Monday, June 29, 2009

On the way to work



on one of those gray rainy days we had so many of recently, I came upon this bear taking off after he had ransacked a Kingsland Rd resident's garbage.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Thriller


What...a Halloween picture of Suse and Laura in June? What you have to imagine about this picture of the year we participated in the time honored Halloween "Tailgate" at RVS is that this was my opportunity to play Michael Jackson's "Thriller" over and over as loud as we could. The Tailgate had hardly begun. We had just gotten set up with our friends the Simpsons in the van next to us.. Soon dark would fall and long lines of witches, "Screams" (popular then), assorted ghouls, princesses and all manner of characters were snaking past the vans, suvs and trucks decorated to the Halloween max with jack o lanterns and scary creatures (ours was a very modest entry), the trick or treaters filling their bags with candy as they went. The absolute ultimate music to play at the RVS tailgate was "Thriller." Laura may not have known much about Michael Jackson but she sure knew "Thriller." I have to admit I made a point of playing it loudly in the car every Halloween. Rest in peace, Michael Jackson. We will never stop playing "Thriller."

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Pomp and Circumstance




Images of the pagaentry of Susan's high school graduation last night continue to fill my thoughts this morning. Thanks to Nancy and Suzanne for attending with us. Congratulations to Susan and her classmates - "Top of the line, Class of '09!"

Friday, June 19, 2009

Omakase



About a year ago, I heard about a Japanese word with a concept behind it that I thought could be the theme of something to say to Laura's class as they graduated from Rockaway Valley School. The thought stayed with me and in recent weeks "pen went to paper" and it came together. I showed Dr. Humphrey my draft and she supported it (thank you Dr. Humphrey!) Last night was the RVS graduation and I did manage to keep my composure and present it. To share with you now, please click here to go to today's Caringbridge entry for the text of "Omakase."

Congratulations to all the students of RVS class of 2009 with special congratulations to the recipients of the 2009 Laura Stiles Principal's Award!

Photos: Laura in the Japanese garden at EPCOT; the 2009 recipients of the Laura Stiles Principal's Award.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Remembered at the Banquet









It's hard to capture how much it meant for Laura to be remembered as her class celebrated their upcoming graduation from RVS. Thanks so much to Annie T for creating such a beautiful photo collage of Laura. And for the photo poster of Laura with her classmates over the years. There's more about this wonderful event on the caringbridge site click here and go to journal then the June 14 journal entry.

Lemonade Days 2009



The on and off rainy weather continued on Saturday but it didn't seem to dampen enthusiasm for Alex's Lemonade Stand. I worked with a very pleasant and interested group of people at Starbucks in Denville. Their customers were very generous to the stand. It was nice to see people I knew who stopped by and also to speak with those who took an interest in the photos of Laura and Tyler.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Photos before the prom





Last Saturday was the senior prom for Susan's Mtn Lakes HS class. All over our area, around 5:30 PM, groups of seniors and their families were converging in yards and houses for the traditional pre-prom photo taking. Susan and her group were meeting at the home of one of her friends in our neighborhood where a Kousa dogwood in bloom provided a lovely backdrop. It was quite a fun scene of parents turned mad photographers and the students looking so grown up and well turned out. Later on, I had an image in mind of a somewhat older and taller Laura, with one of her dear friends beside her, watching the unfolding scene with enjoyment from the yard's edge. The image was so clear and real, it was like a kind of waking dream.

Photos: Families and seniors getting ready to take photos; by the Kousa dogwood; getting on board the party bus the group rented for transport to Perona Farms; traveling in style.