Sun by the Sea Blog

I ran into Tony & Laura from the infamous SAM’S PIZZA last night and we talked alot about the Boardwalk and about all things WILDWOOD and the good things that are happening up on that boardwalk… like SAM’S PIZZA re-opening for the 2009 season on Friday, the 13th. .. 6 more days!

we also discussed Ralph Grassi’s amazing website http://www.funchase.com

and Why Easter Sunday is different every year. Here is the explaination: March 20th is the first Day of Spring which is the Vernal Equinox, The Sun will cross directly over the Earth’s equator. Day & Night are in almost perfect balance. The date is significant in Christianity because Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. THE FULL Pink MOON is Holy Thursday, April 9th, thus making Easter April 12th this year. Last year it was March 23rd. the earliest Easter Sunday since 1913!

Quote of the Day:

Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
~Thomas Blackburn, “An Easter Hymn”

after a couple of spring like days, here’s winter again.

“When February Sun shines cold,

There comes a day when in the air

The wings of Winter

Slow unfold,

And show the golden summer there.”

~Philip Savage, American Poet (1868-99)

Such a beautiful Sabbath day morning.

I had to get to the beach! After weeks of sub freezing temperatures, 40° feels balmy!

Arthur & Lettie thought so too! They were suffering from a bad case of cabin fever!

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

~Psalm 19:1

I just returned from a visit to a special kindergarden class here on the island.

The method of christian classical education is used here. I am going to get to work on a story for my next issue so you can read more about it in depth then.

By the way… do you know that some of our founding fathers were educated by this means? George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and other great thinkers such as Shakespeare and Leonardo da Vinci!

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. ~Proverbs 22:6

I love winter snow. I am at my desk looking out at a light and peaceful snowfall here in Wildwood.

Working on the March-April edition is warming me up!

Robert did an amazing job at our photo cover shoot. . . Here is a preview!

Everyone is asking when it is coming out… March 5th!

Quote of the Day: “Experience has taught me this, that we undo ourselves by impatience.”~Michel de Montaigne

I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape – the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show. ~Andrew Wyeth

(Chadd’s Ford, PA artist, July, 1917- January 16, 2009)

The way this trip came about to begin with was when Rob’s trip to Italy last spring got all messed up, not once but twice. He received two free tickets anywhere that US Airways flies. In September I asked him where he wanted to go and he said ‘I want to take you to Paris mom, so that your life long dream of going to the Louvre and seeing Monets can come true.” “And we can see Sophie again too!” The idea sounded great so I booked it! and it came and went so quickly as time seems to do! Well, after studying fine art for most of my life and then seeing these paintings face to face, all I could do was cry and thank God. In the one museum, Marmottan, which is known as Paris’ Best Kept Secret, Rob & I were the only two people standing in a room full of Monets. The only way I can describe it is that it was like a spiritual experience. I was so disappointed when I booked the trip at the fact that Monet’s Giverny closes in January. Finding this museum made up for it over and above.

The trip was so wonderful and inspiring. Thanks Rob!!

we still will have to go back in the spring to visit Giverny!

“What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.”

I LOVED the little rues with their brightly colored storefronts! Everything seemed to have an artists’ touch! oui! oui!

I would be remiss if I didn’t post a picture of Sophie & Rob from way back when… sorry Soph! Consider it was just baby fat! You were adorable! and we love knowing you and can’t wait til we can meet again!! Thanks for making our stay in Paris the wonderful trip that it was! until we meet again. . .Au revoir!

scroll through more photos of France as seen from the eye of an amazing photographer at www.robkulisek.com and click on recent.

“Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.” ~Richard Bach

Rob & I just returned from a wonderful winter getaway in Paris. We spent a week walking the tiny cobblestone streets, experiencing the finest art in the world at the Louvre, the D’Orsay, the Monmarttan Monet Museum, and eating at some quaint cafes. We saw much antiquity… buildings that are 1,000 years old like the Notre Dame and the sculpture of Venus de Milo. One of the highlights of the trip was Sophie! She lived with us in the summer of 96 here in Wildwood. We met her beautiful family ~Fred, her hubby, and her 3 children. Here are a few photos… be on the lookout for the whole story… coming soon!!!! March 5th!

“Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.” ~Victor Hugo

Thank you Lord for giving us the desires of our heart and allowing us to stand in front of such inspiring beauty!