birthday – Live & Learn

Happy Belated Birthday

January 2, 2016 by Live & Learn 41 Comments

zeke-vizsla-sleeping-dog-pet-adorable

I’m on the couch reading, or quasi-reading and surfing – flicking through May Sartons’ journals in The House By the Sea and Knausgaard’s essay in The New York Times Magazine on The Terrible Beauty of Brain Surgery.

Yet, I’m wrapped by the beat of something bigger. Sun beams pour through the windows, warming, and then disappear with cloud cover. The bird feeder hangs on a cast iron hook and swings ever-so-gently to and fro in the northerly breeze which gusts to rattle the windows. And Knausgaard from his essay, “I didn’t understand the words, but the sound of them filled the air with mournfulness and humility. Man is small, life is large, is what he heard in the ring of that voice.”

Then there’s Zeke, napping, after his six-mile morning walk, drawing Sarton’s short breaths, in a ‘rhythm, a kind of fugue poetry.’

The couch, books by world class writers, a sleeping dog leaning in and a morning free of all commitments – Oh, the bliss of Saturday mornings… [Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: birthday, Dog, Karl Ove Knausgaard, Love, May Sarton, Pet, Photography, Quotes, Story, Vizsla

Happy Birthday Mimi!

August 7, 2014 by Live & Learn 15 Comments

She showed up here with a comment in March, 2012. How? From where? No idea.

She rings the morning bell at the crack of dawn with a dash of wit or splash of insight – softening up the spillway for others to come behind her. Gentle. Grace. Light.

I’ve had a handful of guest bloggers post on my blog. Don’t miss: The Final Act of Love

Her post was recognized by WordPress as one of the best of the day in “Freshly Pressed“: An Ode to Entomology

Here’s an excerpt from her beautiful post yesterday on the Eve of a Big Day:

Perhaps that’s it – I still believe in wonders. In fact I think I notice them more than ever before. Wonder in the breath of the wind, the intangible, unbreakable connections that tie me to those I love. Wonder at how much more meaning my days have now that they have fewer requirements to dilute the attention I might give to the sun on my face. And while I marvel, I also realize how tightly I am holding onto this life. How much I love the moments as well as the spaces in between, when I breathe in the absolute sweetness of being a part of it all.

There’s Joy. There’s Exaltation. There’s You.

July 10, 2014 by Live & Learn 16 Comments

22 years ago, you came in our lives.
Here you are at five.
We couldn’t imagine our lives without you.
Happy Birthday Honey.

Mom & Dad

Filed Under: Inspire, Life, Photography Tagged With: birthday, daughter, Family, Gratitude, Life, Love, Photography, Quotes, Story

Happy Birthday America

July 4, 2014 by Live & Learn 6 Comments

Source: Totally Transparent

Filed Under: Inspire, Photography, Quotes Tagged With: America, birthday, Fireworks, freedom, gif, Independence Day, Inspirational, July 4, Photography, USA

Happy 20th Birthday Bud!

March 4, 2014 by Live & Learn 45 Comments

birthday

Eric Eating Birthday Cake

Eric 4th birthday

(P.S.: For the record, this was your Mom’s idea. You were 3-4 years old here.)

Filed Under: Photography, Quotes Tagged With: birthday, Children, Family, Parents, Photography, Son

Happy Birthday Zeke

December 26, 2013 by Live & Learn 65 Comments

dog,puppy,cute,vizsla

Six years ago today, Zeke was born.

Who knew?

That a dog would eat (and enjoy) carrots, broccoli and cauliflower? (Incredible. Better eating habits than the kids.)
That a dog could steal chewing gum from the counter top, unwrap it and eat it? (How?)
That a dog would bark, snarl and snap at the King of the Household to protect the others? (Why bite the hand that earns the cash that buys the food that feeds you? Repeatedly?)
That a dog would know every day at high noon, it’s Peanut Butter in Plastic Kong time? (How?)
That a dog would sleep under the covers at your feet, every single night? And then move up to share your pillow later on at night? (Who needs central heating in the winter? Or a comforter for that matter?)
That a dog could be so afraid of Andie, the black and brown tabby cat? (Come on Zeke. Man-up.)
That a dog could spot anything in the sky but would miss a deer 20 yards in front of him?
That a dog would lie down in front of his Momma, lift his paws one by one, and let her clip his toe nails. And then do a full-body wiggle between her legs after it was all done? (King’s Dog enjoys pedicures. Something very wrong here.) [Read more…]

Filed Under: Inspire, Life, Photography Tagged With: Animal, birthday, Dog, Family, Funny, Pet, Photography, Story, Vizsla, Zeke

Are you common? Or rare?

June 10, 2013 by Live & Learn 43 Comments

The Patriarch of this household is less common (aka “special/rare”). The rest of the brood would be defined as common based on their birthdate. About right. See The Daily Viz for background on study and sample set. The chart has had more than 250,000 views. If you want to read more about this study, hit this link. Still wouldn’t change the end result. 🙂

Source: ilovecharts

Happy Birthday Eric!

March 4, 2013 by Live & Learn 57 Comments

Happy 19th Birthday Son.

Your Mother and I were looking at your baby pictures last night. We came across the shot below. You were two months old.

You and I have debated this point. (On Head Size.) Yet, the truth is now inconvertible upon reflection.

Despite your impressive academic achievements, your head size remains disproportionately large compared to your body. (Yes, the photo is shocking. Your Mother had to sit down as she looked at the photo – I saw her shudder as she recalled the memories of the birthing process. BTW, I checked out Einstein’s head, it was normal size.)
See the position of your head in the shot. Your neck was straining to support your head. All of your photos have you in the same profile: leaning and tilting. (Again, the cranium cargo load is daunting.)
All 10 lbs 3 oz of you were delivered via c-section – – because you wouldn’t come out the traditional way. (Resisting parental guidance starting early – at birth. And Head size. Simply Massive. And yet your Mother still coddles you even after that trauma.)

Have a great day Eric. Big Head and All…We love you.

Baby pictures, baby