sperlygirl

the magic of a little owl...

it isn't often you come across one of those 'things' in your life that you secretly always dreamed of doing but never imagined you'd ever have the chance...but walking through the royal gardens in prague, there it was, my chance to old an owl. it was magical. owls have always fascinated me - they have such a simple and mysterious beauty. i love knowing they live in the shadows or nooks and crannies. this little tawny owl, chicco, who so graciously allowed me to hold him and softly pet his front feathers - little does he know that i (or my little kai) will never forget this experience. to be able to have something so wild sit with you for a brief moment and make that connection - to me it is a heartfelt reminder of how connected we all are.

"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." ~Chief Seattle

fragrant wishes...

a simple fragrant wish and greeting for you this weekend...may you spend time with those you love and those who love you, may you cultivate a few moments of silence and solace for yourself, may you take the time to remember (even if only for a moment) the wonder of the world around you.

a vibrant city...

i read somewhere someone referred to traveling as being a humbling experience. i agree but in tandem believe it can open you on so many levels. it was difficult for me to select a single photo to best represent our experience in prague - but i felt this one of a stained glass window in the royal cathedral summed up the colorful city well. it is a city that hums with energy, color found in every corner - from beautiful architecture to decorative body art. it is a city who has eclectic tastes from fashion to dining. it is a city whose language alone is as colorful as her city streets. traveling with a 2-yr old also makes the journey a humbling one in many respects. it becomes as much a journey to a new country as it does a journey a little deeper  into motherhood as well as our little globe trekker asserts more and more independence along the way. and the whole experience, for me, became a lesson in detachment too as we became separated from our luggage (the one with most of my clothes) right at the start.  not to worry - prague embraces 'the mall' - a couple new items did the trick -- but it was a good lesson for me in letting go (this lesson just keeps coming back!!). these are things i observed about prague: dreadlocks, large portions/servings of food, cafe doesn't hold a torch to italy, love those trams, clean-clean-clean city, sleek and hip, beautiful contrast in architectural styles, color-color-color....to sum it up in one word - vibrant.

journey on...

we're headed on a short journey and i'll be taking the week off. it's time to explore a new country and wander her city streets - of course - with camera in hand. wishing you a wonderful week and i'll be back shortly and will share some sights and stories. ciao!

discovering summer...

watching kai yesterday, i could only guess what he was sword fighting in his little imagination. was it the crocodile from peter pan or perhaps captain hook himself? whatever it was it didn't matter...he was lost in his world and loving every minute of it. and isn't that what summer is all about, anyway? battling with balloons, among friends, bellies full from cupcakes on long summer evenings....

my marathon...

while having dinner with some dear friends last night, our conversation flowed to the growth that's gained from setting goals and working towards them. my one friend commented on how her brother planted the seed for her to run a marathon last year - which she did. and when it was over, he said to her,  "now you can check this off your list and replace it with another goal, we always need goals to work towards." she talked about when she crossed the finish line how she truly believed she could do anything in life now after all that preparation and training. it has always been a silent dream of mine (since childhood) to illustrate a children's book. but it wasn't anything i would talk myself into - instead i'd put up too many obstacles. "i'm not an illustrator, i majored in video/film, i couldn't do that, i am not good enough" you know all that "talk". then a friend approached me with a possibility...to illustrate her book. that silent dream suddenly had a voice and an opportunity. in talking with my friends last night, i said "this is my marathon". i am training and drawing daily, combating that mental chatter that can either boost you or stop you dead in your tracks. it is as frightening as it is liberating -- but deep within all of that somewhere, it is right.

slowing down the pace...

ahhhh....so it's our first official day of summer and i do love this pace. to me, it's the difference between cramming errands into a busy and bustling chain grocery store that sells everything from produce to lawnmowers. where walking the aisles makes me feel like i need to train on a track with a coach just to successfully dodge the shopping carts and strollers. and by the time i make it to the checkout, i feel i need a water and towel and more likely deserve a medal. contrast that with a stroll by a simple, small produce stand along the street - where most likely the vegetables were picked from the ground just hours before being brought here. no lines, no registers, no training required...this is the pace.

to this papa...

to this little boy - you are larger than life. you know exactly what to say to make him laugh, you know his tired cry from his sick one, you have witnessed his every first, you guide him with an open mind and a gentle heart.

to this wife - you are my north star. you keep this family in running order and well-fed with amazing meals, you make us laugh and understand completely our moods, you plan out awesome excursions and travels - all while using whatever few precious moments you have for yourself in your day to pursue your creative passions and talents.

happy father's day, j - and thank you for being the wonderful papa that you are.

to all you father's out there -- wishing you the loveliest of father's day weekends.

pedal away...

only 2 days left of school for me before summer break. there seem to be so many loose ends to tie up and so many unknowns ahead to prepare for - that part of me just wishes i could get on this pretty little bicycle and pedal off into the horizon. there are some sad farewells in the months ahead as dear friends leave for other continents. there is that uncertainty of will that be us next year? there is the anticipation of  a summer schedule - of creative projects moving to the top of my list, morning runs or yoga sessions, late nights watching a good film - sharing late dinners with friends, traveling, enjoying some company. but until then the idea of pedaling aways still sounds appealing at the moment.

a simple stroll...

while we were out this weekend, i noticed this gentleman as he slowly strolled along the streets. he walked, seemingly deep in thought, never gazing up but just going through the motions to get where needed to be. there was a peacefulness in his stroll - a beautiful simplicity. i lingered long enough to snap this photo - and quickly ran to catch up to j and kai. this seems to be how my life proceeds these days, i linger long enough to notice i need to race to catch up. i long for a simple stroll to wander at length in my thoughts and dreams.