The Glory of a Year Well Spent - Counting Down

Glorious - I know I have shared these sunsets from my window many times over this year, but I am always awed by the magnificence of the colors that just come as I sit and watch.  This one has made me reflect on the year gone by - sure there were ups and downs, but more gratitude and blessings than anything else - and those are truly what I choose to remember!  We have wonderful 'children' - that multiplied this year as we now have our son and his wife too - we have our health, home, friends and family.  I have rediscovered Photoschmoozer and my joy of people and their stories through my photography.  I could go on...but instead, I choose to sit in the peaceful thoughts of a year well spent!!  Happy New Year!!

Beauty, Peace and Love...

If something happens more than once, then it is a tradition - right?  Well friend Susan lives in NY state - moi - here in s.Jersey.  She visits her mom in Reading and so we plan a 'halfway' visit.  Last year was King of Prussia Mall and I knew that I did not want to venture there the day after Christmas - so I got out a trust map atlas and found a halfway spot - West Chester, PA - had only driven through.  After coffee and chat at the local Starbucks, we went off to explore.  Right down the street, we were drawn into Acorn Style Cottage.  Why?  What?  The shop was filled with the loveliest 'eye candy'.  We were attracted to the slippers - whimsical - personal and just pretty.  I wanted to buy a pair for Izumi - but couldn't get ahold of 'the kids' to find out shoe size.  another time.  The store was also filled with hand decoratede furniture and unique jewelry - I would have bought at least one piece in a previous lifetime but now I am filled with gratitude to be able to see the artistry!!

Then I met Zena and I discovered the true 'gift'/jewel of the shop!  She is an artist - was in the midst of sanding a piece of furniture but took the time to stop and share so much information with us.  Funny story - as I looked at the jewelry, I saw the artist's card and commented on how charming she was.  Zena chuckled and shared that the photo on the card was not the artist but one of the college students who worked in the shop!  She had lots of cards for different things - each one graced with yet another beautiful model!!  Live and learn!  Zena described the artist - quite different from the photo on the card.

As we were saying good bye, I asked Zena if she was a HUGGER?!?  She said, "Of course" and we hugged tight and long,  It was so warm and wonderful - I felt so connected!!  Here is the lesson I took away from Zena:

"WHEN PEOPLE HUG, THEY ENLARGE EACH OTHER'S ENERGY"

You can bet that happened that Monday in West Chester!!

Still fascinated by the variety of styles for those slippers!  They will draw me back as will more exploration of Gay Street in West Chester, PA!  Happy Days to come!!

Gyuri, Kathy and Kathy B!!! Grounds for Sculpture Friends...

Wishing to meet Seward!! Just Happened!!

Have you ever visited the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton Twp, NJ near Trenton?  Well let me suggest to you that it is an everchanging and incredible experience.  Knowing that the weather was to be a balmy winter's day - 60 degrees on December 22 with sunshine to accompany the day, Bill and I set off earlyish (for us anyhow) to explore.  Photoschmoozer was alive and well and in the mode of just being open to spontaneous experiences - and that she received.  First, conversations with Kathy in the gift shop - another whole story!  Then I said to her, "Does Seward Johnson come here often?"  She said there are some organized visits, but he just comes and hangs out quite a bit.  I said I hoped that one day I would have the opportunity to meet the man whose vision, energy and works created this place.  Off we went.

This is a sculpture of Seward Johnson - isolated him as he sits among friends at an afernoon party on the Grounds.  You have to explore and find it!

Then as we wandered and looked, I saw a man strolling with friends.  I looked and ?!?!?!?!?  Yes...Now remember how I talk about Photoschmoozer and just opening conversations??  I walked over and said, "I wonder what your name might be?"  He responded, "I have many names but today I am Seward!!"  I shared my wish - and my wish come true - and then as we chatted, I asked if I could take his picture - no problem in posing - and since we were right by one of his sculptures - fairly easy to do on the Grounds - I asked him to sit with his 'friend'.  WOW - I was like such a 'groupie' that the only thing I forgot was to ask Bill to take my picture with him!!  Have to get him in the habit of doing that spontaneously rather than watching!!                    Within seconds, I could hear Seward's sense of humor and totally appreicate his panache - how many guys - except a person who is so totally creative, daring and true to himself would walk about with a purple and blue pashma scarf??  Totally fitting!!  So - NEVER be afraid to talk to anyone - life is too short!!  Thanks Seward for a most exciting few minutes!!

