The girls and I will be planting our seed selves amongst family as we kick off summer vacation, first at my parents house and then at the seashore with my Mom, sister, sister-in-law, four nieces, one nephew and two daughters for our annual KIDS WEEK...extremely cozy in our two bedroom condo in OC, MD! Is it hard to visualize so many people in one small space? Look at all the seeds attached to the stem of this dandelion puff. I think our family is like this, connected to a slender stem flowing with the milk of love, strong roots anchoring us as one.
Starting July 1st, I’ll be immersed in the River of Stones with many other bloggers. This means for the entire month I will be writing mindful observations; small stones instead of the longer posts I often share. No photos until I return from our vacation, as I won’t have access to my external drive where I store my images while traveling. You never know, a stone may become polished and decide to be a haiku for one shot wednesday, but all will be simple, easy breezy, summer infused words about what I notice each day. And of course I'll capture plenty of images while at the shore of ocean, sky and bay and who knows what else...certain to inspire pebbles if not stones to be shared in my favorite photo memes throughout the month once we return home! If you want to wade into the river with us please visit Fiona and Kaspa here to learn more about gathering a pocket full of stones of your own and to register to participate.
Hopefully I’ll be starting my new medication when we come home and maybe even start feeling better by the time August arrives when I resume my more full-bodied posts. (You never can tell what will happen before you get there:-)
I’ll be online to post daily (unless we have internet issues) and might even visit a few blogs when the kids are down at the beach. Beaches and MS are not a great combo, but I will be able to enjoy sitting by the pool in my wheelchair beneath an umbrella with a water spritzer to keep me cool, a book, my Mom and sisters for company. Expect one more full post before we leave on Wednesday.
love your analogy to family with that dandelion pouf. :)
ReplyDeletehave a most WONDERFUL time!
ReplyDeleteAloha from Waikiki
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enjoy every moment.
ReplyDeleteand yes, the connection with the dandelion is so brilliant
Have a great time! =)
ReplyDeletehoping you ALL have a most wonderful and refreshing time!
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful picture for this entry.
ReplyDeletei adore huge family vacations, i really hope you have a wonderful time!!!
off you go.....
Beautiful shot and a great analogy. Have a great summer!
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful way with words Laura, painting wonderful images of joy. Wishing you and yours the most wonderful of times.
ReplyDeleteI love your dandelion! Hope you have a great vacation Laura.
ReplyDeleteLove the analogy..I hope that you have a great time with your loved ones. Being is small quarters always makes great moments possible. I remember sitting shiva in my brother's apartment in Israel and it was crowded but we wouldn't have it any other way.
ReplyDeletehave a very healthy and happy time away ~~ blessings
ReplyDeletelove the dandelion metaphor and photo too!!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Holiday!I'm looking forward to reading all your small stone posts :o)
ReplyDeleteLovely dandelion capture. Ours are all gone now...all we have left are the invasive green leaves. Great macro detail in this shot.
ReplyDeleteVacation with family, it will be a time of goodness. You will view from a different vista, true, I'm thinking being in the wheel chair, all the blessings will know just where to find you.1
ReplyDeleteHave a dizzle dazzle time.
I think of all the wisps as being connected to an eternal circle of family love.
You remain in m y thoughts and prayers.
Looking forward to your small stones, pebbles, chips off the marble block, etc.!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful image of your family and the dandelion. Have a wonderful time. I'll be practicing joy in your joy as I'm unable to travel. I know you'll have a wonderful time with your family. Love, Toni
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful vacation with the family, Laura. It sounds as if you are surrounded by love, love, love...a healing of its own kind.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Looking forward to the stones...an excellent practice...something I should try.
Your photo is beautiful, so delicate and detailed, and I love your analogy!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your vacation
ReplyDeleteJohnina :^A
The dandelion is very suitable for a black and white photo.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll have a nice holiday:)
Have a great time!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo!
I love dandelion seeds and this is a wonderful shot.
ReplyDeleteVery fine image! The dark background really pops-out the detail.
ReplyDeleteOff you go...have a wonderful vacation :)
We just returned from visiting family, and I THINK I am rested up, finally!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your visit!
Blessings!
Beautiful dandelion seeds, a good photo.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a blessed holiday. Filled with love and joy. Hugs from Tania:-)
I love the dandelion in this shape. Stunning.
