Unbridled Enthusiasm...

#3, 2005

...I need some.

It's valuable and scarce... perhaps it should be traded on the TSX.

Snow beautiful...

January 28, 2012

Reflecting...

Hermann and Mathilde (née Biewend) Koch and Children
with Helene Biewend and Children at Clausthal
Hermann Carl Eduard Biewend14 June 1854

The shared (I think) goal of parents through the ages is to love, protect and teach our children in preparation for fulfilling lives. As such, it is both scary and exhilerating when our young ones begin steps toward independence... the first time they stumble, literally and metaphorically, is challenging for parents; tugging at our heart strings as we imagine dangers and also begin to understand our limitations in protecting our off-spring on the road to indepence, and most-certainly when they arrive at that destination.

I'm intrigued by the stories that this photograph may tell. Young ones in various moods, Father comfortably hugging his son and wife, Mother's body language perhaps indicating that a scolding was needed only moments before...

Recent events have reminded many within my work-based circle of the importance of valuing every moment with our children, the unpredictability of life and our limitations to protect our young ones on the road to independence. I think that we have all hugged our children a little tighter or sent virtual hugs across the miles over the past 48 hours.

You might also consider doing the same.

Wednesday Smile...

Tehuantepec Type (woman smiling)
Tina Modotti c.1929 gelatin silver print

Resilience...

untitled, Liz Parkinson

...thought I better post before adoloscent crises

 shade my outlook.

The 'To Do's' are in order and cautious optimism currently reigns.

Angst...

Angst, Edvard Munch 1896

...is overwhelmingly present today.

To do...

Accumulation, Yayoi Kusama 1952

This is what my 'to do' list feels like.

Time to re-group, organise and prioritize.

Oh my...

via Kathryn Greeley Designs

...this would fill our entire kitchen

but it is still wonderful to look at!

Inspiration...

Succulent Eggplants, Beatriz Milhazes  1996

Fog...

Fog on the Coast, William Brymner 1914, oil on canvas

Kitchen planning...

Catherine II, Virgilius Erichson circa 1762

We are gradually chipping away at our kitchen. Currently, we are carefully considering options for the counter/sink area and island. Space is an issue and, having had a few too many truffles over the holidays, I've been considering the space required for ease of movement in our small(ish) kitchen.

I then came upon this painting. Clearly space was not an issue in the Winter Palace (St. Petersburg).

I also doubt that truffle consumption was given a second thought.

Wishing You a Wondrous Weekend...

Boaters See the Northern Lights, Kingmeata Etidlooie 1976

Thursday thought...

...doesn't everyone let their 8 year old swing an axe in the kitchen?

Optimism...

Arrival of the Sun, Kenojuak 1962 (stonecut)

After a busy holiday break, routines are resuming. This includes catching up with local, national and world 'news'. How depressing.

One of my children rightly questioned why happy news is not reported with the same fervour or frequency as sad news. 'Sensationalism', 'profit' and 'media' were not-so-merrily discussed.

#2, Miss Questioner, is an optimist. She is (for the most part) sunny and resilient. As such, she believes that others should inherently be the same. She notices the little things in life and finds some way to make everyday a little bit brighter.

In these days of dark news, sunshine is welcome.