Visit Odd Shot Monday.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Odd Shot Monday: 6-30
The last weekend in July presents the opportunity to attend a grand hot air balloon festival. We have attended in past years, however this year we are not able to find the room in our schedule. This is a wonderful, peaceful, visually beautiful day. Over 125 hot air balloons ascend at the same time, it is strangely quiet. The only sounds heard are the puffs of gas being released as the pilots raise their craft to the sky.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Night Life:
Although most days B and I will walk the wooden pier during the early morning hours, my visually favorite time to be there is half past sunset. The rides explode with slimmering lights and the pier comes to life.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Manic Monday: 6-23
Are you a talker or a listener? Is it ever possible to really be both? I think you can be both. When I was a child my grandma used to tell me, "now honey it's time to give your ears a chance!" As an adult I like to hear what other have to say. Do you think God has a sense of humor? It depends which day you ask me.
Do you believe in love at first sight? Have you ever experienced it? The moment I saw B I just knew I had found who I was looking for, almost like I had known him before.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Drinking and Gas:
On Friday evening, in celebration of the official arrival of summer, B and I opted for dinner at an outdoor pizza parlor on the boardwalk. There, we could sit and watch the parading “cast of characters”, many of whom had just arrived from out of town. This experience presented a stark contrast to our quiet, early morning strolls along the wooden pier. As we enjoyed our pizza, we listened to the “music” blaring from the open windows of the hottest spot in town; a place were the locals and “bennies” mix to while away the heat-haze filled days and nights filled with loud music and beer. Upon our departure, my attention was drawn to the long rows of bikes along the fencing (something not so prevalent in past years). Surely a sign of the times; a result of gas prices and the “the don’t drink and drive” philosophy.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Camera Critters #11:
Yesterday, this little sparrow flew in to joined us for an early morning beach picnic breakfast. He brought the music!
*at present 20 commenters believe this to be a bird in the snow. It is not! The temperture was well in the 80s the day this was taken. Jersey beaches have very soft, white, fine sand. In fact, it is called "sugar sand".
*at present 20 commenters believe this to be a bird in the snow. It is not! The temperture was well in the 80s the day this was taken. Jersey beaches have very soft, white, fine sand. In fact, it is called "sugar sand".
Visit Camera Critters.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Sky Watch Friday: 6-20
Last evening after dinner we went out for ice cream. (And might I add the hot fudge sundae was yummy!) It was a beautiful evening, the air was still warm and there was a gentle breeze. We decided to go over to the bay for a quick evening walk, (in the hopes of walking off the ice cream we had inhaled). I am glad we did. The sky a display of beauty.
To view Sky Watch Friday.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wordless Wednesday: 6-18
I took this photo this morning at approximately 6:30 a.m. As I have mentioned there isn’t much activity on the beach or boardwalk at this hour. The activity lies in the sky, where the sun is rising and the in the ocean, where all things that swim are trying to escape the men above who carry a rod and reel.
Unexpected Pleasures:
B sets the mood at our sand table. We've really been enjoying the wonderful early morning atmosphere, amazing view, and the company of each other.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
How can I give them back:
My father’s voice echoes in my head, “someday that dog is going to make a difference in someone’s life.”
A young girl and a beautiful German Shepherd frequently walked past our house. She was a member of the local 4-H and was raising this Shepherd for The Seeing Eye. I remember thinking, Wow, how cool it that! After checking around and gaining more information, I asked, my parents, for permission to become involved in the project. “You would never be able to give the dog back,” was my dad’s responds. Besides we already had a dog, a collie that put Lassie to shame. We (my parents) didn’t need another dog. I parked the puppy raising idea in a far place in my mind.
Years later when I married and moved from home, I again inquired about the puppy raising program. However, since both my husband and I were working we decide it best to adopt an older dog from the shelter. We realized we wouldn’t have the time to invest in a puppy, only to give it away. We adopted the most wonderful 6 year old yellow lab. When our sons were born she happily became second and third fiddle to them. She never complained about having to be “the patient” as they played doctor or “the ghost” when they were the Ghostbusters.
