Hope

I'm using one of the free themes here. I've said for a long time that a New England winter will always break your heart--it's not how fierce it is (and this one was that...) but how long. We're still not out of the 40s and little chance of it soon. But this tiny snow crocus bravely opens for a few hours a day to let us know that there has never been a winter that didn't end.
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Entrance

At the library yesterday, I picked up free tickets to an advance screening of the new version of "Jane Eyre." lt was excellent: true to the book, dark, Gothic and brooding. This is the entrance to the theater--quite a contrast to the film!
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Traditional

A traditional New England church seen as night falls.

Interior

This is the interior of our sweet little house.
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What is this?

I have no idea. It's a box that's sitting up against a wall outside the Berlin train station. I don't know what it does or why it's there--but it does seem rather ominous.
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Mood

And not, apparently a good one as this gentleman broods over a stack of books at Barnes & Noble.
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Symmetrical

My daughter's Siamese fighting fish.

Retro

Not many people travel extensively by train anymore. As a result, train stations like ours in Berlin CT, are certainly dated. Ours is somewhat active, as it's on the corridor from New Haven to Boston, and from Springfield and Hartford to New York. Even so, it is in sad disrepair.

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Eyes

My daughter, Sierra, has beautiful striking eyes.

Obligations

A man works on his tax forms at the library today.
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Comfy and cozy

Six year old Peyton curls up on her mother's lap, learning to love reading as much as her mom does.

Silhouette

A woman studies a drawing at an exhibit at the New Britain Museum of American Art.
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Art

I don't know the story behind this, but every Saturday, this gentleman, who is mentally challenged, shows up at the local gym, where he sits hunched over drawing elaborate cartoons. He wears a Powerhouse Gym jacket. He is treated with respect and affection by the young women who staff the desk. It's one of the things I love about this place--this man is not just accepted but welcome.
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In the City

In the City, on St. Patrick's Day after the parade around the bars on the East Side. (A good time was had by all...)

Heroes

I know I'm repeating a theme, but: every year, the NYFD has a contingent of 343 firefighters, each carrying a flag for one of those who died at the WTC in 2001. I remember the first year, when it was still so raw, and many of them were carrying pictures of those who had died. And on the sidelines, there was just silence and tears. They are heroes.
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Music

There are some benighted souls who do not think the bagpipe produces music. I am not one of them. I love a pipe band, and the St. Patrick's Day parade in NYC had plenty today.
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Lots & lots & lots...

...of trees in the orchard, all on the cusp of spring.
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Hero

Although I admit to having a few issues with St. Paul (especially regarding the status of women), he was a man of courage and conviction, who was willing to change and who wrote passionately and brilliantly about his faith--a hero. He was portrayed at our church tonight in a presentation challenging us to be more fully engaged in living out that faith.
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Door

The door to the Berlin train station.
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Candy

Jelly beans.
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Contemporary

Contemporary life at the Dreaded Mall.
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Lunchtime

Lunchtime at Iliano's in Meriden CT, where I can get a gluten free pizza, just before the rush.

Center of Interest

All eyes (and a video camera) on on this citizen as he asks a question of the panel at a town informational session regarding funding for renovations to the high school.

Religion

Today is Ash Wednesday: for Catholics, it is the beginning of Lent and the solemn day on which we are reminded of our mortality--and the hope which lies beyond it. Here Father Robert places ashes of the forehead of on of the parishioners.
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Restful

Our library can be so restful that this patron had dozed off over his book.

Tables

Timetables on the window of the Berlin train station.
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Wet

Hooded against the dripping rain, a man waits for the arrival of the train.

Fish

Craig, the younger granddude, plays with a toy fish we gave him today.

Liquid

We went out for dinner tonight to the restaurant where our grandson's dad is the chef. Here are two lovely liquids: seasoned olive oil for dipping and a glass of chianti.
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Motionless

For one moment, this butterfly is perfectly still.
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Seafood

Shrimp scampi for dinner.
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Hand

A child's handprint on a window at the library.
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