Category Archives: photo

barelegged and barefooted


wee blossom, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Picture: a pink blossom surrounded by small pink buds w/greenery in the background.

This weekend I took the skin off of my leg. It’s been summery warm here and I prefer the skinless look when I’m wearing shorts and short-er skirts. It’s been interesting to see the reactions of those around me who aren’t used to seeing my hardware (that metal bits that lurk underneath the cosmesis). But there’s also something completely satisfying about being ‘up front’ with my bionic-ness. As if to show that I’m secure with who I am and my body’s difference.

One of the benefits of skinlessness is that I can go barefoot without shredding the stockings that cover my foam legcovering. So this weekend I planted and worked on my front and back porch barefoot. What a lovely feeling, even when there was a bit of mud squishing underfoot. And tonite I got back late from yoga and I wanted to run a quick load of laundry (because tomorrow is the first day of classes and I do want to be wearing some clean pants when I’m facing 150 undergrads in the morning). So I set out for the laundry room (in the building next door) barefoot. Feeling the cool, but not cold, pavement of the sidewalk and relishing the light of the full moon that made it easy to see my way. I walked even slower on the way home, ignoring the people who I passed who probably thought this legless shoeless woman wandering around in the dark and muttering at the moon was just plain crazy. Because going barefoot just does that to me, especially after a nearly-perfect yoga session and as I contemplate the excitement of a new school term. Yes, barefootedness is just lovely that way.

some pretty flowers


wedding cake, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Picture: a closeup of a round wedding cake decorated with frosting branches and sugary pink blossoms.

This was the cake at a Quaker Wedding that we attended on Saturday. Friends marry somewhat differently than other denominations. There is no preacher or other authority figure to lead the service. Rather, the wedding party and guests gather in silence, then the couple rise and speak their vows to each other. There is a suggested form for these vows that fairly similar to that of other denominations. However, from what I understand, the couple is welcome to modify these words to suit their desires.

After the vows, the silence continues but it is punctuated by those in the congregation who feel moved by the Spirit to speak. Yesterday some Friends gave marriage advice, some expressed their love for the bride & groom, and one Friend sang the refrain from “You Light Up My Life.” When the Meeting ended, the couple signed their marriage certificate to seal their vows. Then everyone in attendance signed the certificate as the witnesses to the marriage (it’s a fairly large piece of paper–more like a poster–to accommodate everyone’s signature).

For those who are interested…attire at this event ranged from very casual to somewhat formal. Some women wore sundresses and some men wore slacks with dress shirts, though the bulk of the group was dressed more casually. The bride wore a simple ivory-colored lacy sleeveless dress and a long strand of pearls. The groom wore a suit.

Photo by CatGirl

wormz


wormz, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Picture: a closeup of some worms in my compost bin.

This photo is for the the three crazy people that I live with. They are at the table adjacent to where I’m typing right now, playing some kind of wormy computer game.

Me, these are the only kinds of worms that capture my attention. These critters live in one of the three compost bins on my back porch. They make the rich fertilizer that makes my plants grow so pretty and strong. 🙂

on the streets of paris


on the streets of paris, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Catgirl took this picture. She is an extraordinary artist who’s taught me many things about ‘seeing small’ and using the macro setting on the digital camera. I am so lucky to have her in my life!

FYI, today is the last day to TAKE THE SURVEY. Don’t delay, because prizes await a few lucky respondents (I’ve decided to increase the number of prizes to three, because I’ve been so thrilled by your replies. You people are so cool! 🙂

translucent


blue, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

This flower is called ‘blue fairy.’ I think it lives up to its name quite well.

Today it was supposed to rain, but it never did. I planned my day all indoors, thinking that out-of-doors wouldn’t be an option. Now I’m feeling antsy and cooped-up. Too much studying, methinks.

Tomorrow I will plan to head to the gym first thing. To get out some of this extra energy left over from today. And then I will head to the garden to visit my new plants. 🙂

Update: The garden was gorgeous this morning. Lot of weeds, though, that I’ll need to attack soon. Oh, and my garden neighbor disposed of the dead gopher that’s been molderin’ under my favorite rosebush. Yay for brave garden neighbors (I was way too chicken to move the rotting carcass. bleh.)

Don’t forget to take the survey

what I wore to church today


what I wore to church today, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

For a few years I’ve been coveting this belt–the buckle is the seatbelt from a Mustang. So John picked it up for me yesterday as a random surprise (john: you rock!). So of course I had to wear it to church today so I could feel extra fancy as I worshiped in Friends’ Meeting.

Note: I drove a vintage 70s mustang in high school, courtesy of my deceased grandpa (it’d been his car until his death). That car was coo-oool, down to the peeling-off vinyl on the top and to the driver’s side door that came completely off the hinges whenever it was opened (I often entered the car ‘Dukes of Hazard’ style to avoid the door issue). My nostalgia for the “Crus-tang” is still strong. And now I can revel in that each time I put on my pants. 🙂

on simplicity…


peach blossom, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Manifest plainness,
Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness,
Have few desires.
~ Lao-tzu (604 BC – 531 BC), The Way of Lao-tzu

it’s a small world


nightstand, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Here’s a photo of my nightstand/drawers with a couple of favorite candles on top.

Because we live in such a small space (~700 sq ft), we have to live ‘small’ in almost every aspect of our lives. Here’s an example: the top drawer of this nightstand holds my pajamas: my favorite blue plaid PJ pants, a t-shirt, a few prs of nylon shorts that double as exercise clothes, and a knit hoodie for cold nights; the middle drawer holds my underwear: tops, bottoms and 2 slips; the bottom drawer contains my sewing supplies and a few items that need to live in the nightstand of any happy couple.

When I was younger (and single) I had large drawers–easily 3 times the size of these–devoted to each of the above categories (except for the latter one).

Note: I lightly photoshopped this picture–changing it to grayscale and heightening the contrast just a smidge.

iris, at night


iris, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

A study in using the flash on my camera. How to show the vivid purples and yellows of this flower against such a dark backdrop.

And don’t forget to take the pilgrimgirl survey!