Amante

Happy boy

2010-06-05T13:38:00.000-04:00

We all had a great time taking part in Luke's first bath. Big thanks to the Pink Bath Princess for her invaluable help.

Happy Birthday

2010-06-05T13:09:00.001-04:00

Chiara, James, and Luke were home in time for Norah's birthday. It was a grand time and she is now ready to be a princess every day of the week.

The spell

2010-06-05T12:55:00.000-04:00

Like the little mermaid, we've lost our water wings and become land animals, otherwise known as doting grandparents.

He is here

2010-06-05T12:52:00.003-04:00

On Saturday we went to the hospital to meet the baby. Norah was thrilled. "That's baby Yuke. He's my yiddle bruh-der". It was wonderful to meet this little person who for so long had masqueraded as part of Chiara's tummy. Finally we borrowed James and went out for ice cream. Our almost three year old was crushed when it was time to leave him at the hospital. "I have to go with Daddy" she wailed. When asked about this she cried, "He needs me". Fortunately, this too passed.

Good morning

2010-06-05T11:01:00.000-04:00

Finally, early Saturday morning, Luke Calvin Hemsley arrived. Norah stayed home with Grandpa and Oma while Nonna went in to greet they new baby.

While mommy worked

2010-06-05T10:55:00.001-04:00

Then Nonna arrived and we all went for a bike ride with her cool bike.

Fun at the farm

2010-06-05T09:49:00.001-04:00

While Chiara and James were hard at work, Norah visited with the baby "aminals" at the Dane Family Farm. Although she claimed to like the chickens best, the baby goat and yittle yamb got most of her attention. Thanks to the Dane family for a wonderful time.

A perfect day

2010-06-05T09:46:00.001-04:00

Finally, on Friday May 28, after days of reading and playing and projects; it was time for Chiara to work on the most important project of all. While she went into the hospital for labor, we wandered off into clear blue skies.

Pondering the lives of ants

2010-06-05T09:39:00.000-04:00

"Where do the ants come from? Why are they coming in the house? Look, I see a boid. It's a goil cardnal. "

Beautiful helper

2010-06-05T09:35:00.000-04:00

Like Cinderella, one of her favorite people, Norah is a princess and a cheerful helper, even when wearing her gown for the ball. Someday her prince will come.

Tending the harvest

2010-06-05T09:30:00.006-04:00

Norah loves watering the flowers.

Both sides now

2010-06-05T09:24:00.000-04:00

Norah is almost 3 and able to achieve great triumphs and think profound thoughts. Like most of us she seldom can manage both at once.

Science reports

2010-06-04T21:50:00.003-04:00

A genetic basis for sleeping position has been identified in Iowa City. Chiara and Norah are proof.

Iowa's hopping

2010-06-04T21:44:00.000-04:00

We arrived in Iowa City to find Chiara, James, and Norah eagerly awaiting their new baby.

What calls us back

2010-06-04T21:35:00.004-04:00

Family photos indicated that it was time to leave Atlanta and drive north. Chiara and Alessia are big with our next grandchildren. Future big sister Norah and big brother Ethan, appear to be heading off for their collage admission interviews. We've been gone too long.

Kate on stage

2010-06-04T21:26:00.001-04:00

We tucked in the boat and made it to Atlanta just in time to see Katherine's concert. Glad we did.

The Anniversary

2010-06-04T21:02:00.001-04:00

Bill and Leslie were married in April years ago. Although we had not met or even heard their names, we look back to celebrate with them and hope for more good times together in the future. Congratulations to you.

surprise

2010-06-04T20:53:00.000-04:00

Once ready for departure, we had a sudden change of plans: two new ship mates. In half an hour's time, somehow, Jeremie, Jason, and Jeremie's alternator were ready to head west with us for the St. John's River. The spinnaker flew on the banks and then we slogged with following seas for several days. Having these sailors aboard was wonderful. Unfortunately the food stores ran low and we can only apologize for some of the plates of stuff passed off as meals.

Time has come

2010-06-04T20:43:00.000-04:00

And suddenly we found that it was time for us to head back to the states.

Last beach walk

2010-06-04T20:35:00.000-04:00

And suddenly, Cecca and Jarrod's visit was over. Two weeks is too short and our only complaint is that they left before we were ready to see them go.

