tangerine love

who knew tangerines could be so cute?

reflections

Reflections make for some of the coolest photos.

One positive to all the rain we've been getting lately.

I took this on a walk in my hood last week.

fifty years.

Ed and Linelle.

They are the parents of my wonderful boss, Erin.

I get to see Ed once a week or so as he helps out with getting supplies for the Dragonfly and occasionally he'll work a weekend morning and help with dishes. Most of the time we end up chatting about his day and his workouts, but if we're lucky and have time he'll tell me stories of his travels or just stories about living and learning. He's our favorite and we all call him Papa D at the Dragonfly because he's like a grandpa to all of us.

I had the privilege of joining in their celebration of 50 years of marriage a few weeks ago. Let me tell you, they have found a love that lasts. In each other they have found a best friend and soul mate. Someone to weather the joys and sorrows of life. They have raised two kids and entertain an adorable granddaughter during the week. They have traveled the world, snapping pictures of elephants and monuments and their silhouettes in the sunset.

What I think is the most amazing about Ed and Linelle is that they grow in love as the pages of their story are written.

They are still interested in knowing who the other is and taking time to know the other.

Even after all these fifty years, they are continuing to get to know each other and enjoy each other. They amaze me.

I've only known them a few years but they are happier now then when I first met them.

There must have been forty other people at this celebration, friends from grade school, college, jobs, and a couple from The Dragonfly. You could just feel the joy filling the room. This community of people came to acknowledge something beautiful and important, a love that lasts. They have been with Ed and Linelle through the years, through the great times and the incredibly hard times. They have seen them through it all. We all know how many marriages don't last and how many just end and don't make it through the hard times and that's why I am so inspired and filled with hope when I see a marriage like Ed and Linelles that lasts.

In the presence of great love like that, you can't help but stop and acknowledge and be grateful and thankful for such a blessing.

love.

coffee

A bazillion hours of work behind the counters of coffee shops has me thankful to be on the patron side of things this afternoon.

Life has been so crazy these days and I am feeling thankful for the opportunity to just sit.

(in the sunshine!)

Glorious.

Rolling In The Deep- Adele

I am loving this song right now. This girl has got some serious soul.

pete.

Meet Pete.

Pete is the nephew of my beautiful friend Annie who just got married this past week.

Pete was my favorite.

He gave me this face every time I took his picture.

To me, this face says, 'seriously?'

I get it though, I can be paparazzi-like with a camera in my hand.

The new, Annie Willis.

:)

Puddle Jumping

One of my favorite pastimes is puddle jumping.

It took me years to finally purchase a good pair of rain boots. I finally did upon moving to Portland and with the help of my friend Annie who is a designer at Columbia Sportswear and has access to the employee store.

My world changed after buying rain boots.

No more am I fearful of getting the bottom half of my jeans soaked (little do I loathe more than wet jeans). No longer am I hesitant to go for a walk in the rain. No more do I avoid the backyard for fear of walking in dog poop (it's a war-zone out there).

It's a whole new world.

I can walk fearlessly.