fatheratfifty

facing fatherhood at midlife

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The Afternoon Oil on Canvas Lindsay Hand

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I often feel like a soothsayer when I change a poopy diaper. It's as if I'm looking for some kind of portent of how the day will progress. Or if I simply have to feed Stella some peaches.

[fatheratfifty]

lindsayhand.com

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Bunnies and Balloons

Unbearably hot today but Stella and I ventured out to a kids arts festival. She adores Mascots ( people dressed in animal costumes) and encountered a big bunny who she became obsessed with finding throughout the afternoon. Then it was getting her hands on a balloon. All the other kids seemed to have one.

We saw the bunny a number of times. A big hug each encounter. We also tracked down a balloon. A pink one.

She fell asleep on the way home. Balloon in hand.

She just drifted off to sleep, finally, hugging her pink bunny blanket and the balloon within reaching distance.

Stella teaches me so much about surrendering my own thoughts. My ego. Today was about bunnies and balloons. It was a good day.

[unconditionedconsciousness]

It may be that when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work, and when we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey.

Wendell Berry (via unconditionedconsciousness)

[coolnessgraphed]

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La Famiglia Oil on Canvas Drew LiVigni

[lindsayhand]

Finishing up for October show

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Another painting by my beautiful and talented wife, Lindsay Hand.

Patty Cake Oil on panel lindsayhand.com

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Still life of Lambretta by Lindsay Hand lindsayhand.com

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Stella came into our room in the middle of the night for the first time since turning her crib into a toddler bed. It was about 3 in the morning. My wife heard the pitter patter of her feet coming down the hallway and nudged me as she sidled up to our bed. It was both sweet and disarming to realize my little girl is growing up. She’s almost two. The upside is that I don’t have to even get out if bed now and comfort or carry her back to our bed.

Now I just need her to figure out how to bring me my coffee.

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Run, Stella, Run!

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Big Hug!