Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

Welcome to winter

For snow deprived family members.

Sunset glow

We had freezing rain Tuesday evening
- the ice was still on the trees on Saturday

I see Mommy

Sinterklaas

To my grandchildrenThis picture was taken many years ago,
in Amsterdam, when your Oma was a little girl.

So many years latter, I still remember to celebrate
his feast, but I wish you were here to celebrate with us. I wish you joy & delight today & always.

Visiting Johanna

My parents started early in the morning, driving to our place in Lyndhurst, so that we would arrive at the Convent right on time. Of course that meant that we arrived in Cambridge early. We spent a bit of time at a park, allowing me to take pictures.






My parents, Ben, Bill and Johanna,
enjoying tea at the Convent



Below - Johanna shows us the Convent garden


And one more picture, that I am in.

Reaching out

childhood pursuit

Growing up means having cool ways of revisiting childhood.

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the Father's in the family.

A new friend

Checking out Thomas' new car

Dad & Opa

An early morning treat.

Slow down

Some cross a road to find nice warm gravel for their clutch.

Others prefer a nice clean garden.

Talking about Moms - time to celebrate mine!

Happy 88th birthday, Mama

Catching up - Louisiana

Last month we had the pleasure of visiting Kate in Louisiana. The main event was Pascal's baptism. My camera ran out of batteries just as the water was poured on him, so here we are a little later.

We had a very good visit, and both Opa and Oma had lots of baby time.

Everyone loves looking at fish, right?

We stayed in the garden district of Louisiana is well named. I took lots of pictures

We had a BBQ at this park.

We toured the cathedral,
and saw a paddlewheeler on the Mississippi.

On our way to tour the Laura Plantation,
we met this character.

For Kate

My mother's day present, has a 'Sunset' feature, so of course I had to try it out.

The next morning, I awoke before dawn, and just HAD to go back to the water to get some more pictures







It was very calm and peaceful.





The camera was working hard to keep Mr. Beaver in focus, adding a percussion element to the dawn chorus.



I got a great photo of the more retiring (Mrs.?) beaver, who slapper her tail and dove every time the camera's auto focus beeped.





I saw muskrats, beavers, & Canadian geese. Best of all, Bill had the coffee ready when I came back to the house.

Spring photos

Spring at Heart's Ease

Dutchman's Breeches

fiddlehead

Trilliums

strawberry blossoms

trout lily

violets

wild columbine
dogwood

Johanna, a Sister in Formation

Monday March 31, the Feast of the Assumption, our daughter Johanna entered religious life with The Sisters of Our Lady Immaculate. We had a very enjoyable visit with the Sisters, meeting many of them as they warmly welcomed Johanna.

We joined the Sisters for the Rosary, floowed by Mass. The Sisters sang acapella, and their beautiful voices contributed to the loveliness of the Mass. The video is of Johanna's actual entrance. The Cross that she will wear as a candidate had already been blessed, and is placed around her neck.

Following Mass we joined Mother Superior, the Novice Mistress, and Mother St. Henry for a delicious lunch, with very enjoyable conversation. All too soon, it was time to leave.

Here's a link to the Sisters website.

Please keep Johanna in your prayers.