On Ari’s 11th birthday, he will be in three countries. He will be leaving France, transferring planes in Amsterdam, and ending in Norway. I told him I hope his family will learn to sing Happy Birthday in all three languages.
Let’s see what happens.
Zoo
Isaac and Ari came over for a sleepover. They are older now, and we don’t do this as often as we did. I suggested we go to the Oakland Zoo as I have maintained a membership since they have enjoyed going there for seven years. We do so infrequently now, I do not intend to renew. On the way there, we talked about what we would see and do. The parking lot was full when we got there. It was Memorial Day weekend and, apparently, a favored venue. We drove a bit, along with many other cars, and parking was not available nearby. I was not interested in walking a mile to the zoo. We left.
That may have been our last Oakland Zoo venture.
Gabriel
When I visited my dear friend Linda, I met her adopted dog Gabriel. We took him to a very large dog park in Seattle where dogs who enjoy the water can take a swim. There were many at the park that day. The dogs are not leashed. As we walked, Gabriel would do his own thing: he smelled other dogs, explored the grounds, and ran. He always stopped and checked where we were, and he stayed within eye view. We walked for a long time.
When we got home, Gabriel took a nap. End of story.
Distraction
I went to the Chihuly Museum in Seattle for the first time. I found most of the visitors were using their phone cameras to take pictures of the art or of each other. People were posing and it was rude to walk in front of them as they were arranging to take a picture. In one room, there were so many people taking pictures of individual hanging art pieces, that I could not get through to see them myself. Why not buy a book of the artwork?
Another complaint about technology.
Frustration
Had flowers delivered to my 101-year-old mother-in-law for Mother’s Day. I do this every year representing the whole family. When I spoke to her, she said she had not received them. I checked with the front desk at the nursing home and they combed the facility and found no flowers. It took three messages through their web site and three phone calls to arrange for another delivery of the flowers.
My time is valuable.
Mother’s Day
I value women who decide how they would like to celebrate Mother’s Day. Too many are concerned they are going to hurt someone’s feelings, i.e. their children or their own mother. Why is the priority, so often, to be more concerned about how others feel than about ourselves? I know one woman who does not join a huge family celebration because she prefers to spend the day by herself.
What would you truly like to do? I dare you.
A Highlight
Julie came to celebrate Passover with the family. Erik and Ellen have the Seder at their home each year. Carrie came to my home so that she and Julie and I went out for dinner the night before. The next day, Julie went to SF to go shopping and have lunch with Carrie. That night, after the Seder, Julie stayed at Erik’s home. I love the interaction these three have with each other. It has never changed.
They continue to touch my heart.
Nice Try
When Marjie and I were In grad school together, she told people she liked being around me because she would have a thought and her thought would come out of my mouth. I was the outspoken person. It worked for her. I received a card from her today with a picture on the front of two women. The message is, “We’ve been through a lot together, and most of it was your fault.” Marjie wrote on the card that this was an acknowledgement that apparently others have the same experience.
Once again. I know she designed the card and is passing it off on someone else.
LEARNING
Played Boggle with Isaac and Ari yesterday. It was not shocking that I had a longer list of words than they did. On the first game, I had the word dee.” Ari asked me what that meant and I told his it was the word for the letter D. On the third game, Ari had the word dee and said with a smile, “I got it.”
A quick learner. One of the values of playing with kids.
Interesting
Went to Ari’s clarinet concert. There were seven of us. Afterward, we went for yogurt. There was a good deal of testing. Interesting flavors. Not for me; I am always a blend of chocolate and vanilla. And then there are the toppings. For me, chocolate/peanut butter chunks and toffee mix. And, of course, hot fudge and hot caramel. We all sat down to eat and I noticed Erik’s dish. It had no toppings. I asked him and he said the yogurt is so tasty, he doesn’t like to cover the flavor.
Is that legal?