It was love at first snowball

Mr. and Mrs. Snowman (original, huh?) met early this morning. Mr. Snowman rolled into existence first. Like any proper bachelor, he was content to claim his corner of the world and give the Wyoming wave to all passersby. (That's a friendly nod and finger lift, for those who don't know the Way of the West.) The sun was out, but not burning hot enough to cause him any trouble. His trouble started when Mrs. Snowman rolled up next to him, smoothed her skirt and cast him a shy glance. It was love at first snowball. She had a trim waist and thick, curly hair. And a smile sweet as candy. Mr. Snowman made his pass. She swooned. He grinned. She moved closer. He took her hand. They wed just then and lived happily ever after.

Bloom

I love flowers. And yes that's a hint to any man who may try to woo me. These shots came from a basket of tulips a friend gave recently.

Jiaozi!

Yowza! My mom and I made jiaozi! (That's potstickers for those who don't know them by their Mandarin name.)

It took three hours and lots of kneading, rolling, filling, pinching, boiling and frying, but it was so worth it. Oh, I miss jiaozi. I miss China.

Animal crackers

This post is, pure and simple, a tribute to the animals in my life. I grew up in a house full of pets. My childhood would have been very different without their presence. Pepper the dog. Tinsel the calico cat. Natty Gan the beta fish. Jake the parakeet. Mac and Susie the box turtles. Ma-ki-a the canary. Maxi the gerbil. Hamilton the hamster. Sandy the golden retriever/cocker spaniel mix. Hermit crabs. Jumping beans. Strays. These are all gone now, but their memory remains.

Now, we have Flipper the dog and Dodger the cockatiel. And a stray Tom cat named Oliver who sleeps in a ghetto we made on the front porch. They make each day a little more joyful, relieving stress with a nudge of the nose or a pretty song. Though I'm sure I take their presence for granted sometimes, I am grateful God gave us critters to care for and laugh about.


Flipper the dog stayed faithfully by my feet when I was writing my novel.


Dodger bird gets in on some pancake action.


Oliver our stray cat plays with yarn and settles in for the night in his cat ghetto.

FOTFOTP

Help. I have fallen off the face of the planet. Someone please save me.

Heel-toe, heel-toe

Just a quick update: I am loving Lent.

I love the sacrifice. It has helped me look away from myself toward the needs and feelings of others and toward God's ultimate sacrifice of his Son.

I love the prayers. I don't know why we make relationship with God so...awkward...most the time.

I love the community. It is good to be in accord with fellow Lent-ers. May we all remember why we fast and pray and give.

Today, as I walked home through a thick Spring snowfall, I was struck by the joy of movement. It felt so good to swing my arms and turn my gaze upwards. To feel each snow flake turn to dew on my face. To hear the slush squish beneath heel-toe, heel-toe. To think nothing, and yet to be.