Last night’s state championship meet for my high school senior was probably our last swim meet ever. No more poolside high humidity and breathing in chlorine. Over the last 14 years, swim lessons, and then meets and practices (for 2 kids) had become a big part of our lives. I think it was an excellent experience for the kids overall - great physical activity and learning to be a team player. It is hard to believe that it is over.
Son passed his driving test today. People in Southeastern CT, watch out!
Now, we have one more official, licensed driver in the household to go and fetch last-minute needs from the grocery store but, that also means a hefty increase in the auto insurance cost.
Absolutely the worst decision (and the biggest regret) of my digital life –> shut down my blog and started using Facebook in its place, around 2011-2012.
Takes a bit of patience to make a long exposure image showing the Earth’s rotation by combining hundreds of photos together.
#mbmar

Daughter applied for a fellowship at her college to do Summer research at a land conservation trust here in CT. She got in touch with the environmental director at the trust and wrote a research proposal to investigate invasive species. She just heard that her proposal was one of the few that were selected from all the applications and will be funded by the college. I was so pleased to see her take this on and see it through all by herself. I am so proud of her! Also, she will stay at home over Summer while doing this instead of a stay-away internship. That is a plus.
What is this? Writing research proposal; applying for funding?!?! Is this a first step towards a career in academia?
So many horizon shots to choose from. Here are a couple of photos from my most favorite place - Acadia National Park.
#mbmar
Made last-minute vacation plans. This must be the first time for us to book a vacation within 10 days of actual travel. Our first Spring break since 2019. Looking forward to lots of fun.
Still can’t believe we made these plans so quickly and so late.
While setting up equipment for astrophotography, it is a ritual for me to check focus using a Bathinov mask. It makes this spiky pattern that can be used to get sharp focus.
#mbmar

So many things happening in the next couple of weeks for my son.
- State swim championships (2 days);
- Decisions about most of his college applications;
- New England music festival (3 days);
- Connecticut all state music festival (3 days);
- Audition for a music scholarship;
- Driving license test;
With all this, we are trying to squeeze in a short vacation. Can’t imagine how stressed he must be thinking about all these activities on top of the usual school work and music rehearsals; it is making my head spin.
We traveled from different continents and got together when we turned 50. Most of us were in the same class from kindergarten through high school. Last year one from this group passed away. I am so glad that we did this.
#mbmar

Walking on Martian landscape on the rim of Haleakalā crater in Hawaii is an unforgettable experience.
#mbmar

Daughter turned 20 today! 😳🤯😍
Can’t believe how quickly the years went by. It seemed like yesterday when she was just a little baby.
