Historic St. Augustine

Vancouver, The Glass City

La Mia Citta...Verona

A Little Stinker

A dog is not a baby. It feels odd to compare a child, a being that could eventually grow up and cure cancer, to a dog, a being that will remain a perpetual dependent. Yet, my dogs are my babies and they have taught me so much about myself, my willingness to change, my ability to love, my temper, my need to explore, my need to be a home-body, and my love for my fiance. The four of us are a family.  Decisions are made in consideration of all. Of course, we humans may splurge sometimes on our freedom and independence, but we always return home and strive to be ever more diligent puppy-parents. My fiance and I moved in together and got Buster. He changed our blissful dynamic but challenged it to be stronger.  Then came Bella. She challenged me far more than Buster or David. Potty training was a nightmare and I was not in a place to be patient. But, my fiance was. Watching his compassion, love, and understanding when I could not meet that challenge made me see a part of him that was so beautiful and sexy.  I love him more because of Buster and Bella. The dogs are loving too.  Regardless of my mood, a quick scratch behind their ears, and I am filled with endorphins. These two little souls, so unassuming, so patient, so playful, and so kind have helped my Fiance and I become stronger, more loving people.  Thank you my little stinkers!

The Puppy-Man

The Puppy-Girl

Whaling

New Bedford, MA is the world's most famous whaling era seaport. Noted as a New England town "Must See," it prides itself on having a working commercial wharf.  From giant whales to scallops this town has changed from a hustle and bustle thriving Quaker town to one touched by the Recession.  Yet beneath an at times abandoned feeling, it remains a quaint New England Seaport.

Competition builds excellence?

When it comes to being engaged, I have discovered a few truths:

Proposition 1: It is an exciting, fast-moving time
Proposition 2: Stress comes not so much from the planning than from the competition
Proposition 3: Brides-to-be are side-tracked by one another

Proposition1

Once engaged and phone calls spreading the news are made, it becomes quickly apparent that one question, "Will you marry me?" sparks hundreds of questions, "When are you getting married?" "Have you found a dress?" "How many guests are you having?" "Have you picked out this or that?" Instead of taking a moment and enjoying the new step forward, we stand knees bent, arms swing front to back, ready to leap to the finish line....the aisle. Did you have your Fiance's hand for that jump? Well?  At least in the midst of this chaos of voices, there are quiet minutes to get lost in the sparkle of the engagement ring and to look into the eyes of your soon-to-be husband. Yet, no one slows the planning down, because the frenzy of excitement is contagious as friends feed into the mania of wedding planning.

Engaged for one month and the mania shifts.  From your wedding front and center, to the sharing of friends wedding ideas with you. "Well now that your wedding is under-way let me tell you about the ideas for mine...." Are you engaged? A subtle competition builds...friendly competition of course.


Proposition 2:

The knot.com is a cult. Eager, bright-eyes, and fresh-faced brides-to-be flock to the website for ideas, checklists, pictures, style guides, and a multitude of unnecessary and seemingly necessary advice and must-dos.  It is a forum for sharing and caring and encouraging one another or is it....

Competition among friends is something most of us can handle, but competition among anonymous snarky brides?  Once wadded into the pool of wedding planning and feeling more sure of oneself, it feels like time share your wedding finds, ideas, and what you think are "totally unique" moments from your upcoming wedding with your cohorts.

The wedding boards are a dangerous place. While the overall feel is friendliness there are some boards more treacherous than others. Attire and Accessories is a safe place.  Here brides come to play verbal dress up.  Each talks about their perfect dress and perfect veil, and how excited they are that their wedding will be the most memorable experience that any of their guests will ever have.  Sharing ideas is sweet here.  Move down the page to Budget Weddings, and the competition and stress levels reach an unprecedented fever-pitch. A warning should be posted at the top: Enter at your own risk. Dare you share an idea that another does not like, and the Alpha dog in her will piss on you. If the sting is not blinding, you may try to again voice your opinion on: late-night snacks, flowers, favors, etc. but the chain turns into a muck of snide comments. Isn't this suppose to be a happy time? Wasn't this board suppose to encourage bliss and joy?  Now brides are second-guessing their decisions.

Small wedding brides turn into big wedding brides, non-traditional turn traditional, and buffet style questions if a sit down is more proper? What happened to the bride and groom's original vision? Why has the "maniac Bridal Brain" taken the reins? Here lies the root of stress....conflict with the anonymous bride upon whom we measure ourselves, vision, and wedding experience.

Proposition 3

Side-tracking is inevitable once the Pandora's Box of doubt and second-guessing is opened.

Yet, somehow despite all of this weird bridal brain stuff, the wedding happens, it will be beautiful, the choices made will have been perfect, and then all of that wedding stuff will never again matter.  Unless one stays on those blasted wedding boards or finds oneself sucked into TLC's "Four Weddings" program.

In the end, the engagement is the sweetest part and what needs to be protected the most from the wedding-day planning.  It should pass the rocking chair test: When you are old and on your rocking chair, will you have fond memories of your blissful, carefree, romantic engagement? Or, will it have been forgotten in a cloud of post-traumatic stress.

To love!

Inspiration

Today was the last day of classes for the term. I always get nostalgic for my students. While I will continue to see them in the hallways, there is something about the chemistry of the class that can never be replicated.  It is a little sad watching them, hopefully wiser, leave through the door.  In an attempt to get my spirits up, I went blog-surfing today and found this delicious-post.  I am now inspired to make this cake for the next birthday that comes along.  It reminds about life's surprises but most importantly that there is always a sunny side to things....Layers of yummy!

http://mo-pieplease.blogspot.com/2009/12/its-obvious-im-hungry-isnt-it.html

Wishing for Spring

"Vineyard." On this second day of March, I woke up thinking that somehow Spring would have arrived. I dreamed of tree buds, sunshine, and green grasses. To my utter delight the sun was shining this morning yet it was delusional and fleeting. The frost of winter was still in the area as I marched out to my car. I refused to bring gloves but I wore my down jacket. The cold air does smell differently though. Snow is on the ground yet, but there is a faint hint of something...perhaps Spring.  Compelled by my desire for warmer weather. I choose to revisit this place. The Nashoba Valley Vineyard and warmer, sweeter afternoons.

"Cracker Barrel." A small swampy hole on the grounds of the vineyard turns into a secluded lake with a little perspective.

Inaugural post

A Boston Photo Safari

 This July in Boston, I was not sure how to spend my first summer off from teaching.  I had quite ambitious plans but the heat was so oppressive that I spent many days staying cool by my air conditioner.  Finally, I decided that I would take my new camera out and try photography. These are some of my first "photo safari" images.  A local farmers' market in Copley Square was excellent inspiration.

"Slow and Steady." This has obviously been in Copley Place for a while, and yet I never noticed it before. I like to call him Henri and he is slow and steady making his way through life...sort of like all of us.

"Revolution." Need to cool down? The Prudential center is always a great spot. With shops, restaurants, and bustling people.  One of my favorite places in the Pru is the flower shop in the food court.  Nestled with Panda Express, Sbarro's, and Ben & Jerry's is a little flower kiosk.  Anytime a year this kiosk is overflowing with saturated, vibrant blooms: orchids, tulips, roses, ranunculus. A delightful anomaly amid the french fries.

"Sunny." Nothing says Summer like a blooming Sunflower.  Vendors all along the farmers' market had these stems lining their stalls.  Interestingly, those with the most Sunflowers had the most customers.  Perhaps, people are drawn to the optimism.