At last

2010-06-04T20:31:00.000-04:00

During their visit the beautiful Bahama's spring finally arrived. The bananas were ripening and the key limes were exploding off the trees and rolling down the lawn in a flood.

the best part of sailing is

2010-06-04T20:28:00.001-04:00

And in the middle of hiking and sailing and exploring and photographing and swimming and rescues and adventures, they still found time to play bocci ball and hang out with the neighbors.

prickers and beans

2010-06-04T20:14:00.000-04:00

Beauty can be costly. In harvesting golden "sea pearls", Cecca and Jarrod paid with thorns in their thumbs and fingers and scratches on their arms and legs. But, who's complaining ?

slow and fast

2010-06-04T20:12:00.000-04:00

After a peaceful afternoon, they ran into a not so tranquil morning. It took several boats and many volunteers to salvage a runaway boat from the rocky shore.

New eyes

2010-06-04T19:21:00.000-04:00

Cecca and Jarrod are experts at helping us see the familiar with new eyes.

finding dinner

2010-06-04T18:07:00.000-04:00

They fished at dusk.

Sailing

2010-06-04T18:06:00.000-04:00

And they took time to sail off in AL and explore the joys of a small sailing dingy.

Dock dance

2010-06-04T18:04:00.000-04:00

Never bashful, they joined in with local tribal customs for the betterment of the island.

New backdrops

2010-06-04T18:02:00.000-04:00

As usual they found themselves in new places along the way.

Days of summer wine

2010-06-04T18:00:00.000-04:00

This year, Cecca and Jarrod made their home on the elegant cruiser, Summer Wine.

And then ...

2010-06-04T17:57:00.000-04:00

Finally Cecca and Jarrod arrived for their annual (we hope) Bahama's event.

relax

2010-06-04T17:53:00.000-04:00

After the successful completion of the mast raising the happy team celebrated with project manager Lulu

Celtic .......,

2010-06-04T17:46:00.000-04:00

The Irish flag flies from her back stay but we still wait to learn her name.

international effort

2010-06-04T17:44:00.000-04:00

When the new mast step was fabricated Irish, French, American, Bahamian and Swiss sailors returned to their posts. The boats were secured and the mast raised. All went well, with out injury or incident, although a couple more people on the winches would have been nice.

Next step

2010-06-04T17:38:00.000-04:00

Since the mast pulling went well, the next day the poor boat was careened to check her rudder.

Dropping the mast

2010-06-04T17:36:00.000-04:00

Tadhg's boat needed a bit of work. First the mast step needed to be replaced. With Roi Soleil secured on one side and Amante on the other, we fixed lines and pulled the mast.

From the emerald Isle

2010-06-04T17:32:00.000-04:00

On first meeting, little did we know how much fun Tadhg would bring to everyone in the harbor at Manjack.

Tuesday Sunday

2010-06-04T17:22:00.000-04:00

With so many storms, beautiful days with fair winds were declared "Sunday" and we had small boat regattas in the bay and food delights on the beach.

Victims of the cold

2010-06-04T17:19:00.001-04:00

We may have complained about the cold winter, but the beach suggested that it caused more intense problems for other life forms. For the first time in 5 years we saw battalions of man o war and bouquets of sea urchins each day.

Cleanliness is next to ...

2010-06-04T17:12:00.000-04:00

The boathouse shower was a thing of beauty and French engineering.

Friendly Pirates

2010-06-04T17:08:00.000-04:00

But when the weather relented, there were friends to see and adventures waiting. Aude and Jeremie were always ready for the next event and ready to lead the way.

Winds and more winds

2010-06-04T17:05:00.001-04:00

Days and nights of strong west winds, hard fronts, and occasional anchor mishaps continued.

Sailing back

2010-06-04T16:55:00.000-04:00

John and Judy ended their visit with a sail across the Sea of Abaco on Peace, Annie and Neville's 48 foot Wharram catamaran.

The days passed

2010-06-04T16:51:00.000-04:00

A week is too short and the days passed so quickly into dusk.

Meet and Greet

2010-06-04T16:44:00.000-04:00

And in between storms they got to meet new friends and consider a life aboard.

Greet the sun

2010-06-04T16:42:00.002-04:00

Sailors are good at tanning, climbing the iron shore, and hauling lines on winches. Our deficits in balance, flexibility, and grace are easily seen. Fortunately Judy provided morning Yoga classes on the beach for the improvement of us and the amusement of seagulls.

