend group, save for a few, have decided to pair off in the last few months. Its fine I guess, I'm happy for them sure. However on a Friday night where does this leave me? When we all sit together in a coffee shop or while getting ice cream? I feel strangely uninvited to most activities going on these days and find that I have a not previously experienced amount of time on my hands. I've been drinking lots of tea lately." 

***

This was the start of a post I was going to put up about an hour ago. I take a step back and realize how incredibly ridiculous I sound. See, I frequent The Coffee Bean near my home and tonight as I was getting out of my car I met Hope. 

I saw her riding her bike on my way into the parking lot. She approached me and asked for some money to get dinner. So I asked her if we could walk and I would buy her something to eat. We talked and walked to Quiznos and she told me a little bit of her story. With her nearest family in Milwaukee, Hope has found herself alone in Costa Mesa. Hope sleeps outside, which worries me because it has been cold lately. 

It's amazing to me, the things God shows me. 

world cup

Lets go Germany!

we watched futbol this morning...

Simeon, Nate and I. We went to a small pub in Mission Viejo to have coffee and watch. As the game unfolded we watched Germany sink in not one, two, or three goals...but four. Epic. This is a picture I snuck right before goal number two. 

the sketchbook project

The sketchbook project. I stumbled across this on Sam's blog and I am mostly sure I will be signing up to receive one. An incredible way to express creativity with the global community.. 

For more info and to sign up: www.arthousecoop.com

internet frustration

There are times when searching for internships becomes, well, overwhelming. Two ways to go about it- search for publishing companies in a specific city or search for internships in general and see which cities come up. 

I'm not ready to move to New York. 

I really don't appreciate the way the internet is convoluted with so many things that are not what I am looking for. Or the way the links that look great inevitably have expired or are, "not available". What does that even mean? 

I've found a few that look promising and will be tailoring my resume to fit each. Just praying God opens doors for me to walk through. Excited to see what's next.