Elmhurst's Winningest Lottery Seller!!

Meet Jim - we did!!  We were in Chicago just weeks ago for Jon and Izumi's wedding.  It was time to for us to meet our new Japanese family.  We took the train from Chicago to Elmhurst - arriving earlier than expected so Photoschmoozer and friend could 'nose around' and check out the place.  After all, it's where our 'children' are living, so we had to meet their potential new friends!!  We went into this cigar shop and discovered so much more.  Jim has been there for years and loves to share stories about the area and what's happening.  Then we told him about the wedding and we decided to buy a few WINNING lottery tickets for the wedding date 12/3/2011.  No problem - lots of shared laughs - and then I asked if I could take his picture to remember him when we won!  No problem - we had made friends already and he just posed BUT then I made sure to notice his cap - and Bill's too - men of the same vintage wearing their caps.  So another photo op.

Jim said that if we won, we could come by his place and see the "Gone Fishing" sign in his window.  Better luck next time - when we go back we will be sure to visit and buy yet another 'winning' lottery ticket!!

Bill and Jim - these caps are just a 'guy' thing!!  Totally cool huh??

Birds Birds Birds Everywhere!!!

Looked out the window the other morning and the beautiful blue sky was totally FULL of blackbirds!  What a sight.  This has been going on for a few days and I decided that the moment must be recorded though I am sure that I am not the first.  Information has been coming to me that these are a variety of black birds, red winged blackbirds and others in migration.  They stay together for the winter and then go their separate ways in the Spring.  We have seen fields just covered with them as well.  Goes along with my theme of UNITY - stick together when you need support.  There is strength in numbers and knowing that someone else has your back!! 

Value, Affirmation and Friendships!!

Never take a friend for granted.  We aren't gifted with many real ones in life and when they come along, we have to step back and just be still with the realization of what happens in the relationship and be at peace with it!!  This is Allison and me when I still thought that short hair was who I "needed" to be to be 'proper'. Then I would have been acceptable that my hair was 'age appropriate' - really!!  Allison and I met years ago and then remet and got to know one another - we trained together, laughed and talked and planned and lived with DARE to AFFIRM - shared common interests - and now share a friendship that comes of knowledge and familiarity with LIFE and memories as our commonality.  Just to acknowledge APPRECIATION for this.  Why this and why now?  Maybe it is a comparison that led to this appreciation - the other night, I needed to hear a friend's voice for comfort - for reassurance - and I called another.  She didn't answer and didn't call back.  The next day, I got a 'coach/cheerleader' email that told me that she was there in the virtual world and IF we had talked, this is what she would have said.  Thanked her for the words BUT said what I really wanted/needed was the minutes of friend time and a voice.  I asked her to share how she defines friend/friendship?!?  I suppose I could ask that of many others - a survey - but I know in my heart how I think of it - and yes, I have been told that I have unrealistic expectations - but geeeeeeeez I am human!!  Technology can easily get in the way of real time caring or at least voice contact on the phone!  Maybe I am getting older - but I totally appreciate and value the contact of my friends and family!!  Happy Holidays!!!

It Don't Bother Me None!!

Meet some of the important women in my family - standing at the back - Gram - Kate - definitely a person who offered me unconditional love - someone I treasured in my life always - someone I could go to when I thought life wasn't "fair" - she's been gone from my life on earth since 1966 but never a minute away from my heart!  She always pretended to be a strong woman - and in many ways she was - but when someone hurt her in some ways, she always said, "It don't bother me none" as the tears were streaming down her cheeks.   Lately there have been strange happenings (to me at least) in relationships - and as I have been told it is not my problem but something the other person has to work through, I can say, "Sure it don't bother me none" but my issue is that I want everyone to like me - and me them - and when a person backs away - and really can't talk about it - well....

