Orange, Blue, White

"Orange, Blue, White. T-Birds, let's fight!"

For some reason this cheer was running through my head in the middle of the night a few weeks ago--some time close to 3 am to be more precise. I'm sure it had something to do with the fact that I have been attending about eight basketball games a week for the last two months.

Travis (#54) is on Timpview's JV and Varsity teams. JV games typically start at 3:30 while Varsity tip-off isn't until 7:00 on both Tuesday and Friday nights.

Abby (#13) is on a Bantam league with other 8th grade girls. She plays Mondays and Saturdays.

In between Travis' games we are usually watching the Varsity girls play--hopefully Abby's future team. This makes for long afternoons and evenings, but honestly, there is nothing I love more than watching my kids' games.

My photos are often blurry due to the speed of play and dim light of a high school gym. However, despite this irritation, I still appreciate the "outtakes" I found in my attempt to capture the action.

Our season is officially over now, but I suspect I will still be humming . . .

"Hey, hey you! You know what to do. You've got to rock with the orange and roll with the blue!"

for a while yet.

All Home

All were abed. All were asnooze. A sudden realization. An overwhelming peace and calm. All my precious ones were gathered home. All within reach. All safe. All here.

I wish I had the words . . .

Rio de Janeiro

Rio is a modern bustling city--quite a contrast to the Brazilian resort town of Búzios. Of course, we were typical tourists and visited the Christ the Redeemer statue (one of the seven wonders of the world) and Sugar Loaf Mountain--two iconic images of Rio de Janeiro.

Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer)

Like our trip to Italy last year, there were throngs of people.

However, the views from the top of Corcovado Mountain were gorgeous.

Rio de Janeiro and Sugar Loaf from Cristo Redentor

The lagoon (with Ipanema Beach beyond) from Cristo Redentor

Me at Cristo Redentor

A cable car was required to ascend Sugar Loaf  Mountain. Sunset approached as we arrived at the top.

Copacabana Beach from Sugar Loaf

Rio from Sugar Loaf

Can you see the Christ the Redeemer statue in the distance?

Perhaps if I zoom in . . .

******************

We stayed at the J.W. Marriott on Copacabana Beach. It was a welcome luxury. The cool ocean water was pretty rugged. The strong cross currents and under tow kept us from venturing too far out.

Brian with our beach set-up

Copacabana Beach looking south

Copacabana Beach looking north

Vendors like these were omnipresent on the beach selling everything from jewelry and henna tattoos to hats, sunscreen, and bikinis.

Here are a few other images of Rio that caught my eye:

After I took this picture, the artist insisted I drop some money in his cup.

A pet pig on the sidewalk in Rio

These seemed to be the snack of choice in Brazil.

A fairly nice favela on the slope of Corcovado Mountain

I smiled at these birds resting in the trees, but then I noticed the dam of trash.

My dad was a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in Brazil in the 1950s and traveled there a couple more times during his career with the Organization of American States. In fact, I have a beautiful Brazilian doll he brought back for me when I was a very little girl. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to visit this country myself one day.

Brian caught me humming "The Girl from Ipanema" over and over again while we strolled up and down the streets of Rio. My dad often played that song on the piano when I was growing up. Its catchy tune always made me sing along.

As with any place, there is great beauty and there is great sorrow. The favelas (shanty towns or slums) were difficult for me to comprehend, and they were everywhere around Rio. I came away grateful for my simple abundant life.

Copacabana Beach

This is my "happy place"--my picture of tranquility. I'm so glad I was able to experience the Brazilian version.

Make Way for Ducklings

The place I was most looking forward to visiting in Boston was the Public Garden and the statue honoring Robert McCloskey's famous "Make Way For Ducklings". I am certain I have read that book to my children hundreds of times.

The story has been a favorite of mine since childhood. Not only did my parents read it to me, but with fondness I remember following along as I listened on our record player. The narrator knew just how to pronounce all the ducklings names: Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Oack, Pack, and Quack.

I was so excited to see that there really are swan boats in the Public Garden. . .

and ducklings . . .

 and mama ducks doing their thing.

The sign reads, "Mallard Duck Nest--Please Do Not Disturb."

I was happy to find the "little island" where "when night falls [the ducks] swim to . . . and go to sleep."

I think, perhaps, it is a rare occasion when a fantasy of childhood and the reality of adulthood greet each other in such a peaceful and satisfying way.

This is why I blog.

This is why I blog. It is my history. My family's history. It is my photo-journal. My life.

I was SO EXCITED to open a package from blurb recently with a book I created of the first year of my blog. I have always been a keeper of memories and I've tried to capture them in photos for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I wish I had the mental capacity to replay life's events with picture-perfect clarity, detail, and color just by willing it so--a flashback sequence of the best moments whenever I want to reminisce.

For now this book will have to do.

Latest Diversion

This project is my new favorite down time/waiting time activity. I like it because I can completely crochet around a baby burp cloth in about an hour. It is quick, easy, and almost mindless--no counting stitches involved.

The beauty lies in the chenille yarn. It simply involves single crocheting once around the previously hemstitched edge. One row is all it takes! It's a fun modern look.

When my grandma first taught me how to crochet around receiving blankets, I had to poke my hole through the flannel with each stitch. Now, I simply purchase the previously hemstitched burp cloths (or bibs or blankets) at a local fabric store and I am good to go.

Periodically, I feel like using traditional embroidery thread and crocheting a more involved edge.

(the rick rack stitch)

(the basic shell)

However, this new method fulfills my need for instant (crafting) gratification.

I like having a stash of homemade gifts on hand for my friends and family who recently have had babies. It also makes me feel productive while waiting for the kids' games and events to start. Happy crocheting!