screenporch

It was the perfect day for it (Taken with instagram)

Morning has a sanctity to it. And not to quantify, but especially sunny ones. The way the sky has that new shade of blue, and the way the sun infuses the world with freshness. Even when we roll back over to close our eyes for a few more sweet moments of sleep, morning feels good inside our bodies.

And then there are the morning sounds. So many birds the air is literally filled with song. Just try to find a beat of silence. How do we so often miss it? And here, roosters crow from two directions toward our house. I love that reminder that even though it feels like we’re in the suburbs, ours is a suburb of the country. People here carry on small connections to their rural past. Parking extra cars in the yard, for instance. I find it all somehow sweet. Maybe just because it’s home.

Six months out from leaving the 40-hours-behind-a-desk work week, and I’m still flailing in finding my daily rhythm, but loving the freedom it allows. Oh the mornings I yearned to be able to sit — just sit — and take this all in. 

The tall pines across the street are blowing in the wind now and the way they move together looks like a dance. It fills me. 

We are so mired in baggage and issues and anger and self-righteousness and politics, all the things that take us away from this beauty, this kingdom of heaven, as Joseph Campbell says, that is at all times within our reach, though we do not see it.

I will try to take these glimpses with me and remember, when human-created baggage arises, that this peace surpasses it all.

shorterexcerpts:

lickypickystickyfree:

Happy birthday, Michelle!

“There’s something about her that projects such honesty and strength. It’s what makes her such an unbelievable professional, and partner, and mother, and wife.”—President Obama.

Also: this photo is fucking great.

(Source: lickystickypickywe)

Oh sweet belly rubs, look at that foot! Beeker is an orange, fluffy delight.

Pretzel gets the vast majority of posts (well, he has his own blog), but Beeker can pull out just as much cute, as he did this morning, snoozing next to me on my robe on the bed. Difference between Pretzel and Beeker, Beeker will CUT YOU. So be careful with those belly rubs. Any hands in his reach are an invitation to spar!

flannelowl:

theinformedvegan:

Is Meat Worth It?

I think this message alone is somewhat ineffective on meat eaters. I remember back before I was vegan or knew much about the environment, I always felt a sense of fatalistic apathy towards facts like this. It’s like, oh well, what are we going to do?

When they see that “70% of the Amazon has been destroyed to produce meat,” a lot of people don’t make the connection that they could do something about it if they just stopped eating that meat.

People think that it’s normal, that they have to, that it’s essential to good health. That’s what their culture tells them constantly, to hide the facts that meat is bad for us and that there’s nothing normal or natural about the abomination we call our meat production system. So they see something like this and just say “Oh well….”

But you can do something. Right now. Just stop eating meat. That’s it, just stop.

You can do it. You’ll discover plenty of delicious foods you never would have tried otherwise, and as long as you eat a variety of foods you’ll be much healthier. Not only that, but you’ll be doing your part to ensure the deforestation of the Amazon doesn’t keep progressing, and that countless animals don’t keep suffering and dying needlessly.

It’s really simple. The power is in your hands, and in your stomach. Just stop.

Please.

I’m reblogging this from my bodyrolling tumblr — P giving me a goodbye kiss before I headed to NYC this summer for my training. I missed him so much and am happy I get to spend more time with him now. Here’s the blog entry:

things I miss: Pretzel, my kitten (well, he’s over a year old now). Here he is literally licking my lips with a kiss the day I left. I am due some serious snuggle time when I return. 

If you feel the need to see about a year’s worth of photos of him, they are here. (Yes, he has his own blog. Judge if you must.)

More things I miss here, here, here,

And most of all here.

Garden Buddha #goldenhour watkinsville, ga. 6 pm 9/25 (Taken with instagram)

Another nap with Lil P. We’re professionals, just so you know (Taken with instagram)

My little round friends (Taken with instagram)

Pretty afternoon light (Taken with Instagram at Studio in Athens)

just because

(Source: psykzz)

Go Ally! #goldenhour Athens, Ga. (Taken with instagram)

inothernews:gnora:tyleroakley:

These are ALL hilarious.

Jim and Dwight are REAL!