Last week, Catybug and I witnessed the first sign of spring. We saw 4-5 robins, all gathered together near a bush, on the way home from school. We squeed with delight, because we’re ready. We chatted about how they’ll find food, and we even saw a few more over the following days near bushes that all bear winter berries. We decided this was how they must sustain themselves until spring actually arrived.

Hubby saw his first batch, he said around 40 of these happy and plump little guys (they filled up at Laura’s house before heading north) gathered in a cornfield.

They’re here. They’re really here!

I wandered around the yard looking for more signs, sure enough – I’ve got dwarf iris blooming. Crocus. Muscari peeking up – signs of daffodils and other bulbs that I planted last fall. This is the best time of year! It feels refreshing, invigorating. Life is slowly returning to everything that faded away to gray months ago.

That little robin in my front yard taught me something the other day. As I watched him hop around the yard, I wondered what he was looking for. I don’t have any fruit bearing plants for him, and I was certain that it was far too early to get worms from the ground. I kept watching, though – obviously he knows something that I don’t.

The early bird, indeed, gets the worm. And also? No matter where you are, or how you might think you’re totally aware of your surroundings, you’re really not that far from a worm.

Happy spring!(see a much better robin photo in my photoblog.)

If you’re using IE7, could you do me a favor? Click here. (That’s my pet portrait portfolio.)

When you hover the thumb, does the large image appear to the left in the hover pane?

I’ve been having problems with that ever since IE7 was released. It hates me.

Thanks for your help!

Update: It’s still not working, blech.
Update again: Maybe it is?

Who invited brown bears into my head while I was sleeping? I really don’t like you, whoever you are.

It was around 3 a.m. this morning when I was first chased through a field by a big brown bear. It must have been a momma bear, and maybe I was too close to her cub – who wasn’t too far behind. I climbed on top of the house, which was like a dollhouse where the top is removable and you can reach down into the rooms, you know? So here I am, scaling the walls and climbing on the top, completely forgetting that bears can climb, too. Doh.

The bear was suddenly distracted by something beefy and warm in another room, and off it went. I climbed down into a room and still felt the presence of this mad bear, so I tried to find it. I weaved in and out of rooms and hallways, and peeked through a door that was cracked open just a little bit and saw the bear inside. I decided I was going to make friends. I opened up the door and cautiously walked in, talking calmly to the bear and only stepping forward when I got the feeling from it that it was ok. Eventually me and the bear were hugging and it was like a pet. Bears are my friend. I think it even licked my cheek. Aww.

And then some woman took over, the bear was gone, and I was in a yellow room filled with books, and she was telling me all the things she knew about my husband.

So much for a good night of sleep, eh? If I had a stenographer in my head recording my dreams at night, I’d be selling short stories. Or short nightmares, or maybe even a psychoanalysts study guide.

I will. I promise. Just as soon as I’m done refreshing my memory in the CSS department.

Until then, go look at my pretty pictures.

I couldn’t believe my luck yesterday when I started browsing the racks at Dillard’s. First, I found the skirt. I loved the skirt! Long, a-line plaid in iridescent burgundy with metallic gold, cream, red and black pattern. I loved it. It drapes all the way to the floor and it’s just stunning. The top, on different rack across the department – a copper metallic 3/4 sleeve wrap, transparent sleeve and gorgeous feminine cuffs, looked amazing and brought out both the gold metallic stitching and the iridesence of the skirt. Across the store, I found this tank for the shell, beaded neckline that’s so gorgeous I won’t need anything around my neck. Metallic gold stitching just pulls the whole ensemble together, and it’s beautiful.

Every piece was on sale, clearanced down to next to nothing. I paid less than half than I would have paid for an evening gown.

Now I gotta find shoes. (eek!)

You can see the three fabrics together in my photoblog.

In an effort to dispel any untruths out there about my obsession with squirrels, I’ve rummaged through hundreds (cough) of photographs just to prove that they are, indeed, cute as hell and I have a justifyable urge to capture them from every angle.

Now I’m faced with an even bigger dilemma – which one to put on a shirt? If you can stand the cuteness, go on and pick your favorite from the seven squirrels I’ve chosen. I am, seriously, going to design a shirt. I can’t disappoint Mr. Dell dude, now can I?

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An imaginary conversation with a Dell Backup Support Tech today would go something like this:

Dell: Thanks for calling Dell support, how can I help you today?
Me: Well, I’m in a panic. I bought these DVD 4.something gig CD’s so that I could backup my hard drive, and they don’t work. Why doesn’t my drive recognize them?
Dell: Well, doh, you don’t have a DVD write drive.
Me: Nobody told me I needed one of those!
Dell: That’s why you should upgrade your computer every 6 months to the latest and greatest thing, you know.
Me: Well, crud. I’ve only had this one for 4 or 5 years. It’s out of date? That’s what you’re saying?
Dell: Yes ma’am. Can I build you a customized computer today?
Me: Um, no. Thanks. I would like to know how I’m going to fit 3 gig folders onto a 700 meg CDR without burning out the antiqued drive that I do have, though.
Dell: You’ll have to split up your files, ma’am.
Me: But I don’t want to. I have all of my photography split into months, and each month is about 3 gig.
Dell: What on earth do you take pictures of?
Me: Squirrels, mostly.
Dell: You have that many squirrels, ma’am?
Me: I’m fond of my squirrels.
Dell: How fond?
Me: Um, I have about 400 pictures a month that are just squirrels.
Dell: Obsess much?
Me: Sometimes. They’re cute, you know.
Dell: I think you have a problem.
Me: Yes, exactly. How do I get all of these pictures to this itty bitty CDR?
Dell: No, I mean I think you have a different kind of problem.
Me: I have a lot of problems. Can we stick to the CDR thing?

(end completely awkward and totally fictional conversation with Dell support.)

I’ve been shopping for formal gowns, too. We’re attending a Military Ball and I haven’t a THING to wear. I also want to choose something that is appropriate for a wedding/cocktail/reception in July. Any good store recommendations?

I was just telling Katie’s mom when she picked up her baby girl’s portrait last month how I have the best clients, ever. It’s not just that they appreciate what I do and how I do it, but that they have the patience of Job and understanding when it comes to my creative bursts.

And then, I receive a phone call from Titto’s mom. His portrait arrived, and she’s a very happy bird portrait owner. She mentioned sending me photos and I’ll also be painting Titto’s portrait again, and tears welled up in my eyes, because I’m a big mushy gushy head. I did not expect what landed on my doorstep yesterday. Not even a little.

{{{huge hugs to Tittto’s mom & family}}}Photos of Titto in his full feathered glory, a wooden palette (I’ve been eyeballing these for months!) some really nice brushes, a tin of Coconut Patties (oh. my. YUM.), the most sweet smelling rose pink peppercorn Caldrea candle, and a hefty amount of Perlier honey and glycerin hand cream. Oh! And also! A blank 5×7 canvas panel for Titto’s next portrait! I feel so spoiled, really. (I love to be spoiled.) This is just so – wow. How sweet is this? I have received some precious, sentimental gifts from my clients before, and each time I am just so grateful that people can be so ding dang kind and giving.

It’s nice to feel special. {{{Group hug}}}
Seriously, the best clients ever. Titto looks incredible both framed and unframed.