Watery Wednesday, Bulls Bridge

These two pics are from Bull's Bridge in Kent, Conecticut. My son and I went up together on Saturday and tromped through the woods and trails. It wasn't a particularly sunny day but the rain held off, which was nice. He has a couple nice shots to post as well, which we'll do together a little later. He says I have his "permission" to use his shots--what a good kid!

to see more Watery Wednesday posts from around the globe, click here.

Skywatch Friday: Candlewood Lake

This pic of Candlewood Lake was taken just at sunrise as the mist was rising off the lake on St. Patrick's Day. They sky was so pretty that morning, I just couldn't drag myself away. The town beach was of course deserted, peaceful and quiet. It was a wonderful morning.

"Take Your Coat!"

I have a 12 year old son. His greatest desire in 4th grade was to play football. He begged us to sign him up. Football is BIG in this town. And it takes up a LOT of time. Don't plan on doing anything else once August 1 rolls around, they belong to the team then. Only my son hated football. Hated how physical it was. Hated that he was small. He would cry when I dropped him off at practice, he would beg not to go back. His father and I told him to stick with it, that it was good for him to complete something, that it would build character, that he was good at it and given the chance, he just might like it.

We ordered him a jacket, a token of being on a team, being a part of something bigger. All the boys had one. We ordered it in an adult size small, the smallest size available. It swam on him. He never played football after that one season, but the jacket has remained. Out the door he goes as I yell from the top of the stairs "Take your coat!" He could bring any coat from his closet and that would suffice. He brings this one. He dutifully takes it everywhere he goes. It is his constant friend and his loyal companion. Sometimes I feel bad that he has to hang around and wait while my son goes off to tackle the day's adventure. It'd be nice if he'd wear it once in a while!

Watery Wednesday: Bull's Bridge

Bulls Bridge is located in Kent, Connecticut. It is made up of a covered bridge, 2 or 3 miles in hiking trails and the falls, which is part of the Connecticut Light and Power plant system. I liked the juxtaposition of the glassy, reflective water above the storminess of the falls. The difference was amazing considering the two elements were mere feet apart.

My husband and I finally got out for a bit of relaxation on Saturday evening. The sun was setting quickly and we were losing the light, however what lighting there was perfectly suited this watery reflection.

For more Watery Wednesday posts from around the globe, please visit http://waterywednseday.blogspot.com/

"Everybody Cut Footloose!"

All the driving and patience has paid off. This is the cast of the 2009 NFHS production of Footloose. Their opening night was last night and they did a great job. Congratulations to all and I am so proud of my daughter! Great job Hon! We love you!

Skywatch Friday: Patience

My daughter is involved in the play up at the high school, which has meant a lot of late nights and a lot of driving in the morning. I do so hate driving to school in the morning. I've learned a lot about patience lately, and have learned to enjoy the quiet morning after the stressful drive. It has made all the difference in my day.
To see other skywatch posts from around the world, please visit http://skyley.blogspot.com

Excellence

"Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way." --Booker T. Washington

I liked this quote a lot as the paper passed across my desk this morning. I stopped what I was doing to ponder its meaning, letting the phrase resonnate in my head. I think I will spend the rest of the day thinking about this quote and how I can apply it to the things I touch every day.

Watery Wednesday: Happy St. Patrick's Day, Hank!

I met Hank when I was a kid and he was an old man. Hank knew how to enjoy life. He enjoyed his lake, he enjoyed his beer, he enjoyed his life. Hank lived right on Candlewood Lake and would tell me year after year that the ice is always off the lake by St. Patrick's Day. This year was no exception. Happy St. Patrick's Day, Hank. I miss you.

to see more Watery Wednesday posts from around the world, please visit http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com

My World Tuesday: Barn at the Bend in the Road

We were on our way to the Goshen Fair, a real New England fair, on Labor Day. The sunflowers were in full bloom. I loved this shot and went back after the holiday to take more shots of the sunflowers that seem so far away here.

to see more pics like this, please visit showyourworld.blogspot.com

Skywatch Friday: Break of Day at NFHS

I drove my daughter to school this morning, which I avoid like the plague. The moon was still high in the sky as the sun was preparing to rise at 7:05. I couldn't help but park the car and take advantage of the lovely purple sky.

to see more skywatch shots from around the world, please visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Watery Wednesday: Ocean City, New Jersey

There's no doubt that I love OCNJ. The boardwalk and beach have all the action going on. It's nice to discover the little inlets and dunes where the quiet times happen. To see more Watery Wednsday posts from around the world, please vist http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com

Skywatch Friday

Watery Wednesday: Kent Falls in September

We received another 8 inches of snow here in Connecticut yesterday, bringing everything to a complete standstill. Instead of grabbing my trusty camera and going out for pics, I opted for a setting more green and refreshing. Memories took me back to celebrating our 22nd anniversary back in September. This is where we spent a good part of the day.to enjoy other watery scenes, please visit http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

My World Tuesday: Ocean City, New Jersey

We go to Ocean City, New Jersey every summer. It is our favorite vacation spot. We stay in a friend's condo about 2 blocks back from the beach. One of the best things is that the kids are now old enough to go up to the beach or the boardwalk on their own. This view from 6th Street is our first view of the boardwalk each year and each year it is good to be "home" if only for a week at a time.

To see more pics, please visit showyourworld.blogspot.com

Living a Simpler Life

My husband of 22 years and I talked about resolutions at the beginning of the year. Now, we don't make resolutions per se, because it seems that they never last more than a couple of weeks or so. I told him i wasn't interested in making any grand pronouncements this year. I just wanted to make a committment to live simpler, smaller. Appreciate the little things in life, spend less, save more.

I have a friend some of you may know, Sandy Carlson. Sandy was friends with my husband in high school and we have all gotten to know each other again this last year. One of the things I admire very much is her ability to notice the little things and appreciate them, whether they be mentioned in a poem or just in a picture she has taken. Sandy knows what is important and knows how to appreciate the little gifts, the little things.

Sandy ultimately led me to the blogging world just a month or so ago now. I have found a peace with my blog that I didn't know was missing from my life. I enjoy the satisfaction of posting a great piece and anticpate what type of comment, if any, it will spark. In exploring the blog world i have enjoyed exploring more than several sites, revisiting my favorites regularly.

One site that I am learning a lot from is thatbritishwoman.blogspot.com. her website is full of great tips and recipes. One of her features that I am currently following, in hopes of saving a little more money, is Daily Savings Club of 2009. If you, too, would like to conserve, recycle, save and live a simpler life, her site is well worth the visit.

It is March now and my husband and I have reached some goals in living smaller. Several changes included paying for groceries and out of pocket expenses all in cash while saving the checking account to pay bills only. We also have not gone out to dinner since the beginning of the year, we have opted to have breakfast or lunch out only occasionally. The kids bring their lunch to school every day and we bring ours to work most days of the week now. We have committed to all extra change being tossed into a 5 gallon water bottle as vacation savings for the coming summer. We will count and wrap it at the beginning of July and have told the kids that's the boardwalk money.

I am excited about 2009 so far and am so blessed to find myself caught up in a great community of people. Love and happiness to you all in 2009.

Laurie

One Single Impression: Circles

She circles the dance floor
Gracefully
Effortlessly
A smile on her face
Not a baby
Not a little girl
Not yet a woman
She circles the dance floor
She knows the steps
Stumbles little
She’s on her way
She circles the dance floor
Gracefully
Effortlessly
A smile on her face
Always