Thursday, May 30, 2013

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Tonight's picture was taken in July of 2003. During Mattie's first trip to the Outer Banks we took him to visit Bodie Lighthouse. We were unable to climb this lighthouse, but we did tour all around the outside of it. My goal was to share my love of lighthouses with Mattie, and I figured it was never too early to start! In our case, I am happy we did not wait to do things with Mattie, because we wouldn't have gotten a second chance at it!







Quote of the day: The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy. ~ Kalu Ndukwe Kalu

We have a wonderful morning routine here in which we wake up and proceed directly to the deck and watch for fish, birds, and people! In the city I wouldn't be walking around in my pajamas, but here I migrate right outside pajamas and all. It is a much nicer way of greeting the day. We had a fishing boat near us this morning and as always the dolphins do not disappoint. They were jumping all around the boat! We have daily dolphin sightings from our deck. It is always tricky to pick a condo when you aren't familiar with the location and region. But this condo has been an absolute gem. Ocean views that are spectacular and every room is filled with natural light. 

We have visited Morehead City, Beaufort, and the next city I wanted to visit was Swansboro. Swansboro was featured in Nicholas Sparks' book, The Guardian. I love Sparks' books for two reasons. The first is he is very in tune with the concept of loss and grief and he has a way of capturing the complexities of human love and emotions. The second reason I love Sparks' books is how he portrays North Carolina. He makes the towns seem quaint, charming, and highlights the connectivity among its residents. When I read his books, I feel like I am becoming part of the town, towns where there is community spirit and people are united over commonalities and culture. Something that we definitely do NOT see much of in our American big cities today. In North Carolina people seem to take pride in building things with their own hands, they prize hard work, and are very conscious about keeping development at bay. On our visit to Swansboro, I learned that it is a beautiful and historic waterfront community located at the mouth of the White Oak River, where the river joins the Atlantic Ocean and flows past the pristine beaches of Bear Island. It was founded in 1783, and its unofficial name is the “Friendly City by the Sea!” I can attest to the fact that it lives up to this name!!!


This is Front Street, the main thoroughfare in Swansboro. Settlers first came to Swansboro around 1730, founding a community on the site of an Algonkian Indian village at the mouth of the White Oak River. The colonial port town of Swannsborough was incorporated in 1783 – named in honor of Samuel Swann, who had been speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons. The community’s early prosperity was based on shipbuilding, and its most famous shipbuilder was Captain Otway Burns. Burns, whose exploits as commander of the privateer vessel Snapdragon brought early attention to Swansboro, was also the builder of the Prometheus, the first steamboat constructed in North Carolina.


I am pictured in front of the Swansboro pier. Although its shipbuilding industry declined, Swansboro found new prosperity in lumber and naval stores, and, in the mid-Twentieth Century, in the commercial fishing industry. Beginning with World War II, Swansboro, like most of Onslow County, began experiencing an economic boost from the nearby establishment of Camp Lejeune, one of the U.S. Marine Corps’ largest bases, and from the growth of coastal tourism – trends that continue today.

The architecture of Swansboro is charming, features houses that are over 200 years old. Peter snapped some photos of the stores along Front Street. 

The Olde Brick Store has served many functions through the years. Church services and school were held in the building in the 1890's. It also served as the post office during the early 1900's. In the beginning of 1912, it operated as a drugstore.

I entitle this photo, "Big Red in Swansboro!" All I know is I wouldn't want to take this cat on! She's quite a gal and we even met her owner.

