grandma’s quilt of many colors, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

My Mom’s latest creation, held together by safety pins because it still needs quilting.

The colors of this piece render me rather speechless. It’s such a perfect cacophony, all on its own.

serenity, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

I’d intended for today to be a day of peace and serenity. I got up fairly early and had the first few hours of the morning to myself. Lovely.

But things didn’t go so smoothly from there on out. I went to Quaker Meeting, but had some things on my mind that made it difficult to relax into the silence. I felt disconnected and had a sense of urgency about some pressing matters that made me second-guess my being there. As soon as Meeting closed, I got a call from John that his bike had broken down about 40 miles into his “century” (100 mile) trek and he needed my aid.

Of course the freeway between him and me was moving at 6-10 miles per hour. Sigh. Eventually finding John was joy, even if I wasn’t a happy camper along the way there.

Some days don’t go as we planned, do they?

I got home from the bike shop and had a bit of nap, puttered around in the garden, and was just plain lazy for a few hours.

I still haven’t regained that sense of serenity that I’d started the day with and hoped to carry with me all day long, but I suspect that it will return again tomorrow morning. And we’ll see what happens from there…

on the back porch, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

This bee had the most intense rendezvous with one of my squash blossoms. He stayed at the flower for more than five minutes, never seeming to get enough of its pollen-y goodness. He didn’t even mind when I brought the camera in for a close-up–he was far too involved to notice.

I have to say that I love seeing critters who look like they’re having so much fun. Can’t you just imagine that he was loving being covered from antenna to toe in yellow?

My garden, in the morning, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Lavender’s blue, dilly dilly, lavender’s green,
When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen.
Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so?
‘Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so.

Call up your men, dilly, dilly, set them to work
Some with a rake, dilly, dilly, some with a fork.
Some to make hay, dilly, dilly, some to thresh corn.
While you and I, dilly, dilly, keep ourselves warm.

Lavender’s green, dilly, dilly, Lavender’s blue,
If you love me, dilly, dilly, I will love you.
Let the birds sing, dilly, dilly, And the lambs play;
We shall be safe, dilly, dilly, out of harm’s way.

I love to dance, dilly, dilly, I love to sing;
When I am queen, dilly, dilly, You’ll be my king.
Who told me so, dilly, dilly, Who told me so?
I told myself, dilly, dilly, I told me so.

Albuquerque, by air, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

I rarely take pics while flying, simply because it’s mostly clouds out there anyways. But how different the trip to and from Albuquerque was–hardly a cloud in the sky all the way. I loved the textures and colors of the desert, even as I marveled at the strength of the people who live in such an arid environment.

mon cheri, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

I might have to stop keeping a bouquet of roses on the table in my living room. Because everytime I walk past this one, I melt into it.

CC novice girls, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Another picture of my awesome teammates, taken at our Corporate Challenge fundraiser on Sunday.

This was snapped just after I steered a boat that “huli’d” (or tipped over) in the Bay. Bet ya can’t tell that I’m soaking wet! And I do have to say that it felt good to get cooled off in the water. 🙂

Also this is one of the few pics of our novice crew that includes our coach, Dora, who’s standing in the center wearing a lei of blue orchids.

June 2009, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Went to the garden this morning, as is my usual routine, to greet the day. I said hello to the rosebushes, encouraged the fledgling cucumber plant, and gathered a large bunch of hibiscus blossoms for my table.

The bees were out in full force and a lizard came out of hiding briefly. A bird preened itself in the rosemary bush and a junebug startled me just a bit as it clacked and hummed through the canes of the climbing rose. I nibbled on two ripe strawberries (so sweet!) and picked some fennel and chewed the stem (such flavor!).

On my way to and from the garden I passed dozens of homes. Small apartment homes, full of life in the early morning. I heard the music, the vacuuming, the kitchen noises. I don’t know why, but living this way–so close to so many people–it enlivens me. I like the bustling community. I like smelling several different meals cooking, I feel comfort in hearing the cries of children as well as the hum of the lawnmower.

While in my garden I picked a zucchini and some green onions and some marjoram. I’ll eat them for lunch in an omelet.

CatGirl the Captain., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

The kids had their first-ever outrigger canoeing races on Saturday. What a fabulous experience for both of them!! Here you can see a picture of Catgirl as the steersman of the girls’ team. She commands that canoe like a pro!

THE BOOK!, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Given that we just saw the new movie, it seemed high time to remind you of some of the ways the kiddos (& John) have celebrated their Harry Potter-love over the years…