ScribbleManiac

Recollections of Russia… Remembering a Special Orphanage

ScribbleManiac — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:01:06 +0000

Alina, Julian, and Alex today, with puppy Arlo.

This time of year I find myself looking through photos of past journeys and amazing travel destinations I’ve been fortunate to have visited. But unlike the vacation travel to Europe, the UK, and interesting places in the US, the photos I came across this time took me back 5 years and half way across the world to Russia.

Jim and Denise in Moscow

And now I find myself sharing a true story that I almost never share. I’d like to tell you of my travels to a special orphanage in the remote area of Primorsky Krai, near Vladivostok in far East Russia.

I generally do not share this story for several reasons… first, I am a fairly private person, and while I like to share my favorite memories of fun travel, I don’t usually talk about very personal details. Second, I find it hard to talk about why I adopted three children from Russia, because usually I get asked why I don’t have “children of my own”. This, I’m sorry to say, is still too hard for me to talk about. The easy answer is that I can not have children of my own. Let’s leave it at that, and save the tears for another day.

Julian at 15 months in Russia

So, back to the Russian orphanage. My husband and I have had the good fortune to be able to adopt beautiful, darling, smart children who needed a home on three occasions. Julian, adopted at age 15 months is now 10, Alina adopted at 20 months is now 6, and Alex, adopted at 21 months is now also 6 (“actually, six and three-quarters” is what he would say).

Meeting Alex for the first time.

Meeting Alina at 18 months.

Driving to Alex's Orphanage

Of all the places we saw in Russia, it’s Alex’s orphanage that has an extra special place in my heart. Located far away from any large city, his “Baby Home”, as they like to call orphanages there, was unique compared to the others we saw.

Although it was the most remote, and therefore had less easily accessed resources, it had a character and care that the others did not.

The director of the orphanage had put care and love into the building that I did not notice at the others. She prepared the main room that the children spent most of their time to be as much like an actual living room as possible.

Alex's Orphanage

There were little tables and chairs for the toddlers, and although few, there were toys for them to play with, and curtains on the windows. It was warm and clean. There was love there.

All of these things most of us take for granted. But they were very noticeable to me, after being absent in the other orphanages I had been to and spent time in.

Alex's Orphanage

What I came to understand was that this was because of the influence of the director of the Baby Home.

With the help of our interpreter, I came to realize how much the director really cared about the kids in her care. And I’m not saying that the other directors of other orphanages didn’t… it’s just that there was something extra here. To the point where several years earlier, she had even adopted one of the children from the orphanage herself.

Our first meetings with Alex. He was so quiet. So serious. And understandably scared. He wasn’t a very happy kid, but then again, he didn’t have a whole lot to be happy about.

Alex

Alex - not so sure...

We took him outside to have a little time alone to get to know him.

Alex and I, getting to know each other.

Taking a walk outside the orphanage.

He enjoyed the opportunity to be outside. He liked walking around the van. There was no playground or anything to play on, so we just walked around the orphanage and played with a few toys we had brought with us.

Taking a walk outside the orphanage.

After a short while, Alex began to warm up, and actually started to enjoy our visits.

Alex

Alex Laughing

Alex Smiling

Alex is now nearly 7 years old. He is smart and thoughtful, is great at math and lego construction, and cares very much about others. I’m so grateful that he is my son!

Alex today.

Next post… we had entirely different first time meetings with Alina and Julian!

Charlotte Brontë’s Miniature Book Sold at Auction

ScribbleManiac — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:40:37 +0000

Yesterday Charlotte’s tiny book sold at auction for £690,850. Yowza! Sadly, this was a higher price than the Brontë Parsonage Museum was able to pay, so the miniature book has a new home in a museum in France.

What is the significance of these little books, you ask? When the Brontës were children, their father brought home a set of wooden toy soldiers for brother Branwell, who shared the toys with his sisters. The soldiers were named, played with, and had stories invented about them and for them. Some of these tiny books were made for the toy soldiers to read.

