Peter's New Kitty

I drove to Montpelier this morning to pick up a tiny new kitten for my brother Peter.  We're all cat lovers in my family (and some of us have learned to become appreciate a few select dogs), so when Peter lost one of his cats recently, he was incomplete.  Fortunately, Dayle's cousin Ruth had two kittens and was willing to part with one.

Later I took Arlo for a walk on the Burlington waterfront - incomparable, as always.  It was a struggle to take a photo of the two of us with my trusty Canon G-11 - Arlo just would NOT look at the camera - but it turned out alright in the end.

 

If you've never seen the winged monkeys on top of Union Station, they always bring a smile.  Here's one framed by some of the last autumn leaves.

Congratulations, Portia!

Ed and I spent a great week with our high school friend Dayle Levin Feingold during her more or less annual visit to Vermont.  She wore her knee high Ugg boots and a lot of layers around, but, honestly, how much colder is Vermont than Cleveland???  Just kidding, Dayle, you're a trooper!


On Saturday Dayle and I were privileged to attend the Bat Mitzvah of another dear friend Portia Arthur at Ohavi Zedek in Burlington.  It was wonderful to see Portia reading from the Torah and to realize what a loving home she's found in the OZ community.  Mazel Tov!

And, have I mentioned how much I love my Canon G-11 camera?  I'm a big camera hog, as you know, and can take self-portraits, anything, anywhere, everywhere!  FINALLY, a tiny camera I can carry in a pocket and not be be mortified by the quality.

Thanks, Canon.

October in Maine

What could be better than Maine on Columbus Day weekend?  Not much that I can think of.  I drove over on Friday to stay at the cozy, beautiful Yardarm Village Inn in Ogunquit. and want to say "Thank you" to innkeepers Scott and Beverly.

 I had a portrait session on Saturday afternoon on Wells Beach, so I spent the morning walking along the Marginal Way.  It's a mile long pedestrian path with fabulous view of Wells and Ogunquit with strategically placed benches where you can just sit and contemplate the blue Atlantic.  It was perfect weather (for me - about 60° and breezy).

After a long walk I went to The Cove Cafe for breakfast - how great is that?  A restaurant devoted to breakfast?  And yummy - I had a crab, spinach, cheddar and bacon omelet served by Lee the friendly waitperson.  Along with some tea and an On Point podcast, I could have sat at the counter all day!

After my session decided to visit Ferry Beach where my sister and I spent a few summer weeks when were were in junior high school. It brought back all the memories of fun and melodrama that go along with coed teenage summer camp.  These photos are for you, BK.

And my last jaunt in Maine was to Portland to see Felice Boucher, photographer extraordinaire before heading home.  I also want to congratulate Joe and Terry Luca.  They're the reason I got to hang out in Maine in the first place!  I took family portraits of their kids and grandkids while they were all together celebrating Joe and Terry's 50th wedding anniversary.  It was a pleasure to meet them all.

Readers, Writers & Scientists

I got to visit Anthony's kindergarten class last week where there was a big party to celebrate one month of school and to showcase the skills the kids had learned in reading, writing and observing the natural world.

It was great!  Anthony really admires his teacher Mr. Berns and the whole class was relaxed and friendly.  Each child described his or her own portfolio of projects to a parent, grandparent or older student.  He's reading to Dad, Grandma Elaine and sister Lucy.   Then we had cake!  What could be better?

Old (not elderly, mind you) friends

 Well, Saturday was a blast!  I had lunch with a Burlington High School pal Geri Orth Kearns who had come up from Florida for a memorial service for her dad who passed away in September.  After her busy week with family and logistics, we were able to find some time to catch up.  We had lost track of each other after our last get together in Boston in 1968, but after five minutes we were laughing about absolutely everything - just like old times.  It was great to see her and reconnect.

Then my friend J. Felice Boucher, preeminent Maine photographic artist, arrived in Middlebury where we had dinner on the eve of the wedding she's photographing today.  I haven't known Felice as long as Geri, but we are great friends and she's one of the photographers I admire most.  Check out her web site.

I guess we could have picked better lighting than what was in the restaurant and THE RESTAURANT LADIES' ROOM MIRROR, but what the heck!  I just love my Canon G11 - have I said that before?

Fun with Lucy

 I had such a fun morning with Lucy earlier this week.  After dropping Mommy off for an appointment, we went to breakfast at Henry's Diner in Burlington - it's been on Bank Street since w-a-a-a-y before my family moved here in 1960 - always a favorite.  After chowing down on eggs, sausage and chocolate milk we wandered around Church Street looking at all the lovely Cows Come Home entries.  Lucy loved them all!

Then we went to pick apples at Shelburne Orchards.  Although Lucy was disappointed there was no ladder up against the trees (from seeing them on TV?  I don't know!), we had a wonderful time and got some delish Vermont apples - MacIntosh and Honey Crisp.  Yum!