Texting...

A fixture of modern life!

Are we truly independent? Or are we irrevocably tied to these small, electronic devices?

Happy 4^th of July!

Thought for the Day...

We need time to dream, time to remember, and time to reach the infinite. ~Gladys Taber

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.”