the not facebook photo album

I went to create a new album on Facebook and it asked me to allow Facebook to have "unrestricted access" to my computer. Um.... really? After everything I've read/seen/heard about Facebook taking ownership of my photos, using them for advertising and basically asking me to turn over my content so they can take it out behind the shed and ask it to take it like pretty boy interns at the Republic National Convention, they are asking for Unrestricted Access to my computer?

yea, no Facebook. No frakking way.

So here's the album I was going to post on Facebook.

summer time, family time

I told Roy the other day that both of us dealing with an insane amount of crazy stress at work just isn't fair. Couldn't we go through it at separate times? Despite the exhaustion of dealing with such drama, we're finding time to enjoy our summer. We've made a tradition of picking out the most delicious food from Whole Foods, packing a picnic, and going to the Louisville Zoo.
This time, Roy's mom came along for her birthday celebration (which unfortunately fell during the Bluegrass Festival this year.)
The kids loved the petting zoo and I wish I could've gotten on film Sophie's expression and joyous laughter when the gorillas went lumbering to and fro.

I love watching these kids together. I think Riley has no bigger fan than his little sister. I dare say he's fond of her himself.
The zoo was Saturday. Sunday we went to Spindletop, a local country club, for a Cornett family gathering. It was unseasonably cool, but that didn't stop us from swimming, drinking spiked lemonade, and playing in the park. Catching a REAL smile from Riley was one of the highlights of the weekend.
and this might be one of my all time favorite pictures. Ever.
In a couple of weeks, the four of us will head up to Roy's dad's land in Sadieville for a weekend of camping. With all the stress lately, I think a hammock and the sound of the creek is just what the doctor ordered.

jwb

I was looking for the guitar tab for Famous Blue Raincoat when I came across the poem I wrote for my Grandpa Bixel when he died. I know my mom has a copy, but I haven't seen or read this poem since shortly after it was composed more than 10 years ago. I was struck by the emotion that welled up in me upon reading it again. I saw my cousin Wendy on Thursday night and she told me that she still cries for Grossmama, my Grandpa Bixel's sister, who died 14 years ago. I feel their presence strongly today, but can't say exactly why.

for james woodrow bixel
November 7, 1913-March 17, 1999

I see you now over a grand, grand piano
a glass of the finest red wine keeping you in check.
and your dear friend Wolfgang by your side -
duets of the grandest kind!
dancing with the angel that you met
when you were only my age
singing sweet songs with your sisters
smiley gaily at the world down below.
Socialism is the only way! you bellow from
on high
and I hear your cry
of lunacy and lucidity and true, infinite beauty.
you greet me on Tuesdays, and sometimes Thursdays
from the tops of trees
and shake your well formed
piano playing
composition finger at me and
smiling
command me to behave.
but ah, grandfather, I am young and don't easily forget
the night you had a bit too much to drink and
stumbled through the streets of Vienna.
so tell me, is it subert?
or schubert?
You are the only one who truly knows.
So dance on stilts and skip on the ice
and walk me round the block of life
telling me stories and making up songs.
I'll visit daily with a bottle of wine
a song for the ages
and a smile of honor
for I am the granddaughter
of a great man.

moving from fear into acceptance

I call this one "Herbie in Sage".

an everyday life (with surprises)

As I was going through pictures for this post, I came across one of what my living room normally looks like:

From am's picasa

and our book shelves:

From am's picasa

But right now? The room is clean. Clean, dusted, put away, cleaner than it is on MOST weekends. And because of the major mess that this room normally is, I think I enjoy the cleanliness even more. And I always swear swear swear I'll keep it clean until next Saturday but alas, it's just not me.

Last Monday, Sophie brought me a ribbon for her hair and asked for it, "just like Cinderella". She looked so freaking adorable (and OLD!) that I had to snap a picture.

From am's picasa

Later that night, our friends Brad and Rachel stopped in for a visit on their way back to Kansas. This is the only picture I got of the visit. It's weird/rewarding/aging/amazing to see my child and the child of my college dorm mate playing together.

From am's picasa

This past Friday, we went to a cookout at our friends place in Jessamine County. It completely reaffirmed our desire for land and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing their kids again. Brier and Sophie shared a plate of food. We hadn't seen this beautiful family for some time, and Brier knocked my socks off. This kid has NO FEAR.

From am's picasa

Avery showed us her skills.

From am's picasa

And Roy taught the multitudes of kids to build fire and make campfire magic.

From am's picasa

This summer is going fast, but it's been so good; one of the best summers I can remember. I think that's largely because of Sophie. There's nothing like a 2 year old to help you remember why Summer is magic.