Taylor Tails

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Here, then there.

Started the morning with Leal in his interpretation of "fancy dress" for dress-up day at school.

Then I rode in a car for 8 HOURS STRAIGHT!

But then I got to see the Brevard family and go on a long walk so...it all ended up well.

Tom and his girlfriend are here too!

The other day a big thunderstorm came out of nowhere in the late afternoon. It was the sort that turns 4pm into 8pm in a matter of seconds. And I watched Jenna and Jamie looking out the window as hail and a river of water from the driveway overtook their garden, this patch of land I see them dote over every day.

"Well that's it." Says Jamie, as the zucchini are flattened and the peas fall over. "Yep," says Jenna sadly as the tomatoes droop and the beans splay out.

When the sun comes out it illuminates what looks like a wasteland and they can't bring themselves to go out there.

Then it keeps raining for days. In between storms Jenna would go out to putter with falling vines, returning with mud all over.

But eventually the sun came out. And while several plants lost limbs, for the most part they've been rallying, only slightly worse for wear.

And today Jenna said to me, "maybe this is my metaphor." For on Sunday another person named Kent died and she's been on this quest for some way to organize so many losses.

I don't know precisely what she means by this. I am a dog after all and I have a superior instinct for what really matters in life: food, walks, and snuggles.

But as I just discovered the joys of peas fresh off the vine today I suppose what she means is this: life is about loving plants and people and ideas and animals and all other things into significance. And quite often life is also about things of significance over which even our love has no control. But our ability to live in and love in the world is enhanced by our knowledge of its impermanence.

Sure the days when you don't lose people or peas are easier. But they become infinitely more precious as you come to also know days in which do.

See, I'm wise. That's why I know who to sit next to at mealtime. Everything about this kid is tasty. Especially when he eats bugs on a log.

Jenna also shared a sweet story about Leal with me. Apparently he wrote a book about himself in school that's dedicated to the 31 people in his family. "31?" Jenna inquired. "Who are the 31 people in your family?" And he listed all the Abbatiellos (13) and all the Fournels/Renners (8) and his immediate family minus him (3) and Gruncle Tim, Grantie Carol, Grantie Sue, Gruncle Richard, Riley, Paige, and John Camp. (7)

Sunday, June 7, 2015

From laundry to fine art.

I think by now you're with the sisters in Prague so I can't wait to hear all about the adventures!

This morning I helped Jenna do some laundry.

And then I got to be cute for another play date with Leal's friend Dylan. They were supposed to be practicing for the talent show but miraculously they decided to dig for worms instead. Trust me, we're all lucky they decided to forego that event for the year. It wouldn't have been a pretty try out...

In other news Jenna picked up this picture that Leal made her for Mother's Day and picked out a frame for. It's...big and...loud, but also kinda awesome.

Ps, as usual the boys were nude for this shot. They hate clothes. But so do I. I look pooped because I just got back from a walk.

A boy. A book. And a dog.

Doesn't get much better than that!

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Frog gazing.

It's almost as cool as star gazing but comes with an element of surprise!

Also, did I mentioned it rained for a solid week here? Jenna tried to capture my mud mustache but I licked it off during the photo shoot. Yeah. Jamie said if they ever get another dog he should be like me, but with dark fur. I have no idea why. Mud is glorious!