michelle ward

milestone month

Look at that sweet face.  Seems like yesterday that I set up the sheets, and wrangled the boys into the linen coat and saddle shoes, then took photos with real black and white film that I actually had developed. 

Today I will be a photographer again....how many rolls of film would it take to cover this day?  This month?  All the memorable moments will be captured on a small piece of plastic inserted into my camera.  How is that possible?  And how is it possible that this little one will depart in a dapper tux, with a lovely girl, and attend his senior prom?  I am a wreck.  Full of joy but a bag of nerves for this big day.  I was worried the fancy attire would be an issue but Sam tried it on and modeled for me like it was no big deal.  Even the shiny shoes.  I am wagering he might be the first on the dance floor.  Yes, really.  Crossing fingers that the chaperones text me every ten minutes as I sit with Brianna's mom in the hotel bar, anxiously waiting for reports.  It's good to know the insiders.

 

Prom tonight.  Special Olympics track meet next weekend.  Graduation on the 21st.  Milestones that fill us with pride.  And happy tears.  Pass the tissues.

I'll be back tomorrow with photos!

nearly ninety-nine and a half

I'm back from the north woods of Minnesota, where you can lean back on your chair around the bonfire and see satellites move through the clear black sky with your naked eye, but you can barely get cell service, and certainly not wi-fi.  But it's good to be unplugged...that's when you get to tune in to the things that really matter.  Like spending time with family.  We will all head home later in the summer but this trip was a special treat....treasured time on my own with Grandma. 

I've had some solo outings with her in recent years, like a lunch out, or an afternoon at home (photo below from 2009).  She has taken me to some fun and fascinating places - like museum exhibits in my teens, or an architecture field trip during a college spring break.  She's visited me at some of the places I've lived, and I always make time for her on visits home.  But I have never had five full days with her like this past weekend.  What a privilege to spend time with her at her favorite place, the cabin at Rock Lake. 

 

The only sign that hangs at the gate to long road down to the lake says No Trespassing.  A new sign on the wall says What Happens at the Cabin Stays at the Cabin.  I'm sorry to say you aren't invited, but I will give you a peek....

 

Below, she's directing Dad as he makes dinner.....which is only allowed as she's a really good cook (hey, she taught him!).  I tried to impress her by making Yorkshire Puddings but I think she'll me more impressed when Graham makes her the requested jambalaya in July.  Maybe if I attempt to make her famous strawberry jam I can win back some points in my favor.

 

 

We saw a baby fawn take her first steps.  Had visits from the hummingbirds and other colorful feathered friends.  Heard the loons.  Spotted my favorite - the great blue heron.  Found some new fronds.  Prayed for a fresh fish dinner but none were caught.  Enjoyed the familiar views from new settings - a sun room added last year.  The little hunting cabin that got most of its attention every fall has become a hub of activity in the summer.  Even fishing has taken a back seat to other more athletic water sports, especially with my brother's family living nearby.  She hasn't been on the jetski, but loves to tour the perimeter of the lake on a pontoon, spotting the nesting eagles.

Grandma, the matriarch.  She loves to shop for good bread.  She eats bacon with black coffee every morning.  The usual Scotch at five has diminished to a few sips when she feels like it.  She is quick to laugh.  Is still so styling - just got a new watch, and likes to dress smart...even has Uggs.  (As a child I used to love to browse through her closets, touching her dreamy evening gowns and fancy shoes in plastic boxes). She reads the paper and knows a little about everything. Loves conversation about the past, but delights in the present and takes it all in stride.  She listens, and remembers, and takes interest in every detail of her very extended family.  We had a huge family reunion at the lake last summer - to celebrate HER.

I went to her alma mater, intending to be a legacy by pledging her sorority.  I chose a life that was much different than hers, and never became a Kappa, or a hunter, or a cook.  But she pays attention with authentic curiosity and enthusiasm as I tell her about my family, my activities, and my art. 

Five days.  A gift to have, carved out from ninety-nine years.  I am so lucky.

happy birthday to us

Whether you say Always Remembering You or Remembering You Always, it simply means you never stop thinking about someone.  Especially when your heart is so filled with love.  And sweet memories.  And sister secrets.  Especially because you are missing her.  The day she left for heaven is significant, but the day she was born is the one to celebrate, especially if your share that same birthdate. 

