// API callback
showgalleryposts({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$blogger":"http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008","xmlns$georss":"http://www.georss.org/georss","xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223"},"updated":{"$t":"2023-08-21T14:02:34.176-06:00"},"category":[{"term":"outfits"},{"term":"teenvogue"},{"term":"outfit"},{"term":"hat"},{"term":"winter"},{"term":"flowers"},{"term":"summer"},{"term":"ravine"},{"term":"dress"},{"term":"goingout"},{"term":"nature"},{"term":"hair"},{"term":"travel"},{"term":"floral"},{"term":"spring"},{"term":"oasap"},{"term":"style"},{"term":"music"},{"term":"my life in photographs"},{"term":"poetry"},{"term":"skirt"},{"term":"autumn"},{"term":"bow"},{"term":"griffith woods"},{"term":"socks"},{"term":"banjo"},{"term":"sponsor"},{"term":"beret"},{"term":"gardening"},{"term":"calgary"},{"term":"floral crown"},{"term":"edworthy park"},{"term":"white"},{"term":"giveaway"},{"term":"pants"},{"term":"romwe"},{"term":"sunhat"},{"term":"chicwish"},{"term":"fur"},{"term":"headband"},{"term":"dried flowers"},{"term":"faux fur"},{"term":"value village"},{"term":"wedges"},{"term":"what i wore"},{"term":"garden"},{"term":"free people"},{"term":"local"},{"term":"vancouver island"},{"term":"food"},{"term":"writing"},{"term":"dna footwear"},{"term":"fur vest"},{"term":"pink"},{"term":"polkadot"},{"term":"purple"},{"term":"straw hat"},{"term":"white aldo wedges"},{"term":"accessory"},{"term":"braid"},{"term":"braids"},{"term":"event"},{"term":"feature"},{"term":"leather lace up boots"},{"term":"maxi skirt"},{"term":"mountains"},{"term":"photography"},{"term":"year end"},{"term":"birds"},{"term":"black"},{"term":"blue"},{"term":"crown and glory"},{"term":"glitter aldo heels"},{"term":"hair up"},{"term":"love"},{"term":"ocean"},{"term":"review"},{"term":"sheinside"},{"term":"sweater"},{"term":"white wedges"},{"term":"Art"},{"term":"accesories"},{"term":"aldo"},{"term":"banff"},{"term":"birthday"},{"term":"blowfish shoes"},{"term":"brown boots"},{"term":"brown leather boots"},{"term":"dress. pink"},{"term":"floral dress"},{"term":"floral tapestry wedges"},{"term":"guitar"},{"term":"harvest crown"},{"term":"instagram"},{"term":"jeans"},{"term":"knee high socks"},{"term":"lace"},{"term":"overalls"},{"term":"pressed flowers"},{"term":"red"},{"term":"roadtrip"},{"term":"trees"},{"term":"weardrobe"},{"term":"backyard"},{"term":"bait footwear"},{"term":"december"},{"term":"floral headband"},{"term":"floral wedges"},{"term":"forest"},{"term":"goals"},{"term":"hawaii"},{"term":"how to"},{"term":"insect dress"},{"term":"leaves"},{"term":"life"},{"term":"list"},{"term":"milkmaid"},{"term":"milkmaid braid"},{"term":"modcloth"},{"term":"outdoor"},{"term":"playlist"},{"term":"red tights"},{"term":"snow"},{"term":"sunflower"},{"term":"topshop"},{"term":"vintage"},{"term":"woodland"},{"term":"a vintage affair"},{"term":"aa adventures"},{"term":"american eagle"},{"term":"baking"},{"term":"bathing suit"},{"term":"blowfishshoes"},{"term":"boots"},{"term":"brunch"},{"term":"fashion mag style panel"},{"term":"flower petal wedges"},{"term":"folk festival"},{"term":"fur boots"},{"term":"heart"},{"term":"inspiration"},{"term":"maui"},{"term":"montana"},{"term":"parasol"},{"term":"photoshoot"},{"term":"pigtail braids"},{"term":"pink beret"},{"term":"recipe"},{"term":"red bow hat"},{"term":"roadtrip 2014"},{"term":"shed"},{"term":"shoes"},{"term":"shopping"},{"term":"sunglasses"},{"term":"the bird crown"},{"term":"warm"},{"term":"yellow"},{"term":"2014"},{"term":"DSW"},{"term":"Illustration"},{"term":"Monday's list"},{"term":"ari"},{"term":"ashley"},{"term":"atseoul"},{"term":"black forever 21 boots"},{"term":"black laced up wedges"},{"term":"books"},{"term":"breakfast"},{"term":"butterflies"},{"term":"butterfly tights"},{"term":"canada"},{"term":"carter"},{"term":"cheetah"},{"term":"crossiron mills"},{"term":"deer"},{"term":"dogwood banjo"},{"term":"emily and fin"},{"term":"eshakti"},{"term":"fall"},{"term":"fawn tights"},{"term":"feeling sad"},{"term":"floral pants"},{"term":"fur jacket"},{"term":"gray"},{"term":"harvest"},{"term":"heart shaped"},{"term":"highwaisted"},{"term":"hiking"},{"term":"interview"},{"term":"january"},{"term":"jewelry"},{"term":"journal"},{"term":"korean boots"},{"term":"laced up boots"},{"term":"leopard"},{"term":"leopard pink shoes"},{"term":"lipstick"},{"term":"mary janes"},{"term":"mayflowers"},{"term":"mothers"},{"term":"necklace"},{"term":"newyork"},{"term":"orange"},{"term":"pine"},{"term":"pink socks"},{"term":"poncho"},{"term":"pups"},{"term":"rabbit dress"},{"term":"ragcurls"},{"term":"reading"},{"term":"september"},{"term":"shoppalu"},{"term":"shorts"},{"term":"stripes"},{"term":"suspenders"},{"term":"tegan"},{"term":"the bay"},{"term":"thrift"},{"term":"vedette shapewear"},{"term":"voodoo vixen"},{"term":"weather"},{"term":"welovecolors"},{"term":"2011. music"},{"term":"2012"},{"term":"2012. music"},{"term":"2015"},{"term":"Interview With An Artist"},{"term":"Lexy Ho Tai"},{"term":"animal print"},{"term":"artsy closet"},{"term":"bangles"},{"term":"banjo necklace"},{"term":"bearded bell"},{"term":"belt"},{"term":"betsey johnson"},{"term":"binoculars"},{"term":"black laced bell bottoms"},{"term":"blazer"},{"term":"boutique onze"},{"term":"boyfriend jeans"},{"term":"brick"},{"term":"brown"},{"term":"business cards"},{"term":"camping"},{"term":"cape"},{"term":"cat dress"},{"term":"cfmf"},{"term":"chictopia"},{"term":"chictopia rewards"},{"term":"chicwish rose dress"},{"term":"choies"},{"term":"christmas"},{"term":"claygrounds"},{"term":"cloud dress"},{"term":"colors"},{"term":"cosmetics"},{"term":"cream floral heels"},{"term":"cross iron mills"},{"term":"crow collar"},{"term":"crown"},{"term":"curls"},{"term":"dahlia"},{"term":"datevitation"},{"term":"deer dress"},{"term":"deer headband"},{"term":"designer shoe warehouse"},{"term":"detachable collar"},{"term":"dog"},{"term":"dolly darling"},{"term":"doughnut necklace"},{"term":"downtown"},{"term":"dream"},{"term":"dream-ers boutique"},{"term":"dreaming"},{"term":"dreams"},{"term":"dressempire"},{"term":"earrings"},{"term":"easter"},{"term":"embroidered jeans"},{"term":"events"},{"term":"expedia"},{"term":"explore"},{"term":"facebook"},{"term":"february"},{"term":"fedora"},{"term":"fence"},{"term":"film"},{"term":"flat iron"},{"term":"floral backpack"},{"term":"floral shirtdress"},{"term":"floral skirt"},{"term":"floral tights"},{"term":"flower petal dress"},{"term":"flower press"},{"term":"forever 21"},{"term":"friend"},{"term":"frontyard"},{"term":"garage"},{"term":"ghd styler"},{"term":"gloves"},{"term":"good looking objects"},{"term":"goodwill long floral skirt"},{"term":"gown"},{"term":"gray sweater dress"},{"term":"green"},{"term":"hair down"},{"term":"head"},{"term":"heart shaped bowl"},{"term":"heart shaped skirt"},{"term":"heart shaped tights"},{"term":"hilo hattie"},{"term":"homemade"},{"term":"horse dress"},{"term":"i skirt"},{"term":"indoors"},{"term":"instrument"},{"term":"invite"},{"term":"irresistible me"},{"term":"isidora anne"},{"term":"jacket"},{"term":"jacob"},{"term":"jellybean"},{"term":"june"},{"term":"lace brick design"},{"term":"lace up boots"},{"term":"lake minnewanka"},{"term":"leaf"},{"term":"leggings"},{"term":"lilac"},{"term":"lilac princess dress"},{"term":"limecrime"},{"term":"lists"},{"term":"local blogger"},{"term":"long fur jacket"},{"term":"love crown"},{"term":"lulus"},{"term":"magazine"},{"term":"makeup"},{"term":"map purse"},{"term":"martin guitar"},{"term":"mental health"},{"term":"mom"},{"term":"moo cards"},{"term":"moon apparel"},{"term":"moon shoes"},{"term":"mountain"},{"term":"music festival"},{"term":"my bedroom"},{"term":"namesake dress"},{"term":"nygard"},{"term":"park"},{"term":"petticoat"},{"term":"picnic"},{"term":"pillow"},{"term":"pink frilly socks"},{"term":"pink fuzzy coat"},{"term":"pink lingerie slip"},{"term":"pixie market"},{"term":"places to visit"},{"term":"plaid trousers"},{"term":"poem"},{"term":"prairie dress"},{"term":"prairies"},{"term":"pretzels"},{"term":"purchases"},{"term":"purple hat"},{"term":"quarry lake"},{"term":"quotes"},{"term":"rain"},{"term":"rainbow"},{"term":"ring"},{"term":"road"},{"term":"romantic"},{"term":"sandals"},{"term":"sanuk boots"},{"term":"silver bow"},{"term":"singing"},{"term":"skirt. pink"},{"term":"sleep"},{"term":"social networking"},{"term":"sparrow dress"},{"term":"storyhive"},{"term":"tambourine"},{"term":"tapestry wedge"},{"term":"tea"},{"term":"teddy bear tights"},{"term":"the floral crown"},{"term":"the kewl shop"},{"term":"the watered leaf"},{"term":"thoughts"},{"term":"trip"},{"term":"tutu"},{"term":"twin-set"},{"term":"two buns in my hair"},{"term":"vernon"},{"term":"video"},{"term":"vintage flowers collar dress"},{"term":"vintage urban renewal"},{"term":"want"},{"term":"we day"},{"term":"wear love now"},{"term":"white atseoul shoes"},{"term":"white dress red stripe"},{"term":"white fur"},{"term":"white lace"},{"term":"white lace jumpsuit"},{"term":"wide legged"},{"term":"winter coat"},{"term":"wishlist"},{"term":"yellow sun wedges"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Amy Nelson"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"Flowers and Feelings \/ Songwriter and crybaby"},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default?alt=json-in-script\u0026max-results=100\u0026orderby=published"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=101\u0026max-results=100\u0026orderby=published"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/02589736019280915120"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"31","height":"20","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEggal_Js9fMoeIG9--FfblKCr9-XgQS_SgihFKOIhA2G-rb3B0fqUUAbfe3nAN2bjp9TJjvFFQ0-YeStuHnZbEnl5yRvYMwhQT6IXm6r6F6anIMVtPd4FYpo4KwDxkGpw\/s220\/fla.jpg"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"471"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"100"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1207853383826003375"},"published":{"$t":"2023-03-05T21:15:00.002-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2023-03-05T21:22:58.618-07:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":""},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgH4bQseGzvmFNW-h43xKX8Cfb_0fkPIcPwW2myBIAoaDY7R9jCWjd767Pq5_S1bFTw2-QycdQk-1oe9y1EKh36iqzoy1UdyGOJDX3DV3qx8wc4b5lakCg8sEAvAejpCNTriwzouzzVSBLRDXNPlBnVfc3FlpVWNZ27_P1TzJrFLOYxQpELT29gSS25\/s1640\/BEC11A7A-441D-47A2-82EE-FC0C54CB9F8A.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"924\" data-original-width=\"1640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgH4bQseGzvmFNW-h43xKX8Cfb_0fkPIcPwW2myBIAoaDY7R9jCWjd767Pq5_S1bFTw2-QycdQk-1oe9y1EKh36iqzoy1UdyGOJDX3DV3qx8wc4b5lakCg8sEAvAejpCNTriwzouzzVSBLRDXNPlBnVfc3FlpVWNZ27_P1TzJrFLOYxQpELT29gSS25\/w640-h360\/BEC11A7A-441D-47A2-82EE-FC0C54CB9F8A.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"songkick-widget\" data-background-color=\"transparent\" data-detect-style=\"true\" data-locale=\"en\" data-theme=\"light\" data-track-button=\"on\" href=\"https:\/\/www.songkick.com\/artists\/10068271\"\u003EAmy Nelson (Calgary) tour dates\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003Cscript src=\"\/\/widget.songkick.com\/10068271\/widget.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhxXSdzG8XeKT9wj4WNlHSI1cHu1b_GmsKzUlfsYWFVsY4eoe7iOFk7tvUiYv138hDvfLgsgUsKSf0arJuHLf82aMI238dtGqz2DAEiGiL1-uy9uH-toyuFyrWr41FzQUcEg2Lnzo4pAOU_6lA7YIfAaman_5RISA4VW0exEw-Tl4lffDv7ifFPPl5O\/s1640\/C68336D6-C043-49BC-A3D9-F04B09FF6ED2.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"924\" data-original-width=\"1640\" height=\"160\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhxXSdzG8XeKT9wj4WNlHSI1cHu1b_GmsKzUlfsYWFVsY4eoe7iOFk7tvUiYv138hDvfLgsgUsKSf0arJuHLf82aMI238dtGqz2DAEiGiL1-uy9uH-toyuFyrWr41FzQUcEg2Lnzo4pAOU_6lA7YIfAaman_5RISA4VW0exEw-Tl4lffDv7ifFPPl5O\/w285-h160\/C68336D6-C043-49BC-A3D9-F04B09FF6ED2.png\" width=\"285\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1207853383826003375\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2023\/03\/blog-post.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1207853383826003375"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1207853383826003375"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2023\/03\/blog-post.html","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgH4bQseGzvmFNW-h43xKX8Cfb_0fkPIcPwW2myBIAoaDY7R9jCWjd767Pq5_S1bFTw2-QycdQk-1oe9y1EKh36iqzoy1UdyGOJDX3DV3qx8wc4b5lakCg8sEAvAejpCNTriwzouzzVSBLRDXNPlBnVfc3FlpVWNZ27_P1TzJrFLOYxQpELT29gSS25\/s72-w640-h360-c\/BEC11A7A-441D-47A2-82EE-FC0C54CB9F8A.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-7905850839525205865"},"published":{"$t":"2021-05-19T14:29:00.002-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-05-19T14:29:32.360-06:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"your life is a poem"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-kJdF78apILA\/YDQ6ZWz4JZI\/AAAAAAACD4w\/sxZg7nXpVUsFjmLRhMMfOjrIA6BR5Z-OwCPcBGAsYHg\/s3060\/IMG_20210222_115325_466.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"3060\" data-original-width=\"2448\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-kJdF78apILA\/YDQ6ZWz4JZI\/AAAAAAACD4w\/sxZg7nXpVUsFjmLRhMMfOjrIA6BR5Z-OwCPcBGAsYHg\/s16000\/IMG_20210222_115325_466.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan face=\"-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;\"\u003E🌸🌞🌸\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan face=\"-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EYour life is a poem being written everyday by you ✨\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan face=\"-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Emay loving things like blooms in the daylight, bright moons at nightfall and bird chatter be always at your window.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\" \/\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E✨ things to remember ✨\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E- we live in a world with birds\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E- we live in a world with books and berries that grow on trees 🍒\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E- don't forget to water your plants\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E- don't forget to have water for yourself too 🦋\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E- sing like the birds do, just because\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E- put a flower in between a book to press it 🌸\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E- not everyday has a positive way to lean\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E- imagine tomorrow being better than today, it is quite possible\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\" \/\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \u0026quot;Segoe UI\u0026quot;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E✨ What are your things to remember today? ✨\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/7905850839525205865"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/7905850839525205865"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2021\/05\/your-life-is-poem.html","title":"your life is a poem"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-kJdF78apILA\/YDQ6ZWz4JZI\/AAAAAAACD4w\/sxZg7nXpVUsFjmLRhMMfOjrIA6BR5Z-OwCPcBGAsYHg\/s72-c\/IMG_20210222_115325_466.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-6103877712313538022"},"published":{"$t":"2019-07-02T12:06:00.001-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-05-19T14:31:43.484-06:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"educated woman ~"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1595\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-L4JH9aPuO3c\/XRucNCYtlQI\/AAAAAAABXZE\/wYhe0PZaSrckhT11rohF4xgbcY6JTaP7wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/AmyNelson_Cover.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan face=\"Verdana, sans-serif\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EAlbum is exclusively available at \u003Cspan\u003EBlackbyrd Myoozik\u003C\/span\u003E in Edmonton and Calgary\u003C\/span\u003E!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan face=\"Verdana, sans-serif\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan face=\"Verdana, sans-serif\"\u003EYou can also purchase at LIVE SHOWS!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan face=\"Verdana, sans-serif\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan face=\"Verdana, sans-serif\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amynelsonmusic.bandcamp.com\/album\/educated-woman\"\u003EAvailable online NOW\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan face=\"Verdana, sans-serif\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan face=\"\u0026quot;Trebuchet MS\u0026quot;, sans-serif\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E♡\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cu\u003E \u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6103877712313538022"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6103877712313538022"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2019\/07\/educated-woman.html","title":"educated woman ~"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-L4JH9aPuO3c\/XRucNCYtlQI\/AAAAAAABXZE\/wYhe0PZaSrckhT11rohF4xgbcY6JTaP7wCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/AmyNelson_Cover.png","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-6883399142647190391"},"published":{"$t":"2019-03-10T20:04:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-03-10T20:08:51.689-06:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Catch ya at the next show!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1036\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-qrzkTgrX14M\/XIXBX4d9iaI\/AAAAAAABVwE\/JocTBnmxlHcWN5VM87Yi8zNzqGY4EZfwgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/NELSONBLANK.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E❤️March 14th - \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/638427153264196\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Legion\u003C\/a\u003E - Jasper\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E(tickets available at the legion)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E❤️March 15th - \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/386528358595273\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAt the Blue Chair\u003C\/a\u003E - Edmonton\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E(\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/bluechair.ca\/contact-us\/?fbclid=IwAR3aJmYWETMoOAxgl6btcQ8T7DJkxMUNWIsduh2oYSKfv6brvKZOdUECYk0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eclick \u003Cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003Ehere \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003Efor tickets\u003C\/a\u003E or to make a reservation)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E🌷 April 2nd - Mighty and Neighborly house concert - Swift Current\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E🌷 April 3rd - Chrysalis - Moose Jaw\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E💌 April 4th - The Cure - Regina\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E💌 April 5th - Jam Street Music Sessions - Prince Albert\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E🚀 April 12th -\u003Cu\u003E HOMETOWN\u003C\/u\u003E\u003Cu\u003E ALBUM RELEASE\u003C\/u\u003E - Ironwood Stage and Grill - Calgary\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003Ecall the ironwood (403)269-5581 or email:\u003Cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003E \u003Cu\u003Ereservations@ironwoodstage.ca\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6883399142647190391"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6883399142647190391"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2019\/03\/catch-ya-at-next-show.html","title":"Catch ya at the next show!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-qrzkTgrX14M\/XIXBX4d9iaI\/AAAAAAABVwE\/JocTBnmxlHcWN5VM87Yi8zNzqGY4EZfwgCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/NELSONBLANK.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1419673460378835140"},"published":{"$t":"2019-03-04T13:56:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-03-04T13:56:02.303-07:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Educated Woman Album - coming to you April 12th!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1595\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ywediwYDlVc\/XH2Ml98FRbI\/AAAAAAABVZk\/doG5OSzOUawraRCnEW85GLcfJlCv4AbfgCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/AmyNelson_Cover.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EA day and night two years in the makin'\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nCome and celebrate the trials and tribulations of making a record with me.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFull band on duty. Special guests.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWe're going to shake it and shout it out loud:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nthe album\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E Educated Woman\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E will finally be given wings!\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #e06666;\"\u003E♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003ELive at the Ironwood Stage and Grill in Calgary....April 12th, 2019\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E $20\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: magenta;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E Vinyl, CD's, and Merch will be in attendance.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #93c47d;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E Good times\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #3d85c6;\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E Out of the ordinary evening, like a birthday or a wedding, we're going to do all that we can to make it special for everybody in the room!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EReservations are highly recommended! Invite your friends! \u003Cb\u003ECall (403) 269-5581 or email reservations@ironwoodstage.ca to make a reservation.\n\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1419673460378835140\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2019\/03\/educated-woman-album-coming-to-you.html#comment-form","title":"221 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1419673460378835140"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1419673460378835140"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2019\/03\/educated-woman-album-coming-to-you.html","title":"Educated Woman Album - coming to you April 12th!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ywediwYDlVc\/XH2Ml98FRbI\/AAAAAAABVZk\/doG5OSzOUawraRCnEW85GLcfJlCv4AbfgCEwYBhgL\/s72-c\/AmyNelson_Cover.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"221"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-6366056858551119178"},"published":{"$t":"2018-12-04T19:22:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-12-04T19:22:01.759-07:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"in favor of taking your time"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-2dJzWKuZ6fM\/XAc1itBQnCI\/AAAAAAABS6M\/V8vGxkTx6jkgLCbtRmRTxnpfEX9bsGo6wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/1540144303028.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-eRU6FrZSzAo\/XAc17HqiNWI\/AAAAAAABS6Y\/wy8fOA_Xw6461Q8OprrDKd60qSpCC21bACLcBGAs\/s1600\/1542945504968.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-n9o2yr5RLZQ\/XAc15lCxKfI\/AAAAAAABS6U\/lP0FKpquGw4GHO8cfue9mkw30XnT9TfdQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/1543171027747.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6366056858551119178"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6366056858551119178"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2018\/12\/in-favor-of-taking-your-time.html","title":"in favor of taking your time"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-2dJzWKuZ6fM\/XAc1itBQnCI\/AAAAAAABS6M\/V8vGxkTx6jkgLCbtRmRTxnpfEX9bsGo6wCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/1540144303028.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-2367167208432050650"},"published":{"$t":"2017-12-12T15:09:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-12-12T15:09:19.337-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"free people"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"griffith woods"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"my life in photographs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"home sweet new home"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-mJT4zpCNmHY\/WgpTDpk1xYI\/AAAAAAAA52k\/vN20yQAV9o41Y9Zv2WtdCfi1l6t-rfRlQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/books%2Band%2Bsweaters-117.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hntWclFHd9g\/WgpTXgdN0rI\/AAAAAAAA52o\/f-lb9fCPAtI-4RFWqwUstmTRBXjGxsNTgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/books%2Band%2Bsweaters-99.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ps6OIfnBKuQ\/WgpTa5ePW1I\/AAAAAAAA52s\/QE2Cb2wwT7UAH0IJz8iRk0Ft17LYIRvPgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/books%2Band%2Bsweaters-147.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;If you have begun to wonder where I have been \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\n I return to you today.\u0026nbsp; My winter has been scattered with work and \nplay, both of these have required a certain type of brain energy that \nleaves me very tired by midday. My November was twenty days away from \nhome as I embarked on a songwriter tour from Alberta to British Columbia\n and back through. I saw the mountainside before and after an avalanche,\n I listened to the prairie wind howl, the sky-like space that rolls \nbetween each ocean wave, I sang for my supper, I sang for strangers, \nsome of whom became friends. I visited nightly the notes between my \nlungs and guitar as if every broken moment was meant to lead me here.\u0026nbsp; \nIf you asked me of the hardest hill to climb in doing such a thing, I \nwould speak of how I missed the early morning coffees at home and the \nway thoughts have time to gather and conclude when you're not on the \nroad. As you ride the highway, you think often, but you don't have the \nhours free to make much sense. You know as the wheels roll, you are on \nyour way to a new town with new faces but you don't yet know what they \nwill think of you and what \u003Ci\u003Eyou\u003C\/i\u003E will be thinking when you fall to your pillow at night.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EYou\n go on singing into the shining lights in a room you've never stood in \nbefore and it gives rise to both an uneasy and beautiful feeling like \nnothing else I have ever known. When I was young, I only dreamed but it \nseems lately these dreams have come true and I am required to pinch \nmyself in order to believe this reality of mine. Sometimes, I feel like I\n am just singing into a jewelry box and one day when the lights go dim, \nsomebody will jump out at me and say \"wake up, you're still only \ndreaming..\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EAt the beginning of the tour\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\n — a very small tragedy occurred. I suddenly fainted and busted my right\n ankle until it looked like the size of a watermelon. I was certain at \nthis point that my belief in the world not being \u003Ci\u003Eentirely cruel\u003C\/i\u003E \nwas thoughtless and wrong. It hurt like being stung by a hive of angry \nbees. I was suddenly without my ability to walk, to move, to survive the\n way I have been taught to. When something happens to the body, it \nhappens to the mind too, and I was feeling lower than a broken berry \nfrom a branch. There was no time for rest, the shows followed the moon \nand I knew it would be far more miserable for me to quit only to stay in\n bed as my foot healed, so I took up hopping like a bunny on one foot. \nMy tour mates helped me to the stages where I sat with my baseball bat \nof a guitar. At times, it was heavy on my mind how much my foot was \nhurting but other times I was just glad to be alive and singing. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nMore\n than the road or the songs and the singing, what has kept me from you \nis mostly due to our move into a new house. After ten years in the same \none, with the same walls and the same distance to get to where the \ncoyotes spook the air, we have found a new home and it has been \nemotionally rewarding but also exhaustive \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— \u003C\/span\u003Emoving\n cardboard box after box, learning to let go and beginning again. It is a\n strange thing - when your living in the middle of a day or a life, \nwaiting for things to happen as things are happening. I am not quite \nsure where to put my thoughts or what to do in a day. December has yet \nto see snow but I haven't had any time to notice.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nTomorrow\n is my birthday and the candles will be counted as twenty five. I have \nan album to finish, a new house to behold and sentences to write here \nall while continuing to live as one does in the midst of the beauty and \nchaos that makes up a world.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI will return to you.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nUntil then.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-eYk_2Q0pvpk\/WgpTtoJrZ0I\/AAAAAAAA520\/Sz4Nm2lAz6ccJaaezId5QqO-wCdNH_J_ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/books%2Band%2Bsweaters-80.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-vNb1emc2qZA\/WgpUHxwuu8I\/AAAAAAAA524\/QxcaCEINIKoBkCpJs0KONUM6OwVuXcTugCLcBGAs\/s1600\/books%2Band%2Bsweaters-54.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-2aStTPkSmf8\/WgpULimXDUI\/AAAAAAAA53A\/8gef4jCvjyQkrFGSlA96OOBpx3saYveRQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/books%2Band%2Bsweaters-130.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4JY4pXsLv0I\/WgpUL-LcHwI\/AAAAAAAA53E\/5KsOe3K8nCkETKs6XHziCT0aBXQlID6ngCLcBGAs\/s1600\/books%2Band%2Bsweaters-131.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dfl_roNEVe0\/WgpU-nMx_II\/AAAAAAAA53Y\/oJbi2L0OVhwErqonXBcB1rU4wDp5PLt3wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/books%2Band%2Bsweaters-95.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-3uB4cezoViw\/WgpUrBJSW7I\/AAAAAAAA53U\/98kQ_IuYxUg5LG7KREgH6ntMqEsepxCngCLcBGAs\/s1600\/books%2Band%2Bsweaters-84.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-E0qkHvChaBk\/WjBSOXY_6QI\/AAAAAAAA7Lk\/HJeGvizU21QWW0QkuzdwftjALzOypnPHgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/books%2Band%2Bsweaters-133.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.freepeople.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efree people\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Esweater\u003Cb\u003E, thrifted \u003C\/b\u003Eskirt\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/2367167208432050650\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/12\/home-sweet-new-home_12.html#comment-form","title":"457 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2367167208432050650"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2367167208432050650"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/12\/home-sweet-new-home_12.html","title":"home sweet new home"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-mJT4zpCNmHY\/WgpTDpk1xYI\/AAAAAAAA52k\/vN20yQAV9o41Y9Zv2WtdCfi1l6t-rfRlQCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/books%2Band%2Bsweaters-117.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"457"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-8504625196836146879"},"published":{"$t":"2017-09-26T13:32:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-26T13:52:16.541-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"autumn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"griffith woods"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"the squirrel highway and autumn."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZikXZYnAknY\/WclwEod1zEI\/AAAAAAAA3_0\/aUraJYI9QqsBkZmvQvoAvC8HokIRjcQDQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/woods%2Bof%2Bsept%2B-173.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-jLYQdNHLah8\/WclwZ1CsD4I\/AAAAAAAA4AA\/E7CXgJ9abtoR8cHHNoYNOkv5ToLiCBE6wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/woods%2Bof%2Bsept%2B-97.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/--TVg9JEeiBM\/Wclw5csI76I\/AAAAAAAA4AM\/95o0H2udP9cdLGbPghcJbwpmdEm9aXMoACLcBGAs\/s1600\/woods%2Bof%2Bsept%2B-194.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-O9xx77bkb8c\/Wcp_wdC7SdI\/AAAAAAAA4FA\/ZTxo2sTuW8Ar1prHpTsYotqhI1pMzKeMgCPcBGAYYCw\/s1600\/woods%2Bof%2Bsept%2B-30.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI stood in Griffith Woods as a storm was blowing in from the mountains. The living trees shook and the dead ones crackled as squirrels hurried across the broken down log, their own highway of sorts. I thought about the imagery of a tree being knocked from its roots and falling down in front of me. I shuttered at the way a tree stands so tall, then quite suddenly, something like the weather roars and rattles, swallowing whole what once stood so tall and it made me begin to wonder about the very strangeness that is my \u003Ci\u003Eown\u003C\/i\u003E life.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThese woods. This wind. The cutting down of our snapdragon crop. Never knowing if it is too early or too late to pull the flowers from the ground and making dried bouquets. I take what is left of the tomatoes and watch them ripen on the kitchen windowsill. Dreaming, always dreaming of berries cooked in pies and the way sunlight bends through these spaces we have come to know as ours.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThese days, all I think about, truthfully, is food. It seems that once the leaves no longer sit beneath a summer, I start thinking of ways to make that feeling last \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E the one that welcomes bare legged you into the garden and keeps one leg out from the covers where you sleep. A warm meal as the weather turns is something treasured. I am reminded of my younger days, when I played basketball and it was all I did, practice in the morning, practice at night, when the team wasn't practicing, I was bouncing around on the pavement outside of my house with a ball in hand and a net. The air would be chilled to the touch, leaves scattered, cheeks rosy, hands bruised, and I would come inside as the dusk settled to a warm meal made by my mum.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIt was this that made even the roughest sewn dreams feel like an illusion and the cold hands from working outside were made to be held by a spoon and a fork. I would gently savor each bite \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— something my mum always taught me to do. As my brother, my dad or whoever was visiting at the time ate hurriedly, licking their plates clean like cats do, I was only on my second spoonful.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EWe all have our own reasons to believe in one as \u003Ci\u003Eour\u003C\/i\u003E season, the season that rises good thoughts above all the rest. Some don't even care about the seasons in this way, except for maybe which tires to put on the car or what coat to wear, but I am attached in my own strangeness to each one. Summer, it is freedom. Freedom of thought, freedom of cloth, freedom to walk without shoes and grow flowers out of the dirt. Autumn, it is an eventual sadness for me, as I am stuck in the routine of thinking about what I didn't do during July or August, as if there was more for me and how I never swam enough. I will never swim enough. What am I to do without the sun to kiss me in the morning?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EPerhaps, I will eat warm meals and play the banjo.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EWhat season is your favorite?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-RerfaIq2Ee8\/Wclxaa3INjI\/AAAAAAAA4AU\/IsJQDbguwTkLkfdcrSA8wQ0CFLno2H8MgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/woods%2Bof%2Bsept%2B-181.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-T1P4H5Lvuu4\/WclyU2G6NpI\/AAAAAAAA4Ag\/_mau3thiRfc2TOv7LXSrJwe_cQIMGuBEwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/woods%2Bof%2Bsept%2B-131.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Cm8DAunfquk\/WcmZdfyuJGI\/AAAAAAAA4DY\/fhqfamJGmLcWuzt11ljf9zf6J1DsVpt-QCLcBGAs\/s1600\/woods%2Bof%2Bsept%2B-164.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-dcY7j1WKNtM\/WclxLWKUOwI\/AAAAAAAA4AY\/XGzv1YtGWbM6LavuVjKcnejmggEI3-vOwCPcBGAYYCw\/s1600\/woods%2Bof%2Bsept%2B-5.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-phzmYVCscKE\/WcmYepEIvCI\/AAAAAAAA4DE\/OVY94MaK2LY-2zCt0afw0d_6O427POKYACLcBGAs\/s1600\/woods%2Bof%2Bsept%2B-137.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-M2tw8jG7VK0\/WcmYoGjXWkI\/AAAAAAAA4DI\/aytAeubVIbU78vJXsAstYRRMKbmYv-WcwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/woods%2Bof%2Bsept%2B-127.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Uor3_nCz8Rc\/WcmYuxxeglI\/AAAAAAAA4DM\/c8HXdY-NW5EDy8gfAra4HWQhKc9VSioTQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/woods%2Bof%2Bsept%2B-115.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jFExKIDrf0o\/WcqrN0KaIwI\/AAAAAAAA4Gg\/ULjPb6Oh3ucr-QEfBUmwD3UqKOFiVUzFACLcBGAs\/s1600\/woods%2Bof%2Bsept%2B-168.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.winners.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewinners\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eblouse and boots\u003Cb\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/ca\/shop\/WildCountryVintage\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewild country vintag\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/ca\/shop\/WildCountryVintage\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ee\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eskirt\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/8504625196836146879\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/09\/the-squirrel-highway-and-autumn.html#comment-form","title":"244 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8504625196836146879"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8504625196836146879"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/09\/the-squirrel-highway-and-autumn.html","title":"the squirrel highway and autumn."}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZikXZYnAknY\/WclwEod1zEI\/AAAAAAAA3_0\/aUraJYI9QqsBkZmvQvoAvC8HokIRjcQDQCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/woods%2Bof%2Bsept%2B-173.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"244"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-8408237390913441198"},"published":{"$t":"2017-09-19T07:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-19T07:00:38.818-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"my life in photographs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"poetry"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"my life in photographs"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-KWmsGoz6giM\/WcCaazmoXzI\/AAAAAAAA3tc\/FqUoicTHyRM1kJE4Qbnr2OXPHKbdBjUmQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-09-15%2B10.52.55%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EIt has been thirteen days since I last posted here — which quietly breaks my heart. I found an interview I did years ago and it reminded me of why I began blogging in the first place. It was not for the applause or the very small promise that is sharing your inner world and hoping others like it too.\u0026nbsp; No, it was an escape shoot from the mundane, a way of finding myself as a girl, as an artist, and beyond all, my own way of figuring out what it meant to be a human being. I could convince you with certainty that I am a better woman for having had this blog. It has been the greatest task I have ever followed through - because of what I have learned, because of who I have met, because of how vulnerable these blog entries turn me and I am so glad to have shared these years with you.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EThe landscape of blogging has changed. I've went on to include other things in my life, mostly music occupies all of the hours in a day and my loved ones deserve time too, but that does not mean I don't want to write here and although it may seem easier to say goodbye because goodbye would mean music would get all of my attention and that seems to be a good thing, goodbye would also mean I'd be losing the grin and heartbeat that makes this blog a\u003Ci\u003E home\u003C\/i\u003E for me.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003ESo into the future as we go, here is to what comes next. Whether a person reads it not, writing is medicine, each sentence a healthy spoonful of\u003Ci\u003E it's going to be okay\u003C\/i\u003E and maybe, just maybe, you're doing more than putting sentences together, you're keeping yourself alive.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EAnd that is what I intend to do. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pZsCJB17px0\/WcCbMtBSmUI\/AAAAAAAA3ts\/gcTFcZnlU2kbBLEbfa4i0hrLqDn8AkjCgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-09-10%2B10.49.02%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nThe moon is as round as a banjo. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-f88-ge4uFHI\/WcCbSyP-GxI\/AAAAAAAA3t0\/66TnvwdezLA_EVFrmy2n0AqyKqyQHbPeACLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-09-14%2B12.55.53%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EYou can try to paint the day without banjo, \nbooks, warm coffee on the tongue or flowers within arm reach but it \nwouldn't be a day for me.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-tQaoUCE6gvo\/WcChceKbzxI\/AAAAAAAA3uQ\/Ny4N3lV6XVUulwJbuQjPSawn3sfZdM78gCLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-09-07%2B01.19.42%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\"\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EBy teaching us how to read, they taught us how to get away.\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-2mBDE4bRCUE\/WcChyPGASUI\/AAAAAAAA3uU\/K-SrxG1u9I0TKtf0AcMOPy9k2XK75pv2QCLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-09-03%2B10.36.31%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ETo do: play banjo no matter what the neighbors think\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rtDN_dvIFBY\/WcChywGw4kI\/AAAAAAAA3uY\/d49BBCr76yYb63o7f2CM4sail2uwiUN3QCLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-09-04%2B11.35.29%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nH\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eappiness is a garden that grows through September and sunlight dropping on the rooftops of the houses where people I love live.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-8xFHR2wnMBk\/WcCbTTCMTSI\/AAAAAAAA3t4\/oZI9eeYkBz0UQUJw3uSf4OwBBIV43AzOgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-09-18%2B01.22.16%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nTurn those hurt feelings into poems.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-N6hWnW7GzsU\/WcCkFTU9zAI\/AAAAAAAA3us\/mNqIn5Ra8J0cwZKmldpIJ9zcO7uLBr8WgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-09-02%2B11.16.21%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EI couldn't sleep last night. I rolled around like I was a boat on a wavering sea.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-1APlQSJexw8\/WcCkAfwsZyI\/AAAAAAAA3uw\/ThvNVZnDmYE1OGwNlBKe82CNLsCvl9LiwCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/2017-09-01%2B08.58.56%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-DKGCs1iZG0E\/WcClk-Yiw9I\/AAAAAAAA3u8\/i4SddpVIBM8pipht82M_YrjSYFUbCyktwCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/2017-08-28%2B01.11.10%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ETo do today: let go of thoughts that say you cannot sing. If \nyou have guts, you can sing. If you have the ability to make tears out \nof being crossed, you can sing. If you see a dog wandering by the road \nand wonder where it is going, you can sing. If you want to sing, you can\n sing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/8408237390913441198\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/09\/my-life-in-photographs.html#comment-form","title":"339 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8408237390913441198"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8408237390913441198"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/09\/my-life-in-photographs.html","title":"my life in photographs"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-KWmsGoz6giM\/WcCaazmoXzI\/AAAAAAAA3tc\/FqUoicTHyRM1kJE4Qbnr2OXPHKbdBjUmQCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/2017-09-15%2B10.52.55%2B1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"339"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-6226300332240878361"},"published":{"$t":"2017-09-05T11:05:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-18T15:40:36.230-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"emily and fin"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nature"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"poetry"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"sunlight on the staircase"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-g1D-PgPvbZ0\/Wa2WSu0dE9I\/AAAAAAAA2-Y\/jmnhp5aeXNchX-bPfFnQ8mLjXNmB5wBhQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-173.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-W_WGX7vXaNM\/Wa2XQdIdReI\/AAAAAAAA2-g\/kDiuN-LRr1IFp3cJaIVUfK6okkcdbv0PACLcBGAs\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-9.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-QpuPbrYir4Q\/Wa2D1IoiulI\/AAAAAAAA294\/2IOu_CVGgP8XRnXlrMRGOSWKBhAbjFPTQCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-219.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qDiIR_i14I4\/Wa2XhyPKfAI\/AAAAAAAA2-k\/gmGtLirD34cidlCLjvi-P2jrxL9DRfMnACLcBGAs\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-356-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EOn days such as these, it can be amiss to believe that there ever was a bad day on earth or a voice being ignored when calling out a name. It is days such as these when the paint on the canvas is filled with such light that you cannot even recall what it meant to be moody or unfair. I know there are reasons that rise at times like a kettle being hot and on for us to belong to some sort of dimness — as if walking is too long and the days grow too weary with news, plans and chest aches. The last few months have been equal parts playroom, equal parts arithmetic, which is not to say life has ever been anything else, just lately I have noticed these sort of things more than I usually do.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOne thing I have found in the last few months — because I have been busy doing new things, trading my usual places for somewhere less familiar, less understood, and because these undertakings have been driven by both fear and desire, I find in myself something I didn't know so well before and that is the ability to know what it is my heart calls for and how I am supposed to give it food, much like hay to the horse. The heart can be stubborn and the heart can change in a moment, but one thing is always true, when you pay mind to what hurts it, what soothes it, what confuses it, you might find yourself closer to a way of mending, of sewing yourself a life that bodes well for you, too.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt is \u003Ci\u003Etasking\u003C\/i\u003E to remember that we are worthy, more\u003Ci\u003E everyday\u003C\/i\u003E to think that we are not. In a lifetime, we live too many days with dagger pressed against us instead of a hand and to my younger self, I wish I knew what I know now \u003Ci\u003Esooner\u003C\/i\u003E. It is fine just as birds fly, ducks skim the creek bed and the deer stands still upon noticing you, \u003Ci\u003Eto know what you want and to ask for it.\u003C\/i\u003E On days such as these, when sunlight warms the staircase as if it were a cradle and that kettle ready dimness you sometimes run to is away from you, it is easy to forget that there ever was a moment when I said\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\"I can't.\"\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-PlLfVP3g8eE\/Wa2XpfH-e8I\/AAAAAAAA2-o\/66xSlxzu9PsLD3QopOLD2HDr-UNKHP0sACLcBGAs\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-236.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZyPD-ANQ4TA\/Wa2YBEuNDvI\/AAAAAAAA2-s\/97gKKgmORSgSYQLAVZSpYiNnp0KGLdCXACLcBGAs\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-153.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-OlycG6K9wrs\/Wa2Yq2BcJXI\/AAAAAAAA2-0\/0XqZ0EH2-qogJDBlqvDkXPpA9mOagMypQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-115.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CiCKuiBnPNQ\/Wa3NvatrsII\/AAAAAAAA3AI\/YqY_N8rJWO04JSo0fdVukBDDbVc195xsQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-340.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-D2YO5Ww8QCw\/Wa3Qpq_JG5I\/AAAAAAAA3Ao\/mGYn6o45qTY5RSCF4FdswW_AGhGn-tsEwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-367.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-bStCJIQ-PNs\/Wa3QKCDX1AI\/AAAAAAAA3AY\/aoXrsoKHwug8ztXrTdhs2XPmMGOMQc6LACLcBGAs\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-100.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-cjsDp5rk20o\/Wa3Qn7gyTAI\/AAAAAAAA3Ak\/GKAmYaZ7ab4Bh2iGXY-JlTcbKONRJw1GACEwYBhgL\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-221.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-iXzsd9F8-J0\/Wa3QZvJ7doI\/AAAAAAAA3Ag\/wY657khYMWgWTQkZOF3JQtVn0OoQZdUfQCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-302.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-QeDN8KEeQUU\/Wa7Nc8FH65I\/AAAAAAAA3CY\/qzku2QybMs0a_-QXiq8PXTGu3LVH0M8KACEwYBhgL\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-154.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-HbKsBEzlnS4\/Wa3QMC_rCbI\/AAAAAAAA3As\/3dZ0dv3NEFQ4S_N_OpaFfELlTNFgryIrQCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-285.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-fzYkChERfNY\/Wa7O05GWFXI\/AAAAAAAA3Cg\/ahmbTqGEA7EQF9i-M7uI7hmmxsVOEvMlwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-10.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u0026nbsp;outfit details\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Ci\u003E: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/emilyandfin.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eemily and fin\u003C\/a\u003E dress, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.asos.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Easos\u003C\/a\u003E butterfly tapestry shoes, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.claires.com\/ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eclaires\u003C\/a\u003E pom pom earrings\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ae.com\/web\/canada\/index.jsp\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/6226300332240878361\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/09\/sunlight-on-staircase.html#comment-form","title":"275 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6226300332240878361"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6226300332240878361"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/09\/sunlight-on-staircase.html","title":"sunlight on the staircase"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-g1D-PgPvbZ0\/Wa2WSu0dE9I\/AAAAAAAA2-Y\/jmnhp5aeXNchX-bPfFnQ8mLjXNmB5wBhQCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/Ravine%2BEmily%2BRose%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-173.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"275"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1130985112864420860"},"published":{"$t":"2017-08-31T08:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-18T15:41:34.970-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"griffith woods"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"music"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"the wild call of summer"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-pbXiO9D0xZ0\/WaeaXVDWuAI\/AAAAAAAA2y0\/0viFXvh20-w05Y4_4QzFLGS6s0E3OrJZwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/august%2Bflowers%2Band%2Bsuch-199.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-8-FHly9YxrM\/WaYugPpg7mI\/AAAAAAAA2qw\/CpNLDRo_ecYR81iqanBUCaQ57CGrFrX_QCLcBGAs\/s1600\/august%2Bflowers%2Band%2Bsuch-246.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-hvRK8QGYIPY\/WaYx66cpX_I\/AAAAAAAA2rE\/qsmhSp6TUL4C2IS-zyKadpOy7mq9JV94ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/august%2Bflowers%2Band%2Bsuch-204.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhere has the time gone? It seems to me that it was only yesterday when the wild call of summer came knocking on the door, now it is passing us like a sprinting pony and all I can do is try to hold on without quivering or crying at the thought of this warm hug of a season leaving me. I had plans, I had dreams, I had a lot to say in the months of June, July and August but mostly, I simply moved through the days and now I am here, sitting beside the climbing sweet peas, knowing one day they will be no more, but doing what I can to remember how good it is when they are here. I guess this is what happens when you make an album or take a dream from your head and try to make it into something you can hold. You spend so much time sitting on the stoop thinking about it, wondering if it is good, if it is worthy, if it is the best you can do. Art is a strange thing and nothing swallows time quite like over-thinking.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI traveled in July. I recorded in August. I wish I could say I swam more and how I tasted every type of edible berry that grows in our backyard, but I cannot seem to recall where the time has gone. Perhaps it is there, hidden in these songs and in the growing snapdragons that line the backyard fence. There will be other summers, other creeks to dip into, but there will never be another time for me to say \"I recorded my very first album.\"\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThis is it. This the mark of my summer. What a surreal joy. What a strange emotion it is to think of your twelve year old little self so many moons ago, how she thirsted for such an occasion, how sometimes along the way you forgot it was even possible to dream, but dream you did, even when it seemed like you had already lost the bet. It is the dreaming that brought you here.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThere is something about the tall grass that says \u003Ci\u003Ehold on\u003C\/i\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI hope you have been well.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-r0UM7-OuSeY\/WaYyppbJo8I\/AAAAAAAA2rQ\/U2CuiUn8K6wIr6TFbJsOlYeVUR2dTqS1wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/august%2Bflowers%2Band%2Bsuch-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Bb1s9aww0JI\/WaYy-Diu9XI\/AAAAAAAA2rU\/gFV54R5n9bAgFNYF4JnQiE1Zp9wI3xrbACLcBGAs\/s1600\/august%2Bflowers%2Band%2Bsuch-234.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-TKBcFbwQ75c\/WaebtdrIspI\/AAAAAAAA2zI\/qXXT1TxIL9kylS2KtfoVzWtB10GqBNErgCKgBGAs\/s1600\/august%2Bflowers%2Band%2Bsuch-359.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Rcta76sdSKw\/WaecfquLN8I\/AAAAAAAA2zQ\/SmketSJk8ek7yGMlsShHW4_XwFO1GZh2gCLcBGAs\/s1600\/august%2Bflowers%2Band%2Bsuch-275.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ofOrT2icRZk\/WaccJUH1bsI\/AAAAAAAA2sI\/7PUo5YVmcrktjXq7wiazwV1JJonFmFvbgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/august%2Bflowers%2Band%2Bsuch-228.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-V3lXhHtnPQQ\/WaccVGOZNvI\/AAAAAAAA2sM\/saNKnOxkLxcd469yCKr879nb_E9Q-CtOQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/august%2Bflowers%2Band%2Bsuch-301.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Vj8v-xnlzX0\/WaYyhR-aG1I\/AAAAAAAA2rM\/niteHIqdkBI7CYKsv12_yISJJmgdqRhzgCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/august%2Bflowers%2Band%2Bsuch-254.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-D6mqeTY97cE\/Waccw024bzI\/AAAAAAAA2sQ\/uCTZecKtrKkK63r_KHiPDynxgKjwDhUngCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/august%2Bflowers%2Band%2Bsuch-224.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-GqVCTxOa5Fg\/Waea4zOOuuI\/AAAAAAAA2y8\/mlJEaRiDkdIXDHurQdsr7f3rvMt53EuywCLcBGAs\/s1600\/august%2Bflowers%2Band%2Bsuch-389.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E chicwish \u003C\/b\u003Edress\u003Cb\u003E, carter's \u003C\/b\u003Ehat\u003Cb\u003E, claires \u003C\/b\u003Eearrings\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1130985112864420860\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/08\/the-wild-call-of-summer.html#comment-form","title":"58 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1130985112864420860"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1130985112864420860"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/08\/the-wild-call-of-summer.html","title":"the wild call of summer"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-pbXiO9D0xZ0\/WaeaXVDWuAI\/AAAAAAAA2y0\/0viFXvh20-w05Y4_4QzFLGS6s0E3OrJZwCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/august%2Bflowers%2Band%2Bsuch-199.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"58"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-4562926128285501365"},"published":{"$t":"2017-08-22T11:33:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-18T15:42:39.420-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"garden"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"how to"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nature"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How to press flowers"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4FylHX3sg4s\/WZx1qZxrGgI\/AAAAAAAA2cI\/59C9Od6c-OUD52fECvg_Q8Vc3CthzEx8wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-08-03%2B08.34.38%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-YNts7YdfHgs\/WZxaSgg5mhI\/AAAAAAAA2Zw\/po4j1ycvVVgL7N4QsUnYijicW-ESrYrhQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-05-09%2B11.05.33%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ez58v6gZ3gQ\/VcuA0H9SDxI\/AAAAAAAAb4g\/SVFUzj0TVRo\/s1600\/2015-08-11-21-45-44_deco.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3idjsw7exyI\/Vct6lNKr8yI\/AAAAAAAAbtc\/viARm1BsZ74\/s1600\/flowers%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bgarden%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-15.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-HkIwrdWGAsU\/VcuFoRnQuNI\/AAAAAAAAb6o\/CtHJUdLX_UE\/s1600\/how%2Bto%2B3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EA few years ago, I wrote this post and it still remains as one of the most asked questions around here: how does one press flowers. I decided to post it again as August is nearing its departure and petals are blooming all around - the perfect time for flower pressing!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EStep 1.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EReady your supplies \u0026amp; gather your flowers\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003EWhether you want to press wild flowers, garden varieties, or a leftover bouquet, have your supplies ready. You'll need \u003Cb\u003Eparchment paper\u003C\/b\u003E (the kind you'd use for baking), \u003Cb\u003Escissors\u003C\/b\u003E, and a\u003Cb\u003E hard covered book or flower press\u003C\/b\u003E. You don't want to pick flowers after rainfall, my rule of thumb is at least one day of sunshine before I pick my flowers. Always forage midday (\u003Cb\u003E1-3pm\u003C\/b\u003E), morning dew counts as a wet flower and evening flowers may be tired from the sun. You want happy \u0026amp; healthy flowers to press, \u003Cb\u003Epick your best blooms.\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003EUse scissors to gently cut your desired flower just below the petal.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003EPulling from the top can add stress to the flower. Feel free to include stems and leaves too.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-181QoaCqNW0\/Vct7jcLuBUI\/AAAAAAAAb1I\/9NzxPRP_-uE\/s1600\/flowers%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bgarden%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-72.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-754uVsONcT4\/Vct6-0eB7SI\/AAAAAAAAbw4\/31G3myEK3_o\/s1600\/flowers%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bgarden%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-41.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-8fqO1LjFeY4\/Vct7kMQfMFI\/AAAAAAAAb1Q\/8DJb8paP0Go\/s1600\/flowers%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bgarden%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-73.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-U0IHFxy-Qa8\/Vct7rkviwhI\/AAAAAAAAb2I\/AGJ5E9zJ4lA\/s1600\/flowers%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bgarden%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-80.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E Step 2.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EPlace parchment paper between two pages in a hard covered book or flower press\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003EYou can use a hard covered book (\u003Ci\u003Eexample: dictionary\u003C\/i\u003E) or an actual flower press for this step. I have used both with equal results. Open your book, place one piece of parchment paper on selected page, put your desired flower on top of it, press your flower down with your fingers and shape it to your liking, place second piece of parchment paper on top of flower and then close your book. You can add multiple pressings, as long as they are separated by parchment paper.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-kl9ITsq93qM\/Vct7tJGlcSI\/AAAAAAAAb2Y\/rcUS5Xb4vw4\/s1600\/flowers%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bgarden%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-82.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qz58RjdPkk8\/VcuA0_PSIFI\/AAAAAAAAb4o\/OvwR-pZPHZ8\/s1600\/2015-08-11-21-53-27_deco.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-2TL8xX0xxzs\/VcuA1lM15qI\/AAAAAAAAb5A\/82sG_9FsSR4\/s1600\/2015-08-11-21-54-23_deco.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DF-oLYmagdw\/VcuA1P8RHOI\/AAAAAAAAb4w\/dK-lAVehseU\/s1600\/2015-08-11-21-53-54_deco.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-grJ-_zgCzNs\/VcuA2PDHrvI\/AAAAAAAAb48\/4qnrkCVtGJg\/s1600\/2015-08-11-21-54-55_deco.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EStep 3.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EClose your book and find a cool \u0026amp; dark hiding place to store it\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EOnce you have act\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eually pres\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Esed your flower\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E, you'll need t\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eo \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ewait four weeks\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E before reintro\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Educing it to s\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eunl\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eight. \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFind a\u003C\/span\u003E dark hid\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eing spot fo\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Er your book such \u003C\/span\u003Eas underneath your bed or in your basement. Sta\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eck other hard covered books \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ein between\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E. This will ensure your \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Epressing has time to dry and shape itself into a \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Epretty pressed flower! \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ET\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ehe most difficult step of them al\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003El \u003C\/span\u003Eis trying not to peek.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-oW6VnUtloeQ\/VcuA4mJTLOI\/AAAAAAAAb5Q\/U7C-pb3Tpqg\/s1600\/2015-08-11-21-55-59_deco.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-xXivG2Dpmys\/VcuA5vtdk1I\/AAAAAAAAb5Y\/LJsD0Ynf8dQ\/s1600\/2015-08-11-21-56-22_deco.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EStep 4.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003ETime to reveal your pressed flower\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAfter four w\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eeeks of patiently waiting, it\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E's finally time \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eto see your \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Epressed flower! \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ECarefully open your book\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E to the \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Edesired page\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E and\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E le\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Et the simpl\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ee joy of \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ea preserved flower \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Econsume you. You are now free to use your pressed flower in crafts\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E, paintings, or as little love letters to the summertime.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7dVxIfqKz9g\/Vct7EHpMUDI\/AAAAAAAAbxg\/XWAC_bl8Y1k\/s1600\/flowers%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bgarden%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-46.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/--zCyMbMuE20\/WZxqHT0s-VI\/AAAAAAAA2a8\/Dy9gESVOKb8WAOwB2HGFAEQYKYrG0lOowCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_20170530_134320_358.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1129\" data-original-width=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-yeW7Jw64x5s\/WZxtCFSvDaI\/AAAAAAAA2bc\/9Vz48Z8KlRsK-Bo8NCcDHtQfXcak0SGtACKgBGAs\/s1600\/flowers%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bgarden%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-56.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"498\" data-original-width=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ponWfj4lU4w\/WZxtJ_MSzYI\/AAAAAAAA2bg\/Xon0MfSn4jExBgfhkvzuP_ij7WqJ6P8VgCKgBGAs\/s1600\/flowers%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bgarden%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-81.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAdditional tips:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWhen picking your f\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Elower, make sure to check\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E and s\u003C\/span\u003Eee if any critters are living there. You don't wan\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Et to\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E intr\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eude on the home of a\u003C\/span\u003E ladybug or b\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eumblebee.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003EFlat faced flowers\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eare the easiest to press. If it's your first time pressing, try \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eusing \u003C\/span\u003Eflat petal\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Es like \u003Cb\u003Edaisies\u003C\/b\u003E or \u003Cb\u003Epansies\u003C\/b\u003E. As yo\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eu\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E get \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Emore \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eacquainted with the art\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E of it all, you can\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E try pressing mor\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ee \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Euniquel\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ey sha\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eped\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E flowers. \u003Ci\u003EStart small.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFlo\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ewer presses can be ordered online\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E, b\u003C\/span\u003Eought i\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003En st\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eore, or \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ehand built\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E. I found \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eboth of mine \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eat Value Village.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ci\u003E \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EDo \u003C\/span\u003Enot be \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ediscouraged if the pressed flower is u\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ensettling \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eor if it's not \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ethe image you wanted.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E These things take time \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ebefore you can \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ediscover\u003C\/span\u003E what works and w\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ehat doesn't.\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E \u003Cb\u003EDon't give \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eup\u003C\/b\u003E. Try a\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Enother hard co\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Evered \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003Ebook, \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Estore it in a different location, pick a \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Enew kind of flower\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E, try a different technique or type of wax pap\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eer.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIf you are lost or curious for more, ask me \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eyour questions in \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ethe\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E comment\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E section below this post. I will reply as soon as I can.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWelcome to the wonderful world of \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eflower pres\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Esing!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"776\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-9qslc5GleAI\/WZx5Qx_kVjI\/AAAAAAAA2cg\/SDx-w_40xeEhJ4Eo0ANvVNaENQfL5Uh2gCLcBGAs\/s1600\/flower%2Br.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"369\" data-original-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-f_6H5uy9pfE\/WZx5rDV0DDI\/AAAAAAAA2ck\/V3jaGPS5a14YPD-LS6fuYodl7ojMMdqjACLcBGAs\/s1600\/flo44.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"685\" data-original-width=\"1224\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-1IxeK5j_kpo\/WZx4uyIewtI\/AAAAAAAA2cY\/jwzp06loV_UjJAF08fS9LkUM4ZdHRvl-ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/flower%2Bpresing.