My home on the web since 1995
September 30th is NICU Awareness Day, honoring the babies and families who have experienced the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), as well as the doctors and nurses who care for these babies. For us, and many others, the NICU battle for survival was just the beginning of the war. We will always carry our NICU scars.
This is our first “family photo” taken by one of the NICU nurses with a Polaroid camera. The twins are one month old in this photo taken on August 28, 1993.
Thinking about the movie “Jaws.” This summer is the 50th anniversary of the movie! WOW, 50 years ago, Steven Spielberg scared the crap out of us. The movie fueled a fear of sharks that still remains today, even though the odds of being attacked by a shark are like 1 in 4 million. Jaws is also considered the first “summer blockbuster” movie. Here are a couple of Jaws-related photos. First, in 2019, we met Jeffrey Voorhees, the second shark victim. He signed Aaron’s DVD copy of the movie. “To Aaron, from the dead Alex Kintner.” Next, after living in Massachusetts my entire life, I finally got to Martha’s Vineyard in 2021. A lovely island, at least in the summertime. Rich, Nephew Nick, and I went for a long weekend to run the classic Martha’s Vineyard Marathon and Half Marathon (we did the half). While on the island, we checked out many of the movie sights where Jaws was filmed. Here is a photo of the three of us at “Jaws Bridge.” Lastly, an un-Jaws-related 1/2 marathon finish photo.
Long update: Those who know me know I love tropical islands and the beach. My Facebook intro reads, “Island girl trapped in Massachusetts.” A branch of my family tree has lived in Hawaii since the 1940s, and I’ve always dreamed of going there, but it’s so far and so expensive that a trip like that seemed out of reach. Also, Rich and I usually have to take separate vacations because it’s just easier for one of us to be home with the kids, although we did go back to Bermuda for our 30th wedding anniversary in 2022, since we were married in Bermuda. We went “Back to the scene of the crime,” as Rich says.
Anyway, over the years, I got to know my Hawaiian cousin Berin via Facebook. We never met in person, but we have kept in touch virtually. I remember Berin’s mother, Joella, who is my first cousin, from old family reunions, which were in Lexington, MA, at the home of my great-grandfather, Joseph Winterkorn (Berin and I share this great-grandfather on our Winterkorn lines). Joella and I were sort of pen pals, writing letters (actually letters via snail mail) and sharing annual holiday cards. But it’s been about 60 years since I’ve seen Joella, and I’ve never met Berin in person.
A couple of months ago, I got a Facebook message from Berin just checking in to see how I was doing following my big fall and medical issues. I told him I had pretty much recovered from my strokes, finished rehab, and as long as I got plenty of rest, I felt pretty good. He was happy to hear I was doing well and said that if I ever wanted to visit Honolulu, Rich and I could stay with him! WOW, what an incredible invitation; an opportunity we could not pass up. He didn’t have to ask twice. We were able to get coverage for the kids, we picked a week that worked for all, and got a direct flight from Boston to Honolulu last Monday, June 2nd. We just got back yesterday, and we are still recovering from this trip of a lifetime and the 6-hour time difference. We had the most amazing time, especially spending time with our long-lost cousins Joella and Berin. They were so gracious and generous, and we had so much fun. They treated us like royalty. We stayed on the island of Oahu, and our cousins took us on a grand tour of the whole island, out to eat, and even let us use their car and their beach equipment. We learned so much about the islands and the culture, including so many interesting island and family stories.
Of course, we visited Pearl Harbor, and I was able to visit Diamond Head and capture the most breathtaking view. We spent lots of time just sitting on Waikiki beach, as well as visiting a few smaller beaches. We also happened to be there during Rich’s birthday, so the family and their friends put together a birthday dinner for Rich as well as tickets to the show ‘AUANA (a Hawaiian version of Cirque du Soleil), an incredible show!
A year ago, I thought I was going to die. In spite of being given a pretty grim diagnosis, I was told to just “live life to the fullest,” and to do the things I wanted to do while I was still able. Fast forward to last week, I was in Hawaii visiting family on a trip that I had dreamed about since I was a teenager! It was a trip of a lifetime and truly on my “bucket list,” all made possible by my wonderful Hawaiian family. Life is good.
Of course, we took lots of photos. Here are just a few of the hundreds of photos we took. When I have time, I’ll post a few more scenic photos to Instagram and some videos to TikTok and Youtube.
I took a short trip to East Hampton, NY, with my lifelong friend Susan, who drove up from Florida for a vacation. We went to Long Island to see the famous house from the cult classic documentary film Grey Gardens from 1975. We decided to cross Long Island Sound by ferry from Bridgeport, CT to Port Jefferson, NY, rather than driving the whole way. That was an adventure on its own. I’ve been on ferries before, but never drove a car onto a ferry. We stopped by Grey Gardens, then walked along Georgica Beach, where Little Edie loved to swim. Then we went out for a nice dinner and spent the night at the East Hampton House. The next day, we visited two cemeteries and found the gravestones of Big Edie and Little Edie. Surprisingly, they were not buried together. We took the late afternoon ferry back to CT. It was a nice little trip and great to spend some time with Susan. We both love the Grey Gardens films and also wandering around cemeteries, so it was a fun time.
Meet Flirt and Joey, two male Congo African Gray parrots. These two are rescue birds that we adopted from Rhode Island Parrot Rescue. RIPR is a wonderful organization that focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and placing exotic birds into qualified homes.
These boys joined our family on November 18th, 2024, after a lengthy adoption process. We joked that it was easier to adopt our kids than to adopt these birds. But the rescue does an excellent job matching birds with potential adoptive “parronts” (parrot parents). First, we filled out a lengthy application, then a telephone interview. We then toured the rescue and got to know many of the birds. Then we had a home study, similar to what adoptive parents of humans have to do, to ensure our home is safe and suitable for birds. Then you have to take a 10-part course on bird care and treatment, which includes several tests. This online course takes a lot of time, but it is also very helpful. Although I’ve had several pet birds over the years, I did learn a few new things, and the course was very helpful in preparing for our new family members. Lastly, once you find a bird that you like and have the experience and supplies the bird will need, you have to be sure the bird likes you too. This involves a minimum of three “bonding visits” before you can take your new baby home.
Also, there is an adoption fee. If you love birds like I do, RIPR is a 501(c)3 non-profit rescue and a good cause. You can donate here.
