Summer Evening

We strolled into Harvard Square for Herrell's ice cream with their famous hot fudge sauce tonight: the best of all possible summer nights. The air was still warm, and dry, and the early evening sun touched the beautiful roses to celebrate all the great things that come with the season!

Perfection

I had 48 hours in Santa Cruz, and it made me so happy to think that we will be going back there in less than two months! The weather, the friends, the open space... it was 48 hours of perfection.

More Poppies

These are not quite as stunning as the red ones, but stunning nonetheless.

Plum Island

The kids and I took a road trip to Maine last weekend. On the way back, we drove through several thunder storms, some large enough to make my hands clutch the steering wheels a bit too tight. As we approached the border of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, it occurred to me that we should make a detour to Plum Island. I had been there years ago, with fond memories lingering of beautiful beaches, and endless vistas. Despite the threatening clouds, and possible downpours, we found our way to one of the beaches.

The kids loved the empty beach. Who was going to come to the beach on that kind of day? They ran, and skipped and drew on the sand. We didn't stay long, but I promised them we would go back there again before we head back out West.

Poppies

These poppies are so beautiful and elegant I wish we could eat them! Summer is near. Thunderstorms are rolling in now, with crazy downpours I could pretend I were back in Thailand.

Blue White and Purple

We are transitioning from Spring to Summer. All the Spring blooms have come and gone. The kids are a bit perplexed by the impermanence of the blossoms. Momo's apple tree is now filled in with leaves, and no more flowers.

The Peonies are about to bloom - I am excited about that! And soon, we will be saying goodbye to the friends and flowers we have made here this past year.

Many more adventures to come before then. We are learning to live with the fleeting beauty and joy that is part of life.

Connecticut Visit

A short, but sweet visit to see our dear friends in Connecticut. The kids all played together while the adults enjoyed each other's company. And if you are like me, you will get so inspired by Laurie's art work! We were lucky to get to see her studio where it all begins!

Same Path

For now, they are heading down the same path. Who knows how long that will be the case. I am hoping they can stay together like this as long as they can...

Vernal Pool treasures

The vernal pool at Blue Heron is now in all its glory. Birds chirping, frogs hopping, tadpoles swimming, and unfortunately, ticks biting. We saw a frog (who was too fast to catch), and several tadpoles, two of which we took home to care for... We will keep you posted on the progress of our new pets!

Family Garden

The kids and I started an afternoon class at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln last week. The class, titled "Family Garden", is designed for children ages 3-5 accompanied by adults. The teacher, Debbie, is a natural teacher with wonderful projecting voice and passion for teaching. The kids gravitate to her without hesitation, which is always a welcoming treat (instead of having shy monkeys attached onto me).

We still go to Blue Heron for free play, catching bugs, and helping out with the farm. I am so glad the growing season is upon us once more!

The Woman Who Redefined Man

Last week, I had the fortune to attend another public talk given by Dr. Jane Goodall in Boston. The last time I was lucky enough to be in her presence, we were living in Maine, 10 years ago now. And that particular talk, taken place at Bowdoin College, was by far one of the highlights of my two years in Maine.

For a single woman to have changed and inspired so much of humanity is significant. In the audience last week, I noted children as young as my own, as well as elders older than my grandparents. For a single woman to attract such a wide spectrum of people to come listen to her talk for a mere 45 minutes is incredible. Furtheremore, she is not some young sexy chick. She's a 74 year old humble human being. But her passion for chimpanzees, the animal kingdom, and an aspiration to educate the world about our fragile planet, far exceed what any young celebrities can do.

It was Jane Goodall who first educated the world that chimpanzees, like humans, do use tools like us, and that they have a social and complex communities like us. Since 1960, she has spent time with the chimpanzees of Tanzania, learning from them, and practically, living with them. Her passion and dedication have grown far beyond the world of chimpanzees, or animals for that matter. She has dedicated herself to educating the young and and the old about the natural world, our impact on the earth, and what we can do to help save our planet from losing all the wonderful things that should be passed down to the (we hope) many generations to come.

