appreciation

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First, I had super fun getting my Parente HRG website up and running this week.  Creating new graphics, playing around with layouts, and learning new skills were all invigorating ways to invest my time.

Next, even with all the extra sneezing with the unwelcome entrance of ongoing tree pollen, it's been wonderful having the windows wide-open for much of this week.  There's no more welcoming sound to start the day than the chirping of all our neighborhood birds!

Finally, it was amazing to have so many of you jump on board after my request on Facebook to have you access the website.  Testing of the statistics app went very well, and it was really neat to see we had visitors from the UK, the Philippines, and Hong Kong in addition to the US.  My heartfelt gratitude to you all!

A special shout-out goes to Michael Boo, drum corps scribbler extraordinaire and curator of wonderful artwork he generously shares with us using social media.  With his permission, I'm including one of his more popular pieces here, framed for the occasion.  A tribute to his Bricks of the Month will need to wait until a later entry.

MikeBoo image 2014-0607Thanks for listening.  See you next week!

Interested in my coaching, consulting, or creative services?  Contact me at parentehrg AT gmail.com.

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Today has been about adjusting my point of view.

While I had a few things to take care of in the office first thing this morning, I already had plans to play hooky.  Weather-wise, it will go down as one of this year's Ten Most Perfect Days.  The Shore wasn't on my mind, but photography was.

Since I already knew what I planned to shoot, I quickly grabbed my gear as soon as my tasks were completed and headed to Colonial Park.  I arrived at the rose garden, and the gate was closed for maintenance of an undetermined span of time.

Crap.  Do not pass go, do not get to shoot the roses.

I headed home, and ended up plucking some flowers from the abundant clover growing in my front yard (lawn needs a serious trim).  I was still determined to do some macro photography, and if I had to settle, so be it.  Even though clover flowers are as abundant as weeds in this area, I posted a few pictures out on Facebook anyway.  Imagine my surprise when people reacted positively to the images!

Quite frankly, I never anticipated that anyone would have seen beyond just the images of the clover flowers because that was all I was seeing.  My point of view was narrow and tainted by my attitude of "having to settle" on something that wasn't what I had planned.  Instead, the images touched memories and possibilities in others that became real to me as they shared their reactions.

There's a lesson or more still in here - and the longer I ponder, the bigger my  list gets!

In the meantime, here's a bouquet for you, fresh from the Great Garden State ...

K5S_1971 Interested in learning more about our consulting, coaching, and creative services?  Contact us!

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Just to be clear, there were LOTS more than three things I appreciated this week, but I'm trying to stick with my original format ...

First, having the means and ability to travel is a gift I will never take for granted.

Boyton Beach, Florida


Next, the opportunities I've had this week to photograph so many different things / people / events have been exhilarating.

Tufted Cormoran, Flamingo Gardens, Davie FL

Sabatino Verlezza, Loretta Fois - RVCC Faculty Dance Recital Tech / Dress Rehearsal, Branchburg NJ

Alan Chesnovitz - Al Chez and the Brothers of Funk, JP Stevens HS, Edison NJ

Finally, I think it's really neat that so many of the "kids" I marched with in the Saints Drum and Bugle Corps still get together after all these years - even though our corps disbanded over 35 years ago.

Just some of my Saints Sibs in attendance at the Al Chez and Brothers of Funk concert.
L-R:  Patty Antol, Mark Scotto, Karen Parente, Lisa Wagner, Jack Bodzas, Lorraine Ravino, Valerie Fair, Kathy Donnelly, Maureen Fastuca.


Thanks for listening.  See you Monday!