A couple Sundays ago I visited both my great grandmas. First we had lunch at Great Grandma Mangan’s house.
Then I convinced Bapop to chase me all over the yard. It was so funny.
I smelled the wildflowers.
And we visited the horses across the street.
I wish it was an every Sunday sort of thing.
“Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week.” —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Lately, we’ve been spending a lot of time with Angel, Marty and Zoey. We’ve had nine house showings so far and for most of them, we clean, clean and clean, and then simply walk to their house. Angel often cooks for us. Or we order in. We are now planning to seek professional house cleaning services from companies like Diamond Home Support in Ayr to make sure the houses are immaculately clean and ready for showing. For our commercial properties, we have partnered with a local office cleaning services crew to keep them spotlessly clean.
Tucker hangs out with Droopy.
Sophie rearranges DVDs and sits in Zoey’s hippo chair, even when not connected. We’re grateful to have such good friends.
For awhile Sophie has been more interested in Zoey’s toys than Zoey herself—until recently. We hope they’ll someday be the best of friends so we can show this video at a joint birthday bash.
“The friend who holds your hand and says the wrong thing is made of dearer stuff than the one who stays away.” —Barbara Kingsolver
Mom and I recently walked all the way to Tower Park on a hot, sticky, muggy day. By the time we got home, we were both so sweaty. (And I wasn’t even walking!) She made me drink my water (again). And then she told me about a place on the floor in the living room that can make you feel so warm (especially when you’re wearing a nightgown) when it’s cold, and so cool when you’re sticky and sweaty and hot.
Moms know the best stuff.
“It was luxuries like air conditioning that brought down the Roman Empire. With air conditioning their windows were shut, they couldn’t hear the barbarians coming.” —Garrison Keillor
“Why is the alphabet in that order? Is it because of that song? The guy who wrote that song wrote everything.” —Stephen Wright
I wouldn’t have been able to travel for 10 days if it hadn’t been for Andy, who took two vacation days and took care of everything at home on the weekends and in the evenings, and my parents. My dad took Andy out to a Reds game while my mom watched Sophie one night, they invited Andy and Sophie over for dinner another night, and my mom drove an hour each way—in rush-hour traffic—to watch Sophie for four days while Andy worked. I can’t thank them enough.
But the thing is, they loved it. Secretly I was hoping Andy would say, “How do you do it? It was impossible!” But he didn’t say that. He said it was hard. He said he missed me. He admitted he had a lot of help. But he also said he had so much fun with Sophie. And my mom said the same thing.
A couple days after I returned my mom gave me a photo journal she made documenting her time with Sophie. I love it. Every page of it. So much so that I’ve recreated it here.
My First Journal with Nini
by Sophie and Nini
August 2009
Sunday 2 August 2009
On Sunday Dada and I ate dinner at Bapop and Nini’s. Dada helped me wear my new kerchief. Can’t decide if I’m a fashion trendsetter or a biker …
I entertained myself by running the pencils through my toes. Who needs toys?
Wasn’t Dada smart to bring my jammies? I think he’s planning on my sleeping all the way home.
Wednesday 5 August 2009
Wednesday was a busy day. I practiced drinking out of my cup without the lid! (Who knew that rug spills would take so long to dry?)
I worked hard on my soccer techniques.
I tried on my collection of hats.
I spent a lot of time playing with that baby on the oven door.
I drank my soy milk—then it was time for some exercise!
Wow! Another crack in the sidewalk! I loved the walks around the neighborhood.
Especially when Nini and I stopped to smell the flower gardens.
Thursday 6 August 2009
Thursday—yogurt is a good way to practice using a spoon.
There are so many things to do at Tower Park!
Swings are OK if they don’t move.
Friday 7 August 2009
On Friday I had trouble deciding what shoes to wear.
These shoes are perfect for a run around the neighborhood!
A nice neighbor lady gave me a sunflower from her flower garden.
I clutched that sunflower throughout our long walk.
That flower got a lot of love.
Wow! Nini brought over the tent that Mama, Aunt Katy and Uncle Kyle played in when they were little.
I took Elmo into the tent. I kept telling him “up” because he wanted to flop over all the time!
On Friday afternoon Bapop came over! We shared his favorite book, Caps for Sale.
It’s fun sharing the tent with everyone you love.
I think Nini and I have a lot more adventures on the way!
Sunday 9 August 2009
Dada worked hard so we could have such a great week.
But we were ready for someone special to come home!
Together again!
Do you think she brought me anything?
“I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.” —William Shakespeare
We spent our last evening in Spain in Malaga at El Riad Andaluz, which was more hostel-like than hotel-like. Also, it was Moroccan themed which, for some reason, seemed a little silly to us after having stayed in a real riad in Morocco. But the owners were quite nice.
We wandered around the city, including its outdoor shopping mall, visited Museo Picasso Malaga and ate dinner. At this point I was really missing Sophie and Andy—I was ready to come home. Aimee, Shruti and I searched for nearly an hour for an international phone card (the one I had ordered online at home was no longer working—nor was my cell phone) and then a pay phone. I called home. No answer. I left poor Andy a blubbering, sobbing message (and then called back to ensure him I was OK). I couldn’t have asked for better traveling companions and I couldn’t have asked for a better trip. I guess all I can say is how lucky I am to have had such a good time but to have also been so ready to come home.
That said, we’re already planning our 40th birthday trip. 🙂
“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” —Lin Yutang
Zahara is another small white hill town settled under the old Moorish Zahara Castle.
We climbed and climbed and climbed all the way up to the castle and then, using our hands to feel along the castle’s old stone walls, we