life without want

MMXII

2012-01-02T11:12:00.000-05:00

Last year's word was inspired.

I don't know that I would say that I lived up to that word in 2011. I still need to think some more on that.

And, two days in, I am not sure what my new word is for this year.

I will be seeing a good friend, going to yoga, and completing this workbook today [a gift from Susannah!]

I should have a better understanding of my word for this year after that.

2011 in Photos

2011-12-30T22:39:00.002-05:00

January walking on the North Side.

February Chinese New Year Dinner.

March weekend breakfasts.

April business meetings downtown.

May rainy business trips in Ohio.

June on the beach at Lake Erie.

July on my mother's back porch in North Carolina.

August walking over bridges downtown.

September grape growing on a Lake Erie Island.

October walking in the Hill District.

November walking in the South.

December festive dish at my mother's house.

2010 here.

Winter Trees

2011-12-27T00:45:00.000-05:00

Southern trees in the winter, from my most recent trip to see my mother.

Happy

2011-12-23T00:43:00.000-05:00

Happy holidays to you and yours. :)

[Dish from my mother's house that I am not-so-secretly in love with but she will never part with.]

Southern Green

2011-12-21T00:42:00.000-05:00

Flora from a walk to the grocery store on one of my trips South to see my mother.

Early Winter

2011-12-19T00:35:00.000-05:00

Back. Photos from a walk in the Hill District a few weeks ago.

Glacial Grooves

2011-10-02T01:38:00.000-04:00

Thousands of years ago a glacier cut across the top part of Kelley's Island. In its wake it left an area of beautifully textured stones that is now a protected area on the island and a must-see if you ever visit.

Islands

2011-09-29T01:28:00.000-04:00

Lake Erie islands

Crystal Caves

2011-09-26T02:15:00.000-04:00

Underneath one of the wineries on Put-in-Bay island there are millions of crystals. They were discovered while trying to dig a well for water decades ago. These crystals are now visible to the public in cave tours that the winery hosts.

Kelley's Island

2011-09-23T01:28:00.000-04:00

One of the places we explored on our trip to the Ohio side of Lake Erie was Kelley's Island. Here are a few images from around the island.

Sail Boats

2011-09-20T01:28:00.000-04:00

Sail Boats on Lake Erie.

Grape Growing

2011-09-17T01:27:00.000-04:00

C and I went to two wineries on Put-in-Bay island. Neither one of us had been to a winery before! I can't wait to tour (and sample!) more wineries.

Ferry Boat Rides

2011-09-14T01:46:00.000-04:00

C and I took a weekend trip over Labor Day to the Ohio side of Lake Erie. Here are a few photos from the different ferry boat rides we took across Lake Erie.

Still Never More True

2011-09-11T13:21:00.001-04:00

Ten Years.

August Break 31: Another Fortune

2011-08-31T01:01:00.000-04:00

I have been having good luck with getting great fortunes this month. Let's hope this one comes true!

August Break 30: My Favorite Place

2011-08-30T01:59:00.000-04:00

August Break 29: Sparkles

2011-08-29T01:57:00.000-04:00

Speaking of things I rediscovered while I was at my mother's, these flats. They're my new [old] favorite pair of shoes.

August Break 28: Peaches

2011-08-28T20:56:00.002-04:00

August Break 27: More Flowers

2011-08-27T01:38:00.001-04:00

I bought these quirky, happy flowers for my mother after her surgery.

August Break 26: Nazar

2011-08-26T01:14:00.000-04:00

I found this bracelet when I was at my mother's house earlier this month. It's from 2006 when I lived in Turkey and has an 'evil eye' on it. It's a symbol of protection and I've been wearing it since I rediscovered it.

August Break 25: Hallelujah!

2011-08-25T01:25:00.000-04:00

August Break 24: Keep Off

2011-08-24T01:24:00.000-04:00

August Break 23: Away Again?

2011-08-23T01:19:00.000-04:00

I asked C if we could go somewhere for Labor Day Weekend. It's our last chance at a mini-vacation [not that we actually got a 'vacation' this summer] for a while. I have basically no more vacation days, so this natural long weekend is our last opportunity while the weather is nice.

I don't care where we go, I'd just like to take a time-out.

