Finders Keepers

Finding old photo albums is like discovering a gateway to the past.

This tattered, mildewed and decaying old wedding album was begging to be cherished.

The photos it held were suffering,

as the album was no longer fit to house the treasured memories.

Over the weekend, I took apart the old book

and gently separated the photos from the paper they were glued on to.

Inspired by the elegant shots,

I came up with a simple plan to showcase the bride and groom

in a fresh, new album ~ simple mounting, delicate accents.

Let the photos tell the tale.

I hope William and Dorothea are happy in their new dwelling place.

It's good to know that they are safe here...

preserved in a way that will endure.

No more yellowing.

No more tatters or decay.

No more fading away.

No, they now become a lasting treasure

just waiting to hear the gleeful cries of their great children

{or their great greats}

as they exclaim,

"Oh my! Look what I've found!"

Joining

Little Things Thursday

and

Mama Kat's

Reflections on Time

I wish I could turn back time...
         to that day when two twenty-somethings built this R2D2 like they were kids again
         to that day I got a hug and a Christmas cactus from a dear friend
         to that time I washed these curtains because special guests were coming to stay
         to that day my daughter and I were making the table runners for her reception...the one that now covers the bookshelf
         or to that day I hammered a huge nail into the wall because the bookcase leaned to the left

Or...maybe just slow down time...
         So many little tiny memories!
         Every where I look, as we pack these never-ending boxes, I'm reminded.
         And filled with gratitude.
         I'm taking mental pictures {and iPhone pictures} of the little things ~
             those small scenes that, added all together, made this house our home.
         I don't want to rush the packing.
         I don't want to miss anything.

Or....maybe I really wish I could speed up time...
         to that day, in our new home, where everything will have a new spot
         to that day when the packing AND the unpacking will be completed

Silly really.
Cause we all know, time is what it is.
And that it will march on, no matter how much we indulge in wishful thinking.

Joining

Little Things Thursday

Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

and

Weekend Reflections

       

{Good Random Fun} Week 10

Sigh.

Yesterday's FUN was all about

sorting

boxing

organizing

and sorting some more.

I spent hours in my scrapbook room.

And, truth be told, got a whole lot accomplished.

But my, oh my...the waves of nostalgia weren't ripple-like.

No.

Tidal waves of nostalgia washed over me.

Here are just a few of my RANDOM finds...

 {my brother's soccer album and medals from high school}

 {so many precious cards from our kids}

 {these goofy photos taken by two bored kids one Christmas Eve...waiting can be so hard!}

 {my father's baby book ~ with notes in my grandmother's hand}

 {my grandparent's wedding keepsake album!! Atlantic City and New York...1929}

 {my parents' wedding memories...including telegrams from the day}

And memories from this house.

The postcard I mailed when we moved in.

My son's graduation announcement.

Memories.

GOOD memories.

As I worked in my basement yesterday,

I felt so much gratitude for our seven years in this lovely little house.

I have shared hours and days with dear friends

around tables in my workshop space.

Time spent laughing and crying,

sharing and caring

for each other...

and for the memories that make us and our families who they are.

When Ed Sheeran's song came on, I'm not gonna lie..

I lost it just a wee bit...

"We keep this love in a photograph

We made these memories ofr ourselves

Where our eyes are never closing

Hearts are never broken

And time's forever frozen still"

Linking up with Tamar

and Kathy

Black & White Wednesdays ~ Five Stories

Tag.
I'm it!
Yesterday a blogging bud called on me
to choose five photos and use them to tell five stories in five days.
Thanks Dianna ~ I love this idea!

I'm gonna break the rules just a bit and invite you all to try.
Tag.
You're it!

Stacks and stacks of slides came up from the basement in dusty, moldy boxes. One by one I looked at each treasure, each hint of my father's past. It was fitting that, on the eve of Memorial Day, so many of the slides were from the years he spent serving our country in the Air Force. He traveled through Europe, a young ROTC grad with his architecture degree. With each city...each slide...a story came to him. Tales of friendships, and runway reconstructions. He talked of lessons learned from great buildings and diverse cultures. An adventure that began as I held one slide up to the afternoon light kept us wandering the globe until long after dark.

