Introducing My Granddaughter

How could I forget?!!!!! Last September, I became a Gramma for the second time and I haven't posted any photos. Shame on me!!!

My grandson has a baby sister. Although these photos aren't especially flattering to my beautiful granddaughter who was only about 3 weeks old, they do tell a story. Big brother loves his baby sister and when asked to give her a kiss, he did so without hesitation. But when you really just want to watch "Thomas the Train" and you've had enough of Gramma taking pictures, well . . . the photo below absolutely says it all.

"O.K. I'm done! You can have her now."

Oh Say, Can You See . . .

It is amazing what you can do with pictures using manipulation. This picture was taken on the sea of Galilee in November, 2010. The sailing crew raised the American flag for us and we sang the Star Spangled Banner. What you do not know is that I was on the opposite side of the flag and so the flag was backwards. By flipping the photo around digitally, it is as though I am on the other side of the boat taking the picture from the correct side of the flag. Nice trick, huh?

Again, it is in the eye of the beholder which is the better photo. The composition and camera settings are the same, but in the original picture, the perspective says, "This is wrong" because the flag is backwards. Which one is better in my eyes? Take a guess. Here is the original photo before flipping:

Ever Faithful and True

This photo was taken of the stained glass window behind the alter where we had Mass at the Church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. Peacocks were a theme that ran through our pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Originating with an ancient legend that the flesh of the peacock did not decay, Christians adopted the symbol of the peacock to represent immortality and the incorruptability of the soul. Because it sheds its old feathers and grows new ones every year, the peacock is also associated with the resurrection of Christ. The peacock also symbolizes fidelity since they are faithful to one partner. Sometimes, the peacock is shown drinking from a vase. This symbolizes a christian drinking the waters of eternal life. In addition the " multitude of eyes" upon its stunningly beautiful fan tail, suggested the all seeing eye of God. Wherever I saw the symbol on the pilgrimage, it was associated with the Eucharist as it is in this photo of the stained glass window.

Mosaic floor in a church in Galilee where the multiplication of loaves and fish took place.

Top of one of the alter pieces in the Orthodox Church of Mary's Tomb in Jerusalem

where it is believed that she was assumed into heaven.

On our last day, we actually saw some real peacocks in Jericho.

And finally, we found prayer shawls with peacocks on them

 - a nice souvenir of our travels through the Holy Land.