26.2

274/365: long shadows near mile  19

Sunday was the Twin Cities Marathon – always a festive occasion in Minneapolis but extra special this year because Brad ran it!! Despite in juries & training setbacks along the way, he gutted it out the full 26.2 miles and managed to have a smile on his face every time we saw him.  He’s not in this photo – one of the few I snapped all day – every time I saw him I was way too excited to think about my camera!

Way to go, babe. You did it and we couldn’t be more proud.

still in bloom

270/365: meadow rue

I’m always happy to find flowers still in bloom in early autumn – besides the ubiquitous mums, of which, I a not a huge fan. The meadow rue can easily be taller than me, despite its delicate appearance. I like things that manage to be mighty and tender all at once.

field trip

262/365: green ware with straw hat

Last week I got the chance to chaperone Sawyer’s 6th grade field trip. It was an ‘old-time’ affair called River Rendezvous, a temporary city of tents set up to demonstrate life in the 1800’s. We ended the day with a pottery demonstration.

Wheel throwing is something I can get completely lost in. I took a class once while I was in grad school – just for fun – and was instantly obsessed. Watching a vessel rise up and take shape as if conjured from the clay just never ceases to amaze me. I guess I’m not alone; even the antsy kids were spellbound.

hey, beautiful

226/365: monarch in the prairie garden

I could tell from the tattered wings that it’s been a tough journey. What a relief it must be to come upon a native plant feast like my neighborhood prairie garden!

It is SO good to see each and every monarch this year. Wishing them safe travels and plenty of flowers along the way.

family portrait

Only wish Sawyer had been along for the walk so our shadow yoga family portrait was complete…

From left to right: Zola, me, Brad, Rocco.

209/365: three in tree + one down dog

golden hours

Capturing this photo felt akin to bottling sunshine. Now if I can just figure out how to do it with time…

202/365: prairie coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)

scene from a sunny day

Things are not always what they seem.

195/365: reed grass in bright sunlight

on summer

the heat of the sun

the flutter of wings

the children’s laughter

the cool of the creek

the buzz and the breeze

the drip and whirl of time

191/365: damselfly

that moment

Sometimes the dog is pulling your arm and you have an art fair in the morning and your son is scooping minnows in the creek, and you’re telling him it’s time to go and then the sunlight comes and hits a big tangle of dead forest undergrowth JUST SO and it all turns into a gestural scribble, a linear sculpture, a study of light & shadow. It’s nothing really. And, yet, it’s full of movement and life and death and struggle and some little bit of grace.

Sometimes all you get is that one moment, that one shot. And then it all keeps moving.

188/365: sunshine on tangle of dead branches

shine on

One of the many beautiful things about gardens is the way the flowers complement and contrast with one another  at the same time that each one is is busy being its own individual miracle.

One shining star doesn’t throw the rest of the garden into shadow – it just helps every other thing to shine more brightly.

150/365: salvia and irises