Snowing Again

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." Anne Bradstreet

Miscellany

Can you tell one of my New Year resolutions is to blog more? Not really. I don't make New Year's Resolutions; I don't keep most of them anyway. I mean, I have stopped smoking - 4 years now. And lost weight, gained some, and lost some and so it goes. But I have not done it as a result of the New Year. Too much going on anyway. It's the birthday month for me, my fiance, my daughter - all within 6 days!

I even opened an account on Facebook. I always thought it was for the young'uns - my kids have profiles. Guess my generation is using it as well - as a social, business, and entrepreneurship.

I came across a profile entitled, You Know you are From Boston. People have contributed all the truism and anecdotes of Bostonians. Girasoli's article on her blog, see here (http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/girasoli/) about grocery store traffic and hoarding for a snowstorm with a reference in the noted article of 'the running of the brides at Filene's'reminded me once again about the nuances of Beantown. Priceless.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=837235640&ref=name#/group.php?gid=2204567195

A First in 2008

Maybe it's the end of 2008 but it's a first for me - photo accepted into a photography contest in a Boston paper. I'm sure my skill can't be compared to some of the submissions by some of the professional photographers. And, I have been asked to sell the jpeg! Need to now research what that entails. An unexpected delight - aren't those fun?

PhotoHunt: Squeaky

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, my fellow bloggers!

Sorry I can't be more creative than 'the squeaky wheel gets the grease'. I think I am in a food coma from this past week of celebrations.

These photos were taken this past summer at the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC), the largest cycling and fund raising effort countrywide for cancer research.

Let It Snow!

It's been snowing for 40 hours here in Boston. This winter wonderland began Friday. It's Sunday and still going strong! I have been a slacker and still didn't have all my falling leaves raked...

Yawkey Way Banners - Red Sox

Here are some more photos:

PhotoHunt: Wide

Two entries to this week's Hunt. First one, Open Wide, is of Lilly, who is unwittingly becoming a blog star. She is actually yawning - altho she does look quite vicious here. She was waking up from a sun nap - her favorite spot on cool days is laying in the sun, watching her world go by through the glass door. This was taken last fall.

The second photo was taken on Tantalus Drive in Honolulu earlier in the year. I was attempting to get a landscape shot of Waikiki with Diamond Head in the distance and the beautiful lushness of this part of Oahu.

BoSox Fans Present

Going through my photofiles, I found these shots I had of Fenway (and my fav, Pedro). I loved to watch him pitch. Some of these are now 'out of date'!

In Boston today, we are in the midst of a snow storm so I thought I'd share some pleasant memories:

That's a wrap

I wrapped presents today -- and my cat, Lilly, helped. This is how she appeared after sticking her head in a bag of bows and baubles ... Fa la la la ...

PhotoHunt: Favorite

The essence of the word leaves me in a quandry - favorite? I have tons. But, i just recently succumbed to the idea of a photobook for my two kids. And scanned an old Christmas photo for its inclusion in this gift. So, here is my favorite - apropos for the holiday season.

I like this photo because even to this day, almost 20 year later, there is still a closeness between the two of them.

Fa-La-La-La-Laing all the way

Yesterday I took the day off for Ty and me to Christmas shop. Can I tell you he's not good at keeping secrets? We split up to do individual shopping and returned at the designated waiting spot. He tells me he's been to Crate and Barrel and purchased the item I was looking at the other night. Dah?! So, I know he's got me a wine cradle - many mahalos - he's sweet, I know - and then he asks me to open it up when I get home so we can put all the wine bottles in it. Already?
I asked him to promise NOT to tell me if he was going to buy me presents!

I guess we are both excited that it has taken over 20 years for us to be celebrating Christmas together again. So, we fa-la-la'ed all the rest of the day shopping. And tonight -- forecast is snow! Now, this Hawaiian is very excited -- (I'll let him savor that feeling because I'm sure come the end of December, he won't be sooo estatic.)

PS: He can't understand why I asked him to wrap the box (empty and all) and place it under the Christmas tree? Go figure.

PhotoHunt: Breakfast

Ohh, I had a steady diet of this for breakfast AND lunch for 13 days during one trip to France and Italy....and still my stomach is wanting more...

We can all act like neighbors

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;The calf and the young lion shall browse together,with a little child to guide them.The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,together their young shall rest;the lion shall eat hay like the ox.The baby shall play by the cobra’s den,and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea. Is 11:1-10

PhotoHunt: Metal

OK-I'm cheating - it's not really Saturday, it's Friday (at least I think it is - problem with long holiday weekends - not complaining tho) 8 PM EST.

