A Mother's Painting Of A Daughter

This is a 16"x20" oil painting of Maura made by her mother, Judith sometime in the distant past.  Without really showing the face, one can tell this is Maura by the hair, body type and posture.  It looked like she must have been in high school at the time so that would have been late 70s or very early 80s.  The composition is excellent and the colors are right on -- reminiscent of Cezanne's "Tulips In A Vase" piece -- which I know for a fact that both Judith and Maura are very fond of.  When Judith moved to a nursing home, this was one of the items left behind after her daughter-in-law pillaged through her home.  I can only guess the daughter-in-law didn't really understand the value of the painting and for that I am thankful because it will be in a safe place for future generations.  If you really understood the relationship between Judith and Maura, you would have known that this painting represents every ounce of love between a mother and a daughter.

Pasadena (2006)

JJ took these photos with my Olympus point-and-shoot camera on Sept. 25, 2006.  Below is Sam messing around with Maura in the kitchen in Pasadena.  Notice the perspective of the shots from a little person (JJ was 6 at the time) perspective.

 That night we went to President Thai on Rosemead Blvd to celebrate Norman's birthday.  Sam is shown looking over the menu with Maura.

 And finally, Maura trying to get out of the crazy President Thai parking lot.

Christmas In July

I first heard the music at the Sam Goody store at the corner of National and Sepulveda when Maura and I were still living in West LA.  That was 1990, a year after we got married.  Ottmar Liebert's CD "Poets & Angels" had been an annual Christmas favorite of ours for the last 20 years.  She liked this CD so much that she would play it in July, a good 5 months before the holiday season.  Hearing Ottmar's flamenco guitar brought her so much joy anytime of the year.  This Christmas, as in every one for the past 20 years, this music fills our house.  (The last 3 years, I do find myself playing a couple songs occasionally throughout the year just when I need a lift.)

Eaton Canyon Falls, 2008

Since moving to Rancho Cucamonga, we've discovered the North Etiwanda Preserve about a mile away from the house, just up Day Creek Blvd.  We've been fortunate enough to alway live within a mile of a decent hike.  This photo is at the end of the hike up to Eaton Canyon falls, where we used to live in Pasadena.  In January 2008, we all took off to this hike one Saturday morning.  The kids were just beginning appreciate what Pasadena had to offer around our neighborhood.  On the way up, we each got these hiking sticks that we proudly displayed in the photo.  I setup the camera on a timer sitting on top of a rock, so I had 10 seconds to get to my pose.  It was a great day I've re-lived in my mind over several times.  

Like Mother, Like Son

This photo was taken on Maura's birthday, Oct 19, 2001 in the kitchen in the Pasadena house.  Guess where Sam got his hair color and wave from?

At Home, 2004

Maura with mom, Judith during Sam's 6th birthday party in Pasadena.

Pasadena Backyard, 2001

Sam's 3rd birthday party, Pasadena backyard with the twins, Tori and Nanay.

In Sam and JJ's Bedroom

Don't have a date for this photo but I'm guessing sometime around 2002.  Sam's preschool artworks are on the closet door.

Sam Wearing Maura's USC Gown, 2007

Sam is standing on a stool and we put some shoes in front of the graduation gown to make him look taller.  I took this picture in the Pasadena living room after we got home from Maura's graduation ceremonies at USC.

Home, 1996

Maura and Toonses in the patio, July 1996 in Pasadena.  Without central air, the patio was the best option on hot, summer days.  Being an indoor cat, Toonses is shown here carefully exploring the plate of food on the table.

Haircut, 2004

Maura giving JJ a haircut in May 2004 (while he was focused on that Nintendo DS).  This is in the dining room in the Pasadena house.  The couch was put in the dining room when the hardwood floors were refinished in the living room at the time.

Summer Of Sam, 1998

This was at the couch in Pasadena.  Sam, being a summer baby wore a lot of shorts during his first year.  The house only had a window air conditioning unit and was used a lot that summer.

Mother And Sons, 2002

I took this shot a while back and did not realize at the time how precious of a moment it was back in 3/11/02.

Portrait, 2006

I snapped this photo in 2006 while she was standing in the dining room at the Pasadena house, sometime late morning from the way the shade is partially open in the south-facing window.  I wanted to include that fish/wire ornament that she hang on the wall.

Home, 2002

Given the hand gestures, I can only guess Sam, Maura and JJ were watching a video of "The Wiggles" -- some silly kid's sing-a-long show.  This was the living room at the Pasadena house.  The green couch had gotten really ratty so there was always some sheets over it.  The cats also had a lot of dander so the sheet cover was easier to wash.  Taken on Feb 17, 2002