The First Day in the Pool

Today the water in the pool was finally warm enough for everyone to swim. Before now, only the very hearty had dared to enter and then not for very long. Luke absolutely loves the water, Zac always has, and Claire is very careful about what and how much she attempts. Once she's secure, she goes at it full tilt. The water felt good and I'm looking forward to many more lazy summer days with family swims.

"By the Beautiful Sea" with Village Dance Arts Multi-Talented Dancers and Performers

On Saturday the 19th Maria, Sara, Zac, Claire, and I attended the end of the year show presented by the Village Dance Arts students. Claire had her first taste of ballet this spring in one of their classes, and we all wanted to see the show. It was delightful! The Haugh Performing Arts Center at Citrus College is an ideal setting for a show because everyone can see. This is wonderful for all of the young people in the audience and short "older" people like Grandma RoRo. The dancers were obviously enjoying performing and the audience was most receptive. We saw such a wide variety of types of dance - ballet, tap, jazz, Taiko drumming and tap, and other special treats such as a Barbershop Quartet and a steel drum. Charlotte Van Ryswyk sat with us and shared her knowledge of the dances since Claire was a longtime student there AND she was helping out with the show. We got to see her as an onlooker at one of the cafe tables in the scenes in the last part of the show. We in Claremont are so fortunate to have such a gifted and dedicated group of people involved in both the Village Dance Arts and the Inland Pacific Ballet and for our children and grandchildren to have the opportunity to learn from talented and caring artists.

Hair And The Color Thereof

I have been blessed all my life with "yicky" hair. That's just the best way to describe it. It's not a distinctive color, it's not full, it's not thick, it's not "getting older" in a nice way, it has no "body," and it's a pain in the epizooty. Today I went to my hairdresser with blonde/white/grayish hair and I came home with brownish hair. She tried REALLY HARD to do what I requested, but there were not really enough hours in the day (or appointment) or hair on my head. Butch pronounced it "just fine." A friend nicely commented that it was a "bit brown" and that she liked the blond choice better. Where's some of that great hair I see on the zillions of young women broadcasters on TV? I can hardly "hear" the news because I'm bedazzled by their hair. So, I'll let it grow, be content for this month, and next month we'll give "glamorous" another shot. Why do I think it will miss again?

Happy Father's Day, Butch & Mark & Eric!

There are three great men in our family and today we celebrate their "day." They are loving husbands and caring fathers who love what they do AND love those of us who "people" their lives. Thanks, guys, for magical memories and moments both now and to come.

The New Advantium Is Up & Running!

Hallelujah! The new oven is in and is working like a charm. In fact, it is working much better than the old one because the very necessary venting system has been properly installed this time around. The oven is shiny and clean and cooks beautifully. We tend to forget how much we rely on a microwave and the high speed cooking until those options aren't available. So, some of our pans are once again resting in peace and the grill outside has heaved a sigh of relief. Our salmon is now cooked just perfectly, and so is the chicken. Reheating happens in a snap, and no pans were dirtied in the process. Thank you, GE. You've created a wonderful appliance.

Cactus Flowers

Why is it that the thorniest plants may produce absolutely the most glorious blooms? Hmmm. Could this be a commentary on life and perhaps people?

Hooray for Susan

What a treat to see this picture from the Lawrence Journal-World on Saturday.

"Susan and Mark Henderson break ground April 16 at the Lied Center’s 2010-11 Season Announcement Party. Susan is the 2010-11 Friends of the Lied campaign chairwoman."

Hooray for Susan! We think she is spectacular in every way.