some journeys are small

It was rainy yesterday but I needed

a little cheering up so I grabbed a

friend and off we went.

The cherry blossoms are coming out,

but somehow it still doesn't feel quite like Spring.

Not yet.

But I think its close.

I have a very strong love for bridges.

Maybe because they let you cross over from one

place to another. A new place,

full of possibility and promise.

There was lots of moss, ferns, waterfalls, and walking.

A good day, even with a little rain.

bridges - part 2

bridges - part 1

On Monday I needed to get out of town.

So I went to visit a friend in Tacoma

and on my way I passed by and went over

a whole lot of bridges.

I really love bridges.

***

swifts

***

The swifts were pretty awesome.

I had a hard time getting a decent photo, but let me just tell you

that there were TONS of birds circling the sky,

and every time they would go by the chimney a few of them would decide

that it was time for them to fly straight down into it.

***

I really loved how each individual bird seemed to know his place in the whole,

and how that allowed them flow and fly together so seamlessly.

***

***

Now, this morning while drinking my peppermint tea

and watching the rain I am struck by two things,

1. an awe of nature

and

2. the value of intuition.

Have a great

Sunday!

the weekend

This weekend was just the right

balance between eventful

and quiet.

It included painting,

the city,
driving with the windows down,
blue skies,

good reminders found in unlikely places,

brunch and dinners

and good conversations,

driving under and over bridges,

baking,

spontaneous visits,

some necessary alone time,

new friends,

a feeling of potential

and possibility,

and

friendly people.

happy birthday to me, for real this time

This weekend held:

a bit of relaxation, a bit of running around, quite a bit of fun, a lively game of charades,

the return of some very old friends, feeling connection, a recommitting to the necessity that is

self care, some deep breathing, a bit of a renewal of faith, or at least the need for faith,

and a visit to my original favorite train bridge.

The bridge that began the love of bridges.

(out reunion was a very happy moment)

A few other thoughts:

1) I can be strong. Very strong in fact.

But that doesn't mean that I always want to be.

Sometimes it is ok to want to be

a little bit taken care of.

2) Healing takes time.

3) Guilt is not a good reason to do something.

4) and I don't think I will ever stop

being surprised by the goodness of some people.

Though I do believe strongly

that people can change,

I also have found some comfort in the fact

that the basic, fundamental YOUness doesn't

seem to change. Whatever it is that made you you when

you were young and untarnished by the world

is still you at any age. Getting wiser and more

experience doesn't make you lose that,

it only makes you a better version of it.

I'm now

OFFICIALLY 30

and I'm convinced

that its gonna

be awesome. :)

exploring on a sunny Sunday