Parsonage, through church graveyard

I wish I had photos of these adorable little books, but alas, I was unable to photograph the interiors of the Parsonage Museum where I saw one edition of Charlotte’s mini tale. I did, however, stand like an embarrassing child with my nose almost pressed against the glass display case, as I looked at what I saw during my visit there last year. Tiny book with even tinier writing. I remember making a tiny book for one of my dolls back when I was about 8. My book though was not an interesting piece of writing, nor did it contain 20 pages of minuscule prose, as Charlotte’s did, that was worth keeping.

Here is a great photo of the book from Salut! (salutsunderland.typepad.com), so you can easily see how tiny it was.

http://salutsunderland.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c337553ef0162fe74b3cc970d-pi

Here is a link to the article about the auction:

www.francesalut.com/2011/12/bronte-in-paris-shame-about-haworth.html#more

The book is just 35 millimetres by 61mm – about 1 1/3 inches by 2 1/2 inches. The tiny writing was just right for the wood soldiers to entertain themselves with some interesting writing. It was also too small for their father to be able to read… so the Brontë children could write whatever murderous, wicked, unladylike plots they liked!

Click here to read my blog post Stepping Back in Time to Visit Emily’s Kitchen, about when I visited the Parsonage Museum last year.

Emily's View, with Melody

16th Century On the Outskirts of Town

ScribbleManiac — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:10:13 +0000

Montepulciano

I was sorry to have to leave this lovely little place, the hillside town of Montepulciano, but it was time to go.

Fortunately there were two more spectacular surprises awaiting me before the drive home to Montisi. On the outskirts of Montepulciano were two more lovely churches.

Santa Maria delle Grazia

The first church, just at the base of the hill, was Santa Maria delle Grazia. It had a gorgeous striped exterior and was built in the late 16th century.

Flowers for Church

Tourist Sitting

Getting to Church

As we left the winding hillside town, we came to one more beautiful site. The Sanctuary of San Biagio, built in white travertine in the early 16th century.

The Sanctuary of San Biagio

The Sanctuary of San Biagio Front Door

Simple, clean lines on the exterior gave this church an elegant and peaceful feel in the early evening sunset glow. The ornate carvings on the inside were like a special secret, uncovered as I walked in and wandered around quietly.

The Sanctuary of San Biagio Interior

And even the view out from the front door of the church was lovely!

Yellow Car

The drive home along the winding roads was a beautiful and fitting way to end such a delightful visit to Montepulciano and the surrounding area.

Driving Home

Marvelous Montepulciano

ScribbleManiac — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:00:38 +0000

Montepulciano

Perhaps one of my favorite days of my entire Italian trip was the day I spent in the tiny hillside town of Montepulciano. This adorable place was simply a bit of perfection. It didn’t matter that the day was slightly rainy and gray. Montepulciano didn’t need any of that to be marvelous!

Montepulciano

Montepulciano Road

Montepulciano Palace in the Fog

Lighting Candles

Montepulciano Windows

Montepulciano Transportation

Montepulciano Parking

The View

Leading Roof Lines

Wall Work

Montepulciano Dog

Montepulciano Cat

Montepulciano Cafe

I had a delicious lunch of pici – thick, hand rolled pasta that looks like fat spaghetti. It was delicious! Hours sped by as I walked down the skinny streets and looked in the shops. There was some gorgeous pottery, and I found two perfect tea cups to bring home. And a bracelet. And some olive dishes. And a tiny copper pot. And I could have bought more!

Lovely Stone Buildings

I could have spent at least another day or two here… and next time I visit, I surely will!

Siena’s Duomo

ScribbleManiac — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 06:52:58 +0000

Sienna’s Duomo… a beautiful cathedral in a beautiful city. I’ll just let the photos speak for themselves.