August Break 22: Back

2011-08-22T01:17:00.000-04:00

Back from the South. My mother is recovering, slowly. Keep your fingers crossed. We should know more this week about what the next steps are to improve her health.

August Break 21: Tomatoes

2011-08-21T01:16:00.000-04:00

I need to eat more tomatoes before the season is over. I have a feeling September will be tomato month at my house.

August Break 20: Color

2011-08-20T01:15:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite yards in my neighborhood. I love the mix of colors in all the flowers they have chosen to plant.

August Break 19: City

2011-08-19T01:13:00.001-04:00

I am noticing there are themes to my August Break this year: city, South, beach. That sums up not only my August, but also my summer.

August Break 18: Away

2011-08-18T01:10:00.000-04:00

I am currently South at my mother's while she recovers from surgery. It is good to be with her.

August Break 17: More Lake

2011-08-17T01:00:00.000-04:00

I think I need more 'beach' time while the weather is still warm.

August Break 16: Cherries

2011-08-16T03:13:00.000-04:00

Perfection in a bowl.

August Break 15: Half-Way

2011-08-15T03:10:00.000-04:00

The August Break is half-way over. I wish I had done something inspiring with my photos or had some kind of theme. I feel much more comfortable sharing daily photos this year than last year. It is not as much of a struggle as I remembered. Maybe next year I will push myself to be more creative with this project.

August Break 14: Plants

2011-08-14T03:07:00.000-04:00

I have been thinking a lot about the weather changing to autumn recently [it's still blazing hot and fall is nowhere in sight]. But I wonder if I should get some plants and try to keep them alive inside through the winter this year as a little project to keep me sane when the weather is bad.

Just a thought.

August Break 13: Love

2011-08-13T03:05:00.000-04:00

C has been great this summer about my being absent so much while I care for my mother, listening to me complain about the frustrations of my job, and just generally being the wonderful life partner that is he is.

Thanks babe.

August Break 12: Beach

2011-08-12T03:02:00.000-04:00

I was fortunate to grow up near enough to the East Coast that going to the beach was part of summer. Living this far inland has taught me to appreciate lake "beaches".

But it's still not the same.

August Break 11: Trees

2011-08-11T02:57:00.000-04:00

I will be heading back down South next week [my mother is having surgery]. I have mixed feelings about the pastoral South.

But I do love the trees there.

August Break 10: Not Easy

2011-08-10T02:55:00.000-04:00

I feel like I have been eating better and running more- yet no improvement on the weight.

August Break 9: Red Toes

2011-08-09T02:48:00.000-04:00

C's sister got married in July and I have been sporting a bright red pedicure since the big day. It feels very summer.

August Break 8: Bridge

2011-08-08T02:45:00.000-04:00

Maybe my favorite photo so far of my August Break.

Also, Marianne's August Break is incredible. Seriously beautiful and insightful.

August Break 7: More City

2011-08-07T02:42:00.000-04:00

More downtown.

August Break 6: Downtown

2011-08-06T05:39:00.000-04:00

I don't spend nearly as much time downtown as I would like.

August Break 5: Walks to the Strip

2011-08-05T05:38:00.000-04:00

This is one of the favorite doors I pass on my walks to the Strip District.

August Break 4: Sunflower

2011-08-04T05:33:00.000-04:00

I know I am not alone in this, but I really love having flowers around the house.

August Break 3: Weight

2011-08-03T05:51:00.000-04:00

July was a tough month and I am entering August heavier, mentally and physically. C and I are running a 5k race in late September. That gives me [almost] two months and a target goal to shed some of this weight.

August Break 2: Family Rituals

2011-08-02T05:41:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I mentioned that I was in the South last month helping take care of my mother. She's very sick. My grandfather [her father] and I overlapped in our visits to see her.

She sleeps late, but he and I are early birds so we developed a tradition of going out for coffee and muffins each morning. Over breakfast, we would talk about the past and the future and what we think we can do to help her.

August Break 1: Travel

2011-08-01T05:35:00.000-04:00

Fuzzy view from an airplane ride of North Carolina. I spent most of the month of July traveling to the lake, a wedding, and to help take care of my mother. It's nice not to be in a car or on a plane and to sleep in my own bed, at least for right now.

I'm Doing It Again!

2011-07-28T18:21:00.002-04:00

Last year I decided to challenge myself with posting a photo every day for the August Break.