Where is the shore ?

2010-06-04T16:29:00.001-04:00

John and Judy quickly adjusted to sharing living space on a small home that pitched and rolled.

After the lobster

2010-06-04T16:17:00.001-04:00

John and Vinnie went on a lobster excursion which provided more adventure and less lobster than hoped for.

The balance

2010-06-04T16:14:00.001-04:00

We had morning hikes and afternoon relaxes.

Good Days and Winter

2010-06-04T16:08:00.000-04:00

The unusual weather persisted and John and Judy were given good days of sun and warm air and some cold, cold and cold stormy days as well.

Arrived

2010-03-20T18:37:00.002-04:00

After hearing about the Bahamas, seeing the photos, and listening to long, circumstantial tales of daring do, John and Judy were here to find their own adventures.

Storm Warning

2010-03-20T18:23:00.000-04:00

Vinnie's brother John and his wife Judy arrived in a flood of wind. We picked them up at the dingy dock and had a wild flight home, John running with a reefed main and jib and the rail in the water. welcome to the Bahamas 2010.

Time to Paint

2010-03-20T18:19:00.001-04:00

Fortunately, we were able to clear the porch of mayhem and lawlessness for moments of culture and learning. Wednesday was Art Class and the painters would gather to work on their compositions with Ed from Maine. The brave and intrepid painted, while the rest of us just admired.

More Bad Birds

2010-03-20T18:05:00.001-04:00

We love the Cocker Spaniel chickens, and so it was very disappointing to learn that they too were living on the wild side. Attracted to the bird seed on the porch, they would crowd up the stairs to compel a handout. Fern. Sweetie, and Rosemary even got the director of law and order, Mr. Roo, to break the rules.

Looking for sugar

2010-03-20T17:59:00.000-04:00

As we were singing Happy Birthday to Leslie, the Bananquits arrived. Pretending to be interested in celebrating Leslie (and not the cake icing and Coconut rum), they wandered over the plates, sat on the silverware, smelled the flowers, and surprise - hopped on to the cake. Manjack is having a bird insurrection.

Winter winds

2010-03-19T14:48:00.001-04:00

Although we found old friends, familiar chickens, and favorite places, something had changed. The Bahamas had discovered WINTER. The winds blew west, air temperature was in the 60's, and the water was unreasonably cold. Fashion gave way to socks and outerwear. We were shocked but the lobsters were safe and happy.

Familiar sight

2010-03-19T14:29:00.000-04:00

The beach recognised us immediately.

Good Morning Manjack

2010-03-19T14:26:00.000-04:00

Good winds brought us most of the way and after 33 hours we anchored off Manjack in the dark. We awoke to blue skies, green seas, and a boatload of good friends with breakfast fruit smoothies to welcome the day.

Leaving Ft. Pierce

2010-03-19T14:22:00.000-04:00

In late January we completed the essential boat work list and dropped the boat in the water. Since she did not sink as we picked up fuel and water all seemed fine. We were out of the channel as the sun set.

Fog in the back yard

2010-02-08T16:56:00.000-05:00

There are no pictures for our stay in Atlanta. No pictures of the wonderful people who cared for Maria's father during and after his back surgery. There are no pictures of his remarkable recovery and progress. Also missed taking pictures of the time we enjoyed as a family. Perhaps it is fair to say that some times it was not fun, just very good to be together. So, missing all that, move on to the boat yard.

More Princesses

2010-02-08T16:47:00.002-05:00

Bree was also a dancing girl and so we returned to the land of pink satin, pink gauze, and snarling at fabric. Funny how a skirt can transform a little girl into a whirling dervish and, unfortunately, a PRINCESS. When asked to help clean up the toys, Bree replied with the certainty of the royal, "NO, I'M A PRINCESS". Vinnie quickly assessed the situation and said, "Our work is done, it is time to leave."

December 25

2010-02-08T16:39:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful Christmas at Sandra's house.

Reading Rolling Stone

2010-02-08T16:36:00.001-05:00

We arrived to find that Ethan too was growing up. Although he never did believe that taking his diaper off was part of the toilet process; he was always well prepared with reading material when he went to sit on his potty.