Stories were told that I'd heard before, and many new stories were shared. Bit by bit, a picture came into focus. A picture of the young man who was to become my father just a few short years later. These formative years shaped this man I love so dearly. And I enjoyed every precious second of hearing him share his adventures.

We made a deal this weekend. I'm going to edit the photos, send him the digital files, and he's going to write his stories. All of them. It'll be my job to tie them all together and....write a book? Who knows. At the very least, a one-of-a-kind scrapbook is in our future!! I love that we found a project to share, even thought we're miles apart. Who knew so much life could be hidden inside a moldy box in the basement!!?!

Please join me and share your

Black & White photos!

I'm also linking up with

Wednesday Around the World

{Don't forget - I tagged you all! Please join in - find five photos and tell five stories in five days!}

The Wilderness of Your Intuition

Yesterday, while going through a box of old photos, I came across this picture of my son that I took almost twenty years ago. When he was six. My little guy spent hours on this chalet balcony, glued to his binoculars, looking out at the Alps. He'd never seen so much snow. He'd never been up in the heart of mountains like these. And he drank in in. Absorbed it all like a sponge. Once he was back in our little Paris apartment, he drew those mountains. He drew them over and over again. Each time, each mountain was covered with triangles. Hundreds of little, triangular pine trees. My little city boy lost himself to the wilderness that weekend. He discovered part of himself that is with him to this day. Give him a pocket knife, a sleeping bag, a friend or two and some woods....and he's in his element.

About an hour after I found this precious photo {and instagrammed it}, my quote-a-day email pinged my phone. And there was this stunning Alan Alda quote that I'd never read before! There was that phrase ~ the wilderness of your intuition. Wow. I know this is a notion that will sit with me for a long time. As it happens, I am leaving the city of my comfort - I have started to work with a doctor and nutritionist to tackle {what feel like} life long health and weight "issues" - oy. What will I discover as I head into the wilderness of my intuition? Will I be strong enough to trust it? Will the me that I discover there truly be wonderful? I sure as heck hope so!

Today was a good day. In the battle for courage I was sent a lot of ammunition. I found a favorite picture of my son. I discovered a quote. I was sent a sunflower photo, with wishes for a good day, from one friend at 8 am. And I got another sunflower photo and a big "I miss you" from another friend at 9pm. Now it's time for bed....and tomorrow when I get up, I will drink my water, take my vitamins...and do what I can to leave the city of my comfort.

Sharing with friends at

Little Things Thursday

and

Mama Kat's

Of Memories and Back Doors

One of the best things about the back door of my childhood home, is that there were two screen doors to let slam before I reached the yard. The first was at the back of the kitchen, and the second on the other side of the tiny back porch. For some reason, my goody-two-shoes self enjoyed this tiny act of rebellion. Even if I was careful with the first door, so as not to "hear about it" later, that second door was waiting to be released, snapping back with a bang, as I ran out to freedom! 

Japanese magnolia blossoms...walls of ivy...giant oaks...forsythia...beds of pachysandra and lily of the valley.

A tree house...a rope swing..a bat and some balls...a dog to chase and fireflies to catch. 

My back door.

The back yard.

A childhood path to freedom!

This lovely morsel of my childhood is nestled safely in a scrapbook.

And today...this simple photograph, in an album spread out by the back door, took me back.

Took me home.

{Inspired by the Nickelback song Photograph}

Joining Kathy for

Song-ography

and Rebecca for

Simple Things Sunday

Six Word Fridays ~ Present

It just has to be said...

Sometimes a girl feels the need

to buy herself a little present.

A love bird, soul mate charm...
and an Eiffel Tower to remind
me of all our shared adventures.
A honey bee for our girl
and a penguin for the boy.
Add on a simple word full
of vision, full of purpose, and
you've got my new favorite necklace!

The Sound of Music

"My heart wants to sigh like a chime that flies

from a church on a breeze."
{The Sound of Music}

In 8th grade, on an old middle school stage, I had the honor of playing the part of Maria in the Sound of Music. I remember getting to wear my aunt's wedding dress and walking down the center aisle of the auditorium during the wedding scene. I remember when a window that was part of the bedroom set for the My Favorite Things scene fell over. And my good friend, who was playing the housekeeper said "stupid window." I remember having made up words to the tune of My Favorite Things to surprise and thank the teachers after the last show...I can still sing those re-written lyrics. As well as all the lyrics to all the songs in this musical. 

