Nothing Like a Grandma's Embrace

Felipe and I had a wonderful visit with Grandma a few weeks ago.  Love her hugs!

Quiet Snow Blanketing the City

Today it snowed all day, and while I wasn't planning on walking home, as soon as the bus turned onto Fifth Avenue by the Park, I just knew I'd have to get out and walk.  The scene was so beautiful!  So I spent a leisurely walk enjoying that muffled silence that comes with six inches of fresh snow.  Dusk was just setting in, and by the time I was close to leaving the park you could see the crescent moon overhead.

















The end of the park left me to navigate the what is known in the city as the snow slush dilemma.  At every corner, three salty slushy inches surrounding the corner for two feet out - leaving all pedestrians to dance and jump as if performing at the ballet.  It is supposed to be quite warm tomorrow, so perhaps I can get a nice photo of these infamous slush puddles.

The Adventures of Mr. Spaceman

When we went to the Kennedy Space Center on Friday, we brought along a friend - Mr. Spaceman for a bit of adventure.  


By the Saturn V Rocket


A quick break for lunch.


Outside of the Vehicle Assembly Building.


By the rocket garden.

Christmas Details - 2013

We're enjoying a relaxing, quiet Christmas Eve here at home.  We've been really fortunate to spend many of the past christmases with our family these past few years.  This year finds us quietly at home.  Merry Christmas to you all, may you enjoy the time you have with your friends and family this holiday.

Five Years

Christmas tree decorating - 1985

I know I've used this photo on this blog before, but I love it and it's perfect for this time of year.  Five years has passed since dad passed away.  I'm less sad now than before, but still miss him a great deal!  I'm glad to have these happy memories of him though....

Our Christmas Tree - 2013

It's amazing to see our godson's wonder at the sight of the tree before him.


Ethan was a little apprehensive when he first walked in, and then took Felipe's hand to bring him over to the tree with him.  They had a nice time exploring the colors and the ornaments that were on the tree.






Taking a closer look...


...and just a little touch...

Perpetual Fascination with the Sky

I'll never get over my love of looking at the sky...

Chess Benches at Central Park

"Why do you do it...?"

I've been asked this question on more than one occasion.  At three A.M. in an emergency department, with a survivor who's there after facing a life altering trauma, sometimes alone.  But SAVI advocates are there so they don't have to be alone. So they have someone there on their side, explaining the services available to them, helping them process the experience and being an emotional support.  The SAVI mission is dedicated to validating, healing and empowering survivors and their supporters to lead safe, healthy lives through advocacy, free and confidential counseling, and public education.

"During 2004-2006, an estimated 105,187 females and 6,526 males aged 10-24 years received medical care in U.S. emergency departments as a result of non-fatal injuries sustained from a sexual assault."  CDC MMWR

Why do I do it?  I do it because one needn't face an ER on their own after experiencing a sexual assault or intimate partner violence.  I do it because it happens so often, that each of one of us knows at least one person who has survived such violence - whether you know it has happened or not.  I am not excluded from this statistic.  It is widely known that 1 in 5 women will experience/have experienced sexual assault in their lifetime.  I joined SAVI in the fall of 2007 so that I could be a part of the healing community, to work for a more positive experience in a person's life.  But I'm only one of hundreds of advocates from our program, and many more in programs around the nation and the world.  I am not writing here for accolades, not for doing something that I feel is right and just in the service to others.  I am writing today, because tonight is the annual benefit for SAVI.  

I was pleased to be asked to join the Friends of SAVI committee earlier this year, to help with the benefit that they plan to raise money for SAVI each November.  I will go tonight to celebrate the service that SAVI fulfills in my community, and to celebrate the people that make that happen.  I cannot wait to see the room, crowded with SAVI supporters - because with them, and with the people that volunteer their time and their hearts, that is what makes this organization so special.

We may be far from eliminating sexual violence, and intimate partner violence.  But we will continue to work each call, each day, each month, each year to help empower survivors.

If you are interested in helping SAVI, learn about volunteering with SAVI here, or how to donate here.

If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, or intimate partner violence in New York City:

• Victim Services 24-Hour Hotline 212-577-7777
• NYC Police Department Special Victims 24-Hour Report Line 646-610-7273
• NYC Domestic Violence 24-Hour Hotline 800-621-4673

Day and Night in Central Park

A Beautiful Morning in the Park

Turns into a Beautiful Night...

Skyline by the Sheep's Meadow - looking west.


A crescent moon, with Venus close below.


Some quiet benches along the poets walk.