New Home Owner's Tip #27:

There's a reason there are two different detergents for the dishwasher and for washing dishes in the sink. :)

Joey

Meet Joey.

His parents are dear friends of mine (whom you have already met here) and when they found out soon after their wedding that Karen was pregnant, I was all over it. For her entire pregnancy, she put up with my excessive daily, and sometimes hourly, "how do we feel now?" with a smile and an honest answer. Then, two days after Joey was born, I visited them in the hospital and held this little tiny person in my arms.

And he didn't even cry.

Now, at the ripe old age of 14 months, it appears he doesn't remember those moments with the same fondness I do. :)

Or maybe there are just more interesting things to look at than that chick with the camera. Shoes, for example.

Or that thing over there!

Dandelions (which he promptly ate afterward) are worth smiling for.

And, of course, DADDY!

Needless to say, once the camera was away, little Joe was all smiles. I have assured him that I accept the challenge, that he and my camera will meet again someday, and that next time, I'll have some sort of baby bribery in hand.

I think that might have been his plan all along.

Ahhhhh.... summer....

This is what it's all about.

Silhouette

Wentworth Park in the evening.
Because who doesn't love a good silhouette.

There's No Place Like It

I was born in a tiny little suburb of a tiny little city in Cape Breton. South Bar was my home until I was nine years old. I loved it there... I still do. And on occasion, I take my camera for a stroll down memory lane.

This was my house. My uncle lives there now, and the garage is new, but it's still got the best backyard for playing baseball, the awesome fish house for cooking lobster, and the best view of the Newfoundland ferries as they head out into the Atlantic.

My best friend Tracy lived across the street.

My parents were married in the church. I was baptized there, and had my first communion there. My grandparents and uncle are buried in its cemeteries. It's falling apart these days, and you can't go in anymore, which kind of makes it all that much more iconic to me.

One of the mainstays of the community is the wharf. It's where we used to watch the older boys swim, it's where many of the people make their living, and it's absolutely picturesque...

...and so very peaceful.

If I know nothing else, I know this little tiny place will always be a great big piece of me.