Monday, January 07, 2013

New Beginnings


It's a new year, a time of new beginnings. For me it's time to Focus, Organize and Share. It's been a long absence from this blog, a time when I couldn't find anything happy, funny, whimsical or pretty to share, not publicly anyway. The time was, and still is, a very trying time.

I've been thinking about this post for a very long time, I felt I had to share it, despite it's unpleasantness. I have to admit and share these feelings in order to move on and I have to admit breaking the silence is directly related to Tracey Clark's Breaking My Blog Silence post that got me thinking... It's time to let go and share stories that might help someone to not feel alone, to know that we all have feelings and keeping them secret helps nobody.

“The only time we waste is the time we spend thinking we are alone.”  
- Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven

I was never good at helpless, but that's what I faced...
I was never good at weak, but that's what I was...
I was never good at showing pain or letting the tears fall, but that's what I did
sometimes we all break... sometimes we shatter and all we can do is pick up the pieces and hope to get it all back together.

In April my brother Eddie was diagnosed with liver cancer, he passed away on November 26, 2012. I am extremely grateful we got to spend Thanksgiving together and know he was hanging in to share that holiday with his family.

More than just a brother, my closest friend.

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

So handsome

So handsome
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Maddox is thrilled that he got groomed this morning... poor boy, that long hair in the heat of this summer was making him quite the mope! He was so happy for his haircut, look at that face {smooch!}

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iPhone 4S
Instagram Hefe

Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Morning Concert

If you are familiar in the least with the morning news/talk shows on the major networks you know that they all seem to have concerts on Fridays during the summer. This Friday I managed to haul my lazy bones out of bed at a ridiculously early hour to attend my first morning show concert.

I accompanied my darling daughter to the Midtown Manhatten News Corp. concert set of Fox and Friends. We drove in from NJ and arrived at 48th Street and 6th Avenue at about 6:30 am, if you should happen to take public transportation, this would be the nearest subway station.




Once we arrived on site my daughter quickly found a college friend and proceeded to catch up on all the news and move in close to the stage for a fabulous view of the performance. I took a little bit of a stroll over to 7th Avenue where I found a Smilers convenience store with cut flowers lining the 48th Street side of the corner store. I have a thing for market flowers and these sunflowers surely caught my eye.


The clouds and extreme humidity had Lazy Hazy Days of Summer going through my mind... well at least it's a happy tune :-)

As I stood back and took in the view of NYC and all it's glory the shop's keeper began to wet down the sidewalk in preparation of the day ahead. The city was beginning another new day and the hustle and bustle began. Workers can be seen rushing along the avenue and the lights of Broadway attractions were clearly lit in the background.


It was a quick walk back to 6th Avenue, where a very familiar scene from my many years of working in the city was encountered. The corner coffee cart, a workers' morning necessity long before Starbucks arrived in town. Coffee, rolls, bagels, donuts you could find them all right there at the corner cart. Quick, convenient and most importantly very inexpensive!


I couldn't resist... I got on line and partook in a delightful "regular" coffee. (Passed on all the carbs, breakfast would come after the show). I found a bench right on the corner


with a fabulous view of the stage and far enough from the speakers to avert deafness. (Yeah, I said it... I've come to really enjoy hearing and would like to keep it around for awhile)


The show's guest band was Gloriana... a country band that seems to be taking charts by storm. My daughter has been listening to their music for a couple of years now, she believes they are very talented and haven't received the recognition they deserve as yet. You can read her blog review of their latest album  A Thousand Miles Left Behind  [Stop by her blog and show her some blog love;-)]


The performance was fun and the band stills has a great love of their fans... they freely gave away copies of their CD and autographs were gladly shared.

After the show we had a quick breakfast and started to head over to Central Park. We made it as far as the bus stop on 48th and 6th but the heat and lack of sleep didn't play well for us so we just decided to head back to NJ and call it an early day.

It's hard to believe that I used to work just four blocks from here, it's even harder to believe that it was over 30 years that my career had move further downtown to the Financial District!


The move from Television & Radio to Brokers & Traders was quite a culture shock, but that's a story for another day.


White Plains rain

White Plains rain
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem


A road trip with my daughter and a visit with my brother... afternoon rain was welcome as it cooled down the 99 degree temps.
I'm submitting this to July's Photo-Heart Connection, this photo brings memories of a fabulous day enjoyed with loved ones!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Ready?

