Cuz Larry & Lynn Proud Day

Trina receiving her certificate of graduation to become a police officer

At the ripe old age of 32, our daughter, Trina, decided to become a police officer. She'd worked various office jobs since graduating from a community college 12 years ago. She went through several interviews and physical tests of strength and agility. Also had to run 1 1/2 miles under 14 minutes! There were several hundred people who tried out for the 27 positions in the class. She was quite proud of herself for being one of those who succeeded.

Trina with her proud sister, Rebecca

After 23 weeks of evasive driving training, getting shot with rubber bullets by the SWAT team, running, jumping, doing push ups and pull ups, and learning to shoot not only a hand gun, but a 12 gauge shotgun, graduation finally came.

As she walked across the stage, her cheering squad let out quite a noise. We had a full row of relatives and after about a dozen grads had walked across the state, we were the first to make such a noise! For some reason everyone was pretty subdued - except, of course, for us. As the Chief handed Trina her certificate, he asked if she'd brought her own cheering team!

Proud Ma & Pa with Trina

Tony & Shelby - Wedding

Just when we thought Tony was a confirmed bachelor he up and surprises us and gets married!

Tony is Lee's (Alice) son. The wedding took place last fall and I apologize for not getting it on the blog any sooner, but life has a way of getting away from me.

After we moved to Florida we tried to visit with Lee as often as we could. We watched as Tony grew up and went off to college. It seems like ages ago that we last saw Tony... After he graduated from college he was searching for a direction in his life and needed a job. We needed an employee. We had just built our gallery out in the middle of nowhere (50 miles from Naples and 50 miles from Miami), and hadn't finished our house. We hired Tony to run the gallery and keep an eye on 'things'. Unfortunately, when we bought the property we 'inherited' Wild Bill (another story). Since Tony was the only person on the property he was left with the responsibility of "Wild Bill". He took "Wild Bill" under his wings and helped him to stop drinking. Watching Tony work with Bill was watching a person with a true gift of helping people. Eventually, living out in the middle of nowhere got to be a little lonely for Tony and he moved back to Orlando where he eventually became an Art Teacher in a great high school. I am so proud of the fact that he saw the gift he possessed and has chosen to use his life and his gift in working with young people.

The last time we saw Tony he was the same age that Nic, his brother, is now! Soooo...when Nic first walked into the room I thought it was Tony! When I finally got to see Tony I was amazed and pleased with the strong man standing in front of me. Lee must be very proud because all of her kids have turned out so great!

Anyway, back to the wedding...

The wedding took place in a cute small church in Orlando.

Lee coming down the isle

The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom
lit candles together and then returned to their seats.

The bridesmaids walk down the isle.
This is Angelica, Tony's sister.

The Bridesmaids

The bride, Shelby, and her dad

taking their vows

Mr. and Mrs. Fiorentino!

Congratulations!

Bride & Groom wedding reception table

The wedding party making a fun & grand entrance
into the reception area

Angelica, Tony's sister

Nic, Tony's brother

Tony and Shelby

For a symbol of unity between the two families
and all of Tony and Shelby's friends,
everyone had a candle which was lit.

Shelby lighting candles

Tony lighting candles

Clyde, Lee and Char

First dance

Father of the bride saying a few words...

Brother of the groom saying a few words...

Niki, Nic and Lee

Niki, Angelica, Lee

Lee, Shelby,Tony, Clyde, Niki

Shelby and Tony

From Kahlil Gibran

The Almitra spoke again and said, "And what of Marriage, master?"
And he answered saying:
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter our days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping,
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
and the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

We wish you both the best of life and the best that love can give.

-----------------------------------------

and now for a fun ending...
After Clyde and I kissed everyone good-bye Lee walked us out to the parking lot to show us her new pride and joy:

Sedona Arizona with Jan & Connie - Last Day

Jan and Connie had "body" appointments...massage, nails, something...can't remember, but what I wanted to do was go hiking again. So, I took off and drove up to Oak Creek Canyon to find a place to hike.

I loved this old building...so neat looking! It was probably around the first time I came to Sedona in the 1950's!


I found a West Fork and decided to hike around. As I followed the trail it led to what was once a ranch. When I saw the old tumble down ranch house I thought, "Wow, these folks had a stupendous view!"


I didn't have very much time, so I made it down the West Fork for just a little ways before it was time to turn back and go pick up Connie and Jan. It was a beautiful walk! Next time I'll venture further!

OH! I forgot one very important picture. This trip took place last spring...Hilary and Obama were going at it with everyone thinking Hilary would be the winner. As we drove through Jerome on our way to Sedona we pass this house (below). Now, you must realize, I am the lone Democrat in the car with two Republicans, so when I asked Connie to turn around so I could take a picture of the sign for Hilary all I got was a big "BOOO!" and she kept on driving...well, actually there was no place to turn around. I insisted. Connie finally found a place and was kind enough to go back several miles so I could take this historic photo...even Connie and Jan thought it was worth it when they saw it!

