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What I write a Blog?

You may have thought I really had given up writing the blog or that I fell off the planet.  Neither has happened.  There has been a ton of stuff going on in the past two weeks, none of it having anything to do with knitting, all of it about family.  It was so much fun I didn't even bother to take time to write a post.  What I will do now, however, is give you a brief overview, just so you can rest assured I haven't been slouching around.  Let's do this reporting in reverse order because the most recent is oh so much clearer in my mind than two weeks ago:

June 30 - I spent 2.5 glorious hours alone with Miss M, my grand daughter.  We were into walking, swinging, blowing bubbles, sweeping, shoveling, dancing, sidewalk chalk art, and just playing around.  I had my 10,000 steps in before noon.  She is such a honey, so direct and clear minded, a girl after my own heart.  Loved every second being with her.

That girl who captured my heart today, again.

June 29 - I saw the albino squirrel again in Loring Park on Monday.  I was camera-less again; these are early morning walks and for some reason (not being totally awake?) I don't ever think of bringing the camera with me.  He looked happy and healthy eating on whatever was leftover from Sunday's big event.  There is something about seeing Mr. Albino Squirrel that makes me think it will be a great week, hey perhaps even a great month.

The Dandelion Fountain in Loring Park 
June 28 - I watched the Gay Pride parade marching down Hennipen Avenue.  I checked with friends and we all agreed it seemed so normal this year.  In years gone by one would easily be able to see some really flamboyant characters, but the entire parade was so subdued.  One of my sons asked me to send him pictures of the most outrageous thing I saw and I sent him nothing.


Part of the Gay Pride Parade on Hennepin Avenue

June 27 - I experienced my sons enjoying one another's company at one of their homes.  Sure there was hanging of a shower door and cabinets over the sink and tequila and a frittata, but there was so much more laughter and merriment about music.  It warmed my heart.  It is for moments like this and time with Miss M that I spend so much of my summer in Minneapolis.  These are so much better for my heart than all the walking I do combined.

June 22-26 - Paul and I were in Chicago. (He actually flew in for my parents' anniversary and we then drove to the Windy City after the celebration.  See below.)  While there we did five architectural tours, one play, Second City, a jazz set at the Green Mill, saw the newest Maggie Daley park (it had opened recently) strolled through the the Chicago Botanical Garden and had some mighty wonderful food and drink.  Thank you Paul, for making it a perfectly paced trip including those things I asked to see.

The Japanese Gardens in the Chicago Botanical Garden
Near the Chicago Institute of Art
Part of Chicago's skyline with Lake Michigan in the foreground

June 19-21 - Thirty of the 31 of us who were either born or entered into a relationship as a result of my parents marrying 65 years ago, gathered at a 9-bedroom, 9-bath, 10,000 square foot mansion on Lake Michigan in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  When four generations, 18 adults and 12 kids, ages 12  and under, are together at one time there is never a dull moment.  The mansion with its huge lawn and open pit fires allowed all of us to be together for fun, meals and reminiscing.  It seems from all accounts a good time was had by everyone.


The Mansion
Working to get everyone lined up for a group photo

June 15-18 - I traveled to Wisconsin Dells on  Greyhound, where my octogenarian parents picked me up.  There I spent time with my brothers and their wives and got food together for the Sheboygan shindig.  I also tried to get decent photos of the birds my Mother feeds on the farm.  I saw humming birds, orioles, and even an indigo bunting.  The indigo bunting was way too fast for me.  It came and left before I located my camera.

Rufous Hummingbird
An Oriole
It seems rather silly I needed a vacation from retirement here in the Twin Cities, but I did.  It was great to be away, but I am now happy to return and start knitting again with so many wonderful memories to ponder.

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