Watery Wednesday: Kent Falls After the Rain

It has been very wet and rainy in Connecticut for the better part of the last six weeks. The Fourth of July was the first sunny warm day in a very long time. We visited Kent Falls on Sunday along with thousands of our closest friends! It was a beautiful day, the trails were a lush green and the falls were thundering loud. Even the smallest inlets were full of water. It was a beautiful day. For more great Watery Wednesday posts, please visit http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com.

One Less

Our Community lost a piece of its future tonight. In one earth-shattering moment, one of our children was taken away from us forever. What was supposed to be a day of celebration, the completion of another school year in sleepy New Fairfield turned tragic at a party. No, alcohol wasn't involved, no there was no mean-spirited hazing, yes the parents were in attendance. But in one swift moment our lives were changed forever.

We're not supposed to lose our children. They are to out-live their parents, out-shine them in their abilities. They are supposed to make the world a better place. Catherine Burke will never have that chance. She should be lazing the summer away having her mother tell her to get up each morning. Now her mother walks past her empty room. One less at the table, one less in the car. One less.

Instead of gathering for the next party, our community gathers for a funeral. Our hearts have been changed tonight. Our sympathies go out to the Burke family. The loss of one child diminishes us all.

Skywatch Friday: That's Atlantic City!

Ocean City, New Jersey is literally an island unto itself, located about 20 miles south of Atlantic City. This picture was captured early in the morning before the haze lifted. Normally invisible, it was amazing to see with such clarity, the outline of the ACNJ skyline.

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Watery Wednesday, Kent Falls

This is one of the many inlets of Kent Falls. I was in a reflective, quiet mood today as my eldest daughter turns 20. I looked for a picture to post that expresses the calmness and thoughtfulness that I feel. I am so proud of my daughter.

Love and Happiness to all.

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Skywatch Friday: Roadtrip to Hartford

The sky has been laden with clouds over the last month. Some good, some bad--we've had a lot of rain. The sky was bright and pretty on our ride up to Hartford a couple weeks ago. The perfect backdrop against such an interesting building.

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Skywatch Friday: Steubie U

My eldest daughter just finished her sophomore year of college. Two years ago this summer we were looking at schools together. It seems like yesterday. One of her selections was Franciscan University located in Steubenville, Ohio, a mere 9 hours away from our home in Connecticut and located in a part of the country I had never visited. These were a couple of shots from the area.

Built in 1990, this is the New Steubenville Bridge. It is a cable-stayed bridge connecting Steubenville, Ohio and Weirton, West Virginia. The sky was angry when we came into town. And then the storm came in as we were trying to find a place to eat that night!

This is the chapel at Franciscan University, or "Steubie U". We were lucky that our tour was the next morning as it was a beautiful blue sky. The perfect way to see a prospective college! We stayed on campus until about 3 when it was time to head back to Connecticut. We had a wonderful trip and some great memories. Caitlin didn't end up going to Franciscan but it is a visit that we have not forgotten. By the way...a caffeinated daughter for a 9 hour road trip is an interesting experience...
for more great skywatch pics from around the world, please visit: http://skyley.blogspot.com

Watery Wednesday: Fishing Club Pier, OCNJ

This is a view of the Fishing Club on Boardwalk and 14th in Ocean City, New Jersey. The colors and shadows are so beautiful late in the day and I love how calm the ocean is in this picture. Please visit more Watery Wednesday posts at http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com.

One Glorious Summer

This is my favorite time of year, my favorite feeling. Summer lets us slow down, appreciate the warm weather and lazy days. Memorial Day has come and gone, the beginning of a very short season here in Connecticut. Enjoy.

For one glorious summer time did not matter
Every day was Friday
It was always 5:05 on our deck
Ready to relax

For one glorious summer our home was the place to be
Friends came to stay
Our way of life becoming theirs
Their hearts have never left

For one glorious summer we loved each other
And our children
And our friends
As if there was nothing more important on this earth

…and there’s not…

For one glorious summer we felt the love of friends long lost
And made new ones as well
Our world and our hearts becoming bigger
With each addition

For one glorious summer time did not matter
Family and friends did
We were happy
We were home

For one glorious summer we changed our lives forever

It was one glorious summer…

Summer 2008, Laurie Gerry

Watery Wednesday: Bull's Bridge/Appalachian Trail

We were hiking on the Bull's Bridge portion of the Appalachian Trail in Northwestern Connecticut. It was our first hike as a family and we did get a little turned around. The scenery, however, was stunning. To see more watery posts, please visit http://waterwednesday.blogspot.com.

My World Tuesday: One Room Schoolhouse

This is West Centre School, the last of 7 one-room schoolhouses for the District of New Fairfield. It is a landmark now but from the early 1800s to 1940 was a functioning school. The teacher made roughly $10 a MONTH in 1830. There was a wood stove for heat and no running water. The term began on October 1 of each year and it was each family's duty to provide firewood and a new broom. Oh--the two doors? One for boys and one for girls, each leading to their own cloakroom before entering the classroom.

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