photos…

The long and winding post…

Lots to say, on a variety of topics.

First and foremost, a huge thank you to everyone who has called, emailed, or posted on Facebook since Tuesday. Your positive thoughts, and virtual hugs have made a terrible experience far less painful because of all the love you’ve shown my family and myself.

If you are interested in remembering Dad, donate to the American Cancer Society in my father’s name—Joseph Kevin Casey.  Or on February 16, join this auction, and purchase a unique piece of quilted fiber art and help raise $8000 in ONE day.

ONE – February 16 – Fundraiser for the American Cancer Society
http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/ONEFundraiserPreview.html

(and for goodness sake, please stop smoking!)

In case you missed it on Facebook, his obituary is here. I posted a blog the other day with a bunch of old family photos; you can scroll down to view them at the end of this post.

On to the rest of the world, which indeed keeps turning despite our personal tragedies.

I hope that the people of the United States sit back and reflect on their individual and collective behaviors, and realize how powerful words are. Reading about the lives snuffed out yesterday hurts. Let’s hope that the media will learn to ratchet back and realize that they have to be considered contributors to this tragedy. Rather than asking that people be tolerant of one another, and their ideas, they have implicitly condoned the madness, and added fuel to the fire. We are all Americans, and the freedom to disagree without fear for our lives is one of the greatest gifts our forefathers gave us. Yes, this guy may have mental issues, but the non-stop vitriol that masquerades as news these days lends substance and credibility to the basest and most vicious ideas, and in a deluded mind, it may almost seem like permission…

I began a “Photo A Day” for the entire year of 2011 back on January 1st. Kind of like the Christmas Photo A Day that so many of you received via email during December, on steroids.  Alas, I will NOT be able to send out an email each day of the year, so if you are interested in seeing the day’s new photo, you can do one of the following:

  • Become a “fan’” on Facebook and you will automatically receive a link to the newest blog posting.
  • Subscribe to my photo blog (look in the box on the right when viewing that page) and you will receive a notification.
  • Or you will simply have to remember to check back often at one of these links:     Photo Blog Website The View From the Passenger Window

Additionally (maybe because I NEED to be forced) I have also committed myself to recording a small section of the Appomattox River during the course of the year.

We will see how it goes. I really do want to concentrate on getting my photography kicked a bit into higher gear than it is currently ( I need the $$ to pay for vet bills!)

This year I think I have a good excuse for the Christmas tree still being up. Guess I have to work on THAT, too…. (Where is that list of resolutions?)

December 25

Merry Christmas from everyone at the Green House…2010Dec challenge (20 of 1)-3Timmy and Trish

2010 December-52Miss Tatiana

2010 December-53Master Rory

2010 December-54Sir Gandolf

December 24…The word is –“Thanks”

Tonight, tomorrow, over the next few days– people are going to be exposed to family members they may not care for. They are going to receive gifts that may not knock their socks off. They are going to find themselves in social situations that they may not be accustomed to or would prefer to skip.

So, as you are loading the kiddo’s and the gifts into the car for the trip over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house (‘whose house smells like an old lady and she always pinches my cheeks and doesn’t have internet or cable TV and its so boring!’) take the time to go over the following:

The word is “Thanks.” Have them practice it, with a smile in their voice, even as they pretend to open up boxes of ugly scarves, or socks or another hand made sweater. Have them learn to resist the urge to grimace or to say, “I HATE orange; or I NEVER shop at this store” when they open up an envelope with a gift card.

Have them think of different ways to NOT show that they are less than pleased with their gift. Have them repeat, over hill and dale, until it means something, “It’s the thought that counts.”  Have them think of three gifts that Mary and Joseph might have preferred for the infant Jesus, rather than gold, frankincense and myrrh, but to also think about whether or not they thanked the three wise men anyway… (I bet their responses will be funny! I would LOVE to hear them)

2010 dec24

My grandmother’s nativity, with an addition of the lovely Christmas tree candle in the same creamy white—a Christmas gift from Arlie last year (thanks, sweetie!!!)

Tell them they can, on the ride home, politely suggest someone else they can give the orange sweater to, but first, Grandma is to see them button up and pose for a photo with her, SMILING.

(While you are at it, task them with talking to every adult person in the room BEFORE making a bee-line to see which presents are for them. Not only is it simply respect for the adult members of the family, but it is the the opportunity to make familial connections between the generations, and to create Christmas memories.)

And if this reminder is something that you needed as well— well then, “You’re welcome!” Winking smile

Oh, and Merry Christmas! THANK YOU for your comments over the course of the month, I hope my photos I have brought you some memories and some joy!

May you create countless new memories of your own!