This is a self portrait (I guess). The eyelashes seem a little out of focus to me, and I lost some of the detail at the beginning of the nose.

I would like to say that I was not wearing mascara in this picture, only eye shadow.

I can’t decide if I like this picture better, or No sleep better, so leave your vote in the comments.

This picture was a mess-up of Long hours, but I think I may like it more. It is the same eye.

It is clearly out of focus, but that adds a little to it. If I could be sure of how I got it I would do another one that has just the eye lashes in focus (and maybe the eyebrows). But I like it this way, too.

Please tell me if you like this picture or Long hours more.

You may not be able to get good reception on your cellphone, but it sure is roomy out here.

(Those lights on the horizon are a neighbor’s farm.)

This picture deserves a good story, and maybe a cursive font, to go with it. But I have neither.

A poem might do, but I know none.

So you, instead, shall have to let your imagination fly. Like a swallow, swooping down to catch a bug — or the wind, blowing through this grass.

You can watch the day turn to night. See faeries dance, swaying with the blades of grass. And over there, near the edge of the trees, is a fawn playing on his pipes, and another on his flute.

As the light fades and the sky is filled with red, the naiads and dryads join in the dance, and the badgers, dwarfs, and centaurs come to watch.

The moon is high tonight, reflecting off the grass. The tune has changed from a soft gentle breeze to a celebration. They all are thankful for the wonderful day that has passed, and they are looking forward to another.

But it is time for us to go in. Perhaps tomorrow they will come back and dance with the grass again.

My favorite weather is when something is falling. It can be snow, rain, or leaves — I’ll be happy. This is a big part of why I love spring. (Though my birthday may have a little bit to do with it, too.)

I have several of these bushes is in my back yard, and they are covered with these white flowers each year around the middle of May. By the end of June, gently bumping a branch will send several dozens of petals falling to the ground, making it look like it’s snowing. Star (my sister’s black dog) loves sleeping under them when June starts to get too hot for her.

~By Emily Dickinson

A light exists in spring
Not present on the year
At any other period.
When March is scarcely here

A color stands abroad
On solitary hills
That science cannot overtake,
But human nature feels.

It waits upon the lawn;
It shows the furthest tree
Upon the furthest slope we know;
It almost speaks to me.

Then, as horizons step,
Or noons report away,
Without the formula of sound,
It passes, and we stay:

A quality of loss
Affecting our content,
As trade had suddenly encroached
Upon a sacrament.

Ever have one of those days?

The first California sea lion show of 2008 at the St. Louis Zoo, and the zoo wasn’t crowded ’cause of the cold weather. Perfect! We were only the seventh row back, smack dab in the middle, even though we arrived at the last second. Now, if only my sore throat would have magically disappeared…

Well, you can’t have it all.

The show was great! We learned the difference between a seal and a sea lion. (That’s a real need-to-know, right?) And we saw what the sea lions’ stand on recycling was.

Then of course, there were the balancing acts, and jumping the rope. It’s a little fuzzy, but is this picture not perfect timing?!!

Near the end of the show, one of the girls (there were two girls, and one big boy) were supposed to jump through the hoop that the trainer was holding. She wouldn’t jump. It was hilarious! (I felt a little bad for the trainer though.) But, I mean, when you go to those things, there is hardly ever a glitch. You cheer, and you laugh at all the jokes, but it’s the same show that everyone else has seen. Besides, it was her first performance of ’08 — give her a break.

Though there may have been a good reason she didn’t feel like jumping. I think she was the one who found the hidden bucket of fish on one side of the stage, while the trainer was on the other.

They all rocked. And we had a great time!

See also:
Sea lions take a stand on recycling,
“I’m as light as a feather!”,
and It’s not over ’till the sea lion sings.

Alex seemed to me to be the type of boy that turns up his nose at people who litter… literally. I snapped this picture right before he dived. When he came back to the surface, his nose was straight up in the air, with the bottle balanced on top.

This post goes with The show must go on.

Now here’s a guy who likes showing off. And he has a lot to show, weighing in at 600-something pounds as he does. Alex has been with the St. Louis Zoo California sea lion show for quite awhile. The pay must be good, ’cause he obviously has a pass to the gym, and a good fitness trainer to boot.

Beside him is one of the girls (Rosie, I think), clapping. Isn’t that the encouragement that every man needs? A hot chick cheering by his side!!

This post goes with The show must go on.