the wasp and the orchid

boot camp #1

2009-09-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

I should have known when they made us sign a waiver.

Well, I didn't cry. I came close, twice. And I thought I was going to throw up a couple of times (it's still a possibility). But I made it through my first boot camp! Boy was it intense. There was an awful lot of yelling and more than a few commands I didn't understand. The first half we alternated between "On your face! (yes sir!)" and "On your feet! (yes sir!)". After completing each set of exercises, we had to yell "Marine Corps!" Believe me, this is the opposite of advertising after your fifth round of push-ups. Not loud enough? On your face! Another 10!

For the second, truly tortuous half we headed up to the outdoor tennis court & track. After a couple of laps jogging (easily my favorite part, with a nice sunset view of the city), we assembled into two lines for sadistic sprints (that's right, Augie Doggie). I don't think I've ever run so much in my life. The sergeant was never pleased with our speed, so we had to go back and touch the wall from half court again and again, alternating occasionally with deep squats, push-ups, leg lifts, and plank positions. Besides the push-ups, which I can't yet do properly, I only half-assed one exercise, and I guess the look on my stricken, throbbing face was enough to keep the soldiers' jeers at bay.

It was encouraging to see all shapes, sizes, and ages represented, and to see my own incredulous pain and suffering mirrored on the faces of those around me. Made me proud to be an American. Semper Fi, bitches.

I can't believe I have to do it all over again on Wednesday.

boot camp

2009-09-14T10:02:00.001-07:00

I'm going to do something brave today, something I hope I don't regret: I signed up for a 10-week "boot camp" at my gym. For two nights a week, starting tonight, I will be trained in the art of basic fitness by no less than an experienced Marine. No, this is not my idea of a fun time, and I'm definitely nervous that I will hate it and reasonably sure that I will cry. But I need some discipline in my exercise routine, and I'm desperate to get in shape.

Writing a post about it is just one more way to make sure I don't wimp out. Here's to 10 weeks of improving my stamina, strength, and sticktoitiveness!

serendipity

2009-08-02T14:55:00.000-07:00

Once in awhile, if you're lucky, you stumble across something that inspires wordless, childlike awe.

This jaw-dropper was parked at an unassuming gas station on our way back from a family celebration. I couldn't help but grin at the other customers, for we had shared something wonderfully unique on this gray Sunday afternoon.

that toddlin' town

2009-07-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I went up to Chicago to attend the Pitchfork Music Festival--both firsts for me. The weather was a bit cool and the crowd was too cool for school. I had a terrific time hanging out and watching shows with my friends. Sadly, they wouldn't let cameras with detachable lenses into the festival, so I left my precious Canon at home and forged ahead with a crappy point-and-shoot. Though these pictures hardly do it justice, I fell head over heels for Chi city, and if I have anything to say about it, I'll be back again and again.

Some of the highlights:

deep dish pizza at Gino's after
sampling the Rye-PA at Clybourn Brewpub

The Lincoln Park Conservatory & Zoo

watching a passing Segway tour

Chicago dogs with their radioactive relish

riding the L through the Loop

The National

winning a pair of shoes for coming up with a whole bunch of anagrams

eternal return

2009-07-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a long while since I posted anything. I sort of lost track of what I was trying to do. I'd like to ease back into things with some photos from my recent trip to Sweden. We've shown the vacation photos to our families and friends, but here are some little moments that were just for me, the little details that are so delightful to notice while traveling.

blooms and the promise of blooms

2009-03-07T08:09:00.001-08:00

Today's high: 74 degrees. The first thing i did this sunny morning was to open up the door and take a deep breath. . . the smell of the warming earth in springtime is intoxicating. then i peeked around and found some little friends, shyly but exquisitely soaking up the day.

spring thing

2009-02-25T18:52:00.000-08:00

today was the deadline for submitting J's residency rankings. now the holding of breath for three long weeks till we know! and i can feel some serious spring fever setting in.

it's a time for new buds. . .

. . . and best buds.

philly bits

2009-02-16T18:06:00.000-08:00

coming back downtown from the 'burbs

a gem in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood near where we stayed.

Wit beer at Monk's!

round and pudgy from drinking too much Belgian beer, no doubt.
i can relate.

fell in love with the windows on this building

so many luxe details

we opted to take the old camera instead of the nice one (too risky). who knew philly was so attractive? kicking myself, alas.

big winner!

2009-02-10T15:30:00.001-08:00

i was the lucky winner of some lovely treasures from Royal Buffet! they arrived yesterday and have already brought me joy. i think they seem right at home. thanks very much for this treat, Mollie!!

it's kitty picture time!

2009-02-01T17:13:00.000-08:00

spotlight on: caliope

Age: 5 yrs

Nicknames: tiger, lie-lie, squeaky pete, killer, stinker, caliopus, monkey man

Favorite activities: stalking, hunting, killing mice and the occasional bird, wrestling with the laundry basket, peeing on t-shirts that are left on the floor, climbing trees.