Siena Duomo exterior

The cathedral was filled with this amazing white and black marble.

Black and White

: Siena Duomo Interior

And 172 popes look down from above.

Siena Duomo Interior

The dome was painted in dark blue with golden stars in the late 15th century, and is topped with Bernini’s gold “lantern”.

the dome

And one last shot of my friend, lighting a candle.

Lighting Candles

A Day Trip to Siena

ScribbleManiac — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 05:35:14 +0000

My first day trip from Montisi landed me in Siena. Wow – what a beautiful city! I could easily go back and stay in Siena for a couple of days, instead of the one afternoon I had there.

The very first building I saw was the lovely Basilica of San Domenico.

Saint Catherine of Siena

Siena

Siena Street

The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo is one of the most beautiful medieval town squares there is. It was paved in 1349 in fishbone-patterned red brick and it is simply gorgeous. It is famous for hosting the Palio horse race, a traditional medieval horse race run around the Piazza del Campo twice each year, on 2 July and 16 August.

I’ll share some more photos from Siena’s Duomo in the next post!

I’m teaching a new class at BetterPhoto.com!

ScribbleManiac — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:02:28 +0000

When my husband, Jim, and I first developed the idea of teaching photography online 15 years ago, we had no idea that it would become such a huge hit. I love that BetterPhoto.com has been meeting so many people’s creative and educational needs in a supportive and helpful way. Seeing how well the online environment has been working for the medium of photography is thrilling! And being able to connect enthusiastic students with professional photographers working from anywhere in the world represents, to me, everything that is good about education and the Internet.

Up until recently, I’ve always been Jim’s quiet, behind-the-scenes business partner. So why now? Why have I decided to personally teach an online photo class after all these years? Well, because I get asked about my travel photography and asked how to capture great photos of places, and I really like to share what I’ve learned. People want to know how I am able to get such variety and completeness in my travel photo collections, especially since anyone who knows me also knows that I’m not very tough, as far as photographers go…

* I generally don’t get up before dawn,
* I never hike to the highest peak in order to find that illusive
rare flower, and
* I don’t camp!

So how do I manage to get these images without being rugged and comfort deprived?

In this online course, I happily share tips and techniques for getting those glorious photos that will make you proud of your results and excited to continue getting out there shooting. I love sharing what I’ve learned over the years, and helping others attain the photographic
greatness they are capable of!

In this 4 week class, I’ll:

* share with you what I look for when photographing various subjects,
* help you develop a more artistic eye,
* explain how to find these awesome images that are already waiting for you whether you are planning a trip or are interested in staying in your own backyard, and
* provide helpful critiques to encourage and help move you forward with your photographic endeavors.

Anyone who reads my blog knows that I love travel photography! I find it actually enhances my present moments and joy during the journey. I notice and appreciate more of my surroundings as I’m looking for images to capture. You will see many photographic examples from my journeys through the US, the UK, and European countries such as Italy and France.

But you don’t need to travel to make great photos of places. You can create awe-inspiring photos anywhere, without spending the time or expense of travel. You will still be able to capture a gorgeous, impactful collection of photos, even if you don’t venture farther than your own backyard!

The class starts today, Wednesday August 10th, and I will be teaching it each again in September and October. For more info, check out the BetterPhoto page here:

www.betterphoto.com/courseOverview.asp?cspID=226

If it sounds like your cup of tea, I’d love to have you join me!

More Marvelous Montisi

ScribbleManiac — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 22:12:50 +0000

Montisi is located in Southern Tuscany, near Pienza and Montalcino. The oldest parts of the city were built in the late 14th century.

Tiny Montisi

A car just fits!

I’d never drive in the inner streets of the town, but some brave souls have figured it out!

The Valley Below Montisi

Late afternoon sunlight made the valley below glow. One evening before dinner I noticed the warm light, grabbed my camera and dashed outside. I had taken this same valley shot at another time, but was so happy that I went back out again when I saw how the sun touched the trees and hills below. As in photography, so in life: a little extra effort is often worth it!