Flash forward to my children in middle school and high school. And those first years of American Idol. It was family time and we were there, glued to our set, when Carrie Underwood became the season four winner. It's been fun to follow her career. She's a favorite of mine.

So, tonight at 8:00 I will be glued to my television as The Sound of Music is performed LIVE!! I'm so excited. Don't call or text. I'll be ignoring you as I sing along with the show!

Linking up with Little Things Thursday

A Favorite Memory

We've always been big Christmas magic believers in our family. Santa, elves...writing letters, milk and cookies...and 'Twas the Night readings every Christmas eve until the kids were well into double digits. We've been blessed through the years, to {almost} always be able to make their holiday dreams come true.

One tradition changed in 1994. That was the first year that big sister was in on the Santa secret, and helping us keep little brother out of the loop. Once dad had finished the annual story reading, and a normal amount of  giggles had been let out, it was time to get the cookies and milk ready for Santa. With a huge, somewhat toothless grin, big sister said, "Don't you think Santa gets tired of so many cookies and milk? Maybe we could leave Doritos and Coke for Santa. Just so he gets something different to eat at our house!" Well, little brother thought that was a great idea, and sprung into the kitchen to start helping me prepare a plate. As you can see in the photo, the mood was merry and bright...

Dad Santa was especially happy. You see, big sister knew that Doritos and Coke were his favorite snack!



Join in the fun!
Let's write our way through the holidays!
Link up here!

The View from the Bridge

We were freshmen.
What did we know?
When our acting teacher walked
us out of our classroom,
down Commonwealth Avenue
and onto the BU Bridge....
we followed.
At the edge of the bridge he told us that,
as a group,
we were going to cross the bridge...
in
slow
motion.
So
on that sunny, fall day,
some thirty or so years ago,
I crossed the bridge for the first time.
It took over an hour.
My fifty something self looks back and wonders why this slow-motion-group
didn't cause any accidents.
My twenty something self just did it.
And took in the view.
Memorized it.
Little did I know on that day
that these waters,
these buildings...
this view...
would become all I need to see
to know that I am home.


As I stood on that same bridge this past Sunday, my heart was full.
I could see the hotel where I spent my wedding night.
I could see the apartment where we welcomed our first born.
I could see the rowers and the sailboats...the bridges, the history...
I could practically see the fourth of July fireworks, and my husband crossing the long bridge
with his baby girl strapped to his chest.
And to top it all off, the leaves are turning.
New England is at it's best....
Adorned with color for me this weekend as it was so many years ago.

Please join me on Friday 10/12 for Six Word Fridays. We're linking up right here on my blog and this week's word is LIGHT. {click on the tab at the top for details!}

Heirlooms

"Up in the attic, down on my knees,

Lifetimes of boxes, timeless to me,

Letters and photographs, yellowed with years,

Some bringing laughter, some bringing tears.

Time never changes, the memories, the faces

Of loved ones, who bring to me

All that I come from and all that I live for

And all that I'm going to be.

My precious family

is more than an heirloom to me."

Amy Grant

 Monochromatic

{This mirror, brush and accessories sat on my grandmother's dressing table}

 Hair

{There are few things that remind me of her as much as her brush and her mirror}

Starts with the letter "E"
For Ernest

{My dad's baby spoon, fork and napkin holder}

 Upside Down

{The silver pattern matched his parent's silver...I just love this little fork}

Soft

{This is my dad's silver rattle. He must have been a pretty strong tyke to have dented the soft silver}

I cherish these heirlooms and the wonderful memories they bring back to my heart.

Linking up with Tabitha for Sunday Citar.

And with Ashley for Scavenger Hunt Sunday

9/11/01...

We wern't tweeting.
Had no social network sites to check.
And there wasn't an app for it.

Like so many millions,
it was just a normal day for me.
I was in the car with my husband, heading to a meeting.
Just a normal Tuesday.

Then there was breaking news on the radio.

First confusing. Then alarming. Then terrifying.

I quickly connected with a friend -
both her kids lived near the towers.
They were safe.