ReplyDeleteThe dandelion metaphor is beautiful, Laura. Have a wondeful trip.
ReplyDeleteit will be a refreshing time, Sweetheart. I wish you the best
ReplyDeletelove you
Enjoy this time
ReplyDeleteRemembering you :)
Have a wonderful restful time Laura!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura, I wish you and your family a wonderful, fabulous and awesome summer! The vacation you describe sounds so nice. Even if you can't be on the beach, the pools sounds good too.
ReplyDeleteYou have been in my thoughts even if I have not commented over the last few weeks. Things got a bit on top of me for a while.
Thanks for your beautiful comments on my blogs :-)
Love and hugs,
Inger
Hi Laura, I wish you and your family a wonderful, fabulous and awesome summer! The vacation you describe sounds so nice. Even if you can't be on the beach, the pools sounds good too.
ReplyDeleteYou have been in my thoughts even if I have not commented over the last few weeks. Things got a bit on top of me for a while.
Thanks for your beautiful comments on my blogs :-)
Love and hugs,
Inger
I wish you a great vacation. Take as much as you can from this moment. And don't forget to bring sunscreen :)
ReplyDeleteHave the happiest of summer times with your family. May you make memories that provide warmth and light for the dark days of winter.
ReplyDeleteLovely dandelion fluff analogy. :-)
It sounds as though you have a wonderful summer ahead of you! your photo appropriately demonstrates the love and dreams you share with your family. have a fantastic time Laura!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting me and taking the time to comment. Nice to meet you.
Your photo shows that a dandelion is beautiful altso after withering!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time!
Wonderful capture of the dandellion! I like it very much! :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shot!!
ReplyDeleteToday's Flower at my page.
Lovely to think of a seedhead as a family dispersing in the wind to settle elsewhere, growing from your nurture. Sigh!.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the analogy between the seedhead and your family. I'd venture to say having so many loved ones packed into a small space will be a whole lot of fun stories and good memories. That photo is magical!
ReplyDeleteI so hope your new med will work. My 17 year old grandson has just been diagnosed with a horrible form of male RA and is facing the prospect of starting Embril. I do not know how you all do it. I know...you just do it! Have a wonderful vacation, savor every moment, and return with wonderful photos to share with us after the fact. All of our dandelion blooms are gone now...just lots of big invasive green leaves in my flower bed. Genie
ReplyDeleteReally marvelous macro shot!!
ReplyDeleteSeeds that scatter to bloom where they are planted:) I am going to remember that image.
ReplyDeleteI will say have a wonderful vacation, knowing that I will get glimpses of your days as they happen. Ocean City is a great place for a family vacation. Holding good weather thoughts for July!
Beautiful black and white :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shot! I hope you have a wonderful vacation.
ReplyDeleteBlogs are hearts opened. It is enough to be here. And to be grateful.
ReplyDeleteA stunning macro!
ReplyDeleteSo so beautiful. And I love your title.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. Love your analogy and dandelion shot :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week ahead...my late visit here...
Beautiful shot of the dandelion.Love it.
ReplyDeleteWhen seeds are scattered to the four winds it is very special when they manage to come together again.
ReplyDeleteAlthough danelions are typically considered weeds, there's just something special about that puffy flower. Great shot of it in all it's glory. :)
ReplyDeleteIncredible shot. I am now heading over to Rivers of Stones to check it out!
ReplyDeleteI really like the shading on this! I've done the same exact photo, but yours somehow shows the essence of the dandelion. I'll keep trying.
ReplyDeletethanks for some inspiration.
Have fun at the beach! :-)
david/tropical texana
What a lovely analogy. Have a wonderful and relaxing time with your family. I look forward to your "River of Stones" posts. Take care. Mickie :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, awesome dandelion!!
ReplyDeleteNeat shot of the dandelion. Have a wonderful vacation!
ReplyDeleteWonderful ethereal image. Who says flowers must be color?
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting "Morning Light"
Wonderful shot! Safe travels and fun adventures for you all!
ReplyDeleteDearest Laura...
ReplyDeleteHave a wonder-filled...easy-breezy summer... and I love the idea of "small stones" - they can convey such essence! I appreciate the inspiration and creative soul that you are. Love you... Cheryl