Thursday, September 11, 2008

Tiger Lily's shadow



Hannah (age 5) loves to sneak my camera when I am not looking and take pictures....

pictures of her baby brother, pictures of her toys, of her painted toes...

but mostly of her flowers.

When I found this photo in my camera, I really fell in love with it. I am thinking about entering it into the local fair contest.

I love seeing the tiger lily up close- and the shadows of the lilies on the wall.

Some of her best photos are of her flowers, so if you humor me, I'll share...

goodbye scott, rest in peace

http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=8986996


I interrupt these musings of our summer fun to share with you all a recent loss.

Officer Dario "scott" Aponte was killed the other night in a car crash while responding to a domestic violence call.

Scott was the father of a child who went to the same therapeutic center as my son.

For the past two years as I have sat in the waiting room for two hours, I have gotten to know Scott's mother in law, wife and child. Anyone with a child on the spectrum knows the connectedness one feels when hour after hour, week after week, one sits in the waiting room sharing joys and pains with another parent in the same boat.

I laughed with the boys grandmother, shared recipes for the holidays, and waited patiently for the arrival of their baby last spring. I shared hopes and new ideas with the boys mother, and prayers that her new baby would be born healthy.

When Scott started bringing in the son, I knew the baby had come. We shared tales of sleepless nights, of mother inlaws who are so helpful but live too close....and other things that parents in waiting rooms talk about....and even more than that, as my son pursues a degree in criminal justice; he shared some tips with me there as well. Scott and his wife were both cops in New Haven Connecticut.

He was so happy about the birth of his new baby...

So when the news hit our television yesterday, I didn't quite recognize that it was Scott who was killed.

I called "ANNE". Anne is the center of all of our being at this therapy center. I am not sure what her title is, but it is her face that greets us at the counter, her voice that we hear on the phone... her patience that we feel when we are having a stressed out day.

I knew when I heard her voice. "Anne, that isn't our cop, is it?"

"yes."

and devastion has set in for all of us.

This man Scott was a sweetheart, family centered, loving, and positive man. He loved his family in a way that one doesnt' see to often- it showed in his eyes and smile. He was kind, funny and easy to love.

My heart goes out to the family- to the small children who will no longer have daddy at home, to his mother in law and most of all to his wife.

His wife; a fellow police officer; a mother; a woman; who is now left grieving for her love while raising a 4 month old baby and a special needs son..


http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=8986996
.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

and then there was Shakespeare.....

we LOVE (ok me and the kids) going to Shakespeare outdoors every summer.
this year we saw Twelth Night







You can see that my children LOVE LOVE the performance.





and I leave you with some scenes..... adieu












Tuesday, September 2, 2008

WatchHill Rhode Island!



We visit WatchHill because they have flying horses.




The kids love catching the rings and trying to get the golden ring. For those who have never seen this, if you catch the "golden ring"; you win a free ride!






For me it's about memories. . . .

of a place where I visited when I was growing up:

http://www.mvol.com/virtualtours/%20Activities%20&%20Points%20of%20Interest/39/465/enter/

Memories from childhood of catching the golden ring!

Memories of great grandparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles riding the flying horses; laughing together. Sounds return to me as I watch my children go round and round.



sounds of music booming from the old organ,



cranks from the rakkitty carosel going around;
clangs from the rings as we tossed them into the side box.

In the air always was heard the chatter from seagulls.

Sun warmth kissing our faces and smells from beachplum roses, lilacs, hydragnas entwined with saltwater welcoming us home to Martha's Vineyard.

We don't get to Martha's Vineyard as often as we did. Ferry's aren't as easy to get; now you need reservations well in advanced. Once upon a time we just simply drove to WoodsHole and waited for the next ferry. The cost now is over a hundred dollars just to cross the ocean. Finding a place to stay when you have 4 children isn't fun either. I would overcome all this and still go every summer if my son didn't suffer from severe sensory issues. For him, driving in a car means he gets very sick. The shortest route to vacation is the best for all.

From this obstacle we have been given the joy of discovering Rhode Island.



What do you say guys, is this place fun or what?



WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE "m" FAMILY ?


Can you look at the clues and guess where we are?



It is NOT what my relatives will think . . . . .



but that is exactly WHY we come here because it is so much like there . . .




don't you think?









CAN YOU SEE ME?

TESTING 1, 2, 3



TESTING 1, 2, 3 Houston, I think we may have



a connection ?




aaaahhhh

NOW I can show you what we did all summer, are you ready????

(actually, these photos were found on my camera....seems someone was doing a self portrait; but I think we are back to blogging with photos!)