Family Reflections

Recall it as often as you wish, a happy memory never wears out.

~Libbie Fudim

More vacation memories!

The boys are waiting for a big wave…

Jack caught one!

Or did it catch him? Oops!

Jack can’t see, but is all smiles!

Memories are photographs taken by the heart.

Lace: A Forgotten Art?

Lace-making most likely began in Italy or Belgium back in the 15^th century. In its beginnings, lace-making was one of the only means of support for many women in Europe, and was taught in schools to girls as young as five years old.

There were many steps to making the lace and only the most skilled craftswomen were allowed to work on the intricate patterns, which ironically, only men were allowed to design. It was not uncommon for many ladies to work on a single large piece, which could take over a year to finish.

It is no surprise then, that lace was quite expensive and treasured as a valued possession. By the 17^th and 18^th centuries, lace became a symbol of prestige and wealth.

By the 19^th century, however, lace was made affordable for nearly everyone with the advent of the lace machine. As the uniqueness of lace declined, so did its status.

Thankfully, schools in Italy and Belgium kept records of their work, thereby preserving knowledge of this long-ago skill so that “real lace” can still be made today.

Perhaps the making of lace is not a forgotten art after all.

A Role Model

Yesterday morning my friends and I attended an art fair. While I didn’t capture anything of interest from the fair, I did catch my friend, Bridget, in this silhouette:

Even though today is Father’s Day, I’d like to pay tribute to this incredible woman. Bridget never stood behind her good man, but rather beside him…raising five wonderful children while pursuing a professional career of nurturing to the sick and wounded.

As if that isn’t enough to keep her busy, Bridget not only finds time to enjoy her passion for photography (see “Bridget’s Page” at http://bph50.blogspot.com) …but now is in training for a triathlon!

Bridget, you are an awesome woman and my role model!

The Beach Boys

“Surfin’ U.S.A.”

Gilda

This is the story of Gilda, a 300 lb. Loggerhead sea turtle.

On October 9, 2008, Gilda was admitted to Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC), a sea turtle hospital dedicated to ocean conservation with a special focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles.

Gilda entered the hospital suffering from an amputated front right flipper along with head and neck wounds. Scientists surmised that Gilda’s injuries were the result of her being sucked into the propeller of a large boat or ship.

Surgery was performed and Gilda spent the next 18 months being cared for and rehabilitated by LMC. By May of 2010, after a lot of hard work, Gilda was fully recovered and LMC prepared to release her back into the ocean.

My niece, Lauren, is a volunteer at LMC and had the privilege of helping with Gilda’s physical therapy sessions this past year. It was exciting, then, when Lauren was on duty and participated in Gilda’s release on the evening of May 12.

A crowd gathers, awaiting the arrival of Gilda. Here she comes!

Lauren helps carry Gilda.

After a brief photo shoot, Lauren and other LMC workers carry Gilda to the water….and to her freedom!

There she goes!

Great job, Lauren!

Do you wonder where Gilda is today…exactly one month since her release?

Gilda has already traveled over 300 miles! You can track Gilda’s journey at: http://www.marinelife.org/track_gilda.htm

We do not remember days…

…we remember moments. ~ Cesare Pavese

Family Snapshots

Recently I spent two glorious weeks visiting my sister, Marty, in sunny Florida.

During my stay I soaked up more than just sunshine. I simply reveled in being with family as I immersed myself in their lives. Lucky for you, I documented our activities with tons of family snapshots. J

The first weekend of my visit, Marty’s grandsons performed at a recital. Notice Peter’s Nintendo DSi sticking out of his pocket! It sure kept him occupied backstage for over 2 ½ hours while he waited patiently before…and after…his two-minute performance.

Mother’s Day was celebrated poolside while my nephew grilled steaks to perfection for our dinner.

Little brother Jack couldn’t resist annoying his sister, Lauren, by getting in the shot. I found him to be endearing and snapped away!

I finally captured the bathing beauties without little brother in the background, but the first photo is still my favorite!

Well, that’s it for the first five. But hey…cheer up…only three thousand, eight hundred and forty-nine to go!

When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses. ~Joyce Brothers