last gasp of poetry

(Not that I really participated this year in National Poetry Month. Ah well, next year.)

Squeee~there's just nothing better than a baby snuggle

a perfect tiny

human; weight of potential

may your road rise up

why yes, it is another blossoming snap

But Spring is just so enticing and alluring this year, that the camera must come out.

Such sweetness and snuggles from the newest niece~as well as from the other Littles. Hard to believe the weekend is over~I barely blinked and Monday is arriving.

kondomari

The dogwoods (Virginia State Flower) are blooming like mad this week.

A drippy day, but the grey makes the colours pop even more.

I don't know what you do with one day off, but I decided to use the Kondo chick's suggestions for tidying up one's closet/life. (Google her, I'm too rushed to add the link.)

My closet is usually fairly organized, but I managed to cull two bags to donate to Goodwill this week. 

 It's nice to know, clothing-wise, what brings you joy.

looking out my windows

don't know why I am

so gobsmacked by spring this year

stunned by decadence 

another day in the ESL classroom

Since our final is tomorrow, we celebrate the end of our textbook today. 

My tin of Scrabble letters that I've purchased at various vintage/thrift stores. 

We do have people photos, but not on my camera (and we were missing half the class. But no worries, somehow when food is involved~most of the school wanders in.)

compelling

There is something about this image that I find so appealing. If my brain wasn't clogged with grammar and grading, I would craft a haiku. Maybe this weekend, something creative will appear.

progressive

while progressive parties are fun, progressive stories are also a hoot. Used this to kick-off this week's vocab lesson. A couple of students were crying so hard with laughter that they couldn't read the final product. (For those unfamiliar with this, you write a sentence and hand it to the next person. They write a sentence to go with yours and then fold yours down and pass it along. So, you're only reading one sentence at a time.)

we just don't use 'mirth' enough

I really need to record my Monday voice student~he says the most hilarious things, but by the time I get home, I have forgotten the exact wording. It's a good life right now~there is a lot of mirth in all my teaching and I am savoring it.

little leaves & fingers

Are filling all my attention these days. It's nice to have time to simply sit and stare at the new life. 

Yes, it's blurry~but you try holding an infant and taking a photo! Her little fingers are worthy of being stared at for several hours.  Just so teeny and perfect.

And the perfect little ears.

"Less of the photos while I'm trying to sleep." 

Out for a walk with the eldest Little~we voted this tree the showiest of the block.

Some creek burblings to listen to and a fine mailbox to admire. 

And then a painting project in the sunshine. 

My heart is full.

flanuessing

A GORGEOUS day to be out/about. 

The tulips have finally been convinced to open. 

Flags at half-mast for the passing of Barbara Bush.

Delish coffee from a favorite cafe. 

I've seen the entry to the National Botanical Gardens now in three seasons, and they are each stunning. 

These orchids were climbing almost a full two-stories.

Me and my love of glitter were thrilled to find a sparkly doorway in the East Building of the National Museum of Art~my first visit. Less thrilled to read the description that each bead symbolized the poison of chemo dripping through veins. (This is why sometimes, I prefer to be ignorant of art.)

And again I ask~HOW is this art? Even if it's abstract or something I don't enjoy, I can appreciate the skill/craft that went into creating it. But painting a large canvas ONE colour and naming it something stupid like Untitled #97 is not Art. (imo.) 

I was soothed by seeing a Kandinsky~always love his joyful colours/shapes. 

But then walked around the corner to see this piece of weird canvas taped to the wall. I can't even.

Up on the rooftop, no Santa, but a Very Large & Bright Rooster. While it's whimsical and startling, I feel a bit sorry for the offices across the plaza that have this for a daily view.

Intriguing shadows created by this pipe sculpture. 

And I stumbled into an entire room of Rothkos! I was introduced to his work by one of my best friends~so it's always a lovely reminder of her when I see one of his paintings. 

Had a yummy chk'n sandwich at Hip City Veg and got my greys all covered at the Aveda Institute. Get ready for an onslaught of darling photos of my Littles!