Birds of Our Backyard
How wonderful it is to see these colorful and different birds to the Eastern U.S.! I count it a blessing and I enjoy them so much!
A Drive to Christmas Tree Well
Before church we had a morning bushwalk, after church, we went for a drive. We ended up at a place called Christmas Tree Well off of Brookton Highway.
Early Sunday Morning Bushwalk
We’ve been awake awhile and it’s still not time for church, what to do? Go for a walk in Koondoola Bush. I think we enjoyed our time in God’s creation before Sunday worship.
Our New Baby
So I arrive in Australia, ready to relax some, as the last 8 months have been grueling. I figure, I will play some on my game, work when it comes in, and enjoy restful weekends with John. That was not to be the plan, his computer started to have problems...
Long Distance Nana
So I am back in Australia, again. As soon as the jet lag finishes, I suppose John and I will be out having adventures. For now, I am going through the transition of coming back down to earth after two days in the sky, and missing loved ones back in...
Old Photos: Ocean City Walk
Ocean City is a very special place for Marylanders. Nothing like a walk on the pier, the boardwalk, and the sand. In this case, we had a hurricane some miles out. Made for humid, hot times, but worth seeing the resort a different way.
The Waiting Room
“… Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matthew 22:39 The news would have us believe we’re a nation divided. It’s true that there have been headlines – loud and ugly – fussing and fighting about different colors of skin, differences of languages, flags, sexual preferences, and likely the list...
My Dad, the Model
I just love old black and white photos. The look in that era is hard to beat. But today I found these two photos of my dad…he could have been a male model in the 40’s… No doubt, I see Miquel’s face all over these two photos!
Enric and Miranda’s 10 Years Anniversary.
For her wedding anniversary, Miranda wanted photos of her and Enric, but she wanted to surprise him by wearing her wedding gown. He had no idea. After church, she sent him outside while he was still dressed up while she sneaked to get on her wedding dress. As it turns...
1940’s Selfie
Mom was clearly ahead of her time. I was going through old photos again… From what I can make out, this is Mom, around 1940’s, taking a selfie! This looks to be at Grandmom’s house, I recognize the picket fence. So, before Facebook, social media, and cell phones, mom was...
Mary Buckwalter
The more I dig into the family history of the Buckwalters, the more it points to origins of Switzerland. Today I found this old photo. It’s marked on the back as Mary Buckwalter. This lady married a Buckwalter. Mary would have been my mother’s father’s mother, Mary Buzzard. (The Buzzard...
Ezra Walks!
Ezra has not been in a hurry to walk. However this morning, with Rubí as my witness, he seemed to be ready to make a big effort. Later in the day, he took some steps to my arms. I have to say, I have had many happy days in my...
Relay for Life with CVS
Right after Mom’s funeral, Miquel announced to us all that CVS would be honoring Mom with their contribution to Relay for Life. I was impressed and honored that they would do that. Thank you CVS for this opportunity.
Code to Happiness
As a little girl, I loved my long discussions with my mom. Often it was while she was preparing dinner, ironing, or doing the dishes. Many times she would listen to my philosophical questions and give me Biblical answers and follow up with examples. Other times she would pass on...
Old Photos: Washington D.C. and the Smithsonian
“How many smurfs did it take to get the water that blue?”~Miquel Lopez
Lake Waterford Park with Silas and Rubi
Rubí kinda decided for us we should go to Lake Waterford. I love a little lady who knows her own mind, and she definitely knows what she likes.
Mother’s Day
And no mom. All those years I stressed what to get her for mother’s day, and this year there was no flower shop or nursery to go to hoping to find something to light up her face. All those years the yellow cake and vanilla icing in three tiers cake...
Rubi’s Skating Party
Rubí turns 5 and wanted a skating party. Naturally since Pop Pop couldn’t be there, he asked me to make a movie! He didn’t have to ask me twice. 🙂 Back at home… Rubí seemed to LOVE her birthday party. I know I sure did!
