Paula has invited us to pick a word this week
cavernous
extractable: to draw out with great force or effort
diurnal: active during the day, sleeping at night
conspicuous
Square in September
Becky has designated Pink for September Squares. Here are some ideas she offers for pink
- ‘In the Pink’ – means perfect condition or in good health, so that could be human or not!
- ‘Tickled Pink‘ – means delighted, so I’m thinking happy, fun and of course delighted. That could be you or the subject of your photograph.
- Pink – anything that is coloured pink but don’t worry if it isn’t pink!
Share Your World
Melanie, over at Sparks From a Combustible Mind, has taken over the weekly Share Your World prompt from Cee Neuner. Here is the first of Melanie’s SYW prompts.
When you are old, what do you think children will ask you to tell stories about? If you are ‘old’ (a term with different meanings for everyone); what stories do you tell your grandchildren?
My husband’s uncle told of growing up in Poland in a tiny town in Galicia, where the streets were mud and the houses arranged in a circle around with just a lot of dirt in the center. How he fled the Nazis and went to Germany, then to Panama, then to Italy. Stories of how things worked out by luck and chance to allow him to get papers to come to the United States. What stories would I have to tell? I don’t think children today are interested in the past. They are wrapped up in the present world, in their world. I could tell them the world was a different place when I was a child, life was more “simple” we wanted for less. Technology has changed the world so much, they would think the stories fiction of phones with dials.
When did something start out badly for you but in the end, it was great?
I honestly can’t remember. Maybe I blocked it out if indeed something started out badly.
What do you think you are much better at than you actually are? Maybe this one’s kinda mean…thoughts?
That’s not me. If anything I underestimate my abilities. I am of the ilk who when faced with a challenge or something new I immediately assume I can’t do it. It always amazes me when I see people who have no clue about something and they act like an expert.
What would be the worst thing to hear as you are going under anesthesia before surgery?
Never done this before, hope it works. We hope you make it. I can tell you after I broke my elbow and had surgery to put a plate and 6 screws in, upon awakening I was told “wow, your bones are soft. I hope the screws hold” Not something I wanted to hear, but thankfully the screws did their job and the elbow healed.
What did you appreciate or what made you smile this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination.
I started a new job in a 3rd grade classroom , in a new school this week. On the 2nd morning of school I was stationed in the gym for arrivals. One of the girls in my class came running over and hugged me around the waist. Greatest feeling ever.
Square in September: Pink
Becky has designated Pink for September Squares. Here are some ideas she offers for pink
- ‘In the Pink’ – means perfect condition or in good health, so that could be human or not!
- ‘Tickled Pink‘ – means delighted, so I’m thinking happy, fun and of course delighted. That could be you or the subject of your photograph.
- Pink – anything that is coloured pink but don’t worry if it isn’t pink!
When Superstorm Sandy hit the Jersey Shore in 2012 “Jersey Strong” quickly became a state mantra, as many confronted a really challenging time. You often see these bumper stickers on cars throughout the state.
New Beginnings
Well I made it through the first day of school. First day, new school, new teachers, none of whom I know. I stood in the gym watching as students arrived, the third graders that I would meet officially that morning in the classroom. I watched some of them come in and run over to their 2nd grade teachers, hugging them, all smiles, the teachers commenting on how much they had grown over the summer. Suddenly I could feel a lump rising in my throat, and a feeling I can only describe as emptiness. What the hec? Where was this coming from? In that moment I realized how much I missed being in my place of comfort and familiarity- greeting the kids I had known for 8 years, watching them grow from my 1st grade class up through middle school. No regrets about having left my former school, just a stark realization at how much a part of me those surroundings had become, the difference that knowing each child’s name and face has made in my life, and how they were woven within my life. A school becomes like a family. Teachers spend a lot of waking hours with their students, getting to know them, what makes them tick, how to help reach them so they will be successful, their little quirks. I found myself growing wistful throughout the day, people were friendly, teachers who had met me at orientation saying hello, remembering my name. All good. It will take time to get to know the new faces in my class, to make that connection with them, to know what makes them tick.
