A Full Day in February

It started with a morning walk and catching the moon in Skyspace.

The weather was great so I squeezed in a load of laundry (in the background).

I went to the Sycamore Talent Show and got to hear the act I had been looking forward to. This group of students sang all the states and their capitals (same song as performed here).

After bringing in the laundry we drove with D's parents to a church in South Pasadena

where they stayed for a concert and we went exploring.

First stop was the public library.

It warmed my heart to see a display of a child's collection,
which is something. my library did when I was a child.

The library has both a mural and statue by Leo Politi.
For better or for worse, the Friends of the Library bookstore was closed.

From there we explored the neighborhood, 

admiring many homes, 

but being surprised by the lack of drought-tolerant landscaping.

The historic soda fountain was closed so made do with a French bakery.

Oops - our regular minifigs were at home on their new tandem.

We finished the day with dinner at a deli. The rye bread was the best I had had in SoCal.

Exhibit created by a group of veterans who meet here weekly.

I do love my daily life, but it is good get out and about, too.

Some Things Don't Change

I looked at my first post after returning from our last leave and I almost wrote the exact same words today.

"...If I am being honest I will admit that enjoyed being able to say yes, I had been out of the country in the last twelve months."

Other nice things about being back

Skyspace

old friends

my favorite mug

laundry that dries quickly

I haven't decided how often I will post because I enjoyed the break the last month, but here is something for today.

Little victory

The wonderful cartoonist Keith Knight has illustrated a whole series of Life's Little Victories.

"Life’s Little Victories are the tiny little daily occurrences that we should take a moment to celebrate.  I suggest a fist or two in the air, and shouting “YES!!”

I did not pump my fist in the air, but I did say it was my good thing of the day.

For months I have been looking at these two socks, waiting for their partners to appear.  Yesterday A. pulled a sock from the bottom his backpack and now there is only one little sock waiting patiently.

Another busy day

The day started by checking on my dad's run.  He was the second oldest person to complete the 10K.  He may not have met his goal, but he did have the courage to start!  Plus, he did beat some men half his age.  Keep on truckin'!  I got out for my own training (less than seven weeks until the Freedom 5000!).

Always more laundry - I am grateful 

Next up was graduation.  I love seeing everyone in their regalia.

If you couldn't make it you could watch the entire event online.

Everyone was happy that it wasn't raining and it wasn't 90ºF.

Next up was a recital.

The evening ended with a casual college dinner.

It included a great balloon person - a butterfly and a jet pack are shown.

Now it is back to routine.  I hope the toddler remembers me!

Post-vacation activities

How to fill time the day after a ten-hour flight?

Send one kid off to a math tournament and another off to a soccer tournament.

 Watch the security and then the motorcade.  Guess a foreign diplomat kid's parent is in the car.

Host a party for the department seniors and their families.  Don't look closely, but you can admire the centerpieces (taken from plants growing in the neighborhood and some candles) a little bit.

 I went to watch the seniors, Cecil the Sagehen, and a bagpipe player march through the gates.

Of course there is laundry, grocery shopping, and unpacking.

It is good to be home!

A Wish Fulfilled!

Our old garden had bare dirt below the clothesline and new one has mulch.  As someone wrote in the paper recently, the great thing about brown yard is that it is easy to spot the green weeds.

One thing that isn't great is being unable to find clothespins after dropping them.

I received these as a gift from my parents over six years ago 

(I know because my ten-year-old used to play with them when he was in nursery school).

More recently I received these as a gift and they have been great, too.

I was hanging up laundry yesterday and wishing I had more colorful clothespins.  Afterward I ran a couple errands and didn't find what I was looking for, but how could I pass up using a coupon?  I decided to take a quick look at the clearance items and right there (but not on clearance, can't win 'em all) were sparrow clothespins! Wishes do come true!