a visit north

My last three days were spent north of Los Angeles, with my friends and their daughters, who refer to me as "auntie" and who will soon be the flower girls in my wedding. As I am without nieces and nephews, this makes me very happy.
This photo makes me extremely happy.

To reach them, I took the Amtrak train north from LA, and witnessed yet another extraordinary sunset.

During the day while my friends worked and the children were at school, I wandered around town and took photos.


I had the fortune of being able to pick up R. from pre-K and we had a little one-on-one time where we colored.
R. thought up the entire layout of the drawing.


This is M. getting her groove on in Trader Joe's.

And here we have Mommy, M. and R. doing a little pose while we made Eggplant Parmesan.

R. took this photo.

Here's the lovely family after a successful bike ride. Neither of the girls is using training wheels.

Whenever life seems too overwhelming, I suggest visiting a family like this one. You might find yourself watering seeds or looking at a praying mantis when you first wake up. Someone might throw a huge smile and hug your way because they're happy to see you, or they might point out flowers you miss because you're too tall. Or perhaps, just perhaps, you'll be given your very own dance recital.