Photo Journal

	Playing in the rain. Can you even imagine trying to concentrate in the pouring rain? If that’s not bad enough, think about trying to move a wet and slippery soccer ball across a soggy field. Well the boys were in the semi-finals and determined to bring home a trophy. With visibility near zero, the pressure was on. What impressed me the most was the angle of the rain against the red jerseys. The contrast against the black shorts made the texture of the fabric visible. You could see how it was clinging to their bodies. My son Jonathan is featured with concentration as he competes in the Morris County Summer Select league. This was a particularly exciting summer for us since this was his first experience at this level of play. I was inspired by Barbara Fiegenberg to use my digital camera and it has become a new hobby.
Home Sweet Home! As a child, I lived in but one house. My parents still live in that same house today in an older Italian neighborhood. Most of their neighbors are the same people I grew up with. When I bought my home in Whippany, I never thought it would one day be so close to my heart. It is a quaint town where everyone knows everyone and 13 years later I never thought I’d be looking to grow old here. If there is one thing I always felt was missing was a downtown. The new municipal building is as close as we’ll get to a downtown. The new building that was recently finished has that small town charm. The main entrance sits at a 45-degree angle. As you drive into the parking lot, your attention focuses on the entrance but is especially drawn to the clock tower sitting to the left of the front entrance. The location of the building and its features are slowly becoming the center of town. The building features a newly renovated library that offers many specials for children. Next the municipal building sits the Community Center, which has been around for less than a decade. The Community Center, although still pretty new, has become a meeting place for various organizations such as Girl Scouts, Welcome Wagon and other organizations especially for children.
	Old British Castles across generations. What’s so special about that new toile pattern featured in magazines and specialty stores? The pink and white or blue and white are in demand for those following decorator trends. In our home, the pink and white dishes represent many generations in our family. While this pattern is not an exact match of the pattern in the Grandparents homestead, these Old British Castle dishes are very English and project the same traditions for family gatherings. The burgundy tablecloth and the display of wine project added warmth. The contrast of the tablecloth against the dishes adds to the richness of the color.
Why a Healing Field? I don’t think there is a person around that doesn’t stop and look at any representation of the September 11^thattack. Most of us also stop and look at any sight that has numerous flags. Ever since the attack on September 11^th, we are all still sensitive to any display of flags, wondering what has happened. What additionally caught my eye was the sheer number of flags displayed. The repetition of color and descending nature covered the grounds of the Salaam Shrine Center in Livingston, New Jersey. My attention was drawn to this commemorative display with the rain on this dreary day. Much like those days of gloom following the September 11^th attack, the droopy flags from the rain contributed to the mood. Several countries are also represented with their respective flags. To me it demonstrates that not only Americans are remembered.