urchin002.jpg, originally uploaded by kittyredkitty.

Last night I fell asleep in my son’s bed (after he fell asleep in our bed…don’t ask!) And he came in to wake me up in the morning asking if I wanted a cup of tea. I really wanted to sleep a bit more. I was up too late editing images and reading… But he was so cute, making me tea and scrambled eggs on his wooden toy stove, and making sure I had refills when I finished my (water) tea.
After we got up, we walked to the coffee shop and as usual, he takes a long time. He must stop to look at every twig, talk about every flower, throw rocks and sometimes just walk in circles looking at the sky. I tend to get impatient (especially when I haven’t got my coffee yet!) But something occurred to me while walking – what does it matter if it takes 10 minutes rather than 5? I will never get this moment back with him… I will never again have this day of sunshine and family walking down to get hot chocolate and coffee.

I went off to work, and when I came home, he and Nathan were both filthy from working in the garden, picking plums, drawing with chalk and just being boys. It’s something that I really value from my childhood – the permission to get dirty. I was not a complete tomboy… I played with my barbies and other girlie things, but more often than not the barbies were construction workers. But as an adult, I’ve come to like being clean and tidy. Consequently, I spend a lot of time telling him to wipe his face, get a napkin, don’t spill… but there are times when I should just let it be…  He’ll wash clean and I can hose off the deck… The freedom to just be, to just play, to just dig and walk barefoot in the garden.

I guess this is one of those days where I learn more than I teach.

IMG_9569.jpg, originally uploaded by kittyredkitty.

We headed up to my grandparent’s ranch this weekend for some river floating, rib eating and general summer laziness. The area is ripe for photography and I usually get a handful of images i adore from every trip. It’s a very isolated piece of property, and I love it when I think about discovering a view that not many others have seen. While we were there my uncle told us he found a tiny graveyard for some settlers that lived on the land in the 1800’s. next time we’ll venture over there for photos!

I’ve been tagged for this 7 random things about me!

1) I have worn the same color lipstick for 9 years. I will probably die if they ever discontinue it. It’s Malt Matte Stick from Origins. When i have extra money I go buy 2 *just in case*

2) I had a wart on my toe for 7 years. I didn’t know it was a wart until a few weeks ago – it didn’t hurt and i thought it was just a weird callous. Now it’s gone.

3) My parents are 16 years older than me, and we’re quite good friends.

4) I apparently do this thing, where If Meyer asks if the dog can say, go to dinner with us. I’ll say “dogs don’t eat sushi, because they can’t use chopsticks” or “cats don’t go to hawaii because they can’t get passports” It’s almost always about the dog, and I have started to notice I do it nearly every day… without thinking about it.

5) I believe that I am one in a line of eccentric, creative women. As I age I find myself becoming more and more like my grandmother. Occasionally, when I’m cooking or in and antique store I can feel her presence and I feel that she talks to me during these times…

6) I have to create something evey day. If I don’t cook, take photos or craft something, I feel pretty empty. It absorbs my manic energy and centers me.

7) I wish I could sing. Or even just play an instrument. 5 years of piano lessons and I can barely play “happy birthday” I also can’t learn a foreign language. eh.

great-grandpa, originally uploaded by kittyredkitty.

This is my grandfather, my dad’s dad. Growing up we never had a great relationship, he’s a tough old guy. Very judgmental and cold. I think the first time he told me he loved me I was in my 20’s. After his second heart attack 10 years ago, he started to change. He’s slowly become more loving and affectionate. He adores my son and husband. He shows a little more compassion to my grandmother and the rest of our family. He’s still tough to be around, but I remember how bad it was and I’m thankful for the small changes he’s made. I can now roll my eyes at the things he says rather than bursting into tears. I can’t completely forget the hurtful stuff, but with my own growth and age, I can forgive him for much of it.

preg-1, originally uploaded by kittyredkitty.

I love photographing pregnant women. it’s really hard to get a bad photo of these beautiful ladies about to bring a new life into the world.