Well, Hello!

Shortly after the boys left for school this morning, I went into the bathroom. I looked up at myself and caught hold of my own eyes looking back at me. Time went slow and then stilled altogether. I have been happy. I have been unhappy. I have been sad and grieving. Quietness overtakes me. But so does pure happiness, radiant light, and if I'm very lucky - peace. I am different. I am not the same woman I was.This morning my hair is unusually big and unruly with soft curls; the aftermath of yesterday's updo. This morning my eyes are crystal clear. This morning I know everything and absolutely nothing. This morning, looking deep into myself, I feel beautiful. A broken, whole, beautiful, mess of a person. With one continuous gold thread that is still as stitched and present as ever in every fiber of my being: Gratitude.Life has gotten busy. There's my editorial and portraiture work, and there's a new store. I certainly do not have a shortage of creativity these days. But those passions are also my work, so there's that. A level of stress. But today I am back here, remembering to let it all go at times. To create purely for pleasure. I miss writing. I've been reading voraciously and taking in more life for the private keeping these days. Less words, less photographs of my own. And that has been okay. In that mirror this morning, out of nowhere (or everywhere) I thought of Twitter. Twitter! So I'm back on (link right here!) A commitment to myself to be writing again - even if it's just one hundred words or so. 
And before I go, a few of my recent favorites.
Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings by Joy Harjo
The Art of Eating by M.F.K. Fisher  *I randomly open and read the story I land on. Scrumptious!
Georgia O'Keeffe and Her Houses: Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu
This local artist. Her Instagram feed is one of my favorites!
This smoothie! I have been making it every day and look just as forward to it as my morning cuppa!
I have adapted my own version from this recipe.

Chai Spice Smoothie
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 heaping tablespoon almond butter
Dash of ground: nutmeg, clove, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom
1 banana
1 cup of ice
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until creamy. Enjoy!
Lastly,
You wouldn't believe what once or twice I have seen. I'll just
tell you this:only if there are angels in your head will you ever, possibly, see one.
-Mary Oliver, The World I Live In