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"background-color: white; clear: both; color: #010c0c; line-height: 21.56px; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/4562926128285501365\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/08\/how-to-press-flowers.html#comment-form","title":"99 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4562926128285501365"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4562926128285501365"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/08\/how-to-press-flowers.html","title":"How to press flowers"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4FylHX3sg4s\/WZx1qZxrGgI\/AAAAAAAA2cI\/59C9Od6c-OUD52fECvg_Q8Vc3CthzEx8wCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/2017-08-03%2B08.34.38%2B1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"99"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-3366843523203895730"},"published":{"$t":"2017-07-27T07:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-18T15:43:44.695-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"summer flowers"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-WVOali1MRYM\/WXlYeMp8dSI\/AAAAAAAA1N0\/kam4gzS_hickLwAl3V1epWpTob1xZN3ogCPcBGAYYCw\/s1600\/2017-07-24%2B12.42.28%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-DaGCs2Bhgvs\/WXlWUGq4UoI\/AAAAAAAA1No\/48nX_i9AX8gf2u0TMtEqzCtUJF5i57aYwCPcBGAYYCw\/s1600\/2017-07-24%2B09.54.04%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nrp429h9Ofg\/WXlWb0iqLhI\/AAAAAAAA1No\/hOUb42UrRYUNPFSY-rj0apAuhrXLb2aqQCPcBGAYYCw\/s1600\/2017-07-26%2B01.21.49%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9iygEQ_455w\/WXlW6HnW7XI\/AAAAAAAA1No\/R0kyCp7mDVsNGnTCTyghAn8iV95j8jRAgCPcBGAYYCw\/s1600\/2017-06-19%2B12.32.30%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1281\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bF7I2aHwh6I\/WXlik3iS8-I\/AAAAAAAA1OM\/sQPX5IX0cOgNI0etG7BSR0coBROzfZmxwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-07-04%2B12.59.57%2B1%25281%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7yb7_RvsktU\/WXlimTbRg8I\/AAAAAAAA1OQ\/lrVi0GRpCbkAS9x0qGQ4thk_Pa1O3M7xACLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-07-08%2B04.00.13%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-lojhHZaKdVQ\/WXlioXdscwI\/AAAAAAAA1OU\/sH8hv9yFVNUyzwUTjTmpdXPucvnalRgbgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-07-10%2B07.24.03%2B3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-eUGr-tmf_jU\/WXlisuuZLfI\/AAAAAAAA1OY\/AkY2n--aeLkfrLSr8BhvZ04pE53N65wJACLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-07-08%2B07.43.46%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-BxiHSDPhzBA\/WXliuoGeq6I\/AAAAAAAA1Og\/HEA2E1UZ-1o9SV9jBULGUpsSAshm1KbJwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-07-10%2B07.50.46%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DhqVMRJ8zR4\/WXlitxfsGqI\/AAAAAAAA1Oc\/33rNVYEHKoUc7bqfT1wVREKTCyPZVSpfACLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-07-15%2B09.12.08%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ymup5u8h7gw\/WXlwOUUoXEI\/AAAAAAAA1PY\/qJJfTT7WQ5wDkOWqktpVGdZoiQpkAPh8ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-06-26%2B12.56.44%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ijq64Ax8Xy0\/WXlxMlKcMTI\/AAAAAAAA1Pk\/j7RaN149KqQiBiTUNMgVluFTchJr_pc5wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-07-05%2B01.04.53%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-pumbVhnIxOM\/WXlxQrcgXzI\/AAAAAAAA1Po\/DtRvw3Q4HToRViftngeqLdz1Bzk9ztKzQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/2017-07-26%2B01.05.52%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThings have been quiet around here lately, you can almost hear the crickets singing in the distance and the clock quietly stirring. Things have not been as quiet in daily life as I have been moving from one thing to the next, and it is good to be in this head space, of trying, of walking out of comfort zones, of travel, of little sleep, but for today, I just want to sit in the garden until the moon is showing. Nobody else around but the magpies and the bees and the dogs inside sleeping.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nTo be with and to be without, I am realizing both have their place for me. Some days, you sit in the garden. Some days, you run into town with so many errands and plans, you have little time to think or feel or remember what senses you do have. So, I thought I would make a post, documenting some of the lush flowers we have seen here this summer, trying to slow time, trying to remember that there were times I wished and wished for this \u003Ci\u003Ebusy\u003C\/i\u003E life.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI hope your July was wide-eyed, able, and full of good times.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003ETell me, what is on your mind?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/3366843523203895730\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/07\/summer-flowers.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3366843523203895730"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3366843523203895730"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/07\/summer-flowers.html","title":"summer flowers"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-WVOali1MRYM\/WXlYeMp8dSI\/AAAAAAAA1N0\/kam4gzS_hickLwAl3V1epWpTob1xZN3ogCPcBGAYYCw\/s72-c\/2017-07-24%2B12.42.28%2B2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-745839358779184824"},"published":{"$t":"2017-07-25T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-18T18:18:59.743-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Art"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"music"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"storyhive"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How Long Blues Music Video"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-A48vJImVPFs\/WXlP3sbg3xI\/AAAAAAAA1JM\/nEE968h7JA0w_bDKaQ9TXHRPkDEs5BcbgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/howlongblues-73.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-kZumvG8yX40\/WXlX0vIuXTI\/AAAAAAAA1Ns\/BDvX5JKTFmA9NQmcuO720ebn3fl5S3_VQCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/howlongblues-87.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"642\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-fQwLcoqz7jw\/WXlXvrN29AI\/AAAAAAAA1Nk\/Qz2u7Mtpd90-mXf7cew--mksEwUGuLN-wCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/howlongblues-30.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Eouk0SBUb1M\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI am both over the moon and out of the comfort zone sharing this with you today. The music video for my song 'how long blues' has been released into the wild and it is my greatest hope that those of you who watched the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.storyhive.com\/project\/show\/id\/1877\"\u003Estoryhive\u003C\/a\u003E pitch video and voted for this to come true are pleased and proud with our final video.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI may have wrote this song out of a bad day, when I was bit by the blues, but to think that in my own strangeness or misery, I found a home in a song about sorrow and out of it came a music video. Let it be known:\u003Ci\u003E you can doubt yourself sometimes, because not all flowers grow out of warm days, but never doubt what you can do. \u003C\/i\u003EI used to sing around the house with a round brush but I never once thought I would sing for more than the mirror or the yelping dogs. Those dogs never did like my singing voice anyway. For years and years, I had given into the worry that because my voice wasn't what I wanted it to be, that it meant I shouldn't sing.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nSo, whatever it is you may take from these songs I write, I do hope it empowers you to sing, because the world has too many voices we don't get to hear.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n-----\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThere is also a second round of voting, which began yesterday, but the winner of this gets to go to SXSW and continue pursuing the dizzy dream that is being an artist. Voting only goes until Friday, July 28th at noon PST. You can \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.storyhive.com\/project\/show\/id\/1877\"\u003Evote here\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E and share daily. You would make for a very very happy human on this side of the computer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nLove, Amy\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/745839358779184824\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/07\/how-long-blues-music-video.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/745839358779184824"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/745839358779184824"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/07\/how-long-blues-music-video.html","title":"How Long Blues Music Video"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-A48vJImVPFs\/WXlP3sbg3xI\/AAAAAAAA1JM\/nEE968h7JA0w_bDKaQ9TXHRPkDEs5BcbgCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/howlongblues-73.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1304171508127964651"},"published":{"$t":"2017-07-06T07:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-07-06T09:55:47.432-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"griffith woods"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"travel"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"griffith woods in july"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-6mhEcru924c\/WV276hBPN4I\/AAAAAAAAzWI\/BpEo8qipU8oTOujLcZog8s0tj-0bV4juwCKgBGAs\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bgrass-447.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-mqKEx8csIbA\/WV0QcTwQOII\/AAAAAAAAzUY\/fWFziWMHEiQZFGvwgBuDaBOV6ZUpYbmoACLcBGAs\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bgrass-563.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-yLRHbSu2UQ8\/WV0PnWt18tI\/AAAAAAAAzUA\/QBWIqrXDi8UniD04DyhljTtIwiFJ2UhtwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bgrass-485.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIn Griffith Woods, the birds hop from tree to tree and the bells of nostalgia ring. Here, I find reminders of my own childhood \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— the light, the warmth, the way Alberta flowers are growing from the ground, the distant sound of creekbed water rolling over fallen logs, the sense that nothing matters, yet everything does. I could spend many hours here and I would still want to spend an hour more. To be away from the world as we know it, to set this brief life as something good, to wake as if waking from a fever and to find myself in these woods, how could I want anything else?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E----\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003ETomorrow, I will be leaving for Hawaii with my mum. Hawaii in July was never something I planned, only because the winters here can be harsh enough, if I were to ever dream of a holiday, it might be to escape the winter's bluest days. I am feeling a bit strange about missing out on the garden or the singing gigs that seem to come in double during this time, but I am also feeling a slight twinge of guilt for worrying about these things that come to mind \u003Ci\u003Eat all\u003C\/i\u003E. How often in my lifetime will I get to adventure with only my mum by my side and the taste of mangoes from the tree? Isn't it just like a human to find reasons to worry or complain when everything is actually quite good and lovely?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI will leave C behind. I will leave my banjo behind. And the snapdragons too, but it has been so long since I left the city and I know it will treat me well to do so.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EIf you want to follow along,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI will be posting on my \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/amyflyingakite\"\u003Einstagram\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ocmq1nDYE6I\/WV28A1dwitI\/AAAAAAAAzWM\/QCzMpBMp6o8TOkTTfywg0zJVunFR8JEqgCKgBGAs\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bgrass-411.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-RmIoyLCawyY\/WV0QJJWCdrI\/AAAAAAAAzUM\/5kjjOlPnXRYSAuLaYLbWIuVD6cDzbKVzwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bgrass-553.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-e1Uj_79Ardk\/WV0QXXueCEI\/AAAAAAAAzUU\/3nJ6GaNfEUMDZaelsjwTYte6ZuKysy_KgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bgrass-525.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7pv-Nqm7Ue8\/WV0QLvnVkcI\/AAAAAAAAzUQ\/VXKsXMGZxI0zhlfIb8ao6wRXdrIfmQh3ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bgrass-561.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-f2toVsC-a7Y\/WV0P5ychSSI\/AAAAAAAAzUI\/nNbX1-6_qhQYaxvFkQSB1346NlmiHQtiwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bgrass-516.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9eNhb9Y_cEY\/WV0QzVA8hMI\/AAAAAAAAzUc\/VUnb9HVROeUD6k1SBprSRS8zF9rifVpfQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bgrass-567.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HMz0QTG3hYA\/WV0Sw1xTp9I\/AAAAAAAAzUs\/rs5XGChNoVIwhSKmQ33OGoe215-UuNNowCLcBGAs\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bgrass-385.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ytfvlA_RTCU\/WV0SStBSMCI\/AAAAAAAAzUo\/74Wf6OVb8UM2lgrZhDNLk8zqPSZg01-PQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bgrass-515.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-jIzcGgekGuw\/WV0RG592SQI\/AAAAAAAAzUk\/s6eAjXWwdL0tuefqQA0GcwPVq38Z6JC8gCLcBGAs\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bgrass-572.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-K5w7BBhZGBg\/WV0RGsjP10I\/AAAAAAAAzUg\/zt3ghNXHBvIymVAaGOOV8UmAsmcGoQ8KACLcBGAs\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bgrass-588.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.winners.ca\/en\"\u003Ewinners\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eblouse, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/goodlookingobjects.com\/\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Egood looking objects \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Eleaf earrings\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1304171508127964651\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/07\/griffith-woods-in-july.html#comment-form","title":"29 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1304171508127964651"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1304171508127964651"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/07\/griffith-woods-in-july.html","title":"griffith woods in july"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-6mhEcru924c\/WV276hBPN4I\/AAAAAAAAzWI\/BpEo8qipU8oTOujLcZog8s0tj-0bV4juwCKgBGAs\/s72-c\/amyflyingakite%2Bgrass-447.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"29"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-2151536540572288731"},"published":{"$t":"2017-06-27T11:19:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-06-27T11:19:28.553-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"at life's crossroads"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yldsUCW2l8M\/WVFnE9qFC2I\/AAAAAAAAy10\/HKdO33b-IbotlqXMmRyU2GGprVfpwNhvACLcBGAs\/s1600\/at%2Bthe%2Blilacs%2Bin%2Bjune%2Bamyflyingakite-615-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hgYj8CB4QKc\/WVFkLECDEMI\/AAAAAAAAy1A\/zgZoKE8_fyMGll5vfASjb6eMRPRWt8akQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/at%2Bthe%2Blilacs%2Bin%2Bjune%2Bamyflyingakite-283.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-PiM8g7mxYfQ\/WVFnRQO2MqI\/AAAAAAAAy14\/DTAA8h67HHoXdZ3sIManSR2Aju1yG5T-wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/at%2Bthe%2Blilacs%2Bin%2Bjune%2Bamyflyingakite-741.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-lOGN5gcR4o0\/WVFkBo39vAI\/AAAAAAAAy08\/Rplunh4oVNQqhqgINt176ZKQ8KNN9-kBQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/at%2Bthe%2Blilacs%2Bin%2Bjune%2Bamyflyingakite-679.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe sun is doing a dance between cloud and open sky. I should be so glad and feel as if I am a part of it all, but I spent the morning crying which made the sun just a soft spot for drying my eyes. Some people will tell you that you need reasons if you're going to be crying but the truth is sometimes crying is just a human way of saying \"look after yourself.\" Many a dream or idea was born out of the badlands of a crying bout, it is a certain kind of reaction that happens when hearts and heads meet. Today, it was no other than feeling like I have so much to be done and not knowing how I will get to it all. How does one measure the day with just the right amount of work and rest so you can carry on happy as a fat caterpillar on its way to becoming a butterfly?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n--\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nBelow the lilac tree, honeyed light colors my hair red, a color that used to sit on top of my grandmother's hair but we never had the chance to meet. I wonder what she would say to me now. Perhaps, she would say something along the lines of \u003Ci\u003Eworry less and live more. \u003C\/i\u003EIt takes time, these things we do, these meanings we try to uncover, these dreams we try to pull out of the ground, but there is an art to befriending time in such a way as to not fear it, but to welcome it, an art to keeping time without wishing it away. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI know the nasturtium is growing wide-eyed and able, the snapdragons are climbing, the marigolds are already tall, and I remember how long I waited for \u003Ci\u003Ethis\u003C\/i\u003E. To be able to rise in the morning and walk barefooted into the backyard. To look for hummingbirds and bees and all sorts of signs from the living. It is not yet over for us \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— even when it feels like it is as your eyes fill with salty water, you're just a human being and what you do with that both wicked and beautiful understanding is\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;up to\u003Ci\u003E you.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-so2bB1LcaKY\/WVFlv9LmwRI\/AAAAAAAAy1c\/xgg7h8OpYusQjNrBTAnH0hZKmdNurg8KQCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/at%2Bthe%2Blilacs%2Bin%2Bjune%2Bamyflyingakite-353.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-0Llkxbo8Pe0\/WVFlXmaBcsI\/AAAAAAAAy1U\/mpcVtFeOz_gXjmGUAke8N6YrR58RFzuWgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/at%2Bthe%2Blilacs%2Bin%2Bjune%2Bamyflyingakite-177.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-lDm8d7MSos4\/WVFmqEygvGI\/AAAAAAAAy1s\/fI9xOG0fBxIl9p5VnFw2yE8-J_Ld658xgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/at%2Bthe%2Blilacs%2Bin%2Bjune%2Bamyflyingakite-227.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-2UjuliIrzPw\/WVFn3boRoQI\/AAAAAAAAy2A\/q9PnZidRu7wLzwjS8mQh1WBpoCdw7QgJgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/at%2Bthe%2Blilacs%2Bin%2Bjune%2Bamyflyingakite-744.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FVRfH2jBuZw\/WVFm7AJDznI\/AAAAAAAAy1w\/DgkWM_wiT5cy7TPDvf7BADopBnYJdi2ZgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/at%2Bthe%2Blilacs%2Bin%2Bjune%2Bamyflyingakite-560.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-JzuTgwBzpK8\/WVFoKCxDXFI\/AAAAAAAAy2E\/FoiLa5PtAJEteIKKifTfwoW00TpyAZR8QCLcBGAs\/s1600\/at%2Bthe%2Blilacs%2Bin%2Bjune%2Bamyflyingakite-285.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_JIt09Qqyms\/WVFmS-opFXI\/AAAAAAAAy1o\/ptBA88YeFswNm0XmF9oZwVq1mJqL35bJwCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/at%2Bthe%2Blilacs%2Bin%2Bjune%2Bamyflyingakite-753.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-N-vAfyxY9pU\/WVFo17yT7tI\/AAAAAAAAy2I\/c0sFYEiHYYEzCUnWMwxV23Zji-SgmjejwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/at%2Bthe%2Blilacs%2Bin%2Bjune%2Bamyflyingakite-182.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-fxvpuHrRN1o\/WVFo7u-yItI\/AAAAAAAAy2Q\/ziNUqVnf3vA6o0EDHGRyY3dDFg-7-7CmQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/at%2Bthe%2Blilacs%2Bin%2Bjune%2Bamyflyingakite-315.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.topshop.com\/?geoip=home\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Etopshop\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E embroidered jeans, \u003Cb\u003Ethriftstore\u003C\/b\u003E blouse \u0026amp; sunhat\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/2151536540572288731\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/06\/at-lifes-crossroads.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2151536540572288731"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2151536540572288731"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/06\/at-lifes-crossroads.html","title":"at life's crossroads"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yldsUCW2l8M\/WVFnE9qFC2I\/AAAAAAAAy10\/HKdO33b-IbotlqXMmRyU2GGprVfpwNhvACLcBGAs\/s72-c\/at%2Bthe%2Blilacs%2Bin%2Bjune%2Bamyflyingakite-615-2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-7805632690037271144"},"published":{"$t":"2017-06-15T08:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-06-15T08:30:16.565-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"banjo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"banjo and the lilac tree"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-NyZWD-0g9q0\/WUFdoS4WNUI\/AAAAAAAAyVY\/rCkSECZfDcsQEGiT7Qe7GlO_bKHJGDlcACKgBGAs\/s1600\/BANJOS%2BAND%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-463.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BOlx4R-HPD8\/WUBNUL6ck6I\/AAAAAAAAySE\/J4X9TqCOvrkyyW9Nidsmp7NX8WFKiyngACEwYBhgL\/s1600\/BANJOS%2BAND%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-446.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-UTefvqvvvAs\/WUBNgLuuRbI\/AAAAAAAAySM\/qp0_PoTEfMQYWqeNvrwmGmV2NYsTQhSvwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/BANJOS%2BAND%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-465.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI trace lilacs as they grow by the \nhillside, a hundred or so poems for those who survive. I move from one \nto the other like I have done so many summers before. I bite the air and\n when the sun meets my arm, it feels like somebody loves me \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E\n despite any failings or misfortunes one may think I have. The sun does \nnot care to remind me that I have had bad days or how I have ignored the\n doorbell when it rang or how I have wondered what the point of \nsomething was even if it meant \u003Ci\u003Eeverything\u003C\/i\u003E to somebody else. No, the sun \njust lifts its head and in doing so, gives rise to a joy like no other.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nKnowing how many days I have lived without the warm sun or the lilac tree blooming makes me clutch to the moment, these moments, where I know so well that it will all inevitably come to leave me behind. What was once a bookshelf will soon become dusty and the spines of the books will no longer open without the crackling sound of pages touching pages. Where there was nothing, there is now something. Where there was something, there is now nothing. Such is the way of our strange, strange lives.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhen I come to the lilac tree, I come to know all there is to know about living. It happens until it doesn't. The lilac is blooming until it is not. Your love is here until it is gone and so I drift, I drift and I drift until there is nothing else to do but untie my shoes and watch the tiny purple buds once attached to the tree fall to the grass and go away with the wind. One day, that will be me, that will be you, but not yet, there is still living in our lungs and lilacs growing on that tree. Summer afternoons with a banjo bigger than my pocket, what will become of the hazy sun and the little green sprouts that line the backyard garden? What will be loved and what will be forgotten?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Mj-Y6a91QJg\/WUBN2FFjAmI\/AAAAAAAAySQ\/ioGhWLrWZSgkO4qQro6u8qrfg9SQckipQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/BANJOS%2BAND%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-523.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-oYgN7Rf3ir8\/WUBN7sEHSAI\/AAAAAAAAySU\/uQb3xIAMkdkqNXw557RTQlm51FPcjp3lACLcBGAs\/s1600\/banjo%2Bfrom%2Bbank-496.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-tjuOqwOrnco\/WUBOsvjaq0I\/AAAAAAAAySo\/czEzZNE1NQY-oZ5xLgNWyZaAddqcJefugCLcBGAs\/s1600\/BANJOS%2BAND%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-387.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-2y2uhCLjIG8\/WUBwvdzX7oI\/AAAAAAAAyTk\/f2S6VThEiuURwAyHXn2C-JRDPtujxEXPQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/banjo%2Bfrom%2Bbank-541.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-A0iwmmhimd4\/WUFZ7avm3VI\/AAAAAAAAyVA\/kdtKpyxJRmAKICXNgkMY89yEhF_qfEMCQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/banjo%2Bfrom%2Bbank-522.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-A00UccXpW6w\/WUCw1WdSpRI\/AAAAAAAAyUQ\/jvrnaKFMQeY_wKUw1Q0wowGC8eU7kZEJQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/BANJOS%2BAND%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-404.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-K3M129rxv_w\/WUCwKW4I7lI\/AAAAAAAAyUI\/aHMFvUAM7akbhlLgtwtKCkuZptwEh11aACLcBGAs\/s1600\/BANJOS%2BAND%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-471.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-zvU_UMoJbzU\/WUBwC-EgHBI\/AAAAAAAAyTg\/Jxb-h5VRn4oxwjVjmkizkJfXNN-oG4zTQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/BANJOS%2BAND%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-405.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-TN4qByuvyp4\/WUCwkdTtFeI\/AAAAAAAAyUM\/ypSMdnKvXFMR0gENnl48scy9HjuocCKbACLcBGAs\/s1600\/BANJOS%2BAND%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-459.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-BbQSi21Vb-w\/WUBx3JzdPNI\/AAAAAAAAyTw\/pyydLkXeONwCJmn5RXvkfMf9jdE82Fc2gCLcBGAs\/s1600\/banjo%2Bfrom%2Bbank-531.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Hunv-0Q_pVA\/WUF-Jsx4uhI\/AAAAAAAAyV4\/wSIYpL2a7cYtUK1lr-hQgkt7HKf-Iz-4QCKgBGAs\/s1600\/BANJOS%2BAND%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-417.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1HhsBSnuaG4\/WUFaT--qPlI\/AAAAAAAAyVE\/ZxgfjUttm0gpnXNX5vXp5DEodhVO8eQFACLcBGAs\/s1600\/banjo%2Bfrom%2Bbank-498.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-IDd0C5s3pGo\/WUGAXC8tK5I\/AAAAAAAAyWM\/Yux3bC0zMJQd_jOy7Pxclu_gx_2hIp6gACLcBGAs\/s1600\/BANJOS%2BAND%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-388.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.eshakti.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.eshakti.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eeshakti \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003Ecustom made dress,\u003Cb\u003E savers\/thrifted\u003C\/b\u003E sunhat\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/7805632690037271144\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/06\/banjo-and-lilac-tree.html#comment-form","title":"21 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/7805632690037271144"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/7805632690037271144"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/06\/banjo-and-lilac-tree.html","title":"banjo and the lilac tree"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-NyZWD-0g9q0\/WUFdoS4WNUI\/AAAAAAAAyVY\/rCkSECZfDcsQEGiT7Qe7GlO_bKHJGDlcACKgBGAs\/s72-c\/BANJOS%2BAND%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-463.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"21"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-5007347377907586303"},"published":{"$t":"2017-06-07T08:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-06-07T08:00:21.774-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"goals"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nature"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"5 goals for June"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-RSz76v3v0tY\/WTdE4cwTo6I\/AAAAAAAAyBA\/3uj-zNmJ_Zk1hzfZrp1W48xfpxpCr41gACEw\/s1600\/IMG_20170605_131639_701.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe golden light of June is upon us and I am not sure if this is the best time for me to be making a list of 5 goals as I have been given to the grumps all day. Or, maybe, it is the perfect time to make such a list as life continues on despite the mood you find yourself in and sometimes the best way to fight the blues is to find new things to live and hope for\u003Ci\u003E. Here are my 5 goals for June.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhat are yours?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Col style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003EFinish the vegetable garden\u003C\/i\u003E.\u003C\/b\u003E I have been a little behind in the garden this year - despite the fact that I write of it and talk of it so often. I could have swore yesterday was the first of May and now quite suddenly, the calendar says it is June. Time, remove your sneakers please!\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EShoot the How Long Blues music video.\u003C\/b\u003E Just typing that sentence gave me goosebumps of the happy variety. I will be posting behind the scenes stuff on my \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/amyflyingakite\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Einstagram\u003C\/a\u003E if you are interested in following along. Mostly, I'll be pinching myself to make sure it is all real.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpend\u003C\/b\u003E as many daylight hours as possible underneath the sky. June can be a treasure trove when it comes to exploring, so I want to tuck myself into those warm sunbeams and live live live!\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBake a chocolate cake.\u003C\/b\u003E I have been craving one for the last few weeks and there is nothing that can compare to something homemade.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPress wild grasses.\u003C\/b\u003E I often find myself pressing flowers, but this year, I want to try to learn the art of pressing wild grasses, too.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ol\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nHow are you? \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nTell me of your dreams, your goals, your plans, your curiosities \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0nP8IjC6j8k\/WTY7nlM1fXI\/AAAAAAAAx-c\/7pgTCITiDIsu9uFCETyl713e1XmrJ1BqQCPcB\/s1600\/2017-06-03%2B10.17.58%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Col style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/ol\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/5007347377907586303\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/06\/5-goals-for-june.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5007347377907586303"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5007347377907586303"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/06\/5-goals-for-june.html","title":"5 goals for June"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-RSz76v3v0tY\/WTdE4cwTo6I\/AAAAAAAAyBA\/3uj-zNmJ_Zk1hzfZrp1W48xfpxpCr41gACEw\/s72-c\/IMG_20170605_131639_701.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-8056089388661088194"},"published":{"$t":"2017-05-24T07:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-05-24T07:30:32.112-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"emily and fin"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"poetry"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"spring"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"the good thing about living"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MtMlANBrRzY\/WSSjWJj_ZOI\/AAAAAAAAxCw\/J46GhvB1e2oiiJAm4X-tFWKECAOtGTg7ACKgB\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bbird%2Band%2Bdandelions-268.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-WH13W4fRsy4\/WSSjWCg4NYI\/AAAAAAAAxCw\/e1aD44TR5OIk5ZKQ_QAkM3B4tEeULohPwCKgB\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bbird%2Band%2Bdandelions-46.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-EqF6EviVbBY\/WSSjuWJG2kI\/AAAAAAAAxC0\/DTuJAeXKsJEi69fAgY0GZ15zq5j1GpPUACLcB\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bbird%2Band%2Bdandelions-145.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;In the belly of a may tree, there is a certain kind of fragrance that feels more like forgiveness and so it drifts from the bough and onto the hair of those who walk beneath it, as if to say \"despite it all, you're still something worth holding, worth loving, and worth knowing.\" I see the garden, I see the cherry tree, I see the little buds where Saskatoon berries are soon to fall, and it is just like the world has put words to a melody you have always wanted to sing but the hum wasn't enough to make a song out of it. I can imagine the cotton dress somebody's mother wore when she walked by trees such as these, rich with the daylight and promise of what places she could one day find herself in.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI wonder how many women have looked at the may tree and said \"now, this, \u003Ci\u003Ethis\u003C\/i\u003E is beautiful\" and then went on to pick petals to put into glass jars so they could rise in the morning with something that was theirs and yet, still, like an open window to let sunlight through, belonged to everybody who was there. How many humans have we walked passed on our way to a mailbox, or the grocery store, or the woods who have stood where we stand now with thoughts that look just like ours.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nBut they don't say it.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n----\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nYesterday, I had tears in my eyes, they rolled from my face like wet cloth on a clothespin and I couldn't make out which flowers were cherry blossoms and which ones were dandelions. I could hear the ice cream truck merrily going off in the distance, but it has never sounded so sad, so unfamiliar to me. When your vision is blurred from crying eyes, it is a lot like being held together with sticky tape and not glue or muscle. You cannot see what is ahead of you, only the saddest feelings surface. After a certain amount of feeling hopeless, I closed my eyes and the song of every bird in the neighborhood started to mute the sad that was an ice cream truck's attempt to make me realize how I am not a child anymore and yesterday, I was not a child, and tomorrow, I will still be the adult version of \u003Ci\u003Eme\u003C\/i\u003E. The neighborhood birds chirped on as if it say \"despite it all, you're still something worth holding, worth loving, and worth knowing.\"\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIf you are reading this,\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nlet it be known\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nlet yourself \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003Ebe\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt is okay to cry\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIn fact, it helps build muscle\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nheart muscle\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nso when your vision is blurred from crying eyes\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nyou can still see cherry blossoms\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nand the tall grasses where dandelions grow\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nyou will wonder where the time has gone\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nwhen an ice cream truck pulls into your neighborhood\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nbut that is okay too\u003Cbr \/\u003E\njust because\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nthey tell you you're an adult, now\u003Cbr \/\u003E\ndoesn't mean you cannot have a dance floor \u003Cbr \/\u003E\nunder your bed spring\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nor\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nice cream\u003Cbr \/\u003E\non the tip of your tongue \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nthe good thing about living\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nis not that it ends\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nbut that it has not ended\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003Eyet.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lObBDkgWp9U\/WSSkLtHS8fI\/AAAAAAAAxDA\/DUK7jQmBDDsESjEtJZdIDTyYFk7W69DsgCLcB\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bbird%2Band%2Bdandelions-273.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-q-dqMgh6Mlw\/WSSkmmwLUhI\/AAAAAAAAxDI\/x23dRxqDPMw2b3HBjBZZrMAtjPP6cI2iwCLcB\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bbird%2Band%2Bdandelions-188.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-VlOA2tmBzKg\/WSSkI1erh4I\/AAAAAAAAxC8\/6q_qxcwAF1AvcAXabgTfJ6cyWjYwarImQCEw\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bbird%2Band%2Bdandelions-265.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-YDEmFIEOxMc\/WSSkzX7d0yI\/AAAAAAAAxDM\/JMwqFHmeTso4pNPt7UAPlTNLAcpL5q03wCLcB\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bbird%2Band%2Bdandelions-54.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-P2iVVwA5IY0\/WSSlGXkPlgI\/AAAAAAAAxDQ\/9Xp2qQmZpacdqtoSL2xg4NxQszeuL-pYwCLcB\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bbird%2Band%2Bdandelions-151.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-xO8E2WW4_Wc\/WSSlObYURWI\/AAAAAAAAxDU\/pb_M8TYwv-8g1uz0sUTK1yv9Qu1PpSEcQCLcB\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bbird%2Band%2Bdandelions-66.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7UkYubf03vE\/WSSltGIcz_I\/AAAAAAAAxDc\/pGkK6-WUZn4m1hQpblBdc7UrkQktZoZCACLcB\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bbird%2Band%2Bdandelions-225.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Akh1tqOEUe0\/WSSmCaGvqpI\/AAAAAAAAxDo\/Lc5-t1zl-tAmyrPL-QAL8vpxZipZlHO8ACLcB\/s1600\/amyflyingakite%2Bbird%2Band%2Bdandelions-210.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details\u003Cb\u003E: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/emilyandfin.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eemily and fin\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Edress,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/smithbilthats.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esmithbuilt\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Ehat, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.winners.ca\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ewinners\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E shoes\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/8056089388661088194\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/05\/the-good-thing-about-living.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8056089388661088194"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8056089388661088194"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/05\/the-good-thing-about-living.html","title":"the good thing about living"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MtMlANBrRzY\/WSSjWJj_ZOI\/AAAAAAAAxCw\/J46GhvB1e2oiiJAm4X-tFWKECAOtGTg7ACKgB\/s72-c\/amyflyingakite%2Bbird%2Band%2Bdandelions-268.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-4898766533747944444"},"published":{"$t":"2017-05-16T07:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-05-16T07:30:25.789-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"milkmaid braid"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"spring"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"tulips on the table \u0026 good news!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-IwTyzGQsK58\/WRqFpApWRlI\/AAAAAAAAwq4\/6wVfPcMmx0YLQ1PgQQyNCNdnukTtTNGngCKgB\/s1600\/Tulips%2Bon%2Bthe%2Btable-13.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-H4hMZBXQkUg\/WRfNg6vOQyI\/AAAAAAAAwpI\/ihQ1ZDBeS2UywsdhMgzQLcInNYmMNvz5QCLcB\/s1600\/Tulips%2Bon%2Bthe%2Btable-264.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-S2dzh1nRM7s\/WRfNjQL_HWI\/AAAAAAAAwpM\/XF5z9CFQRRUZRhkyKE37l4Cvn1MnPhSewCLcB\/s1600\/Tulips%2Bon%2Bthe%2Btable-26-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nMay tree blossoms from last spring sit in books and containers on the shelf next to our bed. They no longer carry that scent we have come to know as a sign of good things coming, but they'll do ever so slightly to make a winter less gloomy. Now, that the sun has woken from its seven month slumber, we can look to the trees and see new May blossoms forming like daybreak on our lids after what felt like long hours of not being able to sleep. I live for this time, as you know, and that is why I cannot go three sentences without writing about it. I have yet to discover a season that has ever felt as right as it does when the trees are alive like sonnets blowing in the wind. A sign of good things coming, no more winter howling, no more cheeks wet from longing for the raspberries or the honeybees, a banjo to ring out in the garden, and hands to pick flowers which soon will be growing. Spring brings with it a measureless peace and I dance such a dance when the warm sun is glowing.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n----\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nToday, I celebrate, because we \u003Ci\u003Ewon \u003C\/i\u003Ethe storyhive grant which means we'll be able to make a full music video! You wouldn't believe the goosebumps that fell onto my arm when I realized the news! I came running out of the bedroom and flopped onto the floor as if I had been transported back into happy childhood all over again and everything was as joyful as joy could be. I wish I could thank each and every one of you who voted, commented, and left your encouragement for the daunting task that was stepping outside of my comfort zone. I could not be me, be here, be as happy as I am today without you.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nSo thank you, thank you, thank you!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-AnNBY9m-S4Q\/WRqGLYFS_KI\/AAAAAAAAwrA\/p5JlIQQShPA3x1GLzlLnkDW51v0tnhfTgCLcB\/s1600\/Tulips%2Bon%2Bthe%2Btable-23.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-VCUjpQe8DV0\/WRfRB__yf3I\/AAAAAAAAwp4\/2sGw00fQWgQcmOE6isyEAscMYhR7WlfbgCLcB\/s1600\/Tulips%2Bon%2Bthe%2Btable-310-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/--tzDeFqahVY\/WRfRS4d6rQI\/AAAAAAAAwp8\/_tWMhP6_lbE69DrMsA_ft-NPW3HNQVf-ACLcB\/s1600\/Tulips%2Bon%2Bthe%2Btable-74.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-c1RPe3lmu5g\/WRfR4iMBnGI\/AAAAAAAAwqE\/tkJVYfmA7YMzgu_6ipioRTFYtWM_JACngCLcB\/s1600\/Tulips%2Bon%2Bthe%2Btable-244.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-tCmLgDweTec\/WRfOMl0N8OI\/AAAAAAAAwpY\/3GHqPu2Cq_08MgfAnxGjTwElVR_IeOQewCEw\/s1600\/Tulips%2Bon%2Bthe%2Btable-221.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details\u003Cb\u003E: thrifted \u003C\/b\u003Efloral vest \u0026amp; hat, \u003Cb\u003Egift from shaela\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cem\u003E❤︎\u003C\/em\u003E \u003C\/span\u003Edress, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.asos.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Easos\u003C\/b\u003E \u003C\/a\u003Eboots\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ae.com\/web\/canada\/index.jsp\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/4898766533747944444\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/05\/tulips-on-table-good-news.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4898766533747944444"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4898766533747944444"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/05\/tulips-on-table-good-news.html","title":"tulips on the table \u0026 good news!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-IwTyzGQsK58\/WRqFpApWRlI\/AAAAAAAAwq4\/6wVfPcMmx0YLQ1PgQQyNCNdnukTtTNGngCKgB\/s72-c\/Tulips%2Bon%2Bthe%2Btable-13.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-6400284918903379147"},"published":{"$t":"2017-05-09T12:02:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-05-09T12:04:10.795-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"music"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"my life in photographs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"poetry"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"my life in photographs"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-myB9S6PtTkY\/WRH7_jxGbCI\/AAAAAAAAwVE\/-fBbncjL6UUEshCOwvoEJ8pLqjdGw-I3gCPcB\/s1600\/IMG_20170422_110459_015.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003EDo you ever wake up from underneath the \nblanket, only to feel a slight tinge of sorrow or regret and there is \nabsolutely no cause for you to feel this way. That is how I met morning —\n slightly strange, slightly nervous, slightly curious with no need for \nit, as if I said something wrong the evening before but I know I \ncouldn't have. Honeyed light pours through the kitchen window, a coffee \nmaker makes sounds I can hear, dried snapdragons are in view, dogs who \nare snoring, what could it possibly be that brings me to a mood that is \nnot a celebration of all that this is? Perhaps, it is not a good time to\n ask, just a time to go on as I do.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-TkGVgYkH9eY\/WRH6ClwlwzI\/AAAAAAAAwUU\/wdiB5Oy5wCU9cpa1D8Ko6AkK80xc2NLuACLcB\/s1600\/IMG_20170426_125211_668.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZdYu0awoaOA\/WRIBcgqBqhI\/AAAAAAAAwVk\/MhbApqMktlwLWnGfOWYvYV7pSXheU9J8ACLcB\/s1600\/IMG_20170421_125115_705.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-oCm6Z3sDibw\/WRID1l19tcI\/AAAAAAAAwWA\/Zeoz4qkUiI4zK0qpePzaqaiPOv-DR602wCLcB\/s1600\/IMG_20170419_124534_092.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;My weapon of choice. The banjo.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003E The reason I ever began singing and \nringing out what grows in the bones and the mind and the belly of a \nhuman. If it weren't for this moon shaped machine, I could be traveling \nthrough this wide unknown world less sure and certainly less satisfied.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-TihDetF-yEo\/WRH5PuI3RcI\/AAAAAAAAwUM\/na2LNy6wSFgFaw2H5rZ57KhhadgqHG6TwCEw\/s1600\/2017-04-12%2B09.42.42%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhen the world looks like roses before you.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yRirQmt6nT4\/WRH7ciqQdMI\/AAAAAAAAwUk\/JsMTQt3xAXoDB1W-UEVTuGcNDjVH9fjMACLcB\/s1600\/2017-04-19%2B06.53.29%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003EI've\n been thinking of the mountains and how  we are nearing the time where \nwildflowers start to sprout and paint the wild brush that is a \nmountainside. I grow tired of the city even though it does have good \nofferings of it's own-- music, people, pipe dreams being born, but I \nneed that wild kind of strangeness and aliveness that seems to only \nexist when I am not here. 'I am mountain bound' might very well be my \nfavorite sentence in the English language. After, 'I brought you \nsnacks', of course.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-rMS_MjKfHo8\/WRH7iyNi-oI\/AAAAAAAAwUo\/liot-0hd9GEoUCPQqsIP29eVtRtkdwFQACLcB\/s1600\/IMG_20170430_112406_547.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003EHere I am with two dried bouquets, one is \nbright with snapdragon flowers and the other, made up of leftover plants\n dried over winter. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-kzhX5fOiy40\/WRH7_F-gtFI\/AAAAAAAAwU4\/RPrQAvT4sBMxj-BQryWeWFCXXCZoXvW0wCLcB\/s1600\/IMG_20170502_130942_032.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003ECan somebody send a little springtime to \nmy neck of the woods? I want to adventure, catch a glimpse of flowers, \ntoil in the soil, but May begins and although the may tree buds are \nstarting to green, I just want them to bloom because when they do, I'll \nhave more than dried snapdragons and leftover petals to grin upon.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-QOXkmYTHhD4\/WRH7_ayoj8I\/AAAAAAAAwU8\/dgnwoxCaYUwdcxb2Q7OO44PahH4_Hi4ZACLcB\/s1600\/IMG_20170416_130904_471.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003EI slept in until 11 am for the first time in\n years. Then, I was greeted by a warm plate of food made by a kindhearted woman I call my mum. Feeling lucky to be living today. Feeling \nwell enough to take up singing and dancing through these halls.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-HAKHYNGdIPI\/WRH8jqWTbbI\/AAAAAAAAwVI\/t-XZ992kEbIbB_uaVQJ_egxWdepFIvGjwCLcB\/s1600\/IMG_20170429_110031_957.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003EWhen I entered the storyhive competition, I was rattled with \nshakes and uncertainty if it was something I could do - asking for help,\n asking for votes, talking about myself and my dreams for one week \nstraight. I mean it when I say, I don't want to be a mosquito buzzing my\n way into your feeds, taking you away from your day, putting a \nmicroscope on me, but I now know that the weight of dreams is lifted and\n softened when you let others help you, confide in you, and love you. I \nhave lived my entire life with the back of a turtle shell, always \nhiding, always believing that I was unfit to be loved, but the truth is \nas true as the sky can be blue, there are people in this world who want \nto \u003Ci\u003Elift you up.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-w1ESLqT6gCM\/WRH8j8crXyI\/AAAAAAAAwVM\/K-jZILXhcxAonC7x8al-Lx7RQ0XdT8VlwCLcB\/s1600\/IMG_20170501_130743_473.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ll5UzjQ0r3s\/WRH7lH8z9cI\/AAAAAAAAwUs\/n0l1ghKM28YJ4f69Mw1mPRsPt5OJgkuwACLcB\/s1600\/IMG_20170506_111442_470%25281%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-M2Vn1gc-2Ac\/WRH7lRuhydI\/AAAAAAAAwUw\/MlVliSHT24kRIunzAfOg68uMYnlKQHThACLcB\/s1600\/IMG_20170504_125851_775.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nFrom where I sit, I can hear the black capped chickadees parading from treetop to treetop as if the whole world is theirs and something in me says that it is and I am just here visiting. Before I could truly know the beauty that is birds singing on a warm weather day, I had to hear the crows echo through the chimney as I shivered and sighed at the length of a winter. We earn our seasons here, so every drop of sunlight counts. Like memories do. Like life does. Like seconds appearing and disappearing. Like remembering your mother's voice. Or that time you stayed out on the hillside until morning. It is seeing the geese finally return or letting lemonade sit on your tongue. It is the way dust shows on the window and the sight that is dandelions growing from the ground. In you, there is a certain kind of knowing and if you listen to it, you might one day hear it say \"you're just visiting, so sit slowly with that which one day you will live without.\"\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/6400284918903379147\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/05\/my-life-in-photographs.html#comment-form","title":"57 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6400284918903379147"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6400284918903379147"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/05\/my-life-in-photographs.html","title":"my life in photographs"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-myB9S6PtTkY\/WRH7_jxGbCI\/AAAAAAAAwVE\/-fBbncjL6UUEshCOwvoEJ8pLqjdGw-I3gCPcB\/s72-c\/IMG_20170422_110459_015.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"57"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-3496695844517625986"},"published":{"$t":"2017-04-25T07:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-04-25T10:28:31.716-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"griffith woods"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"music"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"StoryHive Music Video: How Long Blues"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-M3VOZ-Jpzys\/WP6r3NDLEYI\/AAAAAAAAvf4\/GEtXckKEeeQI76sOLSv4s5PiEXSBRt2sQCLcB\/s1600\/Veiled%2BAmy%2Bw%2Bboquet.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-sMoL5JMdTuk\/WP7jeyoO5II\/AAAAAAAAvgM\/6cpvmoje9Fk2pRg_Jv434Nn771fEHOe2wCLcB\/s1600\/Reverse%2Bveiled%2BAmy%2Bw%2Bcandle.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-BDF0X5czRSk\/WP7jf07IKpI\/AAAAAAAAvgQ\/PNRhzDBVBYoHoQ5hVjTThzJWf_zuQQM_wCLcB\/s1600\/Reverse%2BAmy%2Bveiled%2Bthru%2Btrees.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;This is How Long Blues. A song I wrote that tells of the ache and wonder which exists in us all when we are mistreated by the ones we love. Being an artist in this day and age of videos, of being online, of having to dig through the roots of what makes you and sharing it with the world by the click of a button \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E it is downright spooky and I have jumped into it head first today. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n~*~*~\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI entered a creative grant competition curated by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.storyhive.com\/project\/show\/id\/1877\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EStoryhive\u003C\/a\u003E with a music video pitch directed by filmmaker and friend, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.storyhive.com\/creator\/profile\/id\/1462822\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGillian \u003Cspan class=\"_3c21\"\u003EMcKercher\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. What could be more knee knocking, goosebumps standing on the arm, inner voice doubting you than this - having to tell you that I\u003Ci\u003E *\u003Cu\u003Eneed\u003C\/u\u003E*\u003C\/i\u003E votes if we are to make the pitch you see below into a full length music video.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"_3c21\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003EWhat this means:\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;You can vote once a day - every day - at the link \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.storyhive.com\/project\/show\/id\/1877\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E until Monday, May 1st noon (PST)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nYou can share if you're so inclined (it helps!) \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIf I win, I can promise you that I'll be bouncing from wall to wall and not only will we be given a monetary grant that will take this pitch video and turn it into a proper music video, but we will have put a notch in the ever-so-terrifying quest that is making it as an artist.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n*gulp*\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThank you\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/70oLlb2H6SQ\" width=\"480\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DGuzvrhJt3I\/WP7jqunJxZI\/AAAAAAAAvgc\/soRrE9E4oIQigaxzKTrxfvjMiiXsw4ofwCLcB\/s1600\/Nature%2Bdawn%2Btrees.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-mKFZJDGMvaA\/WP7jpyWqGKI\/AAAAAAAAvgU\/9adpPkH5oaoM19eRLxcL3dZWTGKjiVvhACLcB\/s1600\/Veiled%2BAmy%2Bw%2Bcandle.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-LxI8EmdCyEs\/WP7jqnS6d0I\/AAAAAAAAvgY\/-uTFAN9QhWwQJYWsX26BLGX54EXF1U3AwCLcB\/s1600\/Profile%2Bveiled%2BAmy.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/3496695844517625986\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/04\/storyhive-music-video-how-long-blues.html#comment-form","title":"24 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3496695844517625986"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3496695844517625986"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/04\/storyhive-music-video-how-long-blues.html","title":"StoryHive Music Video: How Long Blues"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-M3VOZ-Jpzys\/WP6r3NDLEYI\/AAAAAAAAvf4\/GEtXckKEeeQI76sOLSv4s5PiEXSBRt2sQCLcB\/s72-c\/Veiled%2BAmy%2Bw%2Bboquet.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"24"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-9034042533182005139"},"published":{"$t":"2017-04-19T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-04-19T06:30:36.196-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"goals"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"writing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"5 goals for April \u0026 May"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wVASYFfGp3I\/WPWR4qdxNkI\/AAAAAAAAu_I\/ZAbjMBFGA7AWtW6ekQx3mMW7hxsHXB1UQCLcB\/s1600\/2017-04-09%2B09.34.20%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-r67Zpuhzx_Y\/WPWOek_6SeI\/AAAAAAAAu-w\/Tl4d5mhh4CA9qlrvWzyOjs7rYiBcUmvKACLcB\/s1600\/2017-04-04%2B10d.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;It has been a little quieter around the blog as of late \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E I have been busy with music happenings and trying to put my head towards windows whenever there are signs of spring. I never did do an April goals post, so here I am now with two months at once. Setting goals seems so easy when you say it. Of course I will do that, of course I \u003Ci\u003E\u003Cu\u003Ecan \u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/i\u003Edo that, but adhering to them is a whole another story. So, here, we go:\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Col style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBegin the garden.\u003C\/b\u003E I am so pleased to be able to finally admit that spring is here and gardening is about to begin. I need to weed, pull out leftover plants, prep, and make the soil sweet for planting this coming season. \u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EShare my music video pitch. \u003C\/b\u003EI entered a grant competition with a kindred spirit \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/gillianmckercher\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003Efilmmaker \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Ehere in Calgary. The idea is that you make a one minute pitch video featuring one of your songs and then your task is to campaign for votes. The ones with the most votes at the end of it all will get a monetary grant to pursue a music video. In a world where making art can be equally beautiful and \u003Ci\u003Eterrifyingly\u003C\/i\u003E vulnerable, I will need all the help I can get because asking for votes has a tendency to make my belly fill with butterflies (!)\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDry the carnation bouquet.\u003C\/b\u003E There it sits, by the windowsill, held up in a blue vase the color of seawater. How beautiful it could be if made to last by hanging it upside down in the dark basement. There, it will dry and then it will forever remain in our house, much like the snapdragon one in these photographs.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGo to Griffith Woods.\u003C\/b\u003E I love this space, it smells of pine and sounds of bird chatter. I want to live in a world where going here before the sun rises becomes a habit. \u003Ci\u003E(Google, How do I get out of bed before 7 am?)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EExplore more places on foot.\u003C\/b\u003E Now that the warm weather is rising, I have plenty of reason to see the world before me without getting into an automobile. There is something to be said about traveling on foot, it has a tendency to make you notice little things in a poetic appreciative sort - of - way.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ol\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nHow are you? \u003Cbr \/\u003E\nTell me of your dreams, your goals, your plans, your curiosities \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/9034042533182005139\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/04\/5-goals-for-april-may.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/9034042533182005139"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/9034042533182005139"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/04\/5-goals-for-april-may.html","title":"5 goals for April \u0026 May"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wVASYFfGp3I\/WPWR4qdxNkI\/AAAAAAAAu_I\/ZAbjMBFGA7AWtW6ekQx3mMW7hxsHXB1UQCLcB\/s72-c\/2017-04-09%2B09.34.20%2B1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-8394175139456918512"},"published":{"$t":"2017-04-06T11:49:00.003-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-04-06T12:00:02.549-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"boots"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"list"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"spring"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"6 reasons for leaving your house"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lzIx1gee9ok\/WORsunosdqI\/AAAAAAAAtg4\/LiTE37YzZT46AzN2bqwZQknnT5thIZHhACPcB\/s1600\/Hillside%2Bbirds%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-49.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-h9mZ0h0-NWE\/WORuYi9D-lI\/AAAAAAAAthU\/h24RHZaf4n0ByKkm6-8BYMIXEx-z0gctgCPcB\/s1600\/Hillside%2Bbirds%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-74.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Uf5op3aTXSE\/WORr93Qp2pI\/AAAAAAAAtgk\/IzavMZrgp2EeouNVwdC0knyycnm9Ne4lQCLcB\/s1600\/Hillside%2Bbirds%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-198.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HN_JTeJShWs\/WORsTNbKddI\/AAAAAAAAtgs\/MOT9Z2m0hBUP4WtZhxjV2ESuW_uPcYDgwCLcB\/s1600\/Hillside%2Bbirds%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-156.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nToday, let there be throats singing and minds twirling at the promise of springtime in the woodland. I, a natural homebody, have learned over time that I need both here and there in equal measure before I can say I feel good enough. Sometimes, I forget it because I am so used to longing for home when I am not home and then when I am \u003Ci\u003Ehere\u003C\/i\u003E, I wonder how much better I might feel if I were \u003Ci\u003Ethere\u003C\/i\u003E. A conundrum of the city dweller and prairie minded woman, I suppose.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI used to stay home every night, never leaving my own cocoon of safety, sacrificing friendships and time spent exploring so I could be by myself. I thought it was near impossible to bring this inner world into the outer world and so I feared it. I spent hours in my room, making messes, feeling warm in the cheek as I laughed at my own jokes and invented my own wellspring of fun. I did not need anybody else, for anybody else could mean expectations and expectations were dangerous for the creative spirit, or so I thought. It took two hands and one banjo for me to realize that leaving home could mean the difference between an echo and a song. If I wanted to sing and reach from the grave that is loneliness, I needed a place to do so and that place couldn't only be where pillows lie or dresses hang in closets.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhen I started leaving \u003Ci\u003Ehere\u003C\/i\u003E for \u003Ci\u003Ethere\u003C\/i\u003E, I realized just how much a human can take of breaking free from the starting point you cling onto because it seems easy. I will always be a homebody at heart, a delicate way of being inherited from my mother — but leaving showed me how far I could stretch to taste this life and at the end of each day, places are always made sweeter when it's not the only place you visit, a person always made wiser by doing what they \u003Ci\u003Ethink\u003C\/i\u003E they cannot do.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EFrom one homebody to another, here are 6 reasons why leaving your house can be a good thing.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Col\u003E\n\u003C\/ol\u003E\n\u003Cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EYou\u003C\/b\u003E never know who you're going to meet. Yes — people can drain your energy reserves and make you want to put on running shoes and head for the hills, but they can also teach you, love you, and add birdseed and flowers to the unknown road that is life.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELeaving \u003C\/b\u003Ehome doesn't have to be forever and life doesn't have to be measured by homebody vs those who appear shinier when around others.  Know your own limits and stretch it ever so slightly so you can enjoy the best of each world.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETake \u003C\/b\u003Ea break from our own minds. Go to a coffee shop by yourself and eat a dessert, listen to the faintest sound of chatter, see how people are moving about, put your phone away and sit in that moment.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EInspiration\u003C\/b\u003E can come from anywhere. If you are always occupying the same spaces, you are likely to have the same thoughts, exploring somewhere new can bring you all sorts of untouched ways of seeing the world.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAdventure\u003C\/b\u003E — whether in the woods or in the city, whether scenery or people, stepping outside of your comfort zone can kick start your heart and who knows what will grow from it.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EYou\u003C\/b\u003E can always go home. Don't let anybody tell you that once you are out, you have to stay out. If you aren't having any fun, if anxiety is rising, or if you just cannot wait to hold the next chapter of a book or a film in your knuckles, go home. You tried. There will be other times and friends worth having will allow you to be \u003Ci\u003Eyou.\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\u003Col\u003E\n\u003C\/ol\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Col style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/ol\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nTo further prove how much I cling to home is to tell you how much trouble I ran into coming up with this list. If it weren't in argument of leaving home but instead for staying, it would probably come to 100 reasons or so. Now, I'm off to put the kettle on because home is where I'll be today.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003ELet me know your own reasons for going or staying in the comments - I am curious!\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-79r35nkx81E\/WORr8XIn4lI\/AAAAAAAAthU\/p_-gXKsSw1kqPc36_B_WTI3uiDEXbO0FwCPcB\/s1600\/Hillside%2Bbirds%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-202.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-EK8ha1IIQB0\/WORuCMhI7HI\/AAAAAAAAthA\/MgEz44FO3vkA3e1Vtp3lb1bZDwGwpWw6gCLcB\/s1600\/Hillside%2Bbirds%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-81.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ONdJPkGSW6E\/WORvIkO2XxI\/AAAAAAAAthk\/kazTaPsiV0cVageYIuEDRvNf-nPfLIwnACEw\/s1600\/Hillside%2Bbirds%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-163.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-T2otYgs6Cg4\/WORsPc7ylzI\/AAAAAAAAtg4\/Fa729QLl9jkRrpKM2-Dh2rDXKGX9jNlOACEw\/s1600\/Hillside%2Bbirds%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-162.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-e32ZfrHdPa4\/WORxR7Zv1aI\/AAAAAAAAth0\/NAAALDPscYwOvVTgi1IehJt6xKcjlSxyQCLcB\/s1600\/Hillside%2Bbirds%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-136.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-DqWR2nOCGzU\/WORw51I_odI\/AAAAAAAAths\/hL2s4l-RCZQIO9P8mwAciHARh0mFB7wkACLcB\/s1600\/Hillside%2Bbirds%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-52.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QaryvcAzLVA\/WORvRb2WncI\/AAAAAAAAthk\/YWISp161uP0caBR2q8V8lPJLNIhbSAoQwCEw\/s1600\/Hillside%2Bbirds%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-178.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ftkQU_N7eOQ\/WORxMjH4D7I\/AAAAAAAAthw\/wGKDASf3rBEM_bxuPWdUyFJIgDLaPY2FQCEw\/s1600\/Hillside%2Bbirds%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-208.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E thrifted value village \u003C\/b\u003Eblouse, \u003Cb\u003Emontana tack store \u003C\/b\u003Elace up boots,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.chapters.indigo.ca\/en-ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eindigo chapters\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Emusic notebook, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/shadeofabonsai\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eshade of a bonsai \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Econstellation\/zodiac brooch\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/8394175139456918512\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/04\/6-reasons-for-leaving-your-house.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8394175139456918512"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8394175139456918512"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/04\/6-reasons-for-leaving-your-house.html","title":"6 reasons for leaving your house"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lzIx1gee9ok\/WORsunosdqI\/AAAAAAAAtg4\/LiTE37YzZT46AzN2bqwZQknnT5thIZHhACPcB\/s72-c\/Hillside%2Bbirds%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-49.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-6779685248646321206"},"published":{"$t":"2017-03-29T10:46:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-03-29T10:58:15.239-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"free people"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"garden"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"a trip to the garden center"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-EG8gLvjqwcc\/WNhKP5BdaSI\/AAAAAAAAsi0\/w3F30bvULaAoZP8UzlN9DYUfhg2fIkHjgCPcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-104.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-gy4cqzcj9o0\/WNhJG4g9m1I\/AAAAAAAAsik\/78RtMprRAckOPYGNWr9QESSDbEF4zy-eACLcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-169.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-uUoD5Joy9pA\/WNhIhon6u7I\/AAAAAAAAsic\/3Wen0EBZ-BY_gAvu1qy6ZR4vv2KEojW2QCLcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-177.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-395oCwKUUhg\/WNhK6RxPlcI\/AAAAAAAAsi8\/4IRwb_14J1o7-O-BmkZa1LJcMKr6TrqdwCLcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-44.jpg\" \/\u003E The garden center \u003Cspan class=\"_Tgc\"\u003E— known to me as the gardeners' version of a swimming pool or a lemonade stand. It is here where I could spend hours being pulled in by every petal and plant, as if my eyes only exist for the light of pretty things that grow towards the sun. Here, a blue print for happiness. Here, an understanding that rises in my mind of how to go on living without so much worry. As I run from flower to flower, I have no thoughts that my life could be written in lowercase letters, instead, I feel as though the very point of why I am here is \u003Ci\u003Ethis. \u003C\/i\u003EI do not know what it is about my annual goal of planning the garden, sowing the seeds, and spending the rest of what I hope to be snow-less days tending to them, but I feel like all has been mended when I do.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"_Tgc\"\u003EAs I am writing to you, the seasonal blues appear to have lifted, and so I have jumped from that thin trapeze directed by winter and onto a trampoline where dandelions and songs can sprout from. Time is strange and fleeting\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"_Tgc\"\u003E— I hope as I grow older I can learn the way of not wishing days to pass just so I can be closer to daylight in the garden. A day is a day and so many fine things can be found there.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"_Tgc\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EFor previous visits to the garden center, you can look \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/a-visit-to-garden-center.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/05\/sowing-in-garden.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"_Tgc\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Jl6mMQuj_ok\/WNhLGXpiCqI\/AAAAAAAAsjE\/Tjjj8ukBq0UiSvkzNRvEMhKv-RJpsRr4gCEw\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-220.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-upbWWIMB6L8\/WNhLIn6p7yI\/AAAAAAAAsjI\/guR7R7rJ9Sg805_sgxi2E-HoEoOIlbkmwCEw\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-184.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-LprTzIIsxD8\/WNhLpLzu7lI\/AAAAAAAAsjM\/GGH1xj3N4ogtVjmJl_2su7TTUcF73uVGQCLcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-182.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-dZRLOL2w7ZI\/WNhMFe8K6pI\/AAAAAAAAsjQ\/L4plEEZ6gdQxH3lQqEU7fCLCH05daZ-nwCLcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-140.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_mk6McIHrYc\/WNhsLS-aLHI\/AAAAAAAAsq4\/0bQvZDiy5E028J3g0ODU-U4V5dCik1fDwCLcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-199.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-e8Y_VU5Q8VM\/WNhspRgj0GI\/AAAAAAAAsq8\/FbYVCEASi8kEsOzD-mXYRllAAB3WVIjMQCLcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-189.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ech7iLS5HjM\/WNhIa54-YiI\/AAAAAAAAsig\/f3aSNKhxZRorRnVHwiH0GdtcG6bS0zcHACPcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-99.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-lM_0bJAoImU\/WNhtyAsja9I\/AAAAAAAAsrM\/AZeGelAPx60J9ShUV3vGC-EMrytsBtb0gCLcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-145.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Fqcl7wYZkOo\/WNhulTt08uI\/AAAAAAAAsrU\/J6D0yJQxX28ClNOID3gFvWEsSnRjC-bqACLcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-150.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-YUiGc5pfzMk\/WNhvUMAae5I\/AAAAAAAAsrc\/KlSQvrrwQQc3PXkY6-lhGqkW6OioODHSwCLcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-125.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_sdvxs2NjaM\/WNhtfw93hQI\/AAAAAAAAsrI\/NXNwRR4N5GAHGKQ91MkkO4DNcBy3oPgJQCLcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-66.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wF3Vdm2eIxk\/WNnIjNAQtVI\/AAAAAAAAsy0\/P-AwkvnzzJggXC5fU5MlwiO0u5BgNN-VQCLcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-193.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-YsyDsqa7Z0A\/WNnIryzPOQI\/AAAAAAAAsy4\/ah7Rb7nLnDQSluC8XzG_qT99ibKjf9hLACLcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-55.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-P1siXsG2BOo\/WNhwaNaHZUI\/AAAAAAAAssg\/7wc3PRysJh81Gigi6hDTU01Pr2j7QtL0gCEw\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-167.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hC7_glC3ae4\/WNvl0N4jpkI\/AAAAAAAAs-w\/h2CuqdMFpO0pc3OF31iNbqfE9lTbd5gUQCLcB\/s1600\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-186.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/emilyandfin.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eemily and fin\u003C\/b\u003E \u003C\/a\u003Edress, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.freepeople.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Efree people\u003C\/b\u003E \u003C\/a\u003Eboots, \u003Cb\u003Ethrifted\u003C\/b\u003E beret and blouse\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003Elocation ✈\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sunnysidehomeandgarden.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESunnyside Garden\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/6779685248646321206\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/03\/a-trip-to-garden-center.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6779685248646321206"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6779685248646321206"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/03\/a-trip-to-garden-center.html","title":"a trip to the garden center"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-EG8gLvjqwcc\/WNhKP5BdaSI\/AAAAAAAAsi0\/w3F30bvULaAoZP8UzlN9DYUfhg2fIkHjgCPcB\/s72-c\/Garden%2BCenter%2BIn%2BMarch%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-104.