Tag Archives: project 365
Day 297:
Like Mother like Daughter
On my parents recent trip to Florida, my mom looked through my Uncle’s suitcase full of pictures. My mom is always saying that I look like my father’s side, but I think this proves otherwise. My mother is beautiful and that top is so in right now. : ) She’s 29 in this picture and I’m 24 currently.
Day 298:
Quote of the Day
Everyday on my board, I put a “quote of the day.” Friday it was Dumbledore and tomorrow it will be Anne Frank. My students sometimes like to choose the quotes so I know at the very least, they’re reading the board. My students are turning the 98% of them that is water into 98% that is words.
Day 299:
Four words: Fried Girl Scout Cookies
Every year another fried food is added to the list of fried foods sold at the NC State Fair. Last year, it was essential that I had fried mac&cheese which tasted like spiced cheesy rubber. This year it was fried Samoas. I refuse to call them “Caramel Delights.” Again, I wasn’t satisfied. There’s nothing better still, than a fried oreo.
Day 300:
Grandma
I couldn’t resist hanging this on the fridge when it came in one of my mother’s letters. My grandmother in rollers and short shorts holding a string of fish. If that doesn’t yell, STRONG WOMAN, I don’t know what does.
Day 301:
This is why snail mail will never die.
Z and I are single-handedly keeping the post office alive.
Day 302:
Fajina
I instagrammed my father. He just learned how to google.
Day 303:
Prometheus (Ridley Scott Picture Credit)
Oh, you know, just spent two hours of my day after watching this movie, discussing with my boyfriend whether aliens existed and evolution was real and the major questions of the universe.
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4 comments | tags: aliens, bedtime, caramel delights, daddy, day 300, evolution, faj, fried, Fried Food, girl scout cookies, kisses, letters, momma, nc state fair, photos, post, project 365, prometheus, quote of the day, quotes, samoa, snail mail, sweet, z | posted in Photography, Project 365, Uncategorized
Guys, my blog has been sucking. Don’t worry, this week there will be book reviews and bookgasms and bookishness. I’m finally getting used to my schedule of taking classes and teaching classes and grocery shopping.
LET THERE BE BOOKS!
289:
Sunday Drive
This week is going to be a drive through my small town.
290:
Wires & Land
This is one of my favorite places on my drive home. It’s where the farms are mixed with a bit of wire.
I read this poem this week and it’s what reminded me that I can find something beautiful in something ugly.
Valentine for Ernest Mann – Naomi Shihab Nye
You can’t order a poem like you order a taco.
Walk up to the counter, say, “I’ll take two”
and expect it to be handed back to you
on a shiny plate.
Still, I like your spirit.
Anyone who says, “Here’s my address,
write me a poem,” deserves something in reply.
So I’ll tell you a secret instead:
poems hide. In the bottoms of our shoes,
they are sleeping. They are the shadows
drifting across our ceilings the moment
before we wake up. What we have to do
is live in a way that lets us find them.
Once I knew a man who gave his wife
two skunks for a valentine.
He couldn’t understand why she was crying.
“I thought they had such beautiful eyes.”
And he was serious. He was a serious man
who lived in a serious way. Nothing was ugly
just because the world said so. He really
liked those skunks. So, he re-invented them
as valentines and they became beautiful.
At least, to him. And the poems that had been hiding
in the eyes of skunks for centuries
crawled out and curled up at his feet.
Maybe if we re-invent whatever our lives give us
we find poems. Check your garage, the odd sock
in your drawer, the person you almost like, but not quite.
And let me know.
291:
Shower Curtain Light
Ignore the claw marks. That would be my kitten, Fromage. She not only likes cheese, but curtains, blankets, decorative chairs, etc.
292:
My little town involves their secret cuddles.
Secret Canoodling!
I can’t help but take these photos.
They should be on that new Animal Planet show dedicated to cuteness.
293:
Slash & Burn
This is good for the harvest. This is good for the harvest. This is good for the harvest.
