Any Age, It's a Milestone....

I am in New Mexico visiting for an event that I cannot currently divulge...but, what I can say is that an Auntie treat was to attend nephew Quintin's sixth grade graduation:

Quentin, in the blue shirt received several acknowledgements.

He receives congratulations...

One award was to acknowledge his uniqueness and perseverance--he is a role model and this button has the Presidential Seal....

A Proud Young Man....



A proud mom takes a special moment....

Then, they had cake!

And then, they didn't....

Many happy parents celebrating what I know, some of you may think is a little lame event.  I had initially thought that...My mind was changed as the methaphor of learning to ride a bike was discussed in terms of their transition (the training wheels have come off and there are bumps but also exhilaration).  Then, there was a really nice video with pictures and music...it was totally sweet.  And, most importantly, Quintin was so proud.

I have to say, I too am proud.  Well done young man!

We're Finished!!

And it was worth the wait!!

Here we go.....

Lucky us!!  Thank you Toni--You are the best!!

A May Day.

May has come. While Seattle celebrated a beautiful, warm weekend, Osama bin Laden was living his final moments. This is one of those events where we tend to always remember "what we were doing when..."  This is what we were doing; just living our lives.  I am very grateful to those Navy Seals who risked their lives while I was gardening.


One of the things I like about our yard is that many of our plants came from the gardens of friends, or by other means...Three years ago Kim and I were out for a neighborhood walk when we saw this uprooted beauty lying on its side in an alley.  I was aghast and as we continued our walk I kept wondering who would do such a thing??  That night, I literally couldn't sleep and the plant began calling out to me..."help me, help me..."   The next morning, I happened to have the day off.  We have big recycling bins on wheels and with our bin, I rolled it the 4 or 5 blocks to the plant's rejection site.  I was able to maneuver the bin on its side and push the plant root down-- and off rolling down the street we went...back to our house, to the garden, to it's new home.  Since then, it has rewarded us with these glorious red flowers each year....Perhaps that was a little more story than you wanted to know....

Our yard is in all of its glory....

Everyone is happy and smiles abound between all of the flowers.

This little beauty is about five years old...When Kim and I bought it, it was about 12 inches tall...

Veggies are growing (tomatoes arrive in late May) and Hostas begin to emerge...

The pear tree shows off its blooms. 

The flowers are a precursor to succulent, 

overly abundant pears.

While I slaved away in the garden, Kim and her friend Ellen took a weekend trip to the Washington Coast.  Ellen is now living in Honduras and has come for a two week visit.

They saw a cow.

And some boats 

and a very big octopus.

Meanwhile, Toni was working away creating straight shelves 

in a crooked little house.

Doors are also being hung.

Books are getting a bit anxious...

Inspections continue

On all fronts (or rears).

What were you doing? 

Be safe.

(I cannot undo this little green feature)