Harris – Page 2 – kelly hogaboom

transit of Venus

June 5, 2012

by kellyhogaboom Uncategorized

I’m incredibly grateful for the life I live. Tonight I got to see something that won’t happen again until 2117. If it wasn’t for my son and his interest in celestial objects, I would have never tried.

Ralph made such a fuss about not standing in the line of the eyepiece that my eight year old Nels was very concerned he might get burnt, or go blind. He didn’t want to stand anywhere near that eyepiece, and was frightened when I took this photo.

Ten year old Phoenix has ice cream on her face, from the ice cream truck that came by. She is relaxed and smiling. She’s also mere days away from losing the one little cap on her teeth I allowed a crumbly dentist to install. She’s reassuring her brother in this picture.

Life is a lovely gift.

Flowers:

Kitties:

as they say in that one creepy parenting paradigm, “bummer”

May 3, 2012

by kellyhogaboom dailies

I have a rather large backlog of family and sewing photos, but today I found out we (likely) had a catastrophic data loss. My last ten years of writings, saved files, patterns, graphic design work, kids’ pictures and projects, music, movies, and carefully-tagged and curated photos are likely gone. And a bunch of other stuff I’ll start remembering when I’m feeling less tired.

Yeah, I’m kind of numb about the thought of this, and I figure I’m fatigued as I got up early and did quite a bit today, so I won’t think on it further. For now content yourself with what I found yesterday on our two living room chairs.

Back to regularly-scheduled programming soon.

“By the sea, Mr. Todd, that’s the life I covet!”

April 2, 2012

by kellyhogaboom dailies

My son, & my mom, about to head out to the beach together.

So YE GODS I’ve been having fun embroidering. Last night I finished up this space-age sampler as designed by Wendi Gratz. I really dig her whole approach, as found on her site Shiny Happy World.

The whole business made me decide to make up my own patterns, including a sewn samper. LET’S SEE how it goes. Because you know, not only can I draw, but I’m into stuff. For instance last night? I started and finished the above piece, concluding my last stitches while viewing Attack of the Crab Monsters with my kids, Tylur, and Emily, and whilst sharing a pint of Late Night Snack with said Emily.

YES I REALIZE I HAVE NOTHING, EVER, TO COMPLAIN ABOUT.

Anyway I could draw up some awesomeness ala Crab Monsters right this moment. Instead I drew and traced and finished a pattern of subjects close to my heart, non-Crab-Monster-related – and provided my sampler doesn’t shit the bed, you’ll be seeing it soon!

(Hint: will involve GLOW-IN-THE-DARK thread!)

In other news: we got our table finished. The entire table was a gift, both in materials and construction, from friends. I am more than thrilled. It is my Favorite Table Ever. Many people were almost maimed while we put it together.

First meal made on the table – meatballs! (recipe, previously shared):

Followed by – using the crusts discarded from Phoenix’s bread-cubing – fresh bread pudding for breakfast:

Phoenix:

Harris (Every. Damn. Day!):

Finally: a piece of mine was published in the latest issue of Natural Life Magazine. As you’ve no doubt heard me say before, I heartily endorse anything written or published by Ms. Priesnitz, and I encourage y’all to head over and subscribe to this excellent publication.

In closing please, do not be so casual about “just a few land crabs” – unless you want to pay the ultimate price.

vintage cuteness, here & now

February 18, 2012

by kellyhogaboom dailies sewing journal

Hey lovelies! I promised to post pictures of the Western shirt I’m trying to prototype as a pattern. This one here? is for sale. And it’s ON sale. And I posted it to Celebrate The Boy, which I just found out about (thanks, Medrie!).

So anyway, it kinda sucked because I had to take, and then wade through, like four hundred adorable pictures of my son. Nels is currently missing his top front teeth and his resultant lisp is TO DIE FOR. He was sad I told him I planned to (attempt to) sell the shirt, but when I reminded him it was for fundage for the Unschooling Conference he was all on board.

Check out the cute kid, and the cat who doesn’t give a fuck:

Nels’ friend isn’t jealous of the shirt, as far as I know, although this picture kind of makes it look like it.

You can read a few details about the shirt construction at the listing or check out the Flickr tagset. I don’t know how many of my readers are interested in these details, but I always like to share.

