Home Town USA

I am putting together a series of photographs highlighting the beauty in my otherwise unremarkable home town. I have been down on this place for awhile, and more so recently, having lived here my whole life. At nearly 46 I am questioning how I ever chose not to leave. Why did I settle here? Our taxes are high, very high, over $6000 a year for a house that is under 2400 square feet. That's high, right?? The poverty level continues to rise which will only add to declining property values. I don't feel safe here. I have a list why, but try to keep it to myself. And then, last week a troubled teen wandered in our garage and stole my son's bike. A relatively minor event, but more than one neighbor has had their car stolen. Seriously?

Anyways there are good things, maybe even great things about where we have chosen to raise our family. That will be another post because I'm obviously on a downer in this one.

And, I am hoping if I just focus on the beautiful and lovely the rest will fade.

I am linking up with new friends today at : http://www.debduty.com/.

Have a good one. :)

Shadow Shots

Hey Harriet, shadow shots for Sunday. http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/

Stuck in the Middle

I have four children and one middle child. Yesterday was a heart breaking day when he was the only one who did not make the soccer team at his school. It is a tough time for my 12 year old son, trying to navigate his way through life in our home, sandwiched between two alpha males that emulate their father. We are trying to better understand his ADHD and decide how to treat. He is scatter brained to an extreme, kind and empathetic beyond his years, and prone to emotional angry outbursts. Yesterday between sobs over not being picked for the school soccer team he told me that he thought it was better not to give him more medication because his tics had been worse all day. Oh my aching heart. I hugged and consoled him and wanted to tuck him back in, Aubrie with her 17 years of wisdom and similar life experiences gave him a quick to the point pep talk which he took in wide eyed and silent (love). Daddy came home and chose to ignore his defeat and instead focused on how well he did on his district wide state tests. Advanced in every area, my sweet gifted boy. He smiled.

Endless Summer

I wish. I took these photos this weekend in New Port Rhode Island. It was two days of heavenly weather. I was so surprised at the gorgeous beaches. And with hurricanes passing off shore the waves were rolling in. It was beautiful!!

www.wordlesswednesday.com

Wordless Wednesday. Enjoy!!
Also, I am showing off my shot at: ttp://www.andthen-shesnapped.com/.

In the Distance

Skywatch Friday

I took this photo not far from our home. I was returning from an overnight in Boston to visit colleges with my daughter. This whole college and financial aid/need is like a code that I am trying to decipher. I know we definitely have the need for the aid, but it's just a matter of how much we will actually qualify for. And what about our EFC? Why is that so high? There is early admission, there is kind of early admission and then there is just plain old apply in a timely manner. And of course there are SAT's and ACT's to consider. You must remember to sign up and then you must remember to wake up early that morning and go, and then you must remember your calculator. My daughter forgot her calculator. I was reminded of this the day her scores for her first round of SATS came in over the computer. Not my best parenting moment.

Anyways, it is sky watch Friday. Check out the world at: www.skyley.blogspot.com/.

The Very First Day

Soccer Season and Dramatic Skies

Summer Love

I am linking with Mary and Mosaic Mondayhttp://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/ , and the Creative Exchange.

Summer is leaving soon and I am sad. Soon I will be hurled into the spiral of kids games and practices and open houses and SATs and college apps and homework and and and......

But, today is a good day. My mother is home from the hospital and we have little on the calendar. The weather is glorious! The tropical storm that descended on us has passed and everything is green and lush from all the extra rain. I haven't seen the turkeys yet, but hopefully they made it through as well. Peace.

http://www.lgordonphotography.com/ home of the Creative Exchange

The Calm Before the Storm

As we await the impending hurricane that will soon invade Connecticut along with most of the Eastern seaboard, the turkeys march on. A flock of them! 27 to be exact have been patrolling ours and nearby yards throughout the day looking a little dazed and confused. This morning half of them flew up and sat on our neighbor's roof for a better vantage point. It was surreal and really comical. And haven't they heard of weather.com? That's where my anxious little Gabe gets the latest weather updates. But still they march on, in circles their instincts apparently on over load.

Taken with my phone!

I am just beginning to scratch the surface of what can be accomplished with my phone. It is an htc something or other with an 8 mega pixel camera. It was purchased with my upgrade for around 50 dollars, but some people pay 400 plus for it. I am in love with it! I essentially wanted a new phone that had the highest quality camera I could purchase for little or nothing. Yeah for me!

Bee Happy

I am hooking up with I heart Macro today. :) My bones are aching after two days spent weeding my yard in the hot late Summer Sun. As I wait for the naproxen to kick in I am posting this photo and watching the rain begin. I think I need a nap. Bee happy.

Free Birds

I took this on vacation in the Keys a few weeks ago. A silly young woman sitting next to us on a chaise with family and friends continued to eat from a bag of chips as these seagulls flocked. Sure enough one pooped on the her upper left bikini exposed thigh. Better her than us, sitting near by. I love the white/black contrast and vivid blue sky in the background. I am linking with Crazy Days of Summer for the Blue Skies challenge this week. :) http://www.projectalicia.com/
Happy skywatch friday everyone! http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Beautiful Eyes

I Heart Faces challenge is "beautiful eyes" this week. My niece has a very unique shade of hazel. The color changes with what she's wearing, but I think her eyes match her hair almost perfectly. In this photo she is thinking of Daddy.

Balloons for Mimi

Skywatching

I took this photo last night as my daughter's soccer game was ending. Tie score, 0-0. Her Dad did not attend, but gave her a pep talk before we walked out the door about stepping up and being aggressive. After all, she is a senior this year. Honestly it's not in her nature. She was born polite and patient. True story. Her uneffectedness is remarkable, as is her ability to handle life's stress. Anyways, she plays defense and did a good job last night since the opposing team was unable to score as the sun began to set in the western sky. I ran up to the top of the bleachers and turned and snapped a few photographs and the game came to and end.
It is skywatch Friday and I am linking up. http://skyley.blogspot.com/

South Beach Love

Were able to spend about three hours in South Beach, Miami before our flight home last week. It was hot as hell, but really pretty, at least what I was able to see. I would love to go back for a long weekend maybe, sans kids. The buildings were charming and the colors vibrant. The beach is gorgeous. I was bracing for toplessness and shock and awe from my boys, but the only topless sunbather we saw in our short visit was about 7. Lol. From what I read it is definitely not a place for children after dark, and sometimes even before, but our short trip was merely PG. Gabe wondered out loud if one couple in a full body embrace on a towel were having sex?? No!! I replied although I did do a quick double take just to make sure. :0

I am linking with wordless wednesday.http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/.

The Hairy Eye Ball

I am entering The Pioneer Woman's photo contest theme "Black and White". Everyone should check her picks out, just for inspiration. Note to self: start taking more black and whites. They are gorgeous. www.thepioneerwoman.com.

Palm Love

We are back from our week long trip to the land of palm trees and beautiful azure skies. I can't help but feel a little smothered by suburbia and what is life. Last week we snorkeled, swam, para-sailed, visited Key West and explored a lot of little beaches along the way. Today I will take Donovan to get his braces off, buy new hair clippers and cut Peyt's hair, visit the oncologist with Mom, cook, clean, drive, make appointments for Dr.'s appointments, and then badger kids to get working on their Summer reading and schoolwork. It's all good though. :) Life is good today.

Sunny with Shadows

We are back from a trip to the Florida Keys. Lovely:).