Grounded: The Art of Looking Down (Part 15)

Standing on my patio with a rescued stray that would become my sister’s pet cat Amelia.

Walking in the woods near my sister’s house I stumbled upon raccoon tracks (above) and bear tracks (below).

Standing in the driveway of a prospective property while helping my friend look for an apartment.

Walking the streets of Rome.

Standing on the beautiful marble floor of The Pantheon, with the reflected light from the oculus.

Sitting in a lounge chair on the deck of the cruise ship around 1:00 am with my reflection, the moon in the top left, and the volcanic island of Stromboli visible between the gap in the glass.

Letting the tide wash over me at Kertos Beach on the island of Crete.

Enjoying The Mediterranean from our room on the ship.

Mom and I admiring the intricate marble floor of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Bursts of Coral

Trimaris Memorial Tourney 2024

At the end of May the SCA hosts the Trimaris Memorial Tourney. It was a wonderful day with friends as we celebrated Sergio’s last event before moving to Texas.

We showed our support for Dan (in yellow) as he greeted the king before the tournament began.

Myself, Daisy, Luca (Will), and Javier.

Myself, Giovanni (Ryan), and Ja’far (Sergio).

Dan in battle.

Daisy and Freyja (Sunny) making faces while Javier plays guitar.

Ja’far (Sergio) with a group of dancers.

Ja’far (Sergio), Luca (Will), Tiger, and Marcus (Max).

Ja’far (Sergio) and Emmanuel (Jeremiah) being the best dressed men at the event.

Myself with Luca (Will) and Ja’far (Sergio). Time Travelers on a quest for Gatorade.

Ja’far (Sergio) with a scroll made for him by Finnguala (Susan).

Freyja (Sunny), Luca (Will), Marcus (Max), Tiger, and Franco.

Ja’far (Sergio) and Luca (Will).

Ja’far (Sergio) and myself. Photo by Will Jacobs.

Before the fencing tournament began Ja’far (Sergio) presented me with a scholar’s collar. After he was honored with being elevated to The Order of Defense he saw fit to make one of his cadets a scholar, which signifies a student deepening their commitment on the journey to mastering the art of fencing. He asked the other three cadets whom they felt should be offered first, and they all said me. I was honored. I never in my life thought I would learn to fence, let alone be chosen to be someone’s cadet. And now, scholar. Ja’far (Sergio) had given me the same collar that was given to him in his journey, now with his badge in the center. 

Luca (Will), Ja’far (Sergio), and myself. Photo by Max McDougall.

Luca (Will), Ja’far (Sergio), and myself. Photo by Max McDougall.

Freyja (Sunny) and Ja’far (Sergio).

Tiger and Ja’far (Sergio).

Looming

I woke up from a nap to find Kobi and Jax looming over me; eager for some attention.

Bleeding-Heart Vine

Cutie Pie

My friend Judi’s daughter Shaylei is quite the happy baby with a delightfully expressive face to match.

Sycamore Leaf