Along came Fran.
Fran was next to join the blogging tribe. I still refer to her as Frani although I don't think she likes it. I feel it sounds homey and affectionate.
She is the cousin representing the Southwest. In the 1970's we all started to fan out from Pennsylvania. I ended up in Florida and Frani put her new roots down in Mesa, Arizona. She loves the that section of the country and inticed me to open myself to the beauty of it also. We share many wonderful memories of hiking, photographing and antique-ing out there. Somehow we adjusted to the triple digit temperatures and dug right into the history and the multi-cultural elements of the area.
Frani's blog has a link from my site. Her photos of Arizona are strikingly impressive. You should look.
I think Frani and I grew to be the closest of the cousins since our relationship started in high school. We were fortunate enough to share those wild and rowdy teenage misadventures. Sometime we both are amazed that we are still alive!

The blogging family grows.
My dear cousin, Joanne was next to get the blog-bug. She also loves photography and has quite an eye for it. Hers is another site you can link to from mine. She is the "Purple Lover". Some of her pictures knock me out.
In my family for some strange reason many of the cousins have become closer than siblings over the years. We are thick as thieves and bonded by love, respect and unfortunately a little dysfunction. But we deal with it and move on always trying to support and console each other even if it is long distance. Thank heavens for the internet and the cell phone.
This is a photo of Joanne and her baby, Jewel. Jewel is a beautiful German Shepard with a very unique personality all her own. She is the Alpha Dog.

Along the blogging trail.
Next David came on to the blogging scene. Of course, I was always checking out his postings. He is an Artist who works in photography and so much more. His pictures are always interesting to see.
Then I became drawn into this new activity. I also like to take and share photos and the blog seemed like a good place to accomplish this. Naturally I told my family and friends and the ball continued to roll and grow.
David's site is a link on my blog. If you like unusual photography, check it out.
This is a picture of David taken on our winter holiday to Pennsylvania.

Well - The blogging started with my recent and good friend, Emma. She got into it and David and I were hooked on reading her entries as she is such a good writer.
Here's Emma relaxing before the annual traditional Christmas dinner at Water Street. She has a quiet beauty that I have seen emerging and growing continually since I first met her. The moment I greeted her and gave her a hug, I could feel the "aloha" and knew I would love her and she would become part of our "ohana" which she certainly has.
Emma, this Blue Martini is for you!

Whiteout in Eastport.
We have been having cold weather here in South Florida. It is especially nice at night for sleeping. The days are like early Autum up North and very uplifting and pleasant. Last night the temperatures dropped to 46 degrees - that's cold for us Southerns; Tonight it might dip into the 30's. I was complaining a little until I read my friend, Emma's blog post regarding the blizzard in Eastport. Now, I admit, I feel a little smug - We have No Snow.
I guess winter is one of the things I do still appreciate about my fast fading little city.
Today we voted for mayor; I voted for a new one. The last current mayor has spent twenty years getting us to where we are and it is not very pretty. Can we be saved? We shall see.

Interesting People.
One of my hobbies is photography in a purely amateur sense. I particularily enjoy taking photos of anyone, especially strangers, who are unaware of being photographed. There are so many interesting faces out there. How few of us really look and see them? I find these faces at their purest and most engaging when they are totally oblivious to the camera.
This lovely woman was at a Fourth of July public celebration in a small Maine town. I have no idea who she is or what stories form her history, but I know that history is there in her face. Look at her face and what do you see? I see a healthy, happy woman who is having a good time. But - look at the eyes. There is something there, a concerned, a lightly thoughtful look. It seems each time I really look at these photos I see a little more. Perhaps the reason I preceive them differently is because I am different every time I view them. We are all in flux.