So Good to Be Home

One of my mom's favorite songs, written in Woodstock, NY circa 1975. I've been thinking of her a lot lately, and of my aunts, family, all the places I've felt at home. First of all the islands, and the second place I just suddenly "knew" I was magnetically aligned, and was surprised to realize I was, and had missed it ... , was actually in Woodstock. So this is a collection of stills:
1. my mother and I in the kitchen of the house we called Fanny Hill, on Marmont Lane in Hollywood, where Fanny lived and rehearsed.
2. the family compound (San Juan, Rizal - Manila) where I essentially grew up.
3. the living room. I had dreamed of this decor/furniture for years ~ thanks to my cousin Rene 'Kim' Limjoco for the shot. It is exactly as I remember ... 
4. I lived for the beach! I'm at far left, can you tell?
5. Jean, June (center) and 2 cousins at San Juan
6. Jean blowing out birthday candle. Brother Richard, R
7. photo with my dad ~ we're probably near Tagaytay, en route to my mom's hometown of Lian, Batangas. from left: Jean, Richard, our father John, June
8. I'm very rarely horsing around in early photos, but here it is, this time wih my mom. from left: Jean, June, our mother Yolanda Limjoco, Richard
9. early Limjoco family portrait. Although this was taken pre-WWII and the Occupation - probably closer to the American takeover from the Spanish, who had us for 300 years - I can tell you this is exactly the austere atmosphere I grew up with. Very formal, very Spanish/Catholic-Chinese.
10/11. Jumping to the Hawaiian Islands! Benefit for IMA at my brother Scott's property outside of Hilo, early March '09.
12. June and Ann in Tuscany, early March 2007 ~ we felt right at home there. Photo by Joy Conz, IMA intern who was an exchange student for a year, and whom we were in part visiting. Guesthouse at private villa outside of Siena.
13. Home from Hawaii, March '09! Front of IMAEast, at milk barn.
14. Just add our labrodoodle, Ami, and ~ a frozen ball. She's happy!
15. In front of the completed studios, June '09. Photo by Desdemona Burgin.
16. Our beloved Aunt Cora, my mom's sister, when she was young.
17. Tia Cora with Ann Hackler at my mom's house in Davis, just when we moved to California. She did come to IMAWest in Bodega several times, and was always proud of everything any of us kids accomplished. I remember her from my earliest days growing up in Manila. A kind soul, and we all miss her.
18. Lola, or grandmother. That type of formal dress is something I saw her wear many times, and she always looked wonderful. 
19. June and Jean Millington sitting in the courtyard at IMAWest (Bodega, CA).
20. back area of IMAEast, August '09. photo by Kathryn Willmore

Category:

Music

Tags:

• June and Jean Millington
• IMA. WWII
• Manila
• Tagaytay
• the Limjocos
• Lian Batangas
• Woodstock NY
• home

[53Joan]

Beautiful song ~ beautiful memories ~ beautiful family.

God Bless ~ 2012

[mariandelochs]

This is one of my fave post-Fanny songs as well! Ooooh, those pics are precious, aren't they? Ha, ha, there you are, mugging at the camera! Maybe will visit IMA in Boston one of these days...how's the knee recovery been?

[megchristianfan]

How can we thank you for sharing this? I know...I will do Family ( World of Love) Saturday for you.

[khataroo]

Bellisimo June! What sweet memories that you have shared. I loved watching every moment!

Love, khat