TJ

Song -Theme from Superman by John Williams

I have a nephew who's name is Timothy John after his dad 

and TJ has been his nickname since day one!

He loves animals.......

....and sports of all kinds but especially swimming and isn't afraid to share his enthusiasm!!!

 He loves his friends.....

....and family (especially Grandma Betty)!

But TJ is 22 now and beginning a new journey in his life.

 

W O R K....

He has been working for several months at Sideboard restaurant in Lafayette.

So if you happen to stop in there, please say hello to TJ!

He will great you with a warm heart and kind smile!

"Let your smile change the world 

but don't let the world change your smile."

 -- Connor Franta

All Aboard

Song - Tilden Park Merry Go Round


This week I had the opportunity to spend some time with my niece's children, June & Cal.  It was a fun experience to get to know them better now that they are 7 & 8.

Monday we spent the day at Tilden Park in the Berkeley Hills, where the kids got to feed some animals.  Aunt Jeanette was assuming there would be "pellets" to purchase but everyone else visiting was very generous in sharing their celery & lettuce!

Just look at that tongue......then look at that happy face on June!

I think Cal got slimmed on this one!

Can you tell that I asked them to pose for this shot?

Cal is giving the goat a "double treat"! It's all about choices.....

They got to see cows, chickens, ducks, bunny rabbits, geese, goats & sheep.

Then we headed over to the 100 year old Merry Go Round nearby.

The woman who sold the tickets told the kids that the chickens went the highest so for all of their rides, they always choose the only 2 chickens on the ride. 

 

The roof over the carousal ride.

The sea creature

The reindeer

Mr. Lion

I think it's a troll

Mr. Toad

A thoughtful giraffe

A wild zebra and sweet doggie

Then we had lunch and of course being an "Auntie" I had to buy them Cotton Candy!

After cleaning up -----(cough - Sticky......cough - blue mouths) we headed to the steam trains to ride ol' number 4.

It was fun to see all of the parents & grandparents & one Auntie looking like little kids for just a moment in time as the train wound it way through Redwood trees, over bridges and through tunnels.

At the end of the ride, the kids were able to talk to the conductor and ask questions like weather he steers it or not.

And what makes it go.....

Cal had spotted a turkey while on the train but no one else saw him for awhile until we caught him trying to cross the street!

Heading back home we decided it was time to relax and cool off in the pool.

Drip.......drip.......ahhhh.....

June is such a free spirit.  So while Cal pushed her around the pool, she was able to relax with her upside down goggles!!!

Mika was on guard the entire time they were swimming

The kids were very sweet with her and encouraged her to go swimming or ride on the raft but did not force the matter.

When they ended up in the hot tub she really had her work cut out for her!

They left to head back home today.  I miss them already but Mika is sound asleep and snoring by my side.

"You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around--and why his parents will always wave back." 

- William D. Tammeus

Jeanette's Wren Resort

 Song - House Wren Singing

Yesterday afternoon my good friend Jill dropped by for a pool "float" and since it was 100 degrees in the shade, I decided to join her.  Well, one thing led to another and before we knew it we were sipping ice cold Margarita's and planning dinner.  Jill had yummy leftovers from her last nights dinner and fresh  Spring peas! 

We had a blast, catching up on old times & new adventures until about 12:30am when a little house guest decided to make a visit.

The following is the email I sent to Jill this morning......

Welcome to Jeanette's Wren Resort

You bring the dinner & I will provide the *entertainment!

*Entertainment may include all or some of the following-Swimming, 

floating, 

outdoor wood fire, 

margaritas, 

wine, 

hot tub (if operable), 

dog farts, 

discussion of the beginning phases of dry rot then moving into more severe types of rot and then into structural failure (That would be our Cabana Boy - Mr. B - who really knows how to provide his guests with a lively conversation - yawn!), 

a Red Tailed Hawk carrying a big ol' RAT that was still squirming right over our heads just moments after Jill stated that she had never seen a Hawk with a Rat only with a Snake), 

more dog farts, 

dogs wanting to float in the pool with you (even though you are really a cat lover), 

a live Wren flying through the house at midnight which is a sure sign you will die (eventually) while your host tries to capture it with a beach towel and you go screaming for your life from Jeanette's Wren Resort.  

But the real treat is when you are safely home, 
sleep pulling you into the depths of your pillow, 
you will get a wake up call 
where your host will accuse you of stealing her cell phone!

PS - better make sure you have a good attorney before booking a spot at Jeanette's Wren Resort!!!

Click HERE to check for future availability.

I tried for half an hour to catch the sweet little guy last night but he was just too fast for me.  So I woke this morning to a lovely little song from "Buddy". He went sailing outside when I opened up the French doors. Come visit again soon Buddy!!!

"Opie: Cage sure looks awful empty don't it, Paw? Andy: Yes, son, it sure does. But don't the trees seem nice and full" - The Andy Griffith Show

Guess What's Back?

And in fashion? And you heard it here first! Yes, those old flowered, rubber swim caps! I can't wait to paint some of my buds wearing these at the local pool.


"My mom said she learned how to swim. Someone took her out in the lake and threw her off the boat. That's how she learned how to swim. I said, 'Mom, they weren't trying to teach you how to swim.' "
--Paula Poundstone