caged yellow birds (etc).

Listening To: Everywhere I Go by LissieLine Obsession: "The magazine had a picture of a human heart on the cover, looking like nothing more than a big ball of watermelon threaded through with pale roots; I thought that picture made a person's heart look like a fragile, fragile thing rather than the powerful muscle I'd learned it to be in school. I looked at Bobbi then, and realized that she might just be the same way-- tough and soft at the same time." - from Savvy by Ingrid Law

(This tree belongs to my neighbors. I want it.)

Happy Wednesday, ye bevy of beautiful blog readers (and you fourish handsome blokes who check in from time to time). Today's post comes to you from the rocking chair on my back porch. The perimeter of my backyard is made up of pear trees which, as you know, have big white blooms in Spring. The wind has been howling for a few days, blowing through the trees, sending all those little, papery petals down like springtime snow. It is enchanting. I've tried to take a few pictures so I could show you, but none of them really capture how pretty it looks. Here's the best shot I got:

All those little white specs on the grass are flower petals. It's like I'm caught in a confetti downpour. And, between us, there is a distinct possibility Biscuit and I went outside yesterday, while listening to Eisley sing "Marvelous Things" on the iPod, just so I could twirl around in the flower frenzy. (Sometimes you have to make your own fun.) (My neighbors love me, btw.) Biscuit tried to eat the petals, but that's beside the point.

I also threw a blanket down on the ground and read some Fablehaven - which is quite enchanting as well. Seth and Kendra remind me of me and my brother more than any other literary sibling duo I've come across. I'm not so involved that I'll have to gobble up the whole series immediately, but I think I'll have fun gradually following this story to its end. (However, if Fablehaven and 100 Cupboards were in a cage-fight, I would root for Henry). I have a new working theory: if Brandon Dorman illustrates a series, I'm bound to like it. Much like I'm prone to go bananas over any book edited by Julie Straus-Gabel. (It is quite possibly a new level of dork when you follow the work of authors and illustrators and editors.) Aside from reading and dancing around in the back yard, this week has been great for several reasons. Among them:

* I bought two bunches of African Daisies. Here's a fun fact: a few years ago, when I was dealing with bad insomnia, I started painting. And while I will never, ever, display my work in public ... it was a pretty fun hobby. I painted flowers on everything that year. If my family held still long enough, I would run at them with a loaded paint brush. And sometimes I went outside trying to find new flowers to paint. To this day, when I walk through Lowe's (or any other such flower place), I always think about what brush I would use to paint the flowers I see. It's like I can feel the way I would have held that brush in my hand.

I don't know diddly-squat about gardening so I tend to pick flowers because 1.) I think they would be fun to paint (even though I don't paint anymore) or 2.) because they're pretty. Just because I think they're pretty doesn't mean they are, of course. I recently sent my mom a cell phone pic of a flower in the yard and said, "What's this? I want more of them!" And she texted back and said, "Those are weeds." (Bright side: it should be easy to cultivate those!) :) I'm hopeless. But these African Daisies? They're pretty enough to paint.*

The petals are white but the centers are inky-blue, almost purple. I like to think they're sweet but still wild at heart. (Picture coming as soon as I figure out how to turn off the auto-focus on my camera. I've only had it a year now.)

* I'm going to see Sara Watkins with my bffSarah! Before the concert, we're going to eat at this restaurant which Sarah likes to fangirl because they put truffle oil on their fries. Mmmm. (Sounds so Top Chef, doesn't it?) Sara Watkins used to be 1/3 of my favorite band EVER, which would be Nickel Creek. Every few months, I write about Nickel Creek and how I wish they would get back together (even though they're solo projects have all been really good). I miss you Nickel Creek. I'll wait for you forever ... *Le Sigh*.

* I watched Pride & Prejudice (The Keira Knightly version). (If I had a running total for how often I've watched both P&P movies ... it would be embarrassing.) Though I'm partial to the BBC version of the film, I can't think of a prettier movie than the new P&P. The colors in that film? Oh my word! So gorgeous. Every frame in that movie is beautiful. The rain, the lighting, the long, tapered candles, the girls waiting in the sitting room, the chipped paint, the dresses, Pemberly. It's like every scene is art you could frame and hang on your wall. Especially the scene in the end, when Mr. Darcy is walking through the field just before the sun rises. Maybe I could put him on the Great Wall of Nothing. ; )

