Mixed Messages

One fine day while taking a detour off Interstate 81, we happened upon this little rural church.

It made me laugh.

I can just feel the love.

Why do I get the feeling that the members are card carrying members of the tea-bagger movement?

Not Quite Sepia Babies

The first photo is my father, Walter J. Murphy, Jr. aka the Semiconductor, wondering what to do with his newborn daughter in 1959. Walter is holding the perfect little girl.





While wandering through the Murphy archives, I thought it appropriate to show my gorgeous mother, Rose Marie Harrison Murphy, with my first wailing newborn, Annelise.

Annelise was a squaller. I didn't like her much until my maternity leave was almost over. She immediately conquered the colicky crap and became the perfect baby. I fell in love with her and quit my job at the community college.

This, however, is what she looked like during the first four months of her life.







In contrast, I will show you the perfect child. This little cherub was born in 1959. How do you like that Snow White dress?
I am not quite sure but I think the first couple are my mother's friends. The woman is my godmother. The man is her husband.


Sorry, I don't mean to be narcissistic, but yours truly is the star of the first series of Murphy Family photos.

Thirty three days

I wanted to post today. I have all sorts of things going on. I just didn't get around to it. I have those paintings that I painted in the fall and winter that I haven't photographed. I have more beach scenes from our Easter trip. I have old family photos for Sepia Saturday. My art club participated in the annual chalk mural competition Saturday. My kids are keeping me busy with concerts and lessons and scholarship applications.

Instead I scheduled a dentist appointment for me and a doctor appointment for the girls at the same time on the same day and forgot them both. I am considering resigning as advisor to the art club. We managed to fund raise enough money for a trip to New York and they would rather go shopping than visit the museums.

It's that time of year. Thirty-three more days of school. I'm tired. I am sure we will have a wonderful trip and I will love them (Art Club) again before the year ends.

Sepia Saturday - Old Time Religion

Sepia Saturday is a wonderful opportunity to share old photos. This was started by my prolific blogging friend and poet Kat Mortenson aka (Poetikat). There you will be treated to wonderful photos and stories posted by many bloggers. This is my second contribution. (You do not have to tint your photos sepia - just post)

Here are some unique and nostalgic photos featuring both sets of my grandparents. My Uncle Paul Harrison is pictured here in his Jesuit robes (second from right).
Pictured from left to right are my mother, Rose Harrison Murphy, an unknown Jesuit, Grandma Anna (Smyth) Harrison, Grandpa Walter J. Murphy, Sr., Grandma Anita (Reilly) Murphy,Brother Paul Harrison and Grandpa Joseph Harrison. (the harse tief holding a new form of amusement).

Grandpa supposedly stole a horse or a cow from his Kilkenny Ireland family to purchase passage to the US. He later became a chauffer for Theodore Roosevelt.

Anna Smyth Harrison hailed from (Manchester, UK) and booked passage on the Titanic (second class). Something happened and she supposedly "missed" that boat.


I do know that Joseph and Anna met in or around Jersey City, NJ. They married and produced nine children. One became a Jesuit, perhaps a penance for the horse incident.

Bottom picture Brother Paul is in the center with his mother Anna and my mother, Rose. (I am thinking I might be a bun in the oven here). I will therefore guess the date as Spring, 1959.

Off Season Beach Break

We took a mini-vacation! Easter weekend Thursday through Sunday. We found a beach house in Strathmere, New Jersey, just 12 miles from my Dad's house. We could bring the doggies! I found it on Craigslist!

Okay. I was skeptical at first. This was by far, the best beachhouse ever.

Just look at the view from our deck!


This is a little snippet of the "gateway" to the beach. I loved the old dune fences. This is tiny beach community totally committed to dune reclamation.

Fiona and Freja are loving this! I'm sorry. Think about it. If you were a dog....


Delaney is in the water in April. Yes it is unseasonably warm. I have so many more photos.

Let me know if you want to see them. I didn't want to "bore" anyone.

I'm a bit more relaxed on a Monday.
We will defnitely go back to this spotl