Author: Rene

Leave it to us. We booked the whale watching tour at Dana Point, “Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World.” Registered trademark, btw.

The rare occurrence was that we saw nothing. No dolphins, no whales. The crew was disappointed. It is so rare that they offered us ”whale checks.” Free returns to try and catch Mother Nature again. Even the yearly pass-holder we met, lovely woman, said this was unique. We gave our fascinating Uber driver the tickets. (He was really neat. Successful immigrant story.)

So…here you go. I have no sea life photos. Only footprints in the sand. Who made them? Where are they going? Are they ours from the morning hike?

All I know is that some of that sand is on the floor of my room.

How do you know you are on vacation? (Aside from the fact that you can’t load your dishwasher, throw a load of laundry in, vacuum the rugs, take out the garbage, etc…) And that you get upgraded by some fault of the reservation system?

Bird of Paradise example

Being in a different environment than the one in which you live is a holy experience. That’s why I travel.

One of the most wonderful moments happened yesterday. I agreed to watch my granddaughter because I would be missing her on my normal day. Little stinker.

Nap time. She is tired, as she puts her head on my shoulder and indicates her desire. We cuddle and walk, and then go to her slumber environment. (My office with the pack-n-play) She knows this routine, she gets the whole thing, yet she refused to let me rock her and sing to her, and thus, I placed her in the bed saying, ”You have to take a nap.”

Oh. She stands up and starts chatting, smiling and giggling. I have a difficult time not laughing, struggling to remain stern. We spent moments eyeing each other. I picked her up and rocked her. Yes, I ceded my power and let her know her communication worked. Sorry, Mom and Dad.

She slept in my arms for an hour. Just a little bit of heaven for both of us.

Can you say, ”Pea Soup?”

The best part of having ham for Easter dinner is the delicious split pea soup that will be simmering on the stove today. Let me know if you want some, because the worst part of the soup patrol is that I am the only one who will be consuming it at my home.

Continuing with the spring cleaning.

I’ve always found it fitting that “spring cleaning” coincides with Easter in this region of the hemisphere. Getting the soul shined up and the abode as well go hand-in-hand. Apparently my English major buddy got on the memorabiilia-clean-out kick.

As embarrassing as it could be, here is an old photo she dredged up, which I cannot recall ever seeing. I will state, the only trophy I ever received was for flag football in college. One can only wonder how that happened? Thanks, ”Paroline!”

Just a humorous note for those of you celebrating the end of your Lenten commitments.

Live those celebrations of joy! Happy Triduum.

I will have to buried with my sunglasses on.

While browsing through photos looking for a decent one of my husband and me which could be used for a project, it became evident that any photo of me taken with sunlight in the vicinity also has me in dark shades. And almost every photo of the two of us is taken outside.

When we first moved to our home, I wore sunglasses at breakfast. We had no blinds on the windows and it was too bright. I squint so much outside without glasses, I can’t take a decent photo often. Thus, we have a mission for this weekend when the kids visit. One of them has to snap us indoors so I can get a photo and complete a project.

Thank goodness my daughter returned two pair to me this morning. I tend to deposit them wherever I go. Who will recognize me without them?

My daughter invited me to go to the museum for the “Infant-directed” exhibit. I had been to the Clifford Still museum twice before. I was certain I would never need to go again. However, curious and eager to experience an interactive moment with my little grand in an art museum, I agreed to go. The tickets were free.

First, we were the only visitors to this building dedicated to one artist. Second, we were followed closely by the docent – had to be. Surely they couldn’t afford to pay someone to keep an eye on three people? She made sure we knew we couldn’t touch the paintings, or run the stroller into them. We smiled politely, understanding that she had to be bored out of her skull. The “infant display?” It was a video on a 2×4 screen showing children aged one to two pointing to one of two pictures of Clifford Still’s paintings. Whichever one they pointed to first, THAT was the one displayed in the room. Genius.

We had a good laugh.

My son and I actually made a date to ”clean out the closet” in his former room. My dreams of shelves cleared of memorabilia, toys, books, were dashed shortly after we began the process. The first item to appear in our ”Does it bring you joy?” encounter, was the light saber from Star Wars. He turned it on. The following conversation ensued.

“This is really cool!”

“Wow. That is neat.”

“Gee.”

“You can’t get rid of that!”

“Nah. I’m keeping it.”

Pause.

Me: ”This is not going to go well.”

Rip-roaring laughter followed, and suffice to say, not much went by the wayside. It was a great afternoon though, and I look forward to the next time we revisit those memories.