I Don't Need My Sweater

The early sun streaked across this morning's dewdrops and lit a million rainbows. Yes, Mr. Rogers, it is a beautiful day in the neighborhood; made all the more-so because of the protracted wintery mix lasting a very long time in 2018.

Added to that the knee wasn't quite well enough for resumption of the walk I took with Aidan around the farm that landed me back into my favorite living room chair with heating pad, elevation, and a lot of props. Sheesh!

Aidan and Surprise after our walk.

Once again, the knee is better, having earned my deepened respect for its limitations. The mega-brace Sandy sent serves excellently during the hardest part. On order are a light-weight folding cane and breathable, knee "sleeve" to tote in my new, equally light-weight, small backpack/purse for planned day-trips to Washington, D.C., and NYC. Sigh. Ah, well.

It is great seeing Keoni again who drove over from the farm to say hello. He is home for several weeks after completing his Junior year. Aidan's Freshman high school year will soon be history, and he has a PYO concert coming up soon, too. During the summer he will attend the Dali Quartet workshops close to home as will Atticus, Keoni's friend from college, who will stay with the family on the farm. Keoni will join Seth and Peter at the church for another Saturday evening concert in a couple of weeks. He will return to Aspen in June for the summer Music Institute.

In between my joint episodes, another portrait began of Great-Grandson Dimetrios who is turning 14 this month.

Beginning Dimetrios...

I've been mystified by the flatness that develops drawing from a two-dimensional image to a two-dimensional image. Since the drawing is on the third floor and the stairs, while negotiable, are wear-and-tear, the completed item will show up later.

And, I tagged along with Marge to the Susquehanna River Valley on her business trip to her Alma Mater, Penn State at State College, PA. Took in the Palmer Museum of Art there while she was busy and later we walked around the university's fairly new Arboretum and Botanical installation...

Marge. Still wind and drizzle but clearing.

Giant Sundial.

Of course, we didn't pass up The Creamery on campus and satisfied our sensory needs if not our hips.

In the meantime, Jeanenne was off to the beaches with family and friends breathing the salt air in adult company as they went without anyone from the next generation or the generation after that. Sandy sent some photos that Jeanenne had posted.

Jeanenne took along her watercolors. Yay!

Life's a beach.

And, I loved that photo of them so much that I sketched it.

Sandy sent along a blast from the past...a 1940s-ish photo of Blue Moon Cafe, Warrenton, Missouri, the town where we lived some of our early years. It was a Greyhound Bus Stop when Greyhounds still served small communities. The cafe was a favorite teenage hangout during my years there.

The twitter I'm hearing is actual bird-twitter blending with motorized lawn mowing in the distance decapitating the bazillion dandelions blooming in profusions now that they have the chance. They are a welcome sight as you probably expect from me since I'm a little indiscriminate when it comes to flowers, having liked and posted lots of Queen Anne's Lace already, not understanding its weed designation.

From the back yard.

All five fish survived the winter. Here are three that didn't dart away from my footsteps.

Marge's tulips brighten the mailbox area.

Liliess of the Valley are covered with buds along the path in the side yard.

The tree in front is at its best right now.

The view out the back, today.

And Miss Suzy found the leftover popcorn I scattered outside.