Stephanie Verni's Blog, page 69

Five Inexpensive Ways to Make This Valentine’s Day Special

Egad! I’m really about to do this. (And did I really just used an expression that is as archaic as I feel lately?) The answer is, yes. I’m about to end my push to write mushy Valentine’s cards and create something truly magical this year and by wooing those you love in a different manner. (But if you do want to write a mushy Valentine to go along with an inexpensive night, that’s not a bad idea either. Click here for some suggestions). If you’re struggling for that perfect Valentine, rest assured. Your Valentine is really just hoping that the special day gets to be spent doing something together. That’s what makes the memory, not an expensive gift.

But if you’re sitting here at a dead stop and can’t even muster up the creativity to figure this Valentine thing out, there is plenty of magic you can do that costs very little. Here are Steph’s Scribe’s inexpensive suggestions that will make memories and not burn a hole in your pocket on February 14.

Bundle up and take an evening stroll in your local town or city. For example, we live right outside of Annapolis, Maryland, and there isn’t anything more romantic than walking the streets arm in arm as the city goes from dusk to dark and the lights illuminate the water. Grab a cup of hot chocolate, coffee, or tea and chocolate-covered biscotti and sit in the window of a coffee shop. Put away your cellular devices (or if possible, just leave them at home) and enjoy an old-fashioned, uninterrupted conversation with the person you love.

Take a walk…no matter the weather. Photo credit: hdwallpapers.com
Set up a carpet picnic. For those of us on the East Coast who have just endured a tremendous amount of snow and are expected to see temperatures below 10 degrees this weekend, a little carpet picnic can be lots of fun. Spread out your favorite blanket and prepare a little basket full of goodies, from petite sandwiches to fruits, cheeses, and nuts, along with a decadent (but inexpensive) brownie mix, can set the mood for a sweet time together.

Beautiful carpet picnic from in.lifestlye.yahoo.com
Dig out some old CDs or records and reminisce as you merge music with a new trend: coloring for adults. Take advantage of this hot trend and pour a glass of wine and color as you relax with the sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, or John Coltrane playing in the background. When you’re done coloring your masterpiece, date your artwork and put it in your scrapbook as a Valentine memory.

Adult coloring books are very popular right now…make it a cozy and relaxing night for two.
Host a small gathering of friends and ask each friend to bring one dish for a potluck Valentine celebrate. Leave the video games behind and play a board game, Pictionary, or Charades. My friends and I have been playing a game of Charades that is so fun, it became a standard we played at all of our gatherings. This particular brand of Charades has left us with memories which we recall fondly. To have your group play, give each player three slips of paper. Have each player write the name of three famous people on each–people the group would all know from history or from today. Split into two teams [we like to play boys vs. girls]. Get a timer and set it for 60 seconds. Place all names in a hat or basket. You will play three rounds alternating turns; as each 60-seconds runs out, keep track of how many names that team got right and score the points. The first round is Charades with speech: you can talk and act things out to get your team to guess your person. When you have gone through all the names on the paper as each team has taken turns, that ends that round. Put the names back in the basket and mix them up. Using those same names, you are ready for round two. For the second round, no talking is allowed, and players must take turns acting out the clues of who the person is. When all the names have been acted out and there are none left, you are ready for the final round. Place all the papers back in the basket and shuffle. The third round is a bit more challenging. Players must get their team to guess the name on the paper by only saying one word to describe that person. Players are not allowed to act anything out, but only to say one word. The group at the end of round three with the most points wins. Trust me when I tell you this game is a ton of fun, costs nothing, and is only as good as the names of people you write on the piece of paper. If you have less people, I suggest putting five names on five slips of paper to make it more challenging. We have a ton of fun with it.
Who can forget this great scene from “When Harry Met Sally” and Baby Fish Mouth during Pictionary?

 
Make it black and white. This one’s easy. Order up an old black and white romantic comedy (or check it out of your local library) and curl up with a bowl of popcorn and a warm blanket. Sit back and enjoy the film. Some of the old black and white films are still classics today, and it’s a chance to walk down Memory Lane–or to see what Memory Lane must have been like–during your parents, grandparents, or for some of you, even your great-grandparents time.
Casablanca…such a classic romance.

If you never got the chance to see The Artist, it’s wonderful. Shot in black and white like an old-time movie with no talking (until the end), the film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. From 2011.