294:
Children’s Section of The Country Bookshop
I went to get the next book in The Wildwood Chronicles because it’s written for 24-year-olds and fifth graders. I happened upon this chalk door, (like a gate into the secret garden). Don’t worry, I didn’t break the seal of childhood by selecting a chunk of chalk and scribbling a 24-year-old heart onto the door. I really wanted to though, maybe next time.
PS. This is The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines. Their motto is “Bringing the World to Southern Pines.”
295:
“We like big bird….with ranch & hot sauce.”
Political voice in small town America.
296:
Poe looks dashing in blue.
Somehow, I managed to mix Lewis and Edgar in one Creative Writing Club flyer.
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26 comments | tags: big bird, books, cats, community, cotton, country, creative writing club, edgar allen poe, farming, fun, lewis carrol, literature, mitt romney, naomi shihab nye, people, photography, poe, poetry, politics, project 365, slash and burn, small town life, wires | posted in Photography, poetry, Project 365, Travel, Uncategorized
Day 265:
High School Pre-Bell
The phrase “calm before the storm” never seemed so true.
Day 266:
Cross Bridge
The bridge that crosses 440 on the greenway. We were spotting race cars and sweating.
Day 267:
The boy and the yellow flower.
He paints the roses red.
Day 268:
Fungus Amongus
It was a Tarheel fan, thus the mold.
Day 269:
Lady
A lady was lying in the park posing for the audience.
Day 270:
One cat is scaling curtains…
one is waking up from a nap listening to the mountain climber.
Day 271:
Potato Bug
What does your family call a roly poly (or potato bug)?
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Leave a comment | tags: art museum, blogging, High school, highway, nephew, outdoors, project 365, raleigh, travel | posted in Photography, Project 365, Uncategorized
Day 251:
(This is the day that I didn’t take a picture, oops)
Day 252:
It’s so tiring being this handsome.
My ego was tired today so I just didn’t do my hair.
Day 253:
Strawberry White Chocolate Bread
When you have to fend for yourself, pinterest is your best friend. It’s been taste test approved.
Extended Cut.
Taste tested, cat approved. (Unfortunately).
Day 254:
Oh, you wanted Mermaid nails?
Mermaid Nails = Complete
In first grade I learned that mixing pink and blue makes purple. Thus, we have mermaid nails.
Day 255:
Kitten Kisses
I thought I’d never love another furry thing as much as I love Jasper, but now two hairballs have my heart.
Day 256:
Two tweets from yesterday
Two things you should know: I’m fascinated by cheetah print slugs (I typed sluts there the first time accidentally, har har), and I must own the cat poetry collection. Look for a review in a few weeks.
Day 257:
Raise your hand if….
you do laundry on Sunday’s. Isn’t it just the best day to smell fresh, hot clothes while you watch NFL football and hope you stomp in fantasy.
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4 comments | tags: bread, cats, fromage, jasper, kisses, kittens, laundry, little bit, mermaids, nail polish, pinterest, project 365, recipes, sunday | posted in Photography, Project 365, Uncategorized
No shortage of photos this week, bah! There are book reviews coming – I promise! Moving has taken the reading out of me, but I’m back on the couch with a blanket and some tea. Plus, come on, you have to spend majority of your day watching the Olympics.
Day 214:
Sweet Boy and Sweet Cat
There’s a cat that seems to have adopted our stoop as its new home. My dad has been secretly giving it treats for about a week and when my mom gets the newspaper in the dark of the early-morning, the cat is still there purring.
Mom’s Attic
This was my first U-Haul so we thought we needed to document. An hour later all we here is, “Can I put this dresser in yet?” because he so badly wanted to help.
Dirty Toes
Jack Johnson needs to write a song about this.
Day 215:
One Sock McGee
Rolling the regal raspberry room a fourth time. So much paint on one sock, so little on the other. Either way, my mother is adorable. There’s a dwarf somewhere named after her.
Day 216:
Wall Stencil
Excuse my disgusting hair-do, but DO remember to be happy.
Day 217:
Jas has found his spot.
The bay window is now Jas’ honey spot.
Handsome Bush Beau
My bush beau watching us rake and plant. My dad called me a “water baby” all week because I was in charge of power-washing the spiders back into the woods.
