The constant. But without a bench or chair or comfortable viewing zone.

Dear 27,

Des Moines felt like home when I found the Rothko. Felt more like home as soon as I found someone to understand and appreciate it. To admire it with another was quite lovely and personal. I do believe it's perfect. And that this painting alone reminded me why art is relevant and controversial and unkind. And it is both moving and makes me feel uneasy. It is curious and terrifically beautiful and vague.

I fell in love with Rothko and Des Moines simultaneously.

I know this canvas' secrets, lines, colors and edges. I have studied it, studied by it and been captivated by it. I missed it's shape and shades.

So today we meet again. (and discretely in front of the new guard I took a blackberry photo.)

xo-LP

Testing. Testing. 1. 2. 3.

Dear 27,
I'm sick of doctors. And weird ambiguous tests for "something." And of googling medical issues. Oh and needles. Definitely sick of those.

Everything's fine. And I got a souvenir.
xo-LP

**Additional note-- so far it's nothing super awful. The super awful tests came back with an A-OK. Now it's just annoying. But so far-- no more tests and needles. Just waiting. That's all very good news.**

In an effort to at least listen to summer.

Dear 27,

It will be AUGUST next week. And I haven't celebrated much of summer. I have a few weeks left, better hop to it!

-Farmers Market

-Swimming Pools

-Finally see Gray's Lake

-Outdoor Festivities at Mi Casa

-Roasted Beet Salad

-And if I'm lucky- A boat ride

xo-LP

Sweet Home.

Dear 27,
It was a getaway.





(Hi Jen and Jake and Kath.)
xo-LP

Oooh you like to think that you're immune to this stuff

Dear 27,

Oh yeah.

Here's to a good weekend and good news.

xo-LP

It's really a twelve step program.

Dear 27,

Fake it til you make it.

xo-LP

You wood.

Dear 27,

"What a difference a year makes," to quote my friend. Life is in a totally new place since last July. People and places and words and music and art-- all of it has changed.

I feel quite lucky to have all of the above in my world.

You would make my life more interesting.

Didn't know it then, but now--

I think that I feel more alive than ever.

xo-LP

ps- this is actually a wood postcard. Night Owl Paper Goods makes them. Drawing is by me, LP, but the thinly sliced wooded card is courtesy of Night Owl.

"My Love for you I could never hide"

Dear 27,

Perfect for Monday. And yes. You're right.
xo-LP

I'm gonna have some conversations too here eventually.

Dear 27,

Movie night. At The Fleur.

Any movie with Edward Sharpe playing in the preview gets my attention. And this one lived up to it's trailer track.

(my apologies for the ill-fitting youtube video.)

Honest. Funny. Charming. Vulnerable. Awkward. Smart.

(All words I hope to relate to and all words that accurately describe said flick.)

I'd say Cyrus is a must see.

I'm searching like a nut for the soundtrack. Two songs specifically.

Will add them to the mix soon.

Thanks for the invite.

xo-LP

I met a man made of solid gold.

Dear 27,

My friend Ashley celebrated the big 2-6 in Kansas City with her fam and invited Jo and I to tag along for the weekend. There were many photo opportunities for me, which Jo and Ashley know I love and still hang out with me despite that fact.

A man made of gold. Or a man in front of a liquor store.

3 instrument playing frogs. And a ghost.

Bubbles. And a cross eyed Laura.

Boulevard Brewery. Birthday Cupcakes. Dancing with Grandma.

Happy Birthday Ashley. Thrills. That's what 2-6 will bring. You just wait.

xo-LP

Everybody Dim Sum tonight.

Dear 27,

Tonight was perfect. Thanks friend. Dim Sum and my new found foodie pals. Perfect.

I fell in love with Des Moines tonight. Again.

xo-LP

I just can't get enough.

Dear 27,

I just can't get enough. Of these.

xo-LP

An even better better side.

Dear 27,

I cannot stop singing this. On repeat.

Band of Horses wrote a terribly beautiful and heartbreaking, full, bold and totally rad song...

Cee-Lo made it even more compelling.

Both are worth a listen. Both are best played at heightened volume.

Listen to Cee-Lo via Pitchfork.

(Please note the video attached to the song is a bit risque. You were fully warned.)

(This song elicits this type of response. It's like Bieber Fever, but not really at all.)

xo-LP

"It's my better side of you to admire"

Dear 27,

The first pick-six tracks of the week.

I think you'll be pleased.

xo-LP

Home of the Replacements. Not to be confused with the Rembrandts.

Dear 27,

Went back to Minnesota this week. Not quite the same fun level as my last trip (missed you friend)...but saw the sights and spun around in my new dress. Booyah.

(this last one is just odd. Instead of ground level or basement, it's -1)

Click the photos to get more info on them.

xo-LP

Chaos Emerald.

Dear 27,

A hacked x-box complete with Sonic the Hedgehog and Bubble Bobble

(yes Jen- you read that right)

+ Karen Brady

+ an entertaining bartender Eric

+ a parade of people I know but wasn't expecting to see

+ 90's music

+ Belgian beer

= a pretty bizarrely awesome late night adventure

xo-LP

Laura.

Dear 27,
I adore this song. And Mates of State made it better.
Listen here.

(And yes, even 1989 Laura would enjoy it.)

xo- LP

Who still eats crackerjacks?

Dear 27,

My first I-Cubs game of the season. And what a lovely night.

See photographic evidence:

xo-LP

That was surely the heavy.

Dear 27,

Day 2 of the music fest (80/35 brought to my fair city by the folks of DMMC) brought rain and the Walkmen and the Heavy and many more missed connections...

And no fireworks.

xo-LP

Goodnight Laura. Not your best work. But I like it.

Dear 27,

Thanks to a pretty awesome and totally generous friend (thank you thank you thank you!!) I got an all access pass for Des Moines' own 80/35... and it rocked!

Met lots of new people, including my new friend, Britt Daniel.

Wrote a missed connection with my beloved Art Noir:

And got to see SPOON preform from backstage....

Oh 27, this was one of your greatest nights to date. In a big way.

xo-LP