When she past, I again thought about the puppy raising project but all I heard was my dad’s voice echoing around my head, “You could never give the dog back.” My sons were young, and I didn’t want them to have to give a puppy back. I again decided the time wasn’t right. I put the thought back in the place I had reserved for it, back in my mind and again decided on a yellow lab, this time a puppy.
Unfortunately, she was past at 5 years of age. By this time my youngest son was 11 and my older son, 12; I found the right time had finally come. I made a phone call and several weeks later I was presented with a fuzzy, wiggly, little Golden Retriever pup. He was my constant companion, because of this, I often found myself explaining the program. “Yes, I will have him for 16 to 18 months. Then he will go back to The Seeing Eye for his formal training.” What I heard over and over, “I could never do that. How can you just give him back?”
His recall time came and I can honestly say, it was very difficult to let him go, but he was never ours. We had raised him for someone else. He had made a change in my life and now it was time for him to make a difference in someone else life. My boys and I spent the day out of the house trying to keep ourselves busy, but thoughts of him were never far away. Several days later, we received our second Seeing Eye puppy, a female black lab.
13 years and 12 puppies later, the most frequently asked question is, “how can you give him/her back?” I try to explain that this puppy really isn’t mine and I am only fostering him/her, to which I often hear, “I could never do that.” I think to myself, sure you could. This respond has lead me to believe that perhaps I have not answered “the question” properly.
Every dog guide school has different views in regards to the raiser and the recipient of the puppy/dog guide. Many schools invite the raiser to the graduation and during the ceremony have the raiser hand over the leash and dog to their new partner. The Seeing Eye is one of the few schools which believe this should be an anonymous gift. Therefore, I have not met any of the recipients of “my” puppies. I have met many dog guide teams and have heard many wonderful stories about this amazing partnership.
After starting LW’s blog , I was blessed to have “met” a dog guide team. They reside over at Dog’s Eye View. Recently L^2 was asked what her favorite memory with her dog guide is.
“How can I give them back?” I believe if you read L^2’s answer, I’ll see how I can “give them back.”
A young girl and a beautiful German Shepherd frequently walked past our house. She was a member of the local 4-H and was raising this Shepherd for The Seeing Eye. I remember thinking, Wow, how cool it that! After checking around and gaining more information, I asked, my parents, for permission to become involved in the project. “You would never be able to give the dog back,” was my dad’s responds. Besides we already had a dog, a collie that put Lassie to shame. We (my parents) didn’t need another dog. I parked the puppy raising idea in a far place in my mind.
Years later when I married and moved from home, I again inquired about the puppy raising program. However, since both my husband and I were working we decide it best to adopt an older dog from the shelter. We realized we wouldn’t have the time to invest in a puppy, only to give it away. We adopted the most wonderful 6 year old yellow lab. When our sons were born she happily became second and third fiddle to them. She never complained about having to be “the patient” as they played doctor or “the ghost” when they were the Ghostbusters.
When she past, I again thought about the puppy raising project but all I heard was my dad’s voice echoing around my head, “You could never give the dog back.” My sons were young, and I didn’t want them to have to give a puppy back. I again decided the time wasn’t right. I put the thought back in the place I had reserved for it, back in my mind and again decided on a yellow lab, this time a puppy.
Unfortunately, she was past at 5 years of age. By this time my youngest son was 11 and my older son, 12; I found the right time had finally come. I made a phone call and several weeks later I was presented with a fuzzy, wiggly, little Golden Retriever pup. He was my constant companion, because of this, I often found myself explaining the program. “Yes, I will have him for 16 to 18 months. Then he will go back to The Seeing Eye for his formal training.” What I heard over and over, “I could never do that. How can you just give him back?”
His recall time came and I can honestly say, it was very difficult to let him go, but he was never ours. We had raised him for someone else. He had made a change in my life and now it was time for him to make a difference in someone else life. My boys and I spent the day out of the house trying to keep ourselves busy, but thoughts of him were never far away. Several days later, we received our second Seeing Eye puppy, a female black lab.
13 years and 12 puppies later, the most frequently asked question is, “how can you give him/her back?” I try to explain that this puppy really isn’t mine and I am only fostering him/her, to which I often hear, “I could never do that.” I think to myself, sure you could. This respond has lead me to believe that perhaps I have not answered “the question” properly.
