See you in September!

Hello Friends,

It’s back to school time!

I’m looking forward to my first day with the boys and girls tomorrow. This year, I will have 25 second graders in my morning class and 24 in my afternoon class. I already met some of them last Friday, and they are just as eager as I am to start school. 🙂

I’ll be back in mid or late September.

Have a wonderful day!

With gratitude,

Elaine

My Gratitude Jar

Habits, whether good or bad, start off as thin as a single strand of hair – easy to snap. However, if we continue with the behavior, that same strand-like habit will grow to be strong and sturdy like chain links – difficult to break. Having an attitude of gratitude is a habit. This is a habit that I am constantly working toward; it is not easy. It takes work. It requires reflecting, sifting through life experiences, and being aware that there is value in all my interactions.  It is not easy to be in gratitude when negativity steps in, when there is illness, death, or when bad news comes our way. However, I know if I search within, there is always something for which I can be grateful.

Over the years, I’ve attempted to keep a gratitude journal, but after a short period, the journaling of my thoughts became a dormant idea. Some time ago, I heard about the gratitude jar and I promised myself that I would start one. I don’t need a journal or a jar to express my gratefulness, but this tangible means of reflecting helps me to recognize my blessings and joys.

The birth of my Gratitude Jar was on January 12, 2016.  See photos at the end of this post.

My first note of gratitude:

This evening I spent some time with Rosh as she worked on her “bottle this feeling” jars. Her “About” page on her website talks about how being grateful contributes to your happiness – what a beautiful reminder for me as I bottle 101 thoughts in my head. I am grateful to my daughter for reminding me to live with an attitude of gratitude.

Here is another note from January 16^th

I’m in gratitude for…

• Kind, caring, listening ears
• The gift of time
• The gift of friendship
• Knowing when to speak softly and quietly
• Lessons in time management
• Being honored with trust
• Prayers and positive energy

I have decided to grow the habit of being in gratitude today and every day. I find that being grateful brings me joy. Although I do not write gratitude notes with pen and paper daily, I write them with my reflections and actions.

 Today, among other things, I am grateful for your friendship, my health, and the peace, joy, and positive energy that surround me.

 Thank you for visiting my blog!

 With gratitude,

 Elaine

 

Key West Sunset

Twenty eight years ago, on June 21, on a rainy Saturday morning in Guyana, Neville and I were married. Reverend Harsham came to our home and performed a simple wedding ceremony.

Last Saturday, on a rainy morning, my husband and I took a trip to Key West, Florida. We had lots of fun walking on Duval Street, taking photos at the Southernmost Point, and watching the sunset on our dinner cruise. It was a fitting celebration for our 28^th wedding anniversary!

Thanks for stopping by and do enjoy the Key West sunset on the first day of summer!

On Top: High Heels

My response to this week’s photo challenge – on top. 

The wearer of these shoes didn’t know I was taking photographs!

These women topped off their special occasion with some fine-looking shoes.

Are you into comfort or style?

At a Graduation

At a New Year’s Eve Party

 

Showing her shoes to her friend in the restroom

 

 

 

 

The Life and Essence of the Streets

I just love going to Manhattan in New York. There is so much going on that there is almost an over stimulation of one’s senses. The streets are always bustling with tourists, workers, and entertainers. Whenever I visit Manhattan, I try to be present in the minutes and hours that I am there and I capture (as best as I can) the life and essence of the streets. Below are some photos I took of street-life.  Which photos make you grin? 🙂

At Peace in an Intricate Web

We are surrounded by beauty in nature that inspires us to stop and take a second look. Perhaps, we stop long enough to capture an image with our cameras. That’s exactly what I did when I saw this spider. I see spider webs all the time, so what was so special about this one? It caught my eye because it was one of the biggest ones I had seen. It was undisturbed. The spider seemed to be at peace inside its web, oblivious to all that was going on around it. It was alone in its silky, intricate strands. Look closely and you’ll see the beauty of nature.

Today’s blog post is in response to INSIDE– the weekly photo challenge.

Have a great week everyone. I’ve already declared that mine will be wonderful!

What Joy!

On June 6, 2010, I participated in and completed a ROCK ‘n’ ROLL  marathon in San Diego. I walked the entire 26.2 miles. It only took me 7 hours 13 minutes and 24 seconds! This week’s photo challenge is about joy.  I had just spotted a port o potty when my husband took this photo. You’d agree that I had reason to be joyful. Won’t you?

2010 San Diego ROCK ‘n’ ROLL Marathon

Where is fingerprintwriting?

It has been several weeks since I came on my blog or check the blogs that I follow. I’ve been away too long. I’ve had a few ups and downs in my life – more than I expected. I shall not focus on the downs – life is made up of dual experiences. How can we truly appreciate the goodness and gift of each day if we do not have these dual experiences?

In the future, I will make my posts even if it is just two sentences. I have a lot of catching up to with the blogs I follow.

Here are two lovely photos of a very happy occasion…my nephew’s wedding on October 12^th. 

Behold the Golden Hour

The Weekly Photo Challenge Says: In photography, the “golden hour” is the first and last hour of sunlight of the day.

Although I know almost nothing about photography techniques, I don’t let that interfere with my enthusiasm for taking photographs. I love taking photos! This week, I want to share with you photos I have of the golden hour.

The two Manhattan sunset photos were taken while I was on the Circle Line Cruise in NYC.

The Miami sunrise photo was taken on the Rickenbacker Causeway one morning when I rolled out of bed for an early walk.

I caught the Miami sunset while I was driving. I stopped the car, got out, took the photo, and did not even cause any traffic issues.

Catching the golden hour

 

Curves at the Gardiner Museum

Photo taken at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto, Canada

So I missed the curves photo challenge by a day! I’m still posting  my photo and keeping my fingers crossed that I don’t get a big red X next to my name for late submission! I took these photos at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto last summer. I have no information about this vase except that it must be well liked because it’s featured on two pages on the museum’s website. Why did I take a photo of this vase? It caught my eye. It’s a great piece of art.