Dylan's Graduation

Dylan graduated from Brunswick High School on June 5, 2009. I am so proud of him and this accomplishment. This has not been easy for him, but he made the best of a new situation. Dylan was looking forward to starting his sophomore year at Roy High with me. However, it was not to be. For as most of you know, we moved to Maine shortly after school finished. Dylan faced the daunting idea that he would start a new school knowing no one. Lucky for us, however, I was able to get another teaching job, and at the same school Dylan would be attending. So when many students were beginning their year with kids they have known their entire life, Dylan began 10th grade in a new school knowing no one but his mother.

After three years, I am proud to say that he made many new friends and was voted "Most Friendly" by his high school peers. I am so grateful that Dylan's good friends shared the same values.


I was honored to stand as a teacher as he entered the graduation ceremony and walked through the teachers honoring the students. Yes, I did take a quick picture, and yes, it did not turn out to well. Way to go Dylan! You have proven you have great strength and courage. The future is yours for the taking!

The entire "Maine" Jeppson gang celebrating Dylan's graduation. I know that many of you had us in your thoughts this night. We wish you could have been there to share it with us.

GOOD LUCK DYLAN!!!! WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday My Love!

Well, it is official. The love of my life has finally reached the half-century mark! I thought this day would be 50 years away. However, much to my surprise the years have melted away, and here we are. Twenty-eight years ago, I fell in love with a tall, dark, handsome and mysterious man. Although the mystery is gone, the tall, dark and handsome remain.

We have shared many ups and downs, but as long as we were together, I knew things would always be okay.

Thanks for all the wonderful memories!

You can be a bit crazy, so I have learned to be spontaneous. Many wonderful memories have been made from those moments when we decided to just go.

You are my joy and happiness!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE!!!!

A Shipwreck! Aargh!

As I sail through life I have developed many romantic notions about living. I have come to believe that romance is just another synonym for mystery. For many times, once the intrigue is removed, the romance sails into the sunset, and the knowledge gained is that curse which sets the ship on a neverending journey. (I hope you can bear with my cliche analogy, but I couldn't resist.). A shipwreck sends my mind spinning. The long lost love returning home, but a storm prevents his return, and his true love wanders the shore forever looking for him.

I must know the answer. Curiosity begins to take over, and soon I have googled an answer, for I cannot bear the thought of lost love. What a disappointment to find the truth!

A good mystery with a little love mixed in always sparks my imagination. Finding the broken and shattered remains of an old ship on a beach in Maine sent my mind on a talespin. I am and will be forever fascinated with this shipwreck. Now, I could spoil the tale and give you the knowledge, but I would rather you have the same romantic notions I have created, especially if they concern a young man's desperate tale of adventure to return to his true love. I might even share it with you if you ever make it my way.

No, I will not tell you what beach because then you could google it too!

I Love FISH!

Alive or Dead, I LOVE Fish. This may sound a bit odd, but fish are fantastic. I must admit that I am not a big fan of actually touching a live fish, but I do love watching them. I did touch the rays and sharks. I thought they would feel the same, but I was surprised by the slimy feel of the sharks compared to the rubbery texture of the rays. Kaleb is the fellow in black.Good seafood is a favorite. I have eaten most kinds of fish. The raw oysters were rather interesting, but as long as you didn't chew too long, they were actually pretty tasty. I do prefer salt water fish to fresh water fish though. For some reason, fresh water fish have such strong "fishy" tastes. I know there are some fish I haven't tried, but give me time .I could spend hours watching fish, especially at aquariums. Dylan, Jamie, Kaleb and I had the good fortune of going to the Atlanta Aquarium. It was spectacular. Now, nothing outdoes Sea World, but this was pretty good. Of course, the kids got bored long before I did.

Extremely fascinating are the tunnels that you can walk through and experience life underwater without ever having to hold your breathe. I just wish I could get everyone to look at the camera at once.

Dylan is the person with the blue plaid hoodie. A simulated river stands above him. To put it into perspective, you have to remember that Dylan is 6'7' tall. The flash takes away from the scenery, but without the flash it is difficult to truly get an idea of how large the displays were.

Keep in mind as you look at this picture that the large fish in the water is probably about 50 to 60 feet in length(His relfection is what you see on the top of him.), and there were four of them in this tank along with thousands of other fish.

So, if anyone is bored and wants to sit for hours mesmerized by the beauty of the fish. Let me know. I am always up for a good aquarium.

A Yard Full of Snow is slowly melting.

I do love the change of seasons. This year, however, I was hoping for a change earlier than usual. I was seriously beginning to wonder whether winter would end. Fortunately, I am beginning to see signs of another world. I am still in awe of the amount of snow we received this winter. Maine actually had mountain ranges in parking lots as there was no where to go except up with the snow. The first picture is our home after about the second or third storm in December. I am quite grateful that the ice storm froze the grass because it was much easier to push the snow on a hard surface than a soft one. We had already pushed the snow at least another six or seven feet from the tree.

By the time the last storm hit, our yard was completely full of snow. The tree on the right of the picture is the one in the middle in the picture above. Our driveway had narrowed to allow for a vehicle to pass, but two at a time would be impossible.

Beauty still reigned amidst the cold and the snow. Sunrises were even more spectacular with the barren landscape below. Strength could always be found. Look at the tree that refuses to give up its leaves until new ones bloom. I must admit though that as our snow pack is melting, my heart is rising. I have made it through another winter, and summer is mine to enjoy.

At this point, I think I will have leaves on the trees before the snow melts. I guess, we will just have to wait and see.