Reflections from the shore under the microscope

The week started with the theme of change. Today I'll reflect on a few other changes and jot them down here for posterity.

With the Autumn Equinox comes shorter days and colder nights, and so, it's time to pack up summer, button up the cottage and move back to the main house, ten miles to the west. I'll miss the changing river scenes every morning; the misty fog laden panoramas, the storms with raging waves, the calm, placid paddle inviting surface, the ocean going ships, the cruisers of the wealthy, the fishing boats of the neighbors, the seadoos and sailboats, the friendly faces of the neighbors, their waves, their smiling hellos, the cookouts and bonfires, roasting marshmallows,and swimming with my children and grand daughters. I'll miss the gleeful voices of exclamation from the fresh uncynical cherubs cavorting in and around the neighborhood: Hailey, Crystal, Grace, Makayla, Lily, and Jenna and their cadre of friends. I'll remember why it is that I return here every year!

Sixty three years ago today, this author squeezed through the tiny tunnel to burst forth in all his naked glory to join the human race. The ensuing years have brought many experiences at all points on the joyous~sad spectrum, but on this day in particular I recall my twelveth birthday more than any of the others. On this anniversary of my birth, 23 September, 1957 I received for my birthday a hair cut and a newborn baby sister.












Happy Birthday Jule. You're the bestest birthday present I ever recieved!

Tonight, our last of this season at the cottage, we'll celebrate with friends, enjoying D.s scrumpdeliicious chicken catciatori and perhaps a 6 layer, banana/whipped cream cake.

Next on the agenda: Oct 4th, 2008: the inaugral Morristown Triathelon!
Stay tuned for details....................................................

Saturday, February 3, 2007

Thirty-nine years ago, at just about this time, in Elmhurst City hospital, New York City, a new girl entered this world......... Our daughter: MDL.

We were both students in our second year of nursing school. In fact, later that morning we were scheduled to take our final exam in obstetrics. I figured we should both get an A, since we had completed the practical, and had a beautiful baby daughter to show for it. Next she helped us through our pediatric practicum. I guess in some ways you could say MDL was a live at home tutor for her parents. Who knows if we would have made it through nursing school without her guidance.

I remember putting MDL in the car seat in the back seat of our Ford Galaxy 500 convertible when it was nap time. A cruise around town with the top down was just thing to get her to drift off into dream land.

You've come a long way since then M, and you've made us proud at every turn. Of course there were a few rough spots along the way, but that was to be expected and makes for raucous story telling at family get-togethers. Remember when you were learning to drive and you drove into the ditch on the dump road?

I'll save the bulk of the stories for next year. ;-)





You share a birth date with Norman Rockwell!











You served your country well!













You're still a voracious reader.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE!

We love you,
Mom and Dad