8/10/10 to 8/18/10

Three-day weekends are wonderful. How I spent my weekend:

Watching Mad Men

Floating down the Russian River on a daisy

Eating corn and mint watermelon with lime

Walking with the girls, plus my boys, Mike and Arrow

Going to the movies, I saw The Kids are Alright (you know what? I think those kids are going to be alright)

Reading Jane Eyre

8/1/10 to 8/9/10

7/23/10 to 7/31/10

"Do leprechauns get punched in the face or have their cars stolen?"

--Nicolas Cage in Next

7/15 to 7/22

These photos are from 7/17 when I went to SLO to hang out with Dre and Danelle. We made a lovely picnic made from our farmers' market purchases while we sat on a rock overlooking the ocean. It was glorious.
Today, while walking with Amy back to work from lunch, a woman turned the corner with her hand held out in front of her and walked toward us as if she wanted us to give her something. As she did this she said, "hate, I hate the haters."

Halloween

This entry goes out to Danelle, a true Disney lover. This drawing is based on a photo of my brother from Halloween many years ago. He always had great ideas for his cosumes and went all out. One year he was the invisible man, another he was Jack the prumpkin head from Return to Oz. The boy trick or treated with a pumkin on his head. I never knew what I wanted to be, and I would make my mom try to read my mind and then get mad at her when it wasn't exactly what I wanted.

The month before Halloween:

Mom: What do you want to be?

Me: I don't know.

A week before Halloween.

Mom: What do you want to be?

Me: . . . I don't know.

The day of Halloween:

Mom: You can be a penguin and where this white botton down shirt with a black coat. Here is a nose.

Me: NO! I hate it.

Yes, I was a halloween costume BRAT.

7/6/10 to 7/14/10

On Friday, 7/9, I was lucky to get to go to lunch with Granny (Mike's grandmother), Mike, and Arrow. It was a lovely day filled with great company. I may have accidentally dropped root beer all over Granny's lunch, but Granny seemed to like her soggy burger. (Just kidding. Mike replaced it like a good grandson.)

On the following Monday, Mike and I learned that Granny had a bad fall. Mike's family visited her in the hospital, and they were all able to say their goodbyes.

Mike gave her a letter I wrote. For the past couple of years, Granny had been my faithful pen pal. Getting her letters in the mail was always a highlight in my day.

She died a couple of days later at the age of 93. I am fortunate and happy that I was able to know her. I would like to write her one last letter. I don't know if it is too late, but I would like to think it isn't.

Dear Granny,

Thank you for your kindness, humor, and your cursive filled letters. Thank you for always being a joy to be around. You were always thanking us for spending time with you, but no thanks were ever needed. It was a privilege to have known you. You will be missed.

Love, your pen pal,

Claire