Grand Canyon Hike

In late October 1984, my husband and I were joined by friends John and Marilyn Grant and Mike Walsh for a once-in-a-lifetime journey through time and surrounded by amazing beauty. We spent six nights and seven days inside the Grand Canyon, hiking in from the south rim and returning out the south rim. My husband has hiked the Canyon at least five times, and I have done so twice. One trip was with my brother, and we entered at the south rim and came out the north rim. But, this was the longest trip we made. Each hike was breathtaking, and so physically challenging, and so satisfying because of the great accomplishment. With each we forged bonds that have lasted throughout our lives. Here are a few of the dozens of pictures we took on that one amazing journey.

An Early Work

This is a painting I did in 1973 while taking a class from artist London Bridges in Birmingham, AL. In the showing we had at the class's end, someone was expressing an interest in buying it, so my Mom bought it quickly so it wouldn't get away. (smile) It hangs in the hallway stairwell of Mom & Dad's home, seen as you descend the stairs. It always makes me feel good that it was desired so much, and has been in a prominent spot in their home all these years. I like getting to see it, too, when I come to visit.

Forty Shades of Green...Wonderment with my Mom in Ireland!

Imagine being asked to join your Mom in Ireland for ten whole days! I was asked just that in 1996 and could not have been more excited at the wonderful opportunity! Mom and I shared that incredible country and we thrilled in each new experience and each new sight and sound! It was like a dream come true.









We flew into Shannon Airport, and I actually had something akin to an anxiety attack as we arrived and stepped foot on that magic isle. I couldn't breathe and my heart was pounding. Mom was so worried I was having a heart attack or some other medical emergency. It took a while to get my breathing and heart-rate under control, and all I could attribute it to was the sheer THRILL of being there!


We were part of a bus tour, and each day was crammed with delights, such as the dinner in Dungaire castle shown above, and of course our visit to the fabled Blarney Castle where we got to kiss the blarney stone! Mom was a little hesitant to climb all those stairs but I talked her into it and she was so happy that she did. And everywhere we went, MUSIC filled the air! Wonderful Irish music! Even returning from kissing the stone, we encountered a group of young people playing instruments on the lower level of the castle ruins.


We had a starling bit of news when we got back to the bus, though--"Herself, Maureen O'Hara" had been there, picking up some of our fellow travelers from our tour, who were to be her guests on her island home. We had just missed her!








The thatched cottages were so picturesque, and we even went through the cottage used in the movie The Quiet Man. At this cottage, early in our touring, Mom posed for the camera. The Quiet Man cottage was in the area of the country called Connemara, and Mom and I agreed that was our favorite area. But also breath-taking were Killarney and Kerry....and well, it was all amazing!




















We stayed in B&B's all but one night, which gave us a chance to meet some of the Irish people. The gorgeous flowers and wonderful food met us at every stop. In fact, there are beautiful flowers all over Ireland, and it was one of the things Mom & I really loved. This B&B, Roncalli, shows how important floral displays are to the Irish, even when there is a lack of actual dirt to dig in! Pots and window-boxes abound! Roncalli was recreated for my Mom in a painting I did later.










This is a picture of Mom and me with one of our B&B hostesses, Hannah. Each place we were met with such friendliness, and we felt so at home! We toured Muckross House and it was amazingly beautiful!








A cute donkey beside the road! We also got to see peat bogs (and even jump on them, feeling their "jello" consistency!)--they are called "turf" by the locals.





In Connemara we visited the Celtic Crystal Factory where we found gorgeous works of crystal art! We also toured the Waterford Crystal Factory which was amazing! Such breath-taking pieces were on display. I loved the Celtic Crystal Factory better though for the small Mom&Pop feel of it, and for the more rare colored crystal pieces that they are known for. The artist signed a vase I bought for my daughter.




























This is actually a postcard (not one of our pictures) of The Cliffs of Moher which was also breath-taking! The wind blew fiercely, whipping our hair and pushing us up the walkway to the tower, where the view was indescribable! And, even here was a young woman playing an Irish harp, filling the air with music!

















Late in our visit, we watched the sun set on Galway Bay, and fulfilled another fantasy. Our trip was coming to an end, and we had truly seen forty shades of green, and so much more! Every one of our senses had been filled with the music, flowers, sights and delights that are so uniquely Ireland. I am so grateful my Mom asked me to join her on the trip....it is a highlight in my life, and will be forever. She and I shared something very special in those ten wonderful days!

Ancient Man...Modern Man

This photograph was taken by my husband when he visited Stonehenge years ago. I think is speaks volumes and I love it! I hope to get to Stonehenge myself one day. I am very interested in archeoastronomy and in prehistoric cultures. But, aside from everything else, this is just a beautiful photograph! Kudos to my husband!

Moments with Mom & Dad

Anyone who reads "Life in Wakefield" knows that my mother cares for my dad, who has Alzheimers. So much of the time, he sits and dozes, without a spark of his old "self" there, and he often is very confused. But,when some of his family come to visit, he surprises us with the delight in his eyes and the old playfulness he often exhibits. For three and a half years I was able to often take our grandson with me when I went to visit mom and dad. Our daughter was able to go much less because of her work schedule, but in the last few months she and our grandson were in this area, before they left for the west again, she was able to get some great visiting in. Then there was a very tearful goodbye, because she knew it might be a long time before they could return. I captured some moments of my daughter Y with her grandparents, and also of grandson C (their only great-grandson) in those last months before the departure.

This picture of grandson C with his greatgrandmother playing a game on the computer is priceless!

In a moment of pure fun, great grandpa and grandson took to having a balloon battle that just thrilled us all. My dad's hair was standing straight up from the static electricity, and we were all bowled over with laughter. These moments are so treasured....so few and far between. But, dad has always loved babies and little ones and he is more himself when they are around than at any time.

An Osprey Nest on the Pasquotank River

We had the wonderful privilege last year of enjoying an osprey nest near our home. I tried hard to get some great photographs, and this was the best I could do. It was such a joy watching these wonderful birds tending their nest, and later watching the young ones stay closeby with their parents on the water before the nest finally tore apart. Alas, the birds did not come back to build again in the same spot this past spring, and we missed them.

Note the last picture on the post "A Few of My Paintings"--it's of the osprey tree.

Poplar Forest and Camping

Our grandson loves
"Tenting" and we had an opportunity to take him with us to camp out and visit one of favorite places on earth, Thomas Jefferson's alternate home, Poplar Forest. We have visited this wonderful site several times, and each time it is magic. It was fun taking our little guy with us and introducing him to the house about two and a half years ago.



Here's a sleeping little guy and our Rhodesian Ridgeback Penny. I am shaking off sleep myself from the night in the tent!




Here Grandson C is coloring a picture of Poplar Forest in the lower level of the house.

Another Williamsburg Tree

You have to wonder what grandson C was thinking as he embraced this huge, beautiful tree! It looks like he is facing his future, so vast and complex; so broad and with so many possibilities, all lying ahead of him. I loved the way this moment spoke to me, and I had to capture it with my camera....and hope to also capture it on canvas.

My Garden

I also miss my flowers terribly! I can't wait till I can have a garden again! These are some pictures from last year....

A Few of My Paintings

We are "in between" houses right now, and I don't have my paints with me and miss them. I have several canvases I would love to do! I mostly paint for my own pleasure, but I have sold a few.