Groupon

I think Groupon is a good deal! Once you join - and it's free to do so - you receive offers each day for something in your area, and you can take advantage of them or not. There is a time limit in which to buy, and that is stated clearly on the screen. Once you indicate that you want to buy, you pay by credit card and then print out your receipt. I LOVE the ones that I've gotten. This weekend we got some great plants & super potting soil at Armstrong's with a Groupon coupon. My coupon cost $25 for $50 worth of products. Can't beat that! With offerings from restaurants, bakeries, spas, family adventures, beauty treatments of all kinds, hamburgers, exercising, etc., there are so many fun things from which to choose. I'm saving a cupcake one for a special event with the family.

Amgen Has Come & Gone! What a day!

This is Tom Danielson of Team Garmin-Cervelo(USA) and he is currently in 4th place. Our son Mark asked if I would get his autograph if possible. So, I asked and he nicely agreed to sign one of the AMGEN posters for me. It was amazing to be so "up close and personal" as the riders gathered for the beginning of the race, along with all of the cars that carry their extra gear and replacement bikes & parts. The day was beautiful and the start of the race was exciting. Butch, Zac, Luke, & I had walked down to the village to watch the festivities around the beginning of the race. It's amazing how fast both the riders and the cars move in such close proximity to each other. I saw a tire changed in what seemed like the blink of an eye. Watching the race later on TV as they wound their way up Baldy Road and then through the hills around the area, ultimately finishing the race high on Mt. Baldy, was fascinating and the end to a delightful day.

AMGEN Comes to Claremont

The excitement is building in Claremont as the city prepares for the AMGEN Tour of California to make its stop here on Saturday. The racers begin downtown, circle through the downtown area of Claremont a couple of times and then head over to Mt. Baldy Road for a super steep and winding climb, across the mountains to Glendora, around that area and through Glendora, back up the mountains, and then over to finish at Mt. Baldy. This leg has been touted as THE most difficult part of the whole event. A lot of people have been working hard to make sure that all goes well here. They are anticipating a huge crowd for the race. We'll be there in our AMGEN shirts to cheer them on their way.

Report on the Doves

Today "Dad" was sitting on the nest. He is more beautifully marked and bigger than "Mom." The squirrels have discovered the seeds that we put out for the doves. That was no surprise. When we first put them out, the bluejays were there to have first pick of the assorted grains. This picture is of the "Mom." It's dark, but I think if you click on it, you can see her alert "eye" as she watches for anyone who might disturb her nest.

The Nesting Doves

While this is not a picture of the dove that is sitting in the nest that she and her "chunky monkey" mate built in a large basket of tuberous begonias that we have hanging right outside our bedroom window, it looks like a "twin" to "Mom." We check her out each time we walk through the bedroom, and we've tried to put food where she can get to it. (The bluejays were thrilled by that "easy" food resource, too.) The doves have been sitting on the nest for about 3 days now, so I figure that we've got 1 1/2 weeks to go. I so hope that the cats don't get the babies. These parents have chosen their spot well. I think it's one of the few places that the wandering neighborhood cats can't reach. Thank goodness for that! Our neighborhood cat population is down due to the coyotes, but there are still a few that are let out in the mornings to "cat around." When I went to take her picture through the window, I scared her off. So, I took out the small ladder and got an actual shot of the nest with the two beautiful eggs! I'll keep you posted on our brood.

Thanks Be for the People Who Grace My Life

At a meeting this morning, I looked around and realized how many wonderful people grace my life. This group was representative of the people I see regularly in a variety of situations and organization meetings who give so generously of their gifts and talents to enrich the lives of others. Both men and women spend time working to care for, to create services for, to provide events & activities for, to build facilities for, to develop programs for, and to help produce FUN for a wide variety of people. They enrich the lives of others in ways that say: "This is for YOU because YOU matter!"

Graduation at the Colleges

The Flower Vendors fresco by Alfredo Ramos Martinez.

The Claremont Colleges

This weekend is graduation at all of the colleges. So, the community will be hopping with friends, family, alums, & guests who will be in town for the celebrations. The various colleges and grad schools coordinate their Commencements with each other, so that you can generally make it to more than one, if you wish.








Since the events are held outside either in the open or under tented structures, you can also see what's going on. It's an exciting time. Here's wishing all of the graduates all the best in their future endeavors.

Words of Wisdom

Today my favorite man in the whole world shared with me this bit of wisdom when I asked him about what looked like some really red bug bites on his leg. He looked at them, rubbed them, and said: "If it doesn't itch or hurt, I ignore it." Hmmm. Perhaps those are good words to live by.

Flowers in May

Several years ago some loving friends gifted us with this gorgeous amaryllis. It was in magnificent bloom and it graced us with its beauty for several weeks. We enjoyed it and missed it when it finally ended its blooming season. But we left the pot right where it was. The next year we were thrilled when we saw the new shoot coming out and then once again we were treated to glorious blooms. This has now happened for at least 5 years, and it warms our hearts and brings smiles to our faces when we see its beauty each day. We also feel a special connection to our caring friends whose gift truly "keeps on giving" in the very best sense of that phrase. Thanks, Mel and Beth.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

There may be a better dessert, snack, "life saver," delicious treat, or darn good cookie than a chocolate chip cookie, but I quite frankly don't know what it would be. I LOVE chocolate chip cookies!!! My friends Donna and Robin are THE premiere chocolate chip cookie makers, and their cookies are melt-in-your-mouth "scrump-dilly-icious!" Did I have 2 for Mother's Day? Yes, indeed!

My Two Favorite Moms In The Whole World!

These two spectacular young women are the fantastic moms of our grandchildren. They are super wives, super professionals in their jobs, super daughter/daughter-in-law, and loving, caring, involved, complex, intelligent young women. We are richly blessed! Happy Mother's Day, Maria & Susan. We love you "all the much!"

The Treat That Is The LA Philharmonic

Tonight we attended a concert by the LA Philharmonic at Disney Hall. Gustavo Dudamel led the orchestra in glorious pieces by Brahms - "Academic Festival Overture" and "Symphony No.1." The audience gave the orchestra and Dudamel an enthusiastic and long standing ovation. In between the two works by Brahms, the violin soloist, Leonidas Kavakos, demonstrated his considerable talent in a complicated piece that many would describe as "notes in search of a melody." But the night belonged to the orchestra's superb playing under the baton of their inspiring conductor. They were both spectacular! We had all of this plus a delightful evening with good friends both long-time and newly met. Unbeatable!

Easter With the Hendersons & Tuckers

On Easter Sunday we all went to church and then we all came to our house for a family meal. It was a treat to have Grandmother Millie Tucker and Sara (for a while) both with us. The cousins had so much fun together, and the girls all looked beautiful in their dressy dresses. The Easter bunny came and put eggs all over the front yard for all of the cousins to find. The adults had a great visit while all of the children entertained each other. It was the perfect celebration of a special day.