Caring For Mom’s Garden
If flowers grow in heaven, Lord, then pick a bunch for me. Then place them in my mother’s arms and tell her they’re from me. Tell her that I love and miss her and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile....
Do You Want to Go Outside?
Me: Do you want to go outside with me? Rubí: Let me get my camera, it just got batteries put in. Where did that come from? Since when does she want to take pictures? Then my proud heart melted. Does she want to take photos like her Nana does? She...
Mom’s First Birthday in Heaven
I woke up to a rather grey and dismal morning to find out that there were snow flurries about the state of Maryland, an earthquake in Nepal, causing an avalanche on Mount Everest. It reminded me, this day of Mom’s birthday, that she told me more than once that...
Earth Day Should Be Every Day
Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. ~Genesis 2:15 Keep (Hebrew shamar) means “to exercise great care over.” In the context of Genesis 2:15, it expresses God’s wish that mankind, in the person of Adam, “take...
Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. 2015
The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. In their country, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short. ~Homaro Cantu Every time I...
Miranda’s Birthday Party Day
It’s not yet her birthday. It’s easy to remember, Miranda’s birthday is the same as Tax Day, April 15th. But today is her birthday party day. It was decided. The family then watches the Lego Movie.
A Different Easter
We knew it was going to be a different kind of Easter. With Mom gone, the center of all holidays, we would have to cope with missing her and making new memories. Even though in some past Easters I have been in Australia, the internet and phone calls didn’t make...
Kinder with the Kids
Laura and I planned this walk to Kinder Park, and quickly it became a family event. Laura and I walked around the park rather quickly, and soon enough could stop to watch the children at play. So we walked through the farm…
Buttons, Band-Aids, and What Moms Do
Mom is gone… Now it’s up to me to figure out what to do with her things. I was in her room today, going through her shelves, and found her sewing box. Inside the sewing box, I found an item I had been describing to my daughter for some years...
Heaven Bound Treasure
Even though we were told it would happen, it happened way too fast. The next day we gathered again. (You can hear the message HERE ) Mom really disliked winter, she loved spring, and the hope in beginnings it represented. It made me so sad at first to think that...
Cousin George
Been going through a lot of Mom’s papers, photos, and items she has stashed away. Today, we found this gem. “Cousin George” according to the back of the picture. My son, who enjoys doing different things with facial hair, exclaimed upon seeing this, “My hero! That takes commitment!” True. I...
Make Your Bed
I was told recently, “You’re the only person I know who makes their bed every day.” The revelation surprised me! How can people exist and function and not make their bed every day? I have to admit as a child I didn’t like to do it. I had a small...
No Grammys
Didn’t watch the Grammy’s last night. (I am OK with that). The day after, John pointed out to me some artists that his radio station listed that so far, never won a Grammy, it’s an interesting list: Bob Marley The Doors Queen Jimi Hendrix The Who Chuck Berry The Grateful...
Then What, Part II
Professor: What are you going to do after you graduate this coming spring? Student: Well, I got a job lined up at an engineering firm. Professor: That’s great, so when you get the job there, then what? Student: Well you know (a girls name) in the class? Professor: Yes Student:...
Old Photos: Still Life
Still life photography is a niche that requires an excellent eye for lighting and composition. To me, it often takes the everyday, mundane, and overlooked things and makes them beautiful and interesting.
Old Photos: One of Our Visits to Baltimore’s Aquarium
The National Aquarium – also known as National Aquarium in Baltimore and formerly known as Baltimore Aquarium – is a non-profit public aquarium located at 501 East Pratt Street on Pier 3 in the Inner Harbor area of downtown Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States. Constructed during a period of...
Nevertheless
Psalm 139:14 King James Version (KJV) I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Remember when Ray Stevens sang the lyrics “everybody is beautiful in their own way”? There is also a line in the...
Canon 7D is for the Birds
And that’s a good thing. I’ve had my eye on the Canon 7D for a long time. It’s been on my wish list for perhaps a year or two. However my Canon 40D was working fine and there was no way to justify the expense of a new camera. Until...
