Adventerous Little Birdy

This little bird was entertaining while lunching in the Park with friends. He had his eye on Vic's sandwich and wouldn't let up!

It was a comical break in the day.

New quote:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” >>> Maryanne Williamson as quoted by Nelson Mandela

Reflections

I escaped to my happy place yesterday. The power the shore has over me is truly amazing. I went and sat on the beach for a while and cleared my mind.

The overcast day fit my state perfectly. Things were cloudy and a little out of focus.

In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. > Albert Camus

Sadness

Unfortunately, I lost a loved one today. My great Uncle passed this morning, and my sadness runs deep.

Uncle Joe was responsible for carrying on many Italian traditions within the family (more notably, teaching me about them). He took me to the Italian market for the first time and taught me how to cook the 7 fishes feast for Christmas eve. Sadly I never got to learn how to make my great grandmothers ravioli, but his descriptions of it will make my mouth water for a lifetime.

He was a teacher, both in my life, and in many public school children's lives. He had a fond appreciation for fine art and opera. He supported my loves from day one. Every time I went to visit him, he'd go into his office, pull out a tin of 8 crayons and put me to work creating art for his fridge. After moving to the city for college, he'd still hand me the crayons and give me a hard time that the artwork was to slow in coming!

He even called the Italian family in Italy when I spent a semester abroad. I was able to meet them and still talk to them thanks to Uncle Joe.

Today's post is in memory of Uncle Joe: a well loved highly missed man. I find solace in the fact that my Pop pop is waiting to greet him in heaven.

We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us.

-Charles Bukowski

Playtime

Saturday was 12 days in one, but filled with many a fun activity. More notably the Big Brothers Big Sisters annual picnic. There were relays, kickball, face painting, magic, football, frisbee, crafts, bbq and many other fun activities. Kudos to my little sister for being a stellar relay partner. We were able to win 4 tickets to Thursdays baseball game!!!

We've also just recently celebrated our 1 year anniversary together. She's taught me so much, as I have taught her. We are invaluable to one another...I'm looking forward to another great year!

4 for One

Friday was another birthday evening. There are a lot of summertime birthdays in the crowd. Of the 18 people at dinner, 4 were celebrating.

It was good to catch up with some old friends. Of course good food and wine are always an added bonus.

Design ?!?!?

To help cut the edge from a very very stressful week ... I'm sitting at my computer, doing some design work with a bottle of Chinese Lager.

Not a bad way to spend a crazy Friday that is about to lead into an even crazier weekend. Let's hope I make it out alive!

Roots

I want relations which are not purely personal, based on purely personal qualities; but relations based upon some unanimous accord in truth or belief, and a harmony of purpose, rather than of personality. I am weary of personality. Let us be easy and impersonal, not forever fingering over our souls, and the souls of our aquaintances, but trying to create a new life, a new common life, a new complete tree of life from roots that are within us.

>>> D.H. Lawrence

New Toy

Apparently, I'm unable to give into the hip trendy realm of Apple. I got a new MP3 player, and no... it's not an ipod. Call me crazy / old fashioned, but this girl likes to listen to the radio on occasion. This sole like keeps me from buying Apple.

The strange, slightly sad thing, is that this girl is Apple's target market group. Who knows, maybe I'm too creative and outside the norm...

Ha, yeah right. In the mean time... I will continue to motor on with my PC and MP3 player complete with it's own FM radio (think I can squeeze a record into it!!!).

Lazy Lunch

Lovely day... The perfect remedy to the first day back post a long weekend...

After a hectic morning I lunched in the park with Vic, Megan and Alex. Back to work!

Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must live, - Charles Bukowski

Fishing Part 2

Monday morning I caught a good sized Pike. Post fishing, BBQ and a boccie tournament...came the long trek home. Leave it up to PennDOT to rip up 81 and have only one lane on a holiday weekend. It's good to see tax dollars at work.

Fish...where are you?

Sunday, Day One... it took all day, but I finally caught my first fish. A baby bass... he was much nicer than the next fish I caught. it's amazing how relaxing fishing can be. The time seemed to fly by.


This picture was taken not long after I caught the bass. Nighttime fishing can be a lot of fun (much harder to see what you are doing---especially for a novice). There is about an hour post sunset before the bugs come out full force!

Canada

After running around like a fool, as usual. Working and what not, I hopped on a train, then a plane for a quick jaunt to Canada. Relax and fish, that was the theme!