Life: Through the Lens

Last year my daughter, Christine, sent me some photos of a visit she made to a wonderful outdoor art "experience," and she wanted us to put it on the list of things to do the next time we visited her.  So much color, so much art, so much fun...for free!  One of the things we have found encouraging is how there really are pockets of the country that support the arts, both in the school and outside of it.   Christine teaches middle school theatre arts - a full schedule - and has been in Texas about 7 years. Christine on her first visit to the Hope Gallery, last year. A few weeks ago we visited Austin over spring break, and spent part of a morning exploring the Hope Outdoor Gallery , in Austin, TX.  It is an amazing 3-story "educational art project," one of the largest outdoor galleries in the United States.  According to the website, "This project was developed to provide muralists, graffiti artists, and community groups the opportunity to display large ...

It seems as if the arrival of Easter is a turning point from Winter to Spring.  Though these two events do not necessarily coincide, and the Easter Bunny definitely comes from a different place than the Crucification and Resurrection...both signal a renewal.  My attitude and mood definitely begin to improve, which is a VERY good thing! So yesterday was a lovely day.  First church, with lots of music and scripture.  Then a delicious brunch out with good friends.   We are at the stage when all the kids are busy with their own families, and activities, and we are inventing who we are as a couple again!  And after that, on a beautiful 65 degree day, we headed to our area nature center for a good walk with Kaycee.  And she had a blast! Ready to run and run and run! Daryl did look over his shoulder now and then, as this was the place where she was injured in the fall when a dog came out of nowhere and plowed into her.  But we had a ver...

As the latest snow blows in, and ice pellets hit the window, I am only home 3 days from a lovely break in Texas.  85 degrees and sunshine was such a welcome relief from this Michigan winter.  Even though it has not been as difficult a winter as we have had the last few years, we are still very weary of it. The week spent with family was so important for all of us.  With everyone living so far away, we only get together maybe once a year.  Though we have Skype and cell phones, Facebook and Blogger, it is not the same as time spent talking face-to-face, and having the ability to hug and touch each other.  Re-newing the close bonds of family is MUCH better when you can interact in person. There were many memories rehashed, and new memories made, while basking in smiles and touches and warmth and sunshine.  We really need to do this more often! First we started in the Austin area, at my daughter's, and explored the city as well as spending t...