Whatever you choose to do, it’s all about that old saying: it’s not what you do, but rather with whom you do it.

Wishing you all a love-filled Valentine’s Day, from us to you.

Filed under: On Life Tagged: adult coloring books, carpet picnic, Charades, Featured, ideas for Valentine's Day, inexpensive Valentine's Day, love, memories, movies, old records, potluck dinner, Valentine's Day, walk in the city

Some Highlights & Appreciation

This past week began with a bang as viewers were treated to another outstanding episode of Downton Abbey. With Robert’s bloody collapse at the dinner table, we were left wondering if all will be okay in the great house in England. If you are like my family and me and are becoming sadder and sadder with each passing episode because there are only a few episodes left of this A+ show, you can become even more filled with grief because when it is over, you will no longer be able to read the wonderfully entertaining recaps written by Joe Heim at The Washington Post. Each Monday, my father, mother, and I wait patiently to hear Mr. Heim’s snarky, intelligent, insightful, and crafty review of the episode that aired the night before. Trust me when I tell you that if you are a Downton Abbey fan, you will read these recaps and laugh out loud, smile, nod, and know that Mr. Heim is a fan, despite his ability to poke fun at the show or use his own self-deprecating sense of humor to make us chuckle.

Speaking before our guests at the book launch for “Event Planning: Communicating Theory and Practice.” Stevenson University, Rockland. Wednesday, February 3, 2016. From left: Dr. Leeanne Bell McManus, Stephanie Verni (yours truly), Chip Rouse, co-authors.

On Wednesday night—amid some very serious February fog—lots of supporters came to Stevenson University to support the publication of our textbook, Event Planning: Communicating Theory and Practice. Chip Rouse, Leeanne Bell McManus, and I hosted a celebration of the launch of the book we co-authored which was published on January 3. Students of our Event Planning course, members of 47 House, our communication club on campus, friends, family, and colleagues came out to hear us give an overview of the book. President of Stevenson University, Dr. Kevin J. Manning, offered the welcome address, and Dr. Heather Harris, Professor of Business Communication, introduced us. There was coffee and delicious cake with our book cover on the icing, and our contributors who wrote case studies were in the audience and received a thank you gift bag. The textbook was a result of two years of work, and we all were so pleased to receive so much love and support from those who were there. It was one of those nights I won’t ever forget.

Some of our amazing alums and students who attend the book launch.

I just want to take a moment to thank my immediate family for their constant support of my projects—whether I am getting an MFA to help my academic career, writing fiction, or co-authoring a non-fiction textbook, they are right there beside me offering words of encouragement and doing what they can to be flexible with our busy schedules. Matthew, Ellie, and Anthony—I love you all to the moon and back. I look forward to a little down-time this year and to doing a little travel with you.

So thrilled to be connected to over 7,000 amazing people who write, publish, are entrepreneurs, business leaders, inspirational speakers, and so many more. Having more fun on Twitter these days…join the fun!

To my wonderful social media followers—thanks for hanging in there with me, and thanks to all new followers on Twitter, Instagram, and to the blog. I look forward to spending more time connecting with you and getting to know you via these platforms.

I’ll be getting to work now on proofing my collection of short stories and poetry that will be available soon in paperback and for the e-reader. I put this off while I was completing other projects, but I’m ready to begin the process of editing and publishing.

I hope you all have a great week, and I’ll be back next week with some new posts.

Until then—

 

 

Baseball Girl, my second novel. Somehow, book promotion never ends! If you haven’t read my latest novel, pick up a copy! It’s still $2.99 for the e-readers on Amazon and Barnes and Noble…With baseball season around the corner, it’s an inside glimpse into the workings of professional baseball, with a nod to love, wonderful fathers, and a love triangle. Let me know what you think. xx

 

Filed under: On Life Tagged: Baseball Girl, book launch, Chip Rouse, Downton Abbey, Dr. Heather Harris, Dr. Kevin J. Manning, Dr. Leeanne Bell McManus, event planning, Event Planning: Communicating Theory and Practice, Featured, followers, Instagram, Joe Heim, Kendall Hunt Publishing, short stories, Stevenson University, textbook, The Washington Post, Twitter, writing

Tears from the Heart

This past Friday night, I took my daughter to see Broadway Across America’s Phantom of the Opera in Baltimore at the Hippodrome. We were both excited for the show—she even more so than I because it was her first time seeing it. Truthfully, I’ve lost count as to how many times I’ve seen it. My daughter may not be thrilled that I’m going to divulge this type of information here on the blog, but I think it’s important to share it, especially when it’s all quite natural. And, furthermore, because she and I are so very similar.