This grey tabby lives with Big Red above. They keep watch over a store in Swansboro called the Grey Dolphin. The irony is the grey tabby appears to want to get into the store, but when you open the door for her, she backs away. Several patrons tried opening the door for her and coaxing her in! A true cat, not knowing exactly what she wants but is great at getting you to try to meet her needs

One of the highlights for me of our trip to Swansboro was going into this special store
entitled, Russell's Olde Tyme Shoppe. As you enter the store, you are hit with all sorts of beautiful but not overbearing fragrances. But it is like walking into something from the past. As you walk around, you quickly begin to see that EVERYTHING in the store is hand painted. I mean everything, from painted vases, purses, candle sticks, and lots of other items. But who paints it? The painter and artist owns the store and her name is Maxine Russell. She not only assists her guests, but she paints right in the shop and you can see the things she is working on right there by the cash register. Maxine is an older adult in a motorized wheelchair, but honestly it would be very easy to overlook her disability and her age, once you begin talking to her. She has led a remarkable life, lost her husband who was a marine 25 years old, and raised four children. If Maxine lived closer to me, I would be visiting her often! Most likely to get her to paint Mattie's sun on all sorts of objects!

After talking with Maxine, I asked her if it would be okay if we took a photo of her. I told her my intention was not to sell it but to share it with my readers. Here is a bio on Maxine Russell, or as her friends call her, "Max." Max is a remarkable artist nationally respected for her original decorative painting. For over 25 years, she has created unique and affordable art for her charming gift shops, Russell's, in historic Swansboro, NC, highlighted in Southern Living as a must see shop in the South! Born in Bancroft, Iowa with Spina Bifida, her earlier childhood loss of mobility gave her the opportunity to discover a naturally tendency toward creativity and artistic talent. Maxine graduated with a degree in art from Lindenwood College in St. Charles, MO. After graduation, Maxine met and married Bill, a US Marine in 1956. Together they raised four children, Mary, Bill, David, and Greg. As the family moved about the Country, Max expended her professional painting career, selling her work to over 200 shops. Upon Bill's Marine Corp retirement, the family chose to call Swansboro home. While Maxine painted, Bill and the family restored several historic buildings in this picturesque seaside village before Bill's early passing. Russell's is pleased to showcase Maxine's beautiful hand painted artwork. Her artistic commitment and cheerful attitude delights visitors to this lovely destination. 

Maxine confirmed so much of my thinking about the townsfolk that are so often portrayed in Sparks' books. She was a delight to talk with and I personally admired her creativity and her attitude about life. As she says, painting is therapy. I understand that wholeheartedly, though I don't have her artistic talents. Even Maxine's shopping bags are a work of art. Anything you purchase gets wrapped up like this!!! She actually paints a rose on each bag and signs (and dates!!!) the work of art! I can assure you this could never happen in DC! If this were DC, the artist would charge you for the bag, the rose, the signing, his/her time, and most likely the whole design would have a trademarked! 

I would like to end tonight's posting with several more Foundation Walk photos. Another new feature at our Walk this year, were adult relay races. Two brave teams signed up to participate in these zany races and also to raise funds for the Foundation. Thanks to Foxy Voxi (captained by Grant Elliott and whose participants were all employees or family members of employees at Voxiva) and RCC Moms Rock (captained by Ann Henshaw and whose participants were all Resurrection Children's Center moms) these teams raised $4000 for Mattie Miracle. In this photo you can see Team Foxy Voxi participating in our "All Tied Up" relay race. They were given a ball of twine and asked to wrap it around themselves alternating sides. It sounds easy, but I assure you it isn't and the twine got knotted up VERY easily.

A close up of team Foxy Voxi. Pictured are Pam and Grant, and as you can see the twine was getting ALL TIED UP! This group is used to dealing with issues and strategic problems in their daily work, and from my perspective I could tell they had these skills because of how they were working with each other through this tied up problem!

This was a close up of the "RCC Moms Rock" team during the All Tied Up relay. Pictured are Kathy (Mattie's preschool teacher), myself, and Ann. Mind you this group didn't ask me for my help. It truly was an unconscious reaction to go over and help them. After all, I used to be a part of this group..... a RCC mom! Their twine was a true mess and I could tell they were at an absolute standstill. I am sure when Peter and I created these relays, my assistance of a group wasn't part of the rules. But as Kathy said to me later, I wasn't cheating, the twine was such a mess that I was trying to help make the race more even and put them on a level playing field. Needless to say, this photo to me is an absolute riot! 