The group we were meeting with gathered in the hotel lobby
and crowded around the tv sets in the bar.
Waiting. Watching.

We called parents, family.
Schools weren't sending kids home.
More watching. More waiting.

The group finally withdrew to a conference room.
And prayed.
There would be no meeting.

We headed home, to our den.
With several close friends we watched.
And waited for our kids to get home from school
so we could hug them.
And listen to what they had been told.
And fill them in. And pray.

Then we watched all together.
Do you remember all the watching?

We were blessed. And safe.
I remember stories, and faces.
But knew no one who died that day.
I remember the music. And the poems.
And that profound sense that nothing would
    ever be the same.
And that profound sense that we hoped this
    horror would be a
    catalyst for change.

Here we are ten years later.
I'm not sure, as a whole, we'll like the answers if we
ask the tough questions.
About us.
About change.

At the very least, one thing is different.
There are apps for it....

Different Kind of Day

Today's a different kind of Friday.
I woke up in my childhood
home, eager for a walk down
memory lane. Dad will read his
paper. And our lazy morning will
turn into a day of quiet
conversation. The gift of time together.

On my different kind of Saturday,
we'll visit a famous local garden.
I'll play tourist as I search
my memory for remnants of visits
made in days long gone...thrilled
to make new memories, both grateful
for this gift of time together.

We'll begin our day on Sunday
just us two. He'll read his
paper and I'll sip my coffee.
Father. Daughter. Sunday is his day,
after all. And this year I'm
here, together with him. Making this
a different kind of Father's Day.

Take a Moment to Remember

me·mo·ri·al

–noun

something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event, etc., as a monument or a holiday.

–adjective

preserving the memory of a person or thing; commemorative: memorial services.  

of or pertaining to the memory.

When I think about all the memories that I have preserved in scrapbooks and picture frames, I am filled with gratitude for all the people, places and experiences that have made our lives what they are today. As a family, for generations, we have known possibility. We have traveled, known a myriad of professions, lived in many different parts of this country, and celebrated the milestones of our lives together.

Freely.

I'm sure I don't appreciate this freedom in the same way that my immigrant great grandparents appreciated it. Maybe I appreciate it a bit more than the youngest of the cousins...I hope so. As I honor the memory of all these family members - from young, to long gone - may I take a moment to remember that every aspect of our lives has been shaped by possibility, by choice, by freedom.

Today, and everyday, help me never to take that for granted.

Yesterdays

It's not yesterday I long for.

It's the yesterdays of earlier years
That call out loudly for me.
They question me, taunt me and
accuse me of not paying attention.

I'd like a backyard, summer, childhood
Yesterday. With mom's best chicken on
the hibachi and dad's baseball pop-ups
flying over the freshly mowed lawn.

I'd like a costumed, scripted, highschool
Yesterday. Under the lights, in full
makeup, surrounded by my workshop friends
who agree, "the play's the thing"!

And I'd really, really like a
playful, whimsical, giggly, cuddly "just us"
Yesterday. A Mommy, Daddy, Liss, Jer,
Pooh and Little Mermaid play date.

It's the yesterdays of earlier years,
now captured in photos and gathered
in albums that serve to remind
me that, "the true art of
memory is the art of attention."

Nostalgic

Feeling nostalgic tonight.

Photos accompany me on my walk down

memory lane.

As the lane twists and turns,

I notice two treasures

around every bend.

Often smiling.

Occaisionally silly.

Obviously close.

Before this lane was just a memory,

you two helped to light my way

through some of life's twists and turns.

And now, as you set off on your own paths,

my prayer is that you will

walk closely enough

to light the way for each other.

What a Weekend!

Twice a year I set aside a weekend and host a marathon workshop ~ this was one of those weekends!

I am so blessed to have this space and to be a part of the work done here.

So many different stages of life captured in photos and then preserved on scrapbook pages.

Photos from the 1950's

Photos from Easter (just last weekend!)

Photos from many seasons and years in between

(Lots of) Photos of kids

Photos of babies, toddlers, graduates, atheletes and models

Photos of winter sports and summer fun!

Photos that capture and elicit all sorts of emotion

Photos that tell our stories

Thanks to all who came and all who wanted to come but were out making memories instead!

I cherish these times, these friends and (though exhausting!) these special weekends!