Montisi Alley

My fun new friends, Kristi, Jediah, and Kathy! I had so much fun meeting them and traveling with them in Italy.

Italian Flag

WallFlower

Relaxing

Montisi Delivery Truck

Shadows

Stairs and Shadows

Villa Rooftop

Montisi Town Square

Montisi Fresco

Montisi Cat

The town was so tiny, I felt silly bringing my camera out with me every time I took a walk. But I was always glad I did… on one of my last walks I caught this Montisi Cat, being very relaxed and Italian. “Ciao“, he meowed.

Arriving in Montisi

ScribbleManiac — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 04:51:52 +0000

I woke up in the morning after several hours of sleep and had to remind myself I was actually in Florence. This day was about meeting up with a group of people and unfortunately not about seeing the fabulous Florence sights… that would come later in my trip. The group I met up with was from my work-out studio and the trip was named Yoga in Tuscany and they offered yoga sessions every morning and every evening for a week… let me tell you right up front: I did not do any yoga!

A Walk From Montisi

Later in the day I arrived and met up with the others at a lovely villa in the tiny town of Montisi. The perfect setting for a first visit to a Tuscan hillside town.

Downtown Montisi

Montisi

Montisi Window

Montisi Door

View From My Window

Walking in Montisi

Montisi Roof

Montisi

Montisi Door

Montisi Hillside

Olive Tree

As you can see, it’s a lovely place. I’ll share more Montisi photos in the next post!

Ciao Italia!

ScribbleManiac — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:59:18 +0000

Two lovely weeks in Italy… ah, what a wonderful treat! I would be spending one week with a group, and the rest of the time on my own. I like to have some alone time, so I was looking forward to this combination of part time with a group, and part time independence, along with the joys of no dishes, no laundry, no work.

All packed and ready to go, the last thing I needed was a book for down time. I searched for the right literature to compliment my Italian journey from my bedroom since my bookshelves are filled with far too many books I’ve been meaning to read. I pulled an Italian author from the shelf, Italo Calvino, and started reading If on a winter’s night a traveller. I thought it was great fun and really enjoyed it… for 50 pages. Meta fiction is very entertaining but can get old, in my humble opinion. So I had to give it up. It was all for the best. I couldn’t find any connection between the book and where I would be traveling other than the fact that the author was Italian.

Back to the shelves. Happily I found two excellent choices: The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim and A Room with a View by E.M. Forster. Seeing as how both books deal with English ladies traveling to, and being transformed by, the Italian countryside, I thought these were fitting ways to leave the Brontë girls wandering the moors for a bit without us. (Believe me, I really tried to find a Brontë connection to Italy! It was a no-go.)

First Class with loads of legroom. Lobster for dinner? I say, YES!

I had enough miles to fly first class on British Airways. Life is good. I flew from Seattle to San Francisco, then overnight to London, and connecting with a last flight to Milan. I was nervous about traveling alone at first (my wonderful husband staying at home with the three kids), but once I got to Milan without any delays, I was feeling fine. I had only an hour wait to board the fast train directly from the Milan airport to Florence. It all went off without a hitch!

After several hours on the train, I arrived in Florence near 11pm. I had printed a map and chosen a hotel close to the train station for my one night in Florence, before I was to meet up with a group the next day. I feigned confidence and walked like I knew exactly where I was going. It worked and nobody bothered me, finding the hotel in less than 15 minutes. Success!

Trenitalia from Milan to Florence

The hotel was welcoming and the staff spoke English, so I was quickly and gratefully installed in my room, ready for a good sleep. I thought of our lovely ladies in The Enchanted April, and their tiring, frightening journey to Italy. It seems I had forgotten the little Italian I had learned along with my jet-lag but fortunately for me there were several people who were helpful and able to speak English when I needed it. I was off to a good start!