Wherever you go...

....have a great vacation!

Even if you are at your desk or have no trip in prospect you can visit one of Laura's favorite beaches, the Coast Guard Beach, by clicking right here. Come back and click on it again another time and you might be rewarded with a different view. And in this article and its related features you might find yourself plumbing deeper into some of the special beauties of the Cape. You would think we are heading to Cape Cod but we are not....we are going somewhere else. Details in coming weeks...

Bee Balm (monarda) a lovely part of the summer scene on Southfield Road

Hydrangea Days

Late June, early July the hydrangeas come into bloom. Nowhere I know do hydrangeas flourish like they do on the Cape, Laura's favorite place. Looking back on Laura's last visit to the Cape, late June 2006. Please see a related Hydrangea Days entry on Caringbridge by clicking here.
Photos: Laura with hydrangeas on the path to the bay beach, Ocean Edge, Brewster Mass (photo by me); scenes of Laura on the Ocean Edge path and close-up of hydrangea in bloom (photos by Ellen Hanson).

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.

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."

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!"

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.