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i could take a thousand photos just like these.

i am moving underneath. like i’m in a boat. like floating. looking up, following the blackened silhouette of branches, as they spread into the turning-golden leaves. just passing through autumn. the moving and the breathing. the studying and the changing light. the sunlight twinkles that stop my heart.

i could take a thousand photos just like these. and i might.

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woohoo! i love my birthday.

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today i was running up the stairs to the doctor’s office and out the second story window… hello, bird friends!

they were flying in the wind right alongside. it felt rhythmic. in time. precise. one of those moments where you’re right where you’re supposed to be and you actually stop and feel it (and take its picture).

i love that.

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as i mentioned yesterday, the other morning, i was hard at work at my desk, which looks out into my small backyard. suddenly i saw a fast rush of birds. like birds everywhere flitting about. i grabbed my camera and started clicking away, sure i was capturing some kind of usual sparrow and finch frenzy.

once i was able to focus, i saw the band of cedar waxwings. a whole pretty flock. they were here just a minute and then off they went.

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frenzy. in my head. the busy = the frenzy.

but while i workworkwork, i’m trying to enjoy the autumn bird frenzy. yesterday, within a 30-minute period, i saw the following in my backyard:

flicker waxwings sparrows mocking juncos finches starlings jay phoebe warbler (aka yellow beard)

total dreaminess.

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i’m historically bad at ever getting around to making holiday crafts — for the house or with the kids. but already this year, i have assisted in the making of bats for our front porch AND these cut-out jack o’lanterns in the boys’ window. i am so proud of myself.

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it’s happening now. right before my eyes. autumn.

don’t miss: issue #26 of this joy+ride with autumnal photos from artist + photographer jen korff *sigh*

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mini kitchen makeover still underway. most the white is done, save a few cupboard doors and the baseboards. painted my mom’s old drop-leaf table teal green. dad put glass in the doors of the two cupboards where we stack our white dishes, and we painted the backdrop and the kid’s (and my) little step stool the same teal green. still have to paint the pantry/laundry room and get the floors steam cleaned.

ed wants to get ikea shelves for this wall and put his coffee wares (and my tea wares) on it. i want to frame this vintage floral placemat i’ve been holding onto for years in one of the old frames my mom found in aunt ede’s attic. it’s been down in our basement. i got a cute retro-looking faux wood radio for $15 off ebay. it’s not here yet.

we unloaded at least six bags of kitchen crap from our cupboards. unfortunately that’s enough to *almost* warrant a garage sale over a donation. we’ll see…

playing house is fun. maybe that’s why we’re drawing this out so long.

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shiny iridescent starlings sail out into the sunny blue sky.

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we’re painting the kitchen white. i like.

also, a little photo + guest short short story from me on little alouette today. thanks, amy.

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last night i saw a flock of bluebirds (bluebirds!) gliding across the soccer field. what am i cinderella?

we have no bluebirds here. at least i never see them.

and they were so friendly, coming close and stopping in to stare. maybe they are here for the transition. just going with the flow. something i aim to to every day. go with the flow. stop fighting and go.

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