Day 218:
Library
Every bookish girl needs a library room. Even if it’s just a closet. (This is not a closet, but I am all for taking every closet in your house and removing the coats and old socks and adding books and poetry).
Day 219:
Front Room
This room has so much of my family in it, and my mother and I moved that couch by ourselves. It was heavy and we had to flip it over. Afterwards, we did a double hug-high-five. We really just need our own handshake.
Day 220:
Meet Fromage
Jasper is completely smitten. He is in love with this little cheese.
“Let me tell ya bout my best fraaaaaand!”
Fro doesn’t think that he’s her type. Jasper is a cat that grows on ya though.
Day 221:
Fromage’ First Photobooth
Baby’s First PhotoBooth. Ah, Mac kitty.
Fro-Mo
We’ve been calling her “little bit” and “fro” so she really has no idea what her name is.
I will be back in full-force with reviews this week folks. Get ready to read!
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59 comments | tags: cat, cats, den, family, fromage, front room, jasper, kitten, library, moving, new house, new kitty, painting, project 365, study, u-haul | posted in books, Photography, Project 365
This week is an assortment of photos I should have taken and photos I actually did take.
Day 206:
Maira Kalman at her finest
I was just googling and canoodling along the interwebs and came across this amazing Maira Kalman illustration. Then, of course, I immediately bought the book for $1.65 on Amazon. I’m sorry, Indie Bookstore that wanted to charge me $27. Normally I do buy from you, but I just couldn’t right now because I’m poor. I should really write a full letter of apology. Please don’t judge me harshly for this, book snobs of the world.
Day 207:
“Common thistle is everywhere,” she said. “Which is perhaps why human beings are so relentlessly unkind to one another.”
― Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Being inspired by The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh I took a few photos of flowers this week and this is my favorite. I love how the flower veins look like butterfly wings.
Day 208:
Mockingbird Lane
I’ve been looking everywhere for classroom materials. This one just fell in my lap. Mockingbird Lane, just in time for the end of To Kill a Mockingbird. If you haven’t read this book, READ THIS BOOK. I thought I didn’t like it in high school and I just re-read it to teach it next semester and it’s wonderful, truly a gem.
Day 209:
Storm Sky
Puddle Orange
After a good storm in North Carolina (not sure this happens everywhere) the sky becomes this brilliant yellow color. It’s the yellow of old photograph edges, and the stains on postcards that your mother sent as a child. This is the reflection and the clouds.
Day 210:
Goose Butt
Goose mooning.
Day 211:
Tramp Stamp
I think the caption says it all.
Day 212:
I did not take this photo. It’s courtesy of Zimbio. Click to go.
I have a book blog. What would be my favorite part of the Olympics (OHMGEE, when JK ROWLING read Peter Pan – HOLY BOLOGNA). Obviously I think Alice should have gotten more credit than Mary Poppins, but what a spectacle when Poppins just came floating out of the air on her umbrella end. I would have liked to see what each of them had in their bag (lamps, dog, a wheel of cheese…).
We’re all that girl who was under the covers with her flashlight dreaming of eerie creatures and fantastical literature.
Day 213:
Chronicle Books is the BOMB.
This week Chronicle Books sent me this awesome Darth Vader READ poster for my classroom. I don’t think a teacher can get cooler than a Darth Vader READ poster. If Darth doesn’t inspire reading, Voldemort is their only hope.
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22 comments | tags: chronicle books, darth vader, flowers, geese, harry potter, maira kalman, olympic opening games, pansies, peter pan, photos, project 365, star wars, the language of flowers, tramp stamp, vanessa diffenbaugh, voldemort | posted in books, Photography, poetry, Project 365
You know how this goes; photos of my week that usually end up being 7 pictures of my cat.
Day 192:
Skype Date
He’s cute when he’s that far away.
Day 193:
Ms. M’s 9th Grade Room
I present to you, the first shot of my empty classroom. I have two wall size windows. That means in a few short weeks twenty-five kids will be zoning out to highway sounds.
