A Life Remembered

I am saddened to learn about the death of one of my residents where I do volunteer service. I offered my assistance in computer skills. My unique experience with Stuart will always be treasured. A webcam was set up on the desktop computers for the residents. They could do video conferencing through Skype. When Stuart discovered that the webcams could do still photography, he resumed his passion for photography.
I never asked him how long had he been without his camera equipment. I'm sure that he had to let go of some of his possessions to live there.
Over the course of four years, I learned a lot of things about Stuart. He traveled through Europe when he was younger. He stayed in London for awhile and went to Jean Straker's Visual Arts Club in Soho. Stuart was interested in photographing nude models and at the time, Straker's studio was well known.
I was always amazed by what Stuart accomplished using foil, napkins, flashlights, bubble wrap, and ornaments. He spent hours at the desktop modeling the objects and experimenting with angles and lighting.
Stuart was allowed to do a gallery presentation of his images in the main floor of the facility. The public was invited. Refreshments were served. He was so delighted that day.
His dexterity was becoming increasingly limited and he had to stop creating images. I still continued to visit him and I knew how difficult it was for him to be resigned to his limitations. Yet I sometimes could see that joviality emerge. He loved having visitors. I always enjoyed my visits with Stuart because we could laugh and when he laughed it was a good jolly release of endorphins. Audrey Hepburn said, "I love people who make me laugh." She went on to say, "It's probably the most important thing in a person."
And so it was with Stuart.

Here are three images saved on my hard drive that are Stuart's.

A Visit to Short Beach on a Stormy Day

Curiosity got a hold of me today. I have been driving my brother to physical therapy appointments and we travel through this neighborhood to get there. It's a picturesque drive along the shore. I had my camera with me today so I was set on parking somewhere to take some photos. I returned here after I left my brother.
Short Beach can be called a village or a hamlet. It's incorporated into the town of Branford. This was originally a summer resort but now most homes are winterized. So the residents live here through the year.
The streets are narrow and really can be considered as lanes. Traffic is directed in one way streets. There are signs posted prohibiting two way traffic.
I liked this home with the three windows and window boxes.

 I walked down to the water and watched the waves crash on the wall. I can imagine how large these waves can become in a hurricane.

 I found this cottage charming with the lace curtains in the windows. The color of the storm door is complimentary to the color of the cottage.

 Some of these residents make their property appealing.

 Until I came upon this scene. Actually the front of this house is well groomed, so I don't know why this is abandoned.

 These photos are of the Short Beach Union Church. It was founded in 1883 for the summer residents. It is still a worshiping community. The name of the street is appropriate. It's Pentecost Street.

 One more walk to the shore to capture the intensity of the waves.

 I was returning to my car when I spotted this angled view of the water. This gives you an idea on how close these cottages are close together.