At the end of the day, it's time to relax on the patio. Greg and Laurel host the best ever Labor Day picnic. I look forward to it every year.

UPDATE IN PROGRESS 12-19-09

I'm updating. Finally! For those of you who are visiting my BLOG to read about our year, as suggested in our Christmas card, I am in the process. Posting pictures slows the process so it's taking longer then planned. Please come back and check the updates. I hope you find the BLOG interesting, as I tend to put lengthy notes. It's the writer in me, can't help it. While in the process, please know that we love all of you. Blessings for a safe and peaceful holiday. Remember the reason for the season. Wishing all the best in 2010.

I'm ready for the fireworks at the Camden waterfront on New Year's Eve.

On another note: I just discovered that if you click your pointer on the penguins, they flap their flippers (or whatever those are called, arms???) So, besides them following your pointer, you can make them wave. You can also put the pointer on them and move them against the other penguins. I had a March of the Penguins thing going with two adults and a kid. haha Have fun! It doesn't take much to amuse me.

OUR MINI VACATION TO EASTHAMPTON, MA in the beginning of September.

Yeaaa!!!!! We finally get to take a vacation. It is most special to me because I took Anita and Antonio to Easthampton, MA to visit my Aunt Bea, to see my childhood haunts, and to meet my cousins. I miss my cousins and don't see them often enough. We were able to visit with them and catch up on old times. It was especially warming to my heart to see my dear Aunt Norma. She holds a special place in my heart. I feel very connected to her spiritually. When I was 10 and 11, we lived in the upstairs apt. at her and Uncle Joe's house with my Grandma Ramsey living downstairs with them. I used to play with my cousin Susie, their first born, and such a cutie. She was a toddler then. Now she's the mother of Heather, mother-in-law of Elias and grandmother of Isabel, Ariana and Mateo, pictured here with me and Norma. Susie has more children and grandchildren who we did not see on this trip.

We moved to NJ a couple of months before I turned 12. There's a piece of me that is still in Easthampton and with my relatives who still live there. I miss all of you. God Bless and keep well. I am hoping to make another trip this summer. It does not do my heart good for the visits to Easthampton to be so far and few between. Family is everything. Cousins and aunts matter hugely to me. I'm so glad that we got together.

Much to our delight, there was a Bearfest in Easthampton which, we took pleasure in touring. We didn't have time to see all of the bears as we had a date to visit my cousins. Also, it was very hot and we were getting tired and thirsty from all of the walking around we had been doing that day. I did find a cd of the bears when I stopped in at the Town Hall to get a copy of my birth certificate. Besides looking at the bears, we drove to Nonnatuct Park where I played as a child. I spotted an old slide that looks like it has been there since my childhood. The bike rack you see here sits in front of the library, which we toured. It appears to have been there since my childhood as well. The view of Mt. Tom was taken from the center of town. That's how close the town sits to the mountain. Easthampton is literally at the base of the mountain. Anita remarked, "I wish I could take all of my family and friends that are in NJ and move them and us here to Easthampton. I love it so much!" I think the sharing of my childhood memories and seeing the town itself, plus my cousins and aunt, made it very appealing to Anita and Antonio.

When I go to Easthampton, I take in all of the places that hold warm memories from my childhood. Look Park in Northampton, MA, just four miles from Easthampton always gives me warm fuzzy feelings. I was so excited to share the park with Anita and Antonio. We played miniature golf, we rode the paddle boats, we fed ducks, we rode the train twice, visited the wild animal zoo near the train station, then got a cold drink 'cause it was hot. Then we went over to the picnic area where we walked the picnic grounds, walked on the covered bridge, posed for pictures with the river behind us and Antonio played on the playground equipment. The rectangle stone enclosure, I remember as being a wading pool when I was little. Anita performed on the stage of the open air theater. I put the chipmunk in because I love the little creatures and, was lucky enough to get a picture of this one. I could have stayed longer but, we still had to head back to Easthampton to check out the painted bears in town and, we had a much anticipated scheduled visit with my cousins. They work, so we planned our visit for the evening.

We went up to Mt. Tom Reservation and Aunt Bea was thrilled to come with us. She hadn't been up there in 30 years, since Uncle Donald died. They used to walk up on the mountain. As kids, we went to summer camp up there, had picnics and went hiking. Easthampton is at the base of the mountain; Aunt Bea's family farm at the very foot of it. We enjoyed a very sun filled, relaxing and memorable time. Aunt Bea and I chatted and laughed while Anita and Antonio played in the nearby stream. They caught a salamander, a frog and watched bugs swim on top of the water. I can still smell the cedar wood that was piled in the bin to be used for campfires when I was a kid. Ahhhh! Memories.

Here's a partial shot of Aunt Bea's dining room where many wonderful meals were served to us. While visiting we had fresh corn, tomatoes, and fruit that came direct from the farm the day they were served. Aunt Bea made a special trip to get these tasty and very much enjoyed goodies for us. YUM! The great thing about Easthampton is that it's a small town so, the farms are close. One, in fact, is across the road from the farm where Aunt Bea grew up. Her nephew, Jonathan, lives at the family farm and is Aunt Bea's chauffeur. We are grateful for his part in our receiving fresh veggies and fruit. Aunt Bea, Your cooking is the BEST!!!!!!

Anita is packing up in the living room. On the front of the fireplace hearth there are two frames (one is hidden) that held silhouettes of me and my sister, done when we were children. On my Mom's last visit, she decided that she and Aunt Bea weren't getting any younger so, she thought it was time for us to take possession of them. Now the frames hold replacement pictures. Aunt Bea made every braided rug in her home, of which there are many. One of the largest is seen here.
I could kick myself for not taking a picture of my favorite place at Aunt Bea's house and that is the back screened-in porch. I attribute that porch for being the reason that I've longed to have my own screened porch for as long as I can remember. We ate out there during our visit as the weather was warm enough in September. Over the years, we've eaten out there, played cards out there, and visited and laughed so often. I hope to go back this summer and again, enjoy it. Aunt Bea, expect a visit from us, God willing.

It was the hardest thing to leave my Aunt Bea when it was time to return to NJ. She (95) and my Aunt Della, who has passed on, gave me so much love when I was growing up in MA. That warm fuzzy feeling is still with me. Aunt Bea is the sharpest 95 year old I know. She was raised on a farm and is a sturdy, and strong person. We had great moments of talk and laughter while we visited. I felt right at home with her and needless to say, Anita and Antonio fell in love with her. I'm thrilled that they had the opportunity to know her. She's one sharp lady! Aunt Bea, I hope you know how much we love you. You are imbedded deeply in the warmth of my heart. I hope we can visit again soon.

On our way home, driving through CT, we saw many painted horse statues. Easthampton had painted bears and Granby, CT had horses. We took several pictures of these beautiful specimens. Here are three examples.