Sunset

What does this mean? So bright, so vivid...

Um, Harris?

I thought I was just grabbing the Gem & Fossil pics off the camera.

And then I came across two gems of my own, thanks to Harrison.

A Time for Tears, A Time to Heal

Teens spend so much of their time pushing you away, it can seem like the demons have stolen them, and replaced them with eye-rolling, snide-remark cracking, skinny-jean-clad creatures just brimming with disdain for everything you are, everything you stand for. Though you'd give anything to have them connect with you just for a moment, you find yourself stressed-out from their briefest interaction.

Driving home last evening, Paige was riding shotgun, Tess and Arden in back. Up on the bank, Paige spotted a deer running parallel to the road. She watched as it cut down over the bank and directly into the path of the car in front of us. "Oh no, oh no, oh no!" Paige groaned.

There wasn't even time for that car to brake.

The car hit the deer square on with the crunch of an axe splitting seasoned firewood. The deer was spun around, and I could see the life was already gone from its eyes. As the impact sent the deer's body sliding across the other lane and into the ditch, Paige had a front row seat to the carnage.

Her hands clapped over her mouth, to muffle the moans of horror at the scene that was over before the driver could even react.

As I continued up the hill, I reached out and wrapped her hand in mine. Her moans grew louder, longer, and turned into sobs.

"Paige, what's wrong?" the girls in the back asked, as they had missed the whole thing.

"She just saw a deer get hit by a car." I told them.

I eased the van off the road into the car lot by the traffic light, got out and came around. I opened her door, reached in, and pulled her out into the drizzle of the gray Fall day.

She allowed me to hold her close, and she wailed and grieved and wept into my shoulder. I smoothed her hair, rubbed her back and murmured about how nobody ever wants that to happen. I spoke of the sadness and how she would never forget what she just witnessed. I spoke of releasing a soul, enabling it to 'become', and how this was a quick release for the deer.

Tess and Arden remained silent in the van for the half hour that we stood in the rain, swaying, sobbing, soothing.

When I thought we were able to continue home, I helped Paige back into the van and drove the remaining two miles to the house.

After dinner, Paige remarked that she was running out of time to do her homework. Arden commented that if she hadn't spent a long time next to the road crying over a deer, she'd have her homework done.

"Hey, now. Paige needed that," I reminded Arden. "And you guys were very respectful to sit there while she was experiencing those emotions."

Arden thought for a moment and said,

"Yeah, but... it was a long time. And I really had to pee. But there just didn't seem to be a good way to lean out the window and mention that."

My Faire Lady

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If You're Waiting For A Sign

I have a couple.

The picture they show to advertise their work is an unpainted brick house.

"That's right- you'd be better off leaving it alone, than hiring us."

If I am blind, I won't be able to read your lovely sign...

Competition is fierce. Churches are getting more and more progressive.

Perhaps this is part of their "Waiting and Dating" campaign,

in hopes that sexting will help our young ones remain chaste until marriage?

What's On My Phone?

Lady Gaga called... she wants her shoes back.

I didn't buy them, but you know it's only a matter of time.

Keep your feet extra toasty this winter with these socks for flip-flops.

Shameless Hussy!

This is the outfit Paige wore to school that violated the dress code, resulting in a teacher forcing her to wear an oversized t-shirt to hide her near-nudity.

Clearly, such skank-wear cannot be tolerated in public schools where children are trying to get an education.

Someone tell this child to cover herself up!

(The crime? Exposed shoulders. No, I'm not kidding. Butts, boobs, and bellies are allowed. Shoulders? For shame!)

Harris... looks like...

The HeatMiser!

We raced to the stadium to make the 2:30 kick-off, but noticed even up to 2pm, it was less than a sold-out game...

To find out it was a 3:30 kick-off!

Let's Gooooooooo... Mountaineers!

I'm greeted each morning by the cat brigade.

They can sense who the future crazy cat ladies are.

Where can you find the best in Mummy Wear for your Halloween costume needs?

My dryer!

This is proof that men wear their underwear until it turns into dandelion spores.

Pumpkins are in the stores already.

How did that happen?

When did Summer end?

Did I miss a memo?

Mmmm! Green Tea flavored ice cream... er... coconut milk cream...

Mmmmm... can't you just taste the greeny goodness!

Speaking of ice cream, before you assume he's compensating for something, this is Josh's first time at Dairy Creme Corner. "Go big, or go home!"

Until recently, this wooden artist's mannequin sat alone on Paige's art desk out in the "Art Studio". He has been recently adopted into the tribe of Ken and Barbie.

Ken loaned him a shirt, which was just his style.

Since then, he has been part of every day play and adventures. Paige misses him on her desk, but by the looks of it, he's thriving quite well in the wild.