We had a photo shoot

all photos were taken by Zekar Photography...and you can find them if you click thru the link

signed, the willow

Running with Gratefulness

Do you ever have those cliche moments when you just find your momentum?  Your groove?  Your energy?

Today I went for a run with our dog, Suma, and found myself floating on air because of gratefulness.  I was thanking the Universe for my legs, my muscles, my heart pumping blood, my lungs breathing fresh clean air.  The things I take for granted.  With the gratitude in my heart, I crossed over the creek on the  pedestrian bridge and looked down at Suma.  She was grinning ear to ear.  Anyone who knows Suma, knows this particular smile.  She was grateful too.  Grateful for her legs, her lungs, her heart, and for me.  She looked up knowingly at me as if to say "You rock, mom! Thanks for bringing me and picking up my poop with your tiny Teaopia bag."  I said the same with my heart to her - except for the poop part.  One day, we won't run together anymore.  Sooner for her, sadly.  As we met up with Burlington's best looking willow (.No, silly.  Not me!) the air smelled of a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies.  Thank goodness I live in a safe neighbourhood where fellow exercisers greet me with a smile and the wholesomeness of the neighbourhood was encapsulated in the aroma of those chocolate chip cookies. mmmm. grateful

signed, the willow

Oddly Quiet

Tonight (because it's so dark out) This Afternoon the house is oddly quiet.  It's never this quiet.  *Mila* is quietly drawing, colouring, writing, and I'm typing with the tv on mute.  It's nice.  I love being together just doing all sorts of quiet things.

Next week, this will change.  We're taking a turn in our lives.  The only one sacrificing will be *Mila*.  For the past 7 years, I've been there to pick her up from school and take care of her every need.  For 7 years.  Some mothers have been working since their babies were 7 months old, or even 7 weeks old.  We've been lucky and we've tried to provide her with the best push start into the world that we could.  But it's my turn to contribute and make up for lost time lost dollars.

It will be fine.  Tell me it will be okay.

signed, the willow

:)

Freshwater salmon

First of many chickadees

Shortly after this photo was taken, Suma had her back legs fall off the boardwalk and narrowly escape death.

The rather mangy and scruffy, but elusive cardinal

signed, the willow

Walk with me in the park

So, my dear, wonderful, and very kind husband has complained that I don't tell enough story on my blog.  So, once a week, I'll give him a little anecdote and that should shut him up.

Take a walk with me in my neighbourhood park (or bike trail).  Please excuse my photos taken on my phone.

Aren't the willows on my walk just fantastic?

Have you met my poor old girl, Suma?  Isn't she sweet?  She generally can't walk very far any more.  But she did 6 km with me this day.  It was a bit of scorcher too.

Here we go again.  She needs to sniff every single blade of grass on our way there and back home.

The city has these great new benches on the trail.   I think this one says "Kiss again....the stars in your eyes will be glowing brighter".  There are more, but it's really rather awkward taking photos of them when people are sitting on them.  I stood by the bench opposite this one for a minute waiting for an elderly gentleman to pass.  Instead he stopped and sat on it.  So, I'll have to sneak out earlier with the camera and take some better photos.

Lastly, after school, I picked up my little *mila* monkey and she wanted a photo of her lying in this tree.  Because she's so pensive and laid back, don't you know?  *sarcasm* goes here.

signed, the willow