Each team performed three relays. This was our last relay, which we entitled, "Strike a pose." Literally half of the team was one side and the other half on the other. As you can see Pam had to run across the field to meet five of her teammates by this box taped box. Once in the box, she had to take out all the items in the orange bag and wear them. Then after she was dressed, the five teammates had to act like crazed fans and wait for the photographer to snap a picture of this in action. After the picture was taken, Pam had to put all the props back in the bag and run back across the field for her next teammate to get dressed up and pose!

Here is a photo of Kathy, Mattie's preschool teacher, striking a pose and the team getting their photo taken! 

I personally love this photo! Coach Dave was helping Peter and I manage these relays. Our photographer caught Dave laughing over the sights he was watching!!!

At the end of the adult relays, the teams were all great sports and shook hands with each other. Every team member received a prize. Pictured here is the RCC Moms Rock team with their trophies for being outstanding fundraisers for the Foundation. Pictured in the bottom row from left to right are Jennifer Greiner, Tanja Mayer-Harding, Mary Doane, and Catherine Canterbury (lying down!). In the second row from left to right are Jane Pisano, Ann Henshaw, Dawnee Giamittorio, Danelle Fortune, Kathy Harris, and Carolyn Coker. 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Tonight's picture was taken in July of 2003. It is ironic that I posted this photo to the blog before I left DC, because today Peter and I visited another beautiful North Carolina lighthouse. Mattie would have loved our adventure today! In 2003, Mattie was 15 months old and as you can see he rode on Peter's back up to the top of Currituck Lighthouse in Corolla, NC. Rules have changed greatly since 2003, because now each person going up a lighthouse's stairs must go using his/her own two feet. No one is allowed to be carried! But back then, such rules did not apply. What I love about this photo was Mattie's curiosity with the climb! It is hard enough climbing up the stairs of a lighthouse, but Peter did it with Mattie on his back and in intense humidity. Looking back, I am so glad Mattie had this experience!


Quote of the day: Life, he realize, was much like a song. In the beginning there is mystery, in the end there is confirmation, but it's in the middle where all the emotion resides to make the whole thing worthwhile. ~ Nicholas Sparks

Each morning Peter and I begin our day outside on the condo's deck eating breakfast and looking at the Atlantic Ocean. What I have noticed is while we are sitting outside, we are not alone. Mattie Moon has been with us each morning! Shining down on us and hanging out over the ocean. 

Peter and I went on an adventure today. We drove from Emerald Isle (which is on the left hand side of this map) to Beaufort (which is a city about 20 miles away from Emerald Isle --- you can see it above the blue bird twitter sign on the map). From Beaufort we boarded a small motor boat (which they called a ferry) and cruised for an hour to the Cape Lookout National Seashore (which is all the way on the right hand side of this map). This Seashore is pristine, completely undeveloped, and has no inhabitants on it expect for a lighthouse and volunteers from the park's department. As my faithful readers know, I LOVE lighthouses and I am intrigued by their history and the people who kept them operational. I have visited many lighthouses, but Cape Lookout is the only lighthouse I have seen which has kept its surroundings true to form, in essence how the terrain was when there were lighthouse keepers maintaining the property. There is NO civilization anywhere near Cape Lookout!!!! Cape Lookout is beyond REMOTE and the sheer isolation one must have felt while performing this job is indescribable. Mind you, I saw this lighthouse on a lovely sunny day. I can only imagine how brutal this island was in bad weather. 

Our day started dockside in the city of Beaufort. We visited this town yesterday, and today's visit was just as charming and memorable. I could get used to no traffic, people being friendly and talking to you, and no one rushing around and telling me how BUSY they are! A total 180 from life in Washington, DC. 

This is what Beaufort looks like from the water!

I have been on ferries before, but today's trip was a misnomer. We were on a motor boat which seated 16 people in bench seats. Fortunately I take no chances on boat rides and took Dramamine hours before the trip! I am so glad I did because the choppiness of the ride would have made me very sick. Our captain and tour guide's name was John and John's dog, Storm  was our boat's masthead. Storm was an excellent assistant, because she pointed out things in the water for us to see from birds, turtles, and even wild horses. What a dog!!! Her balance through waves and choppiness was impressive too!

