perfect

"We would be together and have our books and at night be warm in bed together with the windows open and the stars bright."

- Ernest Hemingway

dear philadelphia

Dear Philly,

You sure are weird.

Yep, you have to watch out for pee in the train station. Because that pee ain't dog pee. And sometimes you come up the steps at Suburban station at 8:20 a.m. and witness some guy yelling - no screaming - every dirty swear word your ears have ever heard.

But today I had a short conversation with a transvestite. She asked me for money for a train token because her boyfriend left her stranded. When I replied that I didn't have any money and I was sorry, she responded, "That's ok. It's not your fault he's an asshole." That made me smile.

Philly, you sure are weird. But please don't change.

xo,
Julia

nonno



This is one of my favorite pictures I've ever taken. It's not the best, but still one of my favorites. Husband and I were walking in Florence and I saw this Italian grampa pedaling along with this little munchkin of a girl. I almost missed the shot because I get nervous when taking photos of strangers. "Oh crap, they are going to think I'm a weirdo." But I did, I did get the shot. I remember mentally high five-ing myself. It was a yes! moment. Yes for recognizing the shot to begin with and yes for getting it.

I love taking photos. It calms me. It makes me happy. I love this photo because it brings back a time of when I first fell in love with carrying my camera with me everywhere.

pnw

Have you ever been to the Pacific Northwest? I have never been to that part of the country and it is calling me. I'm in the midst of trying to figure out if husband and I can have a getaway to Seattle this summer. Truth be told I could never live somewhere that is cloudy almost every day. But still, there is something that intrigues me. Sometimes I wonder if places call to a person because they were part of a past life. Funny idea, no? But one I like to think about.

Husband told me that under no circumstances will he go to Forks, WA with me so I can reenact scenes from Twilight. I told him he is a spoil sport.

While our getaway is TBD, I'll still take any recommendations ya'll have to offer.



Picture from Jordan Voth

fragments of thoughts right now

Husband and I are both in pajamas right now. At 4:00 in the afternoon.

A cup of tea makes everything better. Perhaps I was a Brit in a former life.

Ever make a change to your hair and regret it the instant you walk out the salon door? Hello, new side bangs. I don't think we are going to get along.

Our washing machine sings a song when it is done. It makes me supremely happy.

I realize that orange shoes are not a part of my closet. Must be remedied soon.

i would like you for my wall

Yes. Let's.

 

 

found here

fairytale illustrations

I stumbled across these illustrations by Yelena Bryksenkova. Aren't they fun? Whimsical comes to mind, but that's one of those words that people don't actually use in real conversation. The illustrations are from a cook book called Fairytale Food. Alas, it is only available in the UK. Ok, yes, alas is one of those words too.

happy birthday to my guy

Husband, you make everything better. I am proud of the good man that you are. Love you forever and ever.