At the very end of the Phantom, something very meaningful and somewhat tragic happens. I won’t give anything away in case, perhaps, you have not seen it. But it is incredibly moving and sad and melancholy. The music by Andrew Lloyd Webber is hypnotizing and haunting, and the whole mood of the play as it winds down is quite somber. At the end of the show, my daughter began to cry. Fifteen minutes later when we were in the car and exiting the parking garage, she was still crying.

The show had moved her to tears.

While I felt badly that she was crying, I could totally relate; it was touching to see her affected by it so much. There are times when theatre performances or movies or books or art of any sort can do this to us. It’s quite powerful when it happens, and it means you feel something. You feel what is called empathy for the characters, and you can fully imagine what it must be like to be that character or to feel the way the character feels.

I, too, have cried at Phantom. I’ve cried over a lot of movies, but none so much as the two I am about to mention, and my own mother can attest to it. My mom and I went to see Out of Africa when I was a teenager, a stunning film starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep. We had to drive nearly 30 minutes to see it in a movie theatre. I remember leaving the theatre and crying the whole way home.

Another film that had me weeping like a baby when I was a teenager was The Thorn Birds starring Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward. Again, my mother and I hunkered down to watch the mini-series. I think I hyperventilated when that was over. The sadness of that story lingers–and like Phantom–is haunting. Thankfully, that meltdown occurred in the privacy of my own home in my own bedroom.

I know my daughter and I are not alone in these emotional breakdowns and connections to characters and plot and story. We’ve all felt something powerful at some point, and sometimes we just can’t turn the waterworks off.

And sometimes, it’s not just tears that emerge. It could be that we feel happy, elated, thrilled, frightened, angered, or some other emotion from a film or book. In fact, on Saturday afternoon I felt something genuinely wonderful as I sat and watched Star Wars: The Force Awakens in the theatre for the first time. It was as if someone had flipped a switch and I was my younger self, thirteen and standing in line for the fifth time to see the original Star Wars with my red t-shirt and a big crush on Luke Skywalker.

In those 2 hours and 16 minutes, I was a kid again. And yes, even then a tear I did shed.

 

Filed under: On Life Tagged: books, crying, Featured, films, love, Luke Skywalker, moved to tears, movies, Out of Africa, Phantom of the Opera, sadness, Star Wars, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, tears, The Thorn Birds, theatre

After I Was Dead — Friday Fiction

I’m taking another crack at Friday Fiction with a ghost story. I decided to push myself and try something entirely new. Writing ghost fiction…that sounds fun. I’ve never written a ghost story before, but I do enjoy reading them. The prompt from Brian Kiteley asks us to do the following: Write a story about a ghost who is bored by the immensities of time and timelessness. Make us sympathetic toward the ghost in a straightforward piece of narration…

Here we go…

Boo…

Photo credit: Daily Mail

A F T E R   I   W A S   D E A D

The enduring span of lifelessness is enough to drive me mad, as if I wasn’t driven half as mad when I lived in this ramshackle of a cottage. The cobwebs in the corners seem to have lingered for years, and yet, I haven’t been gone that long. The chandelier is full of heavy dust, the curtains look as if they may disintegrate into nothing, and the rug is almost unrecognizable, as it is covered in soot and dust and grime. It angers me that no one has cared properly for this place—this place I tended to daily. I’ve become bored with waiting, and so I decide to visit the larger home on which the cottage is set—the Hamlin Mansion.

After I was dead, I set out to let people know the truth about what happened that wintry Friday evening when the wind whipped and the trees were bent with snow. No one ever suspected that someone could have murdered me on the grounds of Hamlin Mansion, just five steps from the front door of the cottage. Why would someone want the governess dead? I could hear the roars from the folks in the town…she must have fallen and hit her head…the winds must have caught up with her and she did not see the tree limb…it was an accident of happenstance. I grew weary of hearing the townspeople make excuses for my death. It was covered up so well, I have to give him credit. There was little to no bloodshed, you see, so he was lucky in that regard. He struck me in just the right place, and where he became luckier still was that the snow piled so high that Mother Nature neatly disguised his tracks. All for the better for him, you see.

