[St. Paul] told us to be not only "as harmless as doves," but also "as wise as serpents." 
-C.S. Lewis

bedhead

"You can fool all the people some of the time. You can even fool some of the people all of the time. But you can't fool all of the people all the time." -Abraham Lincoln

I chose this picture of Abe because all the others portray him as a stiff, bearded man with a neat comb-over. This photograph seems more like the true Abe-a real man, bedhead and all.

constant battle

A group of my friends were discussing life decisions and having the ability to find the balance between realism and spiritualism. We came to this conclusion: 

If you follow your heart, logic will eventually find its place; if you choose logic, your heart may never follow.

                  

“One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.” -Richard Howard

  

Where I'm From

I am from the swing on Maddie Road,

From salty air and sand in my toes

I am from play dough stuck on the table

(sticky and tempting to eat)

I am from bougainvillea blooming on the porch,

the red like crimson scarlets its way around the fence

Like my ever growing twisted life

I am from grandmas Little Cafe

From chicken tacos and apple pie

I am from no you can't and yes you can

From shut up and I love you

I'm from moving boxes and packing tape

And a new found home where i'd hope to fit in great

I'm from many mothers, many fathers, and many friends

From Moondogies, Pismo Beach, and surfers without a leash

From Micky Mouse and Looney tunes and good old papa bear watching over Baloo

Down in the basement sit suitcases full of Barbie toys

Baby Barbie, teenage Barbie, and one day adult Barbie

There are outfits of old and outfits of new

I am from Birthday cards

From love on paper and tears in an envelope

I am from a life rubbed raw and a room of cards filled with memories

And there are still cards to be written

2010

like a dream to me...

It's so strange how listening to certain artists/songs/albums bring back memories which you thought were forgotten. The best ones are those you didn't even realize you had stored up there, but randomly come flooding back.

Madonna, especially these two songs, just did this to me.

I can still feel the fabric seats of my Ma's Honda Civic, smell the coffee on her breath as I watch her hot cup spilling while we turn a corner, I can see the blue cover of Madonna's "Ray of Light" album, and hear the songs blasting as I am being dropped off at school, lunch box in hand.

Pop

I have a real special relationship with my father- one that most do not quite understand. My father and I are a lot alike, its strange how much I am my fathers daughter. Since my parents had me at the young age of 19, it seemed as though I was growing up with them- experiencing and discovering the same wonders of life. 

              

One thing I love most about my pop is that he can always tell when something is up, especially with me. Every time I am anxious and stubbornly denying that I am, he grabs my hands so see if my palms are sweaty. Many of my greatest memories and lessons learned are those which I have shared with him. He sent me off to college over a year ago with this advice, --

 "Remember the simple things, don't stress because 86% of things we worry about never happen, and last but not least, smile...it makes everything fall into place." 

Today is my Pop's birthday. My pop is quite a strange bird, always trying to please others. Every May, when it is my day to celebrate, he always stresses about what he can do to make it the best one yet. In turn, I always stress about what I can do for him that will, in the least, express gratitude. 

Untitled

I thank you for my anxiousness 

I thank you for my small bone structure 

I thank you for my ability to read people

and to speak my mind 

I thank you for my health

I thank you for my steadfastness

and desire to learn 

I am grateful for my nose

my big ears

my Flintstones tones

and yes, my buck teeth

I am thankful for you

and all you are 

no-frills

                   

Something about this video invigorates me. It may be the empty, never ending road, the lonely trees, Angus's whistling, the fact that it's lyrically endearing and reminds me of when I was young being walked by my uncles barefoot along railroad tracks, or the kumbaya and dancing 'round the camp fire. Regardless of what exactly it is, I now know exactly what my heart desires.

The enigmatic life I long to live is full of adventures and lightly sprinkled with rationalism. Why not pack up an old RV and explore into the unknown country roads? Why not embrace the joys that come from sweet simplicity?

Wherever I'll go, I'll take a bit of it with me. So much of the world is patiently waiting to be captured in brief, yet beautiful moments of appreciation.