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"11"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-6587483397868208224"},"published":{"$t":"2017-03-22T11:33:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-03-22T11:46:09.819-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"my life in photographs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"poetry"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"my life in photographs"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-xS6v-rLy1Hw\/WNHBluFM6_I\/AAAAAAAAsKw\/Y1Xwcqeevq4p50qIRP3nhEDfoFwyYoGeQCLcB\/s1600\/2017-03-05%2B12.02.19%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI often dream of having a giant field where I am free to garden and play my banjo. Here, there is a home where the snow never shows uninvited and the kitchen stove is always brewing something for the bellies of anyone who lives or visits. I grow snapdragons in every color, they live like they're beanstalks and ladders, beginning as baby seeds in earth and stretching well above my head, even on my tallest day. The garden grows wide with so many flowers, if one is pulled by wind or weather, I don't feel like I am losing much. When all has been tended to and the dusk draws near, I find my chair that looks out into the country and I let my banjo ring. This is my often dream, and often dream of it, I do.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-HL1VnnfrKtI\/WNHBuh5NV_I\/AAAAAAAAsK0\/XNDTlnSVdJYEiJ00rntwSgoBrHeUJ8lKgCEw\/s1600\/2017-03-08%2B12.58.16%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-9Z-XnnMSJ8M\/WNHCTvqzwrI\/AAAAAAAAsLM\/JBEHfdiolt0yDDJrcPh0icVHeB707vCDgCLcB\/s1600\/2017-03-16%2B01.49.08%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003EI'd rather be growing snapdragons in the yard and watching the bees.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BuNogzgCC2Y\/WNHBwBpvZMI\/AAAAAAAAsK4\/UIm2v9REi7cqL0YpAHFm5Fu-o-1cActCgCEw\/s1600\/2017-03-13%2B12.38.56%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThis is how to leave your head or the winter or\n the nagging that comes on Mondays. Decorating my house with flowers and\n knowing there is a certain kind of satisfaction in doing these things I\n want to do, instead of just thinking of them and spending my days \nbegrudging the energy required to do so. Tiny victories, that is all I \nam after today. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-He37HvxOT0c\/WNHB1GOd50I\/AAAAAAAAsLA\/wRkrnq7GXakZADaw8ER1xYOzmEhJ-fNDgCEw\/s1600\/2017-03-14%2B01.04.59%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003EI\n do not know how I survived a bad day or a bruised self before I played \nguitar. It is in these strings where I begin again and again and again. \nThis is our gretsch\n resonator, the guitar which plays best wearing a slide and used as a \ntool for letting your worries slide along with it. I could have found \nother ways to spend my time, but playing this silver stringed machine in\n open D makes me feel like it's a good thing life came to be the way it \ndid.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-sUG46X4szBI\/WNHBzmbVLHI\/AAAAAAAAsK8\/Ty-Ke28F3LU2MW_d-HfbM-bXNYfOgIW-wCEw\/s1600\/2017-03-20%2B01.15.57%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003EI have been counting down the hours, the \nminutes, the seconds until the first sign of spring arrives. Seems to be\n the only poems or stories I write in the winter appear like I have no \nmind and only half get written, none are finished, but when the birds \nbegin to sing again, when the day drops light onto the skin, when the \nberries break through the bough and the dirt of a broken garden begins \nto show, I know I am seeing through my own eyes again, instead of the \nrust colored specs of what was a gloomy winter.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-SOZRVCkisNQ\/WNHB2NRU_iI\/AAAAAAAAsLE\/NdVAam3nSyQkpPAoqhNRIRHDimoU_7x7ACEw\/s1600\/2017-03-09%2B10.57.47%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan title=\"Edited\"\u003EWe had two kittens visiting us, one with grey \nlines like a wild cat and one wearing what looked like a black mask. \nTheir fur was soft like only a newborn knows softness and their \nheartbeats sounded like a tiny orchestra. I watched them skirt across \nthe carpet and climb onto high couches as their tails curved and swayed.\n They clawed at my hair as I knelt to get closer. They made what was \nroutinely known as a dog person laugh and grow with joy and surrender to\n their sweetness. Imagine a ladder and escaping out of a grey day just \nby holding a kitten in your arms.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-HMIoc8CHj7A\/WNHB3HSFEfI\/AAAAAAAAsLI\/wA4FsCcWUmcIsh3zoAvxZ_qKSDS9F0H2ACEw\/s1600\/2017-03-21%2B10.14.09%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-hdfpnOasxzY\/WNKyCQh4R2I\/AAAAAAAAsL0\/KXcyLTyjNS8eN0p4jJy_b2hqZwO22jkswCLcB\/s1600\/2017-03-21%2B04.55.57%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-IsJYeGJkGmA\/WNK0MaGlRaI\/AAAAAAAAsMc\/KCumndeQ52U3INxemJ_U8FwsWEfYS8UjACLcB\/s1600\/2017-03-22%2B11.24.16%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EDo\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E not\u003C\/span\u003E let these photographs mislead yo\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eu - \u003C\/span\u003Ewe are still waiting for the clouds to part so we can remember what it \nwas like to have the sun on our side. We do what we can by living in a \nhouse plenty with dried flowers and cuttings from last year's garden. I \ntitle these 'my life in photographs' and I'm not entirely sure why, \nconsidering, they only reveal parts of my life, not the whole, but I \ncannot imagine anybody preferring to see me in my pajamas to a bouquet \nof bright flowers!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nHow has your life been lately? Tell me, what is on your mind?\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/6587483397868208224\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/03\/my-life-in-photographs.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6587483397868208224"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6587483397868208224"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/03\/my-life-in-photographs.html","title":"my life in photographs"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-xS6v-rLy1Hw\/WNHBluFM6_I\/AAAAAAAAsKw\/Y1Xwcqeevq4p50qIRP3nhEDfoFwyYoGeQCLcB\/s72-c\/2017-03-05%2B12.02.19%2B1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-5526345521641124176"},"published":{"$t":"2017-03-15T12:57:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-03-15T13:00:50.031-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"american eagle"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"embroidered jeans"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"jeans"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"topshop"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Dreams and Embroidered Jeans"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-9sWkbctZZHM\/WMdVLBWE1dI\/AAAAAAAAric\/gdO1UzKnq7onpZkIukFZRzPQD55ugMvGgCPcB\/s1600\/e-444-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-BdJ_mX3Srls\/WMdev_LLfAI\/AAAAAAAArjM\/N99i3F-PZuYgEjIG_aB8CmEFbO5NG35AQCLcB\/s1600\/Embroidery%2BAmyflyingakite-595.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ue7Vmzu_LPw\/WMde_yaUMRI\/AAAAAAAArjQ\/jyuTeKlchw4ksJqSuiiSecNpPUWSfz1DwCLcB\/s1600\/Embroidery%2BAmyflyingakite-331.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI would have liked for this morning to begin with a strong mug of coffee held between my hands and somebody to listen to me as I talked about the dreams I had last night. Instead, I am sitting alone in a slightly bright mood that waxes and wanes with the weather. In black ink, I write out the dreams and as I do, they begin to make even less sense and then I wonder how strange I must be to have dreams such as these. There were talking gorillas, an endless supply of watermelon growing on trees, somebody telling me the sun was on its way out, an uncle whom I haven't seen recently telling me not to be so hard on myself, cats the size of city buildings, music notes where pillows used to sit and potatoes growing where the snapdragons used to rise. When I opened my eyes this morning, I felt different than I felt when I closed them. Have you ever had that? A dream that takes off running and when it is over, if it is ever really over, you walk down the hall towards the coffee maker feeling like a new person, wondering where that old person went, all because of a dream you had as the moon stood bright.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI have never been somebody who believed dreams had a hidden meaning, most of my dreams are puzzle pieces where every edge has the same jagged shape. They don't fit together, they just exist. I am far more curious about the leftover feeling, when it stays with you, when you have already woken and yet what you felt or seen or heard lingers on. I sit here, hours later, feeling like there is something in me that wants to begin again, like roses do even after the harshest of winters, so I trade the usual dresses for denim and I walk into the usual woods where dreams of what could be have suddenly returned to me. After months of lacking any paint on the paintbrush so to speak, it is a welcome feeling \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E this feeling of being able to dream again.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHello comes the prospect of sunflower seeds, goodbye goes the dreariness of a month ago.\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-OCeo4VfRves\/WMdff4LB0QI\/AAAAAAAArjU\/mIY7bJrIO8YA6iRtCrkxNtJtmfV7XnplACLcB\/s1600\/Embroidery%2BAmyflyingakite-492.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0rhgZG3j3-A\/WMdfn5IU6-I\/AAAAAAAArjY\/KR-31DRuBSEmYLb2rJHlewZAQbj6jMyYgCLcB\/s1600\/Embroidery%2BAmyflyingakite-594.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mjxWqTnaqso\/WMdf_kLZ8eI\/AAAAAAAArjo\/BIgWK7OQnTUEF44ghgcEzGzrm_syLOv9ACLcB\/s1600\/Embroidery%2BAmyflyingakite-591.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-amBuWwZrsFg\/WMdgb4JGmsI\/AAAAAAAArjs\/bdOg_iZyTJEIHgNggmlFO40eUgzvYnGLQCLcB\/s1600\/Embroidery%2BAmyflyingakite-508.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Sv0HY3-Zgk4\/WMdg0Mm_GVI\/AAAAAAAArj0\/Vv1_xVBNDP4xmMApo63U9MmuWD10B5yWACLcB\/s1600\/Embroidery%2BAmyflyingakite-278.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_GnXFUR1kEk\/WMl6YnjG0fI\/AAAAAAAArpQ\/Hm1YRT9A5nEM1SgnPzZgKvnGEj24DSgGgCLcB\/s1600\/Embroidery%2BAmyflyingakite-344.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ae.com\/web\/canada\/index.jsp\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E american eagle\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Ejacket,\u003Cb\u003E thrifted \u003C\/b\u003Eblouse, \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.topshop.com\/?geoip=home\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Etopshop\u003C\/a\u003E at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thebay.com\/webapp\/wcs\/stores\/servlet\/en\/thebay\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehudson's bay \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003Eembroidered\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Ejeans, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.asos.com\/women\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Easos\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E butterfly necktie\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/5526345521641124176\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/03\/dreams-and-embroidered-jeans.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5526345521641124176"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5526345521641124176"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/03\/dreams-and-embroidered-jeans.html","title":"Dreams and Embroidered Jeans"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-9sWkbctZZHM\/WMdVLBWE1dI\/AAAAAAAAric\/gdO1UzKnq7onpZkIukFZRzPQD55ugMvGgCPcB\/s72-c\/e-444-2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-8339260603906994198"},"published":{"$t":"2017-03-08T09:47:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-03-08T09:47:20.978-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"birds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"we came here to visit the birds"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-5c68f2eXbNU\/WL8yLrT-C0I\/AAAAAAAArFU\/FBBS4wnG9FsNiHutWbMUB6cE0yB1WDq8gCEw\/s1600\/Hillsides%2Band%2Btrees%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-234.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-VSvl3EWYyII\/WL86gYKmEII\/AAAAAAAArFg\/mRcBDSRxIv8PnMAzcxNi-1n_Us0D_PpwQCLcB\/s1600\/Hillsides%2Band%2Btrees%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-189.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-6NRR3DMbQr0\/WL87oKHHfbI\/AAAAAAAArFs\/Af0IXSLVWJ83adZTPOH2UmXwN74jqGcKACLcB\/s1600\/Hillsides%2Band%2Btrees%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-169.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWe came here to visit the birds because in doing so \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E we let our expectations of the day become less trivial, less want-based, less wasted, more like slumber at the end of a night or food at the first blush of morning. Standing at the hillside and looking onto the trees feels necessary for those of us who are prone to ceiling stares when we cannot sleep, those of us who feel frantic for all the lives we'll never live. To watch the birds not only means to marvel at nature or to let fresh air replace the recycled air we're so used to breathing, to watch the birds means to wander outside of our own heads for a little while, a certain kind of walking from the mind and into the wellspring of daylight and what it means to be us.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DUqmKREmaAk\/WL9_2znNRWI\/AAAAAAAArHk\/3Z2w-OAm6toJCe4NjeCQ-6Qrbgnf8NXGwCLcB\/s1600\/Hillsides%2Band%2Btrees%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-46-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-vSvON5IP4IE\/WL88pMdX3nI\/AAAAAAAArF4\/7scKUsiTSfMbo0IHECX6WMhg3u56e21QACLcB\/s1600\/Hillsides%2Band%2Btrees%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-167.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-MqajYkREnso\/WL86_7RHgKI\/AAAAAAAArFo\/3aY51QfP-MsG8Z-8RA1HEv67I2BaEgQPACLcB\/s1600\/Hillsides%2Band%2Btrees%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-198.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-pSFkNRnIS3E\/WL88diAgFtI\/AAAAAAAArF0\/siiBW-8C65oToxQn5mDwhGxHzsk7rIvLQCEw\/s1600\/Hillsides%2Band%2Btrees%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-39.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ESjRZS32_d4\/WL-AueAshpI\/AAAAAAAArHo\/_B53qWATkH4ktAm6bZ_AKkdlq9MeI-aTACLcB\/s1600\/Hillsides%2Band%2Btrees%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-91-4.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.freepeople.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efree people\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eboots, \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Echicwish\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Edress\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/8339260603906994198\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/03\/we-came-here-to-visit-birds.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8339260603906994198"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8339260603906994198"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/03\/we-came-here-to-visit-birds.html","title":"we came here to visit the birds"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-5c68f2eXbNU\/WL8yLrT-C0I\/AAAAAAAArFU\/FBBS4wnG9FsNiHutWbMUB6cE0yB1WDq8gCEw\/s72-c\/Hillsides%2Band%2Btrees%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-234.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-5664575226488491460"},"published":{"$t":"2017-02-28T17:59:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-02-28T20:34:25.665-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"goals"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"writing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"5 goals for March"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-3recr6tUpBw\/WLYZGbSZYuI\/AAAAAAAAqps\/tED5SHmZRYolnb5_3XaPaPZTI7eKhNghQCLcB\/s1600\/Red%2Bberet%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-35-4.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;Tomorrow, March begins. It is as if February was wearing running shoes and I barely remember a second of it passing. I didn't make any of my goals for February, mostly because I forgot to, partly because I had the winter blues all month long and the last thing on my mind was setting goals and adhering to them. It is in my hopefulness that March will be found more fair, artistic and wonderful for us all!\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E1. No more stir-crazy\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI \u003Ci\u003Eneed\u003C\/i\u003E to spend more time outside, even if it is cold on the cheeks. More walks in the day near the woods would surely equal a happier human in me. Winter makes me feel cooped up and then I pity myself and that is not a good way to live.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E2. Food makes the world go round\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;I want to cook something I have never cooked before. I think it would welcome a healthy change to challenge myself with something other than music and art. I tend to stick to what I know when it comes to living but sometimes a person needs to do something \u003Ci\u003Edifferent\u003C\/i\u003E. I want to try something more complex, even if it ends in disaster for the taste buds!\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E3. Something to match my solemn winter mood\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;Learn \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=JPd7CAV8PIU\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EI wish my baby was born\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E on the banjo. This one is the dictionary definition of sorrow.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;4. Paint and re-do\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n8 years taking bubble baths in a shallow tub, looking upwards to see wallpaper aging, wishing it could feel like it belonged to me, this most frequented bathroom across the hall. I bought paint ages ago with the hope that I would paint the bathroom and make it\u003Ci\u003E mine\u003C\/i\u003E, but I have yet to do so. March on March, there are no excuses for it now. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E5. Log Out\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhen warmer months are here, I rarely ever log into social media. I am too busy listening to the bees and standing in the garden. I need to learn how to do this in the winter time too. I fear I am spending far too much time reading what other people are up to and comparing my life to theirs. As if my life is a shell, and theirs is a planet. I need to \u003Cu\u003Estop\u003C\/u\u003E. Log out. Get fresh air. Drink tea. Play banjo. Watch the squirrel stealing pine cones or a television show. Forgetting about the world sometimes builds you a better armor so when you step back into it, you don't lose yourself in the process.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EWhat are your goals? Ideas? Dreams? Plans? What does March mean for you?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003ELet me know in the comments!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-jur5osMMmC0\/WLYZi39Hk6I\/AAAAAAAAqpw\/IJKqwl6bjd8fqqOabS0X6l2vcHrhfYC_gCLcB\/s1600\/Red%2Bberet%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-27-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/5664575226488491460\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/02\/5-goals-for-march.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5664575226488491460"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5664575226488491460"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/02\/5-goals-for-march.html","title":"5 goals for March"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-3recr6tUpBw\/WLYZGbSZYuI\/AAAAAAAAqps\/tED5SHmZRYolnb5_3XaPaPZTI7eKhNghQCLcB\/s72-c\/Red%2Bberet%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-35-4.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-6394525286258109422"},"published":{"$t":"2017-02-23T06:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-02-23T06:30:03.519-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"journal"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Reasons to get up in the morning"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-tFlgyy8zx6U\/WK0jr0TlEvI\/AAAAAAAAqbs\/njM2ZdiD7YERQV2gi-rqpxMBWn5N1NUXgCPcB\/s1600\/Brown%2BBow%252C%2BAsos%2Bshoes%252C%2BRed%2Bberet%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-257.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-BjaZfk6BHkY\/WK0nClML-EI\/AAAAAAAAqcQ\/Jap8y-EljFgG5yfB7H9txLgXk0xWRbHlgCLcB\/s1600\/Brown%2BBow%252C%2BAsos%2Bshoes%252C%2BRed%2Bberet%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-197-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-6ikBQ1jY2sc\/WK39dasNvII\/AAAAAAAAqhY\/UdGbsKSGo2sTSWuHiJJLr4J74j75gShSACPcB\/s1600\/Brown%2BBow%252C%2BAsos%2Bshoes%252C%2BRed%2Bberet%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-267.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;All I ever expected out of daybreak was a warm cup of coffee, real food to eat, some plants to water and a friend to talk to. I suppose, I have always found reasons to live for those quiet hours before I am tasked with the rest of a day. I don't even mind watching the snow fall across the peaks and valleys of a town or a life. When it is morning, the world appears sweet before me, like a honeybee has buzzed by and all I can do is be glad that I am alive to see it happen. It should be addressed though, I am not \u003Ci\u003Ereally\u003C\/i\u003E a morning person, as in I don't necessarily wait for mornings to come or head to bed at decent hours so I can watch the sun rise, but when I am there, by accident or purpose, it is a nice place to be.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n-- --\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nFebruary was cold, colder than how I remember last year's February, but I am still breathing, and I know there are worse things to wonder about than how dreary the sky's mood. I am here, in my bedroom, with the light of a candle casting shadows against the white paint of a wall and C is strumming a silver stringed guitar while I take turns between the space and delete key. I swear that is what being a writer is, from January to December, from June to May, a whole lot of words being erased only to reveal what you wanted to say all along. Sometimes, if the writer is lucky, what ends up being written is far more than what you wanted to say, as if the words are being written by somebody else and you just happen to be the one pushing a pen onto paper or letters to a keyboard. What comes to be in those sentences is similar to a shovel being used to dig yourself out of a hole, a welcome home, the same way a mother whispers in your ear even when she is not there, a way of being that is beyond the art of daily living.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhat some don't realize is that writers aren't always writing for the audience, for you, or for the applause. Same goes for humans of any kind. We live and we do these things because they give us a reason to survive winter - both winters so real you can watch your cheeks turn rosy and imagined winters where the frost is less of a product of seasonal change and more of a mood you can't seem to shake. These words, these songs, these paintings, these pots of tea, these \u003Ci\u003Ehowever\u003C\/i\u003E you choose to spend your days, they are lighthouses and maps to the wavering sea boats we're put in the day we are born. So, although February is cold and grim, there will always be reasons for us get up in the morning. One of them is for art, to make the world a less mean place. Another is for you, out of every time a terrible misfortune could have struck down and left your name in the evening news, you're still here.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-2gMEz6bx6C8\/WK38ydA2DhI\/AAAAAAAAqg0\/Rwf-_51aOEIptXcU1zEOFUHdy4x_FHY7QCLcB\/s1600\/Brown%2BBow%252C%2BAsos%2Bshoes%252C%2BRed%2Bberet%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-164-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-GSxEB7S94ZE\/WK39KPxRRII\/AAAAAAAAqhA\/1_diyO9i0B0VY_8xwLhym7tmTGE0GlOmgCLcB\/s1600\/Brown%2BBow%252C%2BAsos%2Bshoes%252C%2BRed%2Bberet%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-262.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-vCkx6WP04g4\/WK39RDE6OeI\/AAAAAAAAqhE\/tMIkNfFxUXExg81GSfCnDh-taoXuoRh_QCLcB\/s1600\/Brown%2BBow%252C%2BAsos%2Bshoes%252C%2BRed%2Bberet%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-271.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-di6LzoGyKEs\/WK34sz_bNSI\/AAAAAAAAqgU\/eQNVyMDPra8IJTv6vWjwqGll0Ey7IDKrgCLcB\/s1600\/Brown%2BBow%252C%2BAsos%2Bshoes%252C%2BRed%2Bberet%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-202.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-hLIVbd2Vc3Y\/WK5X7iVflRI\/AAAAAAAAqhs\/n6LiJQbB-VoVJ--m3wAmcredkP79Vj_yQCLcB\/s1600\/Brown%2BBow%252C%2BAsos%2Bshoes%252C%2BRed%2Bberet%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-231.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Snr8C024KCM\/WK5YkljoVqI\/AAAAAAAAqh0\/q6Zj7ltwDrYK87j_7uRN7bHuUygvZO8dACLcB\/s1600\/Brown%2BBow%252C%2BAsos%2Bshoes%252C%2BRed%2Bberet%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-259.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-k1BljdjMTnE\/WK3gdSpbPSI\/AAAAAAAAqe0\/PalXVoULXZUgpUKUiRygRoZ5K3QlhWqEgCLcB\/s1600\/Red%2Bberet%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-221.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nOutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E thrifted \u003C\/b\u003Eblouse \u0026amp; dress\u003Cb\u003E, journal \u0026amp; beret \u003C\/b\u003Egift\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/6394525286258109422\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/02\/reasons-to-get-up-in-morning.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6394525286258109422"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6394525286258109422"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/02\/reasons-to-get-up-in-morning.html","title":"Reasons to get up in the morning"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-tFlgyy8zx6U\/WK0jr0TlEvI\/AAAAAAAAqbs\/njM2ZdiD7YERQV2gi-rqpxMBWn5N1NUXgCPcB\/s72-c\/Brown%2BBow%252C%2BAsos%2Bshoes%252C%2BRed%2Bberet%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-257.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-114943982172381219"},"published":{"$t":"2017-02-15T12:03:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-02-15T12:03:09.556-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"braid"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"butterflies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"good looking objects"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hair"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"milkmaid braid"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"poetry"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"winter braids and boredom"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9hMk_OvQGHQ\/WKPk3T9jbKI\/AAAAAAAAqM8\/_quJVktx3kYmZgPJGs86tT2NnePz443VACLcB\/s1600\/butterflies%2Band%2Bgreen%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-110-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-zFDBTFoK2c8\/WKOk5bvZChI\/AAAAAAAAqLo\/XAijbKi6KRYpqCzn8tDVDoA2Bz6Le9G5wCPcB\/s1600\/butterflies%2Band%2Bgreen%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-238.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-C2CuU7Z9jHE\/WKOkYUq0oMI\/AAAAAAAAqLo\/czjdQc0Kx7YdHHMWKum2TZlrLw31fyofwCPcB\/s1600\/butterflies%2Band%2Bgreen%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-46.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI sit here with my continual longing for \nspringtime. At least, we have the Chinook arches that blow through the \ncity, allowing us to have a day or two of spring-like warmth. I know, I \nknow, I'm prone to crying out for the season where flowers grow. I mean,\n more than half of my blog posts talk about the weather, but it is more \nthan the weather which I call out for.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI want to feel that eternal hope, you know the one \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\n where daylight hours are long with so many wonderful things to do, like\n sitting underneath the sun and hearing pebbles be whisked away by the \ncreek bed or knowing that the skin of a banjo can be sweetly nourished \nwith bird chatter and dirt from the gardener's hands. I want to take my \nsocks off and feel the soft blades of grass spring about my feet. I \ndon't want to walk into the forest with fear that I may fall on patches \nof ice or hear the absolute silence that exists only when snow covers \nthe sound. I exist to be more than the lazy bones I wear during winter, I\n am so much more than who I have been lately. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EBefore\n anything else, I am human and although there is so much to see, to \nread, to know, and to do, boredom has been drifting in and out of the \nrooms I walk into as if there is a fly buzzing around my ears. I don't know if you\n get like this too, but I am looking for something I do not yet have. \nCould it be time spent away? A lifestyle change? Roots planted in \nsomething new? What could bring me to this place where boredom does not \nbegin? Sometimes, I wonder if winter always had a way of saying \u003Ci\u003Ethe \ntime is now\u003C\/i\u003E and yet, I have spent the whole of my life thinking it was \nspringtime and winter was just in the way of my growth \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— flowers, flowers, warm air, \nflowers, green grass leading home. I am so content when the garden is \ngrowing that I hardly notice how little I may do in the day and I cannot\n possibly come to think about boredom when the sun is shining and I'm \nwandering barefoot through the splendor. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EThe\n garden is a bright and bountiful thing, but if you cannot have a \nphysical emblem of happiness, you must learn to create it in your own \nhead. I have learned through the years to be really good at making my \nown happiness without any need for others or what the world expects from\n me, but as of this winter we're wading through, my skill in the art has\n diminished so greatly that I'm not sure what to do. Perhaps, for the \nfirst time, I have learned to be so busy with music that I have \nforgotten how to be when there are no gigs nearing. I lived a life \nbefore music, and yet a year has passed since I last spent a month \nwithout it, so I am rediscovering how I once felt when I was making \nlittle money and overthinking what to do with art and\u003Ci\u003E life\u003C\/i\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EIt is not yet spring \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\n the time where life seems to flutter like the wings of a butterfly and I\n am once again who I know myself to be, but a person does grow tired of \nwaiting, so let it be known, tomorrow is a new day and I am going to \npause my longing so I can relish in the strange discovery that is being with breath. After all, the banjo strings still ring and the heart still does beat like a tiny but tough drummer \u003Ci\u003Erented\u003C\/i\u003E a home within. The dust circles the windowpane as if to be a reminder of how these rooms will go on when I no longer gather my thoughts here, when I no longer have hands for the holding, or a tongue for the tasting of good things like toasted bread and honey.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EBoredom may furrow a mean brow towards me, but is it really boredom that chases me now?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q8UwzYjhyfk\/WKOkoZwv8SI\/AAAAAAAAqLo\/lMNnl-neENsNiebCQ6e7Hjv1JdOgjukGwCPcB\/s1600\/butterflies%2Band%2Bgreen%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-99.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-EGw48coJaCo\/WKOitmZp9EI\/AAAAAAAAqLs\/zwvagWMK79kkWLux_DpEfY4EDm2Zgi7fACPcB\/s1600\/butterflies%2Band%2Bgreen%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-107-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_I-Vm4lCCqI\/WKOjNYy6vOI\/AAAAAAAAqMA\/zpbsE1H_5CQw_NUreruE_RnyJmlNNHL9gCPcB\/s1600\/butterflies%2Band%2Bgreen%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-42.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-A-Z1Gg3ZT3s\/WKOh2X4u-5I\/AAAAAAAAqMA\/sTzx-ZVPazMGDNZYEa9Af7yQ7N-YJH-kQCPcB\/s1600\/butterflies%2Band%2Bgreen%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-48.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-X-P4SgOTTVU\/WKOjC5-F9cI\/AAAAAAAAqMA\/ovwonp3VuM098XONA-RRtKrL71drrnolwCPcB\/s1600\/butterflies%2Band%2Bgreen%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KfnZdV5MFBM\/WKPmc_yElLI\/AAAAAAAAqNQ\/ZLfXdyBeEzUrCm8bqehmIrW9uIrMurhugCLcB\/s1600\/butterflies%2Band%2Bgreen%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-198.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-RWyBJpq7eLc\/WKPmkAN3R3I\/AAAAAAAAqNU\/K1WY19gHo_kdcfblAL5bMF2UPEWq5FQqgCLcB\/s1600\/butterflies%2Band%2Bgreen%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-235-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/goodlookingobjects.com\/shop\/large-oak-leaf-earrings\"\u003EGood Looking Objects\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eearrings,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.winners.ca\/\"\u003Ewinners\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eblouse,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.asos.com\/women\/\"\u003Easos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Ebutterfly necktie,\u003Cb\u003E Montana tack shop \u003C\/b\u003Eboots,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.oasap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eoasap\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eskirt\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/114943982172381219\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/02\/winter-braids-and-boredom.html#comment-form","title":"23 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/114943982172381219"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/114943982172381219"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/02\/winter-braids-and-boredom.html","title":"winter braids and boredom"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9hMk_OvQGHQ\/WKPk3T9jbKI\/AAAAAAAAqM8\/_quJVktx3kYmZgPJGs86tT2NnePz443VACLcB\/s72-c\/butterflies%2Band%2Bgreen%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-110-2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"23"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-541353035471991911"},"published":{"$t":"2017-02-09T06:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-02-09T06:30:10.002-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dried flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"pressed flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"tea"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"the watered leaf"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"this feeling calls for tea"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-I5PEp6kH66w\/WJqT1Eg4nsI\/AAAAAAAAp9A\/hojAMhgP9V4nJPm5VswTuKIAHJGjfhQNgCLcB\/s1600\/watered%2Bleaf-71.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hyxl2Xei9Cw\/WJqiH1MaK_I\/AAAAAAAAp-U\/xzZAlJXHwAktuxcFBFpZ_f1_NY82daFcACLcB\/s1600\/watered%2Bleaf-146.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe February air has been unkind in ways those who sit in longing during winter only know \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— I look outside and on every street, there are piles of snow shooting towards the sky and back again. I can't see the stars at night because they hide behind clouds and I can't feel the sun during the day because winter has settled in. Year after year, I live through these times and yet I have never been known to welcome them or expect their length of stay. What can one do when hibernation is not an option and we must go on living? I say, drink more tea.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E_ \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI was going to put on the warmest socks made of wool that I own and run into the woods for photographs, but as soon as I left the front door and began my walk through that brisk and stormy February, I could feel my cheeks saying no to the chill and I knew it'd be better to stay home. So, in lieu of regular woods wandering, I wanted to share what I got up to instead. These teas are from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thewateredleaf.ca\/\"\u003EThe Watered Leaf\u003C\/a\u003E by route of Edmonton, only three hours away from my doorstep, and each sip has its own way of saying \"You will survive this.\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI don't know what it is about tea, but hearing our kettle coo and then feeling my hands go warm as I grasp for a cup of flowers makes winter feel far away, even if it is only until the pot is empty. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI grew up drinking those simple bags of store bought \ntea, but once you have tasted tea made with care, dipped with petals \nand plants, winter wears an armor of its own.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI wonder how many more kettle coos until I reach that garden..\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-l76fJSwOc2A\/WJqT2SpxJUI\/AAAAAAAAp9E\/HqcgiBWr1nwt7inXtr1wXOW_6e2WP-62gCLcB\/s1600\/watered%2Bleaf-95.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-QZKHQWnrLz4\/WJqTmJr8UyI\/AAAAAAAAp88\/yDWPPbgUzvAHfzOKtO-XZ1v-BAsETjYewCLcB\/s1600\/watered%2Bleaf-142.jpg\" \/\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MzYWH5mBO0A\/WJqYixwh1qI\/AAAAAAAAp9c\/yfygUAhl2vYB0rHa1xS7riYfm6jDnMTeQCLcB\/s1600\/watered%2Bleaf-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9Chl-wVGsPA\/WJqY2l1qLVI\/AAAAAAAAp9g\/bFud5k6X98cYUzG4Ar8KRqGMnPIL2UGFwCLcB\/s1600\/watered%2Bleaf-18.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-batNuS5J_ug\/WJqY-SH3mDI\/AAAAAAAAp9k\/39Z2wicrYiIfTHyVBQOY6uxeYZYBG8SbQCLcB\/s1600\/watered%2Bleaf-31.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-An-_UVGsCGA\/WJqaNEEAFrI\/AAAAAAAAp90\/EpdPnfW-w-oluUBM_YtSI5iX3HuQT-LIgCLcB\/s1600\/watered%2Bleaf-41.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-vXSFoPWWiZA\/WJvsAMy7mHI\/AAAAAAAAp_Y\/7xF57j3-qswF1JpCIyWnInzmdllQL2y5ACEw\/s1600\/watered%2Bleaf-6.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yWBm1y8n3gs\/WJqZ2IKCSHI\/AAAAAAAAp98\/nrW6XxkzZGYXa4t_DbUM3pycfZ306jopgCEw\/s1600\/watered%2Bleaf-48.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003ETeas from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thewateredleaf.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe watered leaf\u003C\/a\u003E, pressed flowers from last summer's garden\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/541353035471991911\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/02\/this-feeling-calls-for-tea.html#comment-form","title":"45 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/541353035471991911"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/541353035471991911"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/02\/this-feeling-calls-for-tea.html","title":"this feeling calls for tea"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-I5PEp6kH66w\/WJqT1Eg4nsI\/AAAAAAAAp9A\/hojAMhgP9V4nJPm5VswTuKIAHJGjfhQNgCLcB\/s72-c\/watered%2Bleaf-71.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"45"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-2376530406837156973"},"published":{"$t":"2017-02-01T07:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-02-01T07:30:05.314-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"mental health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"February 1st: how are you?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-drfs5ZR8Gmw\/WJDio8S2ExI\/AAAAAAAApo0\/vmWBLedu5G0vYgAw5weTSVC8wDAj9Ok3gCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BJanuary%2B30th%2B-288.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-mXVWkFXxOzs\/WJDiwAC8tvI\/AAAAAAAApo4\/NtfQqsplqgcbeyLYC-zrx4zJJRJSuXwtACLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BJanuary%2B30th%2B-276.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-3_kB5MLZzBc\/WJDkG8WWB9I\/AAAAAAAAppE\/lHORX5DY0OE1YGIsgPa8luldZiwtu-wcQCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BJanuary%2B30th%2B-265.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nToday, I was asking myself if I should even write or post photographs here, not when those mountain pines are calling me and the world writes a story of seriousness and sorrow. I thought of taking a break, the same kind of break that one might request when they rent a log cabin or walk into the woods, they don't necessarily go there to hear the owl howl or watch the fallen tree branches crackle underneath their feet, it is more a matter of getting away from the world. I know it is in me to stay here, but it is also in me to run far away - How many times have I said this. Perhaps, too many. Perhaps, this is the language of my privilege -\u003Ci\u003E the\u003C\/i\u003E ability to choose.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI have written and rewritten this five times already and none of the words come out as I want them to. Each time I end a sentence, I erase it with a frowning brow and each time I begin one, I tell myself, it is the last time or else I'm going to stop trying and hide underneath the bed sheets. I never realized how hard it would be to write today. I always thought writing during times of trouble would flow like music to the ears of a person who has been sobbing. Instead, I sit here, aimless. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI am standing on the arm of a question and I don't know if I'm going to find the answer or not.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe truth is, I believe, even when there is sorrow as there is now, even when there are decisions being made by strangers that put splinters in our hearts, we shouldn't stop pursuing what makes us happy and even more important to humanity as a whole, we shouldn't stop making art. Fighting for freedom and taking a moment to appreciate a leaf moving through the quiet street are not mutually exclusive. Caring for the well being of another and taking time out of your day to write a poem does not make you care less. Art can ease the suffering, but it does not entirely remove us from it. How are we to go on if we don't put food in our bellies? How are we to survive if we don't have the encouragement to do so? Art helps me to get out of bed so I can do what is right and what is right is to lessen the suffering of others or at least try. Sometimes, that means showing my teeth or singing songs that come from the gut or simply providing a moment of escapism for those who are in this fight too. It also means \u003Ci\u003Elistening, really listening.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWe are not wrong for continuing to read blogs that talk about flowery things like dresses, we are not wrong for logging off, we are not wrong for donating to the cause, we are not wrong for writing about it, we are not wrong for feeling, we are not wrong for howling, we are not wrong for protecting our mental health by getting rest, we are not wrong for fighting in regards to human rights, we are not wrong for planning the garden, we are only wrong if we rise in the morning with the desire to ensure others live only how \u003Ci\u003Ewe\u003C\/i\u003E live, think only how \u003Ci\u003Ewe\u003C\/i\u003E think or look only how \u003Ci\u003Ewe \u003C\/i\u003Elook. If it is in our desire to make sure other beings are hurting, then the time is \u003Ci\u003Enow\u003C\/i\u003E to seek professional mental help.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nAt first, I believed it would be better to hide than to write or share. After all, who am I but a Canadian woman? What could I contribute? I feel though as of now, it is in my privilege as a writer of a blog which is read by people from countries different than my own that I should say to you how I am thinking of you and my home will always be your home too.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EWhat are your thoughts? How are you feeling? Where are you from? What can we do to help?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003ELeave your response in the comments and I'll make sure to respond to you.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-_0inmul4gVc\/WJAj4ifF2rI\/AAAAAAAApog\/cnHqKns_d_sJlXzYn4hffjWjnmdv5-w5QCEw\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BJanuary%2B30th%2B-333.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-82v8BZOZVpE\/WJDpfh8iaqI\/AAAAAAAApp0\/OXks9LnLB0gRZ44VVC6BIVpeAyWssFPKgCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BJanuary%2B30th%2B-292.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AWHyZgfgL1k\/WJEm9FQ4XvI\/AAAAAAAAprI\/x2BVte3yVOUNPhnggRxEruJomfrUgruLACLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BJanuary%2B30th%2B-284.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9z8t5Wue2hM\/WJDptHxm1jI\/AAAAAAAApp4\/3CyGEjBZyzQH_T8yInIczKwUsVxcw2fVgCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BJanuary%2B30th%2B-320.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jU4ZXxB0gQg\/WJDpyXZOkgI\/AAAAAAAApqA\/ovGY5_QbpZgKa5BcY4tydHbwRRkg_ZpMACLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BJanuary%2B30th%2B-309.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-EDfrsXbvAaQ\/WJDo2REM7HI\/AAAAAAAAppo\/uojDTIYVNywVLtrvDH0bLCzTeeOsWErQgCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BJanuary%2B30th%2B-238.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lhvPUTRM2C0\/WJDqexPeDQI\/AAAAAAAApqQ\/3L_ODg9BKMEKvzHsEhxEXvnIwMr7qoZ1QCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BJanuary%2B30th%2B-255.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/2376530406837156973\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/02\/february-1st-how-are-you.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2376530406837156973"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2376530406837156973"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/02\/february-1st-how-are-you.html","title":"February 1st: how are you?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-drfs5ZR8Gmw\/WJDio8S2ExI\/AAAAAAAApo0\/vmWBLedu5G0vYgAw5weTSVC8wDAj9Ok3gCLcB\/s72-c\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BJanuary%2B30th%2B-288.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-4454373848619357537"},"published":{"$t":"2017-01-25T12:18:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-01-25T12:45:18.208-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"poetry"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"a letter to you from me"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ikwjDuhu6wg\/WIflbRL7AMI\/AAAAAAAApY0\/Zi51pSiPgsw_iDi5T-k9fEjQnYN5FpxdgCEw\/s1600\/FROST%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-12.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-r2hPZoKRcpo\/WIfndcbnpvI\/AAAAAAAApY8\/l2LkffJutLEKxYjqzo2pqvh48xCX_bwDgCLcB\/s1600\/FROST%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-203.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-oQs3b5-TRag\/WIfmhEdon2I\/AAAAAAAApY4\/DPabsX_16MYnj7apNOAmtE1ee6EPMlTZACLcB\/s1600\/FROST%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-62.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI followed you down to the snow covered hillside and we came here as a peace offering to the caverns in our heart that desperately needed to be filled with softness. I knew you were feeling the same way as I \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003Ewas — when the world doesn't feel like your world. Instead, it feels like a mirror in which you don't even recognize your own reflection. A month ago, you were decorating a tree and drinking hot cider, but now, January says something unaware like playing a card game and life is always throwing you a new deck. We wanted to be reminded that although we skate across the January pavement with shaky shivering palms, this is still \u003Ci\u003Eour\u003C\/i\u003E world and springtime will be made all the more sweet because we've known and sang so loudly to the blues of winters beast.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EMy voice spoke to you with no uncertainty as I told you to listen to the birds who seemed to not notice we weren't birds too. In fact, we were so human in that moment and it is also what lead us to each other and onto this hillside. Being human after all means exactly this; to weep, to wonder, to ricochet between needing this world and wanting to run away from it. I told you that I loved you and like every other time I said it, I meant every word. All the stutters, all the ache, all the togetherness and separation that comes with saying it. Some people don't mean it like I do. They say it to you because you are so worthy of love, but they don't see the compass that turns my eyes towards you when somebody asks where is my home. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI know there is a dying light every time I part from you, and every time we part from places like the hillside. I know when you are distant from me, it is only because you have been losing sleep or because you are longing to watch the hollyhocks grow. I know winter brings with it a caravan of sleepiness and sometimes, your hands cannot mend what is expressed in your heart. More than this, I am utterly incomplete without you.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EYou are my bones, my belly, my mind, my feet and all of those feelings which exist in separate and strange parts. There is only one you. You are me. I am you. There is no ordinary in your vocabulary and that is why the blues bite you like you're a trout swimming through cold water. You notice things, little things where other people move on from. Sometimes, I wish I could detach from you momentarily just so I could break from thinking \u003Ci\u003Ethis \u003C\/i\u003Emuch or thinking at all, but then I wouldn't be me anymore. I could survive winter, but I couldn't survive without my head.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EWhen I rise from the bed where we both sleep, you will \nopen the shutters to see that winter is still here. You will tell me, I \nwill cry for a moment, but then I will make a recipe that calls for cold\n hands, something to warm us, something to say that the winter still has\n a heart for the living.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-RuDkHM_yyCE\/WIfoabTn40I\/AAAAAAAApZQ\/TwlaZogDj9MdaK19NRP7sYRehM9-vd5FQCLcB\/s1600\/FROST%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-129.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-pEecg1x6Cio\/WIfo358yL-I\/AAAAAAAApZU\/a-BCPeRo5tAyL-RqQeAR7_lXCAIR4f9IgCLcB\/s1600\/FROST%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-214.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-tIwHW6E8AmY\/WIfpBQ-8SEI\/AAAAAAAApZY\/ZniuCiBIqnQ2-Pkm46JnqEkEnQM2VlnMQCLcB\/s1600\/FROST%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-241.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-uiIdi92Mnrg\/WIfq47tTJVI\/AAAAAAAApZ8\/k5yn6lOxCoUcInfSXdL7IhFthIbll-eyACLcB\/s1600\/FROST%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-42.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-YTnR-oQtH4A\/WIfp9hQ61oI\/AAAAAAAApZo\/kl1vYrt0FvUJe47Q03kSwdV8ILJpgJJ_gCLcB\/s1600\/FROST%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-71.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Echicwish\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Edress,\u003Cb\u003E thriftstore \u003C\/b\u003Eshawl, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/winners.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ewinners\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E tights,\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/freepeople.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E free people\u003C\/b\u003E \u003C\/a\u003Eboots\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/4454373848619357537\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/01\/a-letter-to-you-from-me.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4454373848619357537"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4454373848619357537"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/01\/a-letter-to-you-from-me.html","title":"a letter to you from me"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ikwjDuhu6wg\/WIflbRL7AMI\/AAAAAAAApY0\/Zi51pSiPgsw_iDi5T-k9fEjQnYN5FpxdgCEw\/s72-c\/FROST%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-12.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-2999303580244796538"},"published":{"$t":"2017-01-18T13:52:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-01-18T14:57:30.847-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicwish"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"griffith woods"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"socks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"going to and from a train"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jIsL891P-8Q\/WH7joSReRgI\/AAAAAAAApL4\/Y8Yo2a6rVA0EjrgnZeaVwNea0Sh2vYaAwCLcB\/s1600\/FLYINGAKITE%2BSQUIRREL-280.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-w6hDXBVgtU8\/WH7mIvaNo_I\/AAAAAAAApMU\/WVnNWuvvgEsFjaXP_sCWk0iT0_LcrIgcgCLcB\/s1600\/FLYINGAKITE%2BSQUIRREL-87.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-t7lA0fF52Gs\/WH7mTGHAQXI\/AAAAAAAApMc\/co0c3kBgUUQWuuf3o5mqVaAlOZ5AiKOQACLcB\/s1600\/FLYINGAKITE%2BSQUIRREL-289.jpg\" \/\u003E Sometimes, my face aligns with the faces of those who take the train into downtown. I stay seated as the tracks whistle and roar, everybody wrestling to their destination, me not wanting to be on the train but knowing I have some part in the hustle. I watch people travel along with the hurry of ten sled dogs. I don't know why they are compelled to live a life where breath is just an automated response and the rest of the day turns into the rest of our lives and soon, we become strangers crossing the street from one another. I do not want to ever - not for a moment - turn the light in the attic that is my brain \u003Ci\u003Eoff\u003C\/i\u003E or \u003Ci\u003Enumbed\u003C\/i\u003E. I exist, but that is not enough. I breathe without trying, but that is not enough.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nTo live in the city means to forget what the sea whispers or the mountains confess. Sometimes, it is the difference between the horse running through the grass covered plains and the horse being a contestant in a rodeo. We shouldn't, but we do it often. Forgetfulness reels rampant when we're chasing something we do not yet have. We need friends, but we don't need to count them on our fingers. We need money, but we don't need so much that we don't know what to do with it. We need love, but we don't need to stay in relationships that slowly leave our hearts rotten like teeth without a tooth brush just because we're afraid of being alone. We may not always know what it is that marks the difference between just living and being truly alive, but somebody along the way must have said\u003Ci\u003E to find what you're looking for, you need to run. run to the train station, run to your place of work, run to your computer, run to your esteem, run away from, run to, always be running. \u003C\/i\u003EThis call for running can be so loud in the ears of those who hear it, but I do not want to rise early only to lace up running shoes every day for the rest of my life. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhy must we run, when there are so many little beams of sunlight and \u003Ci\u003Ewhat could be \u003C\/i\u003Eis making friends with the dust bunnies while we're moving too fast to pay any mind. \u003Ci\u003EGo to school, find a job, get a husband, have a baby, retire, die, leave a legacy.\u003C\/i\u003E Have you ever looked out the window and noticed something for the first time? Although, you have traveled to and from that street every day for the last seven years, do you remember a day where you noticed a sign post or a bramble or a house for the first time, even though it has been there all along. We are so busy - we don't remember what it was like to crane our necks and count the stars at night, even when we do, we're told to wish on shooting stars because they travel so fast, too fast for thoughts of our truest wishes to begin taking shape in our heads. We always want something else. When it is midwinter, we want the mist to turn into tall grass. When it is autumn, we want the fallen maple leaf to be a tulip bulb. I don't mind dreaming, it is the only place I visit where I am always myself. There, in these dreams, I do not have to try, but I would like to see what is in front of me too, otherwise I am bound to a life of sleeping.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI do not want to look at life as if it is a stop watch, losing time between each breath and exhale, but I would like to stop running and to do so, sometimes, I'll need to be pinched in order to really feel something besides simply being a human going to and from a train. This is why the woods matter. Without even trying, they tell me what I needed to hear\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eas if I couldn't hear it when I was in the city.\u003Ci\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003EThis is not a race. This is a life.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nJanuary\u003Ci\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E you are not yet over. Life, you have not yet left. Rise and put the coffee-maker on, this feeling calls for a cup of \u003Ci\u003Etake your time \u003C\/i\u003Eand a brain that says \u003Ci\u003Ethere is nothing else you need to do today.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-EW6SOfPjNwE\/WH7kBoglRbI\/AAAAAAAApME\/e0EYHCpL0Aofl3joJJhy5xomPbc0TyN8wCPcB\/s1600\/FLYINGAKITE%2BSQUIRREL-58.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-AN1WqkNFp7s\/WH7niqL3yrI\/AAAAAAAApM0\/16lKBsdwqPkqE8jJuf6ldfPkTVSg0TIgACLcB\/s1600\/FLYINGAKITE%2BSQUIRREL-265.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-W7k_0sdyEe8\/WH-osSWeFBI\/AAAAAAAApOI\/C6tMwgZUJGkJUW5QeZg9ouNfafFgoVl1QCLcB\/s1600\/FLYINGAKITE%2BSQUIRREL-62.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hXXEHLtaOf0\/WH-pskHxbQI\/AAAAAAAApOQ\/roXQ1OWOMzA47yRcQMkk-ou_d3tpI1u2ACLcB\/s1600\/FLYINGAKITE%2BSQUIRREL-241.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-2yUmM-4hbDg\/WH_WurU0IzI\/AAAAAAAApOo\/X0T5Yh-oUV8n0pS-NrA-m-EttbyoXdsygCLcB\/s1600\/Squirrel%2Bteacups-221.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-MqT_NSzkUTw\/WH-kiHDMNQI\/AAAAAAAApNk\/T4nOcApjyQYLORlkE01S06YeJL9qr5HqQCLcB\/s1600\/FLYINGAKITE%2BSQUIRREL-174.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Echicwish\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E \u003C\/a\u003Eskirt \u0026amp; blouse,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.freepeople.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efree people\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Esocks, \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/crownandglory.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecrown and glory\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Efloral headband, \u003Cb\u003Egift \u003C\/b\u003Enecklace\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/2999303580244796538\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/01\/going-to-and-from-train.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2999303580244796538"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2999303580244796538"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/01\/going-to-and-from-train.html","title":"going to and from a train"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jIsL891P-8Q\/WH7joSReRgI\/AAAAAAAApL4\/Y8Yo2a6rVA0EjrgnZeaVwNea0Sh2vYaAwCLcB\/s72-c\/FLYINGAKITE%2BSQUIRREL-280.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-6464388920238441063"},"published":{"$t":"2017-01-12T11:14:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-01-12T11:16:03.614-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"bow"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"garden"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"goals"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hair"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"5 goals for January"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-zaJdgSpzoFU\/WHai07hlOVI\/AAAAAAAApFQ\/ntaGP-2yhLgcnLyyr-Nd90gVpYAD7_aIQCLcB\/s1600\/2017-01-11%2B12.25.49%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;The windowsill in my kitchen is covered in tiny icicles that look like broken glass. It is cold, so cold, and the only way to warm the bones is to draw long baths and boil water on the stove top. I am hesitant to wander outside, not even the woods could call me now, not when the winter hours glare so obviously at the hands of those who walk within it. I want to tell the bouquet of snapdragons to grow wise and tall, like they did at summer's calling, but I know they cannot. If I run outside to take photographs, to walk dogs, or to go somewhere that requires leaving, I am caught by a coughing fit and the insatiable desire to return home, where we can gather by the fireplace and forget what misery winter can bring. They say it will be warming up soon, and when that happens, I'll return with photographs and hopefully happier sentiments (!)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003ELittle goals for January\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI have decided every month to set five little \u003Ci\u003E(or big)\u003C\/i\u003E goals for myself. I don't necessarily care if I fail them or not and I do believe we place too much emphasis on getting things done or comparing our lives to others. I just want to do this as a way of keeping track so when those quiet and lonely hours of self defeat creep into my cupboards, I can see what I have accomplished or what I have yet to do. Feel free to join me in the comments or leave a link to your own post!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Col style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDecide which songs I want on my album and which songs I should finish writing.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EHunker down and actually finish learning a new banjo song. Instead of starting, learning halfway, and then moving onto something else.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETake more photographs of the people I love. Including the pups.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFinish reading at least one unfinished book from the shelf. I still haven't fully read a Haruki Murakami book given to me for my birthday \u003Ci\u003Eone\u003C\/i\u003E year ago. I think I should start with that one.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBecome a better indoor plant mum. It seems like every indoor plant I have dies or is dying. You can find crumbles of leaves all over the floor in my room.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nOkay January, be kind to us.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ol\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-UmeZujm57BE\/WHfCP_8CN-I\/AAAAAAAApHE\/WC4strgAcAYKsQfWzz0yvWBbapOml_89wCLcB\/s1600\/2017-01-11%2B04.45.54%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-5FSkDYtqvG4\/WHfFr3Re0ZI\/AAAAAAAApHQ\/GIjsnhSEU_IsGdgf52yki_rOmKeLty1EACLcB\/s1600\/2017-01-11%2B04.53.01%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-U6IM09YA0BE\/WHfFx1ltA_I\/AAAAAAAApHU\/jkOguhcYVdcn-LI3EmydkN167r2q2W-RQCLcB\/s1600\/2017-01-11%2B04.53.23%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/6464388920238441063\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/01\/5-goals-for-january.html#comment-form","title":"38 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6464388920238441063"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6464388920238441063"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2017\/01\/5-goals-for-january.html","title":"5 goals for January"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-zaJdgSpzoFU\/WHai07hlOVI\/AAAAAAAApFQ\/ntaGP-2yhLgcnLyyr-Nd90gVpYAD7_aIQCLcB\/s72-c\/2017-01-11%2B12.25.49%2B1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"38"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1793042516982205403"},"published":{"$t":"2016-12-30T13:17:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-01-01T16:19:59.776-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"year end"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"farewell 2016"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-szwQbv8TI1w\/WGWLCC1XcSI\/AAAAAAAAojI\/-x_CJxnQaNUGRemWyFo4hzdpNgwHY4vxwCLcB\/s1600\/End%2Bof%2BDecembers-65-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Nou1rqAiE7E\/WGWLQJ0oQiI\/AAAAAAAAojM\/RyQL0d8tpZYUicDrskdQJQ055Y68HXrIACLcB\/s1600\/End%2Bof%2BDecembers-80.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-23EyL2AihO0\/WGWLffLR5DI\/AAAAAAAAojQ\/avBmd-UHEgojV9DoAkGSThlZZwu6Ta0UACLcB\/s1600\/End%2Bof%2BDecembers-111.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EToday, I rose out of bed with a sore throat. If I don't feel better tomorrow, then I may very well wander into the year of 2017 without a grin or desire to do anything but sleep. It wouldn't be the first time I fell ill while everybody else was planning to celebrate. I imagine it won't be the last, but this is life and once you're sick, there is no poem you could write, no medicine you could take and no song you could sing that would reverse time and return you to your former\u003Ci\u003E 'not' \u003C\/i\u003Esick self. All I can do is be here now and let the ticking of clocks go on until life returns to me.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n----\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n2016 \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E many saw you like a boat without sails or a summer without swimming. You could be unforgiving and cruel. People died while you sat you there, like numbers do, taunting us to count on you even when we couldn't. Sometimes, you were so cold, even in the midst of a summer, all we could see was our breath from your frost. You brought hail to the garden and some of the snapdragons were carried away by your storms. You made friends out of strangers, and strangers out of friends, but you aren't the only year to do such a thing.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nYou were also gentle at times, like a mother whose love is undying yet imperfect. You brought me to stages where I got to sing. You showed me meaning by being the year where I stepped out from the sunken valley that is \u003Ci\u003Ewhere am I going\u003C\/i\u003E and onto the mountain that is \u003Ci\u003Ehere\u003C\/i\u003E. I was shy before I met you. I was afraid to ask, but you were the year that showed me how the world can unfurl its brow if only you'd let it. I became something - better - braver - even when others were cursing you for your darkness, you were planting light houses and drawing up maps for me.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n2016, I saw you as one who sees through a window with snow on the other side. Equal parts anxiety and happiness made up your hours. I don't think I have ever had a year of this much change since I was fifteen years old and moving to Calgary after living an entire life in a northern town that had as much purpose as a dead rosebush. I claimed that year as the year where I found myself - I was no longer bridled by expectation or what others saw me as. I was free in a way, and today, I feel free in a way too, but do I ever want to scream out for those who don't get to feel this way beside me.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nSomebody is always fleeing  \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— always blaming the year that was for their misfortunes. Believe me when I say, I understand. Some years can be wolves teeth, sharp and relentless, but some years can be sheep's wool, soft like a couch after many long hours of work. I want the year 2017 to be more like a sheep, less like a wolf, and if it is to be a wolf, let it be the spirit of one and not the sharp teeth. I am slightly anxious when imagining what 2017 could bring, but if it brings me anything, let it be the ability to go places as I do now with breath in my lungs and fervor in my heart.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EFarewell, 2016.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EAfter all, you are just a human's way of making sense of time and it is up to us if we truly want our January to be different than our December.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-vVOGl_ufhWg\/WGWurOU7PoI\/AAAAAAAAokk\/rU3K3cuJR0sVL-u1XxNlGu2KtUnDXyUggCLcB\/s1600\/End%2Bof%2BDecembers-57.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-kjwzwg5eqQs\/WGWO0x5HBdI\/AAAAAAAAojo\/5QIIuqnZyoQXjF43UhgoO25aVbTLzfA7ACLcB\/s1600\/End%2Bof%2BDecembers-195.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-uC51_Ltjx30\/WGWPXbrGD_I\/AAAAAAAAojw\/Lx4RngFr8H0xUU9JD--nWuw-eKjzb6mdwCLcB\/s1600\/End%2Bof%2BDecembers-120.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-RNgRD-AT0fI\/WGWO9DQjmOI\/AAAAAAAAojs\/8ekwEPXj6eATncC3v81--UMxkuSycphqQCLcB\/s1600\/End%2Bof%2BDecembers-182.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qBXX9th1Qk0\/WGavCgooodI\/AAAAAAAAok4\/srUpuKr1XqAE5ZXW_EEKlm9HZ7Cl356TACLcB\/s1600\/End%2Bof%2BDecembers-58.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-cOg0dNOLMUI\/WGWpsGRaW3I\/AAAAAAAAokM\/NN3Qog4F9u41VPwf3T8zN7US2T7LTsPcACLcB\/s1600\/End%2Bof%2BDecembers-108.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.freepeople.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efree people \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003Eboots \u0026amp; sweater, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Echicwish\u003C\/b\u003E \u003C\/a\u003Eskirt\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1793042516982205403\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/12\/farewell-2016.html#comment-form","title":"30 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1793042516982205403"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1793042516982205403"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/12\/farewell-2016.html","title":"farewell 2016"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-szwQbv8TI1w\/WGWLCC1XcSI\/AAAAAAAAojI\/-x_CJxnQaNUGRemWyFo4hzdpNgwHY4vxwCLcB\/s72-c\/End%2Bof%2BDecembers-65-2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"30"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-5017162763248724726"},"published":{"$t":"2016-12-20T16:01:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-01-01T16:20:11.127-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"my life in photographs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"year end"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"a year of outfits"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-tRKq7lqYPFU\/WFiEogOCpBI\/AAAAAAAAoR8\/Agt7p7KzK_8cqXoncJjqc-GntDQXWBKEACPcB\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252826%2Bof%2B33%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-i7ROdPYCEuE\/WFiFXf_rxvI\/AAAAAAAAoSM\/8FR9YsNyvpoeAPu3t5MWLsvDHbxiB6nvwCPcB\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-28.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/01\/love-is-as-big-as-mountain.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/01\/love-is-as-big-as-mountain.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELove is as big as a mountain\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;[A post featuring my favorite outfits from 2016. Click title to be taken to the original blog post.]\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EWhich one is your favorite? \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-sKviF2mlV5w\/WFiDQg5VKKI\/AAAAAAAAoRo\/RGbif2iFc3Ex2YlYzOiEvex4si_2ASbNACLcB\/s1600\/Headphones%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-56.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-VPltK2EZV2g\/WFiCvmSxR_I\/AAAAAAAAoRk\/g2-TONGptV8lKAVQT0IsPc6lbRXQGWRDQCLcB\/s1600\/Headphones%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/03\/keep-on-singing.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;Keep on singing\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-tm90htm8lc0\/WFiBgmxFqTI\/AAAAAAAAoRc\/qTpst8aW2_cL9Ji6KXvsKTresAxfmIkagCPcB\/s1600\/A%2BLeap%2BYear%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-4.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/03\/this-kind-of-adventure.html#more\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThis kind of adventure\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pvc6hPR9bRo\/WFiGYQ3OOYI\/AAAAAAAAoSE\/xh-QR3vtZgo-TpDIOr249ryRoNRuFySgQCLcB\/s1600\/white%2Bdress%2Bamyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-27.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pyAFwCpjne8\/WFiGeFV_EbI\/AAAAAAAAoSI\/CQMI0H42hygBiQ29xMHA7hQzDB7KTrYtgCLcB\/s1600\/white%2Bdress%2Bamyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-17.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/01\/january-31st.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJanuary 31st\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qakofNiuoEk\/WFiG_2oSm6I\/AAAAAAAAoSQ\/lslviyShJzc1a2QTwgeKzyNKsXtItwpjgCLcB\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2Btulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-UyoyUcqnduw\/WFiHRGVDMSI\/AAAAAAAAoSY\/Et4J5OnzhUgdCehkDHOu2KQmcVvMgQxVQCLcB\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2Btulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-45.