I'm here.

Now, but I've just returned from a trip out west - Reno, Pyramid Lake, Tahoe, Yosemite, Death Valley and Las Vegas. Oh my goodness! What a trip - up and down and all around. Whew! Pictures to come later because I'm also working on a project in my house that is taking a long time...and a lot of work. Goodness!

Oh, and one more item of interest. It seems K and Julie became engaged while I was away. Congratulations! I can't think of a more delightful woman to welcome into this growing family of ours. They've been together for 7 years and we've loved her for nearly as long.

A Night with a Little

This Little is perfect for when I need a kid fix. His personality focuses on the right now and he thrives in one-on-one situations. He's also very attentive to the one he's with, which is really awesome because instead of me having to entertain him, we end up entertaining each other. It's awesome, I tell ya.

And he's adorable, and funny, and charming, and can spin stories like a pro. He's also very social and will strike up a conversation with complete strangers just to find out more about them. He wanted me to ask a stranger a question, but I, without thinking, wouldn't ask because I didn't care about the answer. "Fine," he said, "I'll ask." And he did. Yeah, not shy at all.

Bet you can't guess that he loves the camera...and reflections of himself acting goofy. Before we left the house he made sure I didn't forget my camera because, "you never go anywhere without your camera." He's right.

We went to the art museum mainly because they were having a talk and demonstration of Improv, but also because he loves to draw and paint. This was one of his favorite pictures because the reflection looks, "exactly, and I mean exactly," like it's real. He mentioned that there was a lot of art here. Guess he didn't quite make the connection that we were in an art museum. ~grins~ His two favorites were 3 Black Lemons and Seventeen Cats on a Ledge. Hmm...really? Cool!

I suspected he might get a kick out of the improv demo. Oh, man. Did he ever. Now he wants to go to one of the shows and we spent all of Saturday practicing our improv. It fits right in with his story telling abilities.

This was a spur of the moment ride when the groomsman offered us a free ride. Really? Okay...but I tipped him generously anyway.

Ah, yes, I love having little boys in the house again. If only for one night at a time.

Good morning...

As you can see...

Tulips are up.

Have a lovely Mother's Day!

Warm Enough!

It was finally warm enough to ride my bike again. Man, I love that. Let me just say, for the record, I thoroughly enjoyed this past winter with all it's bluster and snow accumulation. Gosh, it finally felt like a real winter, but now it's time for some Spring and Summer activities...like, bike riding. The trail along the river is always pretty and there's much to see when we're quiet. This time, however, several sections of the trail were under water. We ride on a levee between the river, which had completely flooded over it's banks, and the flood plain, which was getting pretty full. At one point we stopped to investigate an area where the water was a boiling mass and we couldn't tell if there was a culvert under the levee and the river was simply flowing through it to the other side, or if this was a weak point in the levee and the high water was forcing it's way underneath, which would mean we were witnessing a breach. We really couldn't be sure, but just in case, we didn't linger in that area.

It's hard to avoid the geese when they feed next to the trail. Geez, I wasn't going to mess with her baby so there was really no need for all that hissing and head bopping at me. Geese can be so mean, yeesh!

And the trail...just...ends... That's the river over the trail. It happens. I wasn't going to test the current, but someone thought he was brave enough to ride across. I laughed and told someone I would meet up with him...somewhere. haha...B got wet feet from paddling through there and the water is darn cold right now.

He turned to ride back to me and wouldn't you know but a muskrat swam across the trail in front of him and then this goose did the same thing. How often can you be riding your bike while chasing a goose through the water? Guess she didn't like being followed. She should stay off the trail then. Hmmm, maybe there is a reason for all that hissing and head bopping.

Sure signs that the winter is quite done! Love the red contrasted against the blue.

Are you riding your bike now? Do you have good trails to follow?