Friday, August 2, 2019

Friday, August 2, 2019

Tonight's picture was taken on August 6, 2008. This was Mattie's first week within the PICU, receiving chemotherapy. In fact, this was taken the day before his first chemo! That day, Mattie's "girlfriend," Charlotte came to visit. Visiting the PICU is intimidating, but that never STOPPED Charlotte all 14 months of our journey. That day, Mattie's child life specialist, Linda, came up with a fun activity for the kids to do right in the middle of the Hospital hallway, outside Mattie's room. The painting helped to unite these two friends and distract them both from the fact that they were in the Hospital. Instead, they focused on the activity and doing something 'normal' in a very abnormal setting. I learned a lot about the power of friendship, through Charlotte and Mattie! 


Quote of the day: The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity. ~ Ulysses S. Grant

Today we headed to Revere Beach to look at the sand castle competition. The actual competition was last weekend, but the castles remain up for viewers! It is a fun activity to experience, because every one of us at one time or another has tried to build with sand. 

More than one million people enjoyed the International Sandsculpting Festival held last weekend on Revere Beach. The theme for the 2019 International Sand Sculpting Festival was the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing.

Check out news coverage of the sand castles: https://cbsloc.al/2SJYfrN

The Apollo 11 center piece sand sculpture was lit up on Friday night, July 26, with a first-class pyrotechnics show to highlight the sculpting and kick off the weekend’s activities.

I would have to say that the Apollo 11 creation was my favorite. Of course Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins were all prominently featured next to the moon made out of sand. It was an incredible sculpture, that included the moon, the rocket, and lunar module. In addition off to the side was a sculpted family sitting on a couch watching the TV (of the landing)!

In fact, 15 artists came from around the globe – including France, Belgium, India, Russia and Canada – to compete. 

Also carved into the sand was Neil Armstrong's famous statement.... One small step....

This was entitled, Deep Sleep Diving, by Fergus Mulvany (from Ireland). 

This is entitled, the Nest by Dan Belcher (from Missouri). It is a very intricate piece, because inside the nest were two people.  

This piece is entitled, Trance. 

This piece is entitled, Dream about Flight by Aleksei Rybak (from Russia). 

This piece is entitled, Shellter by Jonathan Bouchard (from Canada). What you might not be able to see is that there is a sand person taking shelter under this big shell. 

This piece was entitled, Mama look, I found my teddy!

This piece is entitled, Eye of the Tiger by Sue McGrew (from Washington State). Notice that half of the face is a tiger and the other half a person. 

This piece is entitled, Horsepower. 

This is what it looks like in total. Sand castles in a row, featured behind gates so no one jumps on them and destroys them. I learned that there are only 100 professional sand sculptures in the entire world and all these artists know each other. 

After touring the sand sculptures, we drove to Rockport, MA so we could eat by the water. You can get the best lobster in New England, and it was a treat to have a lobster roll. 

This is the sign in front of the restaurant. It literally reminded me of a scene out of Murder She Wrote. I was expecting to see Jessica Fletcher riding by on a bicycle!

My second Sunny walk of the day took me passed a house filled with sunflowers. Naturally I had to stop and snap a photo!