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/02\/the-meaning-of-life.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe meaning of life\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HMrm5sXPuXY\/WFiH5nfMD3I\/AAAAAAAAoSk\/e_sZv-K_8KgBRH84juP_WU4yjXa9o_y1gCLcB\/s1600\/valentine%2Bfirst%2Bedit%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-129.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-DevdXEOEti4\/WFiIYqSdesI\/AAAAAAAAoSo\/3D4tsqIwZzgFFrH0LlL1LvIAZE82ZcVVwCLcB\/s1600\/valentine%2Bfirst%2Bedit%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-42.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/02\/365-love-songs.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E365 Love Songs\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-kWSfeiXCrys\/WFiI8TTMyfI\/AAAAAAAAoSw\/GD4-AMx0qHILz0_7iXo3VzTcXH8Kr3BEQCLcB\/s1600\/Sanuk%2BBoot%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-jH0LbwES3H0\/WFiJFMvbGnI\/AAAAAAAAoS4\/Dg2BNd5Rdds2RBxvO9GWmp_-lASoR-dwQCLcB\/s1600\/Sanuk%2BBoot%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-117.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/02\/thoughts-from-above.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThoughts from Above\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-6FNn1PZs3cw\/WFiJmHLp4CI\/AAAAAAAAoS8\/kh6wK8YEnH8IOGRi9u34vrQ8ZSzi1PQ0ACLcB\/s1600\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-THgIkmVzQYU\/WFiJx0EzxFI\/AAAAAAAAoTE\/LvftY6qzta8yukw879xHHEVLAtt5N5amwCLcB\/s1600\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-59.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/04\/banff-alberta-canada.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBanff, Alberta, Canada\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-8jHDzQvKd9E\/WFiMoqc2mLI\/AAAAAAAAoTg\/9ipERnqIJ3A6zUOc2vGtsAlHd1z-jVa1gCLcB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-130.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nw40LQdCI5E\/WFiMNlxHstI\/AAAAAAAAoTY\/dOfNULOLA-8_Yj6pnn0wZqRK66FiJsjzACLcB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-117.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/04\/it-is-springtime-hallelujah.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EIt is springtime, hallelujah\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-v0iD03Ya3hs\/WFiNDPNKSlI\/AAAAAAAAoTo\/4lJDN12LiHU7S6ZjSdAQn8CnVVze4DPogCLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BSunnyside%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-55.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q7ajld5ZySc\/WFiNLR1mNXI\/AAAAAAAAoTw\/JeSzs7Qrme0Hc9DsaFbixHqMgsob7AspgCLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BSunnyside%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-75.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/05\/sowing-in-garden.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;Sowing in the Garden\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-XlJGeTyIuDY\/WFiOrZryX2I\/AAAAAAAAoT8\/MT3kcMakfLkzX8wenPlXXWfC-_7vBhNCQCLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25283%2Bof%2B6%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-tUHRmEmht9c\/WFiOu6VcnYI\/AAAAAAAAoUA\/60LsCDeev8wRGsXrAqt5Y7A9G5uqVasGwCLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-118.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/05\/the-blooming-countryside.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe blooming countryside\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hFb1lg-eU-o\/WFiPGrnLb9I\/AAAAAAAAoUE\/6_XykuB1ROozrtDcRtG-hEy_78gYJk5EQCLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%25283%2Bof%2B25%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-bksLwz7De1Q\/WFiPSeMjh0I\/AAAAAAAAoUM\/ml_ijirmKJoaKLfDraMa8dQGqWf8y1-WQCLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-30.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/05\/pollen-on-my-hat-happiness.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;Pollen on my hat \u0026amp; happiness\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yaIsP_U4SI4\/WFiQS6ti3iI\/AAAAAAAAoUg\/J7D1xCTOfPcZ52qnJbFlOf7BcPUyxRfCgCLcB\/s1600\/Blue%2BBow%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25283%2Bof%2B8%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-43wPscRfdEI\/WFiQSM7M9OI\/AAAAAAAAoUc\/cZK8XjnisYU_ozhgw9MizwbPoUnOHfq7gCLcB\/s1600\/Blue%2BBow%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B8%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/06\/the-dandelions-and-you.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe dandelions and you\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-vYIRffluGUk\/WFiQ0fiknGI\/AAAAAAAAoUo\/hJxXBPMbQwETsqcZfYUKvEACkYTwMRy4wCLcB\/s1600\/On%2BThe%2BHill%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25286%2Bof%2B8%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/06\/ramblings-from-hillside.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERamblings from the hillside\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-p_cLOgckmhY\/WFiR5l4BZsI\/AAAAAAAAoU0\/MhlvTtm5Xnw4nvtuZpJrTocaPThpFYaNQCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0326.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZMx3Eq71990\/WFiST22iwYI\/AAAAAAAAoU8\/EJYYSci__VYS42P1eXSLNj859LJwHQEOQCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0032.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/06\/a-road-trip-to-banff.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;A road trip to Banff\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-2hugSMOl9lc\/WFiS1Cuo1UI\/AAAAAAAAoVE\/c3U-C2uEdK4pc7hs5HkFjSjiin02caetACLcB\/s1600\/Braids%2BEshakti%2BAmyflyingakite-0569.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/07\/the-grassy-hills-of-july.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGrassy hills of July\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rt4-bVOtYWw\/WFiTNf4Tq5I\/AAAAAAAAoVM\/D8MasdXWwE4TTQMy0M14w0SDGtL6IMUxACEw\/s1600\/Music%2BNotes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0264.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ldoEeG1JpD8\/WFiTS-dWbFI\/AAAAAAAAoVQ\/dW_loBcZ3aUVgarjujfO4d2OAlplXQ3wACLcB\/s1600\/Music%2BNotes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0304.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/08\/the-sound-of-music.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;The sound of music\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-P1xVde3qJAg\/WFiTwCy2_yI\/AAAAAAAAoVU\/SP4DmBGeaY43Pv_I_oNnnrN0TY3p6OwVACLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BCrown%2BAugust%2B-0168.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/08\/how-to-be-me.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to be me\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nhbTp9My_dU\/WFmGINuqEyI\/AAAAAAAAoW8\/bcHhCN46AiIdKx10OQf9Yf78GcYdvkO-gCLcB\/s1600\/Rainy%2BAugust%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0288.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/08\/the-wilderness.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Wilderness\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-74YQzZPLtRs\/WFmGpzeIyYI\/AAAAAAAAoXE\/gVSWndaFXDIYJSl2qPiqxI4bbu8qulpuwCLcB\/s1600\/RAVINE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bmy%2Bsummer%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0470.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/09\/lassoing-sun.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELassoing the sun\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-IoUyhwkT6Is\/WFmKo0km87I\/AAAAAAAAoXQ\/4tzagchPMYADcqkWAyvcSJybzfIxarRwQCLcB\/s1600\/Beach%2BQualicum-0617.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/10\/qualicum-beach-seaside.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EQualicum Beach\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-oPjvyRq19Xo\/WFmLGCUQD0I\/AAAAAAAAoXU\/mfe49d6Iq_0ofl813qJ_SHlzPh_1dVviQCLcB\/s1600\/Fin%2BRed%2Band%2BGreen%2BFog-1157.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/10\/the-woods-in-october.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E The woods in October\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-yu0f6d6wO2U\/WFmLhnOcTwI\/AAAAAAAAoXg\/IwHsTUoHtqg4nsFVU2vrs0r9Zk2WMSciwCLcB\/s1600\/BUTTERFLY%2BAND%2BWINTER%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-1322.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/12\/go-on-and-live-my-thoughts-about.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGo on and live\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/5017162763248724726\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/12\/a-year-of-outfits.html#comment-form","title":"19 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5017162763248724726"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5017162763248724726"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/12\/a-year-of-outfits.html","title":"a year of outfits"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-tRKq7lqYPFU\/WFiEogOCpBI\/AAAAAAAAoR8\/Agt7p7KzK_8cqXoncJjqc-GntDQXWBKEACPcB\/s72-c\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252826%2Bof%2B33%2529.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"19"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-8617726499602617598"},"published":{"$t":"2016-12-07T07:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-01-01T16:20:21.690-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"go on and live: my thoughts about december"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-5uheQH2Pixo\/WETPqnavkzI\/AAAAAAAAnss\/R-YvWrasntgLTba2K52hGqb0_28QH7suQCLcB\/s1600\/BUTTERFLY%2BAND%2BWINTER%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-1369.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-iPLlG_Qbxtg\/WETPYBS2pGI\/AAAAAAAAnso\/hEag4TNWnuIm5B2HO5g2THs1s17ysQzQwCLcB\/s1600\/BUTTERFLY%2BAND%2BWINTER%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-1316-4.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-vn98Ul5FE8U\/WEXCA6PY6KI\/AAAAAAAAntE\/KwNDTo4-k2cl6duxpn7xnN_nUNwAKIUdQCLcB\/s1600\/BUTTERFLY%2BAND%2BWINTER%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-1368.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EDuring the first days of December, I am often in a daze. One that is neither sad nor happy, neither grim nor jubilant. I am simply existing as I do, without giving fate and things like it too much thought. I take a break from watching the world and I feel as though I am sitting on a mountain all to myself. There are no rapid fire thoughts, like trains, traveling to and from my brain. Instead, I only think about the weather and what I will eat for my supper. Once the first days of December pass, I return to a shade of my former self. In this shade though, I cannot see the trees, it is more like a curtain of depression being drawn over my eyes and it spooks me, but it doesn't last for very long. This feeling of shadow comes at the beginning of the first cold snap and drifts in and out like sails on a sea front until one day I suddenly feel okay again. I don't know what prompts it and I don't know why it happens every year around this time, but I've learned to live with it the way one might learn to live with a hole in their shoe. I can still walk. I can still run. I can still go places where I want to be, but I'd much rather patch the hole and not feel the cold air on my feet. Today is one of those days.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI was born in December, so I wonder if this is time's way of saying I have lines on my face I didn't have last year or that tomorrow is ringing a bell and I must go with it. I don't know why sorrow has to come with the snow, but I know myself to be resilient when it comes to overcoming these strange traits that return year after year. \"Don't cry because the snow is cold or because a birthday is coming to say another year gone. Go on and live.\" I say this in my head and sometimes I hear it, other days I shush it, because December is unlike the rest. I dream of many things when the seasonal depression lifts and some of those thoughts include making an album, writing songs for it, getting better at banjo, and finding something in each day that could keep the velvet of a warm heart from turning into threads. I have so many dreams and it would be a shame to not follow them, learn from them, and live with them, because a life \u003Ci\u003Ewithout\u003C\/i\u003E would be barren and boring. You can't row a boat if it has holes in it. You can't swing on life's tail if you're afraid of falling off.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI think this is why being sad in December remains one of the more annoying things to try to overcome. There is endless festivity, stimuli, and people dressed like wreaths saying hello, don't you know this is the season of all seasons. Yes, I want to go to your Christmas party because I love you, but I also want to bake cookies at home and eat them by myself listening to anything but Christmas music. Yes, I want to relish on the year that was, but I also want to know what went wrong on the days that went wrong, how can I learn to be better?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe windowsill has frost on it, the kettle coos, I run over and pour a spoonful of cream and cocoa into the hot milk until steam rises over my face. I trace the lines of the cup across my hands and I wonder what mood the person who invented cocoa and milk was in when they took their first sip. It had to have been in December \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E maybe they knew how many of us there would be, who longed for the light of springtime but had to survive the winter first.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-uGAyKG8z2og\/WEXCWbqXk_I\/AAAAAAAAntI\/czjz4IT15E0DGvvyuWtsBGJNWdTMXEDhACLcB\/s1600\/BUTTERFLY%2BAND%2BWINTER%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-1322.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-RWMgtBgaP1k\/WEXDYcmv05I\/AAAAAAAAntU\/9jQBoWhkvnIYFbFOss8gIAP2_mnBXoZ-QCLcB\/s1600\/BUTTERFLY%2BAND%2BWINTER%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-1300-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/--TRSAxWKEzQ\/WEXEPvfhKBI\/AAAAAAAAntk\/4h88bCbFZtM-c-aC_5QaGPf61aiFlXoAwCLcB\/s1600\/BUTTERFLY%2BAND%2BWINTER%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-1279.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Oh0hPMz_6Us\/WEdO8UhRicI\/AAAAAAAAn_Y\/Lr17K_k9SoYvIZSE1FkZA8xYNUSz5IasgCLcB\/s1600\/BUTTERFLY%2BAND%2BWINTER%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-1417.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.oasap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eoasap \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Eskirt, \u003Cb\u003Eeverything else was thrifted\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/8617726499602617598\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/12\/go-on-and-live-my-thoughts-about.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8617726499602617598"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8617726499602617598"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/12\/go-on-and-live-my-thoughts-about.html","title":"go on and live: my thoughts about december"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-5uheQH2Pixo\/WETPqnavkzI\/AAAAAAAAnss\/R-YvWrasntgLTba2K52hGqb0_28QH7suQCLcB\/s72-c\/BUTTERFLY%2BAND%2BWINTER%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-1369.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1813445830643832835"},"published":{"$t":"2016-12-01T11:26:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-12-01T11:34:49.331-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"music"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"my life in photographs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"photography"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"pressed flowers"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"pressed flowers and music makers."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-rKM1c_lpRbM\/WEBhCDbcO0I\/AAAAAAAAnoQ\/IPzbfr4g_IQZ8LcMjXyNdzGNptl96AvQACEw\/s1600\/2015-03-05-10-59-54_deco.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-faK2tvKKLK8\/WEBg_U3ZYmI\/AAAAAAAAnns\/yzyTE-wOUJY_vPPV_mdbzlPd0W1TbYKeQCLcB\/s1600\/2015-02-13-11-01-27_deco.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-gWU_sqDcGY0\/WEBhG00liHI\/AAAAAAAAnn0\/0CG_nkqoB18u5DGntom8-zgS3Db47hPkQCLcB\/s1600\/2015-04-15-09-58-38_deco.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-WbeobK_ORwg\/WEBhJLFGFEI\/AAAAAAAAnn4\/K7twU27O-sUmlOFiIFW-hgssPkHgkqx3gCLcB\/s1600\/2015-04-21-18-08-35_deco.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-zGuohi89fYs\/WEBg7e4ndcI\/AAAAAAAAnno\/D1bqs7kcwFcVc7FBlUjQOkq5jnUziOTVACLcB\/s1600\/2015-01-24-12-07-33_deco%25281%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-muNXOXq36L4\/WEBpx3ucTmI\/AAAAAAAAnos\/kDQ93LHAEO0kP5wEWNB4EgrGma208zsqwCLcB\/s1600\/record.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-dsoqsjNj3ks\/WEBqAdK6cxI\/AAAAAAAAnow\/O3SjDl8mVKgR5JGaldxcMY7rZPCd3eZQACLcB\/s1600\/2015-09-21%2B12.04.52%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-qfdNudqcqJc\/WEBqDzbmloI\/AAAAAAAAno0\/ypr18crRSqQIqoEvV6k7H8czFClV9lMjACLcB\/s1600\/IMG_20160619_133628.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-zFwTy43z2D0\/WEBqZeAigQI\/AAAAAAAAno4\/63Ok6xMrwbk_6kEa_jKC2FLnnaTfQsgfgCLcB\/s1600\/2015-04-21-18-07-06_deco.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Z7YnQJqcqj4\/WEBrKAYb-wI\/AAAAAAAAno8\/CN22f9DSv3UcEEzK3aQhFi_682NDRw3CACLcB\/s1600\/ts.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nEvery day has been busy for me in November and now that December is here, I have more time to explore, take photographs and return to the quietness that is home life. I fill my mug with half hot cocoa, half coffee as I watch the snowflakes fall onto the bench where bluebirds caw. It has been mostly warm in my part of the world so seeing the snow gives me a strange feeling in my bones that is neither sad nor happy. Each snowfall is filled with nostalgia --- I am taken back to the good and bad days of winter childhood. I am suddenly without words to speak or write.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nSo, I'll leave you with a collection of pressed flowers and instruments. Many of these have been posted here before, but because I have been so busy, I have been unable to take any new photographs.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWelcome to the world, December. I hope it is bright wherever you may be. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1813445830643832835\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/12\/pressed-flowers-and-music-makers.html#comment-form","title":"62 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1813445830643832835"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1813445830643832835"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/12\/pressed-flowers-and-music-makers.html","title":"pressed flowers and music makers."}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-rKM1c_lpRbM\/WEBhCDbcO0I\/AAAAAAAAnoQ\/IPzbfr4g_IQZ8LcMjXyNdzGNptl96AvQACEw\/s72-c\/2015-03-05-10-59-54_deco.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"62"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-9062372611120123080"},"published":{"$t":"2016-11-16T11:01:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-11-16T11:01:05.106-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"braids"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"floral crown"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"music"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"the folk singer"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pq3EblR_UUg\/WCuX2Qy7KRI\/AAAAAAAAnUk\/uMAmTU91PTAgZ990_lg6Az-5w7he3xn0wCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2Bcheck-1469.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-dX9u9VT4RWU\/WCuY8a95jxI\/AAAAAAAAnUw\/SlTktkPJZPkaP35pIKAfZCOcj63rRug_QCEw\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2Bcheck-1365.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-m_R90a58zq0\/WCuZ73CMIaI\/AAAAAAAAnVQ\/KKOBOjpIPU448PxyeB12p2aLR1gadAKeACEw\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2Bcheck-1441.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nAfter eight days on the road, I have returned home to my kitchen where the scents are familiar like an old photograph of a friend you haven't seen around lately. This has been the last two weeks of my life which is why I have neglected to post here or respond to emails in an honorable manner. We took ourselves on tour and played our songs in little Alberta towns. Every single perimeter of land we touched or person we talked to made it so we were encouraged and educated in our travels. I never thought in my pea shell of a lifetime, I would travel in a van with instruments in tow to sing songs into microphones where people sit and listen. Music, music, music, it can certainly give you reasons for a bellyache \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E not being able to sleep in your own bed, hot baths no longer within reach, not knowing if anybody will even like your music, you have to deal with drunks and loud talkers, you have to meet strangers every night, you eat foods foreign to the tongue and if you're a lover of solitude like I am, the time for solitude has to wait.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nMusic, music, music, it also has a garden bed of joys and I believe my life to be greater because of it. I don't know if I will ever find something that makes me feel so alive as opening my mouth to sing and using my hands to make noise with the strings. I could have died a long time ago, I could have kept myself from buying a banjo, but I didn't. I am always one foot in the classroom and one foot in the playground with this gift I found in music making \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E this gift is out there waiting for you too, if you want to reach for it, but sometimes in the reaching, you pull your arm too hard or end up in soggy tears. This is all a part of music's wild plan. You have to climb, but for every inch, there is a song you get to sing to babies, to friends, or on the edge of your bed, which is where a grave is built for every worry, and a cradle for every note.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-2d3AqKBmNH8\/WCunfD7YvdI\/AAAAAAAAnWI\/JcS4OlzK6XkQHkreii3Jgarl7p7axnkvgCLcB\/s640\/14900409_10157668221585032_4857602317607053777_n.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-mvPBzFyuqIk\/WCuoPW4VIiI\/AAAAAAAAnWU\/Fovzi3UJ-vEyTu_kk7_A6D76vSLpj1nUwCLcB\/s640\/15002309_840112916650_2180516285125408901_o.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-CHQGW8cd_ys\/WCun56bKUXI\/AAAAAAAAnWQ\/i0LiJpb_NzAhn87X7pu0DBEQNLmL16KYwCLcB\/s640\/14963411_10157668222330032_5656401356072435576_n.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;Now that I am home again, I drink my coffee a little slower and look for the winter chickadees who search through the bird feeder on our may tree. After the noise of tires rolling across pavement and guitars ringing out, it is a sweet reminder that home still remains and it was here where these songs were first sung.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-5XsZr6qVJcE\/WCuZwjY8_rI\/AAAAAAAAnVI\/KKdv2u3D5qUitxs3rkWJ77gq_oN-gZxiQCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2Bcheck-1329.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-RIRa5ppwo4k\/WCuauXZpikI\/AAAAAAAAnVg\/W2SfTw2lsKY3sateT7PhSWv6yGkyUTQXgCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2Bcheck-1463.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-83zf0vm3Idc\/WCuahhAL00I\/AAAAAAAAnVc\/IOnNnb3_RncL64k1dFk9iIpOe3gTN_JFACLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2Bcheck-1351.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-YtQzcK5eFYc\/WCubycpcizI\/AAAAAAAAnVw\/bdF01KKV6TQmAXeRGuEW7xgRG6PawTGyACLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2Bcheck-1438.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-OBlBSJq_9ag\/WCubExhXFCI\/AAAAAAAAnVk\/HE0cEUndej0D6K6FoaKRTwKytFj57WV3QCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2Bcheck-1371.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-1PJF6nbnVzk\/WCucWQ2JTzI\/AAAAAAAAnV4\/kpYEUwi07VggLcwWaw_btNiO04tOb7hGgCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2Bcheck-1487.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/keikolynn.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ekeiko lynn\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Edress, \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.freepeople.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efree people\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eboots, \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.crownandglory.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecrown and glory\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Efloral crown\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/9062372611120123080\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/11\/the-folk-singer.html#comment-form","title":"26 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/9062372611120123080"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/9062372611120123080"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/11\/the-folk-singer.html","title":"the folk singer"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pq3EblR_UUg\/WCuX2Qy7KRI\/AAAAAAAAnUk\/uMAmTU91PTAgZ990_lg6Az-5w7he3xn0wCLcB\/s72-c\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2Bcheck-1469.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"26"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-4364644773601281732"},"published":{"$t":"2016-10-31T11:21:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-10-31T11:21:20.869-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"poetry"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"the cycle of life \u0026 new forest boots"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-S17p_wP5Sd4\/WBLVjobD24I\/AAAAAAAAml4\/d-PLB7D-xV8PsmS3JRKH3Hfn1Mc5HJTagCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BDOC-1387.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QyZl4GyL-q0\/WBLV1NXLiEI\/AAAAAAAAml8\/8Dz70TJ0uOoG8UT7LWz1JNr_5wF88jonwCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BDOC-1379.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wfhSqaN9bLM\/WBLWNYYOdmI\/AAAAAAAAmmI\/CM1NrktuGuwK3F5VsDanBcxQuUJcHHF9QCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BDOC-1354.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-f_-UIX-Co2k\/WBLV_YX7_KI\/AAAAAAAAmmA\/n92yxH5V1wwl15FP1TCagPrrxrQVMYBuwCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BDOC-1393.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI am hopelessly romantic for the trees that once bore leaves and berries, for now they appear naked with the same amount of nakedness I have when standing without a coat. I admire them. I learn from them. I could never forget the shiny colors they wear when the weather was at its best. Trees are like people. No matter how hard you work to keep yourself from feeling naked or without the safety of pleasant things like fruit or colors, you still have to be bare sometimes. This is the cycle of life. Our hair it grows, our hair it falls out, our kneecaps develop so we can run, then time changes us and soon our kneecaps don't bend the way they used to, soon we cannot run like we want to. This is the cycle of life. The trees are green and food to the hummingbirds and ladybugs, but then they are not. You blink without choosing to, and when you open your eyes again, the view is not what you thought it was.\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E Where there used to be home, there is a for sale sign. This is the cycle of life.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EWe can have names for it. We can curse it. We can wish it away, but nothing can stop time from wearing sneakers and riding runaway cars. We can sit at a window thinking of somebody, but only when we speak to them, will they know. This is the cycle of life. You wake up one morning crying because you don't want to be thirteen anymore, you feel more like twenty, you want adult responsibilities, you want to drive across the mountain highways like you read in some book and you want to drink spiked soda from a bottle. When the wind whispers into your hair, you feel alive, but then you remember how your mom used to wake you at thirteen for school, and although at the time it troubled you to rise so early and sit in a classroom, now you wish you could experience it again because of you, because of your mom, because you want nothing more than for time to take off its sneakers. This is the cycle of life.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EThere used to be an old man who sat at a bar where I sang sometimes. He had wrinkles deep as sea water and although only a few words ever came out of his mouth, when he did talk, I tried my best to understand him. He sat there with a cup in hand whether the people around him were eating lunchtime sandwiches or the kitchen had closed. I often tried to imagine what he felt like before the wrinkles formed, did he dream a bright dream? Did he ever go fishing or look at the pine trees that grow outside of the city? What did he want more than anything in life? Did he ever get it? Where will I be when that much time has passed? Last I heard, he fell down a flight of stairs and nobody found him for three days. It is a sad thought, one that feels as cold as December's coldest winter. To imagine a baby being born just like me, learning to walk, talk, stick out its tongue and one day, the heart does not beat and yet the world goes on with only memories made of the living. More babies are born, more mothers are made, and we'll keep riding the train not knowing when it will stop.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EThis is the cycle of life.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-3hEYG8__C0w\/VMAWtL2xmiI\/AAAAAAAAXSU\/wZcGkKxliisEzbRy_VHzb22kSu6hTEGDACPcB\/s200\/Amy-PineTree3.jpg\" width=\"159\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-qoBMLj-Top8\/WBLWMl8quCI\/AAAAAAAAmmE\/yyL_pP7OdCsD4sNmkOrPGYFOUGiDPjP7QCEw\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BDOC-1359.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Lh-OS4dwimI\/WBLXWKrBDFI\/AAAAAAAAmmY\/IWgCTYh9GA8HGQLAwbUC5zpDqRZpKNF4ACLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BDOC-1303.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI was recently gifted a pair of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/unionjackboots.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDr Marten\u003C\/a\u003E boots that are nothing like the other boots I wear. I'm so used to lace ups and ones that meet at my knees, but these green \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/unionjackboots.com\/dr-martens-2976-in-khaki-hi-suede-wp.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esuede \u003C\/a\u003Eones\n have me singing 'yeah yeah yeah let's go to the forest or town \nwithout having to stop to tie them up fifteen hundred times like my \nother boots.' They are also incredibly comfy and warm \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— it's a lot like walking through my own little fireplace which is needed if I am to survive a Canadian winter.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ABgVG6_JKK4\/WBLXPDLuypI\/AAAAAAAAmmU\/uj0Alubg-dQr2WqmoauwZMIujbckJSl2wCLcB\/s1600\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BDOC-1368.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChicwish\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Ejacket\u003Cb\u003E, \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/unionjackboots.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EUnion Jack\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003Eshoes,\u003Cb\u003E topshop \u003C\/b\u003Ehat\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/4364644773601281732\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/10\/the-cycle-of-life-new-forest-boots.html#comment-form","title":"20 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4364644773601281732"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4364644773601281732"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/10\/the-cycle-of-life-new-forest-boots.html","title":"the cycle of life \u0026 new forest boots"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-S17p_wP5Sd4\/WBLVjobD24I\/AAAAAAAAml4\/d-PLB7D-xV8PsmS3JRKH3Hfn1Mc5HJTagCLcB\/s72-c\/AMYFLYINGAKITE%2BDOC-1387.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"20"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-2709170634547639208"},"published":{"$t":"2016-10-19T10:13:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-10-19T10:13:13.207-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"fall"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nature"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sweater"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"the woods in October"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ByATarno5HQ\/V_xBqlI98bI\/AAAAAAAAmQM\/2UxGERR4g78P-heIUCg20Ms6Qam5TjZwQCLcB\/s1600\/Fin%2BRed%2Band%2BGreen%2BFog%2B1-1196.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-2OTYvI_sB-Q\/V_xB-lZvbQI\/AAAAAAAAmQY\/Vi8XtMEOVA4IX8kY_o1_7s5E8yy_V6wtACLcB\/s1600\/Fin%2BRed%2Band%2BGreen%2BFog-1126.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-vAbrwGQN0yg\/WAZmMZ3VbcI\/AAAAAAAAmdo\/kDVkh9HjUpwrWrjlAvRK43lsk2YCyP5NACLcB\/s1600\/Fin%2BRed%2Band%2BGreen%2BFog%2B1-1259.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhen you step into the woods and the month is October, you can be sure a ghostly and surreal mood will climb up your spine. I treasure the feeling. It reminds me that I was born. I carry a thermos filled to the brim with hot chocolate and I sit where the steam rises and tiny clouds of breath appear as I mumble words to myself. For a moment, I am the only human being left in this world until a joggers footsteps appear in the slushy snow. They say hello. I say hello. Everything is how it should be. I am not thinking about tomorrow or the summers passing - I can only see fog and the delight that comes with absolute solitude. I want to stay here for awhile, not because I have nowhere else to be, but because it is important for a lover of the woods to stay where trees are tall and the fog is hanging low. If I rush and run home to a world of buzzing and lit screens, I will have failed myself and a bad mood might follow. It is better for me stay put - listening for the cooing owl or the pheasant rustling through the brush - to feel the chill of October air on my cheeks is to be born again.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nMusic has been everywhere as of late. Over the weekend, I played a festival and it caused me to grin ear to ear. I got a standing ovation after playing a full set of my songs -- as it happened, I felt like I could have broken down crying. Never in my life did I anticipate a stranger could stand up for me and applaud to the air, almost as if they were saying \"don't ever stop.\" If you're an artist yourself, you know the quiet battle that we tread on. We constantly ricochet between yes and no, good and bad, right place and wrong place, all in one day. We love what we do, but mostly, we need to do what we do. It is our food, our breath, and our livelihood. There are days where I want to lay the banjo in a case and stay in bed. There are shows where I return home feeling defeated, but for every moment of cursing the stars for being who we are, there are moments like \u003Ci\u003Ethese\u003C\/i\u003E and they remind us of something so easily lost in the hullabaloo of life. Art matters. It keeps our insides from dying or being hooked up to a machine. Nothing should stop us from creating and being strange in our pursuits. If I can do it, this is a call to an art maker's arms and it says \"don't ever stop.\"\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;I have only a few moments in a day where I can be quiet in the woods. It fills me with the right kind of joy and understanding. I return home as one who found a compass leading to the meaning of life would. I remain strange and my life is greater because of it.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan id=\"goog_1058841250\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"goog_1058841251\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_pkUTR13aoM\/V_xB06ddEoI\/AAAAAAAAmQQ\/puSIe5rGU-Q-25zfjQe-u7OdoSt_viZCgCLcB\/s1600\/Fin%2BRed%2Band%2BGreen%2BFog%2B1-1177.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pE14MkZ9x7I\/WAZlV8glPrI\/AAAAAAAAmdU\/PRwIo5CMTuYie065Be-PGKbDNEPRJEBrwCLcB\/s1600\/Fin%2BRed%2Band%2BGreen%2BFog%2B1-1265.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-H6uXOsw5G6I\/WAZlBv2whJI\/AAAAAAAAmdQ\/ypoCevM3wFM-uiQXO75imJbVg_dBh2ZkQCLcB\/s1600\/Fin%2BRed%2Band%2BGreen%2BFog-1157.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wG0COclGzQs\/WAZlbrax-BI\/AAAAAAAAmdY\/HHU5AP3OFD46AdRE5VINmsNgCv7R3s1AgCLcB\/s1600\/Fin%2BRed%2Band%2BGreen%2BFog%2B1-1266.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-8Yl8zvidmtE\/WAZlqSXUoZI\/AAAAAAAAmdc\/E4JYhpgGbuww96tOAvGcH42iHp1845SHgCEw\/s1600\/Fin%2BRed%2Band%2BGreen%2BFog%2B1-1186.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-jp3rktuly5E\/WAZlxO8uuEI\/AAAAAAAAmdk\/znzYl_dKEN4lgZGW2EqFr3Md4ybp1NpMwCLcB\/s1600\/Fin%2BRed%2Band%2BGreen%2BFog-1135.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-BmTEwXc0UiE\/WAZmYRMl6bI\/AAAAAAAAmdw\/caV8mPkDFUAg8l8XZ8XN_J6vetB7ERRpwCLcB\/s1600\/Fin%2BRed%2Band%2BGreen%2BFog%2B1-1172.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_vA2gvsk9fA\/WAZmmKMESsI\/AAAAAAAAmd0\/pHnmTbEgJe0vny49uzbfkoGozXlmq2-8gCLcB\/s1600\/Fin%2BRed%2Band%2BGreen%2BFog%2B1-1260.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-vQ8dTaxGvZ8\/WAZm8z42yyI\/AAAAAAAAmd8\/8my-F5gnN1UEqnfx6PBt7_O_YOb5hv-FgCLcB\/s1600\/Fin%2BRed%2Band%2BGreen%2BFog-1146.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details\u003Cb\u003E: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eamerican eagle\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Ejacket,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/freepeople.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efree people\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eturtleneck sweater, \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.oasap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eoasap\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eskirt, \u003Cb\u003Emontana\u003C\/b\u003E boots\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/2709170634547639208\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/10\/the-woods-in-october.html#comment-form","title":"43 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2709170634547639208"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2709170634547639208"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/10\/the-woods-in-october.html","title":"the woods in October"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ByATarno5HQ\/V_xBqlI98bI\/AAAAAAAAmQM\/2UxGERR4g78P-heIUCg20Ms6Qam5TjZwQCLcB\/s72-c\/Fin%2BRed%2Band%2BGreen%2BFog%2B1-1196.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"43"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-3582269640069374457"},"published":{"$t":"2016-10-11T09:57:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-10-11T09:57:40.747-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ocean"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"travel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"vancouver island"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Tofino, British Columbia. the seaside"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-2XuLGFbeaxQ\/V_vdRbYpeBI\/AAAAAAAAmOw\/hGbYPmRNvJsAAZkFFKa7TrDdvZxwBcxjQCPcB\/s1600\/BEACH%2BOrange%2Bat%2BTofino-1050.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-xFax5AEVrVE\/V_vz49c7R5I\/AAAAAAAAmPk\/gziwiXFXKtM7k4HGqRnDnhAMhBGAHmvvwCLcB\/s1600\/seashells-0965.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KZWTGzCPUns\/V_vxTNL75vI\/AAAAAAAAmPA\/5oXHOyP1u-cnqtJhDpALh0emyuofBXtrACLcB\/s1600\/BEACH%2BOrange%2Bat%2BTofino-0976.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI wanted to write this post sooner \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— but I have been busy like a bird feeder in the middle of spring. There is no telling when the days will come to a pause and I will return to the normal speed in which life travels on, but for now, I am allowing the time to go as it pleases while I occupy my head with places to go and my feet with places to be. Every hour, there is music that is joyous and pure but I wouldn't mind a day where I can drift from bubble bath to bed and back again.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI want to put the kettle on, chew a marshmallow and lazily wander around the house knowing tomorrow is free and the day after, but with busyness comes adventure and with adventure comes a racing heart that says \"you are alive.\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E----\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EThese photographs were taken during our trip to Vancouver Island. It began as a warm day with a hint of wind, a most beautiful time to be traveling by the sea. Tofino, British Columbia was two hours from where we slept so we rose early, let the steam of a hot coffee say good morning to our senses and made sure the only thing left behind was any aches or quarrels we once had. After all, the road and sea both have their own way of saying 'let it go...let it be..' The road to Tofino was being fed by rain and unless you have stood in the old growth forest while this happens, describing to you the scent of earth rising would be like telling you the ending of a book. It is something worth experiencing for yourself \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— and I hope, whoever reads this, already knows or will come to know the feeling of rain reaching moss and 200 year old trees. I wish it was in me to know how to transport you there, but then if I could, I'd never be home.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EWe all have our places \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E the ones we visit by memory when the day gets dark. Tofino has become that place for me. This was my first time seeing the jagged island being both caressed and slammed against the seawater. The beach waves rolling into me and the surfers in the distance being swept by the wind. I couldn't believe the absolute ruggedness that was here on this coast, it felt prehistoric, like humans had no place being there and yet there they were. The sun came out as we walked the sand and a warm shade of air lifted the spirits of all who felt it.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EAfter standing by the sea in marvel and awe, we walked into the town site where little bright houses lined the streets and fishermen bring their daily catch to the myriad of restaurants. I wouldn't want to be here in a storm, but any other time, this would be the dream I wouldn't dare try to wake from. It was time travel at its best.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003ETofino, bring me to you again. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wvlxd8i21NI\/V_vxw1kWXMI\/AAAAAAAAmPI\/N9qpE8y5r-kEkIyXqGzV8CzT6g9FtmZ3wCLcB\/s1600\/BEACH%2BOrange%2Bat%2BTofino-1036.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-WBWr_W_v9FI\/V_vxxC0EYnI\/AAAAAAAAmPM\/LrSRWfVn4vM2N1Ci-BlWagOWQ5QoGRZswCLcB\/s1600\/BEACH%2BOrange%2Bat%2BTofino-1069.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7-40U6lveXk\/V_v0MFhamwI\/AAAAAAAAmPo\/1uoaiRjFJOQw3B0C5X2nnolulV-jwqjGQCLcB\/s1600\/seashells-0962.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-OV7dZW4wBzA\/V_vyFUa27cI\/AAAAAAAAmPQ\/Uv-Ujsbog-404tEoerfk8kLNTjxyjFDHwCLcB\/s1600\/BEACH%2BOrange%2Bat%2BTofino-1021.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-x_M8Dr7LVAQ\/V_vyQFm8uxI\/AAAAAAAAmPU\/BARtaUHZPAQOlHfpggm7y3o3dKsfj9ZnACLcB\/s1600\/BEACH%2BOrange%2Bat%2BTofino-1045.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-twPn6HURkOE\/V_wAhC9pK_I\/AAAAAAAAmP4\/pGtcqC7BS6UHIXXVwQw33XRDLmF7lVD_wCLcB\/s1600\/BEACH%2BOrange%2Bat%2BTofino-0980.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-b0whshxwGEI\/V_vyWp72HmI\/AAAAAAAAmPY\/qHBuNdJiR4cWUC87QeLNPgsHGckMSQEOwCLcB\/s1600\/BEACH%2BOrange%2Bat%2BTofino-1054.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/3582269640069374457\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/10\/tofino-british-columbia-seaside.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3582269640069374457"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3582269640069374457"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/10\/tofino-british-columbia-seaside.html","title":"Tofino, British Columbia. the seaside"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-2XuLGFbeaxQ\/V_vdRbYpeBI\/AAAAAAAAmOw\/hGbYPmRNvJsAAZkFFKa7TrDdvZxwBcxjQCPcB\/s72-c\/BEACH%2BOrange%2Bat%2BTofino-1050.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-8575707975703483064"},"published":{"$t":"2016-10-05T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-10-05T06:30:16.091-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"travel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"vancouver island"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"qualicum beach. the seaside"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1TSYLvbjWcg\/V_MRcHBsUII\/AAAAAAAAl-M\/nK3xr9I2MmQkfj6UbWb4UTVFyKdHJtNCwCLcB\/s1600\/Beach%2BQualicum-0617.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-WM_mBJuNj3k\/V_MR5sb0r5I\/AAAAAAAAl-U\/u8lViduQK_kw4cIhgL0829lpJqB1w6PFQCLcB\/s1600\/Beach%2BQualicum-0677.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-6u2TccIOahM\/V_MSQASt1rI\/AAAAAAAAl-c\/ezgoCN_6tLcXhAs46J_CjuzstxYN5bA9gCLcB\/s1600\/Beach%2BQualicum-0709.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;The radio plays a slide guitar song. The grit is gone. They took the bends out of each note and replaced teeth with cherry bubble gum. I prefer the early kind of music, the one that is primitive and natural like taking a breath. I'm not saying there is a call to arms when listening to music that isn't this way \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— I just happen to long for the groans, the aches and the belly butterflies that occur when hearing imperfections scratch and claw at the heartbeat that is folk or rural music. I want to feel the mountains and sea in my step even when I cannot look to a window and see them standing there. It was in this spirit, I took to walking across the pebbles and seashells of Qualicum Beach. I was here to listen to sea waves roll in and out like a song telling me that the world had hardship, but it also had hands to hold, the world had shadow, but it also had sunlight.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EHere I am, walking with my yellow rain boots across the sand. I don't remember every thought I had as I chased my dogs into the water. I only remember how it felt, which is usually a trustworthy guide for how good a time was. The conversations blur, the surrounding noise blends, the tastes are forgotten, but the feeling remains and if you're anything like me, your greatest burden will be your desperate need to find ways to return to these memories, to make them new, even when the trip has ended and suitcases have returned to their rightful place below the stairs.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E It puzzles me how I could ever use the word boring to describe a day when the world has seas, mountains and people in it. I imagine it's because these joyous things aren't always within my reach.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sYPGz3olBX0\/V_QMeyws8tI\/AAAAAAAAmA8\/Eezj0RvuoSY3iPp8OT8nd2P7whPLz69OQCLcB\/s320\/2016-09-16%2B10.45.27%2B1.jpg\" width=\"239\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Lp9OFXJXeIA\/V_QK52y3aVI\/AAAAAAAAmAk\/e0P6D8zINSwiNzI56yNhiNzW45X-neE0wCEw\/s320\/2016-09-23%2B10.26.59%2B1.jpg\" width=\"240\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ErVgh7Q0ZqY\/V_QMHBjQR7I\/AAAAAAAAmA4\/ulh8ABUNGMs_cqiph2Jx6lQDT3wEqgfZwCLcB\/s320\/2016-10-04%2B02.06.10%2B1.jpg\" width=\"240\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"424\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-P3Ab9gIxVUA\/V_QSYbQYU0I\/AAAAAAAAmBg\/gAOn4yv4jlYr-V0nhUMsav__XTysOJolQCLcB\/s640\/Beach%2BQualicum-0659.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"424\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-c2zIHvQroG0\/V_QTEBOM4NI\/AAAAAAAAmBk\/bfwB_NfchtIVKXonwBtTi7vGrIvAPneWwCLcB\/s640\/Qualicum-0538.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EWhen night fell, I watched the stars with C and my dad. Although it shook me in ways only a night sky could, I felt humbled and stood in merriment knowing I was still my crooked little self, and it was okay for me to be this crooked little self, because life is a short gravel road and we're always running out of sand. The tide goes in, the tide goes out, and there will be a time when the tide goes out for the very last time, so how could I bare living if I rose every day to a mirror that said \"you should hate yourself.\" The stars looked at me, I looked at them, planes dropped flares in the shimmery distance, lighthouses told boats which way they must travel, it was like watching an old movie, but the movie was my life and the sea rode on beside it.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003ENostalgia sets in.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI don't want to lose the magic that sits on my retinas when I look at my loved ones or with sights such as these. I could never grow tired of seagulls and kingfishers dropping shells from the sky for their supper or playing \"I spy the seal in the water.\" When I am standing here, I learn to forget my troubles because they are not what makes the waves roll in and out. I am who I am and I'll be damned if that's not worthy of some joy. After all, why does the sun still rise after bouts of crying? Why does the sea make our hair curl? Why does the moon spook us as it glistens on the water? Why is it that we're here and not there? We don't always have the answers and it has taken me plenty of trying and heartache to realize that we don't always need them either. Some things in life just are. I'm looking at you, mirror. I'm looking at you, heartbeat and hometown.\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI needed this trip, I think we all do.\u0026nbsp; I don't know how healthy it is to stay cooped up in the home and forget the natural world is out there, waiting for us to listen to it. I learn a lot when I change my surroundings, even if it is for only a week. I ate fish tacos and oysters as the sun set on the water, I stood next to my favorite people and watched their eyes squint and reflect the joy that comes with being ocean people who are ocean bound. Here's to you, seaside. May I always remember the way you remove the word boring from my vocabulary and replace it with fortunate. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-DUZOf6SqOtg\/V_MTKQ4ZOjI\/AAAAAAAAl-w\/VGgE-l88tH00rM70L0jzEKdtsKiyaIeVgCLcB\/s1600\/Beach%2BQualicum-0719.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/--73dPViT5FM\/V_MTYbfq0EI\/AAAAAAAAl-0\/W79mEvR2n8En4ahoS9A5t6iFRowz8UT_wCLcB\/s1600\/Beach%2BQualicum-0728.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-XnZ_kKnsJy4\/V_MS9IUlCMI\/AAAAAAAAl-o\/mTcgZkxhtjYr3pkYkwZY9wNgIILu0P8BwCEw\/s1600\/Beach%2BQualicum-0768.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-gaK0LNXHgTc\/V_MUHdxTwlI\/AAAAAAAAl_E\/3dRfTgYbiuUFFyKc1qKD5Js_d_awlPk9QCLcB\/s1600\/Qualicum-0568.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-eUeNyCnP-jc\/V_QVl8xqA2I\/AAAAAAAAmB0\/OT5FcuYpHK0kuTVjJOnr_9z7jS1AYgHNACLcB\/s1600\/Beach%2BQualicum-0794.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-OdLUAo4D_v0\/V_QVmDSF1ZI\/AAAAAAAAmB4\/XLj33d3gmjQZ-G_6P4jRLDpcQGFYbszigCLcB\/s1600\/Beach%2BQualicum-0806.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-a4D5dvrWEso\/V_QWIjg_edI\/AAAAAAAAmCA\/94_iYHH7G_4I6bo3gw5KMwyMonkxr1aOwCLcB\/s1600\/Beach%2BQualicum-0867.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-mAhQJkoFQKg\/V_QVmGxCMcI\/AAAAAAAAmB8\/BPQP6SAZjuwXQw9MewtYOn0bjfbd1_gOQCLcB\/s1600\/Beach%2BQualicum-0793.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_iTzAFIjHKA\/V_MUHgImLrI\/AAAAAAAAl_I\/d5HLkfJkMv4oc3_ua3aLN_ayk6SNxaKvgCLcB\/s1600\/Qualicum-0602.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-imzAfbMuqw8\/V_MUgSkp6MI\/AAAAAAAAl_U\/VoQBY4wkLAUE7kgou7r6WjCYZwgGLarJACLcB\/s1600\/Qualicum-0578.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jC7ZrHUvPfU\/V_MT0RVi5JI\/AAAAAAAAl_A\/HPm4LI-Di8oL9YoPfOoKVwox2onywU85ACLcB\/s1600\/Beach%2BQualicum-0622.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/winners.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewinners\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Edress,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/freepeople.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efree people\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Esocks \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/8575707975703483064\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/10\/qualicum-beach-seaside.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8575707975703483064"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8575707975703483064"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/10\/qualicum-beach-seaside.html","title":"qualicum beach. the seaside"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1TSYLvbjWcg\/V_MRcHBsUII\/AAAAAAAAl-M\/nK3xr9I2MmQkfj6UbWb4UTVFyKdHJtNCwCLcB\/s72-c\/Beach%2BQualicum-0617.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-7000201277800519115"},"published":{"$t":"2016-09-27T10:52:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-09-27T10:52:42.628-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"my life in photographs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"roadtrip"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"travel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"vancouver island"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"home from the road"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-phKax-gKmYk\/V-qdpLmvciI\/AAAAAAAAlv8\/lieKggxCFxg_5dPQCKJMMJMl3ilaZwsegCLcB\/s1600\/2016-09-20%2B09.27.53%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWe walked over tree roots and fallen leaves, we stood beside the sound of waterfalls and silent creek beds. I watched pebbles roll down from the cliff side and I made sure not to trip as the fall would be long and not worth the trouble. I survived again and I will see my hair grow longer and my heart grow deeper as nature encourages this kind of resolution. I will see more days. I am here. I will listen to nature's endless symphony, which you can hear no matter where you are standing. I will cry. I will laugh. I will have moments of cursing the air for not making me feel like I belong and I will have moments where a grin forms with the knowledge that I do belong. An otter here, a seal there, barking dogs, waves chanting at the moonlight, you, I, everything. It is such a pleasure to be alive today. And if I die tomorrow, tell the world I lived. I lived. I lived \u0026amp; I lived some more as the blue sea sings its song for those who want to hear it.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-dye8DjfafZE\/V-qev6EM_NI\/AAAAAAAAlwU\/qftZTy0f76AB-Oq_5GaDe4E9XxPhMK73gCLcB\/s1600\/IMG_20160919_095435.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIt rained all through the night but the sun has returned for early morning how are you's. I laid in my bed as the soft sound pitter pattered against the grain of the roof and it felt like I was being rocked to sleep in a cradle. Something about the sea makes me feel less worried, less closed, less concerned about the way earth can feel at the bottom of my feet. I simply exist. And sometimes, that is all we can hope to gain in a day, the knowing of how we are existing, living and pumping blood through our roots. I don't have ego here. I don't have riddles running through the brain. I have nothing to solve. I have nowhere to be. The sea calls to me like a friend to say \"This is it. This is it. You are here. Glad to have you.\"\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-g019gekRUfQ\/V-qg6uHHWwI\/AAAAAAAAlwk\/aa_BXypOIhIdCE6Z1WxhH7TyLY7RGAEHgCLcB\/s1600\/2016-09-17%2B10.06.44%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-O-lsmp7mVKg\/V-qevSNU2aI\/AAAAAAAAlwY\/xAiezX6oSSwKKp2r3ORqpdbTEEWdi0aTACEw\/s1600\/IMG_20160916_121946.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe morning view from the porch where we stayed.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-0IvH0UB1VBU\/V-qevJ-jp8I\/AAAAAAAAlwY\/LJf_ihzpq7YAlDC7yIfWFH383zc0OAt0QCEw\/s1600\/IMG_20160915_131452.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-XhyznTkhudY\/V-qdnwwbJgI\/AAAAAAAAlwY\/PBBSf976F7M1q4Ld5EWaB1osNshXhzQCwCEw\/s1600\/2016-09-17%2B06.56.53%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nFrozen yogurt by the sea, no place else I'd rather be.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-3F79zDuYCEI\/V-qdntzC-6I\/AAAAAAAAlwY\/lJpupnNKQyghWoJ0AY0LVlyApxsYyFy8gCEw\/s1600\/2016-09-14%2B02.29.32%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe mountainside in Alberta - on our way to beautiful British Columbia.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yeMJpsAIJA8\/V-qhuluKJ-I\/AAAAAAAAlww\/OtiJoaFM4kc_6X6HG51wcVCRGR3Ybq70ACLcB\/s1600\/2016-09-13%2B12.34.10%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWe returned home safely after a week on the road and by the sea. I have so many photographs and stories to share with you, but for now, I'll leave you with a few snippets of our days spent traveling to Vancouver Island and visiting the sea like it was where we were born, the truest home for us, the place where our troubles attach to balloon strings and float away into the sky.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI'll be seeing you soon.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/7000201277800519115\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/09\/home-from-road.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/7000201277800519115"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/7000201277800519115"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/09\/home-from-road.html","title":"home from the road"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-phKax-gKmYk\/V-qdpLmvciI\/AAAAAAAAlv8\/lieKggxCFxg_5dPQCKJMMJMl3ilaZwsegCLcB\/s72-c\/2016-09-20%2B09.27.53%2B1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-2123079489525811611"},"published":{"$t":"2016-09-14T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-09-14T06:30:24.027-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"autumn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"braids"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nature"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"and then there was autumn."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BRRD6JfFvEw\/V9g4Qk9Z6QI\/AAAAAAAAlDE\/YOfwL3fTs-cPrSJdFgAiuAykXQukO2anQCLcB\/s1600\/Stripes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0397.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4l8xL_BIv0U\/V9g4SZczkeI\/AAAAAAAAlDI\/Ex-P-dzMoeEew0C3iMbvIPveM6oWII_twCLcB\/s1600\/Stripes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0339.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rG-UWt3xmlM\/V9g4xZFvpbI\/AAAAAAAAlDo\/hbOc0q9kTT0YHmJUbybJMt9nZhq-ZwW0gCPcB\/s1600\/Stripes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0386.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nTomorrow, we leave for the sea. You can't be blue as a berry when a road trip is ahead of you. I can almost feel the sea waves tangling my hair and the early morning rising with an extra spring in my step. I know it will be beautiful, especially at this time of year. There will be trees dressed in fox-like colors and their leaves will look electric as if tiny soft televisions are falling from the sky. I won't have any need to gulp my coffee as if it were water and I was thirsty. No, instead, I will drink slowly as I wander by beaches and beach glass and sea birds flying high.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nAnd then there was Autumn and it invited the sea,\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nmy favorite place to be.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003EIf you'd like to follow along on my adventure, visit my \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/amyflyingakite\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Einstagram\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ya3Im5hchnA\/V9hd-1aaI2I\/AAAAAAAAlE4\/SYEY5Pt2_BEU6EBPEmKsr8jnYYkfm42BQCLcB\/s1600\/Stripes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0467.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-QrZbX3yZBvc\/V9g5Nan9CvI\/AAAAAAAAlDc\/WakHVxf0Kp4EmJpy0cbEx3F93SYNvH41wCLcB\/s1600\/Stripes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0480.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Jc-eCKJNXtc\/V9hc9_miP4I\/AAAAAAAAlEk\/kwt3rF1tVBEpbQUcPSeLMiFVcVIJ7V2EwCLcB\/s1600\/Stripes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0493.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-UFwpF5qJuBE\/V9hfv1W-S_I\/AAAAAAAAlFA\/BilIlKnG34ousHcfH-9DswoUafwn_gI5ACLcB\/s1600\/Stripes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0525.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-p5Rakcj35_U\/V9hgbiiAU1I\/AAAAAAAAlFE\/RwJ6esTSbAMLlbqwPtEBjJ60cPAKyDOQACLcB\/s1600\/Stripes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0460.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E winners \u003C\/b\u003Esweater, \u003Cb\u003Etopshop \u003C\/b\u003Ehat, \u003Cb\u003Emontana tackstore \u003C\/b\u003Eboots\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/2123079489525811611\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/09\/and-then-there-was-autumn.html#comment-form","title":"26 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2123079489525811611"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2123079489525811611"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/09\/and-then-there-was-autumn.html","title":"and then there was autumn."}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BRRD6JfFvEw\/V9g4Qk9Z6QI\/AAAAAAAAlDE\/YOfwL3fTs-cPrSJdFgAiuAykXQukO2anQCLcB\/s72-c\/Stripes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0397.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"26"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-4280782835469115236"},"published":{"$t":"2016-09-08T05:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-09-08T08:35:12.912-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"a vintage affair"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"lassoing the sun"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-fRJdBr6_lkM\/V9BYPbwifDI\/AAAAAAAAk6w\/h6Dc3e2b-zYm67krZfVZPTuit9lEk2yhgCLcB\/s1600\/RAVINE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bmy%2Bsummer%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0414.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ka16lykURHE\/V9BYA30uEpI\/AAAAAAAAk6s\/9ncCnQJjFOA7M7cd1hg5Gyjkkf6YSkuaACLcB\/s1600\/RAVINE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bmy%2Bsummer%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0409.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wyTQLFC7ZkM\/V9BYfkxV6YI\/AAAAAAAAk60\/w4tuORKIhBoFpRm1uckhrlYdAUKZPLdQwCLcB\/s1600\/RAVINE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bmy%2Bsummer%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0431.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThis is a post about trying and failing to lasso the summer season. I'm not yet ready for sweaters, wool socks and warm chocolate milk, perhaps I will never be ready for such things. I want the freedom that comes with barefoot sleeps and running to the yard where a bramble is full of edible berries. I coo and caw like a crying child \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— \u003C\/span\u003Esoft white clouds, don't you leave me. Sun shaped shadows along the grass, don't you disappear.\u0026nbsp; Flowers twisting and turning like cotton dresses in the wind, don't you stop brightening the day ahead of me. I belong to the shade of a tall apple tree where the hourglass of living comes to a pause. I am not myself in the hands of another season, but I try. I try, try, and then I try again.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIt's all I can do.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI shouldn't cry out like this because instead of lassoing the sun, I will be traveling to the ocean and a week will be spent there with my family come September 14th. It has been over a year since I last squished my toes against the sand and let the salty air sing \"you are home\" to me. I know I will be filling my belly with all sorts of chowders and fresh from the vine island produce. I know I will sleep like a baby as the sound of sea waves roll me over like a loving mama. I need\u003Ci\u003E this\u003C\/i\u003E. To trade the hum for hush and unplug myself from the wall that is worries and wondering, to stand in my own solitude next to the sea again. I don't know about you, but the sea to me is a place where buds of trouble stop from blooming and all you're left with is a generous helping of e\u003Ci\u003Everything will be okay\u003C\/i\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIf only we could all find a place like the sea in our hometowns \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— a place we can go to when we're searching for the quiet parts inside ourselves that no one ever hears. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-LXxP2gYkuBA\/V9BYvJipkiI\/AAAAAAAAk64\/cr-X3R9vYC0oqxTZPUGbbIPBvxa37i74gCEw\/s1600\/RAVINE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bmy%2Bsummer%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0502.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hzCVqDFIBnI\/V9BY0CCMccI\/AAAAAAAAk68\/PXNDI5Aq5Oc6EATY9mWRfopWgBtHdVqrwCLcB\/s1600\/RAVINE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bmy%2Bsummer%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0492.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sGuoHj2RDmE\/V9BZMnWS9sI\/AAAAAAAAk7A\/zJ3FY3xve64774KebOyEJobQdj7E7C5FgCLcB\/s1600\/RAVINE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bmy%2Bsummer%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0470.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-8Y-m6NlS4rg\/V9BZh2JVTZI\/AAAAAAAAk7I\/uDuZ_DBfrzc2wlmyRs-pen44Iu2-o0LEACLcB\/s1600\/RAVINE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bmy%2Bsummer%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0455.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-u-Dk7eK8_FE\/V9BZziAUZcI\/AAAAAAAAk7U\/myUzBfNT_cwawn3Ai7PHgSniR0XNGmPPACLcB\/s1600\/RAVINE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bmy%2Bsummer%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0418.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-0Cuwsga305c\/V9BalY9c7cI\/AAAAAAAAk7c\/A0HPjs6HXsgy3P4zrbFHybcOKDd8dSNCACLcB\/s1600\/RAVINE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bmy%2Bsummer%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0491.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-yUTkRF12WPQ\/V9Bad1IlrDI\/AAAAAAAAk7Y\/wpZMHOno1UsQWTM-IrkagMYAYdhdED28QCLcB\/s1600\/RAVINE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bmy%2Bsummer%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0482.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-96UC_1v4XW8\/V9BZSnHkfrI\/AAAAAAAAk7E\/3QAT3_ibfM8UO9t8izfJz4gSXsMJ1jAaACEw\/s1600\/RAVINE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bmy%2Bsummer%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0473.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-5_l3alQ79a4\/V9B-8uKVzgI\/AAAAAAAAk70\/k5QQStFy464uawDbxdlgTH_p744fAC7lwCLcB\/s1600\/RAVINE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bmy%2Bsummer%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0398.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E a vintage affair \u003C\/b\u003Edress,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.baitfootwear.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebait footwear\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E shoes\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/4280782835469115236\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/09\/lassoing-sun.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4280782835469115236"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4280782835469115236"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/09\/lassoing-sun.html","title":"lassoing the sun"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-fRJdBr6_lkM\/V9BYPbwifDI\/AAAAAAAAk6w\/h6Dc3e2b-zYm67krZfVZPTuit9lEk2yhgCLcB\/s72-c\/RAVINE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bmy%2Bsummer%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0414.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-5826466681109103591"},"published":{"$t":"2016-08-30T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-08-30T10:35:09.184-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"the wilderness"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-t3VOLqIdnWg\/V8SMdWO9l5I\/AAAAAAAAkn0\/G0sGfrtCDYoNHpbLUiULY_qeFI8wD-7CgCLcB\/s1600\/Rainy%2BAugust%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0249.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-o7rQI8NZG4Y\/V8SN5csfIpI\/AAAAAAAAkn8\/B6hMqTLS-OEf7AJzH0cxDJHKFIiOQia2ACLcB\/s1600\/Rainy%2BAugust%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0305.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rLYDlnbY7nc\/V8SOUyZ2TpI\/AAAAAAAAkoA\/Udq9i2gwbRYasLs_qKjx90Mr98rdQhL9ACLcB\/s1600\/Rainy%2BAugust%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0206.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;One day, we will all walk into the wilderness. We know not when, we know not why. It is something that will happen whether we ask for it, whether we live good lives and do good deeds, whether we drink green smoothies, run great miles or sit on the sofa drinking ginger beer out of a tall can. The end of a season, the end of a love, the end of a life, it is all just a matter of clock spins and what we choose to do within them. I say this because I watch the world around me and I see a small army of ruthlessness and hurt that makes my own eyes fill with salt. Why do we have to always be 'experts' on everything? Why do we make friends only to talk over them? Why don't we ask more questions? Why is \"how are you\" considered small talk? When will we rise in the morning and discover the bees need our help, the girls need our love and taking a second out of our day to think of somebody else and not \u003Ci\u003Efor\u003C\/i\u003E them is beautiful like flowers in the spring or dogs putting their heads on our laps. We spend so much time wanting our hearts to be like mountains — the bravest, the tallest, the least footprints on it. We want better, always bett\u003Ci\u003Eer\u003C\/i\u003E and we don't want others to know that we too can fill our bathwater with tears.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI know the world has its greatness. I write those stories all of the time. I know the clouds will part to reveal hazy sunshine and happy children running home to a warm supper, but sometimes, the floorboards snap beneath my feet and I become air - floating and falling while my heart beats on. I overhear somebody say \"she's just a girl\" or \"look at me, look at me!\" When this happens, I can feel myself walking closer to the wilderness and then I have to pause to remember the times when I saw something treasured - like people being themselves or the sea whispering in and out by the sand where I built my castle. I have to remember for every crooked moment, there was a hummingbird buzzing or a mother being kissed on the cheek. Yes the opposite is also true, for every awing moment, there was somebody breaking glass or bruising a heart, but I can't afford a life where I am haunted by what \u003Ci\u003Ecould\u003C\/i\u003E be dressed in the darkness of night.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI don't want to live in a world where I forget what is beautiful and what bandages the broken skin, but I also don't want to live in a world where I turn my head away from the crying and only look for the days dressed by sunshine. It is a trying balance and it leaves me tired. Who will mend this suffering? Who will keep the poetry alive? Who will allow us to marry or not? Who will turn to the girls and say \"you can do this.\"\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nYou can do this.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWe are learning and we will always be learning until the day when we leave for the wilderness\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;and\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;we\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;don't\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;come back.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-SeKcsr6fcTU\/V8Sfa9d50AI\/AAAAAAAAkpE\/fLhzAitQDNU6BBn2UvUdvI45NKcl4JhAgCLcB\/s1600\/Rainy%2BAugust%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0311.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mCx8OkUrnw0\/V8Sca-58AYI\/AAAAAAAAkoY\/3jOShIDoUkITNV0IMele8ThU9XoyRWCDwCLcB\/s1600\/Rainy%2BAugust%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0195.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-O-rggIx5A6I\/V8SdR0Z-kAI\/AAAAAAAAkok\/hTqDLPshy841Zgx0JEYcI2k1Y3eomxHXwCLcB\/s1600\/Rainy%2BAugust%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0316.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-79SRmBe2FaM\/V8SdL7m8FRI\/AAAAAAAAkog\/lcFY5YAmjwUQ7BGkl9G6PWU17GzZeEP5gCLcB\/s1600\/Rainy%2BAugust%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0288.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-YGGtz8bj5D0\/V8SdllmaNBI\/AAAAAAAAkow\/RPLQV-7-u5YQFy-y3oQjYu-VrrJvHB1mwCLcB\/s1600\/Rainy%2BAugust%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0280.