I ended my day with bus duty, checking each student off my list as they boarded the bus home. One of the boys in my class looked up at me and exclaimed, “Hey! You’re my teacher!” I started to laugh and said his name and told him he was right. I asked if he had had a good first day, and he said yes. We waved good bye to each other and said “see you tomorrow!” A new beginning.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Lime or Light Green
Some green with the early morning sun coming through. I met this beauties on an early morning walk last week.
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Wordless Wednesday
Square in September: Pink
Becky has designated Pink for September Squares. Here are some ideas she offers for pink
- ‘In the Pink’ – means perfect condition or in good health, so that could be human or not!
- ‘Tickled Pink‘ – means delighted, so I’m thinking happy, fun and of course delighted. That could be you or the subject of your photograph.
- Pink – anything that is coloured pink but don’t worry if it isn’t pink!
Black Swallowtail on a Pink Butterfly Bush
Square in September: Pink
Becky has designated Pink for September Squares. Here are some ideas she offers for pink
- ‘In the Pink’ – means perfect condition or in good health, so that could be human or not!
- ‘Tickled Pink‘ – means delighted, so I’m thinking happy, fun and of course delighted. That could be you or the subject of your photograph.
- Pink – anything that is coloured pink but don’t worry if it isn’t pink!
There is nothing like the freedom of skipping, and no place more perfect than the beach. She must be tickled pink doing so, in her pink polka dot dress.
New Day, New School Year
First day of school today, in a new school, in a new grade. After a week of orientation last week I sort of know my way around the building, but the daily schedule is still something of a mystery. Can an old dog be taught new tricks? I hope so… change is not an oft time used word in my vocabulary. I’m more of a comfort in familiarity kind of girl.
I eked out the last day of summer at the New York Botanical Gardens yesterday, taking in the beauty around me, hoping to have it remain with me as I venture into unfamiliar waters today.
Sunday Stills Challenge: Work
New York City holds opportunities for so many different kinds of work. I have often captured some of those who work outside on the streets of NY, often in blistering heat, thinking of how hard it must be.
My husband is a CPA and household fix its usually fall to me. Finding my husband with a screwdriver in his hand and actually changing a light switch plate was cause for a photo. For him this constituted real work.
Manic Mondays: Departing
Square in September: Pink
Becky has designated Pink for September Squares. Here are some ideas she offers for pink
- ‘In the Pink’ – means perfect condition or in good health, so that could be human or not!
- ‘Tickled Pink‘ – means delighted, so I’m thinking happy, fun and of course delighted. That could be you or the subject of your photograph.
- Pink – anything that is coloured pink but don’t worry if it isn’t pink!
These ladies are certainly “in the pink” quite literally. I liked how they matched so well together. 
FOWC with Fandango — Highway
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Glass
Square in September: Pink
Becky has designated Pink for September Squares. Here are some ideas she offers for pink
- ‘In the Pink’ – means perfect condition or in good health, so that could be human or not!
- ‘Tickled Pink‘ – means delighted, so I’m thinking happy, fun and of course delighted. That could be you or the subject of your photograph.
- Pink – anything that is coloured pink but don’t worry if it isn’t pink!
This photo combines a smile and those happy toes tell me my niece is #tickledpink along with her pink dress. An old photo that always makes me smile. That baby is now 21.
Square in September: Pink
Becky has designated Pink for September Squares. Here are some ideas she offers for pink
- ‘In the Pink’ – means perfect condition or in good health, so that could be human or not!
- ‘Tickled Pink‘ – means delighted, so I’m thinking happy, fun and of course delighted. That could be you or the subject of your photograph.
- Pink – anything that is coloured pink but don’t worry if it isn’t pink!
August Photo A Day Challenge: Goodbye August
Oh I am sad to see it go…but what a wonderful month it has been. I love the summer, no matter how hot. August included trips to the beach, sitting on the patio of my favorite garden in Riverdale NY, trips to two museums, a day in Ny’s Greenwich Village and capturing my first ever Hummingbird in a photo.
