in bright sunlight

I posed for Inspiration Monday to link with
  Two Birds Boutique.

That would be me in front of the art museum.

Today's inspiration is 

Jenna Dewan-Tatum. 

...As you get older, it's nice to think you might have contributed some small piece of wisdom or know-how to someone, somewhere along the line...
from book  Labor Day by Joyce Maynard

My mom made my earrings.

from book  Labor Day by Joyce Maynard 
...Until this moment, I hadn't understood, but now it came back to me, like a blast of cold air when you open the door in a snowstorm, 

My bracelets on my left.

or the heat from a five-hundred-degree oven when you open it back to check on-what else?- the pie.
It all came back to me... from book  Labor Day by Joyce Maynard

My purse and bracelet on my right.

from book  Labor Day by Joyce Maynard  
...What I have found is that a baby-though she doesn't know the words yet, or information, or the rules of life- is the most reliable judge of feelings.

My blouse is thrifted.

from book  Labor Day by Joyce Maynard
All a baby has which to take in the world are her five senses. 

My shoes are thrifted.

Hold her, sing to her, show her the night sky or a quivering leaf, or a bug.
 from book  Labor Day by Joyce Maynard

Those are the ways-the only ways-she learns about the world- whether it is a safe and loving place, or a harsh one...

from book  Labor Day by Joyce Maynard

from book  Labor Day by Joyce Maynard
What she will register, at least, will be the fact that she is not alone. And it has been my experience that when  you do this-slow down, pay attention, follow the simple instincts of love- a person is likely to respond favorably.

Labor Day by Joyce Maynard

It is generally true of babies, and most people too, perhaps. Also dogs. Hamsters even. And people so damaged by life in the world that there might seem no hope for them, only there may be...
from book  Labor Day by Joyce Maynard