Louvre Museum, Paris-from the inside looking out...
Taken a few years ago, during my first (and hopefully, not last) trip to Paris this picture is one of my favorites, and was the first thing I thought of to fit the “distorted” theme of this week’s photo challenge. Taken from inside the museum, it shows a beautifully “distorted” view.
Louvre at night
The pyramid, at the entrance of The Louvre Museum, was designed by I.M. Pei, and completed in 1989. It is a magnificent structure that takes your breath away when viewed from any angle, especially at night in its lighted splendor, spectacular!
The 3rd Annual Benefit for Cooper Street Kids (After-school program in Punta Gorda, FL) took place last weekend. I enjoyed the Home Tour put together by various clubs and groups of the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association; all proceeds will benefit the After-school program. The home tour was a resounding success, and was well attended by community members and sponsors.
One of the homes on the tour - Key West style
As I told you before, it appears the supply of things to do in our neck of the woods is suddenly unending. I remember saying to anyone who would listen (mostly my hubby) back when we first moved to Florida: “What were we thinking?”, since at the time the sidewalks in town rolled-up by 9 p.m, earlier during weekdays. This was 20 years ago, and there really was nothing to do. For a city-dweller from Brooklyn, such as myself, this was torture.
Beautiful landscaping seen on tour
My solution? Miami is 3-hours south–it seemed appropriate at the time and still does today, to head out-of-town whenever our small town starts to make me feel claustrophobic. These days destinations vary but still, I am a city girl at heart and I crave arts and culture, great dining experiences and more; so whenever I get the urge to wander, I go looking for my fix.
Loved this table setting
Things have changed. I now marvel at the number of things to do, there are even new restaurants (non-chain) popping up here and there–sometimes there are so many things going on at the same time, it is hard to choose. I love having this dilemma; and yes, there is always Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples, FL within reach, you get my point. One of the advantages of our location on the Gulf of Mexico is that all these cities are within an hour to three-hour car ride. Aah…the Florida life!
Occasionally, random thoughts assault your brain for no particular reason; they just appear out of nowhere and somehow occupy your mind for undetermined amounts of time. Today has been one of those days when I have been thinking about the women in my life. The line is long and strong and I am a proud link on this chain.
My mother, Norma, was the best example of an independent woman I ever knew; she was a mother of four and a “working woman” long before it was fashionable. She held down a 9-5 job as an administrative assistant in the Panama Canal Company, the last of various positions held from the time when she first arrived there at age nineteen until her premature death at forty-eight. Just as women today, she did so to contribute to the household income. My dad, Lloyd, would have liked her to stay home, he worked for the Star & Herald newspaper, and used to say “I can take care of my family alone” but mom had her own ideas. I wonder where I get that from, hmm. They were the best parents we could have asked for.
The women and children in my life
Women have always been a very important part of my life, starting with my very first BFF, my mother. I could go to her with anything I had in mind—be it discussing the mysteries of becoming a young woman and all that it entails to talking about boy crushes, to figuring out what to wear to the prom—anything. In fact, when we announced our engagement to my parents, my mother took over wedding planning with such determination, that my only involvement in the whole process consisted of showing up for dress fittings and being on time for the wedding. I could count on her to come through for me.
Luckily, I also have my sister, Lydia; she is two years younger; to this day still my best friend. My sister and I have been inseparable ever since she came into my world—yes, we have two brothers and we love them dearly—but they are…well hmm men!
Since I am reflecting on the women in my life, you would need to know that when I met and married Carl, we like any other couple had plans for children; I never gave it a thought as to boys or girls, he hoped there would be at least one boy, I would be happy to just become a mother. Our daughter Natalie arrived first; then Nasima, my sister’s child and our niece appeared and I was like okay, I think girls are in our destiny and then came Yasmin our second daughter and last child; I was totally convinced—women are what will surround us. Sorry dad…to make the circle complete at the time, we even had female dogs. LOL
All along this road of life, I counted with the support of “women of strength” such as my grandmother, aunts and girlfriends—thanks to Facebook, I have even stayed in touch with my high school partner in crime, Rina. She has worked relentlessly to pull out of the woodwork many of the friends with whom I had lost touch decades ago, today we correspond just as we did when we were still in our teens.
Today, my BFF circle is tight—it consists of the women mentioned before, but what holds me together is the love and friendship of my daughters—and that includes my niece, even though she is technically my sister’s child; I am so proud of the women they have become in their own right. My other mother—Lois, who is actually my cousin and someone my parents had the great idea to commission as my “Godmother” all those years ago, when I was born. I am grateful for her because when I suddenly lost my mother, long before she could meet any of her grandchildren, I still have Aunt Lois as my go to mom—to answer all of the questions I still have even at this stage of life.
The likely reason I got into this sentimental journey–this past weekend we were in Orlando celebrating the baptism of Elisa, and as usual during family gatherings, I looked around at our children, nieces, nephews, in-laws and reflected on the great family we are. If that was not enough, the circle of life continues to bless us these days, with granddaughters, yes–more girls–Lauryn, Elisa and Sydney.
Of course—we are not perfect but truth be told this is the only family I would ever need or want and I am a truly blessed and grateful part of it!
A few years ago, fresh on the heels of Dan Brown‘s published novel The Da Vinci Code, I embarked on a three-week Global Perspective course in London, sponsored by the college I was attending at the time. I saw enrollment as a unique opportunity to study abroad while enjoying a bit of adventure and relaxation.
Sign post in London points to the Temple church
A few of my classmates (whom I met a week before the trip) had been reading The Da Vinci Code as well, so we decided to set out on a “decoding mission” while in London. Of course, we would do this on our own time. Needless to say,
Entrance to the Temple Church
it was a fun-filled adventure; of course it was a work of fiction–but what was the harm? Because many of the sites included in our course outline already included some of the places we planned to visit–The Temple Church for instance, the visit here became one of discovery. Would we be able to follow the clues to uncover the Holy Grail? I think not, but we had a lot of fun trying to. LOL
Yes, this venture was sheer indulgence, one with long-lasting cherished memories!
This week’s photo challenge was to post a picture that means “down” to us. What do we see when we look down? This challenge was not too difficult for me to achieve since as many of you know by now, my bucket is full with three little people who actually spend a lot of time down on the floor; granddaughter one, Lauryn, is 3 years old now and walking and running at will; while the other two have just discovered the art of mobility.
Come down here Grandma
Eight month old Elisa (shown here) is at that stage in an infant’s life where she just has discovered how to get from point A to point B, by crawling anywhere she wants to. While Sydney, her younger cousin 6 months old, is on the race to catch-up with her. The funny thing for grandma, is making sure she stays in shape and active enough to keep up with all these busy bodies. Grandma Heaven, yeah!
Chica on the Move 