Foreclosure bears its true colors.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Colors
23 Tuesday Apr 2013
Posted in Life, Photo Challenge
Weekly Photo Challenge: Change
15 Monday Apr 2013
Posted in Photo Challenge
Tags
Subtle reminders to change your perspective.
Life is Like a Knitted Sock
15 Monday Apr 2013
It appears that I have taken an extended vacation from my blog. Well I have been out enjoying life and crossing a few more items off my list.
Back in January, I had a chance to attend my first TEDx #27 event in Baltimore. All I can say in retrospect is that it was absolutely amazing. I was having a hard time putting my emotions into words during the day but I left feeling like my mind and soul had been fed. Plus I fell in love with Baltimore all over again. For those of you who think all Baltimore has to offer is the Wire… you need to get out more. Mind Blowing Minds in the House. Sorry for the crappy pictures you can only zoom so much with a cell phone.
I also finished #8 knit a pair of socks. I am actually pretty proud of myself for this one. It simply isn’t logical to carry around a fear of knitted items that adorn feet. There was definitely a lesson to be learned in this. Sometimes you have to cast care to the wind and just dive into life. There were definitely hiccups, misunderstandings, and a few choice words along the way but things seemed to make a whole lot more sense as I kept pressing through. I guess life can be that way at times. And yes in case you are wondering I will be wearing these socks straight through August. 90 degree days be damned.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Beyond
22 Tuesday Jan 2013
Posted in Life, Photo Challenge
Tags
I grew up in NYC and every year at school we were required to watch a video on the dangers of playing on the railroad/ subway tracks. While I never had any interest in “playing” on them I always thought it fascinating that so many people were rushing off on new adventures and into the great beyond.
Another 4 Years: A View from the Mall
21 Monday Jan 2013
Posted in Life
Tags
DC, Inauguration, Life, MLK, Obama, photo essay, photography, Travel
I am freshly back from my trip to DC for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration. Even with fewer people the energy in the air was just as amazing as it was 4 years ago. There is little I can say to recap the event and visit to the surrounding monuments so I will have to let the photos speak for themselves. I hope you enjoy them. I certainly did!
Until We Meet Again
23 Sunday Dec 2012
Posted in Life, Simple Pleasures
Tags
Baltimore, craft, daily life, farmers market, Life, photo essay, photography
I adore the farmers market under the JFX. Today is the last day of the season. Until we meet again old friend.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Surprise
21 Friday Dec 2012
Posted in Photo Challenge, Random Smiles, Simple Pleasures
One of my favorite things about Philly is how you can simply turn the street corner and be surprised by a burst of color.
El Paso
19 Wednesday Dec 2012
Posted in Life, Simple Pleasures
Tags
Earlier this Fall I had a chance to visit El Paso for the first time. I had no idea how much I had been missing by not visiting the southwest earlier. A return trip is in order for sure. Breathtaking comes to mind.
Franklin Mountains State Park
Mission Trail: Socorro
Scenic Drive
Shifting Priorities
17 Monday Dec 2012
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I am sick to my stomach thinking about the senseless killings of 27 innocent children and adults last week in Connecticut. A mere 3 days after another public mass shooting. I have been silent on the issue because words seem to fail me. As a mother and human being I can not imagine what would cause a person to harm so many innocent people, least of all children who were only beginning their journey.
There was a time I would have I not begrudged anyone else the right to purchase guns, but I can no longer see the purpose. People claim to want to own guns for their protection. How protected are you when you own child turns his rage against you? Guns have one purpose and it is not to scare off a would be intruder, they were designed to kill. For me it seems humanity dies a little more each time a life is taken at the hand of another.
As of this tragedy I can honesty say my priorities have shifted. I had added learn to shoot a gun to my life list (and the irony in that alone is overwhelming) earlier this year, but for me this is the end of the road. Any interest I had has officially faded. I want to spend my time on this earth no matter how short, making it a better place to live.
There are items one can cross off their life list and then there are items that one can CROSS OFF their list.
I wish nothing but peace for the family and friends of the victims in Newton, CT and beyond whose lives have been impacted by gun violence.
Three Times the Fun
15 Saturday Dec 2012
Posted in Life List, Simple Pleasures
Tags
Family has always been important to me but there are times when you realize just how special they are to you. Last month I headed down to the Dominican Republic to celebrate my mother’s birthday, along with my grandmother, aunt, and cousin. Thanks to this amazing group I can now cross #65- Take a trip with at least 3 generations of my family off my life list. According to my Aunt B., I could have crossed this one off when I went #16 whale watching earlier this year. She is completely right – but in my mind this trip had me actually enjoying an extended stay.
The first thing I can say about traveling with 3 generations is “Wow we are so different!” This was evident from the moment we got on the plane as I sat looking across the aisle at my mother reading a book, my grandmother flipping through a newspaper and my aunt and cousin scrolling through their IPads. Having said that, the best part of the trip was exactly the fact that we are so different, it was an rare opportunity to witness how each of us perceives and interacts with the world when we are taken out of our normal routines.
We ended up with a nice mix of time to relax, explore the local area, and dive into our own interests. I was able to cross a few more items off my list that I had almost forgotten. Note to self- I must look at my list on a more regular basis and in particular before I go on vacation. I ended up parasailing #25 with my cousin, and doing something I am terrified of #54 …which in this case ended up being entered into a singing contest I didn’t know I was going to be a part of. Parasailing was peaceful and I would absolutely do it again and the singing contest-well… I certainly wasn’t at my best but I ended up winning so somehow I feel like it wasn’t that bad.
Next time I visit the D.R. I plan on taking more time to see the city and countryside. I loved our resort but to get the essence of a country and its people you need to be amoungst the people. The trips we took in to Higuey and the mountains were a plus but I like to take more time to take it all in. The little I did have a chance to experience was filled with delicious sights, smells, and sounds.
While I appreciated the opportunity to visit a new country and cross a few more items off my list I think I most valued the family time, conversations, and memories that were shared.
