Jeff's birthday

Every year I ask myself the same question. How is it possible that Jeff is ___(fill in the blank each year). This year, he is 31. I still remember when he got his first plastic toy chain saw. I think he was 2. He would follow his dad around to 'cut' all the wood to help heat the house. If I find a photo that I know I have of him doing that, I will post it.

Jamie serving Jeff's birthday cake

After the storm

These were taken after several days of rain. When the last storm let up, I had to go outside to explore. Click on each image to enjoy them to the fullest.

This is why I love the flea market

John Winthrop Memorial Day Ceremony VIDEO

Click here for VIDEO

This was one of those ceremonies that just got to me. It was our usual Memorial Day thing...students read their essays to the veterans that had been invited to attend. The chorus sang, and two trumpets played taps. One echoed the other from far off in the woods. It was very nice. But what made it extra special was the veteran who asked Dave Russell, our Principal who is retiring after 42 years of service to lay the wreath at the flag pole. Dave, who is a man of tradition and ceremony, was touched beyond words. I think I captured his heart beating out of his chest with pride for his country and for al the men and women who serve.
I've also begun to really appreciate the fact that my father and two of my brothers, Bob and Steve, were in the armed services. I know I haven't ever said how proud I am of them for their service. I'm not sure I ever quite understood all that they went through. This ceremony inspired me to have those conversations.

Sunset at the lake

This may be the year we sell the chalet. So many great memories are making (notice I said "making" instead of "made") this a very difficult decision. We've never spent one bad day there. This sunset is one of the reasons why it is bittersweet.

2 Horses and a Zebra

I was out and about one day during vacation when I caught these horses. I threw the zebra in (from the Roger Williams Zoo in Providence) for good measure.

Our first trail ride with the new bikes.

The Rail Trails around Connecticut are absolutely beautiful! Who knew? So much to discover. This was in Farmington, the Western route, close to the Farmington River.

A different take on a dogwood

This is one of my favorite dogwood images. I was just beginning to learn my way around the Nikon. A little post production, and here's the result. Do you like?

As promised...

Today:

1. Yoga

2. Ride bike

3. Make LMP

4. Eat LMP

(click on the pic for mouth watering yumminess)

That was my to-do list for today. Yeah...I needed to pay the bills, and the gardens really need work, but Tuesday is Tom's birthday, and lemon meringue pie is his favorite. I make the best LMP ever. I know that is a very large claim, but it is true. I didn't even like it before this recipe. Tom swears I only make it once every two years, but, he's wrong. I make it once or twice a year...I even write down the dates that I make it right on the recipe. Not that I'm obsessive about that sort of thing...

Hey Mom...I'm cooking!!

So, as everyone knows, I am not the main cook in this household. I can cook, and bake, and do amazing things with food, if I do say so myself. But, I don't. Tom is the head chef. I am his sous chef. However, one day during my vacation, I actually put on my big girl pants...I planned dinner, went to the grocery store, and put together a nice meal.
This would have been a better photo had I taken it after it was roasted, and it was all golden brown. You'll have to take my word for it. But I forgot. Mostly because I was so busy cooking, you know. There is a lot to remember when you have to do it all by yourself. Jeez.

I know, go ahead and say it. I'm spoiled.

Perhaps...lemon meringue pie this weekend, in honor of Tom's birthday. It's his favorite. I do make a killer pie. Pics to follow.

No rules, right?

Today, more than ever, I am thinking about how fortunate I am to have such a beautiful family. I came across two old favorites of Jeff and Jamie that I wanted to post, and can't think of a single reason why I wouldn't! These are both over 25 years old. After scanning, I had to work on Jamie's photo to get rid of the bite marks, presumably from her chewing on the picture.

Jeff, at Grandma and Grandpa's house, wearing Grandpa's hat.

Jamie, having a conversation with a toad.

Early morning dew

Angels, in the early morning

May be seen the Dews among

Stooping, plucking, smiling, flying,

Do the buds to them belong?

   ~Emily Dickinson

click photo to enlarge

Transparent daffodil

Easter Sunday hike at Hurd State Park

Full moon over the Connecticut River

I know I should be tired of shooting moon photos, but I'm not. I am trying to get better at it and with the help of my mentor Ray on a photography forum that I belong to. I think I've turned a corner. At least I have some clarity on the last few shots.