To help me get back on track with blogging and share with you some of what I have been up to this summer, I've decided to do it again!

Here is a little background on the August Break 2011.

Does anyone want to join me this year?

Love Around the Internet

2011-07-10T21:29:00.004-04:00

While I am tinkering and trying to decide what to write here, I thought I would share some of the incredible things going on around the internet this summer. Here are a few links worth checking out:

Annelise clued me in to the awesome Disposable Memory Project.
An honest, thoughtful post about being a female breadwinner.
Ida started a great conversation about commenting.
I am so, so proud of my friend Jane. She has started her own shop- Janery!
Tschitschi is taking on New York City this summer!

*This is a real heart-shaped tomato that I bought at the farmers market yesterday morning. (!)

New Direction

2011-06-19T17:03:00.002-04:00

I realized a few months ago that there are people who actually regularly read my blog (hello there!). I think I should apologize to all (5? 6? :) ) of you for being so quiet recently.

I'll be honest- I didn't have the most inspiring spring. I almost hate writing that because spring is all about new life, brightness, flowers, grass, and sunshine. But I just wasn't feeling it this spring.

I fully plan to make up for it this summer though, don't worry.

I want to take this blog is a slightly new direction. I have been thinking a lot about this space, what its role and function are in my life, and I have decided to make this blog a bit more- personal? I suppose that's the right word.

I want this blog to be more than just photos I take and descriptions (although there will still be lots of that, don't worry!) but make it more connected to my daily life.

I am through the transition of rediscovering this city after I returned from Sydney, so I would like to instead share more of my life: walks, talks, and thoughts (or the like) with all of you.

How does that sound?

Fungi

2011-06-02T07:22:00.000-04:00

C and I took a walk the other evening and I noticed these mushrooms growing near the base of a tree in my neighbourhood. Must be from all the rain recently ...

May Blooms

2011-05-29T07:30:00.000-04:00

May was very rainy here. [I thought the saying goes: April showers ...?] We have had some May blooms, but I am hoping for more and a sunny June.

Hamilton, Ohio: Same View 7 Ways

2011-05-10T07:14:00.000-04:00

Last month I spent a week in Hamilton, Ohio for a work training. This was the view from my hotel window, overlooking the river. I took photos every time I looked out the window and managed to capture the little town at night, in the bright midday sun, in the foggy morning, on a rainy afternoon, and at sunset.

This Year's Crop

2011-05-05T07:09:00.000-04:00

Our annual herb garden is well underway! E wanted mint, so we bought a small mint plant. You may remember the rosemary from last year [I moved it inside and kept it alive all winter on our kitchen stove!]

We are also growing basil [of course], chives, and trying to grow parsley. I was not very successful with the parsley last year and this year it isn't growing well either. Any advice?

Sunday Mornings

2011-05-01T07:03:00.000-04:00

Remember when I fell in love with Saturdays? Well, I really like Sundays too.

I like how the sun comes in the kitchen window really early while I make coffee and check on my little plants on the fire escape to see how much they've grown overnight.

Morgantown Part 4

2011-04-29T07:58:00.000-04:00

Final set of Morgantown, West Virginia photos.

Morgantown Part 3

2011-04-27T07:47:00.000-04:00

Signs from Morgantown, West Virginia.

Morgantown Part 2

2011-04-25T07:44:00.000-04:00

Buildings and such from our trip to Morgantown, West Virginia.

Morgantown Part I

2011-04-23T07:42:00.000-04:00

C and I decided to skip town for a Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago. We wound up in Morgantown, West Virginia. We started with coffee at The Blue Moose Cafe and wandered around the area near West Virginia University.

Vegetables

2011-04-21T07:39:00.000-04:00

[Clockwise from top] carrots, red cabbage, green onions, garlic, and red bell pepper. Vegetables for a weekend tofu scramble. [Bottom right is the black and white skirt I was wearing that day.]

End of Winter

2011-04-19T07:21:00.000-04:00

We are currently in the 'April showers' part of the rhyme. I am hoping to catch a few snippets of our short spring before it becomes full-blown summer. These are a few images of late March and the end of winter, before the rain started.

Light & Shine at Ava Lounge

2011-04-17T07:14:00.000-04:00

We all went out to celebrate a good friend's birthday at Ava Lounge. One of my top ten favorite places in Pittsburgh to go out [remind me to make that list and post it here]. C let me borrow his i-thing to take some photos of the candles and lights and my fantastic new glitter ballet flats.

