Today was Atticus’ first day of “kindergarten readiness camp,” and he loved it!
I pray that every one of his school days will be at least half as successful. 
Atticus Starts School
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The Old Register Building
If I saw this old stone entrance in any other city, I’d be wowed.
Look at those columns! Worn down, yes, and the metal rails aren’t that attractive, but still…
Here in my hometown, however, I usually just walk right by, if I’m even over in that part of downtown.
How many other things around me am I not appreciating, places and people alike?
Lord, help me to be open to my surroundings, to see the beauty in everything and everyone around me.
Refresh Your Car!
We don’t usually do product endorsements, but these air freshener vent sticks by Refresh Your Car are just that good. 
I bought a multi-pack of this dual scent, Alpine Meadow/Summer Breeze, at WalMart last spring, and I just started the last one this past week. Not bad!
It’s much less obtrusive than most air fresheners because it’s out of the way. As you can see, all but the end of the stick is inserted into the vent.
And even though they’re most powerful when the vents are working, they effectively deliver a scent all the time.
I’m not sure how much I paid for them, and Walmart’s website doesn’t list prices. But on
Amazon
Old House … Spot the Hippie Dude
You know that thing you can do with your eyes kinda blurry, that thing where your eyes make images from blobs and colors? (Sorta like our eyes do with the objects around us that in actuality have a much less distinct form than we perceive.)
The thing that guy in Mallrats stood around all day in front of that picture trying to do. It was supposed to be a sailboat…
Well, I don’t know why, but my eyes always do that without any trying whatsoever. Wood grains in paneling. Strings. Scattered leaves. Clouds. Landscapes. Lighting fixtures. Hooks on the backs of doors.
Seriously.
For this reason, I will most certainly not miss our bedroom wallpaper in our old house.
I don’t mind the color. It’s a mossy green.
I think it’s supposed to be an impressionistic grape leaf design?
But the images I can’t help but see are so — I can’t think of a better word than — yuck that I have to force myself not to look.
They’re like demonic Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls or something. Their eyes are big and round, darkened in a wide-open stare. #shudder
A couple of places, the design forms a much better, more interesting image, though. It looks like an old hippie guy with a funny hat on his elongated head and a goatee.
See if you can spot him.
Driveway Tree
When you pay $200 a month for lawn care, you don’t expect to have a tree growing in the middle of your driveway.
They park the truck in the same exact spot every time. You guessed it; right on top of the tree.
Jesus vs. Headless Sandman
His current headless state must be the only reason Sandman could have possibly been dumb enough to go up against Jesus.
Seriously, though, they look like they’re about to hug. That would make Mom much happier.
Lucas’ Comic: The Evil King >:
Introducing Lucas’ new comic called “The Evil King”!
It’s about a knight who goes in search of an evil king and chops his head off. (A little gory, yes. :()
Here is Lucas telling the story of the comic:
[audio:2011-06-20-lucas-evil-king-comic.mp3|loop=no]With this awesome work, he inspired his little brother Atticus to create a comic, too.
Atticus’ Comic: The World of Yours
Introducing Atticus’ new comic called “The World of Yours”!
It’s about a boy named Lucas who goes on an adventure to lots of places and sees lots of animals and other things along the way.
Here is Atticus telling the story of the comic:
[audio:2011-06-20-atticus-world-of-yours-comic.mp3|loop=no]And here is his song about the comic:
[audio:2011-06-20-atticus-world-of-yours-song.mp3|loop=no]Atticus was inspired to create this comic by his big brother Lucas’ comic, “The Evil King.”
He tells me he is already at work on many other songs for this comic, so I’ll be able to add them as we record them. (He is actually singing one of them as I type.
Pink & Purple Flower Art
Coloring with the kids.
Crayola markers on card stock.
Lucas insisted that I cut it out and paraded around with it, proclaiming his mommy is an artist. I tried to shrug it off, but he insisted. I was thankful.
New House … Deck Art!
This is one of the most unusual features of our new home.
I’m not sure if the deck was built around the actual tree or just the retained tree stump, but I like to imagine the former and wish it were still so. Can you imagine the shade? We wouldn’t even need to invest in an umbrella.
It reminds me of Odysseus’ bed, with a great olive tree for a post.
The trunk is slowly deteriorating. Mushrooms are growing up its side. I’m not sure if that’s weeds or new growth sprouting there.
But still, it speaks to me.
You can see more of the deck from the other side here and pictures of the den here.