 

 

 

Roses fill the gardens.  Roses fill the vases.  Piles of cards and packages.  Lots of joy here.  I'm a lucky girl.

 

 

*blows kisses*  xoxo

wishing you..

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  XOXO

happy thanksgiving

from our house to yours, have a blessed day..............................................................................

 

tattooed albino

OK, so it's not a real tattoo, and it's not a real albino pumpkin either.  I opted for the fakes this year.  Spent most of yesterday's free time working on this one.  There is something so relaxing and rewarding about drawing, especially when there is no agenda, just random markmaking.

We had an increased number if trick-or-treaters this year!  Love when the neighborhood is filled with children, wagons, parents, teens...all happily navigating the streets and sidewalks around piles of fallen branches and trees from the recent snow storm.  Not much white stuff left.  Just memories of another fabulous holiday, enjoyed by our family.  It was the year of big hats.....

 

Withering petals, Workshop in Wisconsin, and Whales

*waves*  Hello!  It's been a while.  When we last spoke I was on my way to Valley Ridge.  We had a terrific time - a full class of enthusiastic artists who painted and played for three whole days!  It was rewarding on so many levels and filled my well for a long time.  Love being in the studio and feeling the energy that gets generated when artists gather.

One of our assignments was to walk the gorgeous property in search of new shapes to inspire hand-crafted tools (stencils and stamps).  It was a perfect break from the work, to take in the scenery, breath in the not-quite-fall-air, enjoy the sun, and observe all that was before us.  I found my way to Katherine's garden - very much in hiberbation and decay, with amazing shapes.  The once vibrant flowers and plants presenting themselves as dried pods and other interesting stages of non-life. 

 

I later learned these were coneflowers - typically adorned with violet petals.  My impression upon observing the dried evidence, was that the flower had possibly been a black-eyed susan, with golden petals.  I am so glad I didn't know they were once purple, as the darker rustier color served as my inspiration for this painting.  I used the river rocks stencil by Mary Beth, adding in a few larger stones to make it my own for the section of ground.  I made my own stencils for the flowers, and included roots since my attempt at pulling a few to photograph came straight from the earth with entire stem and roots. 

 

Some evidence of our walk around the perimeter of the VR property....Mom is there gathering weeds and avoiding coyotes.  (Actually, we only hear them at night....haven't seen one there yet.)

 

Here is the group - thank you ladies!  I loved seeing your individual perspectives, and your fabulous work.  So much fun to see old friends and make new ones.  I had a great time Raising the Bar with you :)

And just days after arriving home from Wisconsin we road tripped up to Canada.  It's been a few years since we have been there and promised the kids a return visit to see our beloved friends, the orcas.  You can read about our previous memorable visits in a past post HERE.  It was so heavy with rain on the first day that the park was not even open.  Drats.  Luckily it cleared enough by the next day that we headed straight for Friendship Cove at Marineland, Niagara Falls, Ontario, to see Kiska and Ike.  A happy ending.

 

 

 

fathers and forefathers

On Father's Day ~  a call to my Dad, some gifts for my husband.  Feeling like a lucky girl for the men in my life.  A hug for my brother as we met him and his family for a few days in Washington, D.C.  In the land of our forefathers, stacked with history....we walked past the White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and here....where we have been before, but not quite like this.  At first I was stunned by the quantity of roses and remembrances, written letters and lilies....standing at attention, beautiful and proud.....then I recalled, it was Father's Day.  Like Memorial Day, and Veteran's Day, THIS was another occasion to visit the wall, offer a prayer, give thanks, and nod in respect.

 

 

The next day we visited Arlington National Cemetery and the nearby Marine Corps War Memorial.  More nods of respect.  Honor.  Gratitude.  So much history to learn and relearn as we visited many locations in the city.  So many reasons to return another time.

 

 

 

 

celebrating you, her, them, and me

 

We are blessed.  xo

what do you see?

 

 

  
 

 

I've seen this many times.  It's a scene from the back door.  I have passed by this image on the way to do laundry more than once.  I see it and I smile.  I know what this is and who did it. 