No Meat Mondays

2011-03-23T06:52:00.000-04:00

I have been casually mentioning since the fall that I am working on a food website.

The website [finally] launched last week! I have put a link in the right-side toolbar and will be referencing my new job as a vegan food writer here from time to time.

Thank you to all of you who have supported and encouraged this project; it really means a lot to me to have so much love and cheerleading from all around the world!

If anyone is interested, here is the site: No Meat Mondays.

Cemetery

2011-03-20T07:14:00.000-04:00

A few photos from our long walk last Saturday through the cemetery. The trees were are so bare, I cannot wait for spring.

Another Perfect Saturday

2011-03-17T07:14:00.000-04:00

Remember how I said I now have weekends free from work? To celebrate, I made whole wheat pancakes with raspberries for C. We also took a long afternoon walk [because it was sunny! and warm!] through Little Italy and Lawrenceville, up through the cemetery, and down the Penn Avenue Arts Corridor. [Photos from the cemetery forthcoming.]

I hope this trend of wonderful Saturdays continues.

Still Life

2011-03-14T07:11:00.000-04:00

My roommate (and the objects she leaves on our coffee table) are a constant source of photographic inspiration. I woke up one morning last week to find this scene on the table and knew I had to take a picture.

PS The new job is great. I like the independence, the hours, the shift in responsibilities, and the pace. I think this is a good change for me!

Primary Colors

2011-03-10T07:31:00.000-05:00

Blue chairs to match the new blue kitchen wall and a red piano bench, all found at a salvaged goods store in the East End. Our living space has been turning towards stripes and primary colors we noticed. I'm pretty okay with that.

Perfect Saturday

2011-03-07T07:26:00.000-05:00

There were waffles, rainy walks, bookstore browsing, coffee drinking, and lots of quality time with my favorite people.

I am looking forward to having lots of free weekends (one of the many perks of my new job) to spend doing more of the above.

Recently

2011-03-02T08:32:00.000-05:00

. Flowers C brought me when I was sick
.. An old sign on a wall in Swissvale
... A bag of clementines hanging on my kitchen wall
.... Snapdragons in a jar [and my very bright blue kitchen!]
..... My [current] favorite outfit

February

2011-02-27T08:42:00.000-05:00

I don't have to tell you how hard February has been- everywhere. I am looking forward to the fresh start that March will bring.

I am starting a new job, the vegetarian website will be up and running soon for me to share with you, and spring is right around the corner!

We just have to keep thinking positively and hang on a little bit longer.

Creative Reuse Pittsburgh

2011-02-11T07:12:00.001-05:00

My homespace redecorate is still in progress- photos will be forthcoming I promise! This new place has been a good source of inspiration recently.

Chinese New Year

2011-02-07T07:01:00.000-05:00

C and I went out for dinner to enjoy the Chinese New Year this year. We went to our usual favorite restaurant, which was very crowded and festive. I am looking forward to all the wonderful things the Year of the Rabbit has in store for us.

[Photos taken by C's new i-thing that I am still getting the hang of!]

Total Mess

2011-02-03T09:17:00.000-05:00

My apartment is a disaster area. My roommate is moving out and one of my roommates from university is moving [back] in with me. Oh! And we're doing a lot of painting/redecorating [pictures will be forthcoming!] There are a lot of boxes everywhere and things are very messy. This fruit bowl is probably the most organized area of the apartment right now [and that being said, there are stray wine corks hiding in there?]

Antique Store

2011-01-31T09:15:00.000-05:00

Last week I went to a very ... eccentric auction north of the city with friends. We browsed around the antique store near the auction house before the actual auction festivities got underway. I did not buy anything, but it was fun to look.

Snow

2011-01-26T08:09:00.001-05:00

C really likes winter. I can't say I feel the same. I have been trying this winter [and to be fair, this winter has been mild- so far! - here.] I have been pushing myself to bundle up and take walks despite the low temperatures.

I am still desperate for signs of spring and any sunlight I can find.

Around Manchester

2011-01-23T08:37:00.000-05:00

C and I took a very chilly weekend stroll around Manchester over the long weekend.

