Shiny Happy People Holding Hands...

Found this field on my way home from the cottage a few weeks ago. What is it about sunflowers that makes me thing of happy people? And fun college songs?

Wish I could live across from a field like this.

Fences.

Bounded by fences, shorter daylight hours and less time at the beach, fall quickly replaces the carefree days of summer. "Snow" (sand) fences become portrayals of wistfulness as we peer up and down the beach, looking for signs of life.




Still, there is beauty...

Suspicion

When Renee said that she, Darrin and the kids were going to the apple orchard by our cottage, I begged "Wait for me to get there!"

During my drive, my younger sister, Gina, told me that their family had just returned from picking 190 pounds of apples, and I had fond thoughts spending some quality time outside in the beautiful fall day with Renee's family. I even brought my camera along to help us savor the beauty longer.

However....Renee's family tradition at the orchard focuses around testing various flavors of apple butter, drinking cider and buying cider donuts. Different but not worse! I bought the cider, Renee bought some Southern Pecan Honey Butter (unbelievable!) and... the donuts were all sold out!

Not sure why Tyler looked so suspicious at this point, but he certainly didn't complain about that carmel apple...


The carmel apple must have been good fuel, because we had a great run less than two hours later. Of course, it made me feel slow and old as I felt Tyler rating himself beside me. He runs like a gazelle now, and placed third in his cross-country meet on Wednesday (He told me that he thinks he grew 5 inches over the summer).

Below, he demonstrates his "boyness" and burns some energy before the run. The black blur is one of the dogs cowering from his flight.

Centering.

Centering is important, especially when your life is feeling chaotic.

These pictures were taken around the fourth of july up at my parents' cottage. I was doing yoga outside with Kay at sunrise, but - in the midst of a sun salutation - looked up at Kay and had to take a picture.

It took me a while to get the settings right for a "truer" picture. Kay got irritated after a few minutes and told me to knock it off.



In the end, the centering won out, however, and she continued with her yoga practice.



Inhale......Exhale...... (smile) Make it a great day.

Kay, thanks for being such an inspiration and also thanks for acting as a centering force for me.

Madame Secretary...

What an amazing woman. Madeleine Albright is at Alma College today - and I just shook her hand!



I didn't realize how small she would be in real life. Her impact, however, is - and has been for years - larger than life.

Some fun notes from her q&a with Alma students:
There is no formula for success - work hard and be nice to people!

Madeleine waited in a pink bathrobe for Bill Clinton to call and invite her to be his secretary of state. Comfort is everything - ESPECIALLY on those scary phone interviews (?)!

Her response to a student's self-introduction as a "senior, chemistry major" was, "I can't help - at all!" However, she noted that a diverse educational background (read: Liberal Arts Education!) is critical for international affairs. I would widen that to say it's important for EVERYONE!

And, our small group favorite quote (which she used to end her talk):
"There's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women."

Madame Secretary, first female secretary of state and last secretary of state of the 20th century...THANK YOU for all you have done for us! You are truly a gracious, wonderful woman!