Just in case you can't see it...those are bras hanging on the fence!

It was a great vacation...and as always, the three of us look back on it with fond memories.

Sedona Arizona with Jan & Connie - walk with James Endredy

After spending so many wonderful days in this beautiful place, I began to think that it would be a great place for Clyde to do a photo workshop. The problem was that I needed someone to give me an overview of areas that weren't so well known. I needed a guide to show me areas where a group of photographers could set up and not be run down by tourists. We found that person in James Endready.

James Endready is a teacher, mentor, and guide to thousands of people through his books and workshops. For over 25 years he has learned shamanic practices from all over the globe, while also studying with kawiteros, lamas, siddhas, roadmen, and leaders in the modern fields of ecopsychology, bioregionalism, and sustainbale living. He is also a nationally certified Wilderness First Responder.

We met James at a morning talk given by the Time Share where we stayed. He seemed like the kind of person I'd like to know, so we approached him with the idea of taking us on some short morning walks. He was an excellent choice. We all felt very comfortable with this gentle, spiritual, kind man. I'm glad he came into our life. If you'd like to reach him for a walk here is his information:

Sedona Nature Excursions
(928) 282-3748
www.redrockhikingtours.com
www.JamesEndredy.com

Although James can hike with the best of them, he was kind enough to walk at our pace. He never made us feel uncomfortable about NOT being athletic...very kind of him!


The flowers in bloom were wonderful.

We finally reached our destination. It was a very large flat rock that overlooked the valley and those wonderful rock formations that you see in the background of this picture. James said the area was an Indian religious area and very few people know about it. He asked us not to tell anyone where it was, otherwise it would be over run with tourists. But he felt a small group of people who love nature would not offend the spirits. He then offered to do a shamanic blessing over us. Since being blessed is good for everyone, we took him up on the offer!

Our next adventure with James was across town to another location he thought we would enjoy. We parked in the presence of another Vortex...and this one I actually felt! It was a shock to feel an emotion so deeply. One minute we were talking about nothing much in the car, parked the car, and then when I got out I was hit in the chest with a powerful emotion and tears came to my eyes. I was so suprised by the feeling that this is the first time I've talked about it! Soooo...just maybe, there REALLY is something called a vortex!

We weren't headed for the Vortex though. We headed in a different direction.

We hiked in the opposite direction of these towering rocks and came to a circle of life. This Indian circle has been located here since before the written word. Sometimes, throughout history, it has been disturbed...like when the white man insisted that the Indians give up their religion...but the Indians always rebuild it. It is a sacred place and we walked quietly as though we were in church.

After pausing at the circle we walked onward eventually coming to what Jan thought was laundry hanging out to dry...but as we got closer we saw that it was Prayer Flags.

This land was purchased by the local Budist community in order to save it from development. They erected this monument here to symbolize peace for the world. The inside of it is filled with thousands of prayers written on tiny pieces of paper. Along the edge of this circle is a place in the shade to sit and pray. What a wonderful idea to have an "official" prayer area in the great outdoors! Why do we have indoor churches...doesn't the roof keep us from lifting our hearts to God?

Prayer alter

Our day with James ended in a wonderful uplifting way. He added a depth to our trip to Sedona that had been missing...the connection with God and nature.

Sedona Arizona with Jan & Connie - Train Trip & Airport Vortex

For something different, we decided to catch a scenic train ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad.

The inside of the train was air conditioned and very comfortable.

The outside areas were great too. They had nice covers overhead to protect us from the sun, as well as benches to sit on as we watched the scenery go by. I spent most of my time outside feeling the wind in my hair and watching the beauty pass by.

Connie enjoying the scenery


They served us ice cream on the train, but had to get it from another train passing by!

Connie, Jan and I outside enjoying the scenery

It was a great afternoon. Very relaxing and enjoyable.

We returned to Sedona in the late afternoon, so we decided to try and find another Vortex. This time we went looking for the Airport Vortex...it is, naturally, near the airport. We located it and climbed up to enjoy the view. Unfortunately, Jan had worn sandles on the train and didn't have hiking-type shoes on, so she went a small way up the mountain. As Connie and I reached the top and saw the view, it was enough to humble and inspire us...we didn't need a Vortex, but I guess we were in one.

Connie at the top of the Airport Vortex

We sat and enjoyed the quiet and peace, then walked back down to the car.

As Connie and I walked down to the car we came across this peace symbol written with small stones. Our shadows fell across the symbol and I asked Connie to join hands with me and take our picture together in peace.
Connie and I have a mysterious deep connection with each other. Each of our lives has been very different, we disagree on many things...like, she is a Republican and I am a Democrat...yet our lives always seem to be "bumping" into each other. There is something deep between us and niether one of us understands it, but we accept it and are glad for it. She accepts me as I am (altho at times would prefer I change!) and I accept her as she is (altho at times I prefer she change!). This photo of the two of us strikes my heart, because it is not of our actual image, but it is an image of the shadow of what we are...and that is a mystery.