Tag Archives: anniversaries

9/11 – 20th Anniversary…

The 9/11 Empty Sky Memorial, Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey

The 749 victims’ names from the State of New Jersey face one another on the interior elevations of the twin brushed stainless steel walls within easy reach. The walls channel visitors to the location in the Manhattan skyline where the former World Trade Center towers once stood.

Remembering, honoring and never forgetting the 2,977 lives lost on September 11, 2001.

85th Anniversary and An Engagement Ring…

85 years ago today on June 27, 1936 my parents Maude Louise Littlefield and Joseph Albert (Al) Freeman were married in Baltimore, MD.  They sort of eloped although apparently everyone knew.  Sadly there are no wedding pictures although in my minds eye I have created one.

These are my parents on their 25th anniversary in 1961 and their 30th in 1966.

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And here is the story of my mother’s engagement ring.

This is the beach in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, this is where we always went when I was growing up. I remember one time in particular when I was there with my parents when I was about three or four years old.

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After playing in the water with my dad and digging in the sand with my mom we started gathering up our blanket and things to leave. All of a sudden my mother gasped and yelled for my father… “my diamond ring is gone” she said in alarm. My dad immediately took charge of the situation by telling me NOT to move, just stay put. I quickly rushed over to the people nearby and told them my mother had just lost her ring in the sand and my father was going to find it. So much for listening. They, along with other beach goers who had heard me, started to get up to help my father look for the ring. “No” he said.. “don’t walk on the sand, if the sand is disturbed any further the ring will sink lower, I think I might have only one chance to find it.” We all held our breaths as he surveyed the situation and then after what seemed like an eternity (especially to me who was staying still) he scooped up a handful of sand. Miraculously there, shining out from the sand was my mothers diamond engagement ring.

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I’m still amazed that he found it, how did he know where to look, how had my running through the sand not made it sink lower? I’m sure that ring was being watched over somehow ❤

September 11th, 2001…

Today, September 11, 2018 is the 17th anniversary of 9/11/01.

Let us always remember …

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In Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey stands Empty Sky:New Jersey September 11th Memorial  This memorial is dedicated to New Jersey’s 749 innocent loved ones who lost their lives that day at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, PA.

From the Empty Sky website:  “Empty Sky” remembers those lost while simply and powerfully connecting New Jersey to Ground Zero. Twin walls transect a gently sloped mound anchored by a granite path that is directed toward Ground Zero. The length of each wall is exactly equal to one side of the former World Trade Center Towers as the height of the wall reflects proportion of the former buildings if they were lying on their side. . The seven hundred and forty nine (749) victims’ names from the State of New Jersey face one another on the interior elevations of the twin brushed stainless steel walls within easy reach. The walls channel visitors to the location in the Manhattan skyline where the former World Trade Center towers once stood.”

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(CLICK HERE to read about The Empty Sky Memorial)

At Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange, New Jersey is the ‘Remembrance and Rebirth’ memorial dedicated to all the victims of 9/11.

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In memory of the 343 New York City Firefighters who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty on September 11, 2001

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In memory of the 23 New York City Police Officers, 37 Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Officers and Emergency Medical Services Personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty on September 11, 2001.

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Added in 2016, the Search and Rescue Dog Statue honoring the roughly 350 search and rescue dogs that worked tireless hours. CLICK HERE to read about it.

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On this 17th anniversary of 9/11 let us continue to remember and never forget the events of that day.

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Weekly Photo Challenge: A Face in the Crowd…

Prompt : Create an image that represents being “a face in the crowd.”

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This isn’t a face in the crowd, it is however, a crowd of faces.

