reflection over coffee

This is a picture I took, for the unravelling class I am a part of. This week has been slow going, so I began to wonder where I would find my reflection; ) I just had to open my eyes and look. I have to admit, there is nothing that tickles me more than capturing an unexpected photo ; )


I read and walked for miles at night along the beach, writing bad blank verse and searching endlessly for someone wonderful who would step out of the darkness and change my life. It never crossed my mind that that person could be me.
Anna Quindlen


Thank you for all your kind and kick arse comments, on my post below. I appreciate every, single word, you gifted me.
; )

butterflies

just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.
proverb

As many of you know this is one of my favorite quotes. It was so sweet when my husband bought me a little purple box last night that held this cup and these words.

This morning I had such beautiful thoughts, while I sat quietly, reflecting, sipping my coffee, as the sun came up.

At one point, I missed my uncle David so much I cried. I cried like a child and wiped my tears with my sleeve.

David was the only father I knew, he was my bestest friend, ya know. As the sun started coming up, it warmed me, directly on my face. I always feel silly when I cry and then something so beautiful happens. It's like I feel almost guilty, for not witnessing the beauty that surrounds me, before I break open.

I don't know where I am going with this post. I just wanted to place my feelings here and ramble about... sunshine, caterpillars, life, loving, butterflies and the beginning of a new day. I would also like to place these words here...

for as long as it takes to heal, I am willing to wait. If that day doesn't come, I'm okay with that too. I encourage my self to feel every feeling that comes my way, without ever expecting an end result. I'm happy even when I cry. I believe my tears flow right to my soul along with my prayers. I seriously, dig that.

xo
: )

a small corner

This is the desk that I can't wait to arrive at, each morning. This is a place I have prayed, cried, laughed and read your thoughtful comments. I have made my many lists here. I've gently sat my camera here, so my images could load to my computer. I have even found a note or two filled with love, waiting for me here. Hello, love. : )

I push publish here; laying my good and bad days here. Through words and photographs.

This is also where I eagerly open the love filled packages and sweet mail that you have sent me. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I am humbled by, your generosity.

Another corner of my world, I truly appreciate.

; )

the colors

there stood a lamp post nearby shinning into the day light

i had no need to borrow it's light

the tapestry of color soaked into me the longer I stood there

i worshiped with the colors

i wanted to stop the people passing by and ask...

don't you see it?

the colors I mean

surely you see them

; )

Happy Tuesday!

winter

Winter either bites with its teeth or lashes with its tail. Proverb
; )

moments

“Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life.”
~Brian Andreas

check out the four

: )

the gift of a new day

Yesterday I had two appointments downtown. I had 4 hours between appointments, so my journey began. I entered the museum and to my surprise I was the only visitor walking around. Could this be? The public museum, empty? : (

After an hour of walking and snapping my camera, I headed downstairs to have lunch. I sat there complaining to myself about my over priced, bland lunch, phone roaming charges and not having raw sugar for my tea. I could 'ear auntie now. "Eh naw, can da princess come down from 'er thrown for da moment?!" I was ungrateful and I had to laugh at myself, as I reeled my silly self in.
: )

A man sat down at a near by table. He was sipping coffee and appeared to be homeless. I said hello to him and asked him how the coffee was. His response was a smile and "good & hot". He saw a titanic exhibit tape, around my wrist and our conversation began.

He told me the history of the titanic ship, from beginning to end.

I offered him my lunch.

Gerald went on to tell me he spoke 5 languages and that he was a history major 40 years ago.

He told me that the shared lunch was the best he had in a long time, although the potato soup, could have used a leek or two.

That's what's up! : )

He shared with me...

the history of downtown milwaukee

the chicago fires

how life had gotten the best of him after his wife and child passed away

cameras are better than cars

art is love

the best place to dumpster dive

how old i was in days

about visiting cuba over 30 years ago and the future of the country.

pc vs. imac; the future of apple.

Then he said that he hasn't toured the museum in ages.

Bingo!

We had a blast touring the museum and for that I am most grateful.

I'm telling you... we looked like quite the site, walking around there enjoying ourselves.

