24 September 2007

Fall brings life.

I think fall can be life-giving. Not only are there different varieties of flowers and vegetables that thrive in the cooler weather....but I've seen evidence in so many people lately that a sort of awakening occurs as fall approaches. A deep breath in, and we start over again. The summer is behind us, along with 100 degree days. We can enjoy the outdoors again. We can lay in our new hammock for longer than 3 minutes. We can build fires.

This weekend, my husband suggested stopping by a nursery "to get those mums you've been wanting." I love him. What man remembers I wanted mums and then takes the initiative to go get them? He even helped me pick out the best. My extremist self fell in love with the huge $18 ones, but he helped me remember that the smaller $4 ones would still be beautiful, and then I could get two. Go team Bails.

So I thought I'd share some fallish things that have put a smile on my face lately. What are some of yours?

1) We actually grew some healthy tomatoes!



2) Miss Azalea was being charred in the sun but after watching Gardening By the Yard, we moved her to a shadier spot under the eaves of the house and she started sprouting new leaves...


...and then purty pink flowers!


3) My yellow rose of Texas has been making me swoon lately...



4) The aforementioned mums just make the house feel a little more fallish, even though it's still high 80s during the day!




19 September 2007

Why I love to dance....

When I leave class, I feel like a giddy 5-year-old. I can hardly sleep that night, feeling like something exciting is about to happen!

As I learn how to move my body in different ways, I'm learning to love my body more.

It's great exercise and a lot more exciting that lifting weights!

It's a different means of expression than what I'm used to (pen, paper, paint, paper scraps...).

It's so freeing.

In class, I can be whoever I want to be.

It brings me joy.

There's no way I can be "teacher's pet," even though I wanna be. Ha!

Now, I'm going to try a dance form called "Nia." It's a style that combines Yoga (yesssssss.), T'ai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Jazz, Modern, Duncan Dance, Alexander Technique, and The Teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais. Hmm. All I know is that it's described as "very freeing" and "full of energy and joy." I'm in!

04 September 2007

Footloose and fancy free!

Remember this post where I told you about frolicking in a grassy field while a friend took photos of me? Well, that very talented photographer friend, Erin Fletcher, has posted them on her website. To enjoy her handiwork, just click "Proofs" and then "Bailey Portraits".

To me, the photos are a celebration of...
  • bare feet
  • white flowy skirts
  • green fields in the big city
  • kangaroo paw flowers
  • the "perfect time of day"
  • being ourselves
  • being free!