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

Macro

I love macro photography, so when it was my turn to give our photo group’s assignment, I jumped at the chance to assign one of my favorite topics.

1) Wait…don’t peek…can you figure out what this is?

2) Here’s another clue!

3) OK…this one will definitely give it away!

Yep…you’re right. My theme was “jewelry,” and all three images are close-ups of necklaces!

Congratulations, Lauren!

Lauren,

May you never stop learning, never stop growing, never stop becoming all you were meant to be!

Congratulations on your High School Graduation!

Love, Aunt Trish

One for the road...

“All my bags are packed and I’m ready to go…

Tell me that you’ll wait for me…

‘Cause I’m leaving, on a jet plane…”

Be back soon!!! J

Remembering Albany...

Recall it as often as you wish…

A happy memory never wears out.

~Libbie Fudim