This is taken from the Pan Mass Challenge cycled every summer by survivors and contributors to the Jimmy Fund (a local Boston charity whose focus is 'fighting' cancer). It's actually a photo of the spoke of my friend's bike. She has been cancer-free for 3 years and has become an inspirational voice for many dealing with this disease.

So, my contribution to 'metal' .. both in spirit and in physicality.

PhotoHunt: Reflections

Taken at Falmouth Harbor while awaiting a trip to the Vineyard.

Dance like there is no tomorrow ...

Dance, when you're broken open.
Dance, if you've torn the bandage off.
Dance in the middle of the fighting.
Dance in your blood.
Dance, when you're perfectly free.
-Rumi

PhotoHunt: Ruin(ed)

.. as in having your sand castle ruined by a wave. These twins didn't seem to mind..would you? It was a sunny, warm, picture-perfect day in Kauai in July....

Thanks, Girasoli

Found this link: http://beatofhawaii.com/

On G's blog:

http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/girasoli/2008/11/two_hawaii_blogs.html

The Grand Wailea is probably my second love of Hawaii (!) -- If you ever have a chance to visit this property, please do so. Not sure which is best - the art, the sculpture, the scenery, the chapel, the warm aloha greetings, the drinks at the open air bar, the food .... all 'shaka'!

This is just one of the many beautiful stained glass windows in the wedding chapel which is located in an opening on the property. The windows are naturally backlit by the sun's reflection off the ocean's water. Just breathtaking.

If you walk toward Him, He comes to you running.
~Muhammad

PhotoHunt: Together

This photo was taken during a family reunion two years ago, July 4. One hand belongs to my son, who is meeting his second cousin, Aiden, for the first time since Aiden's birth eight years ago.

Family get-togethers are a blessing!

A comforting thought for a dismal Thursday

We must remember that liberation is costly.
It needs unity.
We must hold hands and refuse to be divided.
Let us be united, let us be filled with hope,
let us be those who respect one another.
~Desmond Tutu

Obama Wins!

"So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole world."
-baha'a'lluah

Photo Hunt: Blue

Ok-Sorry seems to be a common word on this blog. Sorry, that I'm late once again posting my Photo Hunt photo. May be Verizon will be more on top of things :!

Anyway, my blue photo is a typical flower from a common bush at Cape Cod - the hydrangea. There are many types of hydrangea - and many colors depending on the acidity of the soil. Sometimes people say that the salt air becomes factor in coloration -but scientifically, not so sad to say.

This past summer I was treating the soil around one hydrangea to change the colors from a vibrant pink to a purplish-blue. My niece's son was assisting me by ranking the soil. He asked if adding acid to the soil would change any flower - not just a hydrangea. Of course, with my teacher's training, I insisted he use the inquiry and experiment method - to find out for himself. ... So Tim -- what do you say?

Finally, I'm back with DSL! Because I missed Saturday's PhotoHunt, I thought I'd post a photo that I serendipitously captured two summers ago at a Cancer Walk. This is my friend's brother-in-law (does he resemble someone?) and her neice.

"Sooner or later we begin to understand that love is more than verses on valentines and romance in the movies. We begin to know that love is here and now, real and true, the most important thing in our lives. For love is the creator of our favourite memories and the foundation of our fondest dreams. Love is a promise that is always kept, a fortune that can never be spent, a seed that can flourish in even the most unlikely of places. And this radiance that never fades, this mysterious and magical joy, is the greatest treasure of all - one known only by those who love." -~Author Unknown

Don't be a nonvoter

I WISH I could get this link to upload so it would be automatic. Sorry, but it's worth the effort to click on the link:
http://www.cnnbcvideo.com/index.html?nid=Z.ZIjOZIlAginQ.8APbPqDcxMzY4&id=

PhotoHunt:Scary

Sorry for not posting this week - having problems with DSL at home and still not up and working. And, I was hoping to feature Lilly, my adopted kitten...
Promise to be back into the hunt for photos next week, tho!

Never say Die -- Comeback Kids

Did I say I went to bed early and missed this great comeback? Did I say I was shrieking at my TV this morning to learn we are still alive? Did I say - you gotta believe?!

The suspense of this Red Sox team is getting my blood pressure up there - but it's all a good thing - yes, it's so good, so good ....

