Beloved Daddy

It is with great sadness that I announce that a great grandfather, father, brother, and son has passed away. Those who knew him or have read his posts know that very few have the ability to capture such vivid pictures and match those pictures with such deep and eloquent thought. For those that would like to pay their respects, the funeral arrangements have been included below. In the coming weeks and months we will try and continue to fill these spaces with the same thoughts and visions that its founder was known for. Thank You. Technorati Tags: James Peter Richardson,death,funeral,passing,bartlett

Prayers for James Peter Richardson, 59, of Bartlett will be held Friday 9:00a.m. at the Countryside Funeral Home 950 South Bartlett Rd. (at Stearns Rd.) Bartlett to St. Mary Catholic Church in Elgin. Mass 10:00a.m. Interment St. Michael. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Thursday 3:00 – 9:00p.m. James Is the beloved daddy of Erin (David) Figueiredo of Bartlett and Janet (Michael) Panek of Pewaukee, WI; Proud grandfather of Corinne, David James, Madison and Emma Figueiredo and Robert and Trinity Panek; Cherished son of Shirley Cozza and the late Eugene Richardson;stepson of the late Dominick Cozza; dear brother of 6 brothers and sisters and 4 step siblings. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation 1332 N. Halsted Ste 201 Chicago 60642 would be appreciated. (630) 289-7575 or countrysidefuneralhomes.com.

Sisters on the prowl

These two are great together, sharing ideas and thoughts, scheming to get things done or to find different things.  Not much has changed through the years as they still use the same approach.  At times they do not talk with each other and things get out of hand but even that is mostly caused by outsiders interfering in their little field of dreams.  This day was to go outside so the kids could release some of the energy.  It was a great plan. 

Grandchildren come alive

They grow up very fast you know.  Each passing day they become more and more independent as their social skills develop and they make new friends.  This grandchild makes friends very easily and enjoys talking and reaching out.  She gets that from her mother, as I am a fist pounder and leader of forceful ideas.  Not at all a bridge builder or social networker that gets along with everyone like these two are.  She will soon be nine and I cannot believe where the time has gone.   I have watched from when she was a baby with no voice or traits to this person who has ideas and thoughts that she is fully able to communicate.   She is clear about her beliefs but does listen to others and takes it all in.  She is getting a little more sensitive so I am surprised that I could get so close in as to get a shot like this.  She as developed a standard pose now that is very flattering and pleasing to look at but not at all like her personality.  This is who she is. 

Technorati Tags: Grandchildren,photography,photo,picture,girl,growing,smile,B&W

Time Passes Quickly

                                                                      

I guess you have to really love what it is you are doing to have happy faces like these.  Now these girl;s are fully grown and have children of there own and my youngest remind me of how awful it was to be with Yogi Bear and worse yet to have to get into the basket and pose for a picture they forgot about.  Now it is back to haunt them.   It was a good time and they enjoyed the camping I do remember they spent a lot of time in the video game room.  They were others their age their so they found friends.  Maybe with the economy the way it is camping will return and families will join together again. 

 

Snuggie is the way to go

It’s a simple thing but one I love.  I use it on those sweater type night to read or watch a movie.  My daughter bought it for me along with the book lite.  I thought it was a great idea from the moment I saw it on TV.  I just never got up to dial the number so I could order one.  Thank goodness for daughters.  Now I understand there are a cult of people who own them and they even do Pub Crawls.  (She had to tell me what that was) I do not think I will wear mine out though.  I like it at home although it does remind me of the Toga parties we used to have. As I read the things I see posted about it I can tell you either love it or you hate it.  There does not seem to be an in between.  As you can see mine is the blue one and fits quite nicely and it does give you mobility.  

I did read one blog that asks the Big Question…Who knew a blanket could be so funny.  That in itself was humorous.  Nice looking blog and a very funny video to watch.  I have heard the rant but it is worth listening to for fun. 

Technorati Tags: snuggie,toga,pub crawls,blanket,TV Specials,robe

Ice Cream in the Middle of Winter

We had just finished walking around on the completely frozen lake and decided to stop and have some Ice Cream.  You would think Hot chocolate, but no Ice cream.  No matter what the kids loved it and thee was plenty to go around.  At the table are four of my six grandkids.  Laughing, having fun and enjoying every minute of each others company.  I am sure they will remember the time.  The more crazy it is the better it is.  When I look back on my times I seem to remember the times that were different stand out in my mind.  I remember different people and how they are and what they said to each other.  I am sure these cousins will remember the times also.  Every place is an adventure and a great time.  Wherever we travel we turn it into something that will be remembered.  Well I guess you really can not turn it into something to be remembered, it just is.     

Technorati Tags: Photography,Lake,Wisconsin,Pewaukee,Grandkids,ice cream,cousins

Only 128 Days till Summer

Over the weekend I visited my daughter and in an effort to get rid of a little cabin fever we walked downtown to walk on the frozen lake and see cars driving around on the lake.  When we were done I noticed this sign and laughed as I took a picture as just a reminder.  Here is a link to the location of Seester’s

Technorati Tags: seesters mexican cantina,Summer,pictures,pewaukee

Everyone needs to get out and play

It was a Sunday.  I had other plans but this little guy wanted desperately to go with me so we went.  First to the park and then to see the mighty Fox River completely covered with snow and ice.  We looked a the dry docked boats as they lay in wait for the summer.  We actually reached up and touched one.  Then off to safety town where all of the houses are small and are in need of a winter inspection. It was unbelievable that there really was no way into one.  The windows were fake and we noticed right away that there were no doors.  What kind of houses were these.   It was sort of warm about 30 degrees.  Better than it had been in the last 30 days.  It was special being with my grandson as we played and walked around.  When we got to the car I had to turn up the heat so he could hold up his feet to get warm.  Finally we went to McDonalds, ate lunch (we both ordered the cheeseburger kids meal) and shared secrets about our lives.   

Technorati Tags: Snow,fox river,safety town,McDonalds,lunch,St Charles,play

Portrait of a Grandchild

This is one of the hard ones to catch.  If you ask she will pose for you with one of those cheese photos, but I think the best ones are the ones that takes patience and time and a quick camera.  I am lucky as I carry my camera wherever I go and they are all so used to it.  When I shoot for others, I take my time and let everyone see the cameras and as time goes by they forget they are there.  Although I do charge for my work I do not charge by the hour and if it takes ten minutes or 3 hours, I will get the shot I and the customer wants.  I like this photographers photos allot as they tend to be like my own .  Julie Marie Portraits I have never met her or spoken to her but I do like what I see and of course that is the true value of our work.  I will certainly keep an eye of what she publishes.

Technorati Tags: Portrait,grandchildren,picture,photo,photography,girl,hair,face

All on a Saturday Nite

They keep talking about global warming and it keeps getting colder and colder.  Just a shot from the back yard as i watched the snow get deeper and deeper.  Right now it seems like the never ending story with all of this snow and now it is so cold, you can not stay outside for more than a few moments if you are not layered and bundled so you can not move.  To tell the truth, I love the cold and it does not bother me one bit.  It stopped for a while. the last 30 years, but not it is back like when I was a child.  I really do not like driving in it but I do love a walk or so and the fresh air makes me so happy and feel so clean.  If i take a deep breath the crystals of freshness just grab a hold of me and I just want to do more.  I do have to watch though as the cold this bad can be dangerous.  Just glad I live in the Midwest ad not Fargo. 

It also gives me the chance to try out my Leica DLUX4.  What a great piece of equipment.   It is definitely not a Panasonic. 

 

 

Technorati Tags: snow storm,cold,photos,pictures,photography,leica,winter