Speaking of sewing, I have several other items I haven’t yet photographed and uploaded, because I am hoping to no longer take flat photos but use children and/or (locally and handmade) forms. I’m discovering that I’d prefer those kind of displays rather than the flat-photography I’ve done in the past. Let’s hope I can make it work!

in other news

February 3, 2012

by kellyhogaboom dailies

Ralph went to bed a bit early; the kids and I stayed up. Phoenix and Nels are both very popular. Here Phoenie chats with her peeps.

She is so incredibly sweet.

Nels takes a picture of me, while we’re out doing our thing today. I think I kind of look like I should be wearing a power suit with shoulder pads.

I stopped by at Rosemary Cottage to get some pictures for my spiritual community’s website. Nels was new boot goofin a bit.

Dedication to the departed

Yeah, look around my house and you see a LOT of this sort of thing. I figure we’ve got good energy in the house.

Phoenix draws so many creations a day I’ve long given up doing anything other than now and then commemorating a few by snapshot or what-have-you. The kids have been up to some crafting (hence the yarn, pipe cleaners) from kits their grandma Betty sent them.

a little bit hopeful / a little bit cold

August 1, 2011

by kellyhogaboom dailies

Scenes from a tender, kid-friendly (and how!), environmentally-conscious, BahÃ¡â€™Ã wedding:

A walk in Hoquiam whereby we saw the Saddest Garage Sale Sign Ever, and met Mustache Cat:

A trip to Olympia with Nels; a bit of shopping, a shared meal, lots of walking, and a visit with friends:

I feel so incredibly fortunate not only to have Ralph an extra day of the week (he’s adjusted his work schedule for t he summer), but to enjoy this life more than I have previously. I no longer want to live as a walking dead, always plotting or scheming or planning or holding grudges or resentments or worries or – and this is the hardest one for me – fears. (So many Fears!).

I had a really hard day two days ago but I knew what I had to do, and I did it, and the next day was far better, and today was lovely – and serene.

Finally: today’s cat bullshittery. I wish I had the picture of when I tried to give the fourth (and not-pictured) cat, Harris, a light shower, just real quick (there was a reason, for reals!). Regardless to say he Kicked My Ass. No, he didn’t scratch me, but managed to knock me over and splash me with a quart of water off his filthy back. I technically accomplished my goal but he humiliated me. Here are some other Cat Moments:

“My coat is soft and lush. No you cannot touch it, Hardly Ever.”

IMPORTANT SLEEPINZ

Lonely Cat Iz Lonely for Lurve (Yes, she got it.)

Today? Was a Good Day.

snarpshots

July 5, 2011

by kellyhogaboom dailies

Fireworks in Aberdeen

What I Saw When I Came In At 4:30 AM The Other Night. The kids had put themselves to bed, as Ralph had fallen asleep before they. I love how each one bundled hirself up separately.

Ladies’ Night! We’ve been having a few of these. Phoenix loves them Times One Million. You know what’s good for kids, great role models. Like Jasmine and Amber who kick all kinds of ass and are the sweetest women besides.

I gave Harris a tasty dish of food. He staggered around a bit and then fell asleep like this. I found him because I was ready to take a shower. He stayed in with me there for a while.

Exactly one year ago: a trip to Elton Bennett Park here in Hoquiam.

the poetry of the earth is never dead

June 18, 2011

by kellyhogaboom dailies

My girl, in a tree, in Montesano.

By the way. It’s so fucking beautiful where I live.

I gave a girl named Patience, whom I’d never met before, a ride to her parents’, then a ride back into town. And while we waited at her folks’ place…

Cows were unimpressed.

Then, the four of us went out to our friends’ for lovely conversation, screwing about with saws and hammers in the woods. Snacks. And of course, a fire – and s’mores.

And here? Is your moment of… well, whatever you want it to be.

also, some typically mediocre mobile uploads

March 31, 2011

by kellyhogaboom dailies

(Nels y la espera por tacos)

“Gracias por la ayuda con la lengua,” I tell the fellow as he ducks back through the kitchen with my horchata. Good lord I hope that’s not a double entendre. He smiles and says “De nada”.

