Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday's Reflection

It's getting time to start camping again. For me, being alone in the forest with my family is the best part. I love watching the kids cook hotdogs and burn marshmellows. The fire pit is the central part of any good camping trip. We gather around it to eat, of course to cook, but also at night just to talk. What would a trip be without a crackling fire?

I spend a lot of time photographing the fire. The images it forms always tell a story. If you look at this one, it's obvious that a dragon was near by. Can you see the image in the flames? He's leaning back his head and breathing fire. What do you see in the fire? Is it the dragon I see?

The Green Lantern

As a special treat, we went to eat at Red Lobster and then went to the movies yesterday to celebrate Fathers' Day and my birthday. My parents and brother Todd met us at the resteraunt, then they went home. Arielle went, too. She wasn't interested in the movie. We thought The Green Lantern looked pretty good, but boy were we wrong! It was a disaster. I literally fell asleep during the movie. We rarely go to the movies because it costs a fortune to get in and get a popcorn and cup of Coca Cola to share.

We thought Ryan Reynolds could pull it off, but he just wasn't meant to be a super hero. I can't find words low enough to describe how bad the movie was. There were a few laughs in it, but they were few and far between. If you're a super hero fan, wait til it comes out on DVD and borrow it from the library. It's not worth $10 a ticket to see. :( Now I have to wait til July 15 for the final Harry Potter movie. That will be worth the price to get in. Then the real wait begins for the final two Twilight: Breaking Dawn movies and The Hobbit!! :)

Wordless Wednesday

Thank you, Elizabeth!!!

I was catching up on my favorite blogs and saw where Elizabeth at Six Golden Coins ( http://sixgoldencoins.blogspot.com/) posted about lavendar-scented yoga eye pillows. I mentioned how much I would like one for my many hospital visits.

Not long after that comment, I found a package in my mailbox. It was one of the hand made pillows as well as several other goodies from Elizabeth. It was a bad day for me, one where moving was almost more than I could do. I started crying, of course. This wonderful woman has never met me and out of the blue, she sends me a care package that made my entire month!

She included a beautiful hand made journal. I'm using it as my pain journal. Our regular doctor suggested I keep one. He says there's nothing left for him to do for me, so this is as good as my life is going to get.

I can't thank you enough, Elizabeth! You have truly made my month and I will think of you and your kindness every time I use the pillow, journal or other goodies!

Happy 19th Birthday, Arielle!!!!

Happy Birthday, Arielle!!!

19 years ago today, I was given the greatest gift (until my second greatest gift arrived 2 1/2 years later) when my daughter Arielle was born. I've talked about her quite a bit recently since she graduated from high school last week and will soon be off to college.

Arriving at a bit under 7 pounds, she made up for her pint size body with killer blue eyes and the most beautiful face I'd ever seen. She was an emergency C-section. She was late, but when she decided it was time to make her grand entrance into the world, she was in a hurry to arrive.

My life changed in ways I can't ever explain to someone who hasn't experienced the joy and heartache being a mother can be. I'd never want anything else. I'll never stop worrying about her, but I'm as ready as I can be to let her try her wings.

Now I turn the reigns over to my girl. Look out world, here she comes!

Camera Critters #165

When we were coming home from the flea market yesterday, we saw this pretty bird waiting on our porch. Guess he knew I needed a model for today's Camera Critters?

For more of the best animal photographs from around the globe, stop over to Camera Critters' central at http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/

Skywatch Friday, Season 4, Episode 47

Time for the weekly Skywatch Friday meme and my entry for the week is a shot I took of Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. I took the shot while we were on a Duck Boat Tour earlier this week. If you're in the City and have an hour, this is one of the best tours around! No, I'm not a Duckboat spokeswoman (Quack Quack Quack) and they aren't compensating me in any way, I just truly enjoyed the trip.

If you want to see more of the best sky shots in the world, stop by Skywatch Friday central at http://www.skyley.blogspot.com/

Another page in the Book of Life has Turned

My beautiful 18-year old daughter Arielle has made another step in life when she graduated from high school over the weekend. Yes, the tears were there, but I was so proud to see this gorgeous, confident girl walk across the stage to recieve her diploma. School was never easy and the School District made it harder than necessary many times, but that is all let go now. She's free! She received that diploma that is so important in life.

Randy and I sat in the front row with the other reporters and professional photographers that were hired to document the event. That's one nice part of my job, a shiny press pass! :) Trevor and Todd sat together and filmed the event. My parents and aunt were further back. Randy's mother had fallen earlier in the month and she was in the nursing home and unable to attend. Sadly, his brother and sister-in-law weren't interested in attending.


I've talked about her many times over the years I've written in this blog. She's been my best friend since birth. We look so much alike, people mistake us for each other. Thanks to Austin Powers, I have a response, "Yes, I cloned her! I call her 'Mini Me!!'"

I homeschooled her for several years and we enjoyed trips to Gettysburg, New Hampshire, Salem, Harrisburg, etc.... as part of her education. She has chosen to become a massage therapist. She made that decision because of my health issues and her grandmother's many health issues. She has chosen to devote her life to helping ease the suffering of others because of what she sees on a daily basis. That shows the heart my girl has.

Following the ceremony, we went out to eat with Trevor, my parents, brother Todd and aunt Judy who came to attend the event. She never misses one of my kids events. It wouldn't be right to have her not be there.


I want to congratulate all the graduates of the Class of 2011!!! You've worked hard and deserve to enjoy your summer before you head off to college, the armed forces, getting married or joining the work force. Don't forget your parents. They were there through the good and bad. Those all night final cramming sessions or 5th grade science projects wouldn't have been done without them. Make sure to give them a thank you as well.

We'll have a large party for her later this summer when her grandmother is able to attend. We'll combine it with her birthday and going away party and her cousin Jessamy's graduation as well. One big, loving family always. :)