big blue marble

I think this totally looks like Sawyer and some classmates are above the earth on a spacewalk! (THAT field trip wouldn't be happening with the budget cuts we're facing.)

baby bit & pieces

So Sweet

On Wednesday, Nola and Michael welcomed their new little baby, Koen. He is so very sweet and cute. But then check out his very cute momma. (Why didn't I think to wear a snazzy robe when I had kids?!)

Congratulations!

Taking it In

Slade and I attended a lecture last night. The speaker was Helen Fisher, an anthropologist who is the Chief Science Advisor for Chemistry.com. (We are NOT on the hunt for a better match or anything. haha) It is actually a portion of a series of discussions about desire and how it affects the environment. At first I didn't see the connection. But once we started thinking about it it makes sense. We have been hard-wired, genetically, for years to seek after our "needs." But in reality, those basic (transportation, shelter, food, etc.) are easily met. So, what do I do with that desire when I don't have to run after my food for a majority of my day?

It was fascinating to hear the SCIENCE behind love. There are plenty of books out there with people's opinions or social stereotypes. But Dr. Fisher kept taking it back to the science. (MRI, the levels of different chemicals in the body, and a huge, world-wide sample of questionnaires. And in true science, she admitted where some of the fallacies may lay in her sampling.)

She went on to discuss how and why the body changes with different levels of these chemicals. For example, the increased dopamine when "falling in love" is felt in the same place in the brain as the increase when taking drugs. Falling in love does feel good. And when in this stage, the change in chemicals does make you more creative (think of all the songs of love lost or gained, the poems pining for the affections of the "one," stories of love), have more energy, cause a focus of energy, increase obsessions and more. At the same time, if you have feelings towards someone that are NOT being reciprocated, the brain actually increases the chemicals to have you even more focused and jazzed by the idea. (Kind of mean of the brain, if you ask me, but it certainly explains those adolescent feelings where I just thought I was crazy.)

She also measured the brain activity of those who are "still in love." And those parts of the brain were still active. Just not over-active when you are in the "falling in love" stage. (How many songs or other art about the long term relationship?)

She then hypothesizes that people will match up with different people based on the amounts of these chemicals, which help make up personality temperament. And not that certain traits are better or worse, just understanding the differences in people. (Spouse, kids, national leaders, etc.)

Not to say we are out of the loop, our bodies take over or that we don't have a voice in our lives. But just to understand that the science of our genes and bodies is to perpetuate our DNA. And they are doing what they are supposed to do.

Perhaps I was just interested in hearing about anything other than national/local financial woes, but it was wonderful to hear an intelligent speaker who loves her work.

Ironic February

As I left my house this morning to run a few errands, I was showered with sunshine. WARM sunshine! Cheery sunshine! The most beautiful sunshine one can feel after an Oregon winter (although in OR's defense, it hasn't been as rainy as usual.)

Immediately, I remembered all the WONDERFUL things about summers in Oregon: concerts in the park, being outside with the kids, the St. Paul Rodeo, taking Slade's car to work on my tan, my very favorite sandals, watermelon. It was bliss thinking about it all.

But then my been-in-OR-for-a-decade-experience reality came screeching back. Just when I think the bliss has arrived, it disappears. Sigh.

I am smarter than that THIS year! I will not get sucked in. I will not unpack summer clothes. Until there are 3 days of this feeling. IN A ROW.

But maybe I will ride my bike this afternoon . . .

big day

Avy's big day is tomorrow. She will always remember the day she was baptized: Valentine's Day! She's excited, but I am hoping to keep things as calm as possible so it's not a typical crazy weekend day.

my sweets

Love Story. In just, six words?

I listen to public radio. Daily. I love it. Yesterday there was a great show on love stories. (I am a sucker for romance and love stories.) BUT the stories were told in only six words. "Impossible!," I thought. How can anything be said in only 6 words? And with this Hemmingway illustration, I understood: "Baby shoes, for sale, never worn."


Here are some other examples of love, love lost and tragic love:
“Not him again! said my mother.” Lisa Ihnken
“Your planet: Peter. My planet: Earth.” Elinor McKay
"He sees the me I don't"
"For the children, I remain his."
"Found Jewish princess. Good-bye succulent pork."
"I finally threw away his toothbrush."
"Our prison visitations were surprisingly romantic."
Red-eye. Him window. Me aisle. Love. - Joanne Flynn Black
If I get Chlamydia, blame MySpace. - Hanorah Slocum
Silently suffered his facial hair experiments. - Elizabeth Minkel
Three marriages. Two divorces. BA .333. - Ron Carmean
If only he wasn't a Republican. - Holly Fitzpatrick
Tried men. Tried women. Like cats. - Dona Bumgarner
Inevitably, his obituary didn't mention me. - R. Sue Dodea
We "I do" -ed. Then he didn't. - Lisa Parrack
Two marriages. The wrong one died. - Anne Hamilton
Best family ever. Thank you, Match.com! - Alexa Young
Marriage, children, empty nest: Now what? - Oliver House

One of my favorites: "Flirt-Miami. Passion-NY. Seperate-Detroit" or "Weight gain, hair loss, we're even" I love how concise they are! No babblings. The story is there but OH, what a story there is below!

Here's the link to the story (if you have desire or time to listen): http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=4&islist=true&id=5&d=02-11-2009 They mention many others that were so great. I was sad to hear it end. I hope it comes out in audio book one day!

I find myself now thinking in shorter words and thoughts. Trying, not quite able. Yet. Practice?

The Heart Gallery

A few months ago I had a fabulous shoot. The little boy was sweet, reserved while still trying lots of great things. The images were incredible!

But they can't go in my portfolio. This little boy was a foster child and privacy prohibits me from using them.

The Heart Gallery of Oregon (http://www.heartgalleryoregon.org/ ) is a non-profit organization that coordinates photographers with children in foster care to bring awareness of their needs. The images are used online and in print in state-wide traveling galleries showing the need for adoptive families for these kids. Isn't that a wonderful organization? I am so glad to be a part of it.

This month there is a gallery showing at Pioneer Place. Last night Slade and I attended their opening event (with champagne and chocolates. Slade enjoyed the chocolate, I had enough will power to pass on them.)

We weren't sure of the exact location so we wandered around the mall. We were on the 4th floor and headed towards the escalator down. And then I saw it. My image. It was HUGE!! 40x60 hanging in the front window. I literally stopped in my tracks. It was gorgeous! (I hope it doesn't seem conceited to say that.)

If you have time to look at the website, guess which one it is. Hint: the little boy is wearing red, and you can only see one eye. It sounds weird, but just take a look.

We loved looking at the other images and walked away thinking about three things:
1. our role in society
2. the classism that exists for those most truly need it
3. that we love big prints!

Some wall spaces are going to be rearranged in our home's near future.