Thursday’s Special: Traces of the Past
Paula has asked us to share some traces of the past this week for Thursday’s Special.
Last week my husband and I went into NYC to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is an enormous museum, but we decided to focus on the galleries that held the European Paintings. We saw paintings by Van Gogh, Gauguin, Matisse, Rembrandt to name a few. Some of the art dated as far back as the 1400’s. As I walked through the galleries I seemed to focus on the different ways women had been depicted in art. It differed depending upon the year the painting had been done, or the status the woman held in society. Here are a few photos I took of those women. Some women are adorned in beautiful clothing, obviously wealthy, while the painting depicted on the bottom far right was of a servant sleeping.
The painting that I was most taken by was this one
It is called The Fortune Teller, an oil painting of circa 1630 by the French artist Georges de La Tour. The work was uncovered in about 1960 and purchased that year by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The painting catches a moment in which a young man of some wealth is having his fortune told by the old woman at right; she takes the coin from his hand, not only in payment, but as part of the ritual in which she will cross his hand with it. Most or all of the women portrayed are gypsies, and, furthering the stereotype of the time, they are depicted as thieves. As the young man is engrossed in the fortune-telling—an act which, if discovered, would have repercussions for both him and the gypsies—the leftmost woman is stealing the coin purse from his pocket, while her companion in profile has a hand ready to receive the loot. The pale-faced girl on the boy’s left is less clearly a gypsy, but is also in on the act as she cuts a medal worn by the boy from its chain. The figures in the painting are close together, as if in a play, and the composition may have been influenced by a theatrical scene.
The face of the woman who is cutting the coin purse was haunting. I love the vivid colors used in the painting and the expressions and just the scene of what is happening. A trace from the past from 1630.
Word of the Day Challenge: Unexpected
This seagull spent the whole day next to my chair keeping me company. I had thrown some bread out for all of the gulls, but after it was gone they all flew off. He hung out next to me all day. Quite unexpected.
Sunday Stills Challenge: Water
Share Your World
Do you prefer eating foods with nuts or no nuts?
I love nuts and usually add them to any salad I am eating. I snack on them when I get home from work too. Walnuts are always added to my breakfast Oatmeal.
Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
ALWAYS closed as a few years ago I got up in the middle of the night and walked directly into an open door and really hurt myself. The wall of our bedroom is closets so there are 4 doors. Before going to bed I always make sure none of them are even ajar.
Are you usually late, early, or right on time?
Never late, and usually early. I used to get to appointments 15 minutes early but stopped doing it years ago when I realized I was always waiting 15 minutes or longer than the actual appointment time anyway. Now I arrive exactly on time in most cases. I still have to wait anyway.
What did you appreciate or what made you smile this past week?
All week I have had orientation in the new school I am going to. Monday and Tuesday were specifically for new hires, which was great, as there were only 11 of us and we were introduced to all policies and procedures, given a tour of the building and met the administration. The school has less parking spaces than teachers, so they use an off site lot a block and 1/2 away for the overflow. There is a shuttle than runs to bring people to the school. As a new hire people had told me I would be in the overflow lot. It turned out there were 7 spaces available in the school lot this year so they were going to have a lottery, we would pick names that had been written on a folded up piece of paper, out of a bowl. All names were picked and I was not one of them. Then 2 of the people who had gotten spaces said they only needed one because they were carpooling, so one more piece of paper in the bowl could be chosen. I went up to pick and picked my name!!! No having to walk in the rain or snow or waiting for the shuttle. I was thrilled!
Weekly Prompt Photo Challenge: Animals in Nature
Juvenile Mockingbird Looking for Mom
I spotted this young Mockingbird who seemed to be looking for mom, peeping and peeping endlessly.
Are you down there?
I’ve got an itch, maybe my ears need to be cleaned out so I can hear you calling me
Well I’m off to find her…
A Day In The Life 
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