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-qjzTleXGTiU\/V8SdhHE82oI\/AAAAAAAAkos\/11qSe6CAAakrnakCZ7veN3rA3wq8aAt1gCLcB\/s1600\/Rainy%2BAugust%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0297.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-fiLOLbpUzu4\/V8Sb82ulBSI\/AAAAAAAAkoQ\/Zddtachk4WoKSXx36mGy4ukhnPNwjJb9QCEw\/s1600\/Rainy%2BAugust%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0260.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-0V-Gt9oqTqA\/V8SetvqBqjI\/AAAAAAAAkpA\/j7DjJLuX6XUJpnPlSOIEwl3bFyypYVUzACLcB\/s1600\/Rainy%2BAugust%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0314.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9aRsVD55AxE\/V8SdfcjIH1I\/AAAAAAAAkoo\/1GL775Kdd6QigGEn9rqKKML3C8zFU3oeQCEw\/s1600\/Rainy%2BAugust%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0198.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details: \u003Cb\u003Eall thrifted\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/5826466681109103591\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/08\/the-wilderness.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5826466681109103591"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5826466681109103591"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/08\/the-wilderness.html","title":"the wilderness"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-t3VOLqIdnWg\/V8SMdWO9l5I\/AAAAAAAAkn0\/G0sGfrtCDYoNHpbLUiULY_qeFI8wD-7CgCLcB\/s72-c\/Rainy%2BAugust%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0249.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-5735367840816949793"},"published":{"$t":"2016-08-24T10:31:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-08-24T10:31:57.405-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicwish"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"floral crown"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"how to be me"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ENAdszK7A20\/V7tcE7uZ8HI\/AAAAAAAAkbg\/NWXCH_3gNGYNuV_EYAED8Eg1A2feFTHAwCLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BCrown%2BAugust%2B-0177.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-8YY7KIGTU7k\/V7tcb_MhWkI\/AAAAAAAAkbk\/yQ9noYfYT3oe3bIAkQEFU_SAccF2bCREgCLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BCrown%2BAugust%2B-0272.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hCuXIMpSBVo\/V7tgAEXYf9I\/AAAAAAAAkbw\/ZkaLFx4XU38DTwfegbk4lugn2Y4ZfJzWwCLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BCrown%2BAugust%2B-0168.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nSometimes, the sun leaves out compromise and summertime boards a train sooner than you'd want it to. It's like having a whole bag of dill pickle chips waiting at home for you and when you get there, somebody else ate them. I want to always be aware of how lucky it is to be here, to be living on this planet, to be me, but sometimes, all I can do is let images run through my mind like moving pictures on a little screen. What do I see? A garden, a beanstalk towering over me, barefooted on the sand, waves rolling in and out, smiling dogs, an endless summer being drank like a sweet juice that leaves no cavity. It is in these images I have come to know who I am and what I dream for, but it's not always easy to watch summer leave you while you're living in your head. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nOn December 13th, in the wintertime, I was born. I have spent every waking hour since then traveling between what is and what ifs. I want to slow down \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— to follow my own advice, \u003Ci\u003Edying is a guarantee, live for today, don't waste your wishes, be yourself, and fight for your solitude. \u003C\/i\u003EEven I, the woman who pens the ends of poems and stories with messages about saying c'est la vie to the fear and the doubt can cry over small things. Even I can let my coop be ruled by somebody who hurt my feelings or the way the world looks when I'm watching the news. A gust of wind can roll into town and suddenly, my day is teeter tottering between sad and downright angry.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI want to land among the stars.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI want to always have guts, hope and moving pictures.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI want to know how to love in every season \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— even the ones where flowers don't grow.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI am still learning how\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003Eto\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003Ebe\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003Eme\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-l9wSx6tv1cw\/V7uebl8rxQI\/AAAAAAAAkcA\/iqrTAWlNa3o1CU6RwJ0W8Y0TTELibwx6wCLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BCrown%2BAugust%2B-0275.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ISomjL2L_PY\/V7zygrDBbwI\/AAAAAAAAkco\/mfTASscR9KEEEdyxgR-J-dshBS8W1i8WwCLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BCrown%2BAugust%2B-0184.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-RVGa4biwgZk\/V7zzBs66LZI\/AAAAAAAAkcs\/I1VnFqmoK6EykBky39xxSNzIY2ZcfcKxACLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BCrown%2BAugust%2B-0180.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-tf8bRX2tH34\/V7zzFm96mRI\/AAAAAAAAkcw\/h6oNLrH0irYeHmCEDRIQG_zll0kBSundACLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BCrown%2BAugust%2B-0198.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-FJHPxN5TKOg\/V7zz0jionjI\/AAAAAAAAkc8\/FaKEDGmvbZwgvNdL2TS3uEFC3Y-5gWougCLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BCrown%2BAugust%2B-0191.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Echicwish\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Edress,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.crownandglory.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecrown \u0026amp; glory\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Efloral crown\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/5735367840816949793\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/08\/how-to-be-me.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5735367840816949793"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5735367840816949793"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/08\/how-to-be-me.html","title":"how to be me"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ENAdszK7A20\/V7tcE7uZ8HI\/AAAAAAAAkbg\/NWXCH_3gNGYNuV_EYAED8Eg1A2feFTHAwCLcB\/s72-c\/Flower%2BCrown%2BAugust%2B-0177.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-4737446581101004647"},"published":{"$t":"2016-08-17T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-08-17T06:30:24.699-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"braids"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"music"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sunhat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"the sound of music"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-3kz3Kq6WvIY\/V7N5ROeeiTI\/AAAAAAAAkWY\/G_MXDQcn0wQqlim6tvmQoKZQ66-oeMHnQCLcB\/s1600\/Music%2BNotes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0264.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ei6bhUvBFfg\/V7N5BZUh13I\/AAAAAAAAkWc\/-PtxIo0qWWU3yr-P-sDNuEOnoQ6QL5XmACPcB\/s1600\/Music%2BNotes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0293.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-cvwDkDxhO_g\/V7OKHoXczhI\/AAAAAAAAkWo\/NSsDPnqbkWEarNGRM33q0y0LYx-prSLrwCLcB\/s1600\/Music%2BNotes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0206.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;In my head, there is a home for every wildflower and summer bug, for every wisp of grass, for every sunrise and cheek made rosy by it, for every singing chickadee and berry fallen from the tree. I grasp the seconds of this season so I can place them in my memory hall and carry it with me wherever I go. I run through the garden with my dog, I press my fingers against a tanned arm as I try to remember how pale the skin is when summer is gone. I live and I breathe a thousand times more. To fill my lungs with August is to put photographs into frames and hang them on the hallway leading me home.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhen I visit the ravine after rainfall, mosquitoes appear like tiny warriors. Until today, it has been raining at least every second day. The ponds were starting to look like tiny oceans as they spilled over pathways and drowned many flowers. I was starting to befriend misery. I have spent too many hours longing and writing poems for this season, how could it be taken away from me and made short by storm clouds? Nature, like music, life and love, can devour you and all of your joy without a firing signal. It can give and give and give like the pulp of a fruit or the vitamin from the sun, but it can take and take and take like war or the words \"I don't love you anymore.\"\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nNow that the forecast sings its warm weather song, I run to the hills and listen for the birds I couldn't hear when it was raining. Music is around, on the prairies and the valleys, in the ponds and the flowerbeds. The days may soon begin to turn green into orange, blue into gray and flowers into floating leaves, but we still have the rest of August and my hope are for its leftovers to carry well into September.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nMust I say it again? Summertime, I am yours. Always. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp; \u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-rjPAM8jBDxU\/V7OKgdr3S1I\/AAAAAAAAkWs\/7jKkC39ItFkxNY_IWxnmuLHe1CPSkkO3wCLcB\/s1600\/Music%2BNotes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0221.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-m8zIxiGmh0M\/V7OLFrVosNI\/AAAAAAAAkW0\/CVjJ_gb8VY8mfrkC1k_2MK4PKXP4zfxLQCLcB\/s1600\/Music%2BNotes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0245.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-PD_MUDeT2Xk\/V7O5s7u3BfI\/AAAAAAAAkXo\/F1q3jsTbGDkTQhHThKIlUmQsTUnjFMUjACLcB\/s1600\/Music%2BNotes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0304.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wFZ2ArteUS8\/V7O6vswSORI\/AAAAAAAAkX0\/DcJXzoRaItggXWbf0kdGWhzsF6vhK8_jQCLcB\/s1600\/Music%2BNotes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0275.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-buAir3Kx65A\/V7OLr5MQ-jI\/AAAAAAAAkW8\/CM2FnagZ_xAjiduWC8qjMn7BpUZ2B2SsgCLcB\/s1600\/Music%2BNotes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0246.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Mmln71XqvU4\/V7OL-KQcdXI\/AAAAAAAAkXA\/YORkjuBXgvod9_doWPtGZS5P9AjdJdsbwCEw\/s1600\/Music%2BNotes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0250.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hn2X_LTt9b8\/V7OL-flD-bI\/AAAAAAAAkXE\/088A09Nk5ZwiWg5l-7SKG5drdLo2jq3PQCLcB\/s1600\/Music%2BNotes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0257.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-_TfiGq8jrOE\/V7OMVcv2oqI\/AAAAAAAAkXU\/hZjSgAIhUgIT8kiGA9rJM9SvGwmJ2UV2QCEw\/s1600\/Music%2BNotes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0265.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.valuevillage.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Evalue village\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Ehat,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Echicwish\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eskirt,\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thebodyshop.ca\/en\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E the body shop\u003C\/b\u003E \u003C\/a\u003Elipstick, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.oasap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eoasap \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Eblouse\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/4737446581101004647\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/08\/the-sound-of-music.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4737446581101004647"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4737446581101004647"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/08\/the-sound-of-music.html","title":"the sound of music"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-3kz3Kq6WvIY\/V7N5ROeeiTI\/AAAAAAAAkWY\/G_MXDQcn0wQqlim6tvmQoKZQ66-oeMHnQCLcB\/s72-c\/Music%2BNotes%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0264.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-6579431819803707696"},"published":{"$t":"2016-08-09T12:54:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-08-09T12:54:22.544-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"books"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"bow"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"old books, old friends"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KgpbFHgN7g4\/V6fPd5IEmFI\/AAAAAAAAkOA\/EDDnu7CGL5ALxpR9I8Sz8vXilBK8s0EngCLcB\/s1600\/August%2Band%2Bbows%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bravine%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0166.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-C4_0AchvpBg\/V6fOYCztLsI\/AAAAAAAAkNs\/37fvjUARQAQ8uBnqylfYS41xmKLfzHsTgCLcB\/s1600\/August%2Band%2Bbows%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bravine%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0160.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-95E4dnly9lw\/V6fPUzpk9XI\/AAAAAAAAkN4\/i_zbBtpJMIoj-PSgAB03P8QEtz2xt5w8wCLcB\/s1600\/August%2Band%2Bbows%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bravine%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0075.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;The days between today and the last time I read a new book is longer than I care to admit. It seems that all of my reading is done with two palms holding a phone to my face. It's not so bad when you're just seeking the sentences and their words, ones that live to move or educate you, but when you're looking for the scent of once living trees to dance against your skin and make you feel closer to a stranger who calls themselves a writer, you want to be paper back bound. I can't even bring to memory the last time I read a new book. Instead, I am always rereading the old ones I own or finding books with battered and dusty spines at the thrift store. If I go to the pub, I may order the same grub as last time, because it is good, because each time you taste it, you taste something new. I have come to know literature this very way too.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThese old books, they decorate the wooden shelves the way old friends decorate our lives. If not for their stories and every tear-stain or tea spot on their pages, how could I, the one born with a bad memory, remember what secrets they told me? I can often feel myself wanting to be library bound so I can fish for new books that become old books as time wears on, but then, I look to the books I've already found and I begin to read them again. These books are my bear trap, or Amy trap if you will, they invite me in the same way constellations and milky skies invite those who camp below them. I look for the sentences I've already come to love and then I run around the house looking for somebody to read aloud to.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\"I remember the last time you read this aloud, two months ago.\"\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\"Oh, I know, but it kisses you harder each time you hear it.\"\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhat books are you reading? Any 'new' book recommendations? \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--K50Lw7MUOg\/V6fQLAFXLiI\/AAAAAAAAkOM\/1gcb-5QnV1MOr9u3u28K-hB3TKUqZ8HDQCLcB\/s1600\/August%2Band%2Bbows%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bravine%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0152.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-o0RP6uAUtKI\/V6fP6kYigMI\/AAAAAAAAkOE\/4WfdlCx0NZAYiGmpgyQFiFaCVeLfzH3FACLcB\/s1600\/August%2Band%2Bbows%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bravine%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0121.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-RzcLnCdEbW0\/V6fQjx5JGhI\/AAAAAAAAkOU\/DYK8U2yi1YAiTrP-YZXx1ZkpfXj7RyyCwCLcB\/s1600\/August%2Band%2Bbows%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bravine%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0135.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/6579431819803707696\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/08\/old-books-old-friends.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6579431819803707696"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6579431819803707696"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/08\/old-books-old-friends.html","title":"old books, old friends"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KgpbFHgN7g4\/V6fPd5IEmFI\/AAAAAAAAkOA\/EDDnu7CGL5ALxpR9I8Sz8vXilBK8s0EngCLcB\/s72-c\/August%2Band%2Bbows%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bravine%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0166.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1591585436387244571"},"published":{"$t":"2016-08-03T11:05:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-08-03T11:05:35.228-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nature"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"summers from the past"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;My summer has been built by plans - something there, something here, \nsomething tomorrow, and something today. I am hoping to see a quieter \nAugust where more hours are spent at a turtle speed. For now, I am feeling a bittersweet nostalgia for yesterday so here are some photographs alongside words from the summers of the past. My favorite season.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-LbrGIMLmlf4\/VWPm8VMKTRI\/AAAAAAAAZv8\/5jl0b8rF51EjOInKqAIkA98xBHQa0w51QCPcB\/s1600\/squirrel%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-50.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-EgAQYxF-qAs\/VWPm7G-e4MI\/AAAAAAAAZvg\/yNBppUpkgNgG-vwuAsw_6n3A6ddYd9MQQCPcB\/s1600\/squirrel%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-48.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ESquirrels and Dandelions\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI wander to a field with my banjo, I feel lonely as only one can feel \nwhen they are alone in a field and everybody else is a stranger. The \ntrees cast shadows and I look to them for company as I sit down in the \ntall grass. This is who I am \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— \u003C\/span\u003Ea girl who needs \nsolitude as much as she needs spoons for stirring and lungs for calling a\n loved one home. Surely, it is in these moments of wondering whether I \nam lonely or simply alone that I realize how much I need to be wandering\n freely on my own, how I thirst for such an occasion. If I am to have \nears for listening to my friends and happiness within each tooth as I \ngrin, I need to keep and hold onto quiet moments where it's only me.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nContinue reading \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/05\/squirrels-and-dandelions.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lIZA3o0MTos\/VVTi2kSR6YI\/AAAAAAAAZhc\/aa3b_Eenwi8k8JFV2nahrSJx-as_coJaQCPcB\/s1600\/bird%2Bdress%2Band%2Bskirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-22.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_SK6zHb4E_4\/VVTi8zulGpI\/AAAAAAAAZjA\/uvNtD4eH1tAEu8LyhIGbuHLyt_GU2ZHEQCPcB\/s1600\/bird%2Bdress%2Band%2Bskirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-44.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;Birds and Dandelions\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWe went to Griffith Woods to take these photographs. I had hoped the \nbird covered shirt would invite birds to sit high on the treetops and \nlook down over us. I was feeling blue for days leading to these moments,\n not for any reason I could name, mostly just because I am Amy, I was \nborn in December, and I always carry a little bit of that winter shade \nof grey inside of my heart.\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E It is the shade I've come \nto know which compels me to write, to sing with the belly, and to listen\n for songs by birds and other worldly things. I came to Griffith Woods, \nnot only to take these photographs, but to remind myself that there is a\n bright kindling of afternoon skylight within me too.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nContinue reading \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/05\/birds-and-dandelions.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E..\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pTHvYZmwPps\/VXiQmRIhO_I\/AAAAAAAAaIY\/Yi6941h11agXPBf3Yn-IES6AYR_xyg2CACPcB\/s1600\/long%2Bskirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-77.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-rSTvP_ClrC8\/VXiQs4C8BbI\/AAAAAAAAaJw\/yFt_ZA89PQAdUttuVFBNBhdK6ZLehmfCwCPcB\/s1600\/long%2Bskirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B6%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EA few proud flowers\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;Several times a day, I look to where the sun is pointing and I put my \nbody there. I could sit underneath the sky for hours, even when it's \nwarm like a kettle after it coos. All I need is a few proud flowers, a \ncold cup of water and a spot in the shade for when my cheeks turn rosy \nfrom the sun. I don't want to miss anything, not the ladybug, not the \nbare sleeve, nor the green foliage that lights the forest like moon \nshimmer on a boat at sea.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nContinue \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/06\/a-few-proud-flowers.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ereading\u003C\/a\u003E..\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-LOUkyMy0yvI\/VYoi7q88pwI\/AAAAAAAAaZk\/kEdng9la4dsnslPq48f2f3HkXLaq_EtKgCPcB\/s1600\/house%2Bskirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-49.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-dxd9v_4sl84\/VYojTEhtkHI\/AAAAAAAAafU\/HBTvYhEa5kI5-rub5NDBXxMtm79N_4COgCPcB\/s1600\/house%2Bskirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-85.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWhat makes the gardener garden\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI wander to the watering hose and fill my bucket till \nit weighs like a full grown dog leaped upon my lap. I use all of the \nstrength I've ever known to lift it. I water the flowers. My arms \ntwitch. I find a sense of motherhood by carrying a heavy bucket to give \nlife to delicate living things. Other times, I feel like a hurricane, \nswishing and sloshing as wobbly me carries the bucket from the hose and \ninto the garden, losing most of the water along the way. There are \nlittle things in the daylight of June that make even the most melancholy\n of my moods disappear and seem forgotten until darkness comes around \nagain. I understand myself best in the world of shoveling soil, carrying\n buckets of water, and being hugged by the electric blanket we call \nsummer. I see everything as it is \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— short lasting but bright like a life well lived.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EContinue reading \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/06\/what-makes-gardener-garden.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E..\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/--71Zzdzxouo\/VbgJHT_qifI\/AAAAAAAAbFo\/YWhy_p6xupUfHH4HUGFrE1RBRcPtgPHKgCPcB\/s1600\/polka%2Bdot%2Bdress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-102.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hFYlB06OH9g\/VbgJKfAdegI\/AAAAAAAAbGg\/4m_hqHMZiGkN1IGFHnlGXqZCWsQoKFzhACPcB\/s1600\/polka%2Bdot%2Bdress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-60.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBe Here Now\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nMost of my regrets have something to do with summertime. If I don't \nwander enough through the green grass or eat enough fruit underneath a \ngolden sun, then I am left hollow and full of regrets like a boy whose \ntoo afraid to tell his father how he doesn't like fishing. I want to \ntouch every wild oak as if my hands were new to me. I want to taste the \nraspberries as if I had never tasted sugar. I want to walk into the \ngarden and see the flowers climbing towards the blue sky, not dying and \nbecoming crumbs of what summer was supposed to be.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhat will be will be, I say to myself. If a hailstorm were to arrive, \nlike a grave in the ground, here only to bury my garden, I would have to\n let it go. I spend so much of my waking life being bothered and worried\n about tomorrow. I stand at the edge of seawater thinking only of how I \nwill miss the sea when it's gone. Sometimes, this way of thinking is \nbeautiful and nourishing to the spirit. Other times, I feel like I am \nliving on the last sentence of my own chapter book.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nContinue reading \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/07\/be-here-now.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-QIH-p2xThrg\/VcTQ6K7-lRI\/AAAAAAAAbWE\/i0gdoYneUGUUSyHYfPzShK91iJuhunuLACPcB\/s1600\/free%2Bpeople%2Bboots%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-68.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EAugust Thunderstorms\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nWe often look outwards when summer is here \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— w\u003C\/span\u003Ee \ndream in the cotton clouds hanging high above us, we linger in the tall \nblades of grass at our feet, we shine so brightly when we crane our \nnecks to smell the wildflowers, and we stand so close to our own heaven \nin the beaming sun. I have only youth to remember at summertime's \nbeginning. Sometimes, in the stories, and in my thoughts of summer, I am\n quick to forget about the thunderstorms.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nContinue reading \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/08\/august-thunderstorms.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-OaV_qewygP0\/Vdatn6TjoCI\/AAAAAAAAcZg\/xNcaBKuFyZUevodSDyFaMI-YtDSiXXWZgCPcB\/s1600\/2015-08-20%2B10.02.21%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EAbout a dream \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;I realize now, as I look longingly onto the garden, a place where tomato\n plants burst and bloom like tiny emblems of a passing summer. Maybe, \nthe dream only hollers of my wish to be swimming, to always be summer \nbound, and to be free as the apron which flour spills onto. Maybe, the \ndream is less of a dream and more of a tiny siren song warning me to \nlive a little louder before the riverbed dries.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nContinue reading \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/08\/about-dream.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E..\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-LD5g7olaDiA\/U_fftGjECrI\/AAAAAAAAUF0\/D88GmisTsKIx-yVsADE42MN_oPGE-2HcwCPcB\/s1600\/bug17.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-u0TyOKs7ZvI\/U_ffxiCpLWI\/AAAAAAAAULQ\/No_3E2byKEMeoYGIDCM_dqW6R7G8rUDJACPcB\/s1600\/bug3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EHow to be an explorer\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white;\"\u003EIf there ever is a time where \nboredom feels like my only season, I can always count on a day of \nexploring to lift my spirits. Stepping outside of myself, wandering to \nwhere sunbeams sit on the trees, peeking through binoculars, embracing \nmy five senses, taking mental field notes and coming home to share all \nof my discoveries, this is how I cure the boredom blues and find \nhappiness again.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white;\"\u003EContinue reading \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2014\/08\/how-to-be-explorer.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E..\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ez58v6gZ3gQ\/VcuA0H9SDxI\/AAAAAAAAb4g\/0VAqtaIZq6shBthBo1myFdHlRhwVCz7FwCPcB\/s200\/2015-08-11-21-45-44_deco.jpg\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-HFCLJ_OEnWU\/VBXbv8RZ-tI\/AAAAAAAAVc4\/YrQaYghc7ugvjhaWLBc16UbQSfVg7Z1mACPcB\/s200\/IMG_20140803_104909-001.jpg\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-mMl0fZaQBxA\/VBXb3MApVEI\/AAAAAAAAVek\/nk-uQo7Vu0M0fpCzXmnI85wBO7mym9sAgCPcB\/s200\/2014-08-30-23-41-035.jpg\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1591585436387244571\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/08\/summers-from-past.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1591585436387244571"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1591585436387244571"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/08\/summers-from-past.html","title":"summers from the past"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-LbrGIMLmlf4\/VWPm8VMKTRI\/AAAAAAAAZv8\/5jl0b8rF51EjOInKqAIkA98xBHQa0w51QCPcB\/s72-c\/squirrel%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-50.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-2528546328686103090"},"published":{"$t":"2016-07-28T15:13:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-07-28T15:13:31.716-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"the kewl shop"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"one thousand poems for summer"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-24n9RKod9T4\/V5mfG7XFQnI\/AAAAAAAAj8I\/XwrhyOrYnzQFoSnGhnyQDKUIOuqiaYJIACLcB\/s1600\/The%2BKewl%2BShop%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0076.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-24n9RKod9T4\/V5mfG7XFQnI\/AAAAAAAAj8I\/XwrhyOrYnzQFoSnGhnyQDKUIOuqiaYJIACLcB\/s1600\/The%2BKewl%2BShop%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0076.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-l9iPEapTzWM\/V5mfCPqbuXI\/AAAAAAAAj8E\/dhL6i-JZWmIX1XEm2vg-jABrzUT_f64EQCLcB\/s1600\/The%2BKewl%2BShop%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0079.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nSummer, how many poems can one write for you? How many dreams can be found in your season? How many flowers? How many bees? How many sighs of relief and grass stains on the knees? This kind of today, where the sun warms you out of sleep and locks you in with every sunbeam. This kind of tomorrow, where you can't wait to see which tomatoes are ready for picking. Summer, you put rose-tinted specs on me and I find myself calling for you whenever you go away. Now that you are here, I watch you like an hourglass, slipping with sand as every second passes. If only I could find ways to slow you - like drinking iced lemon tea with sips and not gulps or sitting crossed legged in the garden instead of running into the city.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nSummer, you tell me what I already know - that life is beautiful and that it ends.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_ZQYf34NOFc\/V5mftmzXhQI\/AAAAAAAAj8Y\/OTz0iFlJkp8IBkedREjCN3wCo45OdFCqwCLcB\/s1600\/The%2BKewl%2BShop%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0097.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe dress I am wearing is from an online boutique called \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thekewlshop.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe kewl shop\u003C\/a\u003E. If you read here often, you'll know I'm not one who wears a lot of fitted clothing. Maybe you'll find me in the occasional skin hugging blouse with a flowing skirt, but rarely do I show the shapes and lines which make me\u003Ci\u003E me\u003C\/i\u003E. I think my reasoning is less to do with being self conscious of the belly and rump, and more to do with my constant quest for comfort. However, wearing clothes that show me exactly as I am can be a little frightening. Sometimes, it's easier to be hidden in your clothes like a comma, for there is more to be revealed, than to dress like an exclamation mark, which reveals much more. Wearing this dress was a gamble for me, but if you aren't a thrill seeker that takes to bungee jumping or deep sea diving, then wearing clothes out of your comfort zone is an easy way to add a little spice to your everyday life. I love the pale blue color too.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI wore it today and I'll wear it again. I wrote in the garden and now I intend to sleep by the marigolds.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nSee you soon.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-f8EtWqN1caA\/V5mfbWLqWeI\/AAAAAAAAj8Q\/Iy3hY8PfmBIySZYs67bEk_awLZi_KvXUQCLcB\/s1600\/The%2BKewl%2BShop%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0108.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-me5P_boh_80\/V5meZoPiQjI\/AAAAAAAAj74\/EUC0qhFZMhY1dr8i9lZGf11wrgg-zcsDQCEw\/s1600\/The%2BKewl%2BShop%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0068.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-DVn99jMFqf8\/V5mf_UTUhPI\/AAAAAAAAj8g\/effpKZ__Bjk1XSqat2NRjCQNpidVUP-IgCLcB\/s1600\/The%2BKewl%2BShop%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0064.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nMeado36LoA\/V5mifEaU2XI\/AAAAAAAAj8w\/-9DMKpiGAuQcoEw2HIbNT4B8XgqihPsqwCLcB\/s1600\/The%2BKewl%2BShop%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0104.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-L5Jctit7Agg\/V5mlBovbofI\/AAAAAAAAj88\/UhNAc6lmryUz4uqiX90qG0Mvea7aVT9_wCLcB\/s1600\/The%2BKewl%2BShop%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0075.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-lnB6UGD2MKs\/V5mmBXZlWOI\/AAAAAAAAj9I\/0VcPBhJFYeswe_eUM0rjWj-LbRG6YQ4nwCLcB\/s1600\/The%2BKewl%2BShop%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0121.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-3VOgEegJjRk\/V5mmSzlEEzI\/AAAAAAAAj9M\/t26gv0TyHb8ipQ3zr3VghNslkgAOhXU3QCLcB\/s1600\/The%2BKewl%2BShop%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0120.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E value village\u003C\/b\u003E straw hat,\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thebodyshop.ca\/en\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E the body shop\u003C\/b\u003E \u003C\/a\u003Elipstick, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thekewlshop.com\/collections\/new-bandage-dresses\/products\/baby-blue-bandage-dress-set\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ethe kewl shop \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Edress\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/2528546328686103090\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/07\/one-thousand-poems-for-summer.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2528546328686103090"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2528546328686103090"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/07\/one-thousand-poems-for-summer.html","title":"one thousand poems for summer"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-24n9RKod9T4\/V5mfG7XFQnI\/AAAAAAAAj8I\/XwrhyOrYnzQFoSnGhnyQDKUIOuqiaYJIACLcB\/s72-c\/The%2BKewl%2BShop%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE-0076.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-8548576343295569588"},"published":{"$t":"2016-07-21T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-07-21T06:30:29.013-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"my life in photographs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"travel"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"my life in photographs"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xdwW82If23A\/V4_x-H2v3YI\/AAAAAAAAjyc\/DHrhUWiMfzcuPtluZRxID519vfyRHEOrgCLcB\/s1600\/2016-07-03%2B09.42.34%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWe went camping in Waterton. This was our morning view. I wish I always had a field of wildflowers and mountain air to walk through. I guess the birds singing in the backyard ravine will have to do.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-K-n-5NfQwGQ\/V4_3SzzBzUI\/AAAAAAAAj0E\/DEg1WqA_qYskvZdOD8DReQzoJQslptgowCLcB\/s1600\/2016-06-26%2B08.00.54%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-v4Kk8URqHfQ\/V4_3XwqATYI\/AAAAAAAAj0I\/Pi16pCSHuqIbWEbxUnkDD-qobkhvXcr2gCLcB\/s1600\/2016-06-27%2B08.50.20%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;A mighty fine view for the morning hop and brew.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-AtUPzYjiESE\/V4_4LAQvzRI\/AAAAAAAAj0U\/4LzunVqdKEgiigU2s550GjTSt2CaIFMygCLcB\/s1600\/2016-06-25%2B02.17.57%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;Happiness is homemade toast and sunny eggs over the campfire.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Dfl8Bj15_44\/V4_x9pAtMjI\/AAAAAAAAjyY\/lZEM3lhEdm4hWYyuoNYV9UWi-VgCZ26lgCEw\/s1600\/2016-07-03%2B09.36.08%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nA wasp stung me for the first time in my life. After all of these years gardening and running through the grass, it finally occurred when I was an hour away from catching a bus to a wedding and I had to hurry out the front door. Long live a high pain threshold due to a lifetime of chronic pain and playing sports. Here is a flower to start your day off right.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-5ZN3JaBNExQ\/V4_x8rTKtDI\/AAAAAAAAjyQ\/uia6X-Toy6AZiw_J3Z_Xg-YSIYP7pZ9IgCEw\/s1600\/2016-06-28%2B09.30.48%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nSummery sun and pretty petals growing all over the hills. Joy after joy after joy in this short but sweet season.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Fa_5FDDavwM\/V4_x8Go001I\/AAAAAAAAjyM\/3AaobCm9e_UraHzGvK4NeHFfZ_d_FL_iQCEw\/s1600\/2016-06-05%2B09.12.47%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003EEating pretzels, not crying your eyes out, drinking lemonade, flowers not tilting their heads and instead growing tall towards a blue sky. Reasons to be happy today.\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-8kh-SCdSqR0\/V4_x9DhH-7I\/AAAAAAAAjyU\/aYvTChPvkRUQriflvMXJzPN0Mgq4DVZBwCEw\/s1600\/2016-06-10%2B10.01.55%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThis is how the garden looked after a few days in June. Now, it's starting to grow wide and tall. I can't wait to see how beautiful it will become!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-BcDWpKzWsz4\/V4_4-56KONI\/AAAAAAAAj0o\/AYeKKjDZzpIRSF13Gwy4ZOQIRCpihrITQCLcB\/s1600\/2016-06-19%2B12.10.57%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nMedicine for the mind.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-AvuciqkrQhY\/V4_yAiQFDgI\/AAAAAAAAjys\/A_6rS2fmg-s74QMsiMMRykusjAPMlRPcgCEw\/s1600\/IMG_20160616_151825.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIt's flower pressing season.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-sal5kkJX5WI\/V4_4w23grRI\/AAAAAAAAj0g\/7_8zLgWWs1s9d59H0tg3HQHqTqmjZQlGgCLcB\/s1600\/2016-06-22%2B11.48.11%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;The lost and found.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wQFa-puOj7w\/V4_yAIWZg6I\/AAAAAAAAjyo\/lNo4ykQmmy4ZxiQdWUfnwDM8hptdfyisQCEw\/s1600\/IMG_20160531_110547.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nSomething very exciting came my way - I won first place in a songwriting competition. Yes, me, Amy, the one who has spent a lifetime searching for life's fruit. I feel like I'm walking in a bouncy castle and all the trees are blooming with their lilacs. I want to thank everybody here and beyond who believed in me. Being an artist of any kind is not usually cake and castles, but if you have been with me through it all then I thank you.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Un5VfKlFgbA\/V4_4dF_x3oI\/AAAAAAAAj0Y\/jJGIx38fGWgzF_9tghiysB3TjX7bC7p7ACLcB\/s1600\/2016-06-20%2B12.03.49%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;Reach for the cosmos.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-u4DQKlrkw7c\/V4_0pbjxWPI\/AAAAAAAAjzo\/laGflDf6cIsQFCjnLX8hJsSGXDPvvu2xgCLcB\/s1600\/2016-07-13%2B10.43.39%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nJuly has become the month of music - gigs here, gigs there, watching, listening, playing, moving, it's all so beautiful and interesting to watch the world unfold for me like this. I cannot remember the last day I felt boredom. It was probably before the end of May, when there was no garden to tend to and no gigs to prepare for. I live in this busyness, like I am a bee buzzing from flower to flower. I don't feel thirsty nor hungry, but sometimes I miss blogging regularly and keeping in touch with you. This is just the way life is and one day, it may all become so quiet again that you could hear a tiny mouse scurrying across the backyard grass. For now, I am living in the moment for it is all that I have.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nTell me, how is your July? What keeps you busy? What keeps you satisfied?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI'll be seeing you soon.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/8548576343295569588\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/07\/my-life-in-photographs.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8548576343295569588"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8548576343295569588"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/07\/my-life-in-photographs.html","title":"my life in photographs"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xdwW82If23A\/V4_x-H2v3YI\/AAAAAAAAjyc\/DHrhUWiMfzcuPtluZRxID519vfyRHEOrgCLcB\/s72-c\/2016-07-03%2B09.42.34%2B1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-2188242966751945176"},"published":{"$t":"2016-07-10T11:38:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-07-10T11:38:27.596-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"braids"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nature"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"the grassy hills of July"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Uydy9-OrsLc\/V3wbyuRQIEI\/AAAAAAAAjdw\/1IxFwj1W5jwLL8rnQu87QjIDrjXNxaRnQCLcB\/s1600\/Braids%2BEshakti%2BAmyflyingakite-0566.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dY0H5BRUuyc\/V3xUS6lKi7I\/AAAAAAAAjeo\/ATtCyRayU-o68q8u7Trn-5aJlZ2zEBW-ACLcB\/s1600\/Braids%2BEshakti%2BAmyflyingakite-0509.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nBreath has been delicate as I sing out with my banjo and guitar. I dream of stories to tell as I bring a bucket of water into the garden. I try to capture the sunlight on my strings as I put one foot in front of the other. I am both eager and confused by my busyness in July. There are festivals, there are campsites, there are rooms waiting for the singers and songwriters to loudly and proudly croon. Some days, I want it all even if wanting it \u003Ci\u003Eall \u003C\/i\u003Emeans missing the garden because I am too busy singing, but then on other days, I want to sing only for the flowers and the backyard sparrows. It is in this dilemma, I find myself grateful to be a puzzle piece. Tomorrow, it could all be taken away. Dreams for so many mean holding onto kite strings and hoping the wind never carries too heavy or dies in the air.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI want to hold onto this, the way you might hold onto a summertime fruit, it's bounty is not endless, so you eat it slowly and savor the sugar even if it makes your hands sticky. If there ever was a place for music-making or realizing what kind of day today could be, it was in the grassy hills of July.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-MCuoxgteH_w\/V3xVDflDYrI\/AAAAAAAAjew\/izCELUyAlcc_7D3B0APhN_A3Uh3z6Oc2wCLcB\/s1600\/Braids%2BEshakti%2BAmyflyingakite-0555.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-cKBo8rUVRX4\/V3xVbU1y8AI\/AAAAAAAAjfE\/W3F6rZCjX3gwqJr7Jx7qo1Q_Uwa7ZhMUgCLcB\/s1600\/Braids%2BEshakti%2BAmyflyingakite-0553.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Vjb9-og6e-E\/V3xVMvd7kGI\/AAAAAAAAje0\/CeHQRvWZpjI0aSbAruG2JvLWsOfUq7J1ACLcB\/s1600\/Braids%2BEshakti%2BAmyflyingakite-0569.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.eshakti.com\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eeshakti \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003Edress\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/2188242966751945176\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/07\/the-grassy-hills-of-july.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2188242966751945176"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2188242966751945176"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/07\/the-grassy-hills-of-july.html","title":"the grassy hills of July"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Uydy9-OrsLc\/V3wbyuRQIEI\/AAAAAAAAjdw\/1IxFwj1W5jwLL8rnQu87QjIDrjXNxaRnQCLcB\/s72-c\/Braids%2BEshakti%2BAmyflyingakite-0566.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-5358905781897147213"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-30T12:18:00.001-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-30T12:18:37.044-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"banff"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicwish"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"expedia"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"mountains"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nature"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"travel"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A road trip to Banff"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-wM0R4Wr6T6k\/V3LC88BGKmI\/AAAAAAAAiFY\/KUCZmuYlo5EwgqLoxfR_z01P8Gylr2NHQCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0190.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-71Yo18MoQ0o\/V3LDwyccx6I\/AAAAAAAAiGA\/rL8jzUf6Ta4a4m6gPHQJVEtQYC0HpczOACLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0250.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;On Monday, I planned a picnic with my mum and headed out towards the rocky poems that grow far above us. It is one of the only places I have traveled to where the road itself is beautiful and never feels too long. Whenever I am down on my luck or bored of the city, I know I can count on these roads to jump start my heart again. That's why when Expedia.ca asked me to share my favorite places along the way to Banff, Alberta, Canada, I did not hesitate!\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;calibri\u0026quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jBXXaYklVSc\/V3MCqlCnetI\/AAAAAAAAiVQ\/LZeIJaESOIsaQeGxsuJDs8SsOcIw2GfOACLcB\/s320\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0356.jpg\" width=\"212\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-D9_XHaXCsgA\/V3MBwuWhhrI\/AAAAAAAAiU8\/ScsGxGPj23Q-4HeYP0POKJO7fnFf6DZPACLcB\/s320\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0333.jpg\" width=\"212\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aSRQ1rbazH4\/V3MDEqqzgWI\/AAAAAAAAiVY\/rnQaHlKyqzA6XtAtosD0rI_DiDTom-jtwCLcB\/s320\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0026.jpg\" width=\"212\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EGhost Lake Reservoir\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThis is a nice little spot right off of highway 1A. If you're driving from Calgary, you can make this the first stop of your day trip or spend the night camping across the road. Here, you can take to fishing or watch sailboats float on by. If you look out as far as the eye can see, you could convince yourself it was ocean water. The waves roll in and out which makes it a perfect place for boating\u003Ci\u003E \u003C\/i\u003Eor letting your hair sway in the breeze.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-BHH3Qh1IFT4\/V3LGto7LZmI\/AAAAAAAAiJQ\/Sna939fDzY4QCsTNn5htWYbXPiGjLfNyQCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-3515.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-By1H5UBKiMY\/V3LHhq1IwgI\/AAAAAAAAiKI\/NahTRYsiJoQVWcALM1TXFC7dHQQyWYN0QCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dmkgSu53218\/V3LwQtcPzhI\/AAAAAAAAiUk\/dU56pYCyrvcyw0ZGaCwgV10E56x9TM9lACLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0032.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EGrotto Creek Trail\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nGrotto Creek is one of my favorite places to stretch my legs and set out a picnic. I've been here in every season and it's always been pleasant. This time, the weather was golden and summery so everybody could bare their legs and let the mountain air make them feel like life was a magical thing not to be taken for granted. There were people in canoes and others were standing by the water with fishing pole in hand. It is a perfect place for a picnic or a hike through Grotto Creek Trail. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-8E152rDhGFs\/V3LILwiwa0I\/AAAAAAAAiKk\/7JYeSo6n3co3y61Pf41PbXONNuZ_pCFdACLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0203.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7rLpe_z1iq4\/V3LILXlgpjI\/AAAAAAAAiKg\/tfVJhVBqh5MZmeSTQMvLxZJPsE9cHJjQgCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0108.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-cT-xDWAyrjo\/V3LJV8_kPkI\/AAAAAAAAiLs\/5dWuUYA2joMeZ5h4EJvD393lRngCb5pZgCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0091.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VS249iFhgv4\/V3LJrsuNJsI\/AAAAAAAAiMQ\/sb0hYy55xOIhc27Y6g4Q-Af209Ty3REOQCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0099.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-zIka7qGqn3o\/V3LJzGKjfnI\/AAAAAAAAiMc\/9GLUWWhwNUsZqc7nRX1EgiNQ45eZTrp_QCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0124.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-zIka7qGqn3o\/V3LJzGKjfnI\/AAAAAAAAiMc\/9GLUWWhwNUsZqc7nRX1EgiNQ45eZTrp_QCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0124.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ox6ylRiG7AA\/V3LKcPktS1I\/AAAAAAAAiOE\/HINL3-N5VLwby5CDrFrUNtkyWHmvEsBfgCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0063.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0Iob6O8uuNI\/V3LKhiL1LUI\/AAAAAAAAiOY\/rqafb-XWpdsAozkna3B1lGEwSGUuu2jbQCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0166.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMoose Meadows\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nTo get to Moose Meadows, you have to follow the Bow Valley Parkway. It \nis a scenic drive that rolls and winds through dense forests and \ncolorful wildflowers. You can stop in at Johnston's canyon and visit the \nwaterfalls or grab a bite to eat in the restaurant. However, Johnston's \ncanyon can get quite busy in the peak seasons (July, August) so if you're looking to escape the crowd, drive a little ways past and you'll find Moose Meadows where beauty is abound. I could have stayed here\u003Ci\u003E all day\u003C\/i\u003E and listened to the quiet whispering of my happy heart.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-tud-pxL_HqI\/V3LMJYu-NHI\/AAAAAAAAiRI\/xanpcdwPle4ujTn-gPuf55WCmQLRtkWkwCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0281-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v9FnPtFvBsw\/V3LNIa7PmrI\/AAAAAAAAiRU\/2tca5_bOFFI3ZB7K7aO0KYKKIqvvF1KrgCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0318.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-kEt9-kHn6wA\/V3LNpP7YsII\/AAAAAAAAiRg\/_hPmt9jBSJQFoh3jGk1iTzjObTPgDefTACLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0326.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jIYzGz2nKB4\/V3LNwYukPJI\/AAAAAAAAiRs\/R5b1l9KGed8Bkz7sQxKZczm0rkM_E0BEwCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0373.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-zcExvHQQQ6A\/V3LOAyhYjdI\/AAAAAAAAiR4\/wL8CIRZ1DmE9SmueK1jHS-ULG-PLppuLwCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0282.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ELake Minnewanka\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;If you visit here often, you might already know of my love for Lake Minnewanka. In fact, I have written of it and taken photographs by the water many times. I come here to\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.ca\/Lake-Minnewanka-Banff.d6260948.Vacation-Attraction\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E see the lake sparkle \u003C\/a\u003Eagainst the sun and breathe the lodge pole pine air. There are chipmunks that could make even the grumpiest of men smile and mountain sheep who meander by. I certainly don't know all there is to know about living, but I do know Lake Minnewanka knows something about the way we spend our lives. If you're looking to slow down time, here is a place for you.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-fs93qhx44oE\/V3LlMIZ-VwI\/AAAAAAAAiTo\/SP--jPiKZ2M5c8X8EFXWoloUpoHNzfS9wCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0444.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-bvp_5J_jUOM\/V3LlSc5wOwI\/AAAAAAAAiTw\/E8WZSieGaiMEGv79jjP7ueMkwFVdx2muQCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0421.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-dbtLvd84P5o\/V3LOtNLDimI\/AAAAAAAAiSE\/abB8QjpPsokpvB0dUmkQAEAnm3QRCEHeACLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0400.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-msYlznwo7Vs\/V3LkfmnfmKI\/AAAAAAAAiTQ\/FlEgTv5wRyMEE7RdkA_9KHAx4lv5912zwCLcB\/s1600\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0437.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nHappy travels! \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Echicwish \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003Edress, \u003Cb\u003Emontana tackstore \u003C\/b\u003Elace up boots\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/5358905781897147213\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/06\/a-road-trip-to-banff.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5358905781897147213"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5358905781897147213"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/06\/a-road-trip-to-banff.html","title":"A road trip to Banff"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-wM0R4Wr6T6k\/V3LC88BGKmI\/AAAAAAAAiFY\/KUCZmuYlo5EwgqLoxfR_z01P8Gylr2NHQCLcB\/s72-c\/Banff%2BTrip%2BExpedia-0190.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-5200975501243614215"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-22T07:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-22T07:30:44.698-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"garden"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"blades of grass"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-XCk5FjcNh7Y\/V2l_cHgSPjI\/AAAAAAAAhr0\/WW9lYXE1J2UceNc_ctOpGoQkqfc_x798gCLcB\/s1600\/GINGHAM%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252814%2Bof%2B14%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-H_N2l9acI_8\/V2l_gky1jmI\/AAAAAAAAhr4\/JHRBCoHx9_Qm6TZHoWF8ykihhlGzA_C0QCLcB\/s1600\/GINGHAM%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25282%2Bof%2B7%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-YwapvgIcbP0\/V2oAeFWD54I\/AAAAAAAAhtE\/k6kOYBifF9AQwxnIj-8ojIHGkKIlgVprgCLcB\/s1600\/GINGHAM%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B2%2529-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;The blades of grass are growing tall and the first days of summer are making me feel like I have something in common with the world. I walk around outside like I wasn't born to die or change, I see the words \u003Ci\u003Eforever\u003C\/i\u003E written on every wildflower, and I go to sleep with a heart full after sowing in the garden or sitting in the sun. I don't know how I keep from letting my heart go pale, like my legs, in the other seasons. It has to be the memory of this \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— the pink \u0026amp; blue morning sky, drinking coffee while counting spots on lady bugs, eating crackers and cheese while the soft breeze hums, putting my hands out as I walk and feeling the tall grass roll against me, snapdragons, cosmos, freckles becoming like stars on the faces of those who press against the sky, naked sleeps, and the inability to hear the exhale that comes after a thought full of sadness. I'm too happy and soothed with summer to notice what makes a heart break.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;I'm going camping this weekend and I don't want to miss a moment of it. We haven't been camping in a long while \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— \u003C\/span\u003Eunless you count sleeping in the back of our van after a night of too much liquor and waking up to pee in the mountain rain. We'll drive to Waterton, we'll eat early am hash browns on the way (my favorite), we'll watch the campfire roar, we'll listen for forest noises, we'll fish and we'll dig at the roots of every good day as if we don't know how to have a bad day. It will be the first bite of summer and it will taste fine like fresh bread soaked in butter.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nCamping and summertime, I am yours. You are mine.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-6Jm3GBl09zQ\/V2nmFLXIjOI\/AAAAAAAAhs0\/GQEmVVVqkD8JJQyfPMqBxHkmIhE_P2i4wCKgB\/s1600\/GINGHAM%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-DgdS1Nz6ptI\/V2oBpFa2UzI\/AAAAAAAAhtY\/W2_QyJVmlgM83gbrUJ5uppJw0ZpJeyUAwCLcB\/s1600\/GINGHAM%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25282%2Bof%2B12%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-a88tlhiFv34\/V2oCry5IP-I\/AAAAAAAAhto\/-b2qC4F2qqMYCD7EVhWtvlAAiskWFEbEgCLcB\/s1600\/GINGHAM%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25288%2Bof%2B12%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-dC9Q35X18oI\/V2oE0Ykz6DI\/AAAAAAAAht0\/Jg15345HuLY7jv7jE2onmXhZnWP0WsDjACLcB\/s1600\/GINGHAM%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25283%2Bof%2B6%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-kin2bdwVxUs\/V2oFA9j9dxI\/AAAAAAAAht8\/94KrX26M1X0TUvPV_24Qv0JBMw4iegaGgCLcB\/s1600\/GINGHAM%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252811%2Bof%2B12%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7FzVBYD1COo\/V2oFFfI1VAI\/AAAAAAAAhuA\/OiQmS9XLx_oPFH9N2rqTrWHCueSVGID9QCLcB\/s1600\/GINGHAM%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B2%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rCQlZHsQsBk\/V2oFrLDFD2I\/AAAAAAAAhuQ\/WEmD9ftgBi4P1KembNTP4cqfrMqNqCNZQCLcB\/s1600\/GINGHAM%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25285%2Bof%2B14%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bMf7CF149Qk\/V2nlzjBDeNI\/AAAAAAAAhs0\/4wHQkuDJmNYhpX__OZlAI67udIJEwYOiACKgB\/s1600\/GINGHAM%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252811%2Bof%2B14%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-NPHlwlo_ONU\/V2oGfIef44I\/AAAAAAAAhuc\/OT7ZFoq4krI8iPmNlQ3pvjEK9saG1AjhQCLcB\/s1600\/GINGHAM%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25284%2Bof%2B12%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_voYkgW-luU\/V2oGqd6mLQI\/AAAAAAAAhuo\/mei05AC1kPoKDON_BBKePDXdn-IUeH5FgCLcB\/s1600\/GINGHAM%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25283%2Bof%2B3%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/5200975501243614215\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/06\/blades-of-grass.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5200975501243614215"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5200975501243614215"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/06\/blades-of-grass.html","title":"blades of grass"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-XCk5FjcNh7Y\/V2l_cHgSPjI\/AAAAAAAAhr0\/WW9lYXE1J2UceNc_ctOpGoQkqfc_x798gCLcB\/s72-c\/GINGHAM%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252814%2Bof%2B14%2529-2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-3936261302996077010"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-16T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-16T06:30:15.872-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"garden"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Ramblings from the hillside"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-RMLc_8C7Uac\/V2DNriAQeVI\/AAAAAAAAhhA\/Iidp4m7wmuABo6kN3W8hxPxiXzl64p79wCLcB\/s1600\/On%2BThe%2BHill%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25286%2Bof%2B8%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-gkx-heVlxQI\/V2DPItMw5rI\/AAAAAAAAhhg\/_bgKmolN7mk0yWIKV1kdAZ55SGog2iKAwCLcB\/s1600\/On%2BThe%2BHill%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-gVVsGCTfKuk\/V2DPmO1eaRI\/AAAAAAAAhhs\/KnBMDZLl4440OA_-bsW8niVrshEoZQuYgCLcB\/s1600\/On%2BThe%2BHill%2B%2B%252813%2Bof%2B15%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhen I feel like putting on my writer's cap, it usually occurs in the morning or early afternoon. As soon as moonshine falls onto those who are living where it lands, I do other things. I pick the guitar, I talk to whoever looks like they're listening, I go to where music is playing, I exercise my thumb against a glowing screen far longer than I'd like to and I dream as we all dream of other towns and future stories. Lately though, I've been doing all of my writing at night. It hasn't been the same as writing in the day. Birds aren't chirping, the house is quiet, and the trees don't look like trees as they appear barely noticeable if not for the stream of street light. Despite all of the darkness, I am able to write poems and little pieces of prose that feel like \u003Ci\u003Eme\u003C\/i\u003E. I reserve the day for other things, like I used to do at night.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nTomorrow, I can walk to the hillside and from there, I can watch for baby sized dragonflies taking flight above the wheat grass or listen for crickets cooing in their own symphony. I can run home and fill a cup with apple juice or paint a sandwich with raspberry jam. This is freedom. Sometimes, we have to trade time for money in order to live, and other times, pairs who once shared a bed will find themselves sleeping alone again, but for the most part, we can take ourselves to the hillside and find a window with the sunlight pouring through. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI say this because the world can feel barren and broken sometimes. We are looking for the green hillside where our lookout leads to a meadow of people getting along. We wish to sing tiny ballads of joy without sorrow, but in our pursuits, we often forget the good ones only to remember the bad. Moving among the stars, towards the warmth of July and the ever growing garden, take a moment to think of those around you who are kind and thank them.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nNow, when the daylight comes, I live and play as I did when I was young. It is summertime on the hillside and by the time a moon is showing, I'll have already filled an entire head with thoughts that soon turn into sentences. Even if nobody ever reads what I write, my short time here is made better for the writing and dissecting of my own inner world.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-62uvfxJI6XQ\/V2DP7vijWRI\/AAAAAAAAhh0\/d71Q2AbL8rs38ce0pRZmW5FEONwSUPVfACLcB\/s1600\/On%2BThe%2BHill%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252823%2Bof%2B46%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-uTmBxz1GGgg\/V2DQutOHQNI\/AAAAAAAAhiQ\/UzNkIm9uk4o6EtvX1U8O0FXoomw57j-XgCLcB\/s1600\/On%2BThe%2BHill%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-5.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-oavbLTgIIOY\/V2DP-sclDrI\/AAAAAAAAhh8\/4YOeVzQYbg4vHzvyfLvzRYySn-O0kCLswCLcB\/s1600\/On%2BThe%2BHill%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252822%2Bof%2B46%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-6ldwKh6Sp0c\/V2DRi22C2lI\/AAAAAAAAhik\/z85jjAAGXZkAB6uJKrFsUry2qy9_2LXnACLcB\/s1600\/On%2BThe%2BHill%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-7.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-CkirCt5lbK4\/V2DSJ923mZI\/AAAAAAAAhi0\/e_akjew6G8U0SvQbptsyhYlSxIGle7FWACLcB\/s1600\/On%2BThe%2BHill%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-8.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-76TzsCyaUY0\/V2DSHVRIecI\/AAAAAAAAhiw\/tcwxcXhrH20OT0rxOtpK5GC_UDYsEb-bACLcB\/s1600\/On%2BThe%2BHill%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-9.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-shIbFu38upQ\/V2DSJ25wiSI\/AAAAAAAAhi4\/ggfjtIQKBOYFXcYtJoB4O_CBHZ5Qo44gQCLcB\/s1600\/On%2BThe%2BHill%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-10.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-LW8GxA8bn2Q\/V2DRaF-MXRI\/AAAAAAAAhis\/QHLE-DvALygvQSnCOQvxbImcWBxrOZbVwCKgB\/s1600\/On%2BThe%2BHill%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252814%2Bof%2B46%2529.jpg\" \/\u003EOutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thekewlshop.com\/collections\/new-bandage-dresses\/products\/baby-blue-bandage-dress-set\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe kewl shop\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Etop,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.valuevillage.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Evalue village\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eboots, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.oasap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eoasap \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Eskirt\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/3936261302996077010\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/06\/ramblings-from-hillside.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3936261302996077010"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3936261302996077010"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/06\/ramblings-from-hillside.html","title":"Ramblings from the hillside"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-RMLc_8C7Uac\/V2DNriAQeVI\/AAAAAAAAhhA\/Iidp4m7wmuABo6kN3W8hxPxiXzl64p79wCLcB\/s72-c\/On%2BThe%2BHill%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25286%2Bof%2B8%2529.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1999681685856006750"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-10T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-10T06:30:15.837-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"garden"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sunhat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The dandelions and you"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-A4uGVcuDZMA\/V1nFh1i2sjI\/AAAAAAAAhYQ\/dUfquccnRiUnqzyVOyBOZ_VSShFcSqgIQCLcB\/s1600\/Blue%2BBow%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%252811%2Bof%2B15%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-neboexLAJ1Q\/V1nHEptRIsI\/AAAAAAAAhYo\/qo50seaUCxA1C4BG_byb8qR1mBSkVkjRACLcB\/s1600\/Blue%2BBow%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25283%2Bof%2B3%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Cw0zSMGzI4c\/V1nGEGEftcI\/AAAAAAAAhYY\/O18rcbnyoxQVbijB6TflkvTh6cR1paRxwCLcB\/s1600\/Blue%2BBow%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25285%2Bof%2B8%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWe will pick tomato, kale, and leaf from the ground as the summer air courts the gardeners hands as if those hands belong to a poet. I have little time to write or play music and when I do, my hands are covered in leftover dirt. I try to bend with my knees as I dig and prune plants but other times I bend with my back and I immediately regret it. If I am to spend an entire life in the garden, it would be a mistake not to take care of myself \u003Ci\u003Enow\u003C\/i\u003E. These muscles, these nerves, this heartbeat, this belly, they are not yet ready for being sore from years of ignoring their importance.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWe will walk into the ravine as the sun shines on our faces and you'll jump at the sight of a wandering wasp. It is true, I have never been stung, so I stand quite still when I see one, which makes me wonder if standing still is the trick or if I'm just lucky. I will crouch near the ground and pick dandelions, always remarking at how much happier I feel when the weather is warm. You will say \"how do you survive the long and cold winters?\" and I will reply \"the love I feel in June is boundless, you don't forget a love like that.\"\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWe will return home at the end of the day and although the day was good, we will still complain about how slow sleep comes when the weather is hot. When we can, we drift in and out of sweat, songs and sleep. Tomorrow, today, it all becomes one, and very little in this world of living feels as sweet as summertime and you.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ECxdbUkulEA\/V1nHlTKyzNI\/AAAAAAAAhYw\/LIgDYEgvH-g9rk03PUxUV4zEu7lF23cFwCLcB\/s1600\/Blue%2BBow%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25283%2Bof%2B15%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Gb8bcZ710s8\/V1n-WJZU4DI\/AAAAAAAAhaY\/0m8gKrsBZrgGqynA9e0c1_uYBxrbCOccwCLcB\/s1600\/Blue%2BBow%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-5.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7oBFTVkdBHY\/V1nI8fg6ZNI\/AAAAAAAAhZg\/lJ74AL-viAUKSdYbPURahsclPEeP5nlBQCLcB\/s1600\/Blue%2BBow%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25287%2Bof%2B10%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-YxdOemG-9hc\/V1nI_bMQx3I\/AAAAAAAAhZk\/_PCuTVlMODIab62MmSm2u8Ym1XFzpVJTACLcB\/s1600\/Blue%2BBow%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25282%2Bof%2B10%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-eu_-xpYBXH8\/V1n_0bi2AuI\/AAAAAAAAhaw\/cmL__b3K7vImzJtzMUd0cnmWiCk9lZAXACLcB\/s1600\/Blue%2BBow%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%252810%2Bof%2B21%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-F8bb-ClJkSo\/V1oAc46wLII\/AAAAAAAAha8\/Gx9sYTbrCY4CJE_LIEty3vOQ-3pnN5qEQCLcB\/s1600\/Blue%2BBow%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-10.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ko1wViMtDWw\/V1n-7ewurfI\/AAAAAAAAhak\/ViP3wS5A_7EduRjPW7uKkFcZgqPq4k1zQCLcB\/s1600\/Blue%2BBow%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25284%2Bof%2B15%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-87lwddsu1zE\/V1nC_5meTSI\/AAAAAAAAhYM\/en7UeqAz_3cbbfCVGB8feXkVrnH97NOEQCKgB\/s1600\/White%2Bdres%2Band%2Bblue%2Bbow%2Bhair%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-91.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-VCnP3GikgvY\/V1nIV814INI\/AAAAAAAAhZ0\/2P68-_OoSRMy0HTXCb7C5F1S3FWl29qWwCKgB\/s1600\/Blue%2BBow%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25282%2Bof%2B8%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003Evalue village \u003C\/b\u003Ehat\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u0026amp; scarf tied as hair bow\u003Cb\u003E, winners via mum's closet\u003C\/b\u003E floral shoes\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1999681685856006750\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/06\/the-dandelions-and-you.html#comment-form","title":"58 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1999681685856006750"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1999681685856006750"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/06\/the-dandelions-and-you.html","title":"The dandelions and you"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-A4uGVcuDZMA\/V1nFh1i2sjI\/AAAAAAAAhYQ\/dUfquccnRiUnqzyVOyBOZ_VSShFcSqgIQCLcB\/s72-c\/Blue%2BBow%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%252811%2Bof%2B15%2529.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"58"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-7671614574299053068"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-31T12:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-05-31T12:00:05.533-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"music"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"pollen on my hat \u0026 happiness"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-3d_9ShibueQ\/V00BOOAOU4I\/AAAAAAAAhJQ\/tyZG8WhNS4kWLS84z6RyN0y6FrzPYX_DwCLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%25283%2Bof%2B25%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-d25X8iQy-g0\/V00DM7hmS1I\/AAAAAAAAhJw\/9fyAUskrwyIchILyOhZKHF3OwwJNeBDrACLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-55.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-83nSzPp19SA\/V00C1XBuMDI\/AAAAAAAAhJo\/TSOyE9O5YDoRdNs-SYVXlD6ECAWNmf_6wCLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%25281%2Bof%2B7%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;I write to you from the porch where flowers are beginning to grow and charms of spices like basil and oregano are filling the air and making the bellies of those who walk past hungrier. I was born to be a gardener - to dig trenches with my hands, to push baby roots into soil, to water, to prune, to frown when the prairie wind becomes too much, to gaze at what grows tall and what withers away. I don't know everything there is to know about what makes a human being happy or what makes them teary eyed, but I do know gardening has been good to me. In the soil, there are short stories. Although, like all living things, they will eventually come to an end, the shortness of time makes them all the more precious.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nSince we're on the conversation about happiness, something very exciting came my way last Sunday. I won first place in a songwriting competition \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— yes, me, Amy, the one who has spent a lifetime wondering where to find life's fruit. It happened for me and no matter how many times I pinch my skin, the reality has yet to show. My heart keeps beating faster than a rabbit's tail and I wander free from care into the morning light.