Light as feather, I can walk through walls now, something I only dreamed of doing when I was alive. I find my way to his room in the mansion, to the seemingly unlikely murderer, a boy of just sixteen, with demon eyes and glossy, albino hair. He is still unlike any other person I have—had—ever met in my lifetime. There was always something ruthless and unsettling about his looks as well as his manners. In this he is frighteningly unique. I dare say, he has no remorse about anything he does or says. He is an unlikely offspring to the lovely husband and wife who own Hamlin Mansion, Greta and Theodore Hamlin. This child of theirs is a sad outcome of what should have been proper breeding.

He sits in the corner of the room reading by lamplight, though the room is dingy and unkempt. He is permitted to treat his belongings and his part of the home with a complete disregard, and that is perhaps one of the final straws where I was concerned. As his governess, I did not accept his lazy ways, his cruel retributions, his off-putting mannerisms. It was my mistake that I stood up to him…questioned him…demanded that his studies be turned into me before the snowstorm hit…and reported his questionable behavior several times prior to my demise to the Mistress of the house.

I glide toward him. His water glass is next to the lamp on the table, and I focus with all of my might and lift it, then tilt it ever so gently, so that the full glass fills his lap with water. He screams. He stands up and begins to frantically wipe the water off of himself. He stares at the empty glass on the floor. I’m going to have fun with him, I think. Again, I concentrate and will the glass to float in the air and place it firmly in its place back on the table.

His face goes whiter than it ever has been, and his hair stands on end. He is a most unattractive creature.

“Who are you?” he shouts into the air, a frightful, frantic question piercing the silence.

I try to yell, but realize I make no sound.

But there is a quill pen on the table, and his book remains there as well.

I use all the power I have inside of me to open the book, grab the quill, and start to write. Much to my pleasant surprise, the ink is showing up on the page.

“You killed me,” I wrote.

He begins to hyperventilate, and I stand by and watch. The little brat. The little brat who got away with murder.

This could entertain me for days upon end, I think.

Filed under: On Life Tagged: am writing, Brian Kiteley, Featured, Flash Fiction, Friday Fiction, ghost fiction, ghost story, scary stories, short fiction, writing, writing prompt

Pretty Things, Poetry, and Handmade Valentines

Photo credit: Stephanie Verni

P R E T T Y   T H I N G S

Yesterday, after having been stuck in our home for several days due to the enormous dumping of snow we received over the weekend, the kids and I got out of the house. We ended up running a couple of errands, then stopped at Target. In their “discount” area when you first walk in, they had some pretty things in shades of turquoise, pinks, reds, golds, and it got me in the spirit for Valentine’s Day, which is coming up soon. I also bought some feminine office supplies, because typically office supplies aren’t really that attractive, but these were super cute. The folders came in packs of three and were $1 each; the two porcelain travel mugs were $3 each; and the binder clips were $1 each. The cards, pictured above, were also $1, and I purchased a collection of birthday cards to have on hand as well. So, without spending a lot and breaking the bank, I came away with some adorable accessories to start the semester.

P O E T R Y

I found this poem among my collection of poetry and writings. I’ve never posted it before and don’t even know when I wrote it. It’s a mystery, and perhaps, shall remain that way.

WHEN I LOVED YOU

When I loved you

The world kept turning—turning

Birds would sing and dance and play,

Chirping songs.

How happiness did move along.

When I loved you

Singer’s tunes would make me swoon

The skies above were crystal blue,

Rivers flowed.

But that was oh so long ago.

Photo credit: littleinspiration.com

H O M E M A D E   V A L E N T I N E S

I’ve always been a big fan of the homemade card, poem, or written letter. If you’ve been with me for a while, you know how much I love words from the heart. This little card is perfection, and comes from littleinspiration.com. I found it on Pinterest, and it just makes you want to put something meaningful together for someone you love. There’s nothing like homemade ingenuity and little homegrown stuff from the heart.