Yesterday I chose to photograph it because I never want to forget it.  Sometimes we need to stop and take the pictures that remind us of the mental notes we carry of everyday life.  This is evidence I will cherish.  Someday we may not be living in this home.  Someday a regular routine may change.  Someday I might wish I had this photo. 

This is the place at the back door at the top of the basement stairs where we keep a container for the recycling.  Often, even when the bin has been moved to the side of the house or the front curb, I will see a small flattened cardboard item that Sam has left.  He's good that way....knowing where it is supposed to go.  Knowing it should be recycled not thrown out.  As grown-ups we might toss the small box into the trash since the recycling container is missing.  This small gesture reveals alot - it not only says that he pays attention to the rules, it reminds me that he loves band-aids. AND it is a clue we need to get more. 

On any given day if you are in need of a band-aid you simply go to Sam and he'll gladly share one from his pocket.  It's fun to ask, even if you don't need one, because he loves to be the go-to guy.

This photo - such a little thing that is meaningless to most, opens up pages of monologue I could write about this son, this family, this life. 

What photos should you take this week?

to you and yours

 

With all the muchness that this holiday brings, I wish for you some peaceful moments to reflect on how much we have already.  Family, friends, full hearts, warm homes and health.   

I hope it goes without saying, that if you don't celebrate Christmas, I wish you a happy whatever-it-is-you-honor.  xoxo

20_-_Trans-Siberian_Orchestra_-_Christmas_Canon

(my favorite track this year)

 

gah!! and gobble

Mom is here - she and Fallon and I are heading into the city tomorrow to see The Addams Family on Broadway (starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth)....but before that we are making an annual visit to see the BG windows.  In past years, a Thanksgiving weekend visit to the city couldn't guarantee that you'd see the display *finished*.....but even better, you might get to see the windows being tweaked, primped, an installation-in-progess.  We do know that everything has launched early this year....even my local radio station has gone 24/7 xmas tunes.  Come on....THAT is nuts!  However, while Christmas has invaded Thanksgiving's territory, I won't complain that the windows have been unveiled.  You can see some terrific photos on the BG blog - (seriously, go see) plus this awesome behind-the-scenes video!  GAH!!

 

 

In case I don't get back on here before Thursday, gobble gobble...........Have a Happy Thanksgiving! xoxo

a is for apple

 
 
 

It's here!  The red apple cookie jar I gave to Mom and Dad as a house warming gift for their new home a few years ago in remembrance of the one we had as kids.....is now in my newly painted red kitchen!  Yay!  Time to bake.

 
 

 

New crusade is up.  Come see.

 

playing dress up

 

 
 


It was a great night, following a weekend of continued home improvement.  Daddy scared the pants off trick-or-treaters at the door with his Slipknot masks.  Sam is perpetually Uncle Sam.  And so cute at it - thankfully he doesn't get the unwelcome and unfunny remarks that people in the street feel compelled to say - political stuff.  Peter pretended to be from Slipknot too (for the unaware - they are a heavy metal band from Iowa).  And Fallon was perfect as Lydia from Beetlejuice.   I told neighbors I was a poem....The Raven ;) 

more trickery

 
As requested, here are more photos from my Parlor Tricks book....followed by some workshop photos I borrowed from Kathy.  It was frightfully fun!

 
 
 
 

 

I've been asked to offer this as an online class which I am giving some serious consideration.  I'm facing a decision - whether or not to have it include a kit that has to be assembled and mailed, or if I should redesign the format so the punched paper and coils are not necessary and all parts could be offered as a printable download.  I would love your feedback.....if you are interested, let me ask you this: 

1.  Would you want to receive a kit that is required to make a coil bound book?

OR

2.  Would you prefer to download all the pieces and print from home?   

 

report from valley ridge

I remember getting ready to teach my first workshop about eight years ago.  I was a wreck.  I packed too much.  I was worried I wouldn't live up to the expectations of my students.  I was sure I would get off track and forget something important.  I had stagefright. 

Nothing much has changed except that now I have the experience to know what really matters ~ show your true self, fire up some confidence and enthusiasm in your students, and get them to realize they have it within them to make cool stuff.  It doesn't even matter what the class is - the point of it all is to relish in the time set aside to honor our creative selves. 

