the fireflies have arrived

Last summer when I worked nights, Paul would go out in the field by our house with a camping chair and book, and enjoy the beginning of night.

He invited me to join him in this ritual last night, and as we walked towards the field I saw the little tiny light hovering above the grass that made my heart jump. The fireflies have arrived.

There is something so magical about those little creatures. Maybe it's because I grew up without them, and the novelty of them hasn't worn off, but I think there is something more to it.

I've noticed that the most powerful images in nature are often very difficult to capture and preserve. A shooting star, a perfect reflection, a foggy morning, and those fireflies - the film doesn't do them justice. You have to see them, experience them, and be in that moment to get the full impact.

So, I have no evidence for this magical first night of fireflies - but I can tell you this...

Summer has arrived.

Mount Lacrosse 2012

Mount Saint Mary Academy Lacrosse Team 2012

Our lacrosse season has ended. I had such a great time with these girls the past few months, it was so sad and bizarre not driving to the school yesterday for practice. I really do miss it already.

At the same time I am relieved. I can work my normal hours at Talksoft, and not spend 3+ hours a day driving around New Jersey. I even get to see Paul again (who just passed his qualifying exams! yay!), and has been the most supportive coaches husband (thank you thank you thank you).

I can't believe my luck at being able to coach and be involved with a sport I love so much. There is nothing like sports to teach you life lessons and feel a part of a community. Coaching the Mount team last year is what made me feel like I belonged in New Jersey, and this year it was even better.

 

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We are taking quick advantage of having our weekends back, and are headed to Vermont today where Paul will be racing in his first stage race. Hooray for seeing new states and new places, such a benefit of East Coast living, where everything is so compact. 

Have a lovely weekend!

Hoggie Hunt

It has been my goal for some time now to get better at using our camera and stop loving auto mode so much, because I just need to toughen up already. So Saturday evening as a post-dinner date activity, Paul and I decided to try out some photo skills and find some of my favorite creatures, ground hogs. 

My zoom lens was needed, since those hoggies just hate getting their picture, and love to scurry away. We walked up one path with no success, and maybe just pictures of me and Paul, but once we rounded a corner, a beautiful sight!

 Two deer! And plus, if you will notice, off to the right had side, a ground hog! Oh what delight was brought to my heart. We inched in for a closer look, and that deer just decided to be so cooperative as well!

Before he skuttled away into the brush, he looked back one more time, just enough for a slightly blurry shot - silly tree taking all the focus!

But can you blame that hog for running away into this? New Jersey is just being a green delight lately. So lucky to have this right next to our house and all around. Animals and plants abounding.

And of course, the most handsome of walking companions (we all know that I like pictures of people and Paul likes pictures of things, so one camera-walk has to appease the both of us). 

 Right before we got back to our apartment, to what should mine wandering eyes appear, another fat hoggie! A double spotting--- this is unheard of!

This guy (the hog) was even more photogenic then the last (referring to the last ground hog, not my husband), and let me snap a few before he waddled into the ditch. I feel like he looks very sassy in these pictures, like he is saying, "Just look at this profile"or "Sure, take a picture, I'm fantastic".

Paul, on the other hand, mid-yawn, was ready to go watch Stage 7 of the #atoc (Amgen Tour of California, you non-cyclist fanatics). 

REWIND. That morning, I had finally, after years of hair plainness, decided it was time for a change. After months (and months) of pursuing the interests for hairs that I loved, I finally braved up and took the leap. 

Upon meeting my very Jersey hair stylist, I was just a little nervous about what was going to happen. And mid-foil, bore my troubled soul to the instagram world. Because really - THIS  or THIS is not really what I was going for. 

Best news of the day is that I don't look like I'm on the Jersey Shore! I like the new hair, and even though it wasn't what I really asked for, I feel happy about it none-the-less.  I probably took of 3-4 inches, and am so happy it looks healthy and thicker and summery. 

(I still haven't seen a picture that I think really looks how it looks in person, but this one the most accurate I think. Thanks for all the pre-appointment advice and encouragement!)

We want s'more, we want s'more

11-year old scouts is the place to be. Building fires & eating s'mores is how it went this past Wednesday.

I like sharing a calling with Paul. It is great working together. Plus, no one looks as good in a scout shirt as that guy.