 

 

 

Filed under: On Life Tagged: Featured, hearts, homemade cards, love, office supplies, Poetry, pretty folders, pretty office supplies, pretty things, Target, travel mugs, Valentine's Day Cards, Valentines

Snow-Inspired Whites For Comfort and Style

Scenes from the weekend.

After being surrounded by a blanket of approximately 30 inches of snow, the beauty of it truly is stunning. The blast of snow inspired me to create a post celebrating the color white. White is clean and fresh, even in the dead of winter. So even if you don’t want to play in it, you certainly can wear it.

Stay warm and cozy, my friends. We’ll get dug out at some point. :-)

white winter hat
white snowflake nails
white jewels
white fur gloves
white jeans | white sweater
white coat
white pajamas
white sweater

 

 

 

 

Filed under: On Life Tagged: Featured, inspiration, snow, the color white, white fashion, white inspiration, white snow, winter storm 2016, winter whites

Writing Can’t Be ‘Thin Love’

Love is or it ain’t. Thin love ain’t love at all. ~ Toni Morrison

I admire writer Toni Morrison. She is smart, insightful, and willing to write for herself. Her books are powerful and influential…and from the heart. After sitting here reading many of her quotes, I keep coming back to the one above along with this one:

If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it. ~ Toni Morrison

You have to love to write in order to take an idea and watch it come to fruition. Anyone who has the fortitude to do it and publish it deserves at least a little pat on the back, don’t you think? In a couple of pieces I’ve previously published on the blog entitled “Why I Write Part I,” “Why I Write Part II,” and “Why I Write Part III,” I did my best to articulate my passion for it. As Ms. Morrison says, it ain’t thin love. Writing has got to be part of who you are and what you want to do.

I’ve taken a little time away from writing this holiday season, but I’m ready to get back to it. I’ve got a collection of short stories that I’d like to publish soon, and I’ve been working on another novel as well. With a full-time job and a busy family, it’s challenging to find the time to sit and tell a story.

But I know one is brewing, and soon, I’ll be ready to fully engage.

Those of you who are writers on the side like me, how do you balance writing, blogging, work, and your social life? I’d love to hear how you do it. That’s what a writing community is for–to share ideas.

In the meantime, I haven’t plugged my work in a while, so below are my latest books.

I’ll see you on the flip side…and let me in on your secrets.

HOT OFF THE PRESS…

E V E N T   P L A N N I N G:  C O M M U N I C A T I N G   T H E O R Y   A N D   P R A C T I C E 

by Leanne Bell McManus, Chip Rouse, and Stephanie Verni

In this textbook, readers will learn the “why” behind the practice of event planning. Chapters include topics such as interpersonal relationships, nonverbal communication, conflict and negotiation, integrated marketing communication, and entrepreneurship. Special thanks to all our wonderful contributors who wrote case studies for each chapter. Published by Kendall Hunt Publishing, January 2016.

To learn more about the book, visit Kendal Hunt Publishing by clicking here.

BRONZE MEDAL WINNER, READERS’ FAVORITE CONTEST, CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE, 2012

FINALIST, NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS, ROMANCE, 2013

B E N E A T H   T H E   M I M O S A   T R E E  by Stephanie Verni

Annabelle Marco and Michael Contelli are both only children of Italian-Americans. Next door neighbors since they were both five years old, they both receive their parents’ constant attention and are regularly subjected to their meddlesome behavior. In high school and then in college, as their relationship moves from friendship to love, Annabelle finds herself battling her parents, his parents, and even Michael. She feels smothered by them all and seeks independence through an unplanned and unexpected decision that she comes to regret and that ultimately alters the course of her life, Michael’s life, and the lives of both of their parents.

Set in Annapolis, Maryland, New York City, and London, England, in the 1980s and 1990s, Beneath the Mimosa Tree examines both Annabelle’s and Michael’s journeys over the span of ten years as we hear their alternating voices tell the story of self-discoveries, the nature of well-meaning families, and the sense of renewal that can take place when forgiveness is permitted.

To order your copy of Beneath the Mimosa Tree, click here for Amazon  or here for Barnes & Noble.

