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Last weekend we were in NYC to see the new granddaughter who was three weeks old with the capacity to endear our hearts with a love that surprised us both. The last photos on this post are of Madeline and a few of her expressive moods. We are most grateful to Lynn Sherman, Hank Halperin and their remarkable daughter Laura who were most generous in putting us up in their house for our stay. It was a good visit with them and I am most appreciative of their gracious hospitality.
Lynn and Hank took us to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Park just outside Kennedy Airport where, just in time for sunset, we spent a few hours with an old friend - the Refuge. Lee and I haven't been there for nine years now, the place where we went birding every weekend before we moved here to Maine.
Here is a special moment from that all too brief visit.
A tree in the refuge after the birds migrated south.
Below:
Catbirds occupying the tree during their Summer residence here
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We are all invited to the Dance of Life where we are given the Gift of our child who may not have learned how to move with grace during our growing up. A second chance to find inner freedom of expression.
I managed a few hours in the Metropolitan Museum of Art where I revisited a favorite sculpture that always speaks of a freedom to be myself with wonderful clarity. I was not surprised to see most who passed by this delightful expression of life with indifference to its joy. I do not blame them as the Museum is overwhelming with its huge collections of art, sculpture and human history. Visual overload is something I fought for years until I learned to stop only at a few new works for at least some minutes and visit old friends for a bit longer. After two hours I have usually been filled with visual beauty to capacity.
Here is an article on museum overload from today's N.Y. Times:
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Fall has arrived and once again I caught a little of the Season of that permeates a great deal of life here in this area of Maine. People celebrate the Season putting out pumpkins, dried corn stalks, Fall flowers and much more. It seems driving down the roads that almost every house has some decoration in its yard and by the entrance doors.
Most of the following images were taken at a small farm market a few miles from where we live.
These are the actual colors of a maple tree I saw.
No color shift or enhancement was applied.
Perhaps the low afternoon light had something to do with it
Lee has taken up photography. Some of her images are on her Facebook page.
Something of an impression of the Season that I made.
It is a great deal of fun to work on a photo in this way.
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Okay, its Madeline time. Bridget and Rudy have managed to bring a delight into the world that was missing. Thank you both for your marriage. I am proud of the way you are handling life and the Gift God placed in your hands. I have no fears for the three of you for your future. Well done!
The dog is named Rocky and his job will be to teach Madeline how to box. He loves the new addition in his house and in his way is most protective of his recent charge. Walking on the street if he could not be close to the carriage there was a struggle to close the gap. Lee is holding Madeline and Rudy is petting Rocky.
Below: Some of the moods of Madeline. Please feel free to add your own captions.
Ah ... sweet Madeline Medina
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A little Humor:
Peace until next post,
Bill Lagerstrom
