Whiskers and Pinterest

'Whiskers'

On Pinterest, with all the many many many ga-zillion pics of the most delectable foods, gorgeous sunsets and sunrises, kitchens to die for, art and architecture, all the 'DYI's', the books and sayings, the photography, the Holidays (and I mean ALL the Holidays), the clothes and jewelry, the nature and kids stuff, just to name a few of the categories, this little guy has garnered more attention than the most gorgeous chocolate cake or any other cute animal I have seen...so, let's hear it, a collective 'awwwwwwww'.

Originally pinned by Monica Wessel.

The Sunsets...

Looking up and West from out back...

A few seconds later, looking up and West from out back..

Looking West from upstairs...

Looking East from Edward's room..

Looking North from my office...

I am not a 'professional' photographer (as in, I do not have a big fancy camera), but I am holding my own, in my own way. I have been taking alot of pics w/ my iPhone 4S using Instagram. I enjoy all the different filters and the other editing features. It is a wonder. However, with some things, like our drop dead gorgeous Colorado sunsets, I am finding that a 'real' camera is much much better for capturing the true colors, details, depth and shadows. Instagram seems to have a limited depth of color. For example, pink always comes out orange and it just does not work for me...well, sometimes, but not all the time. Tonight, the sky was begging to be 'shot'. I was outside, I was inside, shooting from 3 different windows. It looked like earth had been turned upside down at first and then once the sun started going behind the mountain, the colors kicked in. I took a couple of shots w/ Instagram, but then grabbed my camera w/ much better results.

Happy Thanksgiving...

A very Happy Thanksgiving to All. This year my gratitude list is long, very long. For right now I am grateful for the roof over our heads, for the food on our table, for our health, for my Family and dear Friends, for Jimmy, Edward and I being together this year in Colorado. I am cooking my very first turkey, ever...here's hoping that the 'Boys' are grateful after the bird comes out of the oven...(big smile)!

World Diabetes Day and the Special Diabetes Program

When I worked as the Government Relation 'person' for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, (JDRF) in Rhode Island, I had the awesome opportunity to pound the halls of the Congress and Senate, along w/ all the other GR Advocates in the country, to help pass legislation for the Special Diabetes Program (SDP). We were successful in our bid to re-new the $150 million dollars slated for research for Type 1 diabetes. As of today, this program is in danger of losing funding. I learned from our Senators and Congressmen, that when calls are made to their office, and ALOT of calls, they pay attention. So, today is World Diabetes Day and there is a 'call' around the Globe to get in touch w/ our State's Senators and Congressmen to help keep this money in place for the ever important cutting-edge research.

Since inception, the SDP has demonstrated tangible results. The program has enabled scientists to make significant advances in cure therapies, prevention studies and treatment improvements (including the Artificial Pancreas Project and groundbreaking advances in vision improvement among people with diabetic eye disease), and is an essential component of federal investment in diabetes research. The SDP is funded at $150 million per year, and is currently operational until September 2013. However, multi-year funding must be renewed this calendar year to continue large-scale trials, proactively plan next steps to maximize research opportunities, and to most effectively allocate research dollars without interruption.

Renewal of the SDP is JDRF’s top legislative priority for 2012. This program has enjoyed strong bipartisan support from Congress since its inception. The SDP has proven itself to be worthy of federal investment as it is improving the lives of those who have diabetes, and will help reduce healthcare costs for our country in the long-term. This critical program provides nearly 35% of the publicly-funded type 1 diabetes research at NIH. Without a timely multi-year renewal of the program, clinical trials will slow down or halt and JDRF will not be able to fill the gap.

For Edward and the entire Type 1 & 2 Diabetes community, I will be calling our Senators and Congressmen here in Colorado. We believe w/ every fiber of our beings that the research must continue, as we so clearly see the cutting edge advances and look to the future for the ultimate cure!!

Veterans Day 2012

Thank you to my Dad for his service in WW11 and for all the other Vets who we remember and honor for their courage, today and always!

Cover of New York Magazine, 11/5/2015

This is not photoshopped. This is what Manhattan looked like on Wednesday night, October 31, taken by photographer Iwan Baan, from the mostly darkened downtown to the oasis of light north of 34th Street. Here’s to those who made it through, and to those who continue to volunteer.

Here is a small portion of an e-mail I sent to some friends who live in Israel: I have wanted to sit down and write to you, but have been so caught up w/ Family and the catastrophe on the East Coast....I am SO GLAD that you re-routed and were able to get out when you did, as so much of NJ, NY, CT...coast lines, infrastructures are totally decimated..Stated Island, Rockaway, Queens...thousands upon thousand of people have NO HOMES, many still w/ no power (the weather is turning colder ever day)...the storm surge was over 14 feet by the Con Ed substation on 14th Street and Manhattan from 39th street DOWN went dark last Sunday night...power is just being restored...Hoboken, where my niece lives was flooded, and she lived in a 1st floor apartment...she and 25,000 were stranded in their apartments for over 3 days (she went to a neighbor on the 3rd floor...and now has a lot of new friends)...she was finally rescued as the National Guard was sent in, and is safe and warm in Connecticut....my 90 year old cousin lives on the 13 floor in Peter Cooper (btw, the East River flooded Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper) and was rescued by 4 firemen who carried her down all those flights and got her to safety w/ her Sister, who lives crosstown and has a generator in their building...and that is just the mere tip of this event...you have probably seen the pictures...these are from Tuesday, Oct. 30...http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/10/28/us/hurricane-sandy-photos.html#index.

And now, predictions of a Nor'easter for mid-week...we continue to pray.