Ready?
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Yotsuba gathered a gang of friends to get ready to watch the 2012 London Olympics.

We'll be watching the opening ceremonies tonight, my daughter has be anxiously awaiting the show for some time now... she has a thing for Michael Phelps ;-) Looking forward to the show Danny Boyle has put together, it should be very interesting.

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Thursday, July 19, 2012

White Plains rain

White Plains rain
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

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A road trip with my daughter and a visit with my brother... afternoon rain was welcome as it cooled down the 99 degree temps.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Dinner - Mostly Cold

Dinner - Mostly Cold
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Too hot to even think of cooking and eating a hot meal!

Chicken sausage & peppers, cucumber salad and Romaine with black olives and mozzarella pearls w/Balsalmic dressing.

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Friday, July 13, 2012

Strawberry & Cream

Strawberry & Cream
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Tried something a little different for breakfast... daughter is always trying something new, it was pretty good too!

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Thursday, July 12, 2012

Bizzzzy...

Bizzzzy...
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

The bees were out in full force this afternoon... this little guy was in and out of these flowers faster than I could focus!

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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Photo Heart Connection - June

June was busy indeed! There were two very important graduation celebrations and they brought the family and friends out to share these special life moments!

My daughter completed her college degree and set off in the world of broadcasting... she worked hard on developing skills and craft in media, may she succeed and be fulfilled!

My great-nephew graduated from HS and will continue on with his education at university!

This photo speaks to me of both their achievements and the beginnings of new adventures... Oh the places they will go!


I planned on sharing this photo with Kateyeview's Photo Heart Connection, but looks like I missed it!

Friday, July 06, 2012

Pick a seat...

Pick a seat...
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

As I posted this photo the song "Everyone's Gone to the Moon" just popped right into my head. It's an oldie and I'll probably be humming it for a week.

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Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Love is a Shelter

Love is a shelter
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Love is a shelter in a raging storm
Love is peace in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave may God send angels to guard the door
No, love in not a fight...but it's something worth fighting for ~ Love is Not a Fight, Warren Barfield

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Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Celebrating July 4th

Celebrating July 4th
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Today's photo is a composite of two images worked through PSE 9 and then Instagram. This is the first time I've attempted such a thing, I like it... What do you think?

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Thursday, June 07, 2012

Tribute

Tribute
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

In memorial of those who gave their all.

Today I'm participating in the Photo-Heart connection for May... I'm sharing this photo I took for Memorial Day in the US. While it's always signified the start of summer and the beginning of the beach season, we must never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice so we can live freely and in peace. We must remember all they've given and respect the values they fought to protect.


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iPhone Instagram Hefe

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day

Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

After a wonderful afternoon movie with my loving daughter, a pretty flower shot!
 
 
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Camera Nikon D40
Exposure 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture f/4.0

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Always Learning

Always Learning
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Learning is a lifelong process... Despite the fact that I've been using my camera for over 3 years, I continue to learn as much as possible about photography. Today I sat in on a Creative Live session "Photography 101 for Moms", very interesting session for moms to learn the basics, it was fun.

I love attending the sessions at Creative Live there courses are free for the live recording and cover many aspects of photography and more. You can also buy previous courses if you find them of interest. My budget's been kinda tight, so if I have the time I enroll in the live recording. Definitely worth checking out there course calendar... you might find something of interest.


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Camera Nikon D40
Exposure 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture f/4.5
Focal Length 35 mm
ISO Speed 360

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Tender Hearts

Tender Hearts
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Paradise was made for tender hearts ~ Voltaire

Deep within the strength of stone there can found the tears of a heart

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Saturday, May 05, 2012

Delicate Beauty

Delicate Beauty
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Tall, vibrant and beautiful... Alone, delicate and vulnerable.

Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature. ~ Gerard de Nerval

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Exposure 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture f/3.2
Focal Length 35 mm

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Make a wish!

Originally uploaded by maggie_gem
“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, Rejoice, for your soul is alive.” ~ Elenora Duse

Seeing the wonder of the simple things in life, knowing in my heart there is beauty all around us if we just stop and look for just a moment... These are moments I want to capture!

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#lux #dandelion #flower #morning

I'm linking up with The Photo-Heart Connection with my favorite photo for April!