Day 194:
Headboard
Two months ago I started this project. After too much nonsense to even type here, I painted it peach when I thought it was white and stenciled these lovely Martha Stewart delicates onto it. You can’t get much more 24 & girly than that.
Day 195:
Fur Homie
I iz adorbs?
“Call Me Maybe” Side Pony
This reminds me of summer camp.
Day 196:
Loudest. Raindrop. Ever.
I was in the underbelly of a bridge when a circus-act raindrop splattered on my window. I kid you not, it was the gunshot, firework, elephant, tornado, of raindrops.
Day 197:
Genetically Modified Deerbunnie
Found only in the forests where Deliverance was filmed, we present to you here, the deerbunnie. It is a cute, furry, white-tailed species known to have a twelve point antler rack nestled just next to its floppy ears. Scientists are performing tests in New Mexico and have found that the deerbunnie prefers off-key banjo music. Tune in here for further details.
Furlock Holmes
This is what Jasper thinks of me reading my poetry aloud.
This is his bed and he will have no rhymes, line breaks, or stanzas interrupting his beauty sleep. Some good alliteration done in a British accent is however, always welcome.
Day 198:
Corn Determination
The look of pure corn determination. The inventor of odd poops: my nephew and his cob.
Pre-Frat Comb Over
Jack was trying to look like Pa pre-bald spot.
(Yes I did just figure out how much fun the strike-through can be).
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12 comments | tags: 9th grade, banjo, banjo music, cat, classroom, deliverance, elephants, furry animals, jack, jasper, nephew, photography, project 365, raindrops, skype | posted in Photography, Project 365
Here we are, another week. We’ve already well surpassed the halfway mark for the year. That means resolutions are starting to crop up in those funnel clouds of our mind. Is funnel for tornado and funnel for cake spelled the same way?
Day 185:
Photobooth
Photobooth is really where I take all my cat’s model photos. However, I decided to have a moment in the spotlight with this #heygirlhey self-portrait.
Day 186:
Beach Front
After taking this photo we watched a drunk teenager fall right on his butt off that life guard post. Don’t worry, we helped him up. He did still hold onto conspicuous drink in his hand though, good catch.
Day 187:
Grease Lightning
Catching Lightning at Fort Fisher.
Spudnick the lightning bolt.
Bird Model
Surprisingly enough, this bird wanted his photo taken. First he stood on the no-parking sign which was completely ironic (if you have my humor) and then he stood right in front of the car headlights from behind us. He wanted me to get this shot. He’s looking debonair in his blue sky glare.
Day 188:
Psychedelic Independent Bagel!
4th of July Parachute Show
Raleigh Downtown was a complete bust after this shot.
I may not have fireworks…
but I have the landing angle.
Day 189:
I said a bird, bird, bird,
bird is the word.
Day 190:
Cat Model
Look for him in the next Fancy Feast commercial, darling.
I prefer human showers.
Day 191:
Yep, that one’s mine.
Oh, you mean kids go to Marbles (kid’s museum) to actually play in the water works section. My nephew just goes to make strange noises into the hand drying equipment. He also refuses to only dry his hands.
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18 comments | tags: 4th of july, bagels, beach, birds, cassie, cat lady, cat model, cats, independence, jasper, july 4th, lifeguards, lightening, nephew, photography, photos, project 365, roses, seagulls | posted in Photography, Project 365
Can you believe it’s already summer solstice this month? And that 4th of July is sprouting these white tents filled with explosives for thirteen year old boys to use in their neighbors driveways. Ahhh the terror, must make more lists.
Day 170:
Construction
Sometimes even the ugly things about cities can be beautiful. PS. See that blue and yellow umbrella through the crack of metal, I crave those hotdogs in my sleep.
Day 171:
Red Hair, Don’t Care
Mom took a box to my hair earlier this week for extra highlights. She’s a natural red head, and due to my weird brownish blondish hair with red highlights sometimes I need a quick spruce up. I think of it like I’m a flower who needs to be watered. Corny?
Day 172:
No big deal, just licking museum tools that other kids touch all day.
“Oh, you don’t want me to lick this giant magnifying glass at the end of a museum day that other people have to use, and believe me, have used, all day. Oops,” – my nephew.