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I took this picture of the Phantom of the Opera poster outside the theatre in New York City in January 2016.  It shows faces of performers through its then 28th year on Broadway.  It celebrated its 30th anniversary in January of this year and in March I’ll be seeing it for the 3rd time.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/a-face-in-the-crowd/

10th Blogiversary…

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 On Wednesday, October 5th, 2017 MV Obsession will be 10 years old. TEN. Ten years of obsession about the place that I love most in the world, that’s a lot of obsessing. There have been almost 1,050 posts and it all began with these words…

Hi, my name is Joan and I’m a Vineyard-a-holic…

Followed by…


9th Blogiversary…

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On Wednesday, October 5th MV Obsession will be 9 years old.  NINE.  Nine years of obsession about the place that I love most in the world, that’s a lot of obsessing. Today’s post will be number 982 and it all began with these words…

 

 

Hi, my name is Joan and I’m a Vineyard-a-holic…

Followed by…

 My obsession/love affair with Martha’s Vineyard started early in my life.  I was around 2 and a half in this picture and this was already my second trip.

My connection to MV was through my mother who although was born in Maine was raised on MV.   She went to Oak Bluffs high school (there was no regional high school, each town had its own back then) and after graduating moved to NJ where she met my father and quickly converted him into an MV fan.

We stayed with my godparents in Oak Bluffs every summer.    Life on MV was so different from Newark, NJ where I spent the other part of my existence.   My mother and I would take the train from NY to Woods Hole in June,  my dad would arrive for the entire month of August and we’d all sadly leave the beginning of September.

My summers were filled with trips to the beach in Oak Bluffs… endless rides on the Flying Horses… ice cream at the Frosty Cottage on Circuit Ave… popcorn at Darling’s… fairs and parades… at least one trip to Gay Head (Aquinnah)… visiting relatives in Indian Hill… movies… setting pins at the bowling alley in Oak Bluffs… endless hours at the Oak Bluffs library… Bible school at the Tabernacle… Illumination Night… and one especially painful memory of my first and only dance lesson at the Tivoli ballroom where the Oak Bluffs police department now stands.

These are just a few snippets of memories and stories I’d like to share.  Hope whoever reads them finds them as enjoyable as I did experiencing them.’

MV Obsession isn’t strictly about the Vineyard anymore but like the header says it’s ‘almost all the time.’

Feel free to wander through the category links along the right side, visitors are always welcome

Happy 9th blogiversary MV Obsession🙂

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Remembering Sept 11th…

(Sunday is the 15th anniversary of Sep 11th)

Let us always remember …

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In Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey stands Empty Sky:New Jersey September 11th Memorial  This memorial is dedicated to New Jersey’s 749 innocent loved ones who lost their lives that day at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, PA.

From the Empty Sky website:  “Empty Sky” remembers those lost while simply and powerfully connecting New Jersey to Ground Zero. Twin walls transect a gently sloped mound anchored by a granite path that is directed toward Ground Zero. The length of each wall is exactly equal to one side of the former World Trade Center Towers as the height of the wall reflects proportion of the former buildings if they were lying on their side. . The seven hundred and forty nine (749) victims’ names from the State of New Jersey face one another on the interior elevations of the twin brushed stainless steel walls within easy reach. The walls channel visitors to the location in the Manhattan skyline where the former World Trade Center towers once stood.”

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(CLICK HERE to read about The Empty Sky Memorial)

At Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange, New Jersey is the ‘Remembrance and Rebirth’ memorial dedicated to all the victims of 9/11.

pizap-com14733567554801

In memory of the 343 New York City Firefighters who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty on September 11, 2001

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In memory of the 23 New York City Police Officers, 37 Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Officers and Emergency Medical Services Personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty on September 11, 2001.

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pizap-com14733573453121

Added this year, the Search and Rescue Dog Statue honoring the roughly 350 search and rescue dogs that worked tireless hours. CLICK HERE to read about it.

pizap-com14733518287651

 On this 15th anniversary of 9/11 let us continue to remember and never forget the events of that day.

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80 Years Ago…

80 years ago today on June 27, 1936 my parents Maude Louise Littlefield and Joseph Albert (Al) Freeman were married in Baltimore, MD.  They sort of eloped although apparently everyone knew.  Sadly there are no wedding pictures although in my minds eye I have created one.

These are my parents on their 25th anniversary in 1961 and their 30th in 1966

pizap.com14670548080201

And here, for your enjoyment (I hope) the story of my mother’s engagement ring.

This is the beach in Oak Bluffs, this is where we always went when I was growing up. I remember one time in particular when I was there with my parents when I was about three or four years old.

