"A New Beginning" . . .

"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."

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Happy New Year . . .

wow . . . here we are at the beginning of another new year . . .

I began reading "The Shack" just before Christmas . . . and I have just finished it . . . it is such a fabulous book . . . that I am going to begin re-reading it immediately . . . this time with a highlighter in my hand ! !

it is one of the most meaningful books I have read in a really long time . . . in fact . . . because of this book I have chosen the word "Papa" for my word for 2009 . . .

I can't tell you why . . . because if you haven't read the book yet it would ruin it for you . . . and if you have read it . . . well then . . . you totally understand . . .

the idea of choosing a word for the year came from my daughter-in-law, Isis . . . and it's a fabulous idea . . .

Isis explains it on her blog like this . . . "this idea of choosing a word for the year. a word that not sums up the year you've just had, but on the contrary, helps shape and define the year ahead, a word that focuses your attention and sets your intention throughout the year" . . .

I love the idea . . . and when I read about it on her blog . . . the first word that popped into my head was "Papa" . . . you just have to read the book ! ! !

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Mosaic No. 2 . . .

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I tried the mosaic again today . . . it's so interesting how it comes out differently each time . . . depending on your mood at the time I guess . . .

I love the tugboat photo of the "Cheryl Ann" . . . my father actually chose my name from a program he loved and watched every evening after the news . . . about a tugboat called the "Cheryl Ann" . . . I would sit with him and we would watch it together when I was a little girl . . .

I loved finding that photo . . . it reminded me of him . . .

Obama Wins ! ! !

our little campaigners are happy ! ! ! . . . and so are we . . . Sienna called last night and convinced her "Papa" to vote the right way . . .

this is a great day in America . . . and our future looks much better now that we will finally have a president that is intelligent and compassionate . . .

we can now return our country to the great place we have always wanted for our children and grandchildren . . .
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Happy Halloween ! ! !

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here are our "little ghostie" and "sweet flower" . . . they so so cute . . . they will be arriving for a visit in 12 more days . . . I can't wait to see them . . . and Adam and Isis too . . .

I wish Rick, Tracy, Ben, and Peter were coming too . . . it would be wonderful ! ! !

Happy Anniversary ! !

Rick and Tracy celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary today . . .

I can't believe it has been 13 years since that wonderful day in Connecticut . . .

They have built a beautiful life together . . . with two really handsome sons, Ben & Peter ! ! !
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A Young Girl's Poem

I just read this poem written by a co-worker's daughter, Maxine Melnick . . . she is 12 years old now but wrote this poem when she was only 10 !! . . . it's beautiful . . .

“My Silver Seagull”

Silver seagull, Gliding like a Little motorboat,
In his lonely, sparkling Lake.

Watching, staring at his Reflection, two of him
I can see, but he Can see only me.

No one with him Except for me,
His reflection too, But that is all. Empty.

One small thing, in Such a big, big world.
Him and me in perfect Harmony.

Now me, just Watching, staring, as quiet
As can be, at silver seagull, My silver seagull.
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My Mosaic

Trying this mosaic idea was suggested by Isis several weeks ago on her blog . . . so I decided today I would give it a try . . . she said it was a nice way to unwind . . .

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I found myself thinking of a lot of different things from my life as I chose the photos . . . it was really interesting . . .

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Here's my mosaic . . . I have a feeling it would turn out differently if I did it again another day . . . somehow I think it tunes in to your mood as you do it . . .

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What Lucky Guys . . .

Rick & Tracy took Ben & Peter on a wonderful vacation this last week . . . the Cayman Islands . . . wow . . . what a great experience for the boys for their first "out of the country" trip . . . they were very excited to be using their passports . . .

the photos tell what a great time they had . . . look at those smiles . . .

they are returning home today . . . I can't wait to hear all about the fun they had . . .

Love you guys . . .
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Our "Sweetie Girl" Turns Three ! ! !

I can't believe that it has been 3 years already, since Adam called early in the morning to say that Little Miss Sienna had just been born . . . I remember that day like it was yesterday . . . so much excitement . . . I can still remember how fast my heart was beating !!

She has been such a joy for these 3 "fast" years . . . she is such a precious child . . . and very very loved by all of us . . .

I hear she got a new 2-wheeler . . . purple she says . . . and a helmet with the "princesses" . . . I can't wait to see her ride . . .

We Love You "Sweetie Girl" . . . and we hope to see you soon . . . Happy Birthday !!
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Neil Diamond at Fenway - "What a Night" !!

