Pamela Jo Bowman

As I ride in the morning I often see this visually interesting shot. I want a crane to get the movement without the camera shadow. I think, movie? music video? documentary? hmmm. By the time I get to the park I pretty much have forgotten about the shot. After all by then I have moved on to movie ideas, the thought of falling into the canal, the scene re-write for the day, the man wearing a purple jogging suit (rather unattractive, shouldn’t someone tell him?) and all the little chores I am suppose to take care of that day. Day after day, except cloudy ones, I see the image again and I remember again and I begin again. That could be a great shot. The subtext. The rough gray wall, the shadow and movement. I arrive at the cement picnic table breathless because a.) I’m tired and b.) I see this. Blinded with the possibilities of this life, my life. Back on the bike. So much I want to learn and do and see. Chasing that shadow that is always a tad ahead of me. Keep pumping. Keep pumping. Keep pumping.

Watch a visual birthday card, if you wish, starring my father. George Lauriston Green

Today is my father’s birthday. He is still having fun! He and my Mom have seen the world together. This last year he completed another of his goals, visiting each of the states. I don’t know what else is on his bucket list, but I am sure we will find out!

Hope you had a great day. I am grateful for all you did on my behalf.

Thank you and love you.

This was our family’s version of a vacation. One day. That was all we could manage to get all of us together and do something fun. How sad is that?! I know… it is up to “the Mom” to plan this stuff, but I always feel like they really don’t want me to bother with it all. They’d rather do their own thing.

Surprisingly, we always end up having a fun time. We definitely got banged up this year! I could not believe the boys did the stuff they did out of that tree! Are they insane? Obviously they are. So exhausted! So burned. So nice to get out of the heat! WE really need to plan another outing soon. WE will work on that! Won’t WE! (Click on the picutre for a really cheesy video.)

I have some friends. Our slogan or motto is… “Are you happy?” We preface it with each other’s name and there is a tad bit of a whine in the question. This is usually a hint that the discussion needs to occur in the vault. If you don’t know what the vault is…. so sad.

I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is: Try to please everybody. ~Herbert B. Swope

Sooooo, am I happy? I am NOW. I spent all of last night trying to get my airport extreme to work. I was having withdrawals from the internet. This was compounded by my children WHINING about not having access to the world. I was left alone under my computer trying to figure it out while they went out and actually played with their friends. Hmmm, what would that be like? I was so frustrated that my window seemed like the perfect place to throw my cherished computer! Instead I started to play with my iPhone. Word warp is a good stress reliever at midnight!

Today, we were able to make it work. We are happy… except….

Am I on your blog list? (hear the whine?) Do you realize one’s place in the life and heart of others is determined by a link on your blog page? Good to know! If you’re not on my list, consider the possibility that I don’t know you have a blog. If I am not on yours, and I am checking, makes me wonder. Are you feeling my pain?

Wistie got a job… then they called back and changed their mind. Deja Vu. I swear this girl has been through the wringer and more! Yesterday she was officially hired. She is starting on Monday.

She is happy. She is on my blog page! She must be my friend.

Happy birthday Cierajo! I hope your day is one where you celebrate your life. I know I am glad you were born! You have taught me how to enjoy being a Mom.

I hope you take some time today and think about your future. One thing I have learned is what Tennessee Williams said, “Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.”

One of my hopes for you is that you discover people around you that can appreciate who you are and that you appreciate who they are. One of the most wonderful discoveries in life is that true friends are those that can grow separately without growing apart. I know recently you have felt disappointed in those you once called your friends. I believe you have learned from these experiences and can better define the kind of people you will choose to associate with in the future. Friendships are born, not made. You can not force anyone to be your friend anymore then someone can force you to be their friend. And why would we want to. Friendship is based on trust and loyalty and the ability to be who we really are and still feel safe and accepted and loved. I hope you find those kinds of friends and if you don’t… you will always have your family who will love you and embrace you because you are YOU.

Have a wonderful day! You deserve it!