Manchester sits on the North Side and is full of historic Victorian homes. The neighborhood has recently come into the spotlight as a haven for gang warfare in the city and many of the homes are vacant or abandoned.

We were there in the middle of the afternoon and the streets were quiet. The few people we saw were very friendly and we both agree the houses are quite beautiful [although some are in desperate need of repair].

Yellow Bridges

2011-01-20T08:14:00.000-05:00

Pittsburgh has more bridges than Venice. Many of them are painted the traditional iconic yellow color [Pittsburgh is the city of black and gold- I won't bore you with the long steel/coal history that accompanies those colors.]

The bridges peak out in the most unexpected places [first photo, taken from the Manchester neighborhood] and are a bright yellow glimmer of hope in the otherwise very long, bleak, gray winters here.

Vegetables

2011-01-18T08:21:00.000-05:00

A sample of the delicious vegetarian/gluten-free food that has been consumed in my apartment in recent weeks.

[Marinated tofu and vegetables, a fake mixed grill, some diced raw vegetables, and roasted vegetables with fava beans and red quinoa.]

Flower

2011-01-16T06:16:00.001-05:00

I would like to take photos of flowers as well as Karen.

Light & Lights

2011-01-14T06:24:00.000-05:00

Different kinds of light and lights. I am desperate for the sun these days.

Brunch

2011-01-12T07:49:00.000-05:00

Vegan broccoli slaw made by my wonderful gluten-free roommate. Blood oranges from Florida compliments of my lovely grandfather. And an Italian-inspired tofu scramble [that was supposed to be a tofu frittata but was nonetheless delicious.]

Shared with friends and white wine while sitting on our living room floor. The perfect brunch, I think.

Phipps

2011-01-10T06:31:00.000-05:00

Phipps Conservatory is one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh. These photos were taken on New Years Eve on a romantic candlelit visit with C.

Walnut Street

2011-01-08T07:51:00.000-05:00

This abandoned house is on Walnut Street, in the business district of the Shadyside neighborhood. It's sandwiched between an expensive apartment building and a 24 hour fitness center. I am baffled why no one has bought the land/house and knocked it down yet.

Blood Orange Chocolate Walnut Biscotti

2011-01-06T07:46:00.000-05:00

The holidays always give me a sweet tooth. These were a very satisfying way to fill that craving.

The recipe is based on this one from My Sweet Vegan:

1/2 cup margarine [I used Earth Balance]
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Egg Replacer
1 tablespoon water
Juice (about 3/4 cup) of 3 blood oranges
Zest of 1 blood orange
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F

Cream the margarine with the sugar and blood orange zest. Mix the Egg Replacer and water to create an "egg"; add to the margarine mixture.

In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Slowly add the margarine mixture until everything is relatively combined.

Add the freshly squeezed juice 1/4 cup at a time until the mixture comes together [it will still be a little crumbly!]

Then toss in the walnuts and chocolate chips and mix until they are distributed throughout the dough.

On the baking sheet [I lined mine with foil to make it easier, parchment or wax paper would work just as well] shape the dough into a 1 inch tall by 2 inches wide rectangle. Bake for 35-40 minutes until slightly brown [the inside may still be soft, that's okay!].

Let cool for 10 minutes then slice into 1/2 thick strips of delicious cookie. Lay them flat on the baking sheet and return them to the oven for 10 more minutes.

Try to let them cool completely before you shovel them into your mouth. They will dry out overnight and are wonderful with coffee the next morning.

MMXI

2011-01-04T06:21:00.001-05:00

Happy Two Thousand Eleven! Susannah wrote about choosing a word for this year.

My word is inspired.

I am pushing myself this year to be more creative, take more photos, take more risks.

[These photos of C's hand/my arm were taken, blurry and out of focus as they are, on the morning of January 1.]

2010 in Photos

2010-12-28T07:07:00.000-05:00

January in Sydney.
February at the Eveleigh Markets (Sydney).
March, leaving Sydney.
April baseball in Pittsburgh.
May, early rainy mornings.
June, long evening walks.
July, celebrating America.
August, exploring new places.
September, trying to beat the heat.
October, embracing the chill.
November, holding on to the little moments.
December, gray skies but with signs of life.

Gluten Free Cooking

2010-12-24T08:18:00.001-05:00

Remember this exciting news? I promise the website is still in the works. [I will let you know as soon as it's up and running in 2011.]

