Mathias and LJ in NYC

I love Facebook ... if, for no better reason than I get to see great photos like those taken by Mathias and Laura-Jane! Yet, my Mom and Dad and others in my family aren't on Facebook. They do, however, read my blogs. So ... this post is for them! Photos from NYC! Enjoy!

Wanda's Christmas present

While visiting Oil City's artist relocation program over Christmas in Pennsylvania, Steve and I met a very, very talented illustrator in the midst of his own solo show. He had the original works for a new book on display but he also had a table of past books ... including one that had all sorts of problems for its publisher. It seems that the American translator of this Spanish song sued. The legal battle that ensued meant the book could no longer go into future publications and all sales of existing books had to have money go to charity. Thus, the purchase price for this volume included a $20 donation to an animal rights organization. I know my sister Wanda would appreciate both the rarity of the book and the money for the pets. So, even though this book was the most expensive one in the place ... I HAD TO BUY IT ... for Wanda, for her Christmas present. Since I won't be seeing her until April when we travel to Munich for a visit .... Here's the book. Enjoy. I know the music will be stuck in your head for days! (Sonya has no memory of this song but Mom started singing it as soon as she saw the cover!) All images can be enlarged so that you can get all the words for your singing pleasure!

Christmas 2011

Generally I take load of photographs ... bracketing the exposures, changing the light settings, and playing with other options when off the "point-and-shot" automatic setting. Somehow, I didn't manage to do any of this during the recent Christmas trip to Pennsylvania. I have no idea why ... but these are the only pictures I snapped. I apology to family members who are blurry and don't have a smile ... but these are the only ones I took! Why am I posting poor photos? Well ... these are the only ones I took ... so these are the only ones I can share with Wanda in Germany who couldn't be with us! Merry Christmas!
However ... I have more to share with Wanda because I also bought her Christmas present while in Oil City, Pennsylvania checking out the artist relocation program. That post is HERE!


Vipin and Sonya got a really cool, retro cell phone attachment for Dad ... one that might allow him to hear better while on his phone ... doubtful but worth a try.

Plus ... it is really, really cute!



Even our kitties got Christmas presents!