it was so easy then.

I remember a time, rompin' through the woods

Sun against our skin instead of clothes

When we felt hungry we would eat

When we felt glad we'd dance

And whenever we felt drowsy we would doze

It was so easy then never takin' any stands

It was so easy then, holdin' hands

I remember a time when our fears could be named

And courage meant not refusing dares

I remember when we took such cares to step never on the cracks,

no only on the squares

Or else we'd be abducted by the bears

It was so easy then never makin' any plans

It was so easy then, holdin' hands

It was so easy then never makin' any plans

It was so easy then, holdin' hands

(carly simon.jacob brackman)

she. she's turning 13 in 17 days. how, when, why?!!! it goes so fast. she is blossoming more + more with each passing day and i just have to take a moment. be still. and remember. and that's what i'm going to do. remember every moment of birthing, loving, feeding, caring, laughing, comforting, cherishing this creature who drifted into my life after my mother drifted out and made everything whole again. and again. xo

snippets from an impromptu wake at dawn trip to the sunflower field at colby farm - nobody else around. my gal + her beloved goober - tiptoeing through the sunflowers right into my heart. oh annie, you darling girl. how i have loved loving you. 

images taken on 8 September 2015

annie: 9 going on double digits

it's always worth it.

there is freedom within

there is freedom without

try to catch a deluge in a paper cup

there's a battle ahead

many battles are lost

but you'll never see the end of the road

while you're traveling with me

hey now, hey now

don't dream it's over

hey now, hey now

when the world comes in

they come, they come,

to build a wall between us

we know they won't win

(Neil Mullane Finn)

probably one of my favorite songs. as it came on the radio i couldn't help but think of where we are today in this country and how all i want is to make my daughter feel safe and happy and positive. hard to do when every  morning i turn on the news and go ugh! one foot in front of the other. keep doing the right thing. keep your head up. keep your heart full. fight the good fight.

resist + persist, just to exist. 

xo

she.

please, please never stop believing that fighting for what's right is worth it.

it's always worth it.

(hillary clinton)

everyone says summer goes by so fast.

there are a few new freckles on your shoulders

the hammock swings lower and touches the grass

the apples are ripe and the corn is past

everyone says summer goes by so fast

{carly simon}

my girl is started 6th grade. 6th!!! i can hardly believe it. time is fleeting. i remember when she began 1st grade - she seemed so little. now, she's blossoming. turning + changing everyday. growing. a sweet young lady to be sure. does she still need her mama? does she fight that in between - the wanting to be stronger and wiser and independent. sure of her decisions, sure of her path. she is my in between girl - my closer to 12 girl, my brave girl, my sweet girl, my feisty girl. every  moment she is walking away from me, walking into her own life. i hold onto this bond between us. but i too have loosened my grasp more and more. i savor these moments, the hugs, the kisses, the laughs, the joy, the frustration, the stomping away, the frowns, the smiles. i savor it all because she completely and forever has my heart. annie viola. i adore you. xo

snippets from summer 2017.

all images from iphone 6