HONORABLE MENTION WINNER, READERS’ FAVORITE CONTEST, SPORTS FICTION, 2015

B A S E B A L L    G I R L  by Stephanie Verni

Francesca Milli’s father passes away when she’s a freshman in college and nineteen years old; she is devastated and copes with his death by securing a job working for the Bay City Blackbirds, a big-league team, as she attempts to carry on their traditions and mutual love for the game of baseball. The residual effect of loving and losing her dad has made her cautious, until two men enter her life: a ballplayer and a sports writer. With the encouragement of her mother and two friends, she begins to work through her grief. A dedicated employee, she successfully navigates her career, and becomes a director in the front office. However, Francesca realizes that she can’t partition herself off from the world, and in time, understands that sometimes loving someone does involve taking a risk.

To order your copy of Baseball Girl, click here for Amazon, or here for Barnes & Noble.

Filed under: On Life Tagged: Baseball Girl, Beneath the Mimosa Tree, event planning, Featured, fiction, Kendall Hunt Publishing, novels, publishing, Toni Morrison, Toni Morrison on writing, Toni Morrison quotes, Why I Write, writing

Fifty Shades of…Shades

A few different pairs, but all big enough to protect the full eye.

Fifty Shades of Shades

No. I don’t own fifty pairs of shades, nor have I read Fifty Shades of Grey, but I do own about six pairs of sunglasses. I just wanted to entice you with that title to get your attention and share some information on why you should protect your eyes from the sun.

♥

As I’ve aged, I’ve become a little self-conscious about my eyes. My friends may tell you I’m a little obsessed with it (and they are probably right). Keeping your eyes looking as youthful as possible is important to feeling good about yourself, however, I am firmly grounded. I know I can’t beat Mother Nature, but I am sure willing to try (and I don’t believe in Botox or surgery…at least not yet).

Protecting your eyes from the damages of the sun is key to good eye health and pretty skin. Many people think wearing sunglasses is just something to do during the summer months. In fact, we should always be protecting our eyes from the sun, no matter the season. According to an article written by Katharine Lee in Everyday Health, “UV rays can raise your risk of developing eye diseases such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and even cancer of the eye and eyelids, says Richard Shugarman, MD, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and an ophthalmologist in West Palm Beach, Florida.” Furthermore, the article reports that ultraviolet light is a form of radiation and has the potential to alter cells. This process can begin early in life, even though we may not see the damage until much later. Wearing sunglasses in the winter months can help protect your eyes from the rays. Hence, from the images you see of me wearing my various shades, the bigger the sunglasses, the better.

My favorite pair…from Ann Taylor Loft…and not expensive.
Winter shades…parka hat and scarf. I hate being cold!

Another tip in the winter months is to use a bit of Vaseline under your eyes. The petroleum jelly locks in moisture, and creates a protective barrier around your eyes. Because the skin underneath the eye is very thin, it can become flaky, and dryness can be irritating. I’ve just recently learned this tip about Vaseline, and if you’d like to read more, visit their website by clicking here.

Iconic Jackie-O

Jackie-O and Audrey Hepburn loved to wear big sunglasses–this accessory added a certain mystique to their personas, not to mention, helped create iconic figures. Both ladies aged beautifully.

Beautiful Audrey.

So, do yourself a favor and invest in a couple of pairs of good shades that feature UV protection. Wear them when you’re in the car (or leave a pair there for safekeeping in case you forget your favorite), pack a pair in your purse, or keep one in your briefcase. To the younger folks in particular, don’t plaster baby oil or a low-numbered sunscreen all over your body just to be tan. Wear a high number sunscreen, hats, or stay out of the sun altogether. Often when I go to the pool or the beach these days, you’ll find me wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, and most likely sitting under an umbrella. Unfortunately, the effects of what my friends and I did during our teens and twenties is still unfolding.

Trying to keep the eyes from looking tired.

Sunglasses are a fashion statement, so find the ones that suit you. Remember, you can look hip, cool, and iconic in your own way. Let them be an extension of your personality. And most importantly, let them protect one of your most valuable assets–your beautiful eyes.

