I am not going to try to add text to go with each picture. not that it's so hard but I don't have a lot of time AND I am lazy. I figure you can figure out what we did by the photo's anyway.

I would like you to notice the bulit on this Children At Play sign. Guess they grow buff children in the mountains.

We're back!

Still dont' have my head on straight. We got in...Karin called from China...Aidan off to camp...Chris working 'til at least 9pm tonight.

So good to hear from Karin though.The China/food situation is really amazing to me. I figured that as a vegetarian Karin would have tons of options. turns out even the tofu has meat in it!!! Karin said she is happy when sees a McDonalds since there will SOMETHING she can eat. bizarre.

will be back middle of next week. Then off again.



This is fascinating.

Good Morning

While it is not a glorious display I am thrilled to see that my Morning Glories are spreading. I am finding that I am really enjoying photographing flowers this summer. very meditative....forces me to stop.

don't ya hate it when people tell cute kid stories?

your fault for visiting this blog then....

Gabriel has an awful habit of biting his nails (fingers and toes). Yesterday while trying to remove a sticker from an apple I mentioned that having nails comes in handy for such tasks. he gloomingly agreed and said that he has been thinking of stopping. When I suggested that he look at his fathers nails (Chris not been nibbling lately) his mood brightened and asked if that meant he could bite his dad's instead.

Anyway.. I thought it was funny.

So damn hot today. We have no expectations of accomplishing anything.. I did have a meeting this morning and the Portland book is almost done!

know how to send an avacado?!

Poor Karin

I am off to work in the store today and Chris and the boys left for the beach @ 8. They just called to say they are pulled over to the side of the road to watch two deer. nice. :)

I'll remind you as we get closer but...

two readings in MA to look forward to:

Deb will be reading from Angel and Apostle on October 12, 2006 @ Newtonville Books 7:30 p.m. She'll be reading with our friend Lisa Carey, author of Every Visible Thing.

Also,
Sunday, October 15, 2006 @ Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge, MA 2:00 pm Deb will read from One Kingdom.

Deb will read from Angel and Apostle at Harvard Bookstore too (and a few more..not sure which but you can check it out on her site.
She will also make it up here again as part of the stores reading group but we havne't pick out a date yet.

Was a BUSY BUSY week. a few b'day parties, The Shaks and mom and Ethan. I actually went to bed @ 8pm last night. me...before 11. shocking.

hello

G @ Papa's house

I am reading a galley of "The Lady in the Palazzo" by Marlena De Blasi. She is an American woman who is making here home in Italy. I am finding this book both inspirational and troubling. Questioning both my nomadic desires and comfort of my western ways. I picked up this book because the back page stated, "... will appeal to anyone who delights in travel and shares the fantasy of beginning a new life in a very different place".

In truth I really do not think I could live so close to the earth as the author has. Though the statement, "The less there is, the more important it all becomes" echo's in my head. She also put my nomadic desires eloquently, "I'd thought, you see, that one of the best things about going to live in another country would be the chance to be ten years old again. Or for the first time. Everything fresh, untested. Learn to see how the new people sip their tea, break their bread, treat each other. Not just passage through, not a wander among the natives but settling up with them. that to be at home with the world was the to grow rich. The way I wanted to be rich".

the funny thing is that what I find troubling is the amount of meat they eat. I completely understand why but realize that I could never do so.

I do not seem to be stating much here. But there is really a lot going on in our little world....
making a lot of headway with the Saturday Market idea. The Portland book is almost done. The boys are having lot's of fun and there has been tons of visiting family. And family to visit. Chris is working most of the time and all is well there. I think I am a bit worn down so I post silly things.... feeling the need to hibernate.

The Office

Thanks for Moira and David we have been able to enjoy the full second season of the
Office.

Karin

I haven't heard from Karin in a while. Was getting nervous so I visted the website of the school she is currently teachering at.

whew.....

Happy Planet Index

My friend Matt sent this:

Here are my results

The Cape

We had a wonderful time with Papa. It was hot but between the beach and sailing we managed just fine. The boys LOVED boating. They all want a motorboat now. I was not able to get any photo's since I didnt' want to risk ruining my camera. good thing we were soaked!

Aidan, Ari and G did love that they could scooter down the streets of Papa's neighborhood.

slow to the start line

it took me a while but I finally put together why Karin cannot read anyone's blog, even hers. (to comment on a post you have to e-mail her directly). In case you are as slow as I am, remember all that google/China/censorship buisiness that was in the news a while back? that's why.
back to my little bubble .....

isnt' it crazy

that we are at war and most of our lives have not changed. I am packing for the Cape for a mini vacation. I am thankful my children are safe though I know it is unfair.

funny AND scary

http://www.overheardatthebeach.com/archives/000089.html

I must now say that a few years back a woman told Aidan that he was going to be a lady killer he began to cry and replied that he would never hurt anyone.

Karin

is in China. I miss her already.


This is my favorite photo of Karin

finally...

For me this has been a summer of disappointing reads. I started The Girls last night and am loving it!!!
I must admit though that now I am so hyper aware of jacket art I am saddened to say that the cover is a bit misleading. Though the girls are conjoined they could not soak their feet in the water at the same time.

Sammy is magic

Last week at the wading pool I took some photo's of Sammy and the boys. At first Sammy wasn't too thrilled with the cold water that was squirting him from below but he ended up having a blast.

Check out the close up his hand cutting through the water.. the water beads made from his fingers... the stream of water above his hand... coolio.

Italy!!!

