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Paul Schmidtberger, Design Flaws of the Human Condition

"O sweet spontaneous earth..." -E.E. Cummings

"The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful." - E.E. Cummings

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"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

 This is to have succeeded."  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Father's Day is around the corner:

Mountain climber, scuba diver, photographer, Corvette driver, beachcomber, gardener, fixer-of-all-things, world traveler, thrill-seeking adventurer, a grandfather of two, a father of six, and one of the hardest workers and biggest dorks I know, Billy Thigpen. 

No matter how hard I try, I can't describe what he's like. I can tell what he does, what he can do, where he has been, his likes and dislikes, his favorite bands and authors, but there is no consistent pattern that makes him understood. 

He's just Billy Thigpen. 

A quirky, gutsy, loving traveler who supports his family to no end. 

I don't know where I would be without him

Happy Father's Day, Dad. 

2, 3, Haints!

Photo courtesy of: Chandler Jones

Friday 

June 1, 2012

Denim or Red Plaid?

An evening spent in the beautiful, sleepy downtown area of Florence, Alabama. Mingled, window shopped, people-watched, telescoped, and waltzed to the Pine Hill Haints.

Saturday

June 2, 2012

"This is an adventure."

I ran into my house, stood over my napping brother, and playfully yelled things like...

"Hey, you Londoneer!"

"Mr. London!"

"You little Englishman."

"Ello, chap."

"Good day, Mr. London Traveler!"

only to have him wake up and say, "I went to China."

Oops.

I spent the day running errands all over town, saw super-cool graffiti of a Storm Trooper, and then had a glorious family dinner. My brother returned from his trip to China and brought hilarious stories and incredible gifts with him. For me, he brought the necessities for doing Chinese calligraphy; a training mat, brushes, ink, and rice paper. From the pictures, it's obvious that I was overjoyed. After dinner, the only things that sounded appealing were the things that were completely impossible. So, my pal Chandler and I put on sweaters and sat in my backyard with The Life Aquatic and Mcdonald's

 apple pies. 

Sunday

June 3, 2012

"The Fluff of Doughnuts."

Visiting my grandparents in Red Bay is always interesting in one way or another. This time, there was a thunderstorm so it was very mellow. We always make a stop for my grandfather to pick up Krispy Kreme, which he deems "The Fluff of Doughnuts." The day was spent visiting quietly and sampling strange Chinese candies. No complaints here.

Now, I'm back in Tuscaloosa starting my second week of summer classes. Tonight, I plan to make a pot of coffee, work on homework, and start finishing an incomplete and extremely overworked painting. 

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"These woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep."

-Robert Frost

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do 

not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8