Smithers-Greene

Strange but true: J.J. loves to lick master’s wet legs after a shower.

Originally uploaded by danielgreene.

Yes, we don’t know how it happened or why it happened — there’s water in his water bowl! — but our J.J. has gotten into the habit of licking our wet legs after we shower. Heck, he even sticks his snout into the shower while we’re in it and licks the bathtub. But when either of us steps out of the shower — or even while we stand in it and dry off — he licks the water off our legs. Now, I know there are bound to be some people who think we shouldn’t let him do this, but we think it’s harmless and sweet.

Bearded Iris 1

Originally uploaded by danielgreene.

May this flower bring you a sense of the love and serenity you bring to me.

Look for the love in their eyes., originally uploaded by danielgreene.

When I took this photo of my husband Andy at a party we went to, he obligingly posed for me. I was trying to get in some practice with indoor flash photography.

Then I got home and saw the image on the computer, and I saw the love.

If I ever need a reminder of how much he loves me, all I have to do is look at this photo, and there’s the love. And when I look at a photo of my husband, it reminds me just how much I love him, too. There is something about a photograph that captures a moment and allows you to gaze at it long enough to see things or feel things that maybe we don’t take the time to see or feel when we’re going about our daily lives. Don’t get me wrong; I’m constantly reminded of how much we love each other. It’s just that a photograph is like undeniable evidence of that love and lovability, frozen in time… do you know what I mean?

I don’t have a photograph of my late grandmother looking at me like this, but I have a vivid memory of her looking deep into my eyes, penetratingly, holding my hand firmly in hers, and saying to me, serious-as-cancer, "You know I love you very much." I will never forget that. As long as I live, I will never forget how much she loved me. I saw the love in her eyes.

If you don’t have a photograph of someone who loves you, look for the love in their eyes. And don’t you forget it!

Holding Him in the Morning, originally uploaded by danielgreene.

I don’t know whether this photo quite captures the moment, but it struck me as such a moment of love and peace as I saw my hand resting on Andy’s shoulder and the morning light seeping through the sheers. I got out of bed, got my camera, crawled back into bed to resume my position, and shot this photo to help me remember the moment.

Andy received a link to this YouTube video this morning, and I was so happy to see it. Our friends who got married last weekend are going to adopt, and Andy and I have talked about it. Here’s to all those kids who have two fathers, and to all those male couples with children! A marvelous Dutch video with English subtitles: