Useful Sayings I've Learned From My Mother

No Bad Vowels
Gus and I are in another difficult place lately; he's a hard kid and even normal tasks take on a whole new meaning some days. He often acts without thinking, and while I know this is to some degree common kid behavior, most days it feels like chasing my tail. I'm sick to death of hearing myself, so God only knows what Gus must think about me. Sometimes, when he's made a bad choice, I ask him what he was thinking. I'm not asking this question rhetorically--I really want to know. I often get answered with varying degrees of "I don't know" or "Mmrph." Honestly, I don't think Gus knows what drives him and some days he's

Kitchen Haiku
Pomegranate seeds: smooth ruby cabochons in a dazzling salad.

Your Love is Better Than Ice Cream
Brothers with ice cream cones Originally uploaded by Precisely the Color of African Violets.Christmas card photo shoot, take one.

I've Got My Philosophy
Originally uploaded by Precisely the Color of African Violets. Things making me happy today: playing at wedding photography, tiny origami cranes and egg rolls eaten while listening to blue grass. It's the little things, people.

Here Is Your Happy Thought
Joy Today was a shitty day. I don't like to use that word, but there it is. I mean, today had its high points but mostly it sucked and so I leave you with this:ChildYour clear eye is the one absolutely beautiful thing.I want to fill it with color and ducks,The zoo of the newWhose name you meditate --April snowdrop, Indian pipe,LittleStalk without wrinkle,Pool in which ima