The other two women - front right is Gram's mother - Bubba we called her - Mary to others - didn't know her well but sure she too had an influence in thoughts and feelings in my heart.  The other person - front left is my mother's mother - Nanny - my memories of her - wew visited often and I even lived with them for a summer in college - is a kind person who did not share feelings/affection.  Two very different grandmothers each affecting my life - one affecting my father and his sense of caring - and one affecting my mother and her emotional withdrawal.  So it is genes or is it environment?  For years, I have straddled that fence and as I ponder it all - I am still there - it has to be a combination!!  Wonder how I am perceived??  To some, I am too emotional - to others - they want to be with my energy - to others - I am too intense - so in the perception and eyes of the other - the challenge is NOT TO JUDGE SELF THROUGH THE EYES OF OTHERS.  Accept and believe in our own wholeness and beauty!!  That's life!!

Encounter: Chicago Photography Center

My guys - Bill and Jon - share a love of music and musical instruments - so as we spent time together in Chicago for Jon and Izumi's wedding, one of the places on the must see list was the Chicago Music Center.  Here they are posing for me before they entered the store.  For me, Whole Foods was just around the corner and that was where I was headed for wonderful berries and healthy food!!

On the way back to meet them, I stopped still in my tracks as I looked in a window and saw this young woman posing.  A bit unusual to see a bride posing on the window ledge of a building?  First instinct: stop and take her picture.  Second thought: be still and see what I have discovered?!  I saw about a dozen people standing around her with cameras.  Then I walked close to the door of the building and saw the sign: Chicago Photography Center.  Did I go in!!  You bet!!  Was I welcomed?  You bet?  I had come upon a weekend class for wedding and event photography.  When I went in, I saw a book on the counter : Capturing Beauty with Your Camera!!  Could I make it mine?  YES and the author was one of the center's teachers - so another staff member encouraged me to stop him in the midst of class so he could sign my book.  His message from the book:  ABS   Always Be Shooting   In some ways it is like I share - go out and about, be still, look and see what gifts are all around you! 

And here he is teaching the class!!!

SHOES~~ SHOES~~~ SHOES~~~ TAKE THE FIRST STEP!

COMING BY SPRING!!!  So many things are popping!  Remember I have shared here before about SHOES and my fascination with people's choices??  Well have I shared with you that I have close to 1200 pictures of feet and shoes?  Have I shared my thoughts about Unity and Diversity related to shoes??  Have I shared about my friend Tony and The Journey  (http://www.ijlife.com/ )  Maybe I have - maybe you have forgotten.  But I talked with Tony about shoes - and my photos - and his love of music and composing came front and center.  He is about finished with a song about SHOES - will combine my photography, his musical skills and the voices of some really fantastic musical artists!!  In addition, since I am Photoschmoozer and Art cards/prints are my 'thing' - there will be a line of Art cards - maybe they will be called Uniquely You - Express Yourself - or another name - watch for the launch in early Spring!!  Always keep your eyes and ears open for the synchronicities of life and talk to folks because who knows what will come of it all~~

Let the Holiday Lights Shine!!

It's the reason for the season - LIGHTS - to me these Holidays are about letting our own lights shine - seeing the beauty and light in each person - and lighting that candle or Christmas light to guide us through the darkness.  This year, since Jon and Izumi got married and have a Christmas tree in their new house, it has given Bill and me a renewed sense of spirit, joy and love for these Holidays.  Our 'children' are together and celebrating, and we can celebrate them!  As we walked down Michigan Avenue in Chicago last Saturday, we were gifted with the spectacle of lights - giant Christmas trees and just a spirit of wellness.  We saw HOPE - the gift from Robert Indiana - and we celebrated life with our new extended/blended family.  Though we might not see them often, we know that we have begun to create cherished memories and traditions together.  Oh JOY!!

Hope Keeps One Alive and Thriving!!

It's been 40 years since the day we were married and now we find ourselves in Chicago - yep that's Bill standing by Robert Indiana's Hope statue - Why are we traveling to the windy city in the beginning of December??  A very special reason -our son Jon was to be married 12/3/11 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago.  Our hope for him and his bride - as we built our extended family from US and Japan - is that they will have all of the love, caring, compassion and communication - those strong gifts that will guide their marriage to thrive!!  I am proud to be the "American Mummy" and also know that I will be patient and respectful as we build our relationship.  We have a lifetime - and that is totally special.

Remember - Love and Hope go together

to build a life!!