Valley Ridge is the kind of place that makes that time even more special.  The atmosphere is unmatched.  There are not many venues that provide two and three day classes.  Having that second day is such a gift.  You get to stroll into the workroom where your supplies are already unpacked.  You get to pat yourself on the back for what you've accomplished and then you get to take advantage of another whole day to dig in deeper, ask more questions, learn from your instructor and your neighbors. 

These two classes were an absolute blast.  Such a great group of artists!  I left VR feeling fulfilled in every way.  It felt good to be intense and deliberate in creating.  It was rewarding to see the fabulous work.  I loved seeing old friends, and made some new ones.  My spirit is soaring!

 

 

 

 

I can't believe I don't have any detail shots of the Parlor books!  Hopefully some friends will share their pictures with me - I know Kathy will have some....there were terrific tricks happening in our parlors!  Here is a cute story....The first night Kathy and I were remembering the first time I came to VR to teach Roll With It (2005).  We were thinking of the students and I was asking about some of the ones I hadn't heard from in a while.  We mentioned Cindy.  Two days later SHE CALLED at 9:30 pm to ask if the there was room in the Sat/Sun class.  She arrived from Iowa the next morning!  <enter twilight zone music>  I met her at her car....in the backseat was her pillow....No way!  I had just made a sign for my Parlor Tricks book, see below.  Lyrics from Hotel California!  Love that kind of synchronicity!

 


 

 

Terrific to spend time with Kathy.  So special to have Mom playing along with us.  I think she the most 'commitments' by adding content in her book.  (Of course she was the teacher's pet *grin*) Loved every minute of it.  Crossing fingers we can convince Kathy to emerge from sabbatical next fall for another gathering at her amazing place.

Thank you.  * blows kisses*

we're back!

It's taking a while to get back in the groove...300 plus photos to sort through.  Almost as many memories.  A terrific trip!  And yesterday the bathroom was finally completed.  Yay!  The studio is not quite done but I'm close!

 
As you know, Shannon and I would take a photo together on the dock while up at the lake.  In honor of that tradition all of us girls gathered, with pink visors from Mom, in remembrance of her.  Here I am with my daughter, my sister-in-law, my nieces, and my Mom.  And below, *evidence* that I got up on skis.  Not done with the style Mom does it but after three years I impressed myself by getting up on the first try!

she's still got it

Many of you know my cute little Mom so I thought I'd share this awesome shot.  Looking at her you'd never guess she is 70.  Back in the day she and her brother used to do that fancy trick skiing stuff - like Mom climbing way up the pyramid.  I know, crazy!  I remember my Dad and my uncle CARRYING us in their arms as they skied around the lake when we were kids.  I know, even crazier!  So here she is, from last month, taken by my brother:

 

We are off to visit my entire family....it's my parents 50th anniversary!  I'm sure skiing will be involved.  Hopefully I still have it.  I'm sure I won't look as good as her.....or the Go-Go's ;)  *waves goodbye* 

happy memories

The tears are still very near the surface at the thought of being without my sister.  But I can manage smiling, and even laughing at happy memories.  Today, on the second anniversary of Shannon's death, I am claiming, once again, that She Mattered.  I share with you just some of the photos we took together on the dock at our family lake home.  These make me giggle.  Hope you'll share a grin with me.  I will add them to my Sister Journal this weekend. 

 

You should see my roses.  Glorious.  Just what I need.  I'll snap a photo later today.

Thank you for all the beautiful comments about the 500th.  I'm extremely touched.  Still time to enter the drawing in the post below - ends Sunday evening. 

*blows kisses* 

going home

I will be heading home for a few days to help celebrate a life....to listen to stories, and maybe tell a few.  I will cry for the departure of my cousin Kathy.  I will cry for her young family.  I will cry for her sister Molly, because I have been there.  I will weep for all the losses we have endured.  I will be grateful to be spending this time with family.  My journey through the sometimes murky place called grief has had many moments of light.  It is in those times that I can imagine heaven....where there is no illness, no longing, no sorrow.  I will visualize the trumpets sounding as another beautiful soul enters the gates.   She was not afraid.  May we all be that prepared.

 

Thank you for your kind words of support and encouragement this week.  I love being able to share that SHE MATTERED.  xo 
 

step into my garden....