Princess Norah

2010-02-08T16:29:00.000-05:00

Norah loves dancing with the music of the Nutcracker. It was clear what her Christmas present should be and the creation of twirly pink dancing skirts with sparkly gauze over skirts became our obsession. We were barely done when it was time to rush away to Grand Rapids.

Back in Bethleham

2010-02-08T16:21:00.004-05:00

Christmas was approaching. Almost every day we would find that Norah had made some theologically astute adjustments to the creche. The angel was always lying flat on the table. The entire flock of sheep huddled inside the stable while the Shepards and Wise Men stared out at some mysterious horizon near the TV. Baby Jesus joined them on Christmas Day, then disappeared. After an intensive search he was found driving a truck up in Norah's room. We anticipate more adventures for the Holy Family next Christmas.

Blizzard

2010-02-08T16:00:00.001-05:00

News of a snow storm sent us driving all night just ahead of flurries and freezing rain. We arrived in Iowa to enjoy the cold with Norah and Chiara and James.

The call of Home

2010-02-04T08:50:00.000-05:00

We still had sights to see when Antje called to remind us that Thanksgiving was soon and that she had seats at the table for us if we came back. Suddenly, there was nothing else that we really wanted to see. After 5000 miles of good times, we were home.

Caught You

2010-02-04T08:43:00.002-05:00

Many years ago my father had photographed an unusual adobe church and he was eager to see it again. As the days grew even colder we traveled back to Santa Fe, only to wandered without finding the church. Fortunately, the next day we discovered that in the decades since his last visit, it had stolen away and relocated in Taos. We found the missing church in all its splendor and our visit was complete.

From the car window

2010-02-04T08:36:00.000-05:00

We drove and drove around New Mexico through beautiful country that made the travel as exciting as the destination.

Rehobeth

2010-02-04T08:24:00.000-05:00

West of Albuquerque we found the house where my mother's parents had lived while her father was a Dr. on horseback. Inadvertently I have become a shadow on the past.

Inscription Rock

2010-02-04T08:17:00.000-05:00

But with so many memories to find and new places to explore, the cold was not fierce enough to drive us away. Inscription Rock still had its serene pool and beautiful paths.

Relentless winter

2010-02-04T08:06:00.000-05:00

It was hard to ignore the approach of the cold season when snow and ice on the path made hiking more challenging.

In the Ruins

2010-02-04T07:58:00.000-05:00

From Albuquerque we headed north, toward Los Alamos, and explored the cliff dwellings and remnants of an earlier people. We walked throught the past under a brillent blue sky and climbed ladders into another world.

The land of sopapillas

2010-02-02T15:35:00.000-05:00

From the Mexican border we headed north and west to Albuquerque, a favorite place from years of family travels. We were no longer driving a VW microbus with homemade box on top for parking a couple of kids in a tent. We may be traveling in grander style, but around us many of the foods, colors, and attractions remained unchanged from our childhood.

Thugs

2010-01-29T16:48:00.000-05:00

Javelinas are notorious citizens of the national Park. We had just read the Ranger Newsletter with a gruesome tale of the wild pigs feasting on a poodle, thoughtlessly left leashed to a picnic table by its owners who were going to be gone for "just a minute". While we were eating lunch, a pair of Javelinas aggressively came out of the brush and advanced on the ranger's medium sized dog. She quickly locked the dog in the truck while the pigs pretended to be interested in the mountain view.

New Land

2010-01-29T16:38:00.001-05:00

Big Bend National Park was an unknown territory, and so we headed south. Happily wading in the shallow Rio Grande, Vinnie warned me that splashing any further required a passport.

Outside the city

2010-01-29T16:32:00.000-05:00

And as were drove through open country, it was easy to imagine my parents hiking and hunting in the rolling hills and brush land.

Home Again

2010-01-29T16:22:00.000-05:00

On the outskirts of San Antonio we found another house where my parents lived early in their marriage. It was so changed that it took a long period of examination to declare it found.

A new face

2010-01-29T16:17:00.000-05:00

In the middle of a familiar old mission, there were surprises. We do not know the story of this small statue near the sanctuary, but she was an intriguing mystery.

The Missions

2010-01-29T16:12:00.000-05:00

Starting at the Alamo are a string of beautiful old mission churches. They were much as my parents remembered them from so many years ago.