Dick and I went to the Neil Diamond concert at Fenway Park last night . . . it was absolutely wonderful . . . great weather . . . fun people sitting around us . . . and Neil . . . great of course !
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here is the review from Christopher John Treacy of the Boston Herald . . . it says it all . . .
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"Neil Diamond’s heart may belong to the Yankees, but last night he loaned his soul to Fenway Park.
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It wasn’t exactly a “Hot August Night.” But things have changed in the 36 years since Diamond released that landmark live recording: His hair’s more under control, his shirts remain buttoned, the collars are unobtrusive and, perhaps most important, his oft-parodied dramatic performances are now tempered with smart restraint.
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In front of some 37,000 fans jamming the beloved ballpark, Diamond took Boston on a two-hour tour of his catalogue, touching old, touching new, touching me, touching you.
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In fact, good sport that he is, theRed Sox anthem “Sweet Caroline” got played a total of three times - first as the opener, then twice more in succession two-thirds through the evening.
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After “Holly Holy” and the urban celebration “Beautiful Noise,” Diamond removed his guitar for a subdued but no less convincing “Love On the Rocks.” “Cherry Cherry” was just as jubilant 42 years on and got the largely sit-down crowd up on its feet.
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Following “Thank the Lord for the Nighttime,” he said, “But that was yesterday,” and launched into a trio of tunes from his new Rick Rubin-produced CD, “Home Before Dark.” In particular, the title track lent credence to the widespread perception of the disc as an introspective collection.
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But he followed with “Brooklyn Roads,” “Done Too Soon,” “I Am, I Said” and “Solitary Man” - all heavily self-reflective songs written prior to 1971. So it’s safe to say that Diamond’s always been stuck in his own head.
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With the same 14-piece band he’s used for three decades, the sound was big but the volume remained tasteful - safe enough for non-earplug listening. If ever Diamond’s authoritative strumming grew tiresome, backup gal Maxine Waters put on a worthwhile sideshow (along with sister Julia Waters and Linda Press, who belted Streisand’s portion of “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”), brandishing her tambourine and maracas like weaponry.
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And the four-man brass section and King Errisson’s congas elevated the arrangements beyond the run of the mill.
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Diamond grew a little hoarse toward the show’s end, closing with another pair of contemplative numbers, “Man of God” and “Hell Yeah” from 2005’s “12 Songs,” before returning for “Cracklin’ Rosie,” and the immigration anthem “America.”
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Reflecting on the breadth of material performed, it’s plain that he’s always taken chances and almost always won - the last time he released an album that failed to go gold in the United States was prior to 1968. And while he’s never been cool enough to be embraced by subculture, he’s maintained a consistent edge over everyone else in the middle of the road, where he continues shining bright at 67. "
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By Christopher John Treacy (Boston Herald)
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Truro . . . Peace, Peace, Peace . . .

Mom and I just got back from Truro . . . we had a great time ! !

. . . she so enjoyed the peace of being there . . . just listening to the ocean while sitting on the deck . . . reading and talking . . . I had such a good time just spending some special time with her . . . it was wonderful . . .

. . . we had a great dinner at Montano's . . . went into P-town for a bit to see the sights . . . but mostly just sat and listened to the peace of the ocean . . .

. . . and the sunset was incredible ! !
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On My Way to Truro

YEAHHHHHHHHHHH . . . I'm on my way to Truro . . . one of my favorite places in the whole world . . . if I can't be at the Pacific Ocean . . . then give me Truro ! ! !

Taking Mom down for a couple of days . . . just to relax and soak in the ocean . . . AHHHHHHH . . . sleep listening to the waves . . . so so good for the Soul !!

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"Coming to America"

Today I was listening to my Neil Diamond CDs . . . preparing for the concert we are going to at Fenway Park . . .

As I sang along with “America” . . . it really hit me . . . and I started to cry . . . thinking about all of my ancestors who came to this country . . . to give their families a better life . . . the struggles and sacrifices they made . . .

And then my mind immediately went to the people who have come here in my lifetime . . . and people that are still coming . . . and people that want to come . . .

I thought of all their struggles and sacrifices . . . of what so many have gone through to come here . . . to this wonderful country of ours . . . the country I was so fortunate to be born in . . . without having the struggles and sacrifices . . .

It made me think . . . why was I so fortunate . . . and why should my country try to keep people out . . . people who just want a better life . . . people who are willing to do some of the hardest jobs . . . people who actually make my life better by their coming here . . .

Our country needs to find a way to help people who want to be here . . . help them come without climbing fences . . . sneaking over borders . . . and all the other things that make their coming here so much harder . . .

What right do we have to keep people out . . . we DON'T . . . we’re all in this life together . . . and we need to BE in it together . . .

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We need to welcome people who want to come to "America" . . . people who are hardworking . . . and just want a better life for themselves and their families . . .

I will never sing these words again without thinking of all these people . . . and especially my daughter-in-law, Ileana . . . she and her family know about the struggles and sacrifices it took to come here . . .

