Adorable

Ireland - from outer space

What is it about Ireland and the Irish that is so celebrated? The newscasters are already talking about the St. Patrick's Day parades, the "wearing of the green". Everyone wants to have a wee bit of Irish in them on March 17. You don't hear that about other nationalities as much. Having some Irish blood on my father's side...have to say I've always liked celebrating in some small way....wearing the green. I used to have a button that I wore that said "Kiss me, I'm Irish"....so where did that come from? You won't find the answer here because I don't know...maybe I'll google it when I finish this post. As a former Catholic...it used to be a day you went to church. An excuse for getting intoxicated is also tied into the day...unfortunately. That aside, look at this photo. The landscape of Ireland is so ...beautiful. When I decided I wanted to post something in honor of St. Patty's day, I started looking for an Irish artist/painting to feature since I love art. And I realized....no Irish artist comes to mind nor did I find a painting to post. Darn!
I think I've mentioned in a previous post the names of some of the dogs we had growing up...they had a "play" on our name, Shea, but were spelled differently....and the dogs were French...poodles to be exact. Touche, Ricochet, Sachet....maybe we should have spelled them Toushea, Ricoshea and Sashea!
I'm proud of my Irish roots and my Cuban roots and my English roots and my Swedish roots.....and everyday I am proud to be an American....because isn't that what we all are? A wonderful blend of cultures. And now that I look at the photo....it would make a great painting!

Tom's Birthday Journal

As Tom's birthday approached, I knew I had to get cracking and make his card...I make him a card every month just because I like to do it. But this wasn't just any card. So, as I sat down at the computer and started looking at photos for inspiration, one thing led to another and his "card" became a 30 page journal....and even that wasn't enough. Tom's birthday journal is really about a wonderful young man following his dream and his dream is to serve in the Marine Corp. A little over a week ago....he took the oath and is now in the Marine Corp Reserves. He will go for training this summer and then complete his senior year of college and then on to OCS. This picture from the journal is that of a pumpkin that I stopped to capture on a stone wall in Easton, Ct last October. And, as you can see, the message is simple and from the heart.

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY!

At 8 pm on March 9, 1988, I checked into Norwalk Hospital to have this wonderful boy. But he held out until March 10 at 2:07 pm. I remember on the drive there realizing it would be the last time I would be part of a "couple" because when we left there....we would have a son. He finally made his appearance as La Bamba was playing on the sound system in the delivery room.
On Saturday, we went to a local restaurant to celebrate this milestone birthday of 21....I could write a dissertation on how proud I am to call him my son but lest I embarrass him too much I just want to wish him a happy life and a very happy birthday.