Pennsylvania Welcomes Tourists

As we traveled to Pittsburgh for a framily wedding, I saw this sign and knew I had to photograph it. It became the opening of the photo album I created for the wedding couple. It is an inspirational slogan created by the Pennsylvania Tourism Partnership. Karen Winner Sed, Co-Chair of the PTP stated, "Happiness is a universal aspiration. Whether you are looking to explore the outdoors a historical attraction, or an urban setting the overarching motivator is happiness." Happiness flowed throughout the wedding weekend. Smiles were everywhere but it did not take a sign to bring out the sunshine that lit up faces. Happiness is an inward emotion that does bring smiles.

 What made me happy this weekend in Pittsburgh?

• The Priory Hotel was a beautiful setting for an elegant wedding. It was built in 1888 and was refurbished beautifully.

• It was such a joyous moment when I was able to hug all my framily friends and enjoy special times with them. There are now several new little ones to bring love and laughter into our group.

• The wedding was a beautiful celebration of a dear couple who were embarking on their own pursuit of happiness journey.
• We took a brief walk through a part of Pittsburgh's history, the Strip District filled with boutique stores, larger shops, and restaurants. While it was cold outside, it was still fun seeing what Pittsburgh shopping offered. The long street reminded me of shopping in China Town in New York City.
• The drive home was pleasant and we had a delicious meal in a restaurant we love that is only an hour away from home. 

Because we were busy all weekend, I missed a couple of slices. Tonight, I am joining, Two Writing Teachers for their Slice of Life Story Challenge, Day 20.

Pack Our Bags and Go

Am I an organized packer of our bags when traveling? Frankly no. I have been working on this for years. I think I am getting better at this but my son is not and always needs assistance so nothing is left behind. A case in point is the year we were going to my mother's burial and my son left his dress shoes at home. Thank goodness that my husband had his hush puppies. Proof number 2 is that his toiletry bag is missing from our Disney trip in late January. So you can see why packing for a trip regardless of how long it is makes us all worried that something will be left behind. I checked and double-checked the trunk before taking off to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for a framily wedding. 

Packing

P  acking 

A dd only what is needed

C hallenge myself to

K eep it simple

I  nclude toiletries and makeup

N o extra clothing

G et on the road with the hope all is in the bag

©CVarsalona, 2023, designed in FotoJet

***

 It's time to join Poetry Friday Roundup. Thank you poet/Kidlit author and friend, Laura Purdie Salas for hosting Poetry Friday this week. Click here.

Logo by Linda Mitchell

AND

Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 17.

NOTES: 

• This post/slice is an extension of my Day 16 Slice of Life that can be accessed here.
• We are almost at our destination so I will respond to comments throughout the weekend.
• Happy St.Patrick's Day-We will celebrate with the framily tonight at the Welcome Party for the wedding! It's at a Pittsburgh pub. 

Celebrating with Friends

When life comes 

a calling with celebrations, 

what do you do?

You

THANK GOD.

You

SMILE.

You

SHARE.

You

CONTINUE TO

BELIEVE.

Last Sunday, I celebrated the bridal shower of a framily member whom I watched grow up since she was a baby. I was also fortunate enough to help decorate for the event.

On Tuesday, I was interviewed by Larry Jacobs of Education Talk Radio on my perspective of the upcoming International Literacy Association's 2016 Conference. You can read about that wonderful experience here. 

During the week, I noticed, wondered, created digital compositions and image poems, and wrote blogs and poetry in between shopping for additional plants for my gardens. 

*New Celebration Added: I celebrate poet friends who are keen on finding the right accreditation for images. When I found the above vintage piece of artwork, I did not have the name of the artist. On the internet it is listed as Norman Rockwell but Michelle H. Barnes thought it was not. Since the poem was being placed in her persona poem collection for Today's Little Ditty Challenge, she decided to use the label, vintage painting, artist unknown. Diane Mayr, librarian/poet, solved the mystery. The artist is Jack Welch, an illustrator for The Saturday Evening Post. The artwork is actually a 1946 ad for Air Lines of The United States.

All week long, I enjoyed corresponding with colleagues who were sending in their offerings for my upcoming spring gallery, Spring's Seeds. If you go to #SpringsSeeds on Twitter, you can start to see my growing virtual garden of poetry blossoms.

It was a full week of celebrating and now there is more celebrating to do with the start of the Memorial Day Weekend. 

Remember, "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is to celebrate."

Please visit Ruth Ayres at Celebrate This Week, a place where weekly celebrations are posted by the blogging community. 

Celebrating Being Connected

Join me today as I celebrate being a connected educator. 

This week started out with a celebration, Memorial Day, a day to remember America's fallen heroes. It is also the start of the summer season on Long Island. How better than to celebrate the sunshine and warm weather than with barbecues! Family and friends are important connections to cherish. I rekindled framily times at Rockville Links with a Memorial Day barbecue made complete with cotton candy, popcorn, hot dogs, corn, steak, salad bar, and of course, chocolate cake. 

I always enjoy the time spent with others.  It allows me the opportunity to bake for my family and friends. A little pinch of this and then of that is a trick learned from my Nonnie, carried on by my mother, and passed on to me. This week's creations were anisette biscotti, some of which were iced with Nutella. 

In addition, I celebrated words and created several poems for my blog posts this week: Honoring Heroes, Creating a Bucket List, Moment of Silence, and  Digital Design. 

   

To further celebrate being connected, I invite everyone to create:

• an #eduinspiration for the Hall of EduHero Voices that can be accessed here
• an original poem and photo combination for Spring's Symphony Gallery. You can read more about this invitation here 

My week will end with framily times again: fundraising for H.E.L.P. Uganda with a bead sale and then dinner with friends. How will you celebrate being connected this coming week? Enjoy life. 

Join Ruth Ayres as she Celebrates This Week every week.