Mini-Celebration in the Midst of Sadness
When we gathered in to Aunt Linda’s and Uncle Frank’s to mourn the passing of Aunt Theresa, there was lots of food to share and it kept pouring in from generous neighbors and friends and relatives.
Anna’s other Grandma, Marlene, sister of Aunt Theresa, Aunt Linda and Aunt Georgeann wanted to acknowledge the excitement and accomplishment of Anna(9) qualifying to swim Freestyle and Breaststroke in the Junior Olympics in Ohio next weekend. Marlene bought a cake- a 3 pound 12 ounce cake! (We read the label, didn’t we Aunt Linda?)
Because the occasion was the gathering in and remembering Theresa who had passed, I never took my camera out of the car.
It didn’t seem like a time to take photos. But of course when the cake came out and Marlene was videoing our singing Happy Junior Olympics to you, I felt compelled to take a photo and slipped out the trusty old iPhone and took one shot. This is it. Of course we are so proud of Anna. On the left standing up and smiling is her Mom, Erika. And cousin Shannon, in the red on the right was very gracious. Lots of love and affection over this past week.
BUCKEYES Reflection- Guest Blog
My son Mark sent this to me from his phone today. He was with Anna at an Invitational Swim Meet, Ohio State University - The Bill and Mae McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion to be exact. The text he had written to me with the photo was:
Photo Challenge Reflection.
No matter that the Weekly Photo Challenge for Reflection was the beginning of December. I thought it was fun to receive the photo he took with the accompanying words. He saw that and thought of the Photo Challenge Reflection. And he thought of the blog. It was nice to receive and so I’m sharing it you.
Thanks Mark. (more…)
One Minute It’s Summer- Now the Pool’s Drained
Officially summer on the calendar but nothing like Back-to-School to bring it to a close. Summer vacation has been wonderful. Relaxing and lots of time with the family. Reading a book, flipping through a magazine, lazing about on the hammock, getting things done or not. Fresh sliced tomatoes with salt and pepper. Summer’s grand.
Then school started with meetings and room set up and although it was a short week of actual teaching(2 days), the back to school feeling is in earnest and a new cycle has begun
A bit hot and muggy tonight from the rain, I can’t hear the cicadas but the change of season is impending. The earlier sunsets. Something about the feel of the air. Today we saw swarms of students shopping for wastebaskets and bedding, eating ice cream as they crossed the street. The city has a different feel since they’ve returned to campuses.
I converted both images to black and white to unify them for the thought of swimming in summer and then a different pool, just drained for the season. You get ideas. Some work. Some don’t.
Swimming at Aunt Linda’s neighbor’s pool-
St. Basils on Brownsville Road in the background. Phillips Park Pool in Carrick. Shot at the Corn Festival.
Happy 7th Birthday
Seven years ago I was in Florida watching Anna while Erika and Mark went to the hospital. Happy Birthday Michael Joseph! He just lost his first tooth and is starting First Grade on Wednesday so your last day of summer vacation you don’t have to go to school. Bet you’ll find time to build something with your new Star Wars Lego today.
Blogging from Aunt Mary’s computer in NYC at 3 AM so when you wake up you can see your birthday post. Love, FF Ruthie
Cool Pool and Walk Around the Neighborhood at Sunset
High 80s and no thunderstorms in sight. The pool was practically empty!
We got home for a late supper. Took a walk/ride around the neighborhood. You can see glimpses of the setting sun.
Pool Party Evening Light
The setting sun and the lights coming up from the pool made an interesting contrast of color and light. The photograph has limitations in illustrating the mood.
The Lost Towels and Rule One
Saw this scene at the pool where Anna practices her swimming strokes. Looked like quite a collection.
And in this shot you can see how badly the rain is needed.
Michael (6) Airborne
Diving meet Monday afternoon. I cannot tell you which dive this is or what the degree of difficulty is.
I like the pool’s reflected light on his skin. His other grandmother is taping all of the diving competition for the Olympic Trials to inspire the 3 grandchildren who dive. They sure start them young!
It was a beautiful day and could even be called “chilly”. Michael received a ribbon for 3rd place in his age group.
Sea Lion Viewing Window at the Pittsburgh Zoo
Pittsburgh Zoo trip with K-2 grade.
The Sea Lion seemed to enjoy looking at the students!
I could have stayed there a long time to watch the sea lions swim by and blow bubbles at us.
Michael Jumps Off the Board into 12′
Saturday afternoon with the family . We checked out the indoor pools, one a leisure pool with a lazy river. Everyone had a good time. How to ward off cabin fever? Enter the balmy Westerville Community Center pool. We skipped the climbing wall. Note the little drips of water off the back of his suit as he jumped. Mark took the two oldest back on Sunday afternoon.
Practicing my sports photography, stop action!
Backstroke Bullpen- Anna Ready for Event #23
There is a lot of waiting at swim meets. Anna sat on a white folding chair by Lane Six. Biting her finger. A teammate offers support. The smiling at Grandma pics are cute but I like the ones when they are unaware, forget I am there with the camera.
Wonder what is going through her mind as she waits to swim
How to Put on a Swim Cap Before Your Event
Experimenting with the settings on the camera from across the pool. The swimmers have to wet the cap before putting it on! Caught the cascade of pool water with a 70-200 L series lens(Canon). Converted to black and white as the color was a distraction from the water splashing.
The swim cap held a lot of water.
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