She founded the Jane Goodall Institute, and Roots and Shoots, a program for children to become involved and active in their communities. Needless to say, I was re-inspired to become more active, and get my children even more aware of the natural world around them.

In her case, the cliche is definitely true, that one person can and does make a difference. We need more people like her in this world.

Lilac Sunday

The lilac bushes and their fragrant blossoms put on a spectacular show at Arnold Arboretum yesterday, as though they intended it for the celebration of Mother's Day.

Jim and I had always gone to the arboretum this time of year, when we were students here. Almost a dozen years have past, and the joy and beauty that these blossoms still bring remain quite incredible.

We brought our children with us this year, of course. Though they did appreciate the flora as much as any four year olds could, what really pleased them was the space, the trees, and hide away bushes that became an instant playground for them.

We met up with some friends, expectedly and serendipitously, which made our outing all the more enjoyable. The sun, the bright blue sky, and the sweet fragrance that filled the air, made for a memorable experience for us all.

Bird Friends

Barred Owl

Oriole

Hawk's egg

Friendly Goat

Look at who we got to play with today!

More on the morning of activities later once my article is published later this week in the Lincoln Journal. Stay tuned!

Apple Tree

Tree climbing goes hand-in-hand with being children. I am not surprised that we are closely, very closely, related to chimpanzees (more on that later!).

There is a book we love called "Arnold's Apple Tree". It is my hope that someday we will have our very own Apple tree in the backyard that will grow with our children. For now, we are borrowing Radcliff's Bunting House's Apple tree to climb, and learn from.

Because its blossoms are just bursting, each day that the kids climb up it, they notice a new blossom or two. Pretty soon the blossoms will become little buds of baby apples. Unfortunately, we will not be here when the apples are ripe for the picking.

But, we will sure find more apple trees back in California comes fall this year.

No harm done, as my children would say!

Rainy Day

Lilacs in front of Cherry blossoms

One of the best scents ever!

Pink Dogwood

New Pine Cones

Tulips

The kids have been riding their trikes to school lately. Even today, it was drizzling when we went outside ready to head for school.

"It's raining, guys" I blurted out, feeling droplets on my head.

"It's okay, Mommy. We can trike to school. No harm done." replied my little daughter. Her brother agreed with her with enthusiasm.

Well, as long as it was not pouring rain, there was no reason not to trike to school. Along the way, feeling like a sheep herder, I constantly remind them to stay focused on the sidewalks, do not get distracted, and definitely, do not look backwards.

What do they do? All of the above!

There is a lilac bush in a corner where we turn, and every time, they both veer right over to the bush, pull down a blossom to smell, and Momo likes to collect a small blossom to bring to school (the bush does not seem to belong to anyone in particular, so I allowed him to do so).

Rain or shine, the flora and the earth is finally awake from months of dormancy!

Hearts

While I figure out how to fix my beloved camera (!), here is a photo of one of the signs of true Spring: Bleeding Hearts. When I came here last year to get ready for our move across the country, these beauties were in bloom. And so, I have made a complete circle, from Spring to Spring, now that I get to see these blooming again.

We are having beautiful Spring days here, and I regret that I can't take photos to share with you. Soon, I hope!

New Blog

I recently started a new blog: Our favorite Kids' Books. We read so many books with our children. Some books we read once, and never revisit again; some books we read once a month; some books we read almost all the time. I find that the best books are the ones that entertain both the grown ups and the children alike. I am constantly learning new things through their eyes, and I have some of these books to thank.

I am a big fan of beautiful illustrations. So forget the term 'don't judge a book by its cover' because as far as children's books go, I won't even touch it if I don't find the cover attractive.

Anyhow, I hope you (especially those with children) find this site fun and helpful!