I know what Emmy is doing right about now!!!

The boys, donned in the shirts Papa brought them from Italy were screaming @ the top of their lungs too.

I think our neighbors love us.

how not to secure your bike

Why I may never shoot again...

If you get a chance check out Laura McPhee's show at the MFA. Amazing Amazing Amazing



more of her work http://www.lauramcphee.com/photoindex.htm

big sigh.....

Summer Time

the living ain't so easy but it could be worse.

I have been doing a horrid job updating this blog. We've been busy, random jobs keep popping up for me, and these full days leave me to exhausted.

I found it amusing that of all the "big" things we have done thus far. I think they had the best time at this playground.

hmmm

not that I have a say. I think I like the first one better. I heard from Deb that at the big library conference in New Orleans the book jacket was blown up HUGE on a banner. pretty cool.

Go Brett!!!!

some of our most favorite Portland people:


http://thephoenix.com/article_ektid16270.aspx

mark your calendars

the air date for the Mayflower movie is Sunday, November 19 at 8:00pm. There will be screenings in Boston, Plimouth and NewYork. I know it's really early but I did want to share with you the promo ad. I am really excited!

never mind

we altered our plans...where going anyway. whew.....

Rain Sucks

so... our weekend plans have been ruined by a forecast of rain. Would be hell for the boys to be stuck in Karin's apartment. grrrr.....

the other day there was an amazing thunderstorm here. (Not just because they cancelled the dreaded closing ceremonies!) The clouds were literally rolling in. absolutely gorgeous. that evening the lightning was so fierce it lit up the sky.
this photo was taken @ 10pm.

Poor Max

His teeth are SO sore. I think the pink and orange color combo are nice though

and a good time was had by all....

Karin graduated












G celebrated

Happy Birthday Baby!!!

Talking head

Had to take a "head shot" of Aaron. He was exhausted after a long day @ the beach and a ball game.

A good friend of ours called to say that they were looking for a boy to play Max in a movie being made based on "Where the wild Things Are". She thought of Aaron. At first he was not interested but then decided that he wanted to try it out. It so happened that auditions were the same day we would be in Boston. This is why Aaron and I found ourselves sitting with a group of child actors and their incredibly annoying parents. Aaron had a great time. Really enjoyed himself. So all in all it was a good experience.

I found it interested that while he and I played the shape game there were some very odd things happening around us. One father brought his head shot and was harrassing his son about getting into character. Mothers were listening at the doors. Kids were stressed out and one boy was having a full on conversation with an imaginary person... poor kid ended up have a fight with his I.F. The two parents next to me were talking about how their sons were on play dough boxes. They kept on using the term "us" rather than he. Not that I have never done that... we do a lot together and out lives are very intertwined but this was something much deeper.

this experience really made me realize how wonderful my boys really are.

oh... headshots. The parents were also talking about these. I saw some and they were HORRIBLE. tacky "kid" poses and much too contrasty. damn....

We then went to a great party for Harvards masters students. Was a blast...I think the boys enjoyed the music (a live big band) much more than they though they would!

The other day I decided that I would put on my investigative reporter hat and find out what really happens in our home when all humans are away.

Here's my story: First I quietly sat in a corner for a while, wanted the current inhabitants to forget that I was there and act normal. At least stop requesting that I feed or pet them.


After a while they seemed to settle into their positions. Henry dutifully watching one entrance. Mica, the other.

After a while boredom set in. Mica seemingly decided that she needed to spice things up with Henry.

taking the bait Henry and Mica tousled for a while.

Then checked in to make that all was "cool"

Guess it was... decided to make my exit here.

Pretty

My favorite spring flower

light-weight

Went for a follow up visit with my doc today. Heard I am pretty funny on drugs.... so happy that I can make the doctors laugh. It was suggested that I stay away from any drug over 5mg... for any reason.

Besides the realization that I do not have a future as a hard core druggie everything went fine and I am well on my way to walking again.

This is how Aidan and G looked to me after surgery.

Gabriel's Birthday Party

This 5 year old boy will soon turn 6. We are planning his party for June 11. More details to come. He wants a baseball party and Max's band to play. From the boy who has had a danger party and a punk party.. no surprise.





We did make him list some gift ideas. Never an easy task. Here it goes:

-a kitten
-a puppy
-tickets to a Cubs game
-a sleeping bag
-a toy sword with sheath
-baseball cards
-Healeys (sp?? sneakers with rollar skates)
-tracing paper
-boogie board
-magic set
-new Chicago Cubs pj's (size 6)
-backyard soccer computer game
-converse sneakers with fire (size 11)


Dad, you asked.

Today was filled with baseball, a wonderful hike and a trip to our friends new home. We are all looking forward to a restful Sunday. Aidan wants to put together a baseball game with his friends. fun.... I can never get enough baseball.

I go in for surgery Wednesday @ 6. Of course more photo jobs came my way this week than have in months. Wish I could postpone surgery but will be adult about this. Just hope that I will on my feet soon. Got a nice note from VegNews saying that Portland will be included in the best Veg places to live. In part from my little piece. They want some more photos. don't think I will be able to take much from my bedroom. damn. I did decide to send the Veg Ireland article but do not think it's vegan friendly enough for them. we'll see.

The boys are great!! Karin graduates and leaves for China soon!! Dad made it safely home from Italy!!

This photo always makes me smile

Maybe...

A busy yet quaint town in Holland



















The Manoa Valley in Hawaii














casually exploring the classical art and architecture in Rome










a cafe in Argentina