On our journey to Cape Lookout, we passed Shackleford Island. This Island is known as the land of the wild ponies! What I love about this photo was how close the people on the beach were to this wild pony. The pony is reddish brown and in the center of the beach. 

Trusty Storm (the dog) identified a sea turtle for us to see in the water. This wasn't an easy sighting to find, which makes you appreciate Storm's skills and talents!

Shackleford Banks, the southern-most barrier island in Cape Lookout National Seashore, is home to more than 110 wild horses. This is one of the few places in the eastern United States where wild horses can still be seen. Shackleford Banks is approximately nine miles long and averages less than a mile wide. It contains many habitats, unique to barrier islands, which support the horses.

While the boat was speeding along, someone asked the Captain what was floating in the water. With that Captain John stopped the boat, literally jumped out into the water, and brought aboard this jellyfish. He let us know that little fish like to hang out inside the jellyfish. In John's left hand you can see the fish that jumped out of the jellyfish. We each got to touch this slimy and slippery jellyfish and we also learned that sea turtles love to eat such jellyfish. 

The Cape Lookout Lighthouse is a 163-foot high lighthouse located on the Southern Outer Banks of North Carolina. It flashes every 15 seconds and is visible at least 12 miles out to sea and up to 19 miles. The Cape Lookout Light is one of the very few lighthouses that operate during the day. It became fully automated in 1950. The Cape Lookout Lighthouse is the only such structure in the United States to bear the checkered daymark pattern, intended not only for differentiation between similar light towers, but also to show direction. The center of the black diamonds points in a north-south direction, while the center of the white diamonds points east-west.

Cape Lookout is the second lighthouse that has stood at this location, and is nearly identical to the Bodie Island Lighthouse, which has horizontal stripes, and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, which is unpainted red brick (lighthouses we have seen before maybe a decade ago!). The more famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse bears spiral stripes. The first lighthouse at Cape Lookout was completed and lighted in 1812 at a cost of more than $20,000, which Congress authorized in 1804. It was the fourth lighthouse to be built in North Carolina and was a 96 foot high brick tower with wooden shingles painted with red and white horizontal stripes. But it proved to be too short to light the treacherous Lookout Shoals, which were nicknamed the "Horrible Headland." The present lighthouse was completed and lit on November 1, 1859 at a cost of $45,000, which Congress approved in 1857. This lighthouse used a first-order Fresnel lens which allowed the light to shine brighter. 

Peter snapped a photo of me with Cape Lookout! 

This display shows seven lighthouses in the state of North Carolina. From left to right are Currituck Light, Bodie Island Light, Cape Hatteras Light, Ocracoke Light, Cape Lookout, Oak Island Light, and Bald Head Light. As of today, I have seen five out of the seven!!!

This is me on top of Cape Lookout! Peter and I climbed 207 steps up!

This 207 step climb is rather challenging because it is tight and hot! They say it is  equivalent to climbing a 12 story building!

A picture of me in front of Cape Lookout!

Like the western mustangs, eastern horses were reintroduced to North America by European explorers and settlers. Records show horses living on the Outer Banks for centuries. Genetic research shows evidence of Spanish ancestry in the Shackleford herd. Shackleford adults average 12 hands in height, with a range of 11 to 13 hands (4” per hand) at the withers (between neck and back). The Banker horses, also called ponies, found up and down the east coast are somewhat related to each other in that they share a similar genetic base and a history of adaptation to life on the Outer Banks.The allure of these horses is their wild lifestyle. Every effort is made to keep them wild. They are neither fed nor watered. Natural food sources are present, including Spartina marsh and island grass and Uniola (sea oats). Fresh or brackish water is available in various ponds, pools and digs along the length of the island. In places, the horses dig holes and wait for water to seep up. Protection in storms is afforded by the stretch of rare maritime forest (live oaks) and thick shrubs on the north (sound) side of the island.