5:00am the next morning. Click on it to enlarge.

This might just be the end of Winter

This was one of my last photos taken of snow from Vermont this winter, and that was almost a month ago. Since then, it's been as warm as in the 70's and 80's for a few days in a row. Mount Snow has closed for the season. What started out with the Storm of the Century in October, turned out to be a very short riding season...at least in my eyes. Time to change my mind set, change jackets, change my shoes, and get excited about what the warmth will bring.

Desert Moon ~ Rancho Mirage, CA

Beneath a Desert Moon
Words and music by Sting

From the mountains on the moon to the mighty delta
From the deserts of the West to the shining sea
Beneath the canopy of stars flows the serpent river
Flowing through my father's land that he left to me

From the baker, to the priest, to the candle maker
From the highest to the low in my father's land
We make our offer to the sun 'fore the break of morning
Or else everything we have will just turn to sand

I have a lot to ask
I have a lot that I need to say
I have so much do
And all I need is another day

Beneath the desert moon, I call you
beneath the desert moon, I sing
beneath the desert moon, so lonely
I'm just a boy who would be king

With just the moon to guide us
We sometimes lose our way
If there's a light inside us
We'll follow it to the brightness of the day

Every single blade of grass, every yellow flower
Every ripple on the sea of the blue, blue Nile
Every leaf on every tree, every single creature
From the smallest little bird, to the crocodile


Beneath the desert moon that's sinking
We see the Eastern sky's on fire
This is where darkness leaves
And shining waters fall
And let the shadows run
And we'll say, "welcome to the sun." 

Quiet evening run at Rose HIll

Someone else stopped to watch the sunset with me after my run

Russell Benson 1940-2012

On Saturday, the world lost another good man. Thankfully, Russell's passing was very quick and he did not suffer.
Russ touched the lives of thousands of people during his days here on earth. Together, with his lovely wife Marianne, they worked tirelessly for the benefit of disabled citizens of the county in which they lived, in California. Most recently, he lived to see the fruition of We Care Dental, a dental facility dedicated to treating all developmentally disabled children and adults, as well as the uninsured and under insured. Russ had no doubts that Marianne would continue to see it flourish.
Photography was more than a hobby for Russ. I wish I had learned more from him. Russell knew so much about not only the technical aspects of photography, but also the art. He leaves behind thousands of photographs, but, as is the case with many photographers, he did not find himself on the other side of the camera all that often. Luckily, we traveled to Italy with Russ and Marianne, and then again up the coast of California where I was able to snap a few shots of both of them. Hopefully, I'll post a slide show of Russ and Marianne very soon. For now, here he is with Marianne in a reflective moment on the coast.

Making something from nothing

For the record...this pile of wood will be a beautiful "something" someday.

Sunflower and bee at "Dinners at the Farm"

 

While we were at the  "Oyster and Wine Tasting" at Max Fish in Glastonbury, Tom reminded me about the farm dinner that we attended last summer. A fun, hot, glorious night of superb food, fine wine, beautiful scenery, and of course, new friends. This sunflower shot was taken that night in the gardens of White Gate Farm.

In Honor of My Parents' 50th Anniversary~VIDEO

Old and older Devins family photos collected and put to music for Mom and Dad.

CLICK HERE

Beautiful October "Storm of The Century"~VIDEO

We've never seen a storm like this. Even after the tons and tons of snow we got last year...this one left so much more destruction.

Click Here

Fabulous friends deserve their own video

Friendship like ours do not come around very often. Marla and I met when we were pregnant with our precious boys, Joshua and Jeffrey. We've shared our love, our heartbreaks, and life's joys throughout the last 30 years. Although moving to Florida, Marla will never be more than a breath away from me.

Click here

"Riding with Mad Mann" Video

Madison has had a lot of great snowboard instructors along the way. I just happen to get a hold of her when she was ready to start putting together some turns. For some "Mad" awesomeness
CLICKHERE and crank it up!

Ashley, Michelle, Madison, Nick, Macy

Hurricane Irene, One day later~VIDEO

Catastrophic forces of nature challenge the core of human spirit in Wilmington, Vermont. August 29, 2011

Click here to watch slideshow

                             

Outside the flooded firehouse

The water line just below the "Dot's" sign the day before

Familiar site along river on the way to Wilmington

Moon Goddess

From my first 'Moon Collection'