Every dog guide school has different views in regards to the raiser and the recipient of the puppy/dog guide. Many schools invite the raiser to the graduation and during the ceremony have the raiser hand over the leash and dog to their new partner. The Seeing Eye is one of the few schools which believe this should be an anonymous gift. Therefore, I have not met any of the recipients of “my” puppies. I have met many dog guide teams and have heard many wonderful stories about this amazing partnership.
After starting LW’s blog , I was blessed to have “met” a dog guide team. They reside over at Dog’s Eye View. Recently L^2 was asked what her favorite memory with her dog guide is.
“How can I give them back?” I believe if you read L^2’s answer, I’ll see how I can “give them back.”
Early Morning:
With our busy work schedules, the only available time to visit the ocean is early morning. We’ve been waking at 5:30 a.m., arriving in time to catch the last grimaces of the sunrise. There is little oceanfront activity at this hour. Other than the surf fishers we, generally, have the beach to ourselves. As we sit and have our fruit and bagels we enjoy watching the shrimp boats coming home after an evening out at sea.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Beating the Heat:
Those of who frequent my place, heard me mention (moan and complain miserably about) the heat wave which presented itself last week. When you live “down the shore” one of the best ways to beat the heat is to head on over to the ocean. Exactly, what B and I did. It was a wonderful way to start our day. After taking a nice long walk along the broadwalk, we grabbed our chairs, picked a spot on the sand and enjoyed a lovely picnic breakfast.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Father's Day:
"A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty." ~ Unknown
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Flag Day:
It’s not the size of the flag that matters, it’s the sense of proud you have when you see it. Happy Flag Day!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Lucky Friday the 13th:
Last August B’s radio station asked each of “on-air personalities” to create a blog. Their hope was to enable the listeners of the radio station to get to know the jocks, to give them a small insight into their off-air lives. B decided to blog about the adventures with our Seeing Eye puppy LW. However, we soon found I was taking the photos, checking for comments and encouraging B to post. I had become addicted. After I purchased a new camera and started taking 100s of photos I decide to start this blog. Initial, as I am not very good with words, it was a photoblog only. This was a place to park my photos in the hopes of our distance families and friends stopping by to see what B and I had been up to.
Never did I expect to meet so many wonderful people; those whom I know, only, through their pictures and words which are posted on their own little place in cyberspace. I am truly amazed at the incredible amount of talent each of you posses. I have, also, found the amount of encouragement amongst the individual blogger heartwarming. There are so many kind and thoughtful comments left, not only on my blog but on the blogs which I frequent.
I have learned about photography from many of you, I have had a look into the lives of people living with limited abilities, I have read about the sadness and the celebrations you have all shared. It is because of you all that I have continued to march forward with this blog. I look forward to each morning when I make a cuppa tea and page through my daily stops. It is truly a pleasure to have met each of you if only through the magic of the internet.
Recently, I received several awards. I am apologetic for not posting them sooner. I am flattered that you have awarded them to me.
From Mercedes I received:
And from Debbie over at Three Weddings, I was given these wonderful awards:
I would like to pass them to all of my daily stops. You’re listed on the right. Please take your award with the knowledge that you have made my day a bit brighter. There is only one request. If you choose to display the Share the Love award please link it back to Memoirs of a Mommy. It’s a very special award that she created in honor of the donor who saved (her son) Noah’s Life. Noah received a heart transplant, and she hopes that by passing this award around the blogosphere everyone can help raise awareness of the need for Organ Donation. And again, thank you all.
Never did I expect to meet so many wonderful people; those whom I know, only, through their pictures and words which are posted on their own little place in cyberspace. I am truly amazed at the incredible amount of talent each of you posses. I have, also, found the amount of encouragement amongst the individual blogger heartwarming. There are so many kind and thoughtful comments left, not only on my blog but on the blogs which I frequent.
I have learned about photography from many of you, I have had a look into the lives of people living with limited abilities, I have read about the sadness and the celebrations you have all shared. It is because of you all that I have continued to march forward with this blog. I look forward to each morning when I make a cuppa tea and page through my daily stops. It is truly a pleasure to have met each of you if only through the magic of the internet.