Far
We've been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star

Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream

On the boats and on the planes
They're coming to America
Never looking back again
They're coming to America

Home, don't it seem so far away
Oh, we're traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm

Home, to a new and a shiny place
Make our bed, and we'll say our grace
Freedom's light burning warm
Freedom's light burning warm

Everywhere around the world
They're coming to America
Every time that flag's unfurled
They're coming to America

Got a dream to take them there
They're coming to America
Got a dream they've come to share
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
Today, today, today, today, today

My country 'tis of thee
Today
Sweet land of liberty
Today
Of thee I sing
Today
Of thee I sing
Today
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Birthday No. 61 . . . "oh no"

I had a terrific birthday . . . Dick picked some beautiful hydrangeas for me from his garden . . . I love hydrangeas ! ! !

I came home from work to the most gorgeous fruit bouquet . . . with yummy chocolate dipped pineapple and strawberry flowers ( I wish I had thought to take a picture of it before Dick and I started to eat ! ! ! . . . thank you Rick, Tracy, Ben, and Peter . . .

While we were busy eating these delicious treats . . . the UPS man came . . . with several dozen roses . . . absolutely beautiful . . . thank you Adam, Isis, Sienna, and Olivia . . .

On Friday evening we went to dinner with Todd and Andrea to celebrate . . . they gave me a birthday card to open . . . and out fell 2 tickets to "Neil Diamond at Fenway Park" ! ! ! . . . incredible . . . I could NOT believe it . . . that is going to be an awesome evening . . . thank you Todd & Andrea . . .

Mom came with us . . . and gave me my $$ birthday gift . . . to buy whatever I want . . . so now I am trying to decide . . . going to wait for a while . . . and come up with something really good . . .

Also received lots of cards and well wishes from other family and friends . . . thank you all so much . . . for helping to make my birthday a great day !!

Congratulations, Adam ! ! !

Adam has won the 2008 AFSCME California State Senate Legislative Staff Person of the Year Award . . . for the 2nd year in a row ! ! !

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Great Job, Adam . . .

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ok . . . I'll say it . . . I'm bragging here . . . but Dad and I are really proud of YOU . . .

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Happy 4th of July !

We celebrated July 4th on Saturday with the Rhode Island Keigwins in Kingstown . . .

it was great to visit with Scott & Jane . . . and meet their new little guy, Henry . . . Matt & Paige are all grown up . . . wow ! ! !

it was fun visiting with Jennie and Andy too . . . and their little people, Harry & Gracie . . .

and it was great to see Bev & Jack too . . . we haven't seen everyone for a long time . . .

I only wish all of our guys could have been there with their families too . . . what a great Keigwin reunion that would have been . . . just like the old days when we would celebrate July 4th in Warwick . . .

Happy 4th of July !!
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The "Last" Phil Craig Book

Well, I just finished the last Phil Craig book . . . it was wonderful . . . as always !!

I first discovered Phil's books in 1995 . . . I think there were 5 out then . . . and I read through them all right away . . .

Then every spring I looked forward to the new one coming out . . . and that was usually the first book I read every year in June . . . I would always try to make them last . . . tried to read very slowly . . . but each one was so good I just couldn't put it down until it was finished . . . and usually read it in one day !

Last May . . . Phil passed away . . . I had met him a few times at different author events . . . and he was one of the nicest people I have ever met . . . so so kind . . . one of my favorite authors . . .

It makes me sad to think I will never get to speak with him again . . . or to be able to look forward to another one of his books in the Spring . . . June reading will never be the same.

7 Days in California

I just got back from my trip to California . . . Sandy and I had a great time . . .

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the 4 days taking care of Sienna and Olivia were hectic and we were sure tired at the end of each day . . . but they were terrific days . . . sharing in the girls' daily lives . . . they are such little sweethearts . . . and it was so good to have such precious time with them . . .

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we had a great time visiting Amador wine country . . . and Napa too . . . the fires in Napa had the area somewhat smogged in . . . but it's still beautiful scenery . . . did some shopping . . . found a terrific quilt shop . . . and even managed to squeeze in a little time in San Francisco . . .

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we had some time with Adam and Isis before they left for the wedding . . . and again after they got back . . . and that was terrific too . . . just too short . . .

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somehow the time goes so quickly . . . and there is never enough of it . . . I love California . . . so so much to do there . . . a great place to visit . . .

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Sienna Graduated ! ! !

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Sienna graduated the other night . . . from "Toddler Two" . . . now she is officially in Preschool . . .

she was quite proud of her diploma . . .
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Olivia is getting so big . . . Adam & Isis are telling me she's rolling all over the place . . . and "talking" like crazy . . .


I can't wait to see them all . . .

5 more days !!!