Greetings! Please excuse my absence from our blogging world these past several weeks. I have been on a retreat of sorts. Renewing my spirit, honing my craft, caring for my life, my family and my friends. Today seemed like a perfect day to jump back in and share.
One year ago today Relyn and i were in Golden Gate Park in the Conservatory walking among the magnificent orchids and tropical plants, getting to know one another better. We had met for the very first time the previous day and begun a 10 hour road-trip from Portland to San Francisco. We covered a lot of conversational ground during those long hours. We compared notes about our views on life and death. Talked about our favorite music, art, the best books we had ever read. We debated short vs long hairstyles, eye make-up, skin care, lipstick colors, Harry Potter and God. By the time we had arrived in the city after dark, had secured our parking spot, lost our car, laughed ourselves silly, found our way into and back out of the Haight to our apartment i felt i loved this person beyond reasoning. And i still do.
Early Wednesday morning I will pick Relyn up from the home of her In-laws just south of here and we will head over to the Oregon coast for 3 days. Just us, the beach, our cameras, our history, our love for reading, writing, our daughters, each other and life. Glorious.
Last year Relyn influenced me write in a journal, practice expressing myself more with words. Last year i influenced Relyn to get herself a good camera and to express her view of the world in a more visual way. This year we will compare notes and do these things together. Awesome. Amazing kismet that i would have the opportunity to know this remarkable woman and let her know me.
I have a Relyn story to share. One of her unphotographical tales. If you are a Relyn fan you may have already read this. She might have placed it on her own blog in the past year. I came across it as a comment she had made on someone else's post. This story lodged itself in my brain within the file named; be-the-best-humanitarian-you-can-and-the-world-will-be-a-kinder-place.
"...our bird made me think of the most amazing sight i saw this weekend. We were at a red light and i looked up. The power lines were covered in birds. I mean COVERED! Not hundreds. Thousands. I mean that without one bit of exaggeration. This was cool enough in itself. But then. One bird flew in and snuggled himself down among his buddies. And all down the line, literally a thousand birds flew up and settled again a tiny space to the right. Like watching piano keys that whoosh off the piano in a cartoon. It was amazing."
This picture is dedicated to Relyn's vision and a bird's version of humanitarianism.
Hee hee..I just read Debi's comment...I am suddenly getting those odd lawyers comments too.
What a beautiful story...I can just picture them, in the thousands, making room for number 1001. So much a bigger story inside that sweet little story.
Posted by: jaime | September 25, 2010 at 12:11 AM
You capture great images with both your camera and your words. Relyn is precious and I feel blessed to know her. I'm so sorry that we couldn't reprise our summer adventure this year. We will try again next year.
On July 11, 1966, I arrived in New York City from Amsterdam at the age of 11. It's a day that changed my life forever.
Posted by: dutchbaby | August 31, 2010 at 05:34 AM
HI Robin - thinking about you today .... xo
Posted by: Kath | August 21, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Yay, roadtrip! I've always thought the best way to get to know someone was to travel with them. I hope you two will have a great time.
I remember that post and your image is the perfect compliment.
Bon voyage,
xoxoxoxo
Posted by: Suvarna | August 06, 2010 at 04:52 AM
Missing you. So much! Especially today.
Posted by: Relyn | July 31, 2010 at 04:30 PM
Hi Robin, Just visiting from Relyn. I do recall seeing this story over at her place. I've just had a look through your flickriver images and wanted to say how much I enjoyed them!
Posted by: Derrick | July 27, 2010 at 03:22 AM
Ohhhhh, I want to jump into the backseat with you gals! You are both such wonderful women. I can only imagine how much fun you both will have on this trip. Lots o' giggling! And yes! to you writing a journal and yes! to Relyn photographing her world. Have a fun time. I want to read all about it when you get back. :)
Posted by: susanna | July 24, 2010 at 08:54 PM
My heart always swells when i visit you. You are so precious. <3
Posted by: Rosa | July 20, 2010 at 06:29 PM
What a wonderful story...the one about the birds, and the one about your friendship. The photo is lovely...and I could picture in my mind all those birds on a wire, shifting. I am so glad I finally made it over here, thanks to Debi...
Posted by: kelly | July 16, 2010 at 08:03 PM
Welcome back.
Posted by: Wendy | July 15, 2010 at 08:42 PM
Great post. Enjoy the visit and renewal at the beach. I am hoping to meet Relyn this visit. Would love to meet you too.
Posted by: Marilyn | July 15, 2010 at 09:25 AM
beautiful words. two beautiful people. love you.
Posted by: margie | July 13, 2010 at 10:12 AM
What a joy to have met Relyn who sounds just as amazing and kindhearted as you my tweety bird. I hope one day to meet Relyn and you and that dutchbaby. This medium has lead to amazing friendships.
Posted by: Yoli | July 13, 2010 at 09:40 AM
Has it really been a year? It is such a shame that we did not get to reprise that glorious week. Next year for certain!
I love how you are able to express your heart and soul through your words and photos. That Relyn is a pretty wise one - and so are you.
xoxo
D
Posted by: dutchbaby | July 12, 2010 at 04:38 PM
A long newsy note coming soon in response to yours, which arrived while I was at the lake. I'm just the slightest bit envious of the fun you and Relyn will have together! I so enjoy both your blogs so you must say hello! You will indeed have a glorious time!
I for one am delighted you are posting and was glad to hear from you so I didn't worry too much. Interesting how that happens in this community, isn't it? And glad Zippy is going strong!
Hugs to you and looking forward to more!
Posted by: Jeanie | July 12, 2010 at 02:01 PM
Always love your photos, today touched by your words. At 46ish and after years of many challenges, I feel there is hope today that I might find friendship myself. Have a wonderful time!
Posted by: Glenda Goins | July 12, 2010 at 08:04 AM
I love your testament to friendship and love. So beautiful!! :)
Posted by: Heather | July 12, 2010 at 07:55 AM
Blessed by your words and your photos! Friendship like that is an amazing, wonderful thing... enjoy your time together.
Posted by: Mikal | July 12, 2010 at 06:06 AM
Oh Robin I'm so glad you're back! I was so missing your breathtaking photos!!! Glad to also hear you were away to renew your spirit. I especially love this line of your post, Just us, the beach, our cameras, our history, our love for reading, writing, our daughters, each other and life. I'm so envious but ONLY in a good way!!! Glad to see you're back, I was getting worried.
Posted by: Chris | July 12, 2010 at 05:36 AM
Sounds like an amazing connection you two have. Always a surprise to find such like-minded souls here on the web.
Posted by: Marcie | July 12, 2010 at 04:35 AM
First of all, why are we all suddenly geting comments from lawyers blogs that sound like they're actually reading stuff? :)
Second, I am SO happy y'all are getting together again and can't wait to hear & see the goodies I know you will share. And I remember that comment.
Have fun and give Relyn a hug from me.
xoxo
Posted by: Debi | July 11, 2010 at 10:37 PM