Day 173:
Chivalry
I’ve always been that girl who says “I don’t want flowers because they just die.” Why was I that girl again? Flowers die in the prettiest ways because they bloom and thrive first. These roses are “Mount Everest” roses and they die looking like paper with black creases in the petals. My boy knows that even my flowers need to be bookish (Hah).
Day 174:
Escazu Homemade Chocolate Popsicles
So, Raleigh has this chocolate shop. And that’s the end of that story.
Day 175:
Scrabble Earrings
I made new earrings last week for my future English Teacher status. If you would like a pair, I can definitely make some – I have a few extra scrabble beads and would be happy to send them out. Just email me if interested.
Plus, here’s a poem:
Hymn to the Neck
|
|
| by Amy Gerstler |
|
Tamed by starched collars or looped by the noose,
all hail the stem that holds up the frail cranial buttercup.
The neck throbs with dread of the guillotine's kiss, while
the silly, bracelet-craving wrists chafe in their handcuffs.
Your one and only neck, home to glottis, tonsils,
and many other highly specialized pieces of meat,
is covered with stubble. Three mornings ago, undeserving
sinner though she is, yours truly got to watch you shave
in the bath. Sap matted your chest hair. A clouded
hand mirror reflected a piece of your cheek. Vapor
rose all around like spirit-infested mist in some fabled
rainforest. The throat is the road. Speech is its pilgrim.
Something pulses visibly in your neck as the words
hand me a towel flower from your mouth.
|
Day 176:
Bugs are totally stepping up their fashion game.
This moth has it goin’ on, sister.
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12 comments | tags: construction, earrings, escazu, hair, me, moths, museums, nephew, photography, photos, project 365, raleigh, roommates, scrabble | posted in Photography, Project 365
Day 162:
This is his good morning side giggle.
First thing in the morning we cuddle, then we check email and look cute with our side ponytail and folded paws.
Then we have staring contests.
Really what’s happening here is being filmed by National Geographic for their “Who’s the Biggest Man?” episode airing after the World Ends in December.
Day 163:
A teaser for Why We Broke Up
This was one of my favorite pages from Why We Broke Up. What I wanted to write here but what isn’t actually true: in college my neighbors decided they were going to steal shakers from every restaurant we ever ate at. It turned into this vast collection of 2 am IHOP salt shakers. Write a story using that premise. Dress your characters in black.
Day 164: Secret Garden
New York Fashion Week Slug
Who knew slugs looked so stylish in Cheetah Print?
Funk Flowers
Some things just need to be captured. I wish smell could be captured…well, sometimes.
Lemon Cake
If flowers had a taste – this one would be lemon cake and ginger spice.
Day 165:
Skyline
Everyone takes these photos – we all live on beautiful exotic islands that are somehow surrounded by land, sand, and automobiles.
Day 166:
My life in a photo.
I’m currently worried about my hold book expiring tomorrow. Does expire mean at eight am, or two pm, or when the library closes? I’m nervous I won’t get there in time and I won’t be able to return the popular books I have out before the next person on the list gets anxious. Should I leave a momento between the pages. Did I forget to remove that ten dollars I used as a bookmark. If I slide the books through cover down will they land easier than if the pages face the drop. (I am a crazy person).
Day 167:
What Dinner Means to my Nephew.
Sometimes I wish he was a girl, but then I realize how many lucky charms he can eat and I smash that dream.
Day 168:
This is Why People Have Children.
This will also keep teen girls from getting pregnant.
Montage
I wish I could say he was my mini-me, but he’s definitely my brother’s mini-me; all the way down to the boogers in that second picture from the top left.
Day 169:
Furniture Shopping All Day
Pretty sure my grandma was obsessed with this exact chair and now it sits in my aunt’s hallway. I was tired after a long day, pooped even, and this regal thang was shining from the thrift store window.
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17 comments | tags: birth control, book return, cat lady, cats, daniel handler, flowers, legos, library, lucky charms, nephew, photos, plants, project 365, secret gardens, sky, slugs, sunset, thrift store, why we broke up | posted in Photography, Project 365
