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a year LATER

Monday was Patriots Day in Boston. The Day we commemorate the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and the famous ride by Paul Revere. He was the one who rode through town screaming the British are coming…..!!!

Over 1 million people lined the streets of the marathon route, all 26.2 miles, to cheer on the runners.  Starting in Hopkington, and ending in Boston.  This marathon was different.  Last year 2 bomb’s exploded at the finish line, killing 3 and injuring 264 people.  I was in Israel having dinner ironically safe.  We were scheduled to fly home the night they shut don the city.  Our flight home was cancelled and we were sent to local hotels.  I remember not be able to go to sleep and watching the TV in awe.  By the time I got home the suspect had been caught and was in the hospital.  My husband took me into town, by the finish line and it truly looked like a war zone.  There were police on every corner and many hummers patrolled the streets.

Yesterday, no ONE was going to allow the bombers to get the best of US!  The race would go on as planned, with a massive amount of extra security and, NO bags at the finish line and no bags for the runners. That didn’t deter anyone from showing up or running!

I watched at around the 15 mile marker in Wellesley, a suburb, 20 minutes west of Boston. My friend set up a table stacked with goodies for the runners. We handed out water, oranges, cookies and bananas. The runner’s were grateful, and gracious, during the hand-off!
What a great day to be a Bostonian, I am BOSTON STRONG!

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another new CAMERA

I have been taking pictures with a dslr for about 10 years, when my husband bought me a Canon 20d.  It literally ROCKED my world.  I moved up the Canon ladder to a 40d, moved to a full frame 5d and in December 2012, I got a 5d mark iii.  Canon’s latest and greatest consumer full frame Canon. I love this camera, but it is heavy!  Now, so many new cameras have being announced I felt it was time to check them out.

I had my eyes set on the full frame Sony a7 and the crop sensor Olympus OM d EM1.  Both are great camera’s.  I decided on the full frame Sony. I’m still getting used to the controls, they are a bit clunky, compared to the big dslr!

I took these pictures yesterday, it was so cold that when we woke up there was snow on the ground.  Look at the icicles on the bottom of the bird feeder (it’s about 20 feet away).

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crop and edit
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edit and b&w convert

These pictures were taken in manual mode, shot raw and edited in Lightroom.  I used the Sony Zeiss 1.8 55mm lens.

What do you think???  I think they look pretty good, even straight out of the camera!

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happy PASSOVER

Tonight is the first night of Passover. When we celebrate the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.

Every year our family gathers together for a Seder. As a child I loved Passover. I was so fidgety having to responsively read the Haggadah. I wanted the Seder to be over so I could find the Afikomen. 5 kids running around looking for the wrapped up Matzah. The winner the lucky recipient of a crispy new $1.00 bill.  The night was always the same, people arrived about an hour before the Seder.  We started with appetizers in the Living room(so fancy), chopped chicken liver, potato latkes and gefilte fish.  Then we were herded into the Dining Room (I had to sit with my cousin on a bench, there never were enough chairs) for the traditional Seder.  It seemed like it lasted forever. After the Seder we finally got to eat.  I remember the food being delicious and abundant.  Chicken soup with matzah balls, brisket with carrots and potatoes, chicken fricassee and sweet potatoes with baked mini marshmallow on top. And, of course the obligatory Jello mold.  My mother always made an elaborate multi-layered mold of  jello, canned fruit and sour cream.  It took her hours to make, starting the previous day, so each layer would be able to set.

Fast forward to the present.  We still have our  traditional Seder, just with some different players.  I no longer have to sit on a bench, I’m the adult (kind of).  No jello mold and the finder of the Afikoman gets $20.00!  Maybe I will make a jello mold next year….then again, probably NOT!

Here is my contribution, a red velvet coconut macaroon cake. I found the recipe in The Forward.

Next year in Jerusalem!

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dressed to KILL

Last night I went to a Cher concert at the TD Garden in Boston.  You will never guess who the opening act was.  Pat Benatar.  I know, you’re scratching your head!

Cher, she was fantastic.  Her voice didn’t have the same vibrato she had back in 1999, when I saw the Believe Tour.  But, she is 67 years YOUNG.  Her body still looks great, and she certainly moved and danced on stage.  Even after having foot surgery 5 months ago!  She told us she still could fit into “If I Could Turn Back Time” outfit.  Looks like she was telling the truth!

click me

click me

If you want to see more of CHER, and all the outfits she wore, click on her name.

Here is her set list: Woman’s World Strong Enough Dressed to Kill The Beat Goes On I Got You Babe Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves Dark Lady Half-Breed Welcome to Burlesque You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me Take It Like a Man Walking in Memphis Just Like Jesse James Heart of Stone Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) (performed by background vocalists) I Found Someone If I Could Turn Back Time Believe I Hope You Find It

Who would think that Pat Benatar and her husband Neil Giraldo would appeal to the Cher crowd.

They sang of all our favorites: Shadows of the Night All Fired Up Invincible We Live For Love Promises In The Dark We Belong Hit Me With Your Best Shot Love Is a Battlefield ENCORE: Let’s Stay Together Heartbreaker/Ring of Fire.

They didn’t disappoint.  Her voice is still strong and she certainly hit us with her best shot!

Click the picture to see more pictures from their set!

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almost cherry BLOSSOM time

This morning I was rummaging through my desk drawer, in search of a stamp. I came across a glassine envelope and discovered a bunch of beautiful stamps.  I especially liked this one of the Cherry Blossom’s in DC.  Since it’s almost April I thought it appropriate to post NOW.

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Here is my take on it.  Which one do you prefer?

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