As many of you know, today is not only my birthday, it is Shannon's too.  Two summers ago she left us, after gracing us with her presence for forty years.  We planted a small rose garden, in remembrance of her....and it has not only grown, it has multiplied.  Today I am allowing myself to be a little sad, missing her.  So many calls and messages have come in, wishing me well....thank you.....but I can't hold back the tears, some happy, some sorrowful.  So before I head out to the nursery to indulge in one more rose bush, I will take you on a tour.

The above grouping is just outside my studio door.  Below are the newest, planted in April.  We have learned our lesson about spacing...and have given these beauties much more room to grow.

 

Below are the gifts from Mother's Day 2009....one didn't make it through the winter....so that is the mission for today.  The new one will make twenty in total.  I'm getting pretty good at this....and decided I will start a new journal project, keeping notes on my experience as a Rosarian.  xo

Our annual Sam party was postponed this year as we were holding out for better weather than we usually get in April.  Thanks to all our friends, classmates, and teachers who came to celebrate on the glorious Saturday we were blessed to have.

 

spring sing ring

So I'm a little late posting this page.  At least I kept up!  I'm also late with the crusade, but it's up now, whew! 

There is nothing better than working with reckless abandon, and no concern for "what am i going to do with this" - just playing to learn.  Hope you'll join us this month.   

Sam turned 18 yesterday.  Eighteen!  Sweet kiss from his sweet friend :)  Makes my heart sing to see him so happy.

Lots of comments about my custom *lucky girl* ring.  From etsy of course!  Made by Chris at CreativeMode.  In fact, all the rings are from etsy.  See also aprilkawaoka, puffluna, karalmava, aliciasjoy, cherrycreek,  tinahdee, panicmama, and sterlingstones.  Rock On is from somewhere else...can't remember now.

happy....

 
Mom and Dad are both here now.  We'll be enjoying some family time.  Wishing you a Happy Easter, Blessed Passover, and most welcome Spring!  We are loving the sun.  Hope it is shining on you too.

christmas eve

Fallon has made the Jesus Birthday cake and we are about to head out to church.  Graham has put on the Christmas Music Mix and we are feeling festive as the evening gets dark.  Sam is looking forward to Santa's visit....bringing the requested calendars he asks for every year.  There is snow on the ground.  All is good.

The first track on the compilation:  Do They Know It's Christmas?  It's a favorite for several reasons, the most important being it was released a few months after I met my husband.  Twenty-five years ago!

 

 

Enjoy, and Merry Christmas.

pink christmases

In the beginning....Mom had a lovely tree in the living room, filled with glass balls of soft pink and green.  The last time I held one it was speckled with stains from sprayed *snow*, from the days when that was cool.  I'm not sure if any of them survived past my childhood - they may have been tucked away, leaving room on the branches for livelier colors and handmade ornaments.  Recently I scooped up some of these pink *Shiny Brites*, (remember them?) from ebay, to add to our collection in remembrance of our family tree.

 
Last year we reclaimed pink for Christmas, as another remembrance.  Judi sent this deer, a special sign, that draws attention in our stable.....and we just *wink*.

Last week I found this sweet little angel practically hiding on a store shelf.  She's only about two inches high....but she caught my eye with her pink heart, and special message.

 

I will ask Mom if she has any pink glass balls left from her first tree in the 60s.  If not, I will send her some replacements.....and she'll know their double meaning. 

Here's to keeping things meaningful.
 

blog rewind: it's a wonderful life

As I mentioned, this post is brought you thanks to Seth who is hosting a collaborative event of revisiting old entries.  I chose this post because it stands out as the first time I shared something personal about my family life, and it was most likely the first time I hit double digits in comments.  I really felt a sense of connection and the response I got validated it was ok to share all aspects of life as a wife, parent, daughter, sister, friend, and artist....and that exposing ourselves as real people on our blogs is just as important as expressing ourselves as artists. 

Here it is - probably my wordiest post but this time with bigger photos, and I'm including some related content below the original text (which can be seen with the comments from September 2006 HERE). 

 

Originally posted September 3, 2006

Living with AUTISM is a challenge, but it’s wonderful and rewarding.  Many children with Autism thrive on routine.  They depend on it.  Our son Sam is one of those kids.  He sets his mind on how and when things should happen.  Here’s a story where foiled plans became a dream of a lifetime.

