A couple weekends ago, the kids and I headed over to Caine's Arcade to check it out. If you weren't one of the kazillion people who saw the little movie that went viral, you must see it. So adorable. I think it appealed to us all for so many reasons -- with it's beauty, love, creativity and old-school simplicity. I think it was just what the doctor ordered in this time of tech craziness and, quite frankly, an overall time of global uneasiness.

I am part of a Meet-Up group of Hiking Photographers who put together outings (often hiking) but also of other interesting events around LA to check out and photograph. We were also able to photograph in the Auto Parts yard of Caine's Dad's business. Such a treat too!

I spoke with his Dad and they had just returned the night before from The Exploratorium in San Francisco. If you are ever in San Francisco, it's a must see. So this freak little viral movie got the attention of the interactive museum there who flew the entire family up to San Francisco and sent a truck to bring all Caine's Arcade there for a special showing! How cool is that?? He told me that Caine got a lifetime membership to the Exploratorium and they commissioned the original "claw machine" for permanent installation there (he made a new one for the Arcade in East LA -- we played it!).

So three cheers for Caine for bringing us this simple joy. Cheers for cardboard boxes and all their possibilities. Cheers for kids and free orange and grape sodas and bags of treats, labeled with a Sharpie instead of corporate logos. Thank you, Caine Monroy.




Open for business! We were the first ones to play that day and, duh, yes we bought a fun pass. :)

It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves. -Edmund Hillary

So I'm back in the blog and determined to keep a schedule! I had the idea of doing a kind of theme for different days and last night as I was lying in bed and pondering the week ahead, I got the idea to do a Monday post that would be things I found positive or inspiring to kick my week in the butt and get her goin'. So welcome to the first "Motivation Monday!"

I'm posting some pix from a trip I recently took to Sedona with my LA Bestie, Erica. We did a stealth trip, driving Thelma and Louise-style in my little Kia Soul from LA to Sedona for a 3-day whirlwind. We drove Thursday all day, climbed mountains and hiked all day Friday and drove home all day Saturday.

It was my first trip to Sedona and Erica's first trip there where she shared it with anyone else. She usually just picks up and heads out alone for climbing and spirit quest. I was lucky enough to have my own seasoned guide. And, after this past year, was ready for some spirit work, a good climb and to see some amazing beauty.

I only discovered hiking after moving out West from Chicago about 2 1/2 years ago. And it so very quickly has become pretty much my only workout and a great love in my life. I honestly couldn't have predicted how much I would love it. Whenever I feel unbalanced or blue, it is like a miracle drug for me.

So here's a little taste of our day. Breathtaking. When I was there, I thought "Man, God picks out good furniture!"

When I got to the top of Cathedral Rock and saw this view, I will admit that my exact quote was "Holy shit!"

Incredible! So "some say" that when you are near one of the energy vortex, that the trees are all twisted around. Apparently we were very near at this point (heading up Cathedral Rock)...

Happy Monday, everyone. I hope you have a fantastic week. Keep climbing. <3

Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring. --William Alexander

Hello there you poor abandoned blog! I'm back, at long last. I thought it appropriate to begin again at Easter and Spring, a time for renewal and forgiveness and cleansing and planting new seeds. I had to take the last year off to take some things apart, starting with my family (separated after 18 years) and then myself. So, uh, yeah, that happened.

It sent me on a journey I wasn't prepared to take. I wasn't ready. I had no idea what to pack. I didn't know where I was going or what to expect. I only knew that I had to go to try to find the place I've been looking for and you'll be happy to know I think I'm at least heading in the right direction. 

My bucket was full of a whole lot of broken parts and a bunch more that weren't working (but fixable). Dumped the whole damn thing out and been doing some serious sorting. It's been the hardest work I've ever done in my life and I am not done yet. But I've found some amazing good things in there that I am keeping, I've been blessed with new wonderful things and friends to add in and I made room for new wonderful things to come. I can't wait to see what they are going to be!

I know so many people who had a really tumultuous year last year. Like A LOT of people. Something is brewing and it's part of why I'm sharing this. I think the collective nervousness is shaking the ground we are standing on. So many can relate and so many folks are reassessing and retooling. With the economy and this crazy world we've created, I think we're all feeling a little shaky and unsure and trying to figure out maybe a new way to do things -- because the old way isn't really working so hot. The upside is that I also think that it's bringing people together in new ways and they are sharing their stories and their solutions and things that help them make it through. I see it on Facebook and all over the place -- more positive than negative. People reaching out to one another with photos and quotes and stories that give hope or just share beauty. Keep it coming everyone, we all need it and it's really spectacular.  

So now for my fun sharing part of the program! For Spring Break I had the kids all week and I declared my house "CAMP AWESOME" and did little fun things, colored eggs, watched lotsa movies and had a great snack supply. For Easter weekend, I thought of no better way to celebrate renewal than with my awesome amazing kids at our favorite spot by the Ocean, Pt. Dume, just north of Malibu. I thought I'd make my re-entrance by sharing our wonderful day. Enjoy. <3 Robyn

 

Happy New Year Everybody. I'm back at the editing helm next week and have lots to share. I hope your holidays were spectacular. It's gonna be a good year. I swear.

I am LOVING this Christmas with my kids! I did a lot less Holiday business this year as I am working on a couple larger projects (stay tuned!) and some grown-up/commercial work too. The combination of my kids being a little more independent and having a little less work stress than I usually do, has been pretty great.

I'm working hard at being fully present and savoring as much of this time in our lives as I can. A couple weeks ago I saw that there was a special Breakfast with Santa at the Grove (Mall in Los Angeles) and I heard it on good authority that this was the REAL Santa, not just one of his helpers in an ill-fitting suit with a fake beard and bad breath.

I wish I could blog my kids' excitement as we got ready that morning and headed in to the place. When he arrived, I have to tell you I felt a little nervous too. I don't think it was super well publicized (I found out about it on the web site) because there weren't many people there even though there was already a HUGE line in front of his Santa house, waiting for him to arrive. We had the best kept secret in Los Angeles!

So when it was our turn he spent lots of time with the kids and they got to give their lists and he even asked how our elves were doing. He was so sweet and gentle. Declan said his breath smelled like gumdrops. :)