one + one = three

Raphael and I had a tremendous summer - one where we fell into perfect syncopation with time, each other, and the freedom of doing nothing. The thought that we won't be spending each and every moment in each others' presence is disarming and saddening. He wakes for work with a heaviness that I wish I could lighten. I go about my day with a sense that I am lost. Oh companionship! On the day of the students' arrival we took these photos - our last quiet summer moment together.

Thank you!

a day at the lake

The gift of water. We both float effortlessly - cradled by life's most precious offering.

Mina can not be mistaken now! In complete perfection she grows and becomes exactly as she should. I can only think to myself that I too have followed this same unavoidable path - unknowingly I move in perfect harmony with Life, Life, Life. I exhale with relief and inhale with exuberance! We are exactly as we should be dear one! She is already so loved by Life that I can not help but feel that I too must have come into this world with such a wide embrace and welcome - a landscape opening to me. How is it that I can make myself feel so foreign? I am slowly being reminded of my hidden glory in your presence. You are a treasured soul - a temporary guest that I get to meet, play with, and love - unconditionally. What joy Life brings!!

(notice the dragonfly in flight)

I am beginning to love this pregnant body. In all of its aches and pains, stretch marks and spider veins, I feel most remarkable. In this constant changing form I find more that I adore! Her little feet pressed up against my side makes me laugh every time!

saturdays at the farm

Raphael and I are going to make it a family tradition - one of the first!

Each Saturday we visit Ragley's farm. They serve us fresh baked muffins and tea while we shop in their market. Then I get to walk through the flower garden and pick my very own bouquet. I couldn't think of anything better!

Perfectly poised.

I can only compare Raphael's gentleness to that of the quiet, graceful movement of flowers turning their faces towards the sun.

A fleeting moment.

The Echinacea and I match perfectly! Slightly hidden is Mina - squirming, growing, and doing what she does best - being!

updates

Oh foreign computer. The summer days called me forth and you were sidestepped - appropriately. I feel compelled to attend to you now that school has started and Raphael is immersed, bobbing insecurely, in work work work. Here are a few of my favorite moments captured not so eloquently on digital film.

A hive! Perfectly crafted and a stunning image.

Blackberries! All along these wide country roads are blackberry bushes. We head out, buckets in hand (or wrapped around the neck as Raphael prefers) and forage. Sun ripened sweetness! I eat most of them before they even hit the bottom of my bucket. Delicious!

If you follow the berries for a not so very long time you end up at the beach! Raphael took these as Mina and I skipped on the warm sand and then, eventually, making our way back to him, enjoyed a well deserved afternoon nap, lullaby-ed by the ins and outs of the tide.

wishful

We created a strange garden in our backyard which used to be overrun with oriental grass and mud. We collected some outsider art the students made, some local plants and herbs, some rocks from around campus, and took the bricks from an old make-shift bookcase. I rather like its eccentricity. Let's hope it grows!

the greenhouse

Raphael and I have been working hard in the greenhouse. Soon the whole school will have fresh, organic produce to enjoy!

I find the growing belly to be a little awkward while planting but I appreciate the constant reminder.

The radishes are our first crop to enjoy!

all in a day's adventure

Raphael and I decided to recreate the south of France with a long hike, a picnic, and a dip in the Mediterranean :) and a few photos to prove it.

Haystacks have such a quiet certitude about them and, of course, make me think of Van Gogh.

A somehow enchanting graveyard, overtaken by Camas flowers and Bluebells.

The handmade bridge of driftwood that approaches a friend's house and the great wide pacific, or in this case the Mediterranean. Can you see the belly? I can! We found a lovely spot to create our picnic.

What a feast! A zucchini-asparagus quiche with quinoa and fresh herbs and a garden salad. I even impressed myself!

Raphael had to doan my sunglasses for a bit to protect his sweet blue irises.
Then he felt courageous enough to jump into the hypothermia inducing ocean! The summer brings with it such a sense of play!

visitors

the corn bread was just too tasty! despite our many repeated attempts to ward off this visitor, she came back with persistence and courage, in broad day light. hopefully our masked friend won't frequent us too often!

magic!

They say its rare but some babies spend their time in the womb with a magic wand. See for yourself! The un-named baby of un-known gender is most certainly a wizard of sorts and I can feel its charm already. In total love and adoration, your mom.

katherine mae

my bea-u-ti-ful neice who i have yet to meet but send loving thoughts and dreams to. at 8 months i already see a delighted soul who is embracing the world and the need for her to be in it! so glad you are with us!

...being

Last night Minami, from Japan, came to my house to deliver this gift. An enormous painting (nearly 5 feet by 6 feet) that carries its own pulsating life, inspired by her yoga and meditation teacher (that would be me!). I felt so honored! Certainly one of the most beautiful, touching gifts I have ever received. Thank you Minami for your open, artistic expression of life!

blessings

The orchids have arrived! These little magical Lady Slippers are peeking up all over the woods. It takes a quiet mind and a soft foot to find them but I know all their secret spots! They are about as tall as a blade of grass and as bright as a shooting star.

Raphael then took me to the greenhouse which he is building with some students. There are concrete beds awaiting fresh soil and our little hands to plant. I imagine fresh summer greens, plump red tomatoes and delicious veggies of all sorts! I will post more when we plant.

the return of me and spring

oh glorious spring! i have waited so long for your arrival. with kid-like enthusiasm i bound through the day, exploring beaches, trails, greeting wildflowers and my new-born neighbors.
my favorite coastal trail is blooming!
a nearby pasture overlooking the sea and not so visible mountains.

we are content.

cote de azur

a month dedicated to nothing-ness. no phone, internet, television, car, shops, agendas, things to do...just the lazy, idling, yet-oh-so-productive way of settling in to the simplest of rituals. waking, walking, eating, drawing, swimming, sitting, gazing, humming.

the sunset in caille. a daily ritual that often goes unnoticed when one is not in the vacationing kind of way.

a small little town. and at the bottom of this windy road - a river to swim in! and at the top - a place to eat glace (or as we know it, ice cream)! perfection doubled.

on a long hike - we lost ourselves to find ourselves here. the maison would be just in that valley.