Last year we went to Niagara Falls.  We found out that Marineland, an amusement park with exhibits of many mammals, had Orcas.  Our son Sam has loved Killer Whales since he was about a year old.  I mean, HE LOVES THEM.  The walls in his room are covered in posters, and picture calendars, and we have dozens of Orca toys – plastic, plush, large, small, plus magnets, stickers, pillow cases.  AND did I mention books?  Countless books on whales and dolphins, but mostly Orcas.  Free Willy?  He’s a friend we watch nearly every day.  So off we went to Marineland on Thursday, August 16, 2005.

 

 

 

Once in the park we headed straight for Friendship Cove, home of 4 Orcas.  I can’t tell you how excited we all were to watch Sam’s face as he saw, for the first time in his life, a real Killer Whale.  It was a moment to remember, followed by many more that weekend.  LAST year you could purchase tickets to stand with the trainer to feed and pet an Orca.  Yeah, we all did it – more than once.  After a full day of fun with the family at the park Sam and I returned for a second day – 9 hours just standing at the tanks, watching the whales.  Sam was in heaven.  “Goodbye whales, see you next year”.  From the day we departed Canada Sam started talking about returning on Thursday, August 17, 2006.  If you know a child with Autism, you know that you had to talk about the upcoming trip daily, like 20 times a day.

 

 

 

Fast forward to this past August.  Sam was ready, wearing the same shirt as last year so the whales would recognize him.  His routine was working up until we got to Friendship Cove – no more ticket sales for feeding the whales.  Foiled!  The activity was replaced with a new Splash Show.  Sure, the Splash Show was fantastic, fascinating, but I could see the despair and confusion on my sweet boy’s face.   We stayed for two shows, took lots of photos and video, saw the rest of the park, went on rides, and returned to say good bye to the whales.  Sam and I returned again for a second day.  Didn’t take the video camera as I had enough footage, right?  Bad idea.  So we are there, planted into position as we were last year, to spend the day watching the whales swim around their wide open tanks.  You are literally two feet away from these beautiful mammals.  The Splash Show is every hour and half – so people start filling into the area ten minutes before show time, then disperse twenty minutes later, soaking wet, after the show.  The trainers notice we are there, and still there, and again, still there.  We talk with one of the attendants – he asks Sam about the pile of books he’s carrying.  This young man, Nicholas, bless his heart, cued in that Sam is no ordinary child, and tried to keep him engaged in conversation.  One thing was obvious to Nicholas – Sam ADORES the whales.  THEN, just prior to the next Splash Show, the “host” of the event, Sean, came over to talk with Sam.  I could feel myself leaving my body  - you know that kind of moment you have when something REALLY GOOD is happening and time stands still and you can barely speak and the tears flood down your face.  Sean tells Sam – I could really use a helper for the show.  Do you think you could help me?  WHAT DID HE JUST SAY?  Dear God, THANK YOU.  If I could have felt my legs at that moment I would have dropped to my knees.

 

 

 

The show begins.  Mike and Kendra, the whale trainers, introduce themselves to this hysterical mom, with winks and smiles, KNOWING, knowing.  Sean is at the microphone, introduces Sam Ward from NJ…..and Sam, who has memorized this show, mimics the trainers.  He knew what to do.  He knew the act.  They got such a kick out of it.  Sam was not afraid in the least to be in front of a HUGE crowd.  He directed the whales to do their tricks.  NEVER in my wildest dreams did I ever expect that Sam would have the chance of a lifetime.  All credit goes to Nicholas, who had the insight, and Sean, Mike, and Kendra, who had the hearts, to give this special boy a very special day.  Warm hearted thanks to our Marineland friends.  I know they feel rewarded, because you just get that from our Sam. 

 

 

 

 

Sam stayed behind the barricade with the trainers after the show.  The two whales, mother and daughter, were still floating near the trainer area,  - waiting, watching.  Sam opened his books to show them the Orca pictures.  Page after page.  The whales didn’t swim away.  Sam read to them.  Sam had observed everything they did in their “free time”, and he especially loved when they stuck their tongues out.  So Sam sticks his tongue out at the whales and they mimicked him!  The hour and half between shows flew by and Sam was honorary trainer for one more show. 

