I got some adorable shots of my niece and her husband and 12-month-old Rachel–but I forgot to ask if I could post any. Diana, your felted turtle was Rachel’s instant favorite: it was bright, it was colorful, it was soft, it was snuggleable.  And it is now back in the toy basket on the hearth wishing for Rachel.

They all enjoyed watching my little flock just outside the glass and the parents thought out loud about getting their own birdfeeder. I quite wish I’d had one when my kids were little, like my parents had had; there’s so much to observe and learn and hold in wonder out there, just waiting to be noticed and cared for, to be seen.

We packed a lot into one day: talking, eating, the Rodin sculpture garden at Stanford University, a trip into the foothills, stopping at an overlook with a view of nearly the entire peninsula with San Francisco lost only to the fog in the far distance… Raptors reaching their wings out in the updraft overhead… Gorgeous.

And then dinner out. A toddler, an old man of about two or so, playing peekaboo with her and flirting shamelessly from the next table.  Directions back to the freeway, hugs goodbye, and a little girl trying to get this waving bye bye thing down pat, rocking her hand slowly side to side, side to side, and then both hands, grinning bigger and bigger to match the motions.

A day far too short. It was wonderful!

p.s. Oh, and–not only did Laura know exactly what I was talking about when I mentioned that smocked dress from two dozen years ago, her mom had saved it for her and she loves it and has it for Rachel now; I was very, very gratified to hear it.  Thank you, Carolyn!