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After playing in the water with my dad and digging in the sand with my mom we started gathering up our blanket and things to leave. All of a sudden my mother gasped and yelled for my father… “my diamond ring is gone” she said in alarm. My dad immediately took charge of the situation by telling me NOT to move, just stay put.  I quickly rushed over to the people nearby and told them my mother had just lost her ring in the sand and my father was going to find it. So much for listening. They, along with other beach goers who had heard me, started to get up to help my father look for the ring. “No” he said.. “don’t walk on the sand, if the sand is disturbed any further the ring will sink lower, I think I might have only one chance to find it.” We all held our breaths as he surveyed the situation and then after what seemed like an eternity (especially to me who was staying still) he scooped up a handful of sand. Miraculously there, shining out from the sand was my mothers diamond engagement ring.

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I’m still amazed that he found it, how did he know where to look, how had my running through the sand not made it sink lower. I’m sure that ring was being watched over somehow.

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September 11th …

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The Essex County 9/11 Memorial at Eagle Rock Reservation

West Orange, New Jersey

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This memorial, over looking the New York skyline is dedicated to the victims of 9/11.

 


Chap-A-Versary …

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13 years ago today, Aug 25, 2001, Chappy came home to NJ to live with us.

It was a dark and stormy night… no wait, that’s another story.   It was actually a beautiful sunny, white puffy cloud, mild August day when Deb (his mom), and I traveled to Kittanning, PA to pick him up.   We had been there two weeks prior to look over the litter of new Boykin Spaniel puppies and to sort of reserve the one that would be coming home with us today.    We thought it went well, Deb chose the future Chappy and the breeder put a red mark inside his ear… he has since been referred to by us as… yes, red ear.

In the two week interim preparations were made for Chappy’s arrival… bedding, toys, food & water dishes, toys, crate, pillows, toys… you get the picture.

So off Deb and I went on Friday, Aug 24th to drive the 6 hours to Kittanning, spend the night and then pick red ear, oops, Chappy up in the morning.   Deb had spent the day at work  being anxious to get the day over with and get on the road.  Deb didn’t feel well that night, stress, the long drive, the anxiety of picking up Chappy, it all took a toll.   Soon morning rolled around and after a quick breakfast off to the breeder’s we headed.

The puppies were awake and adorable, they were playing and yipping and being all sorts of cute.

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Except one…. he was off to the side looking all unsure of everything… yes… it was indeed ‘red ear’…. oh dear.

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The breeder told Deb she was not under any obligation to take him as he wasn’t sure this puppy was adoptable at the time.    And that’s when I saw my daughter fall apart.    We thought we had it all worked out and would walk in, pick up the future Chappy and leave, well it wasn’t going to be that easy.

In the meantime other folks were coming in to pick out puppies and to be honest it was quite annoying that they would pick one up… look at it… say yes or no and be off.  How were they doing that… was there some kind of pup-telepathy that we didn’t have ?

As we stood there and mulled over the situation two of the puppies scampered over to us and pretty much wore themselves out vying to be Deb’s choice.

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I knew pretty much right off the bat which one I would choose and I really tried to hide my choice from Deb and let her make her own decision.   She says she could read on my face which one I liked best and I’m sure she could.   She was so distraught that at one point I blurted out that she could bring both of them home !!!

And so the competition continued… Mr Personality vs Mr Adorable.  Mr Personality was sleek and energetic and was quite lovable.  Mr Adorable was fuzzier faced and a little smooshed nosed and also energetic and lovable.

Which one did Deb choose, or rather who chose her.  Why it was Chappy of course, or formerly known as… Mr Adorable.  By the way, he was my choice from the very beginning… just saying.

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This is Chappy saying good-by to his parents Buddy & Tawny.  He looks a lot like his mom and has her sweet personality.

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With the traumatic morning behind us we headed on our 6 hour trip home.  Chappy slept in Deb’s lap for most of the ride only awakening when big scary trucks rumbled past or when we stopped for food or gas.

His first McDonald’s where he caused quite a commotion with his cuteness.

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At long last we were home.

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I love this picture…

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and this one 12 years later…

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Happy anniversary Chappy <3