Sunday, April 14, 2013

Belated Celebration

I did not mention it in my Valentine's Day post , but I broke from tradition and gave David a gift, which was a bike ride with me!  Two months later we were waking before 6 a.m. and heading off to the L.A. Police Academy for the City of Angels Ride.



 
A painting by our lunch spot.

This ride was unusual because we had a police escort the entire way, meaning we didn't stop for stoplights, stop signs, or anything else.

They made it all possible (and this doesn't even show them all).
Because I was on the back of the tandem I could take lots of photos, but because I was on the back of the tandem, a lot of them didn't turn out.

City of Angels


Riding through the Second St. tunnel near the LA Times Building (legally, unlike problems mentioned here).

in Chinatown

in Koreatown
We crossed lots of cool crosswalks, we passed the Los Angeles County of Central Heating and Refrigeration Plant (I had no idea there was such a thing), and we cycled right through the heart of Hollywood's tourist district.
The Jim Henson Company, just like in the 2011movie.

near USC


Happy Valentine's Day, David.  I love you!

David with the loot he won.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Memories

Most posts I write with parents in mind as the audience, but today I am writing for my own pleasure.

My parents might not want to remember how many times they brought 
me here to take lessons, to teach lessons, and for swim practice.

They still haven't invented a way to send scents through the computer?  You'll 
just have to feel the warm air, breathe deeply, and smell the wonderful scent of chlorine.


In the old days there were two diving boards and no starting blocks at this end.
I can't decide whether I love the windows or not.

We dove into the shallow water at this end 
and used these funky backstroke handlebars.
We also used to scratch things in the ring around the pool 
that was on the white tiles, but it is much cleaner now.


Remember when the pool had a bar instead of an eye hook and the coach would 
threaten to make the opponents' lanes narrower?  Not an option anymore.

And remember the funky gutter?  I did not 
remember that were markings for each foot and yard.

So entertaining to read the records (click to enlarge)!

Before swim lessons the door would open downstairs and 
we would walk down this long hall to the locker room.

This is where the team kept its stuff.


The showers haven't changed much.

My new coach wonders why I can't keep my head still
for backstroke, but the sky has no lines like this.

Take one last smell - ahh.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Art

It is hard to imagine visiting Cleveland and not including the art museum.

I love going out the south doors and walking around the lagoon 
(with a dear friend I have known for 42 years but David has known for 43!).


I like the combination of the art, the chandelier, and 
CWRU's Gehry-designed building (through the window).


The please-touch section included making your own Calder-inspired mobiles.

Can you find R.'s picture?
A. recreating art.

Created by A.
Inspired by Haniwa in the Form of an Archer
Japan, Kofun Perion (c. 3rd century 538)



Saturday, April 6, 2013

Paper or plastic?

I can clearly remember rudely nagging the people I was living with to take their own grocery bags to the store, as I was doing in 1989.  It may be that the habit started before that, but I am not sure.  These days I still take my own bags, usually canvas bags I purchased at the thrift store and had the kids decorate with fabric markers.  One child now likes plain bags, but I still like the comments I get with my colorful ones (except when someone asked if my grandkids drew the pictures).

Here are some of my regulars.

by R, Sept. 2004


"Where is my friend?"
reverse side (Nov. 2004)
mermaid party, July 2005

July 2005 (framing artwork done by A.)

Each child's traced hands and artwork, May 2007

Art and tie-dye!  June 2010

Almost plain, but not plain enough


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

International Multicultural Day

The elementary school has many days that involve being taught by the community.  Today the students had a chance to visit different countries and cultures and learn by listening, taking part in crafts and other activities, and by sharing food.


Around the World in Three Hours was this year's theme.


An amazing parent made these cookies!

On the way to the opening ceremony

Dancing our way in

Some of the presenters, representing
Denmark, Malawi, Mexico, Australia, India, Puerto Rico, 
France, Nepal, Uyghur, Germany, Argentina, Korea, 
El Salvador, Israel, and the Tongva Nation 

Presenters wearing native clothing from the Uyghur people.

The view from the stage.

Outside our room

Inside our room, making it as clean as Danish houses


 My friends who have spent two sabbaticals in Aarhus gave a fabulous and entertaining slide show.  Their kid and mine described the Danish alphabet (including Ã¦ ø Ã¥) and presented a little puppet show in Danish.

I did my best to teach them how to weave hearts, but it was more challenging than expected.  It was nice to see the pride on the children's faces who worked and succeeded and there were enough volunteers to help those who were struggling.


Afterward the kids had some risamalande (rice pudding) and saftevand (Danish Kool-Aid, but better).

They could look through some Danish and English books.

And everyone got a souvenir (a 1 krone piece).


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Holiday photos

Before the seder

Not a gingerbread house (Kosher marshmallows)

April Fool's Day (one item is chocolate and 
it isn't the matza farfel and cheese)