five things, may 23

1. I think I'm going to start right of with a big brag on my kid. He finishes 8th grade in a few short days and then we're into exams. At his school, 9th grade is still middle school, and the kids don't move to upper school until 10th grade. I'm down with that. A famous rite of passage for 9th graders at Cal's school is the 9th grade speech. Every student gives one in front of the whole middle school, and the speeches are on a wide range of topics. Preserving bees. Scholastic sports. Gun control. You name it (abortion is not allowed as a topic, as are, I'm sure other super polarizing topics.), they speak about it. The speeches are well-researched, and the kids work with advisers on everything from organizing their speech to the public speaking part itself. So. There's a raffle and a lottery and apparently a lot of jockeying and trading of numbers, but guess who's willingly going first? I know, I know. I made it easy on you, but bottom line, Cal's #1. On the speech roster and in my heart. #soproud

2. I think, as long as we're talking about speeches, I might mention that he's giving one today. In front of the middle school. On the page program. This 9th grade speech will be a breeze. yes, #soproud

3. I think I so appreciate all of your comments on the photos and thoughts I shared this week. I belong to a Fuji group on Facebook, and the support I got there was astounding. I think about art a lot, and how I'm living my life and working on my craft. I expect I'll have more to say on the topic in coming days. #sorrynotsorry

4. I think, and this is totally random, that this month's Martha Stewart Living was one of my favorites in ages. I don't subscribe. It's never as good when I subscribe. So it's my monthly grocery store treat. Sometimes there are hits and sometimes misses, but this month? Hit.

5. I think I can't believe it's almost Memorial Day. We have no real plans. Exams start next week, after all. Neel and I are going to a wedding on Saturday (yay, I love weddings!), and other than that I want to eat and rest. I'm ready for summer. You?

these days {life}

Sometimes the internet is such a cool place. And I know, sometimes it's creepy and overwhelming and addicting, but I've been trying to concentrate on gratitude lately, so let's stick with cool, shall we?

Remember that photo walk I took with my Lensbaby awhile back? We took that walk as a group of women who'd never met before (when are we doing it again, by the way?!), and instantly felt connected by our shared love of our cameras. We connected on Facebook and Instagram, and I feel so lucky to have their pictures continue to pop up in my feeds. So one of those women mentioned recently that she'd been tagged in a "My Everyday" challenge. Shoot your everyday for five days and post the photos to Facebook. She asked me to join along, and it was just the thing I needed! 

Shooting my everyday moments are why I got the Fuji in the first place, and this challenge was just the thing I needed to slow down and pay attention. Face it, my days are pretty boring. I work alone, at home, with nothing but the dogs to keep me company until time to grab Cal from school. But this challenge made me stop and pay attention. It's the details that matter, right? A lunch. The way the dogs stare me down even after my food is gone. Homework time. A walk to my river. And that picture of Cal at the end of the hall? How many times have I seen just that view? Cal, digging in the closet for baseballs before he and Neel go out to throw. Without this challenge to focus my eye, I'm not sure I'd have ever thought to capture a moment that is so infused with what makes up our life right now.

Have you tried it? An everyday challenge? Some people shoot "A Day in the Life," and my friend Michele (who originally challenged me) is picking a theme each day (Her most recent was a series of photos of her son getting a haircut, and it was amazing!). Go on! You can do it! Stop and look around. Slow down. It's the details, the tiny insignificant moments that matter.

If you do decide to do an everyday challenge, please let me know. I'd love to know what you're up to, everyday.