 

 

Filed under: On Life Tagged: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Audrey Hepburn, Dr. Richard Shugarman, Everyday Health, eye health, eyes, Featured, Fifty Shades of Grey, Jackie O, Katharine Lee, large shades, sunglasses, Vaseline, winter sunglasses

Playing with Photography and Memories

Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever…it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything. ~ Aaron Siskind

While we all may not be writers, we all have phone cameras—if not more elaborate cameras—and taking interesting photographs has become more important these days simply because of social media. Getting that perfect shot, the one that tells the story of that moment in time, may take several clicks before we decide to post it. The lighting, angel of the camera or subjects, and the feeling of the photographer at the time he or she clicks the button all play a part in the outcome of the photograph.
♥

There’s a photograph in my parents’ photo album of me as a little girl on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, where we would vacation in those early years. I had a doll—she had long brown hair, and she wasn’t too big. I brought her everywhere. I don’t remember what I named her, but I do remember how she smelled—like plastic—and whenever I see that photograph, I am instantly brought back to that moment in time, that doll, that smell, the boardwalk, the ocean, my parents. Or, in this picture on the left, my brother and I are playing with our grandfather as he plays his accordion. I remember that time well, and we would attempt to strap on that accordion and play it (not like Poppy could). But these pictures allow us to remember: it’s all there within the confines of the picture. As for the interesting hat I’m wearing, I’m going to assume it was part of the show and not a fashion statement.
 ♥
That’s why we spend so much time on photography—so that memories can abound even after we’ve forgotten. From our children’s school photos to wedding photos to vacation photos to everything in between, these photographs record what we do not write down to remember. As you may be a steady reader of my blog, you will remember just how much stock I put into recording the written stories of your life just as much as what you photograph. It is important to record family stories that you want to live on. But in reality, taking photos is the easier route. You can snap a picture in seconds; to write that scene takes more time.
 ♥
Nonetheless, photographs are our records. Taking the the time to snap them makes the memories. Below are some of my recent favorites I’ve posted on Instagram. If you’re on Instagram, let’s connect so we can share our favorite photos. I’m on Instagram at stephverni — hope to see you there!


The view from Carroll’s Creek Cafe in Annapolis.
Skating at City Hall in Philadelphia.
Christmas in Philly.
A bonding moment for my kids in Philly.
Dinner on the porch.
Pink roses.
Winter sun over the Severn River.

Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art. ~ Ansel Adams

Filed under: On Life Tagged: Featured, Instagram, memories, photography, playing with photography, showcasing photos, snapshots

In Snape and Col. Brandon There Was Committed Love

Learning the news of Alan Rickman’s passing today made me stop and pause. Rickman, 69, star of stage and screen, who is probably best known for his role as Snape in the “Harry Potter” films, lost his life to that dreaded demon, cancer. Rickman’s ability to play a variety of roles left us eager to see who he would play next. From his brilliant portrayal of Snape in the “Harry Potter” series of films to the hurtful, unfaithful husband in “Love Actually,” Rickman consistently brought tenderness, realism, and the right balance of wickedness to the parts he played.

Rickman’s voice and delivery made him instantly recognizable. There was a resonating sensitivity he brought to his acting, which is why he was the perfect Colonel Brandon in “Sense and Sensibility,” a role he played opposite Kate Winslet. Brandon’s undying affection and love for Marianne Dashwood made us as viewers fall in love with him and desperately want her to gently fall for him instead of the dashing Mr. Willoughby. We are frustrated and want to shake Marianne and say, “But this man loves you!” and yet Brandon patiently waits for her to care for him on her own terms. His committed love for her—and Rickman’s portrayal of that love—made me an instant fan. Jane Austen herself would have been proud to watch Rickman, Winslet, and Emma Thompson bring her timeless and classic story to life on the screen.

As for Rickman’s portrayal of Snape, it is perfection. Snape’s love for Lily Potter remained unchanged for the duration of his life, even though she married James, Harry’s father. From the time they were small children, Snape was enamored with and loved Lily; unfortunately, though she cared for him, she did not love him as she did James. But Snape’s compassionate and heroic undying affection for Lily demonstrates a commitment to love that is extraordinary, and convinces us that sometimes you can love someone with all your heart even if you cannot be together. There is no one else who could have played Snape with the conviction of Rickman.

And so it is with a heavy heart that we must realize we will no longer see Rickman act out any more characters. I am grateful for the ones he will leave us with, but today Heaven gained a star and we lost one.

Filed under: On Life Tagged: acting, actors, Alan Rickman, Alan Rickman death, Cancer, Emma Thompson, Featured, Harry Potter, Jane Austen, Kate Winslet, Love Actually, Sense and Sensibility, Snape