One Year Ago

Me and Mom, Dec. 2011

Gypsy, my mother, believed in the celebration of life. An avid gardener, her yard attested to this by the many varieties of wildlife that found refuge there. She could always be found putting out food and placing plants, that were not only beautiful to look at but provided food and refuge, for the many birds that flew through.

She, also, never stopped trying to learn all she could about everything. She was the one who gave me a passion for astronomy and ancient history that still exists to this day. As a child, I remember her laying a blanket on the lawn and we would sit there studying the stars, learning the constellations and discussing them. Then there were the times, especially when her youngest brother would visit, that we would pull out all of the encyclopedias and have them scattered about the floor as we would look up one interest after another. As time passed and I moved away, I cherished the times I spent with her on weekends where we could debate and discuss anything from politics and religion to what books and movies to take in.

At the funeral of one of her friends, she saw the granddaughter was wearing a colorful dress. She thought that it epitomized the celebration of life she so loved; and requested that we wear yellow to honor her life. She also requested that we not mourn her passing but to celebrate the new journey she was to embark upon. She would not be alone on this journey, but would have the help and love of her husband, her parents, and her late brother.

While we may hurt from the loss of such a special woman and mother, we speed her on her way with all our love. Continue learning mom, and we look forward to the time when we are joined once again at the star named Gypsy.

It has been a year now, since I read the above at her funeral and I still miss those times we spent together talking. I am so grateful to my sister for having taken this photo. I don't have any of mom and I in these last years. Plenty while I was still living at home. But after I left and started having children; mom, dad and the kids became the focus of my camera.

 

And mom, may the party at your star still be playing your song. Love you.

Happy 42nd Anniversary

To one of my favorite Aunt and Uncle. May you have many more to share together. And don't spend all your time out fishing

Seasons are catching up

All dressed up for Easter. I can remember when the Easter holiday was coming up as we could start wearing white shoes in addition to our black one. Then there were the hats. What proper young lady didn't go out with a hat or ribbons in her hair once spring arrived. That's me on the left, my best friend in the center and my sister on the right.

Christmas spent with friends

And he must have been a friend, right? That's Fritz, the dachshund in the foreground. The neighborhood kids would come over to play with him. Yes, they actually would come to the door and ask if Fritz could come out and play.

A Christmas gone by

That's my sister on the left and me on the right. Do you remember the days that Santa actually paid a visit to your home before Christmas to check up on you. Or maybe it was just were we lived that this happened. Take note of Santa's "sack".

Happy Birthday, Daughter

No one has had a better daughter than I have in you. May your day  be filled with love, friendship and job.

Happy St. Pat's Day

Couldn't really find an appropriate St. Patty's Day pic to post so you will just have to accept my well-wishes on this day. 

More winter weather?

I remember this front yard. I even remember the house across the street. And getting bundled up for the cold. The school bus use to stop right in front of our house, and there was one winter when the snow was so bad we could barely see our house from the bus. Yipes. 

Winter is still in the air

As I sit here and look at the temperatures for today, I only seems fitting that I should pull out a picture of snow days gone by. While we do not have snow weather here, the low is suppose to be 37°F with a high of 61°F.

Spider, spider on the wall

I have mentioned that my children are talented haven't I? If not, just take a look at the spider that Nuke made for me out of chain maille. Out of this world gorgeous. Now I wonder what I can pester him to make for me next.

And so time passes

Whoa, where did the time go and what have I been doing? I'm going to blame it on Pan for buying me a 3DS for Valentine's. Yup, it has to be his fault. And he got me one of the new Pokemon games. Addictive.... You bet. So it I disappear again, you know where I'll be :)

Then Onto Toon Lagoon

From Hogsmeade to Jurassic Park the road leads straight to Toon Lagoon. With Dudley Dooright's Ripsaw Falls and the Bilge-Rat Barges, you are guaranteed to get soaked; possibly even if you don't ride. Plenty of spots for the perfect photo shoot and comic characters not seen for 40 years are just lying around. (Have you seen the ads for the new Mr. Peabody movie, yet?)

Jurassic Park's Next

By the time I finished up at Hogsmeade, the rest of the park was open and I could take in the sites from, ta ta da da...Jurassic Park where a t-rex runs wild. As you can see he is first seen at the jeep for the Jurassic Park ride; next he shows up in the river adventure, finally to be found attacking the parks maintenance jeep. Watch all around you as you venture through this jungle, as who knows where he may show up next.

Defense Against the Dark Arts pt 2

Today's lesson was on Dementors and how to repel them. I hope that I can remember these instructions once I get on the ride. Speaking of the ride, we are nearing the line to get on and there to greet us is none other than the Sorting Hat.

Defense Against the Dark Arts pt 1

Around the bend and straight into the Defense Against the Dark Arts room. From the dragon bones suspended above, to the spiders encased in glass, skulls, bones, books, antlers and such, there was enough to set your heart aflutter. And you had better dress warmly, because, I believe, it is Ron that makes it snow.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Holidays to all my family and friends.

 

And while Indy may look like he is grimacing he was actually having a grand time with his little cousin. They spent the entire morning together playing. Gotta love them.

Dumbledore's Treasures

At the end of the corridor, a gryphon stood guard to Dumbledore's office. And as you rounded the corner, you immediately noticed why. What a beautiful collection of magical treats were locked up behind glass doors. Oh look, the pensive. I didn't see any of Dumbledore's memories lingering around, so he must have locked them up. Just in case, Harry decided to make another trip down memory lane.

Forbidden Journey

After navigating through the detours, I finally made it to Hogwarts where several of the students were gathered outside, ushering us in for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. I am not a big roller coaster fan but I love this ride.

 

I was first greeted by He Who Should Not be Named's statue and quickly hurried by. Next up was the herbology classroom. Everyone must be gone for the holidays, because it sure was empty.

As I entered the castle proper, statues of the founding fathers were indicating the direction to follow.

In production

Wouldn't you know it. I get to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and it is the site of a production. They were recording ads for the new Harry Potter stamps that were coming out that day from the U.S.P.S. I got a set and a set of prestamped envelopes. Daughter is the philatelist in the family so I guess I ought to make sure that they go to her in my will.

 

I heard there were people from the Harry Potter movies there, but I didn't see any. Then again, I really didn't go out of my way to look either. And while the area was crowded with crew and equipment, there were few tourist on hand at that hour of the morning to impede my way through.

Pan and I had made a quick stop over to Universal and got some pictures of the newest attraction being built... Diagon Alley. Can't wait to get back next year and see it.