 

 

 

Imagine my husband’s reaction when he came to pick us up outside the park at the end of the day!  Thank goodness I had my digital camera and could show him and the kids all the proof that we were the luckiest souls on earth that day.  Of course I wish they had been with us, but if they were, would it have all happened like it did?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  And Thursday, August 16, 2007?  You know where I’ll be!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I uploaded a very short video clip of the event HERE.  In addition to all the heartfelt responses from readers there was a really cool comment that came from Nicholas, who was the catalyst for the dream day.  I also heard from a reader who suggested I send the story to Chicken Soup for the Soul as they had an open call for Special Needs themed tales.  We made it in!!  (with a photo too!)

 

 

 

We went back again to see our friends, the trainers and the whales, at Marineland in 2007 but we haven't been back since.  If I had been on the ball with getting passports we would be going this summer.  They'll be seeing us again, you can be sure of that.  And the memories of our visits will forever reside in our hearts.

 

 

 

Thanks for indulging me in a repost of this story.  To see more revisits by other bloggers check in with Seth.

treasures

First treasure:  getting to spend time with my Grandmother while in MN.  I finally got a photo of her with this triptych, a favorite of mine.  She's had it on her grand table as long as I can remember.  A short time ago I was prowling around ebay trying to find one similar to hers.  Not having a photo of it I went by memory, and I think I did pretty well with my score.  It's much smaller in scale, but it sits on my table now and reminds me of her. 

 

I won't give away her age, but you can gather what it might be since my Dad (her son) turns 71 TODAY.  Happy Birthday Dad.

Another treasure:  Seth, my friend at The Altered Page, launched a viral plan last week - to revisit an old blog post in his adventure called Buried Treasure.  He is inviting participants for round 2 tomorrow.  Isn't that a cool idea?  Visit Seth to see his long list of players from last week and to see who joins in for another go at it.  If you are a blogger why not do it too?  Check back to see my submission in the morning.

 

This got me thinking:  What do you consider a great blog post?  Is it the content?  The attitude?  Some bloggers are wordy, some are visual.  Some are both.  Do you prefer one over the other?  I bet there is a difference in what we consider good depending on whether we are the reader or the writer.  As a blog writer I tend to judge good posts by the number of comments it gets.  You tend to think readers leave feedback when your thoughts or images jive with their own interests.  And while we don't assess our success by comments it does give us a sense of what hits the mark with our audience. 

I have selected a favorite archived post to share with you tomorrow because I know it was one that was a turning point for me personally, giving me confidence in how I blogged, and what was ok to share.  I'm curious....what was the post that made you bookmark me and want to come back? 

See you tomorrow.

before i go....one more reveal

This would be the mother of all reveals, if one were keeping score.  I thought I was going to skulk off into the sky, flying back to Minnesota, carrying with me the cloud of grief, but instead I will be carrying this Book of Love, to share with my family.  How does one go about finding and composing the most apt words to convey how you have made me feel?  You obviously know me well enough to know I am utterly moved.  Picture me surrounded with rays of light, casting a pink glow.  Both eyes filled with tears.  One for sorrow, one for joy.

 

I will let the photos do the talking.  Special thanks to Secret Agents JeriAnn, Julie, and Lisa who schemed and plotted and gathered a generous, thoughtful, loving, talented team of participants.  I thank you all for the quiet, gentle embrace.  I feel you.

 

 

 

  

Julie has loaded the pages onto flickr, you can visit HERE.

 

I know, can you imagine?  I'm blown away too. 

I am missing Shannon so much, but look how many art-sisters I have (plus an art-brother, Seth).  A swarm of angels.  I've said it before: You make grief endurable.  With humble gratitude, Michelle.

the kellys were here

Our annual family gathering usually takes place in Minnesota.  This year they all came to Jersey.  It was the first time my brother brought his family here so we gave them the city tour (x2) and didn't let the rain stop us. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We missed having Andy here this time, but we felt Shannon with us.  Summer is officially here!  Enjoy.

ta-da x 3

 

One leaves high school, and two will enter it.  Three ta-das in one day!  Happy to have my family here from Minnesota to celebrate with us. 

Wishing Graham, my Dad, my brother, my Father-in-Law, and dads everywhere a Happy Fathers Day.