2009-01-25T11:18:00.000-08:00

"The apparition of these faces in the crowd; Petals on a wet, black bough." -Ezra Pound

It's been almost one year since I left the world of floral design for a career in publishing. That's a Spring, a Summer, a Fall and a Winter whose attendant blossoms have come and gone without me so much as touching them. Lately I've been missing their sights, smells and textures acutely. I find myself longing to slip into my old apron and lose track of time in pursuit of beautiful forms. For now, I'll revel in these memories.

centerpiece for an Easter dinner with friends.
yellow ranunculus, cymbidium orchids, artichokes (yes!), callas, dendrobium orchids, jade roses.

hand-tied bouquet
orange ranunculus, fuji mum, callas, asiatic lily, delphinium, star of bethlehem, hyacinth

a lobster claw heliconia, just hanging out

a buffet centerpiece on its way to a grand soiree.

Brakeman's Blues*

2009-01-12T18:15:00.000-08:00

This week we headed up to Portland, Maine, for J's residency interview . We'd grown accustomed to the looks of shock and pity from friends and family when we announced our plans to visit Maine in January, but I quickly learned that no amount of bravado can replace a good warm coat (merry christmas to me!) and a pair of discount wellies from Target.

I fell in love with the city and the snow, though I admit I was glad that we would only have to endure the freezing temperatures for a few days.

I liked the docks.

On Friday morning I retreated to the Portland Art Museum to warm up inside and out. The lovely building was designed by I.M. Pei.

My favorite moments were spent trudging and stomping around the Western Promenade with J. after his interview. I never knew how much we both like frozen graveyards.

This one's for trupeach and her sweetgum ornaments.

I hope we'll find our way back there.

*I prefer the old Bill Monroe recording, but this one will do in a pinch.

cast of characters

2009-01-04T09:11:00.001-08:00

Here are some of the little creatures that populate my house.

sometimes, they like to dance dirty.

this cheerful little cardinal just came in the mail from maureen

ed and marguerite

have you met my llama?

a convenient remover of obstacles

handy man, lucky lady

2008-12-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

My husband loves to tinker. He thrives on turning everyday household objects into useful art. I love the way he solves problems and adds a little spark to my day at the same time. This year, for my birthday, he made me this:

Pretty great, huh? I'm probably the only person for 100 square miles who's thrilled to receive a spice rack for her birthday. We found the busted old guitar on the side of the road a few years ago.

For my birthday last year, he searched far and wide for a wall-mounted jewelry box but couldn't find a good one, so he made one up using a woven box, an upturned silverware organizer, and a strong magnet. So clever and so useful.

This Christmas, he bought a big, colorful world map and hung it on the wall behind our clear shower curtain, so I can ponder the capital of Djibouti while scrubbing mine.

And, lest I forget, this Christmas he also gave me a digital SLR camera so that I can record and share all of this! You can't see it, but I'm glowing.

And many more. . .

2008-11-29T07:01:00.001-08:00

it's my dear friend trupeach's birthday today, so i'd like to celebrate just a few of the ways she brightens my life:

1. long talks on porches, screened or otherwise, late into the night.

2. her passion for charades
3. sharing her favorite tomato sauce recipe
4. impromptu dance parties in her living room
5. her way with a camera

(photo from purple bottle)

6. her love for fine dining

7. her gift for bringing magic to the mundane

have a very happy birthday!!

A perfect afternoon

2008-11-23T14:09:00.001-08:00

Perhaps it was the unseasonably warm weather, or the giant "blondie" tooth my dad's diver friend had recently given me, but something prompted J. to declare that THIS would be the Friday we finally went hunting for sharks' teeth. I had heard about the spot for years: a creek behind the fields where my husband played club soccer where hundreds of sharks' teeth had been deposited long ago when the ocean came up that far (some 20 miles inland).

With a couple of mouth-watering Caprese sandwiches from Ted's Butcherblock in tow, we headed up country and parked by the fields. J. recalled the trials and triumphs of yore as we sat on the bleachers and tore into our picnic. The trees were at their peak color, the sun was warm and the breeze was cool as we rolled up our jeans, picked a spot by the creekbank and waded in to our ankles. Hunting for sharks' teeth in this environment, as I soon found out, involves squatting in the chilly water and scooping up handfuls of mud and rocks, then sifting through them carefully with an eye out for the telltale glint and angled edges. Once found (oh happy day!), we put each tooth in our Ziploc baggie with the corner cut off and then returned to squatting, digging and sifting.

All in all, J. found 14 and I found 16. Quite the haul considering he wasn't too sure those teeth would still be there after fourteen years. We drove home soggy but satisfied, then washed up and headed out for a fine French dinner before meeting our friends for drinks. Sigh.