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EIf you were looking for a sign to climb that hill which scares you so deeply, take heed. I tried to talk myself out of entering the competition because I didn't think I was good enough. I had myself convinced it was not in me to take such a risk. I could be happy living forever in my own private garden, without ever letting fear torment me, because sometimes it looks easier to hide than to live. The truth is, life's meaning is not found in the prizes, it is found in the trying, in the times we choose not to doubt ourselves, in the planting, and in the living. If every flower came to my garden already bright and in bloom, it wouldn't feel as right. If we never had darkness, how could we long for the light? I am happy today because I did something that scared me, something that I could have easily dismissed because I didn't want to build a home for the butterflies in my belly. Putting yourself on a platter to be judged is not an easy thing to do, but every so often, the effort rings true and you feel better being seen than being hidden.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003ETake a risk. Climb that hill. This time is yours to spend.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sYGA2wd73FA\/V00EjsRJC4I\/AAAAAAAAhKA\/Whtc5QnUqhUBXuMxj7KAsl8eeHVywFmBwCLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%25283%2Bof%2B49%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sfCWteQMK7g\/V00D2doK9jI\/AAAAAAAAhJ4\/T-MMIH0gaC88hwzlvA51-OLtAdNgLFrPQCLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%25284%2Bof%2B6%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hVxCFa82Nmw\/V00FOk31wlI\/AAAAAAAAhKI\/ma5cPvshV8wdLR56GdpXmgtPx0uN2WtzgCLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%252832%2Bof%2B49%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-UKUdsJzY_Ms\/V00FiWiOPPI\/AAAAAAAAhKM\/j-Hl_z9-BOgCwoomRHfwAjmx-8G7o6vOgCLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%252834%2Bof%2B49%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ByxXHhUaQKY\/V00GsF5poSI\/AAAAAAAAhKg\/Ts0YJYGwz7Q2SfRAiv2YEPhzrGpfD7bQACLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%25281%2Bof%2B6%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-f86N1KPHn4Y\/V00HTXmGwlI\/AAAAAAAAhKo\/hmkvdY8QmKg9oIXonmk8Nam_-WeMQB89gCLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-29.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-MThXH9wdO5s\/V00IW0lmDlI\/AAAAAAAAhK4\/ERTL2cmLFcMo2nvj2xHezOVZ2Vd3V1eZQCLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%252842%2Bof%2B49%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-n8BpDmEWr3k\/V00LNISgGMI\/AAAAAAAAhLI\/9LXB1skFxYIBBDx8qvSoghsfiBoZjPiigCLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%252825%2Bof%2B25%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-QSVvj3Nt6MU\/V00K-K8cd8I\/AAAAAAAAhLE\/aO1fffftypUwfZqMprOTsFv4cGyeWKWfACLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%252843%2Bof%2B49%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-LAqFns5Qeqc\/V02vtW_hISI\/AAAAAAAAhLs\/GAznMcXtHrU9cprI6P2rCZL7E6B20nj_gCLcB\/s1600\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%25286%2Bof%2B11%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Echicwish \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Eskirt,\u003Cb\u003E thrifted \u003C\/b\u003Eblouse, \u003Cb\u003Emontana tackstore \u003C\/b\u003Elace up boots\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/7671614574299053068\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/05\/pollen-on-my-hat-happiness.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/7671614574299053068"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/7671614574299053068"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/05\/pollen-on-my-hat-happiness.html","title":"pollen on my hat \u0026 happiness"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-3d_9ShibueQ\/V00BOOAOU4I\/AAAAAAAAhJQ\/tyZG8WhNS4kWLS84z6RyN0y6FrzPYX_DwCLcB\/s72-c\/Black%2Bberet%2Band%2Bsquirrls%2B%25283%2Bof%2B25%2529.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1558129785919830546"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-24T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-05-24T06:30:02.846-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"floral dress"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"lilac"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nature"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The blooming countryside"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nt7ySh8Cbk0\/V0J_3-uL8xI\/AAAAAAAAg_A\/IHprGONzUHwh5yQYad-uJsF3nWfI3VYTQCLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-35.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-flMZAjO3uVA\/V0KBGP1HeII\/AAAAAAAAg_Q\/HIbFCL-lUok_4PGhqH4LN5KIgdhFU-R_QCLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-114.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-PJliEuombU4\/V0KBDY6-rjI\/AAAAAAAAg_M\/UWErfiTEc0c40Srk6kw--lPOsqRXC4kVwCLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-20.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;I think of the countryside not only \nduring times of tired eyes or sadness, I think of it when I am happy \ntoo. It is this place in my mind where nothing can go wrong; acres and \nacres of undeveloped land, vines and lilac bushes racing towards the soft sky, a sea of \ngreen wild wonder ahead of my feet. As I get older and closer to \nconsidering myself a full fledgling\u003Ci\u003E adult\u003C\/i\u003E, the dream of a countryside \nhome grows sweeter to me. I can see it now \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— a kitchen window looking onto a patch of raspberries that we pluck like strings and stain our clothes red in the summertime. I see babies fattened with milk as they learn to sit underneath their mother's apple tree. I see goats, I see sheep, I hear meows and smell kettle corn rising on the stovetop. I don't see the green dying when winter comes or the babies getting sick or growing old. In my dreams of a countryside, the air is gentle and nothing but joy in the hazy sunlight can occur. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EWe all know such a countryside doesn't exist because the world is made up of seasons and the changing of moods. Bad days can follow good days, flowers eventually die off of the tree, babies go to school and then they leave home, empty nests happen, snow happens, birds fall out of the sky and dreams get buried by dirt, but in my brain, t\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003Ehere is a blossom shaped like a countryside home where I walk hand in hand with my heartbeat. I can sit here and count on good luck or saving every penny in a lifetime just so I can remove the word \u003Ci\u003Eimaginary\u003C\/i\u003E before \u003Ci\u003Ecountry home\u003C\/i\u003E in a sentence, but the truth is, there is something brave in letting a dream be a dream. After all, what makes a bad morning taste less bitter if we don't have our dreams to lean on.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E--- \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;We visited this lilac bush on an evening marked by spring weather. We strolled and ran as if we became children again and school was out for the rest of summer. It is my hope that every warm day this year will find me outside either in the garden or underneath a tree. I have no need for a rear view mirror when this is what lies ahead.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HgAhkngAU00\/V0KAhChfUhI\/AAAAAAAAg_I\/tHfQGhMjgGYtmPbFG1zxs3tFT4ZdDZcdwCLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-12.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-h0UrEXq8oEk\/V0KB2PAFirI\/AAAAAAAAg_Y\/eKNO_ntIpbwn3plq3fUANtha1jBcjNoBQCLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-55.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ySa2fsTfdd8\/V0NMHSYj2-I\/AAAAAAAAhBg\/ZnPYOAX4sZ8Odchj7eUeN7xPLY_xsHm-QCLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25287%2Bof%2B7%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-3lknDC3YWWM\/V0KCtYReNiI\/AAAAAAAAg_s\/tJSswN3tLM8lu9gSt1ydA8AUAgaS5rB-wCLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-10.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yJWRa8yQZTY\/V0KDk6ngMYI\/AAAAAAAAg_4\/DtWGZAwv0MEP9DUNKn4Gl85mjJZpncx-ACLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-74.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-VcVu66KXNyk\/V0KD9iuSOoI\/AAAAAAAAhAE\/eniVETxV37g8_iukXFq5LnuZjctfDT7twCLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25284%2Bof%2B5%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-LWLkRZO0zi8\/V0NFpI_ZMCI\/AAAAAAAAhA8\/GbJyU3B7NcU50q-D18sIfR96UccMaxFtwCKgB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B7%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-aQbya0um0s0\/V0KEnjA_rgI\/AAAAAAAAhAU\/q_w4L86quusILiXGefGwQXjyyoyM_VajgCLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-115.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-RMzTDwrFSug\/V0KEh0TgJ1I\/AAAAAAAAhAQ\/rYnVDf3FrPESWpJnb31LgeLdD2VeTmcFACLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-117.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-C3PQ7JlplzE\/V0NFj75T2pI\/AAAAAAAAhA0\/hWtSMs0uTx8YG45jLiIZaqF8_0FTE36kQCKgB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-4.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Kps3e_leznc\/V0NJiUuGAyI\/AAAAAAAAhBM\/VgYcUjCAd04GS5XUeI_O0-LfomekHdjyQCLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-110.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--oBxaX5Crt0\/V0NI1syE3VI\/AAAAAAAAhBA\/8EiG-na_y20taVSO_sjd8cFN3tL3uxtJwCLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-79.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-YoxPFtqMzdE\/V0KC9EDnaSI\/AAAAAAAAg_w\/PmjlzHGotLgGrGDolTAGcBvACWDa3M4PACLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-54.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-J59kXWD_OxY\/Vz_KryGAu3I\/AAAAAAAAg9c\/YyAakB9EUnoW2CHFSxO1hnN8QKx_moIqQCKgB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-5.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-1Qa87sgU0ws\/V0NLo2KJOII\/AAAAAAAAhBc\/HiuKwXC-T1Y-mQYQpDGzCpFja9MjjKDtgCLcB\/s1600\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-90.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/emilyandfin.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eemily and fin\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/emilyandfin.co.uk\/product\/isobel-dress-brilliant-pink-peonies\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edress\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Cb\u003Esavers in hawaii \u003C\/b\u003Estrawhat\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1558129785919830546\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/05\/the-blooming-countryside.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1558129785919830546"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1558129785919830546"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/05\/the-blooming-countryside.html","title":"The blooming countryside"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nt7ySh8Cbk0\/V0J_3-uL8xI\/AAAAAAAAg_A\/IHprGONzUHwh5yQYad-uJsF3nWfI3VYTQCLcB\/s72-c\/Emily%2BRose%2BDress%2B%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-35.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-2868430639398171419"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-19T11:49:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-05-19T11:49:27.061-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dried flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"my life in photographs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nature"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"my life in photographs"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-SR5SWQBjELI\/VzzEyyrOsiI\/AAAAAAAAg64\/NW9X75yTlN8N_M-96LWZatNU_8QsEnmCACLcB\/s1600\/2016-03-13%2B12.15.47%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-SX9qAJ0FKlA\/VzzFkSVN-vI\/AAAAAAAAg7E\/7cq8wa1auwQy1AseI02oh6eXhl5wZtUMwCLcB\/s1600\/2016-03-17%2B11.32.07%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".3.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".3.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003EThe gladdest things in the jam room \u0026amp; a knack for gathering. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-FDP9B8GV1uo\/VzzFkycYmeI\/AAAAAAAAg7I\/M-EARM9an_8MVfNWaAgrXn0x9vGnJ9ROwCLcB\/s1600\/2016-04-06%2B10.48.01%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".3.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".3.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003EAfter the long and quiet hours of winter, the garden season is finally upon us. I have already begun to gather plants and blooms so the backyard can be our own little slice of growing poetry.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".3.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".3.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-G0sHUtin73U\/VzzFqN7eqYI\/AAAAAAAAg7U\/7lGVYtHAYxoIqGk4g9tUHyehGkSq77IiACLcB\/s1600\/2016-04-08%2B12.13.58%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".4.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".4.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003EEarly\n mornings in the mountains are bittersweet. Sweet because the air sings \nto you like a song about being alive. Bitter because you know this is \nonly a break from routine and soon you'll be back to your own little \nworld of sunlight and shadow. The truth is, my life is bountiful, but I \nhave always wanted to live with the mountains in my view or the sea at \nmy feet. I am happy, but I am happiest when my hair smells like pine \ntrees.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-mJzkmb4zgxc\/VzzHk4oRyRI\/AAAAAAAAg7o\/fqRl0JtMv88KAD2MIt55NvgHlyY3uTN5ACLcB\/s1600\/flow.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-BjnbZ8eXNJo\/VzzEgNHCDXI\/AAAAAAAAg68\/kf2HiGMuGwE3Q1UOBa5UDkv-RAUWDZmiwCKgB\/s1600\/2016-04-11%2B02.44.18%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"goog_1192049216\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"goog_1192049217\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E A handful of flowers always makes my troubles easier to bear.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aCceriBqu2I\/VzzFrhHZuFI\/AAAAAAAAg7Y\/OsDhB-DiuCUrDNot74CuduKVCvoOCN09wCLcB\/s1600\/2016-04-27%2B02.23.19%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWelcome to the family - a newly acquired vintage electric.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-xAaRdn9PN4c\/VzzL5YXPVyI\/AAAAAAAAg74\/t7XDj1K_MIIP916a8SvhPbxDeCCMrAiYQCLcB\/s1600\/2016-05-02%2B07.45.22%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".9.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".9.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003EThe\n spring air sent an invitation to my feet and now all I do and dream of \nis sitting in the tall grass with a banjo in my arms. Let me live here \nwhere boredom is only a passing cloud, where the bumblebees and birds \nsing louder than rolling wheels, where I think not of tomorrow, only of \ntoday.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-DfXhXfA-XhQ\/VzzB8_nqhDI\/AAAAAAAAg6c\/asp4e6TzX4I1-1k82RhW-QusLkZwWnr1QCKgB\/s1600\/2016-05-17%2B12.07.44%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;I would pawn the midday sun to have lilac blooms always within arms reach.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIt is my happiest season - the one where grass is growing wild while the bees hover and gather by the most fragrant flowers. All I want to do is dig trenches and watch nature come alive as it always does during springtime.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EAre you planting your garden? What will you plant or gather this year? Tell me about your life lately. I'll be seeing you soon.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/2868430639398171419\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/05\/my-life-in-photographs.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2868430639398171419"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2868430639398171419"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/05\/my-life-in-photographs.html","title":"my life in photographs"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-SR5SWQBjELI\/VzzEyyrOsiI\/AAAAAAAAg64\/NW9X75yTlN8N_M-96LWZatNU_8QsEnmCACLcB\/s72-c\/2016-03-13%2B12.15.47%2B1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-7061342739655111516"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-11T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-05-11T06:30:01.108-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"garden"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"spring"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"sowing in the garden"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-B3jKvfPzAkM\/VzFMoeuT4bI\/AAAAAAAAgso\/htwpqtOobNUGNt5ZPH-PWVSn-NjiQ-VwgCLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BSunnyside%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-74.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-47MW4pL_g10\/VzFh7Q1UmNI\/AAAAAAAAgt0\/9crFzvvRWGoE0Zm5LRzl3bDXLkYJhG9YgCLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BSunnyside%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-58.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-EaTRdjEb1nU\/VzFQcpfSJHI\/AAAAAAAAgtI\/X81rFR26hUE41ifAe5zyAC3UvUlo-DHewCKgB\/s1600\/Flower%2BSunnyside%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-9.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nHere I am - fighting and fussing through my days with a head cold instead of sowing in the garden. I want to be well enough to pick which flowers will be planted this spring, but life has a way of throwing rocks at windows when all you wanted was rain. I have been in my cocoon called a bedroom where the only flowers here are sitting on a dress or hanging in all of their dried and delicate glory. I watch the pollen float through a crack of light in my bedroom window. I sneeze like the whole world is going to hear me. I wonder how I could ever complain about the taste of my supper during the times when my body felt right.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThese photographs were taken a week ago, when I felt better, and the garden center was packed with people who had escaped winter and found in themselves a desire to buzz around like bees and set their senses alight by the flowers. I let my joy be sparked by the look on a woman's face when she reaches for her favorite snapdragon plant or a child who grabs a petunia and says \"mammy, can we haf this one?\" I remember all of the times I saw my mother's hand reach for pots to add to the garden and how it made her seem like she was wearing hearts for eyes. Out of every memory made in my lifetime, the ones where she is there and we're garden bound appear fairest in my mind.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI long to return with her so we can make the backyard come alive with our own little poems, but first, it's a box of tissues and the foghorn sound of my throat begging to return to singing and feeling well again. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-F9ldfUy5LFI\/VzFhEaLS3MI\/AAAAAAAAgts\/dpwNiwCmoeMUwgPckrTmVWUTGT8HQ8ZbgCKgB\/s1600\/Flower%2BSunnyside%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-35.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-By59Q84i7tw\/VzFm_IGlfJI\/AAAAAAAAguo\/E1azMQSJnp0YYOOhxKixzOKIxgT7SllNACLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BSunnyside%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-32.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ObHTRnvDZfQ\/VzFnaytIXnI\/AAAAAAAAgus\/dlUVR1JMVsUzxSLbMVVCb5H2hQP3eozWACLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BSunnyside%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-61.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-IO53P4ClOj8\/VzFjJdJ2XxI\/AAAAAAAAguE\/B2OoZ5enufA58C4pnJAAt-mXRisKDV_tACLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BSunnyside%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-34.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-IO53P4ClOj8\/VzFjJdJ2XxI\/AAAAAAAAguE\/B2OoZ5enufA58C4pnJAAt-mXRisKDV_tACLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BSunnyside%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-34.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-u-Tt9RdaHas\/VzFpafxHrEI\/AAAAAAAAgu8\/22KWZev5diwW33Xkq-jFPZrjLllvnZ8SgCLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BSunnyside%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-54.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-EAzm7zSXxhY\/VzFpoOb5nHI\/AAAAAAAAgvA\/lYX-n-LBMi8NkpqPNyjyVKfJM7u5IYg5ACLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BSunnyside%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-49.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-eRAcUi2vOVc\/VzFqI2fGzjI\/AAAAAAAAgvI\/4w0qQ-z6TPMFU5dM7Kl6eDXZGku_SXGKACLcB\/s1600\/Flower%2BSunnyside%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-55.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.modcloth.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EModcloth\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Edress,\u003Cb\u003E Value Village \/ thrifted \u003C\/b\u003Ehat \u0026amp; shoes\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/7061342739655111516\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/05\/sowing-in-garden.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/7061342739655111516"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/7061342739655111516"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/05\/sowing-in-garden.html","title":"sowing in the garden"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-B3jKvfPzAkM\/VzFMoeuT4bI\/AAAAAAAAgso\/htwpqtOobNUGNt5ZPH-PWVSn-NjiQ-VwgCLcB\/s72-c\/Flower%2BSunnyside%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-74.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-3278073139622851681"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-02T11:44:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-05-02T11:44:52.659-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"giveaway"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"lace brick design"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"mountains"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"mountain necklace \u0026 instagram giveaway"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/--BNHBR1N3_I\/VyeK47C3CfI\/AAAAAAAAgls\/K9m6WFHQHhE7J-GOqEsgj45LN7GZn7FFgCLcB\/s1600\/2016-05-01%2B12.32.41%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI rarely do giveaways unless it's for something that spurs me to grin, so here is a little Sunday to Sunday giveaway where you could win a mountain necklace from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lacebrickdesign\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELace Brick Design.\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; Imagine that, having a little poem of geology sitting on your heart everywhere you go. If I had a necklace for every time I wished to be in the mountains, I'd probably fall flat onto the floor.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E- How to enter - \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;1. Follow \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/amyflyingakite\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E@amyflyingakite\u003C\/a\u003E on Instagram\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n2. Follow \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lacebrickdesign\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E@lacebrickdesign\u003C\/a\u003E on Instagram\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n3. Leave a comment on my Instagram telling us you have entered.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWinner will be drawn randomly and announced next Sunday!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;Good luck!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-iyntgTh1FCA\/VyeK0lSulKI\/AAAAAAAAglk\/nknW19bxpp8PTtMGi0EJP8urYifOsUmbgCLcB\/s1600\/2016-05-02%2B11.09.45%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/3278073139622851681\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/05\/mountain-necklace-instagram-giveaway.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3278073139622851681"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3278073139622851681"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/05\/mountain-necklace-instagram-giveaway.html","title":"mountain necklace \u0026 instagram giveaway"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/--BNHBR1N3_I\/VyeK47C3CfI\/AAAAAAAAgls\/K9m6WFHQHhE7J-GOqEsgj45LN7GZn7FFgCLcB\/s72-c\/2016-05-01%2B12.32.41%2B1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-8586802908727311612"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-30T12:43:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-30T12:43:19.866-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"mayflowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"poetry"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"let life begin again"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FnuBqGZEpOY\/VyJ9DmTKJnI\/AAAAAAAAgeY\/jacF0NCO1PknNQaOGeNcp4e1bNkVWX8IgCLcB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-241.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-33zvMxixHs8\/VyJ6Z1ZL0sI\/AAAAAAAAgeQ\/ggWG2CcMyh8ToXRSr7iifzpsU5UiKrp9QCKgB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-240.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/--wV0RLjCXB4\/VyJ-EFcTOrI\/AAAAAAAAgew\/5R4z_XtXtRoITJnH-PhKzn4pWXIbe3N5gCKgB\/s1600\/Gingham%2BPnats%2B%252827%2Bof%2B64%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nLately, the brush I use to paint my life seems frozen or without paint. I can forget this when the sun is warm and may flowers are swinging like a trapeze in the breeze, but if you took a magnifying glass and placed my moods in red ink on a map, you would see that I am utterly lost. I have fingers that work for stirring tea leaves. I have somebody to love. I have more friends than two hands could hold. I have wolves in my banjo and birds in my guitar. You would think this could be enough to fill the holes in a heart or to make a canvas rich in color, but as of late - it's not. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI want something else — something strange\u003Ci\u003Er\u003C\/i\u003E. I want to quit feeling like I am forgotten luggage meant for the departure wing of an airport. I deserve more than this, not for any other reason than the fact that I am a human being with only so many days left for breathing. Most of the time, I am at peace with a cup of coffee and a window seat leading to the backyard where I watch whistling songbirds fly from their perch and let life begin again. Most of the time, being alive is enough for me. I don't need to be kissed, to be warmed by a fire or to travel to a new country. I don't need to fit into the boxes society tells me to or change who I am to fit somebody else's plans, but lately, I keep putting a question mark at the end of every \"I am who I am.\"\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI have become one of those women you either are or you hear about — we are muses, we stay in the shadows even if we are destined for the light, we give and we give until we are bones. Nobody is telling me to be this way, and sometimes, I'm perfectly happy, but other times, it's only natural for women like this to stop and gasp at how little we take for ourselves. I spend all of my spare time worrying about somebody else and I let the seconds in a day slip away like it's only sand from an hourglass, but this is it, this is my life — wild, strange, wonderful, and slip \u003Ci\u003Eslip\u003C\/i\u003E slipping away.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"212\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-tGGcsy-IEF8\/VyP1ftknJwI\/AAAAAAAAgg4\/yGYA9Hwalg0fRAqvnRsjJbodjyFQnf_SgCLcB\/s320\/Gingham%2BPnats%2B%25282%2Bof%2B10%2529.jpg\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI want to run like I am running to, not running from. I want to remember what it felt like to be in love with the world even when the sun was hiding and the day had no light. I am bored and yet I am fully aware of how life for me is intrinsically rewarding, more so than many lives who follow the path well trodden, but I have settled for \u003Ci\u003Ewhat is\u003C\/i\u003E as if I must drink tea leaves out of the same cup for the rest of my life.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI keep waiting for somebody to swoop in and bring purpose and paint into\n my life. I dine on the glow of morning and continue doing what I have always done. Yes, there is poetry. Yes, there is music. Yes, there is love from the floorboard all the way to the roof. It is not an absence of love or wonder I hold in my wrath, it is a lack of something \u003Ci\u003Enew\u003C\/i\u003E, something \u003Ci\u003Edifferent\u003C\/i\u003E, something that \u003Ci\u003Escares \u003C\/i\u003Eme and spurs me into \u003Ci\u003Egrowing\u003C\/i\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIt is not yet time for waiting. It is now where I must run into a new set of woods and find in myself a way of stepping out from under the shadow and into the sunshine. Unless my heart removes its beat or my lungs refuse to work, I will always have my reasons to run.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BUZ6BufngNc\/VyOdOdb4RJI\/AAAAAAAAgfI\/1vKy_c0hJCAv9jsIShuE66Ounkqw2ifJwCLcB\/s1600\/Gingham%2BPnats%2B%25284%2Bof%2B10%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-IAXuw2IsQe4\/VyOe3C2kvHI\/AAAAAAAAgfY\/aBe5dBaWYtYok10e9nuLFLT5MzY3BmdoQCLcB\/s1600\/Gingham%2BPnats%2B%252811%2Bof%2B64%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-6t-fv5KRVis\/VyOdO51Z_BI\/AAAAAAAAgfM\/GRFL8zMmVs40yXX1sf6dgOy_dm9fJx7zACLcB\/s1600\/Gingham%2BPnats%2B%25285%2Bof%2B10%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Xy_vk2fKv1M\/VyOjov4kPSI\/AAAAAAAAgfo\/A9dZk5zDUk8RA84Tav0tvSwRsbh-Fha-wCLcB\/s1600\/Gingham%2BPnats%2B%252858%2Bof%2B64%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-IGz-N-VFouE\/VyOl5PfwVJI\/AAAAAAAAgf4\/EWdkkT08W6EmW3BS5W9BtCdpIijeCwQIwCLcB\/s1600\/Gingham%2BPnats%2B%252813%2Bof%2B64%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-CNmv23TPMaU\/VyOn5Ot8DMI\/AAAAAAAAggI\/8xN54Pi371ooExpfdo7TR_uZc2LuNr6hgCLcB\/s1600\/Gingham%2BPnats%2B%252861%2Bof%2B64%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-bne9g_zCMkQ\/VyPzInMrUOI\/AAAAAAAAggo\/j9hgbE305yEZGAb5QNuGwz5SQ0ACjfVnwCLcB\/s1600\/Gingham%2BPnats%2B%25281%2Bof%2B10%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-qgLDQ--NePc\/VyPzJQycu4I\/AAAAAAAAggs\/3NrV9F2x3VAyuP6uTIjxs2-x7Tqz8yUAgCLcB\/s1600\/Gingham%2BPnats%2B%25287%2Bof%2B10%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E everything was found at a thrift store\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/8586802908727311612\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/04\/let-life-begin-again.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8586802908727311612"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8586802908727311612"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/04\/let-life-begin-again.html","title":"let life begin again"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FnuBqGZEpOY\/VyJ9DmTKJnI\/AAAAAAAAgeY\/jacF0NCO1PknNQaOGeNcp4e1bNkVWX8IgCLcB\/s72-c\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-241.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-5119037794461610086"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-26T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-26T06:30:07.779-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"bathing suit"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"summer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"a dream of swimming in the sea"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-EvWEUGsCa3U\/Vx2jPXKurxI\/AAAAAAAAgY4\/dOyVGIeWOCkJBMjIAj0_BeiA1gR34JfYwCLcB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-164.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-rTKjI9ayDaQ\/Vx2olqGSNMI\/AAAAAAAAgZc\/4CJu_UdoUVMJl9T-_LoAxUuARvWsBi5dQCLcB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-167.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;I don't remember the first time I went swimming in the sea. I was young and unaware of the hold sea waves could have on me. When my mother and father brought me to the sand, they knew only of how the sea made them feel. How could they be certain that every day after, I would spend my quiet hours looking for its symphony in seashells, postcards and moon colored dreams.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI belong to the sea the way a bee belongs to the flower, it is necessary if I am to find food and peace in my life. In the spirit of recognizing what makes life better, I dream of the sea. I dream of the sea not because it is pretty or safe, I dream of it because it is bold, wild, frightening, and yet no matter how strange or terrified swimming in the grasp of a wave can make me feel, I go on swimming and dreaming of it anyhow. Sometimes, I'll wonder if I was made for this world, but then the sea calls me and I'll know I belong somewhere.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI wish to live beside the sea, to walk my dog across the sands, to bring my children to it when they are young and unaware like I once was. I wish to wear my swimming suit and run freely into the place that feels like home to me \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E-\u003C\/span\u003E to feel the saltwater sugar on my skin. Today, I may live on the prairies, but I'll never stop listening for the roar of the sea.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-eXSDhCGA2_4\/Vx2qYjc2JkI\/AAAAAAAAgaA\/Iphif6GakAkPXsc04Vku4bHm9cbmlzongCLcB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-150.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-oSJr77DB0Us\/Vx7SQWceHRI\/AAAAAAAAgbU\/FZgDWb1LfhIndyzC5Ryv2BhfIXLtdCN2QCLcB\/s1600\/1%2BRavine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-169.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details: \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.limericki.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Elime ricki\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eswimming suit\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/5119037794461610086\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/04\/a-dream-of-swimming-in-sea.html#comment-form","title":"198 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5119037794461610086"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5119037794461610086"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/04\/a-dream-of-swimming-in-sea.html","title":"a dream of swimming in the sea"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-EvWEUGsCa3U\/Vx2jPXKurxI\/AAAAAAAAgY4\/dOyVGIeWOCkJBMjIAj0_BeiA1gR34JfYwCLcB\/s72-c\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-164.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"198"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-8148844706389004394"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-19T11:44:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-19T11:44:32.622-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicwish"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"spring"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"It is springtime, hallelujah"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-2_CsZtWNrRc\/VxPquW0TwYI\/AAAAAAAAgVY\/2I8aYoQKfr8RIkUAf_uU1Fgg9l0nKLARwCLcB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-117.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-XHmTUk7ZZ8E\/VxUV4UfWRnI\/AAAAAAAAgV8\/s2JI_YBX0-g2kP3m0qPNA4R49h0c0ULCQCLcB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-34.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3WRUbFM8a4M\/VxUVjZBrRRI\/AAAAAAAAgV4\/PaLTUGTCBSo9gyRykb0ECiCgy8UKUp3LwCKgB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-75.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe birds are circling in the bluest sky above us, they know what is happening to the trees and the dirt. It is springtime, hallelujah, and all I can hope to do is spend my waking hours being nestled by the sun. As you know, if you often read these posts, I turn into a child the day before summer vacation when the first sign of spring occurs. I run into the grass like an entire graveyard full of the dead suddenly came back to life and returned to their homes where loved ones were missing them. I know it can't always be springtime, so I welcome it with an embrace so warm, even the truest of love would blush.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI don't want to work unless I'm in the garden. I don't want to sit where four walls keep me from the sun. I don't want to travel by train to summer \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— I\u003C\/span\u003E want to take my time. This is it. This is the season where time's cruel ability to take things away goes unnoticed because we're too busy being alive with the bees.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIt is springtime \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— \u003C\/span\u003Ewarm air, rosy glow, birds are singing, digging trenches for the seeds, life has begun again,\u003Ci\u003E \u003C\/i\u003Espringtime.\u003Ci\u003E Hallelujah.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UzqDgU1fy28\/VxUfoYe4PLI\/AAAAAAAAgWQ\/y6VdVNtR3rs_3ZYl3IGzpm4i-OTfSgUBwCLcB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-111.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KAhfdJREss0\/VxUkUz3cjZI\/AAAAAAAAgW8\/sEak9EXM7csbJ6Z92gdpbaUt8_08HJEGgCLcB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-120.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-AqwKckwBkvI\/VxUgrbXN5iI\/AAAAAAAAgWg\/DQ7giUhvqC8uxlP6T5slJcsZxSZT0oZ4gCLcB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-53.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-47NqOOOHv8s\/VxUj3pWX_YI\/AAAAAAAAgW0\/nLYvQeY59HwYMx6PmINvjMJwm-Pr-Uf2gCLcB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-36.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-V6QfCq_xhVI\/VxUVBigiGeI\/AAAAAAAAgWA\/-_NoSP9QeHouNh4e8RT8pck8mPblYyvzACKgB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-130.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-akBdpDo-yVc\/VxUlLYYWhtI\/AAAAAAAAgXA\/sK_yYBjGZ1wJq1Yw1z_MEggVhEvlUdnlgCLcB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-61.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-zXkoSogkgoU\/VxUifJ1tsQI\/AAAAAAAAgWo\/nxjEgjWsfkgQ5IsTZBbAkdhkSU8DsR1mQCKgB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-45.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-zXkoSogkgoU\/VxUifJ1tsQI\/AAAAAAAAgWo\/nxjEgjWsfkgQ5IsTZBbAkdhkSU8DsR1mQCKgB\/s1600\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-45.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChicwish\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Edress,\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.oasap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E oasap\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eshoes, \u003Cb\u003Ethrifted\u003C\/b\u003E sunhat \u0026amp; scarf\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/8148844706389004394\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/04\/it-is-springtime-hallelujah.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8148844706389004394"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8148844706389004394"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/04\/it-is-springtime-hallelujah.html","title":"It is springtime, hallelujah"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-2_CsZtWNrRc\/VxPquW0TwYI\/AAAAAAAAgVY\/2I8aYoQKfr8RIkUAf_uU1Fgg9l0nKLARwCLcB\/s72-c\/Ravine%2B%2526%2BDress%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-117.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-453717881753088949"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-12T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-12T06:30:10.066-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"free people"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"mountains"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nature"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"travel"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Banff, Alberta, Canada"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AFtNYO7XM7I\/VwvyFKtlOEI\/AAAAAAAAgAY\/NZOX5UoiCRE7alLeMoJRdmV391uC78BuQ\/s1600\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-57.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mAuJLIr0cqk\/VwvzrrjdRUI\/AAAAAAAAgA8\/unfx6UCtm9oALHRO5_C-kEe21p389HApg\/s1600\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-63.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Hrc1f2Ttqns\/VwvxwRxfYrI\/AAAAAAAAgAw\/4-diqQZ4DUETgO1Ye7yYXhoR_y-RHdyOQ\/s1600\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhen I rise in the mountains, I turn from wallflower to wildflower, from opaque cloud to sunbeam shower, from a jar of jam that's almost gone to the sound of a strawberry jam lid when it's opened. I become less empty, more enhanced. Less cotton, more skin. Less I wish, more I am. It is here where I rise like a mountain myself until only the wind and pine groves remain.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nHow brave, how heavenly, as the pin-shaped leaves blow across Lake Minnewanka. I could have stayed in town and listened to the footsteps, instead I rolled to where the sun brews the most forgiving air. Nobody else was around at first, just my mum and I. We stood at the jagged edge and heard the wings of birds in the blue sky above us. We kept our distance as a herd of big horn sheep meandered by.\u0026nbsp; It was all too pleasant with the mountains as our backdrop until a school bus of loud tourists pulled in. I came to the mountains to run from the noise, and here I was, suddenly surrounded by the kind of people who feed wild animals and yell when they should whisper. I looked at them with scowling eyes, but nothing in me could stop them from startling the sheep and putting shadows where sunshine ought to be. How is it that even in the most forgiving parts of the world, all it takes is one selfish person to shrink the mountain's size?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThey eventually left and we were once again humming in mountain time. We stayed for three days, two nights, ate as much as we laughed, and found in ourselves an endless desire to return again. That is what they do to you, like a reaching grasp from a loved one's hand, these mountains are my home.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-aIWNFRyqkGM\/Vwv1VegXx_I\/AAAAAAAAgBY\/Ey2RP_4HuEcSAhAKyO4xjibrxK5ijvhKg\/s1600\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-129.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rBxn1K03ig0\/Vwv3EdgKTuI\/AAAAAAAAgBs\/9xOmfeqcEVUguDaGBdEp-7-_5Hctcc2rw\/s1600\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-41.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-jrK9dj-UDBo\/Vwv3yAJ3f2I\/AAAAAAAAgB4\/qy36Q--lC5ka4z1LZE3HbZJXK3qImkG2A\/s1600\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-87.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-xz-ck-rmIyQ\/Vwv4FzI_tFI\/AAAAAAAAgCA\/KHFE21Fu6HAToKUqm5SczIGvBYyk3Hfig\/s1600\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-94.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-odOIZiun70c\/Vwv45EGkZxI\/AAAAAAAAgCM\/7a_9EnfQZdYBe6shc_WaPXqj-_XeU8KLg\/s1600\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-138.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-bgeWEiKZeMY\/Vwv3YutoArI\/AAAAAAAAgB8\/MNZlHyDOT7Uhd_Ck9Y6Z990tW6tcCsjAw\/s1600\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-95.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-czya_6ZgZgQ\/Vwv5R40mQOI\/AAAAAAAAgCU\/4rYeLrFez7EYIe1gC5lZ9i842tCD-SFQA\/s1600\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-137.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ecgUSdyrX0E\/Vwv5o0Gsj2I\/AAAAAAAAgCc\/lu3qj8fLf0gB8Pl8L3vFkb30uAUnZ2jTA\/s1600\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-61.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-9FPyTybgYck\/Vwv6bjKOzfI\/AAAAAAAAgCo\/1MUawvCHFDsDFVczeUfrxjcLpjdbTd4Hw\/s1600\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-34.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.freepeople.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFree People \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003Esweater, skirt \u0026amp; socks, \u003Cb\u003EMontana \u003C\/b\u003Elace up boots\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thebodyshop.ca\/en\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/453717881753088949\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/04\/banff-alberta-canada.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/453717881753088949"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/453717881753088949"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/04\/banff-alberta-canada.html","title":"Banff, Alberta, Canada"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AFtNYO7XM7I\/VwvyFKtlOEI\/AAAAAAAAgAY\/NZOX5UoiCRE7alLeMoJRdmV391uC78BuQ\/s72-c\/Free%2BPeople%2BMinnewanka%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-57.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-4283984554434237426"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-05T15:18:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-05T15:18:24.548-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"free people"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"early april"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Le_QnXLWqxU\/VwLWmUuIPlI\/AAAAAAAAf8U\/IXV4jV19CT0fRalv8Tu50WgRLHXUw9bqA\/s1600\/Beret%2Band%2Bbraids%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-60.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-mJ0e7rPhHPA\/VwLYz-KfWgI\/AAAAAAAAf8k\/7Nw0ZnvUrYYQu6MUndBJbKNcG235_DHCA\/s1600\/Beret%2Band%2BBraids%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-12.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-wbo3DqMeZHQ\/VwLZKFkoESI\/AAAAAAAAf8o\/Ibmtufq3P7s75qYSEMSmQS9U_0dW8Nsxg\/s1600\/Beret%2Band%2BBraids%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25285%2Bof%2B56%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe month of April is here and the Chinook winds stomp their way through the city, causing our hair to look wild and our braids to fall from their knot. I will always care for the warm air as it invites birds to return home and gardeners to start plotting their gardens, but sometimes it can be stubborn like a tree stump as it breaks the fence and keeps me from being able to run outside without my own hair whipping me in the face. I know spring is here because the sky is bluer and tiny electric buds are beginning to show on the May trees. I can survive the wind because it reminds me of the day before a big date\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— sometimes, anticipation of the \u003Ci\u003Eday after\u003C\/i\u003E makes our present time seem warm and fuzzy. Soon, spring will bring bright blossoms and soft glows to the cheeks of winter denizens.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003ECome Thursday, I'll be heading out to the mountains for three days. Every hour leading up to a visit in the mountains feels like a full day. I am building the butterflies in my belly by dreaming of waking up to the quietness of a mountaintop. If only I could always belong to the mountains, I would sing my songs by bird chatter instead of city buses.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003ESee you soon!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-FtVQhRWtc_4\/VwLcMOfALqI\/AAAAAAAAf9s\/fdUYHIoGPqEd4mibSH6FMTUYTXC3K1gdQ\/s1600\/Beret%2Band%2BBraids%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252840%2Bof%2B56%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QXdK2y7t_o0\/VwLasskAxCI\/AAAAAAAAf9I\/gNCtwEvkpxAMn8X9mNobx_ix0eThqjyyQ\/s1600\/Beret%2Band%2BBraids%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25284%2Bof%2B56%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-1VeCGufxEpU\/VwLbFrbIJzI\/AAAAAAAAf9g\/MUzjbOoAcHw04v4CAmqAlqjQEa1gsVuPA\/s1600\/Beret%2Band%2BBraids%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252828%2Bof%2B56%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-fIz6pV-WDJ4\/VwQCNS9NDWI\/AAAAAAAAf-g\/Y543pntLVxECZJ9qlmjxk-bjB-pw7tr9A\/s1600\/Beret%2Band%2BBraids%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25286%2Bof%2B56%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.onzeshop.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBoutique Onze\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Edress\u003Cb\u003E, Value Village \u003C\/b\u003Eblouse, \u003Cb\u003EFree People\u003C\/b\u003E boots\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/4283984554434237426\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/04\/early-april.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4283984554434237426"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4283984554434237426"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/04\/early-april.html","title":"early april"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Le_QnXLWqxU\/VwLWmUuIPlI\/AAAAAAAAf8U\/IXV4jV19CT0fRalv8Tu50WgRLHXUw9bqA\/s72-c\/Beret%2Band%2Bbraids%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-60.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-5010039353686225385"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-31T15:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-31T15:30:44.358-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"banjo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guitar"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"list"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"music"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"reasons to play an instrument"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-3z2Hkdx3H8A\/Vv2BlirlypI\/AAAAAAAAf7E\/uHETY8FJd7QEZGPrCu2eyp-xUw9nn9bQA\/s1600\/2016-03-31%2B01.39.10%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;Music is to the ears what food is to the belly. Without the songs and their singers, who would I be? I struggle to even find an image in my head of a life without the instruments that line the hallway leading me home. It is here, in these strings, where I found my own reasons to love and live in this world of sun and shadow. In this banjo, there is a mountaintop. In this guitar, there is a garden. I could have lived an entire life without ever knowing how an instrument would sound when it met my hands, but now I know, and music has given me more reasons to celebrate than a prairie spring's homecoming.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIt's never too late to become a music-maker, so I've decided to comprise a list for any of you who are looking for a reason to pick up an instrument and play. Let me know your reasons in the comments!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReasons to play an instrument:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt brings you \u003Ci\u003Ehappiness.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMusic is a field guide for navigating through life's deepest trenches. You can play your way through a bad mood or an aching heart.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt is a \u003Ci\u003Ehealthy \u003C\/i\u003Ecoping mechanism.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYou rarely live with boredom when you have an instrument to play.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIn the land of music-making, time is never wasted because you're always on your way somewhere. \u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYour instrument can be your built in best friend. The chords will be with you at your worst, they will listen to you, they will calm you down and lift your sights to the sky when you need it most.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYou can bring your instrument to parties or gatherings and entertain friends.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYour 'Fear Of Missing Out' dies on the vine whenever you decide to make music. If I had to say no to an event due to illness or other reasons, I can always pick up my banjo or guitar and watch the feeling of guilt wash away.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYou'll make new friends by attending open mics and shows. There is something special about meeting other music-makers. Even if you have nothing else in common, music can be your bond and many life-long friendships are born this way.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMusic does not discriminate. Whoever you are, wherever you may be, there is an instrument just waiting to be played by \u003Cu\u003Eyou\u003C\/u\u003E.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMusic is both a science and an art. This means you're \u003Ci\u003Etruly\u003C\/i\u003E exercising your brain while making the world a better place for you to live in. Playing can improve your memory, your coordination, and your ability to solve problems.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt is easier than it looks. Yes, it requires patience and you'll end up \nwith blisters, but when you learn your first chord, soon after, you'll \nlearn your second chord, then you'll go onto your third, and suddenly \nyou'll have a song to play. I often hear people say \"you're so lucky to play an instrument, I wish I did, I just never had the time.\"\u003Ci\u003E or \u003C\/i\u003E\"I own a guitar but I'd need lessons.\" Stop it. Being able to play will not happen overnight, very few things in life worth having arrive within one stretch of sunrise, but life is far too short to keep yourself from something you may love.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMusic gives you a reason to wake up in the morning. I have had sad days where I rise after a night of sleep and all I want to do is stay in bed. I keep my banjo near my bedside and every time I see it, I feel like a big sunbeam just kissed my face.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nHappy music-making! \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aJM66MByo5w\/Vvs6VnTErTI\/AAAAAAAAf6M\/I9PsPNZplVka1EcaR-2cDy1FNrubeJ04g\/s1600\/2016-03-18%2B01.10.16%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-OnbJhpELJp8\/Vv2JRueDTeI\/AAAAAAAAf7o\/DRnUSs42Ig0NvYvds1XcCJjknyRrPlPgw\/s1600\/2016-03-31%2B02.28.33%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/5010039353686225385\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/03\/reasons-to-play-instrument.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5010039353686225385"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5010039353686225385"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/03\/reasons-to-play-instrument.html","title":"reasons to play an instrument"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-3z2Hkdx3H8A\/Vv2BlirlypI\/AAAAAAAAf7E\/uHETY8FJd7QEZGPrCu2eyp-xUw9nn9bQA\/s72-c\/2016-03-31%2B01.39.10%2B1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-835437597807071500"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-24T15:14:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-24T15:14:13.527-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"griffith woods"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"always trust your cape"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Gc9iNxMqQho\/VvNlR4YzuNI\/AAAAAAAAf3U\/IaZyn78EA-AGRuQhQbD4EQSMz_vgi5bew\/s1600\/carter%2527s%2Bhat%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-66.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ay0rNEP8yMI\/VvNncn1v89I\/AAAAAAAAf3o\/pR4H_BZBuIEtgIVdd4Ad8btz7XQb1km9w\/s1600\/carter%2527s%2Bhat%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-14.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-TtAQq_lEX2M\/VvNomhrlKJI\/AAAAAAAAf3w\/el02Xf_DKSU8p63UsHxoxf5Lne8xLACtQ\/s1600\/carter%2527s%2Bhat%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-43.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe woods are calling me like the sound of silence after a siren, or breakfast after a night of sleep. I dread staying in but the seasonal sniffle has entered through the front door of my home \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E leaving me with body aches and an endless desire to lie flat in the bathtub. I want to run to the place where pine trees meet the stars and sit in the slowness that rests in every forest, but I must stay here and bathe here until I begin to feel better. I know when the clouds do part and the sun replaces the warmth of this fever, I will belong to\u003Ci\u003E springtime.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhen you fall ill, there are very few things you can do. One of them is to rest in your bed while the day finds you paddling a lifeboat to shore. You keep taking in water with every cough but being a living and breathing thing  \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— you keep fighting until you overcome the waves and find yourself on land again. As you begin, the land looks far away as if you're looking at it through a snow globe. Your arms get tired. Your heart thumps like a drum. You're so quick to forget why you desperately need the land for living. Surviving requires ambition and ambition can knock your knees blue before it sets you free. This is the way life has always been, but the fight can be magnified ten times the size whenever sickness comes creeping into your life. Sickness like heartache or failure brings with it \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— \u003C\/span\u003Elessons.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EThis one tells me that an ordinary day should never be called boring. I spend many of my days like a bare bed sheet, still and quiet even though my heart is that of a river, traveling and seeking what is unknown. I write of the forest, but I don't visit it whenever I want to. I speak of the wildfire that shows in my eyes if only somebody would look, but I wait for them to. I vow to rest today because my body tells me I will feel worse if I don't, so I listen.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003ESometimes, I stop listening. How could that be? Even when the clouds part and I reach the shore where life meets metaphor, I should listen. In my listening, I will remember how troubled a day can be when one falls ill, how tiring the constant paddling for tomorrow can be, and how sweet the taste of reaching the fruits of your ambition are. If I am to belong in this world, I should make it a world for me by visiting the woods when they call, being less timid in sharing my stories or songs, and giving myself the freedom to realize how beautiful an \u003Ci\u003Eordinary\u003C\/i\u003E day can be.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KmyzjNiMsXc\/VvOJtzyO2ZI\/AAAAAAAAf4k\/owZlVqRwfHAlTt7CfmQe_wUBnheg2-ZEA\/s1600\/carter%2527s%2Bhat%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-100.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ENwaHfXxpU4\/VvOKxMTSCSI\/AAAAAAAAf40\/7E0g7zU4eqQeUOG7EmMpGrGIEwNzOcp-Q\/s1600\/carter%2527s%2Bhat%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-51.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-EgcMkfD7ckM\/VvNpM4hj5FI\/AAAAAAAAf38\/kcLA8FbetRIeDvWsCsndANiP9N9H6uSlw\/s1600\/carter%2527s%2Bhat%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-83.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-8POwyIlcNDA\/VvNmDDgdOwI\/AAAAAAAAf3g\/lS-SHhQl1EASBqSXYaf69yNpDuOOtjCoA\/s1600\/carter%2527s%2Bhat%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-106.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-FtcJm6Y-o7M\/VvOO6G4NE3I\/AAAAAAAAf5A\/ckzgIhC4MjYIC_2DjU3rhg5GLE_kWtdsg\/s1600\/carter%2527s%2Bhat%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-30.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-52f8Kze_kSU\/VvOG9JcickI\/AAAAAAAAf4Q\/wzH6KAyJ7dEx1loF0iV1_3yS5IJcyvrqQ\/s1600\/carter%2527s%2Bhat%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-81.jpg\" \/\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.modcloth.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emodcloth\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Edress,\u003Cb\u003E mum's \u003C\/b\u003Eshoes \u0026amp; cape, \u003Cb\u003Ecarter's\u003C\/b\u003E hat\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/835437597807071500\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/03\/always-trust-your-cape.html#comment-form","title":"178 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/835437597807071500"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/835437597807071500"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/03\/always-trust-your-cape.html","title":"always trust your cape"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Gc9iNxMqQho\/VvNlR4YzuNI\/AAAAAAAAf3U\/IaZyn78EA-AGRuQhQbD4EQSMz_vgi5bew\/s72-c\/carter%2527s%2Bhat%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-66.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"178"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-4471320267138509712"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-16T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-16T06:30:15.140-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"floral crown"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"floral dress"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"griffith woods"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hair"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"music"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"keep on singing"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_uzS26q_eWw\/Vuc1pk5G67I\/AAAAAAAAfzM\/_3VK2hsLZtwMyfmFIXVxMFSsv9_5p45VA\/s1600\/Headphones%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-56Sxlcw40YM\/VudjmdZAKPI\/AAAAAAAAfz0\/eS-m0br2xAUaAkRdDR0w7kzZholzEA06g\/s1600\/Headphones%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-88.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-F4ajXCdmpmg\/Vudit3zIlAI\/AAAAAAAAfzg\/3fzX1OpAJKIJt3V49BEOtFlR_UTVJadDw\/s1600\/Headphones%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;I learned to sing in the fields where raspberries grow and coyotes outrun cars. It is there where I learned to bandage my wounds and defeat those who tried to outrun me. I stood in a choir for years and it felt less like a place for singing birds and more like a place for sleeping crickets. I am not writing to say there is anything wrong with singing in a choir, but there is also nothing wrong with singing where the prairie meets the coulee or in the shower or to the baby who sleeps at your breast. Somewhere along the trail, for many of us, we meet at the crossroads of a society that tells us to quit singing and try our best to fit into a different box. If we were birds, sparrows would be asked for a chickadee's song and in doing so, the song of the sparrow would be thrown into the canyon. If we were trees, the evergreen would be asked for the oak's bark and in doing so, there would be no trees to fill the mountainside.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI believe singing should be an everyday activity - much like cooking your breakfast or reading a book, it exists to retrieve the sleeping parts inside of us all and to turn those parts into a wide-eyed life. If you took away my mother dancing as she vacuumed the house or silenced her from singing to her babies, I would have been born into a much smaller world. I am here and I am who I am because of her always letting the music within her come out. She sang and danced like the sun was always golden and the fields were made of music.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nSo, today as the clouds white as cotton float by and the hours of the day bring me closer to a beginning or an end, I will sing at least once. I will sing, not because I am being told to or because I have a song for others, but because it makes my heart grow in size. Whether the music within me is that of a magpie, a sparrow or the sweet-sounding chickadee, I will keep on singing.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-sCB9UT--0Dk\/VudjBdjFpeI\/AAAAAAAAfzo\/fXp6sUeMIjYMNUcfSza47r_ome7E7RSUw\/s1600\/Headphones%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-17.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q67HYK5EaF8\/VudktY9v55I\/AAAAAAAAf0I\/-KLGK-3JaAwM81672CD41YPZPy79oBkhg\/s1600\/Headphones%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-56.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xFscF7CJAGI\/VudjqmRG6PI\/AAAAAAAAfz8\/Uqih_a-ndA4Q-Wj__rnbalC9_phQPNebw\/s1600\/Headphones%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-28.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-SDTiIuxl_3o\/VudvKDxo6dI\/AAAAAAAAf0o\/EFbGGckRGuA-dNsW_JPfwcA7H0QAUzKcw\/s1600\/Headphones%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-65.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Wq3MHZQ278E\/Vudvl4Fe0LI\/AAAAAAAAf0s\/t17v96hxgPw3VQ4dp4CiSPZ8gPp1VReNw\/s1600\/Headphones%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-95.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Gn485krI6BE\/VudwY1Pe4II\/AAAAAAAAf08\/BA1Ygzur1Cs3dHp_LPj_N6Xq2eihNnRUQ\/s1600\/Headphones%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-74.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-qR-5o0OVPSA\/VujdXHrXvKI\/AAAAAAAAf1s\/dKIjXj7F5tkF0SVYECPN35-b_va4HBgqQ\/s1600\/Headphones%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-37.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1j6NFLZE178\/Vudwx-RIP9I\/AAAAAAAAf1A\/5hqcmIoz2LY2aFJMUwqmCY10ZJK3vVG4Q\/s1600\/Headphones%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-86.jpg\" \/\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/theankit.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eankit \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003Eheadphones,\u003Cb\u003E thrifted \u003C\/b\u003Eshoes, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.oasap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eoasap \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Edress, \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.crownandglory.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecrown \u0026amp; glory\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Efloral headband\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/4471320267138509712\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/03\/keep-on-singing.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4471320267138509712"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4471320267138509712"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/03\/keep-on-singing.html","title":"keep on singing"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_uzS26q_eWw\/Vuc1pk5G67I\/AAAAAAAAfzM\/_3VK2hsLZtwMyfmFIXVxMFSsv9_5p45VA\/s72-c\/Headphones%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1459555017106293133"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-08T11:14:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-08T11:14:26.457-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"braid"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hair"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"milkmaid braid"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"this kind of adventure"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-b4uqGEs_WRc\/VtTaxCZlx_I\/AAAAAAAAftc\/dznlDWGvy8I\/s1600\/A%2BLeap%2BYear%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-4.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-u-F75OWlPIg\/VtT3-enqfvI\/AAAAAAAAfvs\/2_ljVPAMTH8\/s1600\/A%2BLeap%2BYear%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252839%2Bof%2B70%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-qfxyNeCUJRY\/VtT2xO856OI\/AAAAAAAAfvg\/hmBzwgDOptc\/s1600\/A%2BLeap%2BYear%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B2%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-i8BWkAK1Ngs\/VtT5HajCsMI\/AAAAAAAAfv8\/Lo7_E1CMJGI\/s1600\/A%2BLeap%2BYear%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-8.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI am sitting in the dimmest light from an old lamp while two dogs bark at the neighborhood squirrel. I have been endlessly busy adding check marks to calendar days and when I finally have a free moment, I'd rather be bubble-bath bound than anywhere else. I can say to you today that I am happy, food tastes good, smiling at my own thoughts, glad to be myself kind-of-happy. There was a long time in my youth when I felt like the sun was moving cattle, but now, I am spending my hours surrounded by music and daylight is welcomed like a kiss from the one who shares my bed.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIf you asked me a year ago if I would ever taste this kind of adventure, the one which finds me singing to a sold-out crowd, I would have told you no matter how many eyelashes fall or candles get blown out,\u003Ci\u003E a dream is a dream is a dream is a dream.\u003C\/i\u003E On Friday, I was the opening act for C's album release. As I sang, it felt like a hand was holding my hand and wings were being gently sewn into my bones. I had a moment - one of those you can only understand as you are experiencing it and I lost the everyday belief of being landlocked. It seemed to me that even if I had to cry enough salty tears to fill a sea in the past, it was worth it because it lead me \u003Ci\u003Ehere.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI don't know what tomorrow brings or how many moments in a lifetime will make me feel a happiness such as this, but I'll be relishing in the joy like I do when summer comes to grow sprouts into flowers. I will think about my luck during every bath and morning coffee. I will let this happiness drift through the floorboards and onto every table. It was a mighty February which brought me into a beautiful March.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nAlive and well? Yes I am.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FIng-ix6UEw\/Vt3QEJN0H_I\/AAAAAAAAfxc\/_BZlg4V21SQ\/s1600\/A%2BLeap%2BYear%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252852%2Bof%2B70%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-vE1dL65gC6Q\/Vt4t26xgJCI\/AAAAAAAAfx0\/grpBKwsD43o\/s1600\/A%2BLeap%2BYear%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-10.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-k5K01zPdfzk\/Vt4um1u-V4I\/AAAAAAAAfyA\/z8IOxCsSulM\/s1600\/A%2BLeap%2BYear%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252835%2Bof%2B70%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-OP3ErFkAMs4\/Vt4vFBnlTfI\/AAAAAAAAfyI\/wGZki_yDd6w\/s1600\/A%2BLeap%2BYear%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252832%2Bof%2B70%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-cYQVHPhDS84\/Vt4v-9CWbsI\/AAAAAAAAfyY\/lBHCaFbM-jY\/s1600\/A%2BLeap%2BYear%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252862%2Bof%2B70%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E eddie bauer\u003C\/b\u003E blouse, \u003Cb\u003Ethe bay\u003C\/b\u003E lace boots\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1459555017106293133\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/03\/this-kind-of-adventure.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1459555017106293133"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1459555017106293133"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/03\/this-kind-of-adventure.html","title":"this kind of adventure"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-b4uqGEs_WRc\/VtTaxCZlx_I\/AAAAAAAAftc\/dznlDWGvy8I\/s72-c\/A%2BLeap%2BYear%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-4.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-4030417875395048039"},"published":{"$t":"2016-02-29T17:57:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-02-29T17:57:20.887-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"banjo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"music"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"my life in photographs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"pressed flowers"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"my life in photographs"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-j3v8yUzLigk\/VtTirU3VdxI\/AAAAAAAAfuE\/eOb5O2FLIKw\/s1600\/2016-02-05%2B11.51.01%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ELet me have banjo and birdsong for as long as I shall live.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-era-vXaSBLc\/VtTh0I9VzTI\/AAAAAAAAft8\/Hqq2X_IukoU\/s1600\/2016-02-09%2B12.16.39%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".3.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".3.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003EEach passing day is one day closer to soil, plants and flowers. Surviving winter comes first.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-O9EzjV7_wbE\/VtTji2AuXXI\/AAAAAAAAfug\/IkmPV2iViWc\/s1600\/2016-02-15%2B12.42.23%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-6Uzuv2JCGA4\/VtTjGTf9K6I\/AAAAAAAAfuI\/oEVDhfPXtk0\/s1600\/2016-02-09%2B12.18.38%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003EI feel like finding a soft piece of earth and sleeping the day away. \nInstead, I stretch my arms to the ceiling and yawn like a woman who has \nalready grown bored of the week ahead. My heart howls for an adventure.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-v4u21iIg2pY\/VtTj_vGGWoI\/AAAAAAAAfuc\/hw6lJes5nYA\/s1600\/2016-02-19%2B12.30.02%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".7.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".7.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003EA day without music-making has become barren like a mountainside with no lodge pole pines or an ocean with no waves.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KuBT2qB8lpA\/VtTj_YKRpYI\/AAAAAAAAfuY\/OB2CG_gpjZQ\/s1600\/2016-02-27%2B02.11.47%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMedicine for the mind.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-l2UTmnQhS-Q\/VtTkwx9vUdI\/AAAAAAAAfuo\/aJzZU52dUL4\/s1600\/12375125_10153787096038744_3905588007841003062_o.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;I happily played the Market Collective back in December. Thank you\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.welcometothewest.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E Brendan Kane\u003C\/a\u003E for capturing this moment!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZymjAVd2hvY\/VtTl8_fPT2I\/AAAAAAAAfvI\/qd22FQfwIuA\/s1600\/view%2Bfrom%2Ba%2Bbove3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".9.