Recently, I received several awards. I am apologetic for not posting them sooner. I am flattered that you have awarded them to me.
From Mercedes I received:
And from Debbie over at Three Weddings, I was given these wonderful awards:
I would like to pass them to all of my daily stops. You’re listed on the right. Please take your award with the knowledge that you have made my day a bit brighter. There is only one request. If you choose to display the Share the Love award please link it back to Memoirs of a Mommy. It’s a very special award that she created in honor of the donor who saved (her son) Noah’s Life. Noah received a heart transplant, and she hopes that by passing this award around the blogosphere everyone can help raise awareness of the need for Organ Donation. And again, thank you all.
Sky Watch Friday: 6-13
This past week we suffered a major heat wave. Temperatures which normally range in the high 70s to the low 80s, jumped to the upper 90s with the heat index of 105 degrees. Yesterday, at 10:00 a.m. the bank’s thermometer was reading 102, not to mention the humidity was 80%. This was just a little too much heat a little too quickly. Since we are (I am) not, yet, acclimated to this heat and humidity many of us (me) were cranky and more than a bit irritable. Generally, the ocean brings relief to the discomfort of the summer’s heat. That is if the winds are blowing from the east pushing the cool ocean breeze over the land, unfortunately for us the winds were moving westward, creating a land breeze, only blowing more incredibly hot air and plenty of biting greenhead flies. It was one of the rare days that the oceanfront was more of a torture than a pleasure.
Last evening relief came in the way of torrential rains, hail, and strong winds, the temperature dropped more than 20 degrees in a matter of minutes. We awoke this morning to a beautiful day. The sun is bright, the air is warm, and the sky is crystal clear with wisps of clouds. It’s a much welcomed perfect day.
Last evening relief came in the way of torrential rains, hail, and strong winds, the temperature dropped more than 20 degrees in a matter of minutes. We awoke this morning to a beautiful day. The sun is bright, the air is warm, and the sky is crystal clear with wisps of clouds. It’s a much welcomed perfect day.
To view Sky Watch Friday.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Nothing:
Today, I got nothing. It's day three of temps in the very high 90s with the heat index reaching well over 100. I am not usually the one who complains about the heat but this current heat wave came upon us in a sneak attack. On Friday it was bearly in the 70s. I need a little time to get myself acclimated to the heat of summer. So I currently find myself sluggish and very cranky. It's not pretty!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Triple H Day:
The weather forecast for today is hazy, hot, and humid with temps reaching 105 degrees. It feels like a sauna outside. I have been called in to cover for a 4th grade class in a school which is minus air conditioning. Please note: I would rather be sitting on the beach, with my feet in the water, enjoying the cool ocean breeze.
Quick update: the decision was made to close all township (and many area) schools early today!
Quick update: the decision was made to close all township (and many area) schools early today!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Camera Critters # 9:
Another stop on our granddaughter’s tour of Jersey was a local zoo. Mr. Peacock was proudly strutting around showing off his handsome tail feathers which were in full fan. Than we caught sight of an albino peacock. I had never seen one; even the “eyes” on his tail feathers were white. It was so unusual to see this normally brightly colored bird void of all color. He was beautiful, almost angelic.
Visit Camera Critters.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Sky Watch Friday:
Last week we took our visiting, 17 month old, granddaughter to the beach and boardwalk. The sky was bright and the sun was warm, we welcomed the cool breeze blowing off shore. It was a beautiful day for a walk. Along with the arcade games, prize wheels, t-shirt stands, candy apples and cotton candy, you can now pierce just about part of your body. OOOOuch! We were really happy she was too young to be requesting any piercings.
To view Sky Watch Friday.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Waiting:
The stores are stocked and beaches are raked. We are offically ready and waiting for the summer vacationers. However, due to the raising gasoline prices I heard many folks are now rethinking travel plans and are going to take a staycation instead. Our local businesses remain hopeful.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Odd Shot Monday #5:
This binocular is one happy "guy". He was given ocean front property with a breath taking view worth... well at least 50 cents.
Visit Odd Shot Monday.
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