Our own light










Stormy Vines 11.26.08


Art Time 11.25.08


Stair Maze 11.24.08


Tall Oaks 11.23.08


Train Station Window 11.22.08




"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." -Albert Schweitzer

Believe in something, act on something










Boat House on Lake Tahoe 11.21.08


Ice House Rd @ Hwy 50


Bella 11.19.08


Front Lawn Leaves 11.18.08


Round Barn Glory 11.17.08


Newest Family Member 11.16.08


Cazadero Leaves 11.15.08


Wall Shadow 11.14.08




There is nothing brilliant or outstanding in my record, except perhaps this one thing. I do the things I believe ought to be done. And when I make up my mind to do a thing, I act.
- Theodore Roosevelt



The words above somehow strike a nerve with me. I am not a person that has done anything brilliant or outstanding, but I would like to think I act on the things I believe in.

And if you have anything that you believe in, act on it. And respect those that do the same, if you do not agree with their choices, respect their beliefs.

-Monique Jervan-Chilton

PS - jchilton (Hubs) says I have never added his photo in my blog, so while walking on the beach in Lake Tahoe, I took this shot of us. He has been so supportive of my efforts and for that I truly thank him. I love you jchilton!

An order of kindness with a side of thoughtfulness














Dandelion 11.13.08



The Original Walkman 11.12.08



Park Bench 11.11.08



On Strike Housing 11.10.08



Pretty Eyes 11.09.08



Faded Mail Box 11.08.09

Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong? Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night.”

~ Charlie Brown in "Peanuts" (Charles M. Schulz)


This past week, I have had this battle brewing in my head, a struggle if you will, partially from not feeling well, a lack of sleep, not feeling particularly good about myself, add to that some daily stress and I soon found myself feeling more than a little blue and worn out. After many spastic moments, I finally gave into a lot of emotions and realized I need to just let my feelings run their course.

I find it funny how in those moments I focus on so many negative thoughts, when I should be feeding myself with kindness and thoughtfulness.

We expect so much of ourselves, and when life does not seem to have gotten the memo about our needs and fails to show up for us, we can spin so quickly into a gloomy place. Thankfully we can do something to help ourselves.

Give yourself a little slack, take a few million deep breathes, cry if you need too, scream if you need too, stomp if you need too. Make sure to laugh at something, the harder you laugh the better you will feel. Make yourself a nice cup of tea, and dish yourself up a nice helping of kindness with a side of thoughtfulness. And do not expect that everything will be perfect in a matter of moments. You are a work of art, art takes time and you deserve nothing but the best.

(Happy to report, I am feeling much better than my week started out, perhaps it was a little bit that good old Charlie Brown wisdom)
- Monique Jervan-Chilton

Hope, Faith, Love and Forgiveness










Fall's Bounty 11.07.08


Trees in Sky 11.06.08


Fallen Leaves 11.05.08


Palm Leaves 11.04.08


Water Puddle 11.03.08


Cloudy Sky 11.02.08


Cal Field 11.01.08





Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime,
Therefore, we are saved by hope.


Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history;
Therefore, we are saved by faith.


Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone.
Therefore, we are saved by love.


No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as from our own;
Therefore, we are saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness.

-- Reinhold Niebuhr

Friendship












Raynee and the missing teeth 10.31.08


Matthew gets goofy 10.30.08


Tribune Tower 10.29.08

Field Museum 10.28.08




The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.-- Ralph Waldo Emerson (adapted)


My trip to Chicago was filled with friends. I traveled with two friends to the Windy City and we got to play tourists and see what a great city Chicago really is. We learned that all hot beverages in Chicago are some of the hottest (nearly boiling) we had ever had, we learned that when they say that it will get cold in the afternoon, they mean it and we learned that the food at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinders is amazing. After my two friends left, I was able to stay an extra day and got to see an dear friend of mine and her husband. Our visit was short, but it was wonderful to catch up with each other. I got to spend time with her amazing daughter, who plays a mean game of squares. (watch out, at 7, Anna is a ringer to be a squares champion).

There is just something so nice about seeing an old friend, it truly warms you heart.




-Monique Jervan-Chilton