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".9.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003EThe\n crying cloud grows pretty little flowers. You can tuck them away in a \nbook or two, it's almost as if you've kept a bucket of honey hidden away\n from the sun and every time you see it, you feel like spring has \nsprung.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-t1beVyq3R2o\/VtTl9sTHMZI\/AAAAAAAAfvQ\/L3rS75rQwvM\/s1600\/view%2Bfrom%2Babove%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".a.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".a.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003EI\n spent the entire night tossing around like a cotton dress in a washing \nmachine. I have a to-do list longer than a growing evergreen, but I am \nalive. Yes I am.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-5EG8WzHuj20\/VtTl9OXEXCI\/AAAAAAAAfvM\/ZgRLqKIzRjc\/s1600\/view%2Bfrom%2Babove%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe flower pressing station.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pzoJx-iq5Ic\/VtTk6DryMeI\/AAAAAAAAfuw\/JctIMGwgqOY\/s1600\/2016-02-09%2B12.18.48%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".c.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".c.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003EThe beauty of the world lives in a drop of warm coffee and a book to read.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/4030417875395048039\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/02\/my-life-in-photographs.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4030417875395048039"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/4030417875395048039"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/02\/my-life-in-photographs.html","title":"my life in photographs"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-j3v8yUzLigk\/VtTirU3VdxI\/AAAAAAAAfuE\/eOb5O2FLIKw\/s72-c\/2016-02-05%2B11.51.01%2B1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-3410905050789339902"},"published":{"$t":"2016-02-25T13:07:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-02-25T13:07:05.136-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"american eagle"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"braids"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sanuk boots"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"thoughts from above"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KUHqlacqj-w\/Vs32pDbgF_I\/AAAAAAAAfp8\/zBmMDaNnqt4\/s1600\/Sanuk%2BBoot%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-75.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-N__6EHxzLuI\/Vs34nEHAcgI\/AAAAAAAAfqQ\/1WDivH6duZE\/s1600\/Sanuk%2BBoot%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-88.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-T12D9CUM404\/Vs35XNjFtuI\/AAAAAAAAfqc\/uYYIQRfX6Hs\/s1600\/Sanuk%2BBoot%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-129.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI am writing to you from a downtown skyscraper \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— an odd place for taking the heart and twirling it into words with a pen. I am here because my mum asked me for lunch and I never say no to mum or lunch. I sit down at the biggest window in this office and I see people everywhere walking. I imagine they have families who love them and somebody who thinks of them often. To me, they are a stranger walking into work, but to somebody else, they are the sun or the milk white teeth shining at the end of a hard day.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI learn a great deal of empathy when I stop staring at my shoes. I am alive in a world full of people with their own anxiety and hard loneliness, a world full of languages and dreaming of home, a world full of winter's passing and summer's returning, a world full of unrequited love and empty beds, a world full of teeter tottering between days where there is laughter and days where there are tears. In the pursuit of my own story, I often forget just how dark the floor or startling the sky might be for somebody who is not me. I look at the people walking and I imagine they must know beauty but perhaps they have only glided on the grasses of grief and hard luck. I want to believe there is more to a stranger's eyes but I worry that \u003Ci\u003Emore \u003C\/i\u003Eonly means the kind of sadness you cannot see.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EWhat do these strangers see when they look at me? How could my beret and coat the color of a pine ever tell them my favorite song or the fact that I cried last night because somebody I love didn't listen to a word I said? They may see me walking slow as if standing in syrup and not realize that my stomach hurts today or that I'm worried about somebody. To them, I am a stranger walking into work, but to somebody else, I am the sun or the milk white teeth shining at the end of a hard day.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EWhen you see a stranger, even if they sit under the same moon or kick the same pebbles on the same street, \u003Ci\u003Eremember,\u003C\/i\u003E they are still writing their own story with pencil and red ink. Just like you. Just like me. Sometimes, we look at others and believe the grass where they grew is greener and softer than our own. I don't know if this is because we'd rather envy than see the actual weeds which grow in every garden. Maybe, we don't want to believe there is somebody out there who is sadder than our own sad, madder than our own mad, or more lonely than our loneliest hour. Maybe, the comparison robs us of our own right to feel what we feel or makes us feel even worse.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003ETo me, sad will always be sad, mad will always be mad, lonely will always be lonely, but strangers won't always be strangers. I look up from my shoes and in doing so, I see the world and it makes me feel less alone.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Yb2b_pYKfiU\/Vs35tGdQMmI\/AAAAAAAAfqg\/RcmNe33rdYk\/s1600\/Sanuk%2BBoot%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-40.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-bTjfFYm-i2U\/Vs36BycTApI\/AAAAAAAAfqo\/QLHgBjDtbUU\/s1600\/Sanuk%2BBoot%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-37.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hHApBEb5_z0\/Vs36nChW2HI\/AAAAAAAAfqs\/Ppjqm0Zobks\/s1600\/Sanuk%2BBoot%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-112.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-uH6ZW3gfsPc\/Vs36-7Di10I\/AAAAAAAAfq4\/guQCyvzHv4Q\/s1600\/Sanuk%2BBoot%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-QiOBpBAv_so\/Vs39htecPNI\/AAAAAAAAfrY\/4aO7WZszmLU\/s1600\/Sanuk%2BBoot%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-24.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-op6FxQUVVD0\/Vs1IrdferZI\/AAAAAAAAfps\/-KRhCQ4KmUg\/s1600\/Sanuk%2BBoot%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-150.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-uH_pVfCSrQg\/Vs4NFzz9kFI\/AAAAAAAAfsA\/ZTCdoFsDaqQ\/s1600\/Sanuk%2BBoot%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-68.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/shopsanuk.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esanuk\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eboots, \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ae.com\/web\/canada\/index.jsp\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eamerican eagle\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Ejacket,\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thebodyshop.ca\/en\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E the body shop\u003C\/b\u003E \u003C\/a\u003Elipstick,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.eddiebauer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eeddie bauer\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Ejeans,\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.joefresh.com\/ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E joe fresh\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eblouse\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/3410905050789339902\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/02\/thoughts-from-above.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3410905050789339902"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3410905050789339902"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/02\/thoughts-from-above.html","title":"thoughts from above"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KUHqlacqj-w\/Vs32pDbgF_I\/AAAAAAAAfp8\/zBmMDaNnqt4\/s72-c\/Sanuk%2BBoot%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-75.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1761496259892084732"},"published":{"$t":"2016-02-17T15:44:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-02-17T15:44:23.431-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"free people"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"value village"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"february air"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-uNYP8ZIms-w\/VsPZXv7fGII\/AAAAAAAAfms\/F9T0cRt7xZ4\/s1600\/Yellow%2BTurtleneck%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-17.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_3U0tuVniIQ\/VsPCjNrElFI\/AAAAAAAAfmQ\/bxvc_ACJ6Qg\/s1600\/Yellow%2BTurtleneck%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/--gB5EYok5TM\/VsPtG1JQjbI\/AAAAAAAAfnM\/jugQQ34Cwq4\/s1600\/Yellow%2BTurtleneck%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-48.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhat am I to do with the days where I count down what is left of winter? I hear the sound of ice cracking and the delightful sense of springtime growing flowers on my shoulder. I open the bedroom window to let February air fill the living's lungs and soon after, I am hearing children ride their bicycles and the fields mailing invitations to the warmest wind. I don't want to live for tomorrow. I want to live for today, but it's hard when your head calls for the gardening season while your feet are firmly planted where you are. I long for the sprout of a daffodil to rise above ground and the music of a spring bird to play while I sit on my back porch. I want to count stars in the night sky without shivering. I want to swim in the lakes while sunbeams kiss the top of my head, but first, I must wait for winter to pass.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nFebruary is a busy month for me. As is March. I'll be playing more shows than usual which means my spirit must stay glued to the strings on my banjo and guitar. A day without music-making has become barren like a mountainside with no lodge pole pines or an ocean with no waves. I am ever changing and always learning when it comes to these songs. I could never dream of a different life where it was always summer if it meant I was without the music.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI hope you're happy and feeling well wherever you may be.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-uD5zOBDjWVI\/VsPtYQUUW7I\/AAAAAAAAfnQ\/5G7Z7UF4TWM\/s1600\/Yellow%2BTurtleneck%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-7.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Cyt05BpdDRE\/VsPa0iFc2GI\/AAAAAAAAfnA\/g2Kd7T1nH5Q\/s1600\/Yellow%2BTurtleneck%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B44%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MwPO7ZeJOeQ\/VsPzqMJVmRI\/AAAAAAAAfoE\/8OIqAxpBdu0\/s1600\/Yellow%2BTurtleneck%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25288%2Bof%2B44%2529.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MwPO7ZeJOeQ\/VsPzqMJVmRI\/AAAAAAAAfoE\/8OIqAxpBdu0\/s1600\/Yellow%2BTurtleneck%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25288%2Bof%2B44%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-3hHfij9CSkE\/VsPwcKVsAeI\/AAAAAAAAfn0\/T3GeF3zl58g\/s1600\/Yellow%2BTurtleneck%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-39.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-i4wcrpYVRbU\/VsPtphR0MZI\/AAAAAAAAfnc\/IuZkKN6lFok\/s1600\/Yellow%2BTurtleneck%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-10.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E value village \u003C\/b\u003Esweater \u0026amp; dress,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.freepeople.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efree people \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003Esocks \u0026amp; boots\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1761496259892084732\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/02\/february-air.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1761496259892084732"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1761496259892084732"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/02\/february-air.html","title":"february air"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-uNYP8ZIms-w\/VsPZXv7fGII\/AAAAAAAAfms\/F9T0cRt7xZ4\/s72-c\/Yellow%2BTurtleneck%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-17.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-3341257882483979405"},"published":{"$t":"2016-02-12T10:06:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-02-12T10:06:06.989-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"griffith woods"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"heart shaped"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"poetry"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reading"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"365 love songs"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-rVaMZNiKggc\/VrzycT_V_EI\/AAAAAAAAfj4\/ih6nn1Wzvag\/s1600\/valentine%2Bday%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-70.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4QS8bpqFZYI\/Vrz2UsD7-jI\/AAAAAAAAfkQ\/_mNRqg-mPbI\/s1600\/valentine%2Bday%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-10.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-DkteEsmbXV8\/Vrz0B9YndpI\/AAAAAAAAfkE\/uEUruzCYtF4\/s1600\/valentine%2Bday%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-115.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhen I dream of romantic love, I dream of two things \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— the poetry I grew up reading on bed springs and the oval shape of one person's face and how it came to move me. Before I knew the way ears could wander when anticipating the sound of somebody else's footsteps, I spent most of my days alone. I did not yearn for another. Instead, I lived my life as if looking out of a window seat on an airplane. If I were to invite somebody to share their world with me, they could very well take the window seat and I'd be left watching my feet as the carafe of soda pop travels by. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;And then one day, it happened. I fell in love\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E — summer every season, messy like the pulp of a pomegranate, longing when apart, giving up my window seat because I want to see you happy, I love you, I hate you, I love you again, planning a future, cleaning up your dishes kind-of-love. The truth is, I never knew at sixteen, I would tell somebody besides my mother or father how much I love them.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003ENow it is this many years later and I'm still in love. If I could tie a ribbon to the clouds for us to sit when we're weary, I would for him. If I could swim in the river where his worries rise above bedrock, I would for him. If I could catch sunbeams to keep in his coat pocket, I would for him. If I could shake the rattle and buzz out of his guitar, I would for him. The most beautiful of all discoveries is that he would do these things for me too.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EDespite the beauty and art we all find when we find love, it has never been easy and a human should never compromise their deepest inner workings in the pursuit of romantic love. It is not all roses and soft kisses. Love is far too powerful for it to always be easy. After all, we define our entire lives by how and who we love, but it's important to remember that self-love is the blade which shapes the fruit, not the love of another. If I did not have those hours of loneliness or growing by myself, I would never be able to love myself or my beloved as I do now.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EAs for Valentine's day, there are 365 days in a year, 365 love songs in each day.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003ELife in itself is an occasion for me.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-X3jcvW1bKWY\/Vrz3eRsM-EI\/AAAAAAAAfkg\/EOWEnP-N-cE\/s1600\/valentine%2Bday%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-100.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9f77xVQXthA\/Vrz6OQeRb0I\/AAAAAAAAfks\/H4gryoU0_P0\/s1600\/valentine%2Bday%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-39.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mV_8VWnmnBs\/Vrz6l58rJpI\/AAAAAAAAfkw\/UWPhzQojkvs\/s1600\/valentine%2Bday%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-21.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VLeIYQE45pk\/Vrz7nJVBbaI\/AAAAAAAAflA\/MY4i1aMWpaQ\/s1600\/valentine%2Bday%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-49.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-xOlDiJw6B20\/Vrz-ZGBKRWI\/AAAAAAAAflg\/DOg6b-7SApw\/s1600\/valentine%2Bday%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-73.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-kosphz1RC1k\/Vrz-vUsHT2I\/AAAAAAAAflo\/7Ww5WmFqqR0\/s1600\/valentine%2Bday%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-61.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details\u003Cb\u003E: h\u0026amp;m from value village \u003C\/b\u003Eheart-shaped dress,\u003Cb\u003E value village \u003C\/b\u003Eboots,\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003Emums closet \u003C\/b\u003Ecardigan\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/3341257882483979405\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/02\/365-love-songs.html#comment-form","title":"37 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3341257882483979405"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3341257882483979405"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/02\/365-love-songs.html","title":"365 love songs"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-rVaMZNiKggc\/VrzycT_V_EI\/AAAAAAAAfj4\/ih6nn1Wzvag\/s72-c\/valentine%2Bday%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-70.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"37"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-2854745471754886917"},"published":{"$t":"2016-02-05T06:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-02-05T06:30:24.108-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"griffith woods"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"the meaning of life"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/--k_LQUx4tak\/VrOpqKyrfWI\/AAAAAAAAfhI\/DJ3R-DKJsLU\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2Btulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-43.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-cgesQSIs7_A\/VrOoURrnmGI\/AAAAAAAAfhE\/9jYujnQbpO0\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2Btulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-hHhKIr5ZyX0\/VrO_GnUSoKI\/AAAAAAAAfhc\/exL1Ts_6BTM\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2Btulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-26.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThere are two things I think of often \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— what will I eat for my next meal and how will I find a happy life where I am free to visit the woods and play my banjo whenever I want to. I don't imagine myself rising early in the day only to miss the birds singing because I am sitting in city traffic on route to a box or a boss who doesn't care about my misfortunes. I want to feel like the work I do matters. I want to believe there is more to the stars than just brushes of light.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EYou were not born like a butterfly rising from the cocoon or a bird flying from her cradle of wood, it is not in the length of your soar or the first spot you land which reveals the meaning of life, it is in your everyday discoveries, even the ones that seem little and unimportant right now. Coffee in the morning, tea for when you're tired, a new little restaurant on your side of town, the moon at your bedside, seeing friends in rooms you like, the sound of a lone leaf rolling by concrete, \u003Ci\u003Ethis\u003C\/i\u003E is what matters.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EIf there ever comes a day where I am sitting in traffic on route to a box or a boss who doesn't care about my misfortunes, let there be music on the radio and Saturday mornings to dream upon. I can only hope and try to build a life where dreams don't stay wrinkled in my coat pocket. Let me have banjo and birdsong for as long as I shall live.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-eAot_BrzBJ4\/VrOpuAC_2mI\/AAAAAAAAfhM\/ytrKC5qqb-k\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2Btulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-45.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q7uL62kL8-g\/VrO_u8wwJwI\/AAAAAAAAfhg\/I-l7VRJgaFM\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2Btulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-32.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-81TFXyYl-lg\/VrPBhj3IDRI\/AAAAAAAAfhs\/tPiucHk6xSU\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2Btulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-39.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ucEEhD_17Ys\/VrLzku0OgQI\/AAAAAAAAff8\/XIQ0AjD7Waw\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2Btulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-KdMjBgLKyfs\/VrLzmbfiw9I\/AAAAAAAAff8\/uX1nLEo1gJQ\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2Btulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-A4yWjgq7kNo\/VrL0sZwuf7I\/AAAAAAAAfgI\/QRYF-_u9D5M\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2Btulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-4.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Echicwish\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Etulle skirt,\u003Cb\u003E value village\u003C\/b\u003E boots, \u003Cb\u003Eberet \u003C\/b\u003Ea gift from my dad, \u003Cb\u003Ehairbow \u003C\/b\u003Ea gift from sara\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/2854745471754886917\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/02\/the-meaning-of-life.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2854745471754886917"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2854745471754886917"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/02\/the-meaning-of-life.html","title":"the meaning of life"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/--k_LQUx4tak\/VrOpqKyrfWI\/AAAAAAAAfhI\/DJ3R-DKJsLU\/s72-c\/Amyflyingakite%2Btulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-43.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-8051332921003246099"},"published":{"$t":"2016-01-31T06:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-01-31T06:30:00.226-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"january 31st"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-oen0O5cEs80\/Vq0aSUpXZPI\/AAAAAAAAfcA\/SbNdlvrRttk\/s1600\/white%2Bdress%2Bamyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-27.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-VpYmhu_9U7k\/Vq0akHDywrI\/AAAAAAAAfcI\/A6vftChbNqk\/s1600\/white%2Bdress%2Bamyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-17.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ODiXYTZtlDE\/Vq0ax7w9BiI\/AAAAAAAAfcQ\/oqCJbQhXDLE\/s1600\/white%2Bdress%2Bamyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-39.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;It is the last day of January - a day closer to speckled birds seamlessly floating in the sky above our backyard. I dream of carrying my shovel and cart full of seeds into the garden and growing a trail of fruits and flowers. I don't miss the hailstorms nor the rattling thunder but I always miss the garden and its golden grains of sun.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;I am currently keeping warm by reading books and hearing my banjo echo like a human's holler in the mountains. I fill my days with black coffee and handfuls of honey-sugared almonds. I watch my dogs press their paws against the snow and I dream a quiet dream about green grass springing beneath my feet.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIt is not yet springtime and the branches without buds still cling to the berry bush, but today, we saw two bucks strolling along through the ravine with milky-white antlers. They were made to look even more beautiful against the snowy backdrop. Although - I may find myself wishing away winter's frost, I still appreciate the wild beauty that is this time of year.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-32GEq3Rh778\/Vq0cUH7dqcI\/AAAAAAAAfcs\/Qs0p_BTFWz0\/s1600\/hi%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-8.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-AcBndTTmPFA\/Vq0bs9CmmfI\/AAAAAAAAfcg\/_Z9-TKIEhws\/s1600\/hi%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-9.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-g5X1idRrtKs\/Vq1FxCLPNTI\/AAAAAAAAfdQ\/g_PGsZ1HVDE\/s1600\/white%2Bdress%2Bamyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hpZT0uDd7qQ\/Vq1G_eyncmI\/AAAAAAAAfdk\/GajgNDdvLMM\/s1600\/white%2Bdress%2Bamyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-21.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-OQ7GSU13-Sk\/Vq1HToNxqZI\/AAAAAAAAfds\/zzl-t4mDgaA\/s1600\/white%2Bdress%2Bamyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-29.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-RNRsgY2oS6k\/Vq1Dc8SFkfI\/AAAAAAAAfc8\/z8LNtFCRGug\/s1600\/white%2Bdress%2Bamyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-43.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E thrifted \u003C\/b\u003Eshoes,\u003Cb\u003E peacock boutique \u003C\/b\u003Ebow, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.oasap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eoasap \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Edress \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/8051332921003246099\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/01\/january-31st.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8051332921003246099"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8051332921003246099"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/01\/january-31st.html","title":"january 31st"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-oen0O5cEs80\/Vq0aSUpXZPI\/AAAAAAAAfcA\/SbNdlvrRttk\/s72-c\/white%2Bdress%2Bamyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-27.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-561532594317782045"},"published":{"$t":"2016-01-27T06:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-01-27T10:45:12.889-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Art"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"writing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Art for art's sake"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-a7HGsBmR6Do\/VqGqJ8JJ7ZI\/AAAAAAAAfXg\/UClTXfyBcpk\/s1600\/image.jpeg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nArt is here to ease our own sufferings and to delight our senses, being an artist means to address these sufferings and senses with paint, prose, poetry, song and countless other ways. To be an artist is to show the world a heart beat outside of the body and to place a boat beside the island of hurt. For me, art is not only a call to arms, but a way of living between sunrise and sunset.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;In a world where access to instant gratification tempts us into fueling our self worth by likes, it is important to return to why we began creating in the first place. When I began blogging in November 2008, I had no expectations, not because I was humbled, but because I was only here to make posts for the love of creative expression. I had already spent most of my life writing in journals, on tissues and on random scraps of paper. I did not know the taste of applause. I simply wrote because it made me feel less dead.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe same rings true for when I bought my first banjo. I remember bringing it home and feeling as if the strings were a one way ticket to a country far away. I had no idea how to make songs. All I knew was how I loved every sound that came out of it and every inch of this moon-shaped machine was beautiful to me. I soon began practicing every day, not because somebody was telling me to, and not because I had a show on the weekend, I did it because it made me feel like I was growing flowers out of dirt.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-83OnZoVgrjg\/VqgoaTneOWI\/AAAAAAAAfYk\/GVWEcZJliMA\/s1600\/IMG_0860.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;The truth is my best art begins when I create for myself. Sometimes, sorrow comes creeping in like blinding sunlight from a window without curtains. I could try to shut my eyes, but in doing so, I lose my way. Instead, I let the sorrow become food for poems and songs nobody will ever hear. I write and I sing for nobody but myself. You can call it vanity or narcissism, but I call it keeping myself away from the grave. When I make art for art's sake, I do it because it makes me feel well in a world that too often tries to make you feel unwell. When I play my banjo and sing for crowds, I try to abandon the sense of defeat when nobody cares and I try not to measure myself by how many people come up to me afterwards. I sing for the songs. I sing to keep time from ticking away. I sing because one day, I won't be around to.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI am not entirely free from the prison of over-thinking my art. Even posts like this one make me feel vulnerable and uncertain. \u003Ci\u003EShould I post this? Will those who read this want to read this? What am I doing? Should I post this flower photograph? No? Yes? No? Yes? No? \u003C\/i\u003EThere are choices we make every day as artists \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E to do or not to do, to throw in the towel or to keep climbing that endlessly steep mountain. We can refresh our screens until our fingers are sore, we can sing until there is blood in our throats, we can wail when nobody listens and we can define an artist by how many likes they get on an internet platform or a stage which will fade one day like breath itself.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;Or, we can lessen our suffering by making art for art's sake.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E“Perhaps I write for no one. Perhaps for the same person children are writing for when they scrawl their names in the snow.”\n  \u003Cbr \/\u003E  ―\n    \u003Ca class=\"authorOrTitle\" href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/author\/show\/3472.Margaret_Atwood\"\u003EMargaret Atwood\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/561532594317782045\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/01\/art-for-arts-sake.html#comment-form","title":"15 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/561532594317782045"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/561532594317782045"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/01\/art-for-arts-sake.html","title":"Art for art's sake"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-a7HGsBmR6Do\/VqGqJ8JJ7ZI\/AAAAAAAAfXg\/UClTXfyBcpk\/s72-c\/image.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"15"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1794824570200338296"},"published":{"$t":"2016-01-22T06:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-01-22T06:30:04.241-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"in my neighborhood"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-6cQ46U4ggp0\/Vp66ZbiflwI\/AAAAAAAAfU0\/sbV5qGTIgJg\/s1600\/Heart%2Bknee%2Bleggings%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25282%2Bof%2B3%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-GNZ8Eank6D4\/Vp67Ub_d8gI\/AAAAAAAAfVM\/S4cQEkDaavo\/s1600\/Heart%2Bknee%2Bleggings%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25282%2Bof%2B24%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-vQmD5flWbqk\/Vp7U7SkqYNI\/AAAAAAAAfWM\/XA1FT5wfkl8\/s1600\/Heart%2Bknee%2Bleggings%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-6.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI have lived in the same neighborhood since I first moved to Calgary. Our house sits on a\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E quiet street where birdsong can be heard from every tree and every home has a window facing the sunset. I love where I call home, even when pieces of wood from the old fence start to float away in the wind. It is here in this neighborhood where I grew my first proper garden, it is here where I fell in love for the first time, and it is here where I learned how to find the mountains in a banjo song.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;I have wept here. I have laughed here. I have skipped over puddles in rainstorms here. I have reached for the blue of the sky here. I have dreamed of standing a million miles to the west of here, but I have always wanted to come home. Here in this neighborhood, the dishes clack against the silver sink while the magpie sits on top the chimney sweep, cooing to his own echo. One day, this will all be a memory - fuzzy and fading as time itself.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI don't know where the next neighborhood will be or how it will look, but I\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Edo believe life is a biography written by you and edited by circumstance. Where there is soil, I will grow a garden. Where there is a stove, I will cook a warm meal. Where there is a tree, I will listen for the birds. Where there is a bed, I will sleep in it when the moon shows and rise with the morning in a place called home.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-xayiKojsw4Q\/Vp7VUAK0PPI\/AAAAAAAAfWY\/GtuJOz5ySW4\/s1600\/Heart%2Bknee%2Bleggings%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Rs6doOSgoYg\/Vp67gmZpk1I\/AAAAAAAAfVY\/Ga6JlyAmjWY\/s1600\/Heart%2Bknee%2Bleggings%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-9.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-SDz7iEElx9k\/Vp7rHPql8sI\/AAAAAAAAfXA\/niEWCJma9Kw\/s1600\/Heart%2Bknee%2Bleggings%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25283%2Bof%2B24%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.yoyomelody.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eyoyo melody\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Esweater \u0026amp; leggings,\u003Cb\u003E nanton thriftstore \u003C\/b\u003Eboots\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1794824570200338296\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/01\/in-my-neighborhood.html#comment-form","title":"14 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1794824570200338296"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1794824570200338296"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/01\/in-my-neighborhood.html","title":"in my neighborhood"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-6cQ46U4ggp0\/Vp66ZbiflwI\/AAAAAAAAfU0\/sbV5qGTIgJg\/s72-c\/Heart%2Bknee%2Bleggings%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25282%2Bof%2B3%2529.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"14"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-2401025325954344297"},"published":{"$t":"2016-01-17T10:45:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-01-17T10:48:15.068-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"banff"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicwish"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"mountain"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"travel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Love is as big as a mountain"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-gEsnOTBU1KM\/VpheWUgpqbI\/AAAAAAAAfPM\/PABon6UEsKA\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25285%2Bof%2B25%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q7SoT6P-Obk\/VphfTxRqXKI\/AAAAAAAAfPY\/EN5mtrK7b-c\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-60.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-UI5EpFMgFW4\/VphgRjypWHI\/AAAAAAAAfPs\/2RKIw7jU7nc\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252819%2Bof%2B25%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q8UxApUdSgU\/VphhPZ1S4FI\/AAAAAAAAfP8\/CT6I46yV_A0\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-33.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q8UxApUdSgU\/VphhPZ1S4FI\/AAAAAAAAfP8\/CT6I46yV_A0\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-33.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe night \nbefore I came to the mountains, I could not sleep. Instead, my legs \ncurled against the cold white wall and I thought of how long the stretch of night can be when counting sheep does not help you fall asleep. In recent months, I have fought with somebody who I love more than the toast which melts butter or the pollen which grows honey. I have looked into their eyes and spoken words so ugly, so mean, you could almost taste the ashes of a once growing fire or feel the cold of an avalanche coming down from the mountain.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI have looked into those same eyes and spoken words so kind, so pure, you could almost taste the fragrance of a blooming flower or feel the warmth of a months worth of supper for two. I have grown in the gaze of those same eyes, I have loved and been loved in those same eyes, but whenever you love this deeply, you're bound to forget how to swim in the ever flowing river that is two people in love.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nLove means to walk on cannonballs, to sometimes skip a meal in order to feed your beloved, to sing a harmony instead of a lead, to poke a sleeping bear and to share a poem you've left hidden underneath your bed sheets long before you knew what love was. Love is also to taste life twice, to hear the sound of sunshine in one person's voice, and to always have a face you can dream on when you're tired from the day.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI do believe love is a faithful hound, but sometimes she barks so loud you can't hear the music.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWe went to the mountains and in those mountains,\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E I shrieked at the thought of surviving winter without the one I love. I saw myself standing there, in the belly of the mountain, alone and lonely, calling out for somebody who wasn't there anymore. For many of us, there comes a time when we add the letter \u003Ci\u003Ed\u003C\/i\u003E to the word love and all that is left is a memory which slowly begins to recede like our grandfather's hairline or a boat at sea. For others, we go on loving, living and patching the crooked splinters in our hearts by spending time away from the world together.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\"Time, we have so little of it.\" says the mountain.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-4JJfPc9a3b4\/Vphi0p27GkI\/AAAAAAAAfQg\/ZRauXOqnLQ4\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-6.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-su4vfUr--Fk\/Vphj0Wx0gvI\/AAAAAAAAfQ0\/w7w4DGI2i_s\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-38.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-_kdppcrwtL8\/VphjjcC-PkI\/AAAAAAAAfQs\/I90Pi_L8qc8\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-31.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-PIN5PYztZA0\/VphYbxMCHDI\/AAAAAAAAfOs\/cvYAMZWOJzQ\/s1600\/Fi%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-4wwXxQAE8m8\/Vpho3sDEWxI\/AAAAAAAAfRw\/sdfKxVkbMog\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252826%2Bof%2B33%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-XWT8ikE4w5o\/Vpholn1CpmI\/AAAAAAAAfRo\/FoOoCgPr0-M\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252830%2Bof%2B33%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-5r-yBet5qws\/VphkIv7X7rI\/AAAAAAAAfQ8\/l8fnrjgvFpg\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-51.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-V3lfNbRfiFY\/VphlEdAxJZI\/AAAAAAAAfRU\/84RdjC-_QFE\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-64.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-2BTxepSeJyw\/VphksVO1EYI\/AAAAAAAAfRM\/RRcIT26Fs4k\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-62.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-CUhmbfk3SJY\/Vphkpj5zLEI\/AAAAAAAAfRE\/V-nvBBAf1-w\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-63.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-bLPrV9MZTk8\/VphlTRqwoUI\/AAAAAAAAfRc\/qhcHSEWE03k\/s1600\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-56.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-xpF9zdM66dU\/VpvRpebGRBI\/AAAAAAAAfSY\/lBK9ytEvUJc\/s1600\/Red%2BBeret%2BFirst%2BEdit%2B%25283%2Bof%2B11%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChicwish\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Edress,\u003Cb\u003E Peacock Boutique \u003C\/b\u003Ecoat\u003Cb\u003E, Montana tack store \u003C\/b\u003Eshoes\u003Cb\u003E, Beret \u003C\/b\u003Ea gift from my dad\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thebodyshop.ca\/en\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/2401025325954344297\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/01\/love-is-as-big-as-mountain.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2401025325954344297"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2401025325954344297"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/01\/love-is-as-big-as-mountain.html","title":"Love is as big as a mountain"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-gEsnOTBU1KM\/VpheWUgpqbI\/AAAAAAAAfPM\/PABon6UEsKA\/s72-c\/January%2Boutfit%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25285%2Bof%2B25%2529.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"11"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-407350954277520169"},"published":{"$t":"2016-01-06T06:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-01-06T06:30:00.907-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sunflower"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"voodoo vixen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"sunflowers and solitude"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Mz10UurK1Cc\/VosyZZVUjmI\/AAAAAAAAfLk\/sX5A1Hh0IxQ\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2BSunflower%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-14.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-D_SUqs6DIBI\/VowPzKS5j1I\/AAAAAAAAfL8\/p4dbD0VjPw4\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2BSunflower%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-6.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-LD7FOeR19Ks\/VowQTyTFVMI\/AAAAAAAAfME\/ScfThY6ELmY\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2BSunflower%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;A new year has broken through ice on the doorstep and I'm sitting on a bed where the light from a candle makes rabbits and moon crescents dance on the wall. I really should be catching my to-do list the way a hungry hawk catches the kingfisher, instead I am cross legged on a bed wishing I had nowhere else to be. I'd like for a moment only \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— \u003C\/span\u003Eto sit here and be silent without any room for what if's. I can dream about tomorrow, tomorrow. Today, it is necessary like air to be cross legged on my bed, eating licorice until my lips turn red and writing for the sake of it.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nBeing in love with a musician and being a music-maker myself, conversations and introductions to new faces and names to remember happens for us every day. Most of these faces become beautiful friends who fit like the nourishment of a poem in our lives, but sometimes you are left feeling overwhelmed and begging to board a one way train to solitude. I wouldn't trade it for the moon or the spark of a distant star \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— but learning how to take time for only you and the quiet whispering of your heart is the key to keeping the fruits in your basket from going sour.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI need to remember this.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;I have always been a person who reaches for solitude over soda pop and home over somebody else's house, but in the last year, I have felt that by saying no or\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Estaying home alone, I was living strangely or inconsiderately of my friends. It saddens me to think of how I have learned to abandon the very thing which grew me as a person. Solitude is not shameful. Solitude is to me what soil is to the sunflower \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— without it, I simply cannot be. So 2016, whatever becomes of you, I will relish in moments like this one where I am quiet and alone.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EFor those of you who like the sunflower kissed dress I am wearing, you can visit \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.voodoovixen.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVoodoo Vixen\u003C\/a\u003E with the code \u003Cb\u003EKite20 \u003C\/b\u003Efor 20% off of your entire purchase. They are a lovely shop with vintage inspired garments fit for all body shapes!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-0ZXm-jGqUs8\/VowTeAJN7-I\/AAAAAAAAfMY\/12BQASW8m4A\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2BSunflower%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-11.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-V2EE5hHpEaM\/VowQltf2VeI\/AAAAAAAAfMM\/Ye0VoomB0wk\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2BSunflower%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KH_9Jgyh080\/VowWdQCBrZI\/AAAAAAAAfMk\/L27fc-kBv8g\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2BSunflower%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-19.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aszzZcmA4XA\/Vox63PArLdI\/AAAAAAAAfNk\/4ZuxHk32V4E\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2BSunflower%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-23.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lgOxo6HUqkQ\/Vox6c3FaEvI\/AAAAAAAAfNc\/wEIOYNA6jfM\/s1600\/Amyflyingakite%2BSunflower%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-13.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.voodoovixen.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVoodoo Vixen \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003Edress*,\u003Cb\u003E Value Village \/ thrifted \u003C\/b\u003Eboots\u003Cb\u003E,\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.freepeople.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E Free People\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Esocks, \u003Cb\u003EMum's \u003C\/b\u003Esweater\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thebodyshop.ca\/en\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/407350954277520169\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/01\/sunflowers-and-solitude.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/407350954277520169"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/407350954277520169"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2016\/01\/sunflowers-and-solitude.html","title":"sunflowers and solitude"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Mz10UurK1Cc\/VosyZZVUjmI\/AAAAAAAAfLk\/sX5A1Hh0IxQ\/s72-c\/Amyflyingakite%2BSunflower%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-14.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-3434768313231143374"},"published":{"$t":"2015-12-31T16:10:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-12-31T16:14:50.882-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"year end"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"the end of a year"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-SDtJeawoGEk\/VoNeQQUXQ3I\/AAAAAAAAfI4\/AmPijaIs03g\/s1600\/Winter%2BFuzzy%2BCoat%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-56.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-6c94827rdVY\/VoNdfwJs6YI\/AAAAAAAAfIs\/BJcl0eFMLLw\/s1600\/Winter%2BFuzzy%2BCoat%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-54.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-nRtQ21oWV5A\/VoNe-9tTdsI\/AAAAAAAAfJA\/dYs0naXk8ts\/s1600\/Winter%2BFuzzy%2BCoat%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-21.jpg\" \/\u003EAcres and acres of snow soft as cotton, the winter air rises and falls like an orchestra. I can hear the gardener and spring bird in me singing to the hills with the hope they'll soon turn to green places where flowers can grow. I am impatient in my wait for the days where sunshine pours through the unhatched window and leads me like a hand into the garden. For today, I let the tiny fire of a shared bed with my loved one keep me warm.\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe next time I write to you, the year will have changed and every last one of us will be clinging to reasons why we must become better people in the new year. Whether it's less wine, more walking, less jelly rolls, more jumping jacks, less pouting, more poetry \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E we spend our whole lives asking for our life to be different than what it was the day before. The truth is, being alive in a world where we can bend our toes while reading the thoughts of a stranger is a pretty stunning occasion.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nHere's to the passing hour and the delight of being where we are and who we are in this very moment! Let us splash in the symphony that is life today and tomorrow! Goodbye December, goodbye 2015, hello January, hello 2016. May we all be treated well in the coming year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lHWhkCQO-Hc\/VoNgIl32MDI\/AAAAAAAAfJM\/FbuzvD-fHCM\/s1600\/Winter%2BFuzzy%2BCoat%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-13.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1QrO8_tyuVk\/VoNdVvtIMmI\/AAAAAAAAfIo\/gyyZvDAx4kQ\/s1600\/Winter%2BFuzzy%2BCoat%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-63.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZgRum5wbiZM\/VoNgwgHU9vI\/AAAAAAAAfJU\/Ue8HbHd8IDE\/s1600\/Winter%2BFuzzy%2BCoat%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-44.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ydbr-Uw9zP4\/VoNhaGGt2bI\/AAAAAAAAfJc\/tDEMI84GdtI\/s1600\/Winter%2BFuzzy%2BCoat%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-23.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-oM00iIFGfhQ\/VoNiMaqNp4I\/AAAAAAAAfJs\/hj7VGdCFpNA\/s1600\/Winter%2BFuzzy%2BCoat%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-57.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-vC_F2cVNkKM\/VoNhzkqDBAI\/AAAAAAAAfJk\/8ZLC5sGy8v8\/s1600\/Winter%2BFuzzy%2BCoat%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-6.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/peacockboutiqueconsignments\/?fref=ts\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPeacock Boutique Consignment\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Ewinter coat,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.valuevillage.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EValue Village\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eboots\u003Cb\u003E, Beret \u003C\/b\u003Ea gift from my dad\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thebodyshop.ca\/en\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/3434768313231143374\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/12\/the-end-of-year.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3434768313231143374"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3434768313231143374"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/12\/the-end-of-year.html","title":"the end of a year"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-SDtJeawoGEk\/VoNeQQUXQ3I\/AAAAAAAAfI4\/AmPijaIs03g\/s72-c\/Winter%2BFuzzy%2BCoat%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-56.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-7342376261878356769"},"published":{"$t":"2015-12-27T14:14:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-12-27T14:20:38.403-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"2015"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"year end"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"a year of outfits"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;[A post featuring my favorite outfits from 2015. Click title to be taken to the original blog post.]\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhich one is your favorite? \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/01\/reasons-to-keep-journal.html#\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EReasons to keep a journal\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-kSDEFPeEWgs\/VnrlMkpOK6I\/AAAAAAAAe_4\/xxDQW1uge4A\/s1600\/outfit%2B%25281%2Bof%2B28%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-63tHqtkpT2g\/VnrlNAE7HcI\/AAAAAAAAe_8\/xDbEh5kRrM8\/s1600\/outfit%2B%25281%2Bof%2B8%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/01\/snowflakes-on-hill.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ESnowflakes on the hill\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_ulB_welguA\/VnropcI_hDI\/AAAAAAAAfAg\/N5bbOcFq9UA\/s1600\/beret%2B%252893%2Bof%2B172%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-uXPd6uXcWhI\/VnroptSTuKI\/AAAAAAAAfAk\/akYYxp3dAx0\/s1600\/beret%2B%2528164%2Bof%2B172%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/01\/the-heart-of-mountain-country.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe heart of mountain country\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Z9mVFNn-pYQ\/VnsFTsfM64I\/AAAAAAAAfBM\/kIvKtfO88kU\/s1600\/tights%2B%2528208%2Bof%2B359%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/02\/the-writers-life.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe writer's life\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0eV_nFmpETk\/VnsIIv9xbSI\/AAAAAAAAfBg\/7-lUgI4qKDY\/s1600\/green%2B%252843%2Bof%2B189%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/02\/where-coyotes-howl.html#more\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWhere the coyotes howl\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-3ne70kCYw_w\/VnsJG5I1pfI\/AAAAAAAAfB4\/hMN2D1cMhzU\/s1600\/trees%2B%252832%2Bof%2B74%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-evL7KNKxaEI\/VnsJphS_iWI\/AAAAAAAAfCA\/srbb7VRwyRc\/s1600\/colorful%2Bskirt%2B%2528464%2Bof%2B560%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/03\/banjos-and-bird-nests.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBanjos and bird nests\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-uRQDbocar8I\/VnsKyLp79pI\/AAAAAAAAfCI\/Lq0rdEzf6vM\/s1600\/spring%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-19.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-6GfpJZvcnbI\/VnsK3GPTrvI\/AAAAAAAAfCQ\/V9813pH0wWI\/s1600\/spring%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-27.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/03\/a-year-ago-today.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EA year ago today\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-VbRMTeXef0Y\/VnsLvJ84KLI\/AAAAAAAAfCg\/E8oXE5OYZBQ\/s1600\/green%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-29.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-1SlEeF-lQwE\/VnsLf5xDDyI\/AAAAAAAAfCY\/WKK4fSRE3Zs\/s1600\/green%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-27.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/04\/the-unknowing-of-wolves.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe unknowing of wolves\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-s-NQlYmQpks\/VnsOWfuEEdI\/AAAAAAAAfC8\/jewxCIfvQ-A\/s1600\/fluffy%2Bskirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-15.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/04\/stretch-our-bones.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"goog_141082765\"\u003EStretch our bones\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-tIsv9Ro04TQ\/VnsPZ3aJBOI\/AAAAAAAAfDc\/04g0L1lqdh0\/s1600\/edworthy%2Bpark%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-22.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-m4QOHK1oJ60\/VnsPh60aqlI\/AAAAAAAAfDk\/dZJRYq0P0Ck\/s1600\/edworthy%2Bpark%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-46.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/04\/reasons-to-read-book.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"goog_141082765\" style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EReasons to read a book\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KC6EJBcahDM\/VnsQH0WmzEI\/AAAAAAAAfDs\/89hO5sVyJIo\/s1600\/books%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-17.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-tFeoJvcDe9w\/VnsQHriWTqI\/AAAAAAAAfDw\/w94Dt8OP1SU\/s1600\/books%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-47.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan id=\"goog_141082765\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/05\/birds-and-dandelions.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBirds and dandelions\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-XxpDZMnF2Ow\/VnsQqS4ox0I\/AAAAAAAAfD8\/gdjAITIGo2U\/s1600\/bird%2Bdress%2Band%2Bskirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-49.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/--HyUtpLhbDI\/VnsQtjHiLNI\/AAAAAAAAfEE\/U4zdQnsGV0Q\/s1600\/bird%2Bdress%2Band%2Bskirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-22.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan id=\"goog_141082765\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/05\/squirrels-and-dandelions.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESquirrels and dandelions \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-a4u7iIvEK40\/VnsRIXgglfI\/AAAAAAAAfEM\/Lzz565cayy8\/s1600\/squirrel%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-51.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-SS1ffkPjais\/VnsRNG3L6VI\/AAAAAAAAfEU\/I8WyRzlsCI4\/s1600\/squirrel%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-48.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/06\/a-few-proud-flowers.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"goog_141082765\"\u003EA few proud flowers\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ABBXSLNdNek\/VnsR3nq2btI\/AAAAAAAAfEc\/rLFIuZ2j9io\/s1600\/long%2Bskirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-74.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan id=\"goog_141082765\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/06\/what-makes-gardener-garden.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWhat makes the gardener garden\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-2CAFB5ZCGRo\/VnsTSwxnPpI\/AAAAAAAAfE0\/nATqJA3pEWQ\/s1600\/house%2Bskirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-51.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-jdqBhVLxY_c\/VnsTAoPEi4I\/AAAAAAAAfEs\/OSiwoxyUTU8\/s1600\/house%2Bskirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-11.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/07\/be-here-now.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBe Here Now\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Cqu8rVUaNLg\/VnsUQbqSWcI\/AAAAAAAAfFE\/ypTIPlc-VtI\/s1600\/polka%2Bdot%2Bdress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-102.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/08\/august-thunderstorms.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAugust thunderstorms\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Z9vBbA-e-BA\/VnsU8CkS8TI\/AAAAAAAAfFM\/0vWqow_BJGA\/s1600\/free%2Bpeople%2Bboots%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-68.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/08\/if-i-were-going-back-to-school_60.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIf I were going back to school\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-H8S_cbN7GqQ\/VnsWgWf_qDI\/AAAAAAAAfFo\/Yfz-c-pzNSE\/s1600\/plaid%2Band%2Bbows%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-48.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-nAZLCuS-OAE\/VnsVlXW625I\/AAAAAAAAfFc\/E5T6xT5XLAc\/s1600\/plaid%2Band%2Bbows%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-101.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/09\/the-direction-of-sunbeams.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;The direction of sunbeams\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-T_uVpA0sDBM\/VnsXNjX6jjI\/AAAAAAAAfF4\/kZO1enzbBe4\/s1600\/September%2B09%2BGriffith%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-67.jpg\" \/\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/09\/the-inglewood-barn.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Inglewood Barn\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-T7h0AAUT7EU\/VnsYAO9y_bI\/AAAAAAAAfGA\/3v7sqTtPB5A\/s1600\/Barn%2BInglewood%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-32.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\n\n\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/leaves-of-october.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ELeaves of October\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-m2g_XPttrSI\/Vn3VTDzpSGI\/AAAAAAAAfHM\/dsTVCUC4Tg4\/s1600\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-56.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-JRjg2vxfUj4\/Vn3VR_1nfpI\/AAAAAAAAfHE\/Jo-jUfrm3uc\/s1600\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-51.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-JRjg2vxfUj4\/Vn3VR_1nfpI\/AAAAAAAAfHE\/Jo-jUfrm3uc\/s1600\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-51.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/pre-loved-clothing-value-village.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EPre-loved clothing\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-5lUSH2HMbgA\/Vh3fyCvw_HI\/AAAAAAAAeAw\/egBsVF_rx2o\/s1600\/The%2BBlue%2BJumper%2B2%2B%252847%2Bof%2B51%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-dsibRd5TizY\/Vh63-5Gux1I\/AAAAAAAAeCw\/14QI3vAiQDQ\/s1600\/The%2BBlue%2BJumper%2B2%2B%252839%2Bof%2B51%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/a-visit-to-garden-center.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EA visit to the garden center\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-DZQjW5uS_nI\/VibzSu6euMI\/AAAAAAAAeG0\/Rn8LsuXDqHc\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-45.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/11\/autumn-was-here.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EAutumn was here\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/---MAhi3G3M0\/Vi7pmfX6NxI\/AAAAAAAAeWA\/Gf6auf9jtTs\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%252810%2Bof%2B14%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_fNldltlZCI\/Vi7qbyoO2wI\/AAAAAAAAeWM\/dDP8UghUdMI\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25289%2Bof%2B14%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/11\/good-morning-milkmaid-braid.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EGood morning milkmaid braid\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Zq9p5pVnfcA\/VkKljaNHWhI\/AAAAAAAAekk\/5bN2HP1I6-Y\/s1600\/Winter%2Bplaid%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/11\/aim-to-be-trees-thoughts-on-sorrow.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAim to be trees\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-iQ4aI1dfrP4\/Vkzx0k8nIII\/AAAAAAAAeog\/bD7--yY2F6U\/s1600\/Hat%2BMusic%2BNotes%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-54.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/12\/early-december.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EEarly December\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/--sT8KjT_Drk\/VmIJaOCYUcI\/AAAAAAAAezA\/T7jqXDfcODE\/s1600\/American%2BEagle%2BPeacoat%2B%2526%2BBeret%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252822%2Bof%2B49%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/12\/belated-birthday-thoughts.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBelated birthday thoughts\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-P2S_U_LeHPQ\/VnGupviEwcI\/AAAAAAAAe6s\/_mgoENKTcDk\/s1600\/blue%2Bsky%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-12.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; Another year of outfits, light striking our brows, musings and flowers has traveled by so mysteriously and swiftly. It feels like only yesterday, I was sitting beside the glowing tree with unwrapped bows scattered at my feet, saying goodbye to the year that was and wondering what the new year would be. Here I am \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— a full year later with the same searching gaze.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI can't tell you what will come on the first day of January or every day after, but I can tell you how grateful I am to visit and share this little home on the internet with you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Consider this sentence a long stretching virtual hug! I hope wherever you are, you know you are loved by somebody, even if that somebody is\u003Ci\u003E you\u003C\/i\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EWelcome to the world, 2016. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/7342376261878356769\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/12\/a-year-of-outfits.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/7342376261878356769"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/7342376261878356769"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/12\/a-year-of-outfits.html","title":"a year of outfits"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-kSDEFPeEWgs\/VnrlMkpOK6I\/AAAAAAAAe_4\/xxDQW1uge4A\/s72-c\/outfit%2B%25281%2Bof%2B28%2529.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-6928277365623930610"},"published":{"$t":"2015-12-22T07:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-12-22T08:58:54.604-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dried flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"my life in photographs"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"my life in photographs"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-gcj-_tkpydI\/VniUFBxjMHI\/AAAAAAAAe9w\/2XqPyFS4to4\/s1600\/2015-12-09%2B12.35.55%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aCPCpi4Ao84\/VniTDlybdHI\/AAAAAAAAe9Q\/08tYb0Ly9WA\/s1600\/12238224_10156257437485634_6189893480330609344_o.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe hour for making music is the sweetest hour of the day.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4eVOxbW5fKQ\/VniTw9mPOuI\/AAAAAAAAe9o\/GtPkn7NYmXU\/s1600\/2015-12-09%2B12.33.53%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KRBWRkEUnVM\/VniTnSGmRzI\/AAAAAAAAe9g\/E3h3tkz7ySc\/s1600\/2015-12-09%2B12.33.16%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003EA weekend in the mountains tastes like sugar but leaves no cavities.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-PWQ-TTz9JD8\/VnihHk4iFLI\/AAAAAAAAe98\/SP4z03Ge43M\/s1600\/2015-12-09%2B12.36.16%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".2.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".2.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003EWhenever I feel blue, I pick up my banjo and each strike of a string gives my sadness purpose. I begin my days feeling lighter and sweeter at heart whenever the banjo is in arms reach.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-v4cj0SSd_nk\/VniuY-dI8yI\/AAAAAAAAe-U\/vF9cEuDx6JE\/s1600\/my%2Blife%2B3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003ETis' the season for warm tea.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wD--Iki3Ilo\/VniwLqFEq1I\/AAAAAAAAe-g\/wq3dYOpfcnA\/s1600\/my%2Blife%2B6.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EOn December 13th, I began my twenty third year. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-peIFuOn6sT0\/VnjIlt6CCkI\/AAAAAAAAe-0\/8BI-OQ_Galg\/s1600\/My%2Blife%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;It's winter here.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-rWbRT3pXuAY\/VnjIlOnn-AI\/AAAAAAAAe-w\/1kQ4epsa7ZU\/s1600\/my%2Blife%2B7.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".5.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".5.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003EFew\n things make me grin so much as black coffee and flowers after milky \nsnow dresses the windows and hilltops.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ydc-f93tJdk\/VniTE_Qe1lI\/AAAAAAAAe9Y\/mnE3NygFIz8\/s1600\/2015-12-21%2B09.38.33%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".5.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\" style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".5.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003EHere we are, only three more sleeps until Christmas. It is a calm time in our household, not much changes except for the colorful tree kissing the ceiling top and the endless amount of sweets to snack on. I hope wherever you are, you find yourself well and healthy during the end of December. My phone has been broken so 'my life in photographs' collection lately has been a little empty. I hope to have it fixed soon so I can bring more flowers and everyday joys into the coming year. See you soon.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".5.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\" style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".5.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/6928277365623930610\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/12\/my-life-in-photographs.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6928277365623930610"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6928277365623930610"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/12\/my-life-in-photographs.html","title":"my life in photographs"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-gcj-_tkpydI\/VniUFBxjMHI\/AAAAAAAAe9w\/2XqPyFS4to4\/s72-c\/2015-12-09%2B12.35.55%2B2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-8670016818883923324"},"published":{"$t":"2015-12-17T10:41:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-12-17T10:41:35.177-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crown and glory"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"floral crown"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"free people"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"overalls"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"belated birthday thoughts"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xKaPnEPlYMM\/VnDFoxs6GKI\/AAAAAAAAe3w\/UFvRy437ZXo\/s1600\/corduroy%2Boveralls%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZFmS5TegRdc\/VnGuq_OAhlI\/AAAAAAAAe6w\/Q1CmpDNlmFo\/s1600\/blue%2Bsky%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-13.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-P2S_U_LeHPQ\/VnGupviEwcI\/AAAAAAAAe6o\/Wtyk3D0wQmU\/s1600\/blue%2Bsky%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-12.jpg\" \/\u003E I only have a moment for writing to you today, but every so often the writer can grow a world with only a moment. Today, I don't believe I am \u003Ci\u003Ethat \u003C\/i\u003Ekind of writer, so I'll just let the keyboard spill like snow on the valley until sentences come out. Here I am, writing to you like I have always done but instead of being twenty two, I am twenty three. It was my birthday on Sunday and I feel no more different than the day before.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;I still long for every day to be spent in the company of wild flowers and the soft glow of my loved ones. I still cry at the flip of a quarter and the sight of a bird with broken wings. I still search for flights and dream of being a traveler. I still tremble when I am cold and laugh when I am bothered, but if I look through the window where the pine shakes off snow, I can believe there are new dreams and new disappointments just waiting for a new day. I will be found. I will be hurt. I will be loved and I will be listened to. After it all, I am still breathing.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIt only takes a moment for the writer to grow a world, and if we allow the body to outrun the pen, we can grow a world off of paper and into the hills that surround us. I vow to let this next year be whatever it wants to be, maybe with a little nudge here and a little softness there, I will paint my masterpiece.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003EOr not, because that's okay too.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HKTfKdhNT3Y\/VnGu_tRqvQI\/AAAAAAAAe64\/s1ILrukDw1M\/s1600\/blue%2Bsky%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-14.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3QNxztM91fg\/VnGvNoO1zXI\/AAAAAAAAe7A\/S3WJgFRoawo\/s1600\/blue%2Bsky%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-8.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yrnxFY4uCHA\/VnGx9EzInvI\/AAAAAAAAe78\/WYcpra2qH7A\/s1600\/blue%2Bsky%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-16.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-lzRfFwhMGFw\/VnGx6sEXc0I\/AAAAAAAAe7w\/CEXnbuFx8-c\/s1600\/blue%2Bsky%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-18.jpg\" \/\u003E outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.valuevillage.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Evalue village\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Ejacket \u0026amp; blouse,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.freepeople.