I wonder what today, will bring.
: )

the lighthouse

at times i believed the waves of the sea were too much for me

so i thought

the harsh light flashed so many times

come this way

straighten up

contemplating what to do

i continued on

voices of Ja elders answered questions

gwan now soon come da healing

slowly I find my way back

the natural light welcomes me

i wrap myself in the glow

carefully i brush only some of the salt of the sea from my body

never wanting to forget the beautiful journey

: )

Happy Tuesday!

an appointment with art

Milwaukee art museum

I have an appointment with art today. First up, I am meeting my daughter for a date, at the kitchen table for some fun crafting. I hear it is going to involve tons of bedazzling, scrapbooking and even an act card or two. ; )

Insert here: how did I let my pictures get so out of hand. I hold the stories to many of these pictures and there they sit in a plastic container. Do you have a special system for your photographs??

A bit later today, I will study the craft of photography. See it through another persons eyes. Although I have been shooting for ages, it seems this is an art I am learning, quite slowly. It really is a love in my life that takes tons of patience. I humbly accept that challenge. Shh... one of my goals in life, is to learn to shoot in each mode, on my camera; each and every aperture, all lighting situations. I'm not doing too bad, I think I have an understanding of most of them. Now I need to take that understanding and use it more, kick back the fear and go for it. ; ) I don't call my camera manual big daddy for the heck of it. Wink.
Hmm... wondering what your favorite mode to shoot in, may be?

A beautiful Monday, to you all. : )

cinemas and a pinch of that

Some of you may know, I love cinemas. There is just something about the old fashioned popcorn poppers, the red velvet seats and the glorious architecture. I don't go to the movies often, but there are just certain movies, that call my name. ; )

I've got my Hector Lavoe music on, and besides writing a few thank you notes, I plan on have a lazy Sunday. Hmm... sounds like a beautiful plan, to me. Wink.

In my crock pot, I have tossed in sauteed...
onions
mushrooms
carrots
celery
scotch bonnet pepper
baharat spice
sweet curry powder
then added:
stewed tomatoes
veggie broth
I will serve it over white or brown rice. It's a lazy, no fuss meal.

Happy Sunday!

: )

essentials

I choose love first...

always

xxoo

; )

21

faith through the fence

Twenty one years ago today, I married my best friend. This morning my best friend woke me with a kiss, and wished me a happy anniversary. I blinked back, sleepy tears.

Have you ever had anyone in your life that believes in you, more than you could begin to believe in yourself? Yep, that's him. He sways with my personality, as I blow in the wind of life. Side to side. Careful to reach for me as I break, smiling at me from the background, as I grow stronger with each step.

I laugh until I cry, when he is around. ; )

He will stop traffic for me, so I can shoot from the street.

I am his Florida, he is my James.

Ahhh, we have Good Times.

He was the boy from the hood, who cleaned the home economics classroom, to help pay his tuition.

I was the girl from the hood, who made ratatouille or curry rubbed chicken, in the home economics classroom.

He had far fetched dreams of making it out; becoming an attorney.

I had quiet hopes of seeing the world; becoming a chef.

Not bad my friend, not bad at all.

; )

Happy Wednesday, my friends.

street light

barely awake

the streets begin to thaw

i plant my feet

steady i think

the drum kicks to the beat of a kids dreams in my head phones

the turn tables warm my heart

somewhere a mother fries two eggs for her four children

a dream shatters

a boy thinks he is a man

a girl looks for love

a kid shovels the snow off the basketball court passionately

i shout never give up

someone takes the easy way out

a father works overtime

i want to turn left

i want to run right

i put my lens cap on carefully

tucking my dreams tight behind the cap

i whisper to myself never give up

staying on my path

the white light of the street creates a path for me

it is most inviting

; )

Inspired by the four. Check them out.

Challenge:

ducks, white leaves, the air of Lisbon….

(ships)

~Maria Soldadeira ~

my flickr switch is on

Through the gates, I showed her love.


Hi there! I just wanted to stop in and play today. The lovely tangobaby tagged me. I'm supposed pick the fourth photo from the fourth page of my photo sharing page. I don't have four pages of photos at flickr yet, so Im gwan cheat and post the fourth picture that just passed by on this rotating thing, on my side bar.

Please play along, if you'd like. : )

Happy Monday!

dreaming

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
Harriet Tubman

Happy Sunday!

14

Happy Birthday, to my young man!!!