As we headed back to Beaufort after our tour, we passed "Bird Island." This is the island's unofficial name. But literally its inhabitants are only pelicans! Pelicans that even winter there!!! Our tour today was three hours long, and this evening Peter and I are wiped out from the sun and the whipping wind on the boat. But we are very happy we saw this special sight.

I would like to end tonight's posting with photos of our kid and teen vendors from our Foundation Walk. This special young lady in black is Lauren Chelenza. Lauren is pictured here with her friend, Katie. Lauren was diagnosed with osteosarcoma about a week after Mattie was in 2008. I had the good fortune of becoming connected with Lauren's mom, Carey through Mattie's blog. Carey and I shared horror stories throughout Mattie's and Lauren's battles. Once Mattie died, Lauren created her own non-profit, Bows for Hope (www.bowsforhope.org). Lauren designs hair bows out of duct tape and all her sale proceeds go directly to Mattie Miracle. She is an impressive and inspirational young lady, who traveled with her family and friend all the way from Pennsylvania to attend our Walk and to sell her bows!

The girl in the white t-shirt here is Annie. Annie's mom is my friend Evelyn and Annie's dad is Coach Dave. Annie is the young lady who advocated for her school in Bethesda, MD to raise money for Mattie Miracle through penny wars this spring. Annie also creates all sorts of crafts which she sells to raise money for the Foundation! Annie is famous for her duct tape purses and this is the second year in a row she has featured these creations. 

This is a photo of Ellie! Ellie and Mattie went to preschool together and Ellie's mom is my friend and Foundation raffle chair, Carolyn. This is the second year in a row that Ellie has been a vendor at our Walk. She designs amazing headbands, with a design that is sure to appeal to anyone! In fact, Ellie designed me an orange butterfly headband in 2012, and I officially wear it at each Foundation Walk. It is our tradition.

New to our vendor tent this year was "Crafts for a Cause." These lovely duct tape belts were designed by Livi. Livi is Campbell's sister. Campbell was a very close kindergarten buddy of Mattie's, and his mom is my friend Christine. I think it is important for my readers to know that these kids and teens raise more money for our Foundation than any outside vendor we had at our Walks in the past. Together they bring in about $500 in sales!!! Mattie Miracle is very proud of these kids and teens and the money they raise to support children with cancer!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Tuesday, May 28, 2013 -- Mattie died 194 weeks ago today.

Tonight's picture was taken in July of 2003. We took Mattie to the Outer Banks Aquarium and as you can see he was exploring the tank where he could touch the sea creatures. A big Ray passed us by and Mattie was fascinated by the whole process. Mattie kept us moving, exploring, and engaged with the world.


Quote of the day: It's all in the view. That's what I mean about forever, too. For any one of us our forever could end in an hour, or a hundred years from now. You never know for sure, so you'd better make every second count. ~ Sarah Dessen

This morning we sat outside on our deck and ate breakfast. Having the ocean in our backyard changes the whole dynamic of your daily routine. It forces us to stop, breathe deeply, and appreciate the water, the sky, and the amazing bird traffic. I can sit for hours outside and we try to do this every morning and evening. There is so much to observe and comment on, and it is SO different from our city views in DC! This is the view from our deck.

Peter and I went to Emerald Isle Woods to walk a nature trail. The Woods is a 41 acre park in Emerald Isle, with a 1.1 mile board walk loop through trees, the Bogue Sound, and a swamp. 

Yesterday I commented to Peter that I did not think Cardinals would be around the North Carolina beach area. I answered my own question today by seeing this beautiful cutie. Mattie's favorite bird!

Along the trail, we walked out on a pier that faced the Bogue Sound and causeway. Greeting us was this lovely Great White Heron!

I find swamps very interesting, especially when I am elevated above them and can check out the trees and the little islands they seem to form around them in the water. 

Peter captured this photo of Spanish Moss. I have heard about this type of moss but have never seen it in nature. Spanish Moss absorbs nutrients (especially calcium) and water from the air and rainfall. Spanish moss is colloquially known as  an "air plant." While it rarely kills the trees, it lowers their growth rate by reducing the amount of light to a tree's own leaves. It also increases wind resistance, which can prove fatal to the host tree in a hurricane. Despite all of this, the moss looks so funny to us, because it seems like the tree has a beard!