Along the River

2010-01-29T16:07:00.000-05:00

In the heart of the city we walked along the River Walk, a place where my mother and her parents had walked long before my birth.

Lure of the West

2010-01-29T16:03:00.000-05:00

We left New Orleans for the Bar B Ques of San Antonio and they were worth the trip.

Haunted Hotel?

2010-01-27T12:49:00.001-05:00

The old apartment on Ursulines Street was unchanged, except for the "Haunted Hotel" sign. The door on the street could not suggest what life was like for my parents when they lived here, very young and newly married.

Looking In

2010-01-19T15:37:00.001-05:00

We found Royal Street and their old apartment there, but the only way that we could see the inner courtyard was in faded black and white pictures.

Sights

2010-01-19T15:21:00.000-05:00

We wandered through the art on the plaza and the stillness of the St. Louis cemetery.

Return to the Quarter

2010-01-19T14:48:00.000-05:00

We began our visit to New Orleans in the French Quarter where Stuart and Thelma had lived early in their marriage. It was much the same, only now instead of mopping the blood off their front stoop and staring at the tourists, .... they were tourists.

Suddenly .. New Orleans

2009-12-29T18:29:00.000-05:00

We arrived in Fort Pierce, abandoned Amante, and drove to Atlanta. All too soon, we were headed west for the homes that existed before Maria was born.

South Bound

2009-12-27T17:27:00.000-05:00

In Beaufort we discovered some other migrants who were taking a break during their long voyage south.

Beaufort again

2009-12-26T18:17:00.001-05:00

And as storms and high winds approached, we turned up the river and into Beaufort S.C.

On the Atlantic storms blew rough but in Beaufort the homes were grand and the Spanish Moss grew long and fine.

we dine on mince and slices of quince

2009-12-26T18:13:00.000-05:00

And through cold winds and warm days we sailed south from DC.

Happy Birthdays to you

2009-10-15T16:10:00.001-04:00

It was so good to be together that we decided to celebrate several family events, past, present, and future: our parents 59th wedding anniversary in September, our father's birthday, and our mother's birthday in November. Too bad this picture does not do justice to the occasion.

Years ago

2009-10-15T15:53:00.002-04:00

Years ago, before any of their children were born, our parents went to the Rock Creek Park Cemetery in Washington D.C. and my father took a picture of this statue. It is a beautiful photograph that we've known all our lives. So, on his birthday we wandered around the cemetery looking for the memorial statue for "Clover" Adams. After her suicide, her husband, Henry Adams, commissioned the artist Augustus Saint-Gaudens to express the Buddhist place beyond joy or sorrow, Nirvana, in this figure.

Lexi's Axel

2009-10-15T15:44:00.001-04:00

Lexi is right. Her sign says "This is Axel my dog. He is a Leoinbiger." To the rest of the world he may be known as a Leonberger, but with an adult weight of 170 pounds, LeonBIGER seems to be a more accurate description.

Or he could be tired because ....

2009-10-15T15:41:00.001-04:00

He is loved so much.

Axel the Leonberger

2009-10-15T15:39:00.000-04:00

Why is this puppy so tired? It might be that he is growing so quickly. At the age of 4 months he has achieved the size of an adult Labrador retriever. At this rate he will be as big as a carport when he is one and a half years old.

Wet dog

2009-10-15T11:43:00.000-04:00

Axel, the new member of the family, loves showers with Nat. Well, perhaps he just tolerates them patiently.

Contemplating Proverbs 28:1

2009-10-15T11:37:00.002-04:00

Even an advanced 7 year old needs some time to consider ancient wisdom literature. This monument to fallen police men and women is inscribed: "The wicked flee when no one pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion."

Suddenly DC

2009-10-15T11:34:00.000-04:00

Sailing all night brings us to places before we fully arrive. Suddenly, the boat was secure in Annapolis and we were in DC with Liz, Nat, and Lexi.

Night travel

2009-10-15T11:33:00.000-04:00

The tide helped us up the Dreadful Delaware and into the Chesapeake Canal for another night time passage. This is Vinnie at the helm with the prettiest bridge behind him.

The Jersey Shore

2009-10-15T11:30:00.000-04:00

Off in the morning, we got to see the sun set on south bound sailors. (Say that out loud fast) We were in a flock of boats were riding the winds of a front to warmer weather.