We shared cake, hugs, poetry and basketball. Then we all headed downtown to the Kangol hat, store. Yep, you guessed it! A kangol hat was purchased for the b-day boy! LL Cool J.- who?! : ) I promise you, if we keep taking it back old school in this house, I am going to break dance before the week is out. ; ) Rock, rock, to the planet rock! Aww... those were the days!!! lol

The young man picked Kath's name, for the valentine giveaway. When you return from getting an abundance of love Kath, please email me your snail mail, addy. : ) Congrats!

; )

buffalo soldier

I am spending the evening celebrating this beautiful mans, life. Happy Birthday to Nesta Robert Marley!!!!

I will leave the contest below, open until tomorrow afternoon. I am hoping to post a birthday photo of my young, Robert. Yep, my son has a birthday tomorrow. Oh how I tried to convince this young man, to be born 20 minutes earlier. : ) Eh naw, bedda late den neva ; )

Hello Jamaica!

One love.

be mine *update

finding love
Did I ever tell you that valentines day, is one of my favorite days?? Maybe it's because I love the shape of hearts. I have them all over my house. Discovering the heart shape in grade school... sheer bliss. Yes, I adore the month of February.

show me some love
It might be that love is in the air... topping cupcakes at bakeries, stamped on greeting cards or sealed in foil at the chocolate shop.

barry white love
Then there are the special dinner request,with truffles and tiffany boxes on the side. How about the diamond rings that are handed to me, to hide in desserts or champagne glasses.

free love
Just last night I saw an elderly woman step towards an icy curb and a young man on the bus stop extended his hand and helped her across the ice. I seriously dig that. That's what's up! ; )

random love
So... the picture above, are my moo cards. : ) Do they look familiar? Yes, they are pictures of my babies. I mean my photos. ; ) If you leave a comment about love today, I will include a few of my moo cards in your valentine gift. Yes of course, your gift! I will choose a name out of todays comments and mail you a gift of love, this week. So get on da good foot, by 6am saturday(central time) and leave your love here. : )

I will come back later and try to fit my banner in my banner thingy. Excuse the dust. : )

Update: I'm going to leave the giveaway open through Saturday.

One love.

take my hand

click pic to make bigsies

he said... come now rasta girl, and bring dat camera of yours

i smiled

we rounded the corner

he smiled proudly

i raised my lens

then

thoughts of gondolas

italy

warm basil

cool gelato

then

paris

the latin quarter

warm crepes

berets

then

home

red buildings

iron gates

the city

frozen tour boats

far away is so close

he did good

i am in love

; )

rooftop slow dance

How are you today? Yes, you. : ) I wasn't going to post this picture, it's one of those pictures that you pick your camera up because you see personal beauty... not "blog quality beauty." You know what I mean, right?

It's a cold morning here. The kind of cold that as soon as you pull the covers off to get out of bed, you can feel the temperature change. As I sat thinking of the day ahead of me, thankful to see another, I became taken with the sun slowly revealing itself and doing a slow dance on the neighborhoods rooftops. The burnt orange and red color hues, are what tugged at my heart. I say the heck with blog quality. It speaks to me, so I gotta push post! Who's with me?! ; )

It seems the more I study the craft of photography the more I want to break the rules, take it back, old school style. I feel a break dancing move coming on. Someone get me some card board, please. : ) I digress. This craft is one you never stop learning about, but it's one I always want to have fun with. Guess it helps to learn what's up and then move on to your own fun. As Tara would say "I'm just sayin." She's right ya know. ; )

I have put the kiss picture on my sidebar after a reader wrote me and said " baby, why isn't my favorite picture that kiss of yours, on your blog anymore?" Okay love, I hear you. : )

My moo card order, came in this week. That's sheer love... and addictive. Maybe I will post a pic of them later. You SO have to get some of these tiny bits of love.

I plan on getting dust off my flickr account, this weekend. I think I will love that.

I Just wanted to pop on and say good morning.

Good morning, world. ; )

dance with me

i fall in love with you as I walk along you

i search for your eyes behind a dying bush

your colors dance along my heart

i want to leave you a love note

dance with you when no one is watching

study the brushes that pained you

hear the people in the neighborhood speak of you

no no i live by the statue of liberty that holds the maracas high

the bongos low

shh...listen

can't you hear the beat

as i walk away i turn and blow you two kisses

one kiss for making my day

a second kiss for the hands that created you

; )