Fall Umbrella

She still has a month of life left in her. The deck umbrella, that is. In another month, she'll make her way to the garage attic, but for now, she's the strongest color in the yard. For me this year, that means something's up. The front maples have gone from green to brown. No bright oranges, yellows and reds like previous falls. Off the back deck here, it's still muted greens at this point. Can you see the apple branch that Irene brought down straight ahead? It'll be a part of my late October bonfire that'll rid the yard of the bushes and limbs that have made their way to the ground and stacked up back this summer. I've learned through the years that falls in Maine are not always about bright, fiery colors. Sometimes, there's a lot more browns to it, that you'll have to search hard to find the tourist catalogues. And that's the truth! Honest!

Hold Fast

Happy Mothers' Day to Elenka and all the mothers out there. Each spring Elenka gets all excited and tells me that the 'babies' are out... in the pasture(that is) on her way into the city for work. Here are a couple for your viewing pleasure this significant morning. My mom's thing was horses. I remember special moments together, riding in the station wagon, when she'd pull over at the horse farm on Warren Avenue, and we'd watch them munching away and gazing at us through the fence. Hold fast to these special moments. They come and fade so fast. I'm thinking of her today.

GG

A winter afternoon on Norway Lake aka Lake Pennesseewassee is quite peaceful except for the occasional whine of a snowmobile off in the distance. Elenka and I came here yesterday, because it was a place near and dear to my Aunt Gloria. If in conversation, Norway or South Paris, Maine came up, she'd smile and always want to talk about her times lakeside growing up and her visits as an adult. She passed peacefully and serenely away this past week in Florida, after 86 strong, productive, laughter-filled, giggling years. I have many memories of this woman, but two that I hold dearest are these. Because she taught for the Defense Department overseas at US Air Force bases in Germany, France and Japan, visits home at Christmas were nonexistent; however, she always sent us kids an advent calendar from across. I think I've had one in my home ever since. They are special to me. But really, the greatest gift she gave to me was a silver Kodak camera, when I was ten. I'll never forget that birthday gift... I've been taking photographs ever since. Be at Peace. Love you Aunt Gloria.

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Warm Fuzzies

It was a special day: Devin and Victoria's Wedding. It was a wonderful afternoon and evening with all sorts of emotions. I like this photo taken recently. It sort of goes with a lot of the fanfare and emotions of a day like this. It's always so much fun getting together with Elenka's extended family and the Jersey crowd. We had a time!

Devin's Day

Happy Wedding Day Devin! Today, my nephew Devin and Vicky are to to be wed here in Jersey. I love this shot of the cousins Daniella, Justin and Devin, taken a few years back, on Babka and Papa's couch. Lots of mileage separate them these days, but it's always so much fun to see them interact with laughter and stories, as they did last night. There are always so many beautiful, indelible images of a wedding day. If I close my eyes, I still can replay many of of ours like they happened yesterday. Devin and Vicky enjoy yours. It's your day! LOVE you!

Love, Family, Magic

Ya, I know Lady Gaga visited Portland yesterday afternoon, but the highlight of the day for me was the return of Dinnie, my sister. She brought another of her beautiful daughters along for a first time visit to the city. It was only my second time meeting Dinnie, but it really seems like I've known her forever! Here's my post from our first meeting:
September 21, 2009-
"To say that yesterday was a 'life altering day' for me would not be close to an overstatement. Mom always told me that certain events in life are 'worth the wait', and I'd readily agree with that. It's not often that one gets to mid-life with a close, loving family and suddenly have it grow by one. Lucky us! Throughout the day, the most frequently asked question of me was "Are you nervous?" My reply was always "No, I'm excited." I really was and still am. I thought it was especially poignant, that after meeting at a local hotel, we proceeded to the Fort Allen Park for photos at the bandstand. My 'new' sister, D-, grew up in a home nearby, actually where the Portland House now stands on Eastern Promenade. A wonderful family of four is now five, with lots more nieces and nephews in the wings. How can you beat a last day of summer that brought such an marvelous occurrence."
Dinner at Fore Street topped off a fabulous evening filled with love, family and magical moments.