Nicholas Sparks wrote at least two books that I know of set in the city of Beaufort, The Choice and A Walk to Remember. So needless to say, I have always wanted to see Beaufort! This is a photo I snapped while we were driving into Beaufort (pronounced -- Bow Fort, unlike the city with the same name in South Carolina which is pronounced completely different - BYOO Fort). Both quaint and bustling, Beaufort is a small North Carolina port town but with many attractions, amenities, and activities to rival any seaside destination, which is why it earned the title of "coolest small town in America" by Budget Travel Magazine in 2012. 

Settled in 1709, Beaufort is North Carolina's third oldest town. Originally inhabited by the Coree Indians in their village, Cwarioc, meaning "fish town." Beaufort was then inhabited by French Huguenots and eventually settled by the British in 1709. In 1713, Robert Turner, who held the original land grant for 200 acres, laid out the town and named the streets just as they are today. The town was named in honor of Turner's friend Henry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort, and was incorporated in 1722. Peter snapped a photo of me with this sign. The lighthouse pictured here is Cape Lookout. Peter and I will be taking a ferry to this lighthouse tomorrow! 

As the seaport became active so did the lingering pirates, one in particular you may have heard of...... Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard. He and his crew would come into the Pamlico Sound to visit and resupply, and the Beaufort Harbor became their comfortable place for rest and rejuvenation. Most were appalled that these pirates were allowed to roam the land freely and were tolerated by government officials. As you can see Beaufort is sleepy, laid back, and very understated. There is a VERY different pace in the South from the North. Frankly a healthier pace if you ask me, a pace where people enjoy conversations, pleasantries, and where the service industry is actually polite!

Still standing today are the homes of Beaufort's early sea captains, seafarers, and merchants. Beaufort boasts more than 100 homes in the historic district that are more than a century old and several private residences that are more than 200 years old. We were surrounded by charmers like this today!

Beaufort as Peter says is a boater's and fisherman's paradise! All I can say is I saw boats of ALL kinds everywhere! On land and sea!!!

What I love about NC is it capitalizes on its waterfront. Most of the restaurants face the water. We sat outside on the Front Street Grill desk this afternoon and had a lovely lunch. We were surrounded by boats and birds. No congestion, traffic, hectic noise, and NO ONE was rushing me or holding me to a schedule. I can see why Nicholas Sparks can write in NC, it is just conducive to being creative and introspective. 

I end tonight's posting with several Foundation Walk photos. Tonight's series focuses upon the new activity we launched at the Walk this year, Kid Trots. The Trots were super successful. We had trots for each age group (age 3 and under, 4-5 years, 6-7 years, 8-9 years, and 10-12 years). All the children who participated won a medal, but for the actual child who crossed the finish line first in each race, he/she obtained a wonderful prize such as a free week of summer camp at St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School or tickets to Six Flags Park. This photo is of Charley Montroll. Charley is a well known performer who entertains children throughout the DC region. Charley shared his skills with us at the Walk, got the children warmed up and energized to race!

As you can see, this was Charley in motion. He even put his guitar down to inspire the kids to sing and dance! Charley has a beautiful way about him and was extremely generous with his time and skills!

Here is a snapshot of one of the Kid Trots. Mattie's friend Emily, on the left, did a great job in this race. From where I was standing, Emily crossed the finish line first! Trailing behind the kids is our friend Ann. Ann coordinated the kid trots and she got the kids motivated, excited to participate, and in the right frame of mind to race. 

I know which age range this was, it was the 10-12 year old Kid Trot. I know this because Ellie and Abbie were racing. Mattie went to preschool with Ellie and Abbie. Ellie's mom is Carolyn (our dedicated Walk raffle chair) and Abbie's mom is Ann. 

The blond cutie here is Charlotte, or as Mattie called her, "my girlfriend." Charlotte and her friend participated in the kid trots and as you can see they proudly were displaying their medals!