I like this stuff

I had an iff-y day, so I hunted these down to warm me up. :)

This pink

This texture

These cozy doves

These stones



This door knocker on the outside of Leeds Castle


This adorable old courtyard


This love


This little version of me


The light coming in these old abbey windows in Battle, England

This tree on my guitar *happy

Words

Last week in my poetry class we practiced auto-writing, or 'stream of consciousness.' It is a timed exercise, and you are not allowed to stop writing. Write for long enough, and you can be surprised at what comes out on the paper!

Sometimes I get the urge to write a song, but I'm not sure what it's about. The way I usually find out is to start writing or singing.

The words that want to be heard have a way
of manifesting themselves.

What's in a name?

I was thinking about names: what we call ourselves, what they mean, who chose them, why certain nicknames give us warm fuzzies, and others we'd just like to erase. Our name represents our unique persona.

Here are some past personal nicknames that come to mind (bear with me):

Kitten
Kat
Cecile
Kate
Kade
beenie
Moon
Kae
Special K (holla, Mo)
Astro Puffs
KTAP
speedbump#2
KatieD

I'm sure the list could be longer. If anyone remembers any I left out, let me know ;) Hmm, I may regret saying that...

Some people change their name permanently. Either to escape things attached to the old name, or to simply to represent a new phase of life. Or both.

I chose 'Katie D' because it makes me feel happycozy. My parents often called me this when I was young (my middle name is Diane, after my aunt), and a dear old friend from long ago also called me this.


So, those are my musings tonight.

What's your name?

♥

Scotland rain

Scotland countryside, complete with rainbow

Around this time last year, I was in the UK with my brother Matt, his wife Stephanie, and her sister Jessica. It was...AMAZING. The rain and cooler weather is triggering flashbacks of moments there. Things like:

the smell of wet stone
Stephanie's hand sanitizer!
chimney smoke smell
my socks being soaked on account of holes in my boots ;)
the incredibly good smell on in the inside of the Balloch House restaurant
the breathtaking view of the Trossachs from horseback
the unnervingly bold ducks outside our apartment at Cameron House

In Edinburgh I bought this ring (which has made its home on my right hand) in an adorable little shop just below the castle.

Right now - school full time. I'm taking a research writing class, a poetry class, and A&P3. I chose the poetry to help balance out the A&P, so I can keep doing something along a creative vein. I need creativity in my life or I begin to feel stifled.
Also I've chosen the 'History of the piano' for my research topic in my writing class.
Heh heh. I feel clever.

The last couple days, I've been studying like crazy for my first quiz in A&P3, which is Monday. Also I've been accepted to WOU and plan to go there winter term. I'm excited to go to a new place, new faces, new teachers!

Outside my window

I keep stopping and staring at the rain outside, the puddles, and the drips on the leaves.

All the while, music is on my mind
.
.
.




p.s. Happy birthday today to my brother Matt!