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efree people\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eshoes,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.crownandglory.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecrown and glory\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Efloral crown, \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.yoins.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eyoins \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003Edungarees \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003Ec\/o\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/8670016818883923324\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/12\/belated-birthday-thoughts.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8670016818883923324"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8670016818883923324"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/12\/belated-birthday-thoughts.html","title":"belated birthday thoughts"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xKaPnEPlYMM\/VnDFoxs6GKI\/AAAAAAAAe3w\/UFvRy437ZXo\/s72-c\/corduroy%2Boveralls%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-8010801924991067704"},"published":{"$t":"2015-12-11T13:48:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-12-11T13:59:02.118-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"curls"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hair"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"irresistible me"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"review"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"curling iron: a review"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/a-visit-to-garden-center.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/a-visit-to-garden-center.html\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sAk268SLQz8\/VmobDpkwhyI\/AAAAAAAAez0\/wIb4iQIXZzA\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-104.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/a-visit-to-garden-center.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/a-visit-to-garden-center.html\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Qf64z0cnsP4\/VmobEH_URYI\/AAAAAAAAez4\/eU3HVPl7z0s\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-110.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nAs a prairie girl whose hair only slightly curls at the touch of seawater, I have longed to find ways to make my hair bouncy without having to plan a trip to the sea. Although, I love the idea of swimming to reach my hair goals, life is here on the prairies. I've tried rag curls which work like tiny pieces of cotton magic, but I must sleep through the night in them and some nights, I toss and turn too much!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp; I was recently gifted an\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.irresistibleme.com\/lpc\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E Irresistible Me\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.irresistibleme.com\/hair-tools\/sapphire-8-in-1-complete-curling-wand-1.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecurler\u003C\/a\u003E in exchange for an honest review. Being born with \u003Ci\u003Every \u003C\/i\u003Estraight and \u003Ci\u003Every\u003C\/i\u003E thick hair, I have always doubted curlers. Maybe, it's because throughout my life, curling wands worked more like wave-makers that lasted for less than an hour. I imagined saying yes to the review and if the curls turned into pancakes by the second hour, I would tell you and pout for only a moment before accepting the hair I was born under.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-mjTF5eT5-XI\/Vmsxv9TRR5I\/AAAAAAAAe1Y\/V1cu9ntR1fY\/s1600\/Curling%2BWand%2BReview%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3vFH93F2F_s\/VmsyPNHXGxI\/AAAAAAAAe1g\/OFRJyT9VXbw\/s1600\/Curling%2BWand%2BReview%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-12.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EPositives \u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt works!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDifferent heat settings make it suitable for all hair types.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEight different types of curling heads so you can try different styles.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYou can aim for fancy curls, ringlets, naturally wavy or create your own curl.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe curls stayed in all day without hairspray.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EOn the day after, my curls had turned into natural waves.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003ENegatives\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAt first, I was taken aback by the lack of a clamp for holding your hair, I'm the furthest personality from hairstylist so I panicked, but there is a glove to wear so you don't burn your hand and after a few tries, it does get easier.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYou'll have to experiment often with the different curling heads to understand what kind of curl will form when you put your hair to it.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWell, I \ndidn't have to pout. I didn't even have to look in the mirror and witness my curls growing dull with every hour. The curling wand worked, so I \nproceeded to take photographs!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/09\/the-direction-of-sunbeams.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/09\/the-direction-of-sunbeams.html\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-FKNxHPVqy2E\/VmocO1hl0JI\/AAAAAAAAe0I\/ft0imJ5tjuI\/s1600\/September%2B09%2BGriffith%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-4.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/fringe-70s-throwback.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/fringe-70s-throwback.html\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BlJIQsx6d3g\/Vms4xkhNgrI\/AAAAAAAAe2A\/oaM1rejJ0gE\/s1600\/Fringe%2BCoat%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-53.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-DhN02jJvMPQ\/Vms1IS-K9KI\/AAAAAAAAe10\/0XW8WPDUlxw\/s1600\/collage9.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;review details\u003Cb\u003E:\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.irresistibleme.com\/hair-tools\/sapphire-8-in-1-complete-curling-wand-1.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E irresistible me \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.irresistibleme.com\/hair-tools\/sapphire-8-in-1-complete-curling-wand-1.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecurler\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003Eclick on photograph to be taken to original blog post\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/8010801924991067704\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/12\/curling-iron-review.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8010801924991067704"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/8010801924991067704"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/12\/curling-iron-review.html","title":"curling iron: a review"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sAk268SLQz8\/VmobDpkwhyI\/AAAAAAAAez0\/wIb4iQIXZzA\/s72-c\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-104.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-809886564022689413"},"published":{"$t":"2015-12-06T11:58:00.002-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-12-06T11:58:21.123-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"american eagle"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crossiron mills"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hair"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"insect dress"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"pink beret"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Early December"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4eI4Dk3TyiM\/VmHw8UOBWiI\/AAAAAAAAew0\/0baIZbA4Hps\/s1600\/American%2BEagle%2BPeacoat%2B%2526%2BBeret%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252813%2Bof%2B49%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-g5zRtCEHsuQ\/VmIChegE7bI\/AAAAAAAAexw\/-YeC8im6VUw\/s1600\/American%2BEagle%2BPeacoat%2B%2526%2BBeret%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252824%2Bof%2B49%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-2UdIG5iCWOY\/VmHxfOn9qiI\/AAAAAAAAexI\/bDhS9U5xXAI\/s1600\/American%2BEagle%2BPeacoat%2B%2526%2BBeret%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252810%2Bof%2B20%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIn every December sunbeam, there is a song and it says things will be okay even if it doesn't feel that way right now. I try my best to get out of bed with the gusto of a pony running through a prairie field, but I have been ill and drinking cold water every hour instead. I dream of patches in the grass where a compass in hand leads me to a world where I feel healthy and I'm able to watch the crows outside win their breakfast.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI miss the simplicity of my everyday life - flower petals dying on the kitchen window, coffee so strong you squint when you taste it, the orange glow of a lamp at 5 pm, the dogs scratching at the door for midnight howling, endless emails, waiting for cheques to arrive by mail, not knowing what to wear, reading the weather report and having my mind wonder \"how will I end this sentence or begin this song?\"\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI want to bake a cake before my birthday comes next Sunday, but I am waiting for the stale air of being sick to lift like eyes at the end of reading a poem. I am reaching for December sunbeams at the end of a tunnel. I am dreaming of tomorrow and a night where I can sleep.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;—\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nOn a day when I felt well enough to wander, I visited \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.crossironmills.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECrossIron Mills \u003C\/a\u003Efor their Black Friday sales. These color-of-my-dreams cowboy boots from Arnold Churgin were fifty percent off and the American Eagle pea-coat was forty percent off! Despite having what you may call a style blog, I've never truly invested in a nice winter coat. I tend to reach for outerwear that is puffy and warm, resulting in me feeling more like a black bear leaving its den than an adventuring gal. I like this coat and these boots, a lot.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KFp6ftyiN38\/VmIG84YykjI\/AAAAAAAAeys\/iM0NQsGdw64\/s1600\/American%2BEagle%2BPeacoat%2B%2526%2BBeret%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-23.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-U57B1HYwm0w\/VmIDy2m114I\/AAAAAAAAex4\/SHYrnA1mYXc\/s1600\/American%2BEagle%2BPeacoat%2B%2526%2BBeret%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-33.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--sT8KjT_Drk\/VmIJaOCYUcI\/AAAAAAAAey8\/NqvRJ1g3C8U\/s1600\/American%2BEagle%2BPeacoat%2B%2526%2BBeret%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252822%2Bof%2B49%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-kFEybjkdfws\/VmIE9cnPajI\/AAAAAAAAeyQ\/-BpaTXhszeU\/s1600\/American%2BEagle%2BPeacoat%2B%2526%2BBeret%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-21.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-P-z2723FlJg\/VmIHbFsz3-I\/AAAAAAAAeyw\/yhblQUx_nOQ\/s1600\/American%2BEagle%2BPeacoat%2B%2526%2BBeret%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252842%2Bof%2B49%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-SJy96d-KSUw\/VmIGRb4V3JI\/AAAAAAAAeyg\/RXHsixwVWgw\/s1600\/American%2BEagle%2BPeacoat%2B%2526%2BBeret%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252849%2Bof%2B49%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ae.com\/web\/canada\/index.jsp\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E american eagle\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Ejacket,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.arnoldchurgin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Earnold churgin\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eshoes,\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thebodyshop.ca\/en\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E the body shop\u003C\/b\u003E \u003C\/a\u003Elipstick, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.oasap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eoasap \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Edress\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nall purchased at CrossIron Mills excluding insect dress\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.crossironmills.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"http:\/\/www.crossironmills.com\/en\/\" border=\"0\" height=\"80\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-AfPRtuQzdnc\/VX5J5aCFmUI\/AAAAAAAAaMc\/G7qZuT2gsi0\/s200\/Savings%2BSecrets%2BLogo%25281%2529.jpg\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"95\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-nk6DnCmmLxM\/VX5J5dsjwiI\/AAAAAAAAaMY\/GevqlW8QRh4\/s200\/CIM%2BLogo%2B2013%2B.jpg\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/809886564022689413\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/12\/early-december.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/809886564022689413"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/809886564022689413"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/12\/early-december.html","title":"Early December"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4eI4Dk3TyiM\/VmHw8UOBWiI\/AAAAAAAAew0\/0baIZbA4Hps\/s72-c\/American%2BEagle%2BPeacoat%2B%2526%2BBeret%2BAMYFLYINGAKITE%2B%252813%2Bof%2B49%2529.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-3333380448234401897"},"published":{"$t":"2015-11-26T12:12:00.002-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-11-26T12:15:19.433-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sunhat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"value village"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"my favorite winter hide out"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-eHqO8mS4DFA\/VlTRlGGTf8I\/AAAAAAAAeso\/V7zzjZJtEGw\/s1600\/Cartoon%2BColorful%2BSkirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-44.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-vJq-LkGp9uY\/VlS15VXQgqI\/AAAAAAAAesE\/an-GY59DHrA\/s1600\/Cartoon%2BColorful%2BSkirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-14.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-uXkU6nlzfLg\/VlSyg3JFqMI\/AAAAAAAAerw\/g1OXv7gdtdg\/s1600\/Cartoon%2BColorful%2BSkirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-45.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI leave my bed early in the morning. I tiptoe into the room where our instruments hang like planets above our heads. I pull at the curtains until sunbeams pour over every string and strand of hair. I look outside to see cars in the distance and if I squint well enough, the cars begin to look like tiny spaceships carrying strangers to strange places. Some days, I'll wish I was looking at a mountain, other days, I'll want sea waves, collecting foam on a shore, but today, I am pleased to be seeing the electricity of a city life. There are so many people here, most of who are strangers. They buzz around like bees while I stand still enough to hear my own heart beating.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhen I look outside and see all of the people, I ask myself where they are headed to. Some of them must be artists, plumbers, doctors or dog walkers who follow the same commute each day. I don't know if I could do it \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— waking every day with the same road to travel seems sad and ornery to me, but for many it is a way of life. Perhaps in the future, I'll be the one turning an ignition to a car at the same hour every morning, pressing between gas pedal, brakes and the turning of wheels until I arrive to my destination. The same destination as yesterday. The same destination as tomorrow.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EIf only I could forever be an artist and the road to travel was always changing its route.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E If only every hour\n led me to my favorite winter hide out (pictured here) where the creeks run and the wild oak trees rise...Happiness. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jyl39xPQmFg\/VlTWVLnTsmI\/AAAAAAAAet0\/b4Dszv6aIlE\/s1600\/Cartoon%2BColorful%2BSkirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-35.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-uDvKu9QcCxs\/VlS_kHdq7-I\/AAAAAAAAesU\/4pmf7_2Gp2o\/s1600\/Cartoon%2BColorful%2BSkirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-10.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-OG7JW3-F7Io\/VlTTwwyWcfI\/AAAAAAAAetQ\/_1oa1h5HMcA\/s1600\/Cartoon%2BColorful%2BSkirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-46.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-tbZ89cUkQAk\/VlTTYVQCvCI\/AAAAAAAAetA\/H_qfAFQCseI\/s1600\/Cartoon%2BColorful%2BSkirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B2%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-SB1nHhfygiE\/VlTSz3cdNBI\/AAAAAAAAes4\/pVpmGZviuSo\/s1600\/Cartoon%2BColorful%2BSkirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-43.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-bR3inwE7A1Y\/VlSxrvT8kQI\/AAAAAAAAers\/Z3r11lp_Dlg\/s1600\/Cartoon%2BColorful%2BSkirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-20.jpg\" \/\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.oasap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eoasap\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eskirt,\u003Cb\u003E value village thrifted \u003C\/b\u003Eshoes\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\"blsdk-follow\" data-blsdk-counter=\"false\" data-blsdk-type=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloglovin.com\/blogs\/amy-flying-a-kite-379853\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFollow\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cscript\u003E(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = \"https:\/\/widget.bloglovin.com\/assets\/widget\/loader.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, \"script\", \"bloglovin-sdk\"))\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/extension\/\" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: url(\u0026quot;data:image\/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 12660px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/3333380448234401897\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/11\/my-favorite-winter-hide-out.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3333380448234401897"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3333380448234401897"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/11\/my-favorite-winter-hide-out.html","title":"my favorite winter hide out"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-eHqO8mS4DFA\/VlTRlGGTf8I\/AAAAAAAAeso\/V7zzjZJtEGw\/s72-c\/Cartoon%2BColorful%2BSkirt%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-44.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-6747542517530454578"},"published":{"$t":"2015-11-20T06:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-11-20T06:30:00.835-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"braids"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"feeling sad"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"griffith woods"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"aim to be trees | thoughts on sorrow"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-iQ4aI1dfrP4\/Vkzx0k8nIII\/AAAAAAAAeoc\/z8P4JFr6AU4\/s1600\/Hat%2BMusic%2BNotes%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-54.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-o2z9BOUZk2w\/VkzyIJhZiBI\/AAAAAAAAeok\/0AnQwIMtM6E\/s1600\/Hat%2BMusic%2BNotes%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-32.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-RCaVEySdCKs\/Vkzzt5UMpuI\/AAAAAAAAeo8\/O2TMxnPPE28\/s1600\/Hat%2BMusic%2BNotes%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-22.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe sun is on the sea but everything feels sunken like the eyes of an insomniac who putters around at night, he is looking for something he'll never find and a life without sleep is a forest grove without fruit trees. How can we sleep when we watch the news until we have red eyes? How can we go on living knowing others won't get to? How does one continue to believe the world is a beautiful place when the ugliness of others is pressed against our hearts like the sharpness of a pushpin?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe answers are not simple, but I refuse to let music notes turn into unread sheets of fallen trees. I will not let concrete spill into the cracks of my heart. Instead, I hope for music to be heard louder than ever before and the cracks to be filled with soil where beanstalks can grow.\u0026nbsp; I don't believe it's naive to be hopeful, just like I don't believe those who are suffering from insomnia \u003Ci\u003Echoose\u003C\/i\u003E to go without sleep. We can try our best to write poems and make sense of the madness, but even I have felt the earth shake at my feet and wondered what the point of it all was.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nEvery so often, the world is a bear and we're tiny blueberries shaking and stirring until we fall. Other times, we're trees who bear flowers underneath a shimmery sun. The point is to aim to be trees, not blueberries, we can withstand the winter even if we lose a few of our branches in the wind. I am with you. A billion aches can be heard across the sea. Songs of silence travel where prairies meet the mountains. Sorrow and heartbreak surround us, but for every pushpin, there is a pillow and on that pillow we will get our rest and dream of waking to a world where mothers aren't hurting.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nLet us live, love and find reasons of our own to call this world beautiful. For every living and once living thing, I sing for you. Even when there is a lump in my throat from holding back tears, I sing for you. Let us be pillows, soft hands and songs for those who need us to be. Let us be the spark which lights our way when the cave goes dark.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-4r-cz7xqai8\/VkzzOAoOlpI\/AAAAAAAAeo0\/fZLI23iTO-Y\/s1600\/Hat%2BMusic%2BNotes%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-56.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-gAr1PYU9XVQ\/Vkz2mirp-tI\/AAAAAAAAepk\/YD7H80KaC6c\/s1600\/Hat%2BMusic%2BNotes%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-36.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZemN0YECCSI\/Vkz0Qjpq2lI\/AAAAAAAAepE\/x9YcmqQCKko\/s1600\/Hat%2BMusic%2BNotes%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-16.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-TgOWHb2h1kk\/Vkz1WCawK6I\/AAAAAAAAepM\/uA626f-TyoY\/s1600\/Hat%2BMusic%2BNotes%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-25.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-OzONpyM9uDE\/Vkz1r_Xy23I\/AAAAAAAAepU\/nINjZLrM32k\/s1600\/Hat%2BMusic%2BNotes%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FIAzt_Qwxxk\/Vkz2GugR5dI\/AAAAAAAAepc\/cPKyc2Lzoi0\/s1600\/Hat%2BMusic%2BNotes%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-7BCsMaSoV0w\/Vkz3OCfLYdI\/AAAAAAAAep0\/XIRspgAYfJA\/s1600\/Hat%2BMusic%2BNotes%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-52.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChicwish\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E skirt,\u003Cb\u003E Value Village thrifted \u003C\/b\u003Eshoes\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EHow can we make the world a more beautiful place? Tell me, what is something that can help others to feel peaceful even when chaos exists?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/6747542517530454578\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/11\/aim-to-be-trees-thoughts-on-sorrow.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6747542517530454578"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/6747542517530454578"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/11\/aim-to-be-trees-thoughts-on-sorrow.html","title":"aim to be trees | thoughts on sorrow"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-iQ4aI1dfrP4\/Vkzx0k8nIII\/AAAAAAAAeoc\/z8P4JFr6AU4\/s72-c\/Hat%2BMusic%2BNotes%2BAmyflyingakite%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-54.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-3941227348605553813"},"published":{"$t":"2015-11-12T06:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-11-12T11:22:35.548-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hair"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"milkmaid braid"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Good morning milkmaid braid"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Zq9p5pVnfcA\/VkKljaNHWhI\/AAAAAAAAekg\/pBLtdhsi9hE\/s1600\/Winter%2Bplaid%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-k6x0KO18XVI\/VkKlzcvWD2I\/AAAAAAAAekw\/L8BgolXkgEA\/s1600\/Winter%2Bplaid%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-10.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0T2V2vpTPXE\/VkKlyDC6D4I\/AAAAAAAAeko\/3rYVS-9TgBA\/s1600\/Winter%2Bplaid%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nToday, I write from a corner in the house where instruments wait to make music and books of pressed flowers wait to be gazed upon. I look around to see an autoharp surrounded by random papers of white and a coffee cup filling the air with good morning tidings. It's almost as if the world is saying\u003Ci\u003E \u003C\/i\u003E\"No matter how bad the day gets, you had your morning air and it was beautiful.\"\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI need my mornings to be like this: Quiet like the falling of snow on a hillside, slow like maple syrup dripping onto a stack of pancakes, and gentle like the hour after you were born when your mother holds onto you and believes she is holding the world. As the day goes on, I prefer to have my moments sparked like the beginning of love. I want to listen to music that compels me to cry or stomp. I want to read stories that give rise to\u003Ci\u003E that \u003C\/i\u003Efeeling of wonder. I want to run, speak, and dine on the fruits of adventure as if the day will never come to an end. I want to feel like I am doing something lively and important with these daylight hours, even if I'm only naked and dancing at home while my favorite record sings through the floorboards. \u003Ci\u003ENever underestimate the beauty of naked you, dancing to a song you love.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nAs soon as the moon climbs over the hills, I return to my longing for a quiet, slow, and gentle life. I put on my comfiest sweater and wool socks. I wash my face with warm water. I look around to see the autoharp has only moved an inch and the coffee in the cup has left with morning. If I was out, I am home again. If I was home, I see it all differently now. It's almost as if the world is saying \"No matter how bad the day was, you have your evening light and it will be beautiful.\"\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-hF1VAPBd14w\/VkKm6YMAsTI\/AAAAAAAAek8\/y_kXeRDa1Ms\/s1600\/Winter%2Bplaid%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-14.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-PcnRfLajvhE\/VkKncBBAoyI\/AAAAAAAAelE\/lz7d_tXTTKY\/s1600\/Winter%2Bplaid%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-12.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-YhyqbJwsafI\/VkKnz6mLHFI\/AAAAAAAAelM\/OhCRUZfnBwU\/s1600\/Winter%2Bplaid%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-13.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9oRSZaZBi3c\/VkKn9tfEGvI\/AAAAAAAAelU\/OHOSMpB4Mjw\/s1600\/Winter%2Bplaid%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-9.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/cultofhope.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECult of Hope \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003Eskirt,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/2BROS1VIS\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBlung\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Ekey necklace\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWhat is your favorite time of day? How do you spend your mornings differently than you spend the other hours?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/3941227348605553813\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/11\/good-morning-milkmaid-braid.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3941227348605553813"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/3941227348605553813"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/11\/good-morning-milkmaid-braid.html","title":"Good morning milkmaid braid"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Zq9p5pVnfcA\/VkKljaNHWhI\/AAAAAAAAekg\/pBLtdhsi9hE\/s72-c\/Winter%2Bplaid%2B%2526%2Bfloral%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-2566469535807406349"},"published":{"$t":"2015-11-08T06:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-11-08T06:30:00.152-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ravine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"snow"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"value village"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"winter"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"the cotton covered woods"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Hd6RSD7nbUQ\/VjkvlnOFcFI\/AAAAAAAAedw\/DlaH7CUV7Yc\/s1600\/Patchwork%2BCoat%2BNovember%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-36.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-m_uUJgvM1aQ\/VjkwU_dd1uI\/AAAAAAAAeeA\/1Zby_rqCXBU\/s1600\/Patchwork%2BCoat%2BNovember%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-51.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wjr4qdiDHQk\/VjmWk0GusPI\/AAAAAAAAefc\/CMiJbmux9Qc\/s1600\/Patchwork%2BCoat%2BNovember%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-45.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI am standing in the cotton covered woods while soft flakes of snow float onto my eyelashes. I blink for a moment only to feel the cool air of November travel through the spaces between my fingers. These small spaces where my body ends are where my true love's body begins. We hold hands longer in the wintertime to keep icicles from forming.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nEach year, the snow drifts onto the rooftops and every inch of earth grows quiet. I vow not to long for my garden because longing only takes away sand from life's hourglass. If I am here now, in the cotton covered woods with the one I love beside me, why should I want to be anywhere else? \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E—\u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yRkvA7FJQz8\/VjmTRkNAQxI\/AAAAAAAAefM\/51vvXMtAtOk\/s1600\/Patchwork%2BCoat%2BNovember%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-9.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-sl8ScbbaiBM\/VjmV5oQhboI\/AAAAAAAAefU\/8Y50P1i71Ho\/s1600\/Patchwork%2BCoat%2BNovember%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-22.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-9ZQtBS5_sus\/VjpKVJHNlKI\/AAAAAAAAef8\/Bmo2noP-KrM\/s1600\/Patchwork%2BCoat%2BNovember%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-sM3D0Zy82O8\/VjpqRTbDofI\/AAAAAAAAego\/XrfMhj84KjU\/s1600\/November%2B03%2B2015%2B%252813%2Bof%2B16%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ebk19wJdsek\/VjprZAMQtnI\/AAAAAAAAeg0\/1zFTaJMhSKU\/s1600\/Patchwork%2BCoat%2BNovember%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-13.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-_jrrpHlDzkY\/VjuqHxgwjBI\/AAAAAAAAehM\/9OtA9rywEMM\/s1600\/Patchwork%2BCoat%2BNovember%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-41.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.oasap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOasap\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Edress,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.valuevillage.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EValue Village\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E jacket, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.aldoshoes.com\/ca\/en\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAldo \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Efringe boots\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/2566469535807406349\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/11\/the-cotton-covered-woods.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2566469535807406349"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2566469535807406349"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/11\/the-cotton-covered-woods.html","title":"the cotton covered woods"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Hd6RSD7nbUQ\/VjkvlnOFcFI\/AAAAAAAAedw\/DlaH7CUV7Yc\/s72-c\/Patchwork%2BCoat%2BNovember%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-36.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"11"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1605819596005907117"},"published":{"$t":"2015-11-03T06:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-11-03T06:30:00.981-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"autumn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"griffith woods"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"autumn was here."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/---MAhi3G3M0\/Vi7pmfX6NxI\/AAAAAAAAeWA\/Gf6auf9jtTs\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%252810%2Bof%2B14%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-THR4urwp7go\/Vi7qvWRLcvI\/AAAAAAAAeWQ\/yhiOvEfPBiM\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%252817%2Bof%2B28%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_fNldltlZCI\/Vi7qbyoO2wI\/AAAAAAAAeWM\/dDP8UghUdMI\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25289%2Bof%2B14%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nAutumn was here in the hills and eyes of those who fasten their hair with sunlight. There was no step you could take without leaves crackling under the weight of your feet. I stood by the lake where floating leaves gather as if it was a mirror. I saw my round face and growing hair as if I had been given new eyes. This is me. The only I. That face, although sometimes more moon-like then the desired sharpness of other faces, it is how the world knows when to say my name.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI could have been born into anything, maybe a fish who is caught by the hook of fishermen or a bee who lives for only one season before being dead. I could have been born a huckleberry or a Maggie, instead I was born a girl named Amy with hair that won't hold a part and eyes that spill saltwater upon hearing \u003Ci\u003EI love you's. \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nAutumn was here on the postman's trail and in every whistling strand of wind. I watched the dog's fur be moved by it as they raced towards the forest. I wanted to race with them, the way I used to, but I couldn't because I was dreaming of sleep. The doctors told me I am tired because my vitamin levels are like the inside of a grand canyon \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— you can't reach them because they're low, so I've begun taking supplements which taste like dirt from a garden. \"Things could always be worse\" has become my daily poem, the words I repeat to myself whenever the going gets tough.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EI could have been born into anything, maybe a cat who licks the feet of somebody's brother or a wild pine that must stay in the same place always. I could have been born a strawberry or a Micheal, instead I was born a girl named Amy with the kindling of dreams still in my hands and a deep in-my-gut desire to awake from this sleepiness and live again.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EAutumn was here. This is me. The only I.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-avAoa5hPmm0\/Vi7sjxnpI4I\/AAAAAAAAeWs\/8qdQE0DfGMY\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25288%2Bof%2B14%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-gskeyJoIzLY\/VjaVetI7PlI\/AAAAAAAAea4\/OHYT3dvd990\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%252810%2Bof%2B14%2529-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-l6wFmFAjvio\/Vi7rnMDSL1I\/AAAAAAAAeWk\/9z6ZNNDTK6Q\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25284%2Bof%2B12%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nRTec148aHw\/VjbGuHuYmkI\/AAAAAAAAebM\/-aaOo2Sv410\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25287%2Bof%2B14%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-PIjDpG9EHyE\/VjbL4iB5ktI\/AAAAAAAAecQ\/MpW0BqnK514\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%252825%2Bof%2B28%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-B7b38HTUZvs\/VjbIxmPtR2I\/AAAAAAAAebo\/f5eaqVgSTl4\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25282%2Bof%2B3%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-p6RLF2Cw8es\/VjbOdjdAx9I\/AAAAAAAAecs\/AAqJS3HTA8k\/s1600\/collageauut.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bananarepublic.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBanana Republic\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Esweater, \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chicwish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChicwish\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eskirt,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.valuevillage.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EValue Village\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E boots\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1605819596005907117\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/11\/autumn-was-here.html#comment-form","title":"18 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1605819596005907117"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1605819596005907117"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/11\/autumn-was-here.html","title":"autumn was here."}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/---MAhi3G3M0\/Vi7pmfX6NxI\/AAAAAAAAeWA\/Gf6auf9jtTs\/s72-c\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%252810%2Bof%2B14%2529.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"18"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1848698722187876300"},"published":{"$t":"2015-10-30T07:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-10-30T07:30:00.339-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"local"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"value village"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"we day"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"WE Day 2015"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-cNoCLaI8VYk\/VjFzvrqUiOI\/AAAAAAAAeYA\/nP-0SwrvKtg\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-37.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-qIdDEzvwFjA\/VjF14QJdguI\/AAAAAAAAeYw\/pvYIJVO0mcY\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-52.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-gJkuULuGzwc\/VjF0F8iKclI\/AAAAAAAAeYM\/3ZZndjRbcUk\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-39.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nOn Tuesday, I attended my very first \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.weday.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWe Day.\u003C\/a\u003E If you don't know what We Day is, paint a mental photograph of students in the thousands cheering and chanting for global change alongside speakers and songs. It's a lot like poetry if poetry was a spectator sport turned on the highest dial. Each turn of your head is another student singing along and beaming with the pride of a thousand actions to make the world a more beautiful place.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nThe speakers told their own stories of uphill crawling after being bullied or not believed in, they told stories of how they overcame it all to be somebody, and some even spoke of inventions and ways of thinking which can help others around the world. I felt as if I hadn't done enough with my own time, as if I've been existing but not living, loving but not helping. I left the day feeling\u003Ci\u003E \u003C\/i\u003Elike a light bulb had been sparked to the top of my brow and everyday here after would be spent trying to have a kinder heart. I want to fall asleep with the moon knowing I gave my time to those who need me.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003EIf you want to join We Day in a call for change, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.telus.com\/en\/ab\/index.jsp\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETelus\u003C\/a\u003E is asking us all to sing along and share Francesco Yates '\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=V8vIdgVz1uk\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003ECall for Change\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E' music video. For each share, Telus will donate 10 buckaroos to Free the Children. In this age of technology and sharing giggly memes \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— a simple way to connect and do our part is to follow initiatives like this and share, share, share. Let\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eus build bridges and boats to help others get across their own stormy oceans. Let us hang the sun on the windows of those who grow up in darkness.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nHave you ever attended 'We Day'? Tell me about your experience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nHow can\u003Ci\u003E we\u003C\/i\u003E make the world a place worthy of waking up in?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-1c3lJK320yk\/VjF06UHwwwI\/AAAAAAAAeYc\/fJNgok44uXE\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-4.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-SDQbA0QlSd0\/VjF05hSeK-I\/AAAAAAAAeYY\/eXm_IX1KV7M\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-8.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-p-zvDXrDmGc\/VjF1UpLz7CI\/AAAAAAAAeYo\/yUkUco9dG7o\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-6.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-B1pkGdpCKIw\/VjGBCFRSHSI\/AAAAAAAAeZI\/jSA78H6xlL0\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-44.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-E2_LEDjcD8k\/VjLe7SkiB5I\/AAAAAAAAeaY\/okxsPpK3700\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-20.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-nQB2i-2Iinw\/VjJUkEJzbMI\/AAAAAAAAeZg\/dP7yH8eFNIA\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-22.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-1y61y8jCEUw\/VjJUsPgvXmI\/AAAAAAAAeZ4\/jp3KOCkm8pE\/s1600\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-36.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;outfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.valuevillage.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EValue Village\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eboots\u003Cb\u003E \u0026amp; \u003C\/b\u003Esweater\u003Cb\u003E \u0026amp;\u003C\/b\u003E skirt\u003Cb\u003E \u0026amp;\u003C\/b\u003E blouse\u003Cb\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.hssweden.ca\/ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHappy Socks \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003Esocks\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1848698722187876300\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/we-day-2015.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1848698722187876300"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1848698722187876300"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/we-day-2015.html","title":"WE Day 2015"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-cNoCLaI8VYk\/VjFzvrqUiOI\/AAAAAAAAeYA\/nP-0SwrvKtg\/s72-c\/October%2B26th%2BTulle%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-37.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-1556938628519186589"},"published":{"$t":"2015-10-22T14:18:00.001-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-10-22T14:18:56.838-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gardening"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"review"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"a visit to the garden center"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-gHjKLh77I0g\/VibywyAk6qI\/AAAAAAAAeGo\/s8mbtYBCBpA\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-40.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-DZQjW5uS_nI\/VibzSu6euMI\/AAAAAAAAeGw\/JX7gHkPHnHY\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-45.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-tZEELQpDUHg\/VibzpVrjg7I\/AAAAAAAAeG4\/oKIlI8Qj22Q\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-21.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhenever the heart is in need of rest or the eyes are in need of a reminder, I visit the garden center and watch blooms circle around me like a wandering poem. Daisies, roses, cacti and mums all dance together like a country born out of sunlight and differences. I put my hand against the soft petals and I think for every time I cursed this hand for being crooked, it never once stopped me from visiting flowers.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"211\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-0-RKtlL4lLc\/VihLvcLnTQI\/AAAAAAAAeLY\/HHgNya23k0o\/s320\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-71.jpg\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"211\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1Wz0zbZ-0uE\/VihLjj_hViI\/AAAAAAAAeLQ\/SLTbbReawQ0\/s320\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-50.jpg\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nI was invited by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.uncommongoods.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EUncommonGoods \u003C\/a\u003Eto pick an item for review. Uncommon goods is an online store full of unique, mysterious, and sweet gifts made by artisans and small manufacturers. If it's handmade jewelry you're after, they've got it \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.uncommongoods.com\/for-her\/jewelry\/hand-made\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E. If it's gifts for women, they have that\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.uncommongoods.com\/gifts\/by-recipient\/gifts-for-women\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E too\u003C\/a\u003E. If you read here often, you'll know how I seldom review products of any kind. I only say yes when it aligns with my heart as I don't see the point of bringing more stuff into my home unless I can find a use for it. Lately, I've been trading poetry books for gardening how-to's so I decided on the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.uncommongoods.com\/product\/garden-tool-box-tote\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Egarden flower box\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe box itself is handcrafted and colored in a rustic milk paint, its use is for carrying flowers but it works as an indoor display too. I carried it with me to the garden center and found three blossoms which fit perfectly in the belly of the box. The rake on top is more durable than I expected. It slides right out of the box if you want to use it for raking soil or prepping a planter. At a closer glance, you can see tiny grains of wood and imperfections which I find to be beautiful.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nMy only complaint is the way a garden box tempts me to dream of gardens I won't see until spring of next year. I sit here and I try to remember how sweet the smell of a marigold was on a June day. If only I could bottle the feelings of flowers and let myself build a home out of them all winter long. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-U4U5kmDWCqI\/Vib0D9zEAaI\/AAAAAAAAeHA\/WzZDqB4nT9o\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-76.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_93YXpPlXMU\/Vib0yDA2jyI\/AAAAAAAAeHM\/6rDzNdbTcl8\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-116.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xdLxZbD0Jlg\/Vib1otFV9YI\/AAAAAAAAeHc\/-mBfuHb0CQQ\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-16.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-pC97g48wovY\/Vib8cW8j-LI\/AAAAAAAAeJc\/tAcUfjUfzqM\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-70.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VrJPOR9T1nE\/Vib6myQ-OOI\/AAAAAAAAeI4\/mxmWxj9jbu4\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-98.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-IqD4JWgeZNU\/VickMZMDOuI\/AAAAAAAAeKw\/iRLRz7fVXDw\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-55.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9xEfiazF9Xs\/Vib48DJQZgI\/AAAAAAAAeIU\/0OnEoppcLl4\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-112.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-cozVVQ6gZKY\/Vib5O7wOkpI\/AAAAAAAAeIc\/MPboxC4SEjY\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-14.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HIub04-qxZQ\/Vib6XwzcOkI\/AAAAAAAAeIw\/Eobbkw2tFMY\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-125.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MYJpssmLPb0\/Vib760RuLCI\/AAAAAAAAeJM\/Et1SADLbToQ\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-92.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Zqx038Ds77A\/Vib9UNOrVDI\/AAAAAAAAeJo\/zklebNM3y_Y\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-25.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BxI-CREWHw0\/Vib-QeIonwI\/AAAAAAAAeJ0\/liaprb8vSFE\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-107.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-W4y-ZqwUSPY\/Vicky8F27TI\/AAAAAAAAeK4\/5VpMXPtyEGc\/s1600\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-62.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E Nanton Thrift Store \u003C\/b\u003Eboots\u003Cb\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.oasap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOasap \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003Edress\u003Cb\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.freepeople.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFree People\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eknee high socks\u003Cb\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.uncommongoods.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EUncommonGoods\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Egardening box\u003Cb\u003E.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/1556938628519186589\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/a-visit-to-garden-center.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1556938628519186589"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/1556938628519186589"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/a-visit-to-garden-center.html","title":"a visit to the garden center"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-gHjKLh77I0g\/VibywyAk6qI\/AAAAAAAAeGo\/s8mbtYBCBpA\/s72-c\/Flowers%2Band%2BFloral%2BDress%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-40.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-9116526638938463572"},"published":{"$t":"2015-10-16T08:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-10-17T10:35:49.438-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"autumn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"griffith woods"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"local"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"value village"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"pre-loved clothing \u0026 value village"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-5lUSH2HMbgA\/Vh3fyCvw_HI\/AAAAAAAAeAs\/Tj6e5jLcTVI\/s1600\/The%2BBlue%2BJumper%2B2%2B%252847%2Bof%2B51%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-mFReO63GFJo\/Vh3hQemOPzI\/AAAAAAAAeBU\/ygZko-FBrS0\/s1600\/The%2BBlue%2BJumper%2B2%2B%25283%2Bof%2B51%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nGe0yZSh2iM\/Vh6zd457CNI\/AAAAAAAAeCQ\/ccC2YQI4cM0\/s1600\/The%2BBlue%2BJumper%2B2%2B%252844%2Bof%2B51%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhen it comes to where most clothes from my closet are found, Value Village is the answer. If not for these stores filled to the brim with second hand garments, I would never know the true poetry which lives in the fabric and touch of a pre-loved dress or blouse. I would never know the joy of scouring through the racks only to find something that calls to me like paint on an old barn. Many hours I have stood in their dressing rooms, unaware of size or advertisements, only there to pick clothes which encourage the telling of my story.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nVisits to the thrift store have further cemented my love for self-expression and the pursuit of strangeness and beauty in what could be a rather ordinary life. I go there like some go to easels or others go to whiskey. I go there because it's easy to be yourself in places like this. Following the herd was made for meerkats and buffaloes, not for wild eyed me.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pLSAOjEvp9g\/Ug6FtCtMKiI\/AAAAAAAAOJ8\/uJgc9QwYff8\/s1600\/Amy-Header6.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nIf you're living in Calgary and looking to part from a few or many articles of clothing, consider bringing them to a Value Village donation drop spot. These donation drop spots give gently used goods a second life while also supporting Calgary's local \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.diabetes.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECanadian Diabetes Association\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/cpalberta.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\nCerebral Palsy Association in Alberta\u003C\/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.kidney.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Kidney Foundation of Canada\u003C\/a\u003E. Value Village pays them for every donation made by everyday people like you or I!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHere is a list of Donation Drop Spots \u0026amp; their respective non profit partners:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EBrentwood Village\u003C\/b\u003E 3630 Brentwood Road NW Calgary, AB T2L-1K8\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; 10 am to 7 pm\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Supports Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;Glenmore Landing\u003C\/b\u003E 1600 90th Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2V-5A8\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; M-F 10 to 6 pm, S-S 9 to 5 pm\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Supports Inclusion Alberta\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;Northgate Village Shopping\u003C\/b\u003E 495 36th Street NE Calgary, AB T2A-6K3\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; 9 to 7 pm\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Supports Canadian Diabetes Association\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EBeacon Hill Shopping Center \u003C\/b\u003E11420 Sarcee Trail Northwest Calgary, AB T3R-OA1\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; 10 to 7 pm\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Supports Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;Rio-Can Shawnessy\u003C\/b\u003E 225 Shawville Blvd SE Calgary, AB T2Y-3H9\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; 9 to 7 pm\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Supports Canadian Diabetes Association\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;Rio Can Signal Hill\u003C\/b\u003E Richmond Road \u0026amp; Sarcee Trail Calgary, AB T3E-3XB\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; 10 to 7 pm\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Supports Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;So. Trail Crossings\u003C\/b\u003E 4307 130 Avenue SE Calgary, AB T2X-3V8\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; 10 to 7 pm\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Supports Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003ESouthland Crossing\u003C\/b\u003E 9737 MaCleod Trail SW Calgary AB T2J-0P6\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; M-F 9:30 to 6 pm, S-S 10 to 6 pm\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Supports The Kidney Foundation of Canada\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003ESouthbank Centre \u003C\/b\u003E105 Southbank Blvd Okotoks, AB T1S-0G1·\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; 10 to 7 pm\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Supports Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003ELowes Sunridge Centre \u003C\/b\u003E2929 Sunridge Way Calgary, AB T1Y-7K7\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; M-F 9 to 8 pm, S-s 10 to 6 pm\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n·\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Supports The Kidney Foundation of Canada \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIf you'd like to know more about Value Village's sustainability practices, you can find the information \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.valuevillage.com\/donate\/how-your-donations-help\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003Ehere\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EHappy thrifting!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-dsibRd5TizY\/Vh63-5Gux1I\/AAAAAAAAeCs\/7aZWrm_UifI\/s1600\/The%2BBlue%2BJumper%2B2%2B%252839%2Bof%2B51%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZOXwilzmkLo\/Vh6zBqQtyJI\/AAAAAAAAeCM\/bUL12IhqHVw\/s1600\/The%2BBlue%2BJumper%2B2%2B%252819%2Bof%2B51%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-c0w5X2fuXBI\/Vh70c7siWFI\/AAAAAAAAeDM\/evA5OEcnMUE\/s1600\/The%2BBlue%2BJumper%2B2%2B%25281%2Bof%2B51%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-7cYVMriwwSw\/Vh709j9m9hI\/AAAAAAAAeD0\/dGp4lgXM69E\/s1600\/The%2BBlue%2BJumper%2B2%2B%25285%2Bof%2B51%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-hX7R_rBYHuI\/Vh737jlUo2I\/AAAAAAAAeE8\/xfnIM7xncUM\/s1600\/The%2BBlue%2BJumper%2B2%2B%252849%2Bof%2B51%2529.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-7xEmpXLc4mQ\/Vh74oPfKlbI\/AAAAAAAAeFE\/XdK88rwEk6Y\/s1600\/The%2BBlue%2BJumper%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-61.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E everything is thrifted from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.valuevillage.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EValue Village\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/9116526638938463572\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/pre-loved-clothing-value-village.html#comment-form","title":"392 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/9116526638938463572"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/9116526638938463572"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/pre-loved-clothing-value-village.html","title":"pre-loved clothing \u0026 value village"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-5lUSH2HMbgA\/Vh3fyCvw_HI\/AAAAAAAAeAs\/Tj6e5jLcTVI\/s72-c\/The%2BBlue%2BJumper%2B2%2B%252847%2Bof%2B51%2529.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"392"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-2386206803821142269"},"published":{"$t":"2015-10-13T07:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-10-13T07:00:05.975-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"autumn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crown and glory"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"floral crown"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"forest"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"griffith woods"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"outfits"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"value village"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"vintage"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"leaves of October"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-t9IsMhQdXTI\/VhMzy5FDBXI\/AAAAAAAAdug\/J0R1kHtgYXU\/s1600\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-56.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-x3IVl0p22oE\/VhMxurFGyeI\/AAAAAAAAdns\/m_A5bRwoalw\/s1600\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-62.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-dsPaQ4U2Kfk\/VhMxuISJddI\/AAAAAAAAdng\/FV8NpVKSzi4\/s1600\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-59.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nWhen you walk outside in the month of October, you can see the silhouette of trees dancing as the wind bends the branches until they give up their leaves. I shriek in the night when I hear how loud it howls against the windowpane. I never did like the wind, it always comes uninvited like a party guest who yells over the music and shatters the glass which once held too much sugar. I forgive it only when I am warm from sleep or singing but once morning returns, I wish it away.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt soon will be time to take the sage and bees balm into the house. We've had a healthy autumn so far \u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003E— sunlight, Chinook air, warm tea can wait for winter, the earth sending out invitations, no sweater necessary, the flowers still in bloom, that kind of autumn. Every salty tear I wept at summers end has been dried by the bounty of orange oak trees, golden light and the birds eating leftover berries. I only wish to be summer bound when the wind comes. At night, I pull a pillow over my head and tug at C's arm to hold me closer as if we're fireflies in a tiny jar.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"st\"\u003EThe leaves of October twine and twist underneath a silvery moon while sleeping with the one I love quiets the wind and turns its howling into music. I don't ever want to return to the autumn's where I slept alone.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-W0olc7e9o_0\/VhMxrzW1IQI\/AAAAAAAAdms\/-pf1Iu3haAg\/s1600\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-51.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-9kJ-mrPI4-w\/VhMx4ESOa-I\/AAAAAAAAdpE\/YgAq7DHeA6M\/s1600\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-32.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sZx_D4M_W_Y\/VhMx9Ds5HzI\/AAAAAAAAdqw\/4-uUaGHAIZI\/s1600\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-46.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-BlLKSmISjYY\/VhMx-DZ6AjI\/AAAAAAAAdqs\/U3RO6QPmdoA\/s1600\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-49.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-9MB8GYwzJMw\/VhMx35UOIGI\/AAAAAAAAdow\/LwPx2sJDLxs\/s1600\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-31.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-VFXLE0Yy5Uc\/VhMyyVTY_UI\/AAAAAAAAduc\/EbrpfZNkv6M\/s1600\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-19.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-oU_y9yihnSw\/VhMwO2Mb4eI\/AAAAAAAAdjs\/7MJ5Kx3rFb8\/s1600\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-88.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-jrGWEmlpFmA\/VhMvbQcRkAI\/AAAAAAAAdjE\/BUGLamfgPQ8\/s1600\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-102.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-d9D7lH-M0GU\/VhMxuoAFOXI\/AAAAAAAAdn8\/m0uTqsenEV0\/s400\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-61.jpg\" width=\"265\" \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-vLs98gpi67A\/VhMxufFP6bI\/AAAAAAAAdoA\/kcvWmytHKEg\/s400\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-60.jpg\" width=\"265\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\noutfit details:\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.valuevillage.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EValue Village \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ci\u003Evintage dress\u003C\/i\u003E,\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.blowfishshoes.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBlowfish Shoes\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ci\u003Eheels,\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.crownandglory.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003ECrown \u0026amp; Glory\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ci\u003E floral headband, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/listing\/91187996\/deer-tights-fawn-mushroom-print-small\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETeja Jamilla on etsy\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E fawn and mushroom tights\u003C\/i\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/2386206803821142269\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/leaves-of-october.html#comment-form","title":"27 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2386206803821142269"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/2386206803821142269"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/leaves-of-october.html","title":"leaves of October"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-t9IsMhQdXTI\/VhMzy5FDBXI\/AAAAAAAAdug\/J0R1kHtgYXU\/s72-c\/Deer%2BTights%2B%25281%2Bof%2B1%2529-56.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"27"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116951953903609223.post-5086229049563554778"},"published":{"$t":"2015-10-07T06:30:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-10-07T06:30:03.085-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"banjo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"music"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"my life in photographs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"photography"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"my life in photographs"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-zuzJhryKtJc\/VhM-4fHx_aI\/AAAAAAAAdvc\/z_2cwBkViXA\/s1600\/2015-08-15%2B01.59.13%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003EThere\n is a whole world between these strings. A world painted by every \nsorrow, every bout of waterworks fallen from the eyes, every tongue tied\n introduction, every \"I love you\" and every \"I don't love you anymore.\" \nMusic is a band aid to the broken heart and I am forever grateful to the \nsongs and their singers for bringing me into a world which is more \nbeautiful than my own.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hBSvOeyMQE4\/VhM_4CLBTyI\/AAAAAAAAdv8\/gjt2XmYMlSs\/s1600\/2015-08-25%2B01.50.09%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003EWild flowers growing on the mountainside. In August, we visited family in Vernon \u0026amp; caught golden light. I was happy as happy could be.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-0d7D_jWizFU\/VhM_3FFxC0I\/AAAAAAAAdv4\/5ZeOEZJwLEs\/s1600\/2015-08-25%2B05.02.57%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003EI\n am convinced wild flowers are here to ease our sufferings. There is a \nsmile always drawn when seeing hills painted by these bright summertime \nbeauties.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"react-root\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-msxJ0jiYGMU\/VhM_4oAtD7I\/AAAAAAAAdwE\/94jEwy0eIt4\/s1600\/2015-08-25%2B04.56.10%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThis photograph was take\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003En on the mountain before we were homeward bound. I was not yet ready\n to go, it seems like all things worth longing for last only a few \nsunsets.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"react-root\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-v3YptAP83hk\/VhM_6H_ItLI\/AAAAAAAAdwQ\/PP7jN2fAQ2U\/s1600\/2015-08-30%2B12.11.47%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E Bright red tomatoes hand picked from the garden. I worked diligently on that garden all summer long. Autumn brings a bit of peace and rest as I dream of next year's harvest.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-swQ3v04O-gE\/VhM_889Hc7I\/AAAAAAAAdwg\/KSPA-_64rtI\/s1600\/2015-08-31%2B11.40.25%2B1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-swQ3v04O-gE\/VhM_889Hc7I\/AAAAAAAAdwg\/KSPA-_64rtI\/s1600\/2015-08-31%2B11.40.25%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".4.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".4.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003EWe\n visited an orchard \u0026amp; filled our bellies with apple slushies. It's \nalways been hard for me to say goodbye to the summer and all of its \nglory but little moments like apple picking and pulling fruit from the \nvine makes Autumn seem a lil more palatable.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-0kkWJLOyIdY\/VhNAAIGHjeI\/AAAAAAAAdwo\/3WnDx3-E5Hk\/s1600\/2015-09-02%2B11.22.28%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;I had a health scare at September's beginning, but all has been sorted and I feel much better now. Always remember to get your vitamin levels checked! I was terrified for days after feeling faint that I had something serious tempering with my bones, b12 deficiency was all it came to be.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-uBnrlo3tgtA\/VhM-3lza0dI\/AAAAAAAAdvU\/OnIlG61hGDY\/s1600\/2015-08-16%2B01.05.10%2B3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003EFlowers in the morning sun.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-T5F90bZr2TU\/VhM-75YyMoI\/AAAAAAAAdvk\/vHts65a_8dE\/s1600\/2015-08-23%2B07.50.33%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003EPut this garden in my epitaph — tell the world how I loved it so.\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-o4G5rwuV8_M\/VhM--1gXknI\/AAAAAAAAdvs\/uNiz7Yoh9t8\/s1600\/2015-08-23%2B09.32.45%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003ELeft\n foot, right foot, repeat - I am savoring each petal and blade of grass\n still glistening in the morning sunlight. I won't know what to do with \nmyself when the petals fall and blades of grass turn to snow.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-hTJKY4CHiCw\/VhRqVXP4mrI\/AAAAAAAAdyo\/kIGNFs3fDhk\/s1600\/2015-09-21%2B12.04.52%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003EI play the banjo which means I shall never be lonely.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-fdf_fgHrjps\/VhRqbPnq3XI\/AAAAAAAAdyw\/_ojDOl-_7wk\/s1600\/2015-09-29%2B07.50.24%2B1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\" style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".0.1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".2.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".2.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003ELeaves the colors of pumpkins and paintbrushes are scattered in the hills and trees.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ec_w7R-h6jU\/VhRrKZA2U4I\/AAAAAAAAdzA\/HjHpKU0LwsE\/s1600\/2015-09-10%2B10.55.59%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;A recipe for happiness.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-S9sbE4-Ho4g\/VhRrI0T-tLI\/AAAAAAAAdy4\/QyL8zhhAqzA\/s1600\/2015-09-12%2B09.06.10%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI played a gig with C in town. It was a rare treat for us as we usually play separately. Pictured here is my guitar, the beloved banjo, and C's guitar. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-1zCtrFBxYzI\/VhRrKmLkqjI\/AAAAAAAAdzE\/zuEeR_4n8g8\/s1600\/2015-10-05%2B11.44.06%2B2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".7.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".7.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003EIt\n is Autumn and many of the plants have come to pass and wither into \nrust, but there are equally many reaching towards the sky. I have \nbooks not able to be read because they're stuffed to the brim with \npetals.  This is my favorite habit.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-PslZZ5xRLx0\/VhRthq8TwyI\/AAAAAAAAdzY\/oxiFFbKHHws\/s1600\/12070891_1637651896492127_2087326575_n.jpg\" \/\u003E \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003EI'm\n here at the farm studio where C is recording his first album. I sit \nbehind the engineer. I listen with my eyes closed. I put my hand to C's \nshoulder when he's feeling nervous or strange and I tell him I believe \nin him. These are the days I will remember when I am old and gray like the high moon above us.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-reactid=\".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0\"\u003EHow has your Autumn begun? What are you doing to keep busy?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EIf you'd like to see previous 'my life in photographs' posts, visit \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/search\/label\/my%20life%20in%20photographs\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EAll photographs taken with Samsung Galaxy S6.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/feeds\/5086229049563554778\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/my-life-in-photographs.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5086229049563554778"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3116951953903609223\/posts\/default\/5086229049563554778"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amyflyingakite.com\/2015\/10\/my-life-in-photographs.html","title":"my life in photographs"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05829675701870939352"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-zuzJhryKtJc\/VhM-4fHx_aI\/AAAAAAAAdvc\/z_2cwBkViXA\/s72-c\/2015-08-15%2B01.59.13%2B1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}}]}});