PhotoHunt:Family

Any one in education knows, you are a part of one big family -- some times that's good, and some times that's bad! And, like families - we take it all - the good, the bad and the ugly...

"Youth is an organic intoxicant and stimulant. Just from being young, you already have a few shots in you."
J. R. Moehringer

To All My Friends and Loves: "I wish you enough"

'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations.'

I wi sh you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive & everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

'When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.'

I Will Meet You Yet Again

Mein tainu pher milan gi

I will meet you yet again. How and where? I know not. Perhaps I will become a figment of your imagination and maybe, spreading myself in a mysterious line on your canvas. I will keep gazing at you.

Perhaps I will become a ray of sunshine, to be embraced by your colours.I will paint myself on your canvas. I know not how and where –but I will meet you for sure.

Maybe I will turn into a spring and rub the foaming drops of water on your body, and rest my coolness on your burning chest.I know nothing else but that this life will walk along with me.
When the body perishes, all perishes; but the threads of memory are woven with enduring specks.
I will pick these particles, weave the threads, and I will meet you yet again.
—-Amrita Pritam.

Game 1 - Sox

Dice K for president!

PhotoHunt: Lazy

Hi all: Posting early to start a long holiday weekend.

Lazy, Hazy days of Summer - Hawaiian Style

Took this last year on Kauai's North Shore - I think this is Haena Beach.

Et Tu, Brute?

Yup, I was one who studied Latin and loved it! Unfortunately, after 4 years I realized I could really not do too much with a seemingly irrelevant language so I dropped it. Many years later, of course, realizing the benefit in assisting in emergency situations (while traveling and not knowing Italian) to have this Latin base and pull from a dimly-lit memory!

Now, come to find out – it’s ‘hip’ again to be square!


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/nyregion/07latin.html?em

Who knew?

Wow! Glad I’m working in an appropriate career based on my astrological sign! And my office works with students to do an in-depth analysis of what they want to do, what the need is, and how their choice will affect their world and humanity. Who knew – all you had to do was check your astrological sign!

» Capricorn: Workhorses. Practical, conservative and utterly responsible. They are in design, nursing, science, IT, sales, farming and food preparation. They should be administrators.

This is based on an article written by Dana Husinger of the Indy Times and taken from Career Builders. See http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080917/BUSINESS08/809170326/1045/BUSINESS08

so good, so good, so good

So good -- So good -- So good..
Envision yourself at Fenway, singing Sweet Caroline! Ya baby! Sox win! Sox win! Sox win! Jason Bay has been a welcomed addition. Oh, to have a Sox vs. Dodgers playoff ..... envision, envision.

PhotoHunt: Sad

I took this photo while on the Cape this past summer visiting the
cemetery next to one of the oldest churches in Woods Hole. It was
actually taken over the 4th of July weekend. A few of us had attended
a classical concert at the church the evening before.

Wings and Roots and all those other things …

I have finally come to terms with the fact that daughter has indeed moved out and there’s a high probability that her room is not going to be ‘her’ room anymore – she’s been gone for 3 years.

Well, I first came to that reality last June when my fiancé moved in and set up this room as his private haven. And, I guess after being in NYC for three years and now living together with her boyfriend, it’s a fact that my daughter identifies herself as a New Yorker (but still a Red Sox fan in ‘enemy’ territory).

So, last weekend I packed the remnants of her prior life in boxes – photos, yearbooks, prom gowns, journals. Among the items was a family history done by one of my sisters almost ten years ago, as a written history to be passed to the younger generation in the family. In thumbing through it, I was reminded at the enormity of the task and amazed at the precise care given to writing about historical facts and ancestors.

As mentioned before, my ancestors came from Avellino. To be exact, my dad’s parents were from Parolise and Candida; my mom’s from Rocco San Felicia. Coming from Italy to New York (and eventually to Boston) in 1898 and 1900 respectively.

One of our generations will get to visit these areas. I’ve been close ….

Sorry all you Angels fans (and Mets)

Game 1 - SOX!

Quote for a lazy midweek day..Wednesday

Sometimes I think I understand everything, and then I regain consciousness.

Meme: Have you ever

OK-I'll play . Not sure WHY but looks like fun - you may change your mind about me after reading this:-)

have you ever...