* I got some sweet emails. Do you remember Ashley, who graciously allowed me to interview her regarding her advocacy for To Write Love on Her Arms? (Here's the original post, in case you need a refresher.) Ashley emailed to let me know her dad is about to be deployed for 400 days. She asked if I would pray for him and I said YES and asked if I could get you sweet peeps in on the action too. Before you click away today, if you could pray for Ashley and her fam, that would be so awesome. And if you have a friend or family member serving, don't hesitate to brag (or just share a story) in the comments. I have an especially special place in my heart for people in the armed forces too. My dad just retired from the Navy last year. When I was a little kid, Desert Storm was happening and Dad was, obviously, active duty at the time. There were a few close calls but he never went to the Middle East (during that time at least). It seemed like he went on so many trips overseas (some longer than others). I remember one year mom and I had a countdown on the fridge for the day he came home. I got to leave school early to go with her and pick him up at the airport. It was near Halloween, because I remember I made a paper vampire (with strings connecting the legs) during art. I remember giving it to him when he got off the plane (some people give roses ... some people give vampires ...). Isn't it funny the things you remember like that?

It's weird, to be so completely proud and (if you're me, at least) so afraid too. I remember having so many nightmares back then. Men and women brave enough to put their lives on the line like that amaze me. I'm also bowled over by how brave their families are. Big huge hugs to those of you praying a loved one through.

* Part one of the season finale of Project Runway is coming! Jumpy claps! Were you surprised that Maya left? I sort of was (even though Dad predicted she would leave ... my dad is eerily good at predicting various television/celebrity things) (Not that dad watches Project Runway, or anything). My first guess was that it would be Jonathan who quit. Michael Kors was unnecessarily mean about Jonathan's golden jacket** and I figured maybe Jonathan decided to blow them all off and and vamoose. But! Then I found this blog, which says Maya (whom I called Mia in the last blog ... I really thought that was her name) is the only designer that didn't show at Bryant Park. So that was my big hint that dad was right.

However, now I'm confused. Did they let all the designers show so the winner wouldn't leak? Or was it just like the last six or seven designers that got to show? Is that typical, that all the designers get to strut their stuff and we don't see it? Confusion becomes me.

I think Mila will make it over Jay. However, I'm kind of neutral at this point. Last year I was pulling for Carol Hannah (even though I figured that other chick would win). This year, my girl Amy got booted way too early. Then I picked Jonathan and he went home. I feel like I'm jinxing these people so I won't predict again. (*whispers* I think Emilio will win ... if he's able to fit his ego into the building...)

* It's Library Appreciation Week. I'm pretty sure I frequent my library branch so much they wonder if I have a life. So I'm making a big box of chocolate/peanut butter pretzels for my librarians. They're an awesome bunch of ladies - smart and savvy and so creative. My mom took me to the library in my hometown when I was a kid but, (and I'm sure things have changed now) it was nothing like the libraries I discovered as an adult. At my library, there are constantly events going for teens and kids. They show indy films every Saturday, and then have discussions. They have book clubs. They have programs for senior citizens. They have classes on ancestry (and on how to fill out a FAFSA, and on where to look for jobs ...). I get gushy when I talk about libraries because I think they embody some of the best parts of our nation: freedom to speak, freedom to think independently, freedom to discover. I can't believe libraries are free. I'm so grateful for my librarians. I'm also grateful for my favorite online librarian, Sarah, alias The Green Bean Teen Queen. Jenny B. Jones introduced to me to her blog last year and I've been smitten ever since. If you're wondering whether or not a book is worth purchasing or putting on your hold list at the library, you'll love her blog to bits.

* I remembered April is national poetry month. If I don't forget, I'll stick one of my favorite poems on the end of the next few posts. I like this one because it reminds me of my grandparents.

Wind and Window Flower by Robert Frost

Lovers, forget your love,

And list to the love of these,

She a window flower,

And he a winter breeze.

When the frosty window veil

Was melted down at noon,

And the caged yellow bird,

Hung over her in tune,

He marked her through the pane,

He could not help but mark,

And only passed her by

To come again at dark.

He was a winter wind,

Concerned with ice and snow,

Dead weeds and unmated birds,

And little of love could know.

But he signed upon the sill,

He gave the sash a shake,

As witness all within

Who lay that night awake.

Perchance he half prevailed

To win her for the flight

From the firelight looking-glass

And warm stove-window night.

But the flower leaned aside

And thought of naught to say,

And morning found the breeze

A hundred miles away.

* Also, I came to the very true realization that my friend, Krishana Kraft, is a rockstar. (Seriously ... how chic does she look?! Remember when Natalie Portman shaved her head? Krish looks every bit that gorgeous. It's out of control :)

I would love to hear from you in the comments. Hope you're having a happy week.

* I would use the wide, flat brush loaded with white, then turn it side ways and push/pull against the page. Then I would use the short, spikey brush for the center.
** This makes me want to burst into song from the first Willy Wonka movie, "I've got a golden ticket! It's ours, Charlie!"