By the way, a few minutes after this exchange I was deeply involved with the Best Thing Ever, not just because hunger is the best sauce and I hadn’t eaten all day, but truly these tacos de tijuana (as I think they’re called) are so delicious tears forms in my eyes within the first few bites. They’re full of butter-sauteed shrimp, mozzarella, bacon, garlic, and (usually, but I skipped it) onion. The guacamole is tart with lime, fresh and creamy and with that perfect bite of raw onion (shhh… the only time I eat onion is fresh and on Mexican/South or Central American cuisine)! The horchata cold and sweet, the tomato firm and flavorful and sliced exactly as I would do if I were making it for my favorite ever grandma. Good lord. Just typing about it now I’m reliving it, and I’m only sad I can’t go right back and get another order.

A few minutes later and the boys and I are heading out, carrying a wrapped parcel for Phoenix, enchilada de pollo con todo el parte.

Recently: the weather has swerved back into rainy and grey and dismal (Surprisetown: Population Zero). I’m taking deep breaths at night to quell the anxiety (also: Percocet). Back to my one-day-at-a-time survival work. Finding “good enough” in my constant self-administered performance review, enjoying the lovely things I have in my life daily.

Which brings me to today’s Hogamoment of Zen: have I mentioned we have four cats? FOUR. Goddamned cats. Ralph spends roughly half his hours buying cat food and litter, also vacuuming. The cats help him out. By doing shit like this:

Oh, did you want a closer look?

SNAGGLE TOOTH FOOLISHNESS

Don’t worry. The other chair is being cared for too:

Seriously, kitties, no, please – try and relax. Just try, mmkay? We’re worried about you.

Team Mustache Dad

January 12, 2011

by kellyhogaboom dailies

I make an effort to write even when I’m busy. And I have been busy! The candy-making date with Amore on Monday went wonderfully. It’s snowed a bunch then it rained all away. Car-less I attempt to get out, go running, do my shopping. I cook food and more food and it all vanishes.

I’m working on a sew-intensive project and I’ve been missing my kids and I don’t want to be back in my sewing room SO I asked Ralph to put my sewing table in the living room so I could put on some “television” (Netflix through the computer) while I did my thing.

I can’t put on anything too good while I’m sewing or I get distracted; however if it’s no fun, what’s the point? So this time around I’ve been doing some serious camp!

Ralph and I are both huge Elvira fans. Sex-positive, quick-witted, corny, goofy – and some awesome one-liner double entendres, all in addition to her other obvious attributes. What’s not to like?

And then:

Not the funniest Mel Brooks comedy but one entirely adorable and served well by the straight-man slapstick of Leslie Nielsen. Speaking of which, I have yet to watch Forbidden Planet (1956) and given the recent demise of both Francis and Nielsen a memorial viewing seems entirely appropriate.

In other news, Ralph decided to shave the beard. OK, fine. I get it. He didn’t like its itchiness and maintenance and thought it made him look dirty. Now I thought he looked really handsome and mysterious and rugged but, OK. I even told him (truthfully) that the full beard gave him a less-bald appearance, the hair on jaw and chin compensating for thinning up above; I hoped his self-consciousness about his hairline might cast a more friendly light on the muttonchops. But he never liked the beard much and it was clear from the outset this ferocious display of hirsute manliness would be a short-lived, fleeting winter wonder.

So first he shaved down to a Zappa ala Phoenix’s request:

(Ha, I love how PISSED Harris looks. AS PER USUAL. Angry and obese, what a great cat.)

Nice enough, eh? Sinister but sexy.

But then. THEN. He went too far.

Yes. Really.

And finally – after 24 hours of the above abomination, tonight’s foulness – the meager and failed attempt at an iconic actor and persona.

And after he did this of course he wanted a kiss. GROSS.

I throw up my hands.

And – I’ve been writing in my One Line A Day Five Year Memory Book. And I’ve been writing my small stones. I have some saved for you.

Melted Snow
(Small Stone #10*)

Melted snow in my husband’s beard
Diamonds, icy cold
As he just steps back inside

Hush
(Small Stone #11*)

Low light
and very late night,
up until dawn sometimes.
You and me and you.
Our own world,
Quiet and new.

Repairs Needed
(Small Stone #12*)

We’ve lived without water pressure in our kitchen for a year and a half.
I miss the bold rush of hot water.

Small stone project