I am getting better

Okay, night number two of scanning. Keep in mind that I have yet to organize. Ultimately, I will group by post card, pics by decade, letters, cards, etc.

Here's the latest.


Don't forget: Tip: If you are looking at one specific image and want to 'enlarge' it, click the "All Sizes" plus icon above it. You will then see a much better presentation of the image.

Mementos from my grandmother: My first set of images

Quick post. I have started to scan the contents of my Grandmother's (Mary Clifford) box of memories. See this post, for more information. Due to lack of time, I haven't spent enough time (as I would have liked) to enter thorough information for the captions. If you see an image for which you can add information, please contact me.

This is just the first of many. There is so much stuff to scan! Letters, notes, announcements, greeting cards.. a lot!

Tip: If you are looking at one specific image and want to 'enlarge' it, click the "All Sizes" plus icon above it. You will then see a much better presentation of the image. Click here to see first set. I will organize it in a much better way, later.

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Facebook 15 Books

My friend Vincent posted something on Facebook titled "15 Books."

"Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. "

So, I went ahead and did it. Figured I'd post here too.

Nathanial's Nutgmeg - Giles Milton
Finding Flow - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
The Stand - Stephen King
Patricia Cornwall - Portrait of a Killer (about Jack The Ripper)
The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill - William Manchester
The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand
Explaining Hitler: The Search for the Origins of His Evil - Ron Rosenbaum
How the Irish Saved Civilization - Thomas Cahill
Into the Wild - John Krackauer
The Perfect Storm - Sebastian Junger
a primate's memoir by robert sapolsky (AWESOME)
Killing Pablo - Mark Bowden
Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley - Peter Guralnick
The Westies: Inside New York's Irish Mob - TJ English
A Dog Year - John Katz
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

Box of Memories

My grandparents, Mary and Ambrose Clifford, on the left.

This weekend, family from Boston came for a visit. First off, sorry we couldn't spend more time together! It was great to see all of you: Mary Alice, Margie, Susan and Cutie Patoot, Jillian.

Margie brought with her, what I call a box of memories. It is a box full of pictures, cards, announcements, and keepsakes from the life of my grandmother, Mary Clifford (who died at the age of 99..talk about a long life!). I volunteered to scan these documents in order to preserve them for all to see, and send them back to their rightful place: with Margie. Late this evening, Aimee and I took a quick look. After only a few minutes, I realized the magnitude of what I saw. These are not just photos or history. These items are what she kept close....what were dear to her: a graduation announcement,poems, letters, and random notes from a trip, to name a few. Here, the 'every day' becomes precious.

The only thing I could say to Aimee was the following: "This box is the most valuable thing in this house right now." Well, in addition to our own keepsakes. It is tough even to compare though, as the value of material things seems so weak in comparison. Not only did this box shed light one woman's wonderful life, I could only think about how special these items would be to many, many people. So I will scan them. I will document them. I will handle them with extreme care. Then I will return them.

I wish she could have seen our Stella. I could just imagine my grandmother picking Stella up and saying something like "ooooohh..such a good girl!"....the tone of voice of what I heard, when I was little. I still catch myself thinking about that tone of voice when I pick Stella up into my arms..the sound I make reminds me of Mary. I was also reminded today (forgot) that her middle name was "Estelle" that she actually changed herself, but choice, because that's how she wanted it to be.

Maybe there is a connection somewhere. I do know this: when Aimee and I were still dating, we went up to Boston for a visit. Mary (my grandmother) had diminished greatly, physically and mentally and did not have much more time. Aimee did not see her as the robust, larger than life woman that most knew. She must have known something though, because in her haze, as we were getting into the car, she grabbed my arm and said: "Matthew! Are you going to get her a ring?" Since Aimee was right there, I pretended not to notice. No problem for Mary though, because she said it again, louder: "Are you going to get her a ring????" She then offered one of her own, If I recall correctly. If I could rewind back to that moment, I would not have been embarrassed. I would have responded...."Of course!" Before she died, she did know, that we would marry.

So, more to come on the box of memories.

Nine Lives

Of the Nine Lives, I think I have expended about five. Today was number five. To even explain the scenario would seem so unrealistic that I am at a loss. I can only apply the experience as a lesson to teach me to worry less. The things that bothered me this morning no longer do. Tony Soprano was right..each day is a gift. Don't waste them.

My Sunday With Stella

Weekends are Daddy and Stella days. So Sunday, I took out the camera and recorded some of our time while Momma was out at some Yoga retreat. Stella doesn't seem to mind the camera too much. I know I said "What are you doing" about fifty times. So what. We had fun. Can't wait until Saturday!