This Life Thru the Lens: May 2009

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Month's End

It's hard to believe that May just flew right by, time seems to get more fleeting with each passing year. I haven't posted to the blog in over three weeks, something that I need to fix in the coming days.

Sure I've been busy, but so has everyone else. As June brings with it the end of another "Trip Around the Sun" for me (and my daughter too) I will try to do a daily update along with a 365 on Flicker. Making that public announcement is scary, it's making an open commitment to start a project and complete it.

I've enjoyed reading many blogs since I started this one up again in January. Many are like-minded photography enthusiasts, but most are much better writers. More insightful observers of the world around them, willing to share their thoughts with the blogosphere. Committed to those that are following their blogs, and sharing their thoughts by bravely posting comments on what they've had the pleasure to view.

I'll finish this month with some of my favorites from this past weekend, watching Maddox sleep-in Sunday, he loves to cuddle up with whomever is sleeping latest and moves from person to person as they arise from their slumber!

Feeling oh so sleepy...

Is it wake-up time?

Oh, never mind!

Memorial Day Parade

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes! ~Maya Angelou

While Memorial Day weekend is celebrated as the "unofficial" start of summer and celebrated with BBQ's and trips to the shore, let us not forget the true meaning of the day and take some time to remember those who have given the greatest gift, their lives, for our freedom to partake in these celebrations. And may all keep prayers in our hearts that all of our troops stay safe as they continue acts of heroism necessary to keep us that way.

A day of remembrance, proudly exhibited by the participants in Metuchen's Memorial Day Parade. There was a nice crowd lining Main Street anxiously awaiting the beginning of the parade

All-American "Coke and a Flag" family waiting...

First up, the Color Guard representing the Armed Forces

The all but forgotten Viet Nam Veterans

The Coast Guard

The young and ambitious from Lincoln HS JROTC

A great showing by the Fire Department

Even Bagpipers from Keyport, NJ were marching in this parade

And of course, those adorable young ones that just take your heart away

Memorial Day Weekend

The long weekend brought with it the opportunity to get outside and explore with camera in hand. Only this time I made sure to check the settings, those pictures from Mother's Day would have been fantastic if I'd reset the camera from the previous shoot which was in a theater with virtually no light (and NO FLASH ALLOWED). Well guess every newbie learns that lesson sooner or later.

Saturday afternoon found me at Lake Papaianni in Edison, NJ. There were a few things I found interesting in this very small park with a pond.

A little late in the season, but this flower was hanging in there

A couple of boys were also exploring

A couple of fishermen had some high hopes

And Maddox certainly was excited to be out about

Unfortunately he just gets too excited so we have to keep him on a lease. He's very friendly and would just run off to Meet and Greet everyone within his sights.

There were a couple of mallards, including this one

Tons of geese,

including a band of charging goselings

They all finally calmed down to follow Mom and Dad back to the pond

We finished the trip with one very tired Maddox in our car

A good time was had by all!

Mother's Day

May was a busy month, photo opportunities presented themselves at every turn. Since my last post on May 9th, I spent a wonderful Mother's Day exploring the Shore starting with a visit to the Marina in Atlantic Highlands