I have gotten serious recently about crafting recipes, taking photos, and making my wonderful friends do some taste testing [without much fight from them!].

One of my fantastic roommates from college has also recently relocated back to Pittsburgh [and into my apartment!]. She has Celiac disease and therefore lives a gluten-free lifestyle. I like to make things that are both vegan and Celiac friendly so we can share.

I made this chickpea curry for us last week. It's gluten/soy/dairy free and served over brown basmati rice. Recipe will be on the website, stay tuned!

Cookies

2010-12-22T08:09:00.000-05:00

We hosted a cookie party this holiday season. Everyone brought a batch of cookies and we had a feast of sugar. Everyone got take home brown paper bags full of cookies. This is certainly a tradition I think we should repeat next year.

[From top to bottom]:

- Wendy's vanilla shortbreads
- Cameron's chocolate mint
- Meagan's peanut butter
- [my] vegan glazed lemon
- [my] vegan coconut pineapple

Apple Bowl

2010-12-20T08:03:00.000-05:00

Working on making the place festive ...

Birds in Winter

2010-12-18T07:07:00.001-05:00

This time of year my color photos look like they are black and white.

Cold

2010-12-16T06:04:00.000-05:00

Images from the South Side. None of them convey just how cold it is here.

South Side Churches

2010-12-14T06:01:00.000-05:00

When I was going through my shots from a walk in the South Side with C I noticed that there are a lot of old red brick churches there. This is just a sample.

First Snow

2010-12-12T07:59:00.000-05:00

There is a LOT more snow now, but I managed to snap a few shots of our first snow dusting of the season earlier this month on a walk home from work.

Windows

2010-12-11T06:10:00.000-05:00

It's so cold now I am spending a lot more time inside. This is creative challenge for me, because I don't find my apartment especially inspiring. Maybe I should spend the winter working on that?

1- my bathroom window in the early afternoon
2- the stairwell window in October [?] when there were still pretty leaves and it was warm[er]
3- my bedroom window with frost on it

Lawrenceville

2010-12-03T06:04:00.000-05:00

C and I need to get back into taking walks [despite the cold, cold weather]. We walked around Lawrenceville the other morning [don't let the sunshine fool you, it was very cold].

I am feeling inspired again.

Sunday Brunch

2010-11-29T06:59:00.000-05:00

I decided to be gentle with myself over the holiday and take some time off from working. C and I finished our little holiday break with brunch at Dozens on Sunday morning. We sat at a sunny table near the front window and I licked the foam from latte off my finger, just to annoy C and because it was delicious.

Giving Thanks

2010-11-25T08:12:00.000-05:00

For wonderful friends like Karen, who sent me a feel-better present from far away ...

For good excuses like dinner parties with friends that give me a reason to bake a pretty pie ...

For all the different ways I am able to engage and contribute to helping people ...

Happy, happy Thanksgiving!

Family

2010-11-15T08:42:00.000-05:00

My beautiful mother was in town visiting for a few days last week. She was mesmerized by this tree near my flat- with its bright fiery red leaves [the picture/my camera do not do it justice].

I feel 120% better after the visit. I didn't realize just how much I needed my family around; not to do anything, but just to be near.

Empty

2010-11-13T07:43:00.000-05:00

The neighbors in the house next to us moved out. I noticed because the [bed]room across the fire escape* [view from our kitchen window] is empty. They also accidentally left the light on in the room and there are no curtains, so at night the light comes into our kitchen.

*Yes, those are my very dead basil plants. I moved the rosemary inside in an attempt to keep it alive this winter. Keep your fingers crossed.

Recently

2010-11-04T08:52:00.001-04:00

Things have been tough recently.

Since I last posted two important milestones have passed: I turned 24 and I marked the 10 year anniversary since I became a vegan.

My extraordinary friends [both here and not] showered me with love, flowers, and encouraging words over these last few weeks. I am very, very fortunate to have all of you in my life.

My family is coming next week and I can't wait. It's been far too long.

Late Autumn

2010-10-27T07:07:00.000-04:00

Things have been tough recently. Pretty, but tough.

My current Desktop Picture

2010-10-20T07:40:00.000-04:00

C and I had a perfect chilly autumn evening picnic the other night [take-out pizza without cheese] in Schenley Park and watched the sunset over the city.