1. gone on a blind date? Yes, once and only once.
2. skipped school? Yes, OK this is a prelude the rest of this meme as I was a rebellious teenager.
3. been on the opposite side of your country? Well - this is pretty much a quote taken from Girasoli's blog at http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/girasoli/
"Yes. I grew up in Massachusetts and now live in Hawaii. That is pretty much as opposite as you can get." Please change 'now live' to 'lived'
4. swam in the ocean? The ocean runs in my veins.
5. had your booze taken away by the cops? Yes and he turned out to be a former neighbor of my family.
6. lettered in a high school sport? No. Com'n-I went to a Catholic all-girl's high school in the 60s --the only sport was basketball or cheerleading. I'm too short for basketball - was a cheerleader for one year before I got bored by it all.
7. cried yourself to sleep? Yes-unfortunately, many times.
8. played a musical instrument? Yes, piano and a brief stint with an acoustic guitar.
9. sung karaoke? Nope. Singing in the shower only or with Ty to the oldies while driving.
10. cheated on an exam? Not that I can remember.
11. played spin-the-bottle? For sure.
12. laughed until some sort of beverage came out of your nose? Probably.
13. watched the sun rise with someone you care about? Yes.
14. ever been arrested? Nope.
15. gone ice skating? Yes, many times.
16. been skinny dipping? Yes, many times.
17. been on television? Yes, when I was young-Rex Trailer.
18. thrown up in front of a date? Yes.


Credit http://chartroose.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/have-you-evera-meme-for-lazy-loggers-like-me/ for her creativity in thinking this one !

PhotoHunt: View

If I'm breaking any rules, it's not intentional. I'm just too tired from a week of busyness to make a decision. So, I give you Views from four of my favorite places in the world:

Orvieto for its sensibleness, simple and exquisite beauty. The fog had not yet lifted which made for an eery backdrop to the iron scrollwork.

Rome for its reverence in history, steeped in tradition.

The Alhambra in Granada for its mysteriousness - and at dusk it's magical!

Kaneohe, taken from the Pali Highway in Hawaii -- just because .. way too many warm thoughts to list here.

Oh, Sarah p-l-e-a-s-e!

You know I generally don't talk about politics on a public forum, but I'm still shaking my head over this inane comment from a woman (and I say that with emphasis because, halleluia at first I thought it's about time we are finally represented but ..), who may hold a powerful position in our country (and we all know what condition that's in) with a hostile attitude. Sarah, give me a break, please!

Did you happen to hear the Katie Couric interview of Sarah Palin last night? She asked why Sarah didn't get her passport until just recently? Sarah's snooty reply in effect was: I was not one of those who upon graduating college, her parents gave her a passport and a backpack. Noooooo, I worked two jobs most of my life until I was married ... Most of my learning about the world has been done in other mediums like books ..

This mentality is scary .... and I'm a bit angered by her seemingly resentment of people who have passports (ergo, travel)! Yikes, I went to college, have worked two jobs, raised a family (most of the time as a single parent), went back to school and STILL GOT A PASSPORT!

So, we have the maverick and the dimwit on one side of the ticket. I will conclude this by saying: I was a Republican until this year and changed my status based on the inefficiencies of George Bush and the same from McCain - it's not working - let's try something/someone else.

Her original quote: "I'm not one of those who maybe came from a background of, you know, kids who perhaps graduate college and their parents give them a passport and give them a backpack and say go off and travel the world. No, I've worked all my life. In fact, I usually had two jobs all my life until I had kids. I was not a part of, I guess, that culture."

Hey, Paisano!

I don't know why I am always amazed when I run into someone that I later determine is related to me. The probability is, upon reflecton, quite high.

There were 10 siblings on my mother's side and each had at least 3 children (30). Seven boys (God bless my grandmother) on the other side (one bachelor and one childless) and each had at least 2 children (~10). In 1985, we had a family reunion for just one side of the family and 164 people were present. So, when I run into someone who has a family surname, I ask them about their family. After the preliminary questions of where did you grow up and parents' names, there's a connection made. This happened today in a phone conversation with someone. After speaking to him, I asked his name for my file reference - and sure enough - we are related!

Even when I was living in Hawaii in the 70s, I was contacted by a cousin who resided there (and I had only met him once - much older than I). I hardly knew him, but he was family and it felt good to be with family so far away from home.

When I was younger my father and mother would sometimes describe someone in conversation as "you know, he's a paisan." Seriously, I think everyone with a bit of Italian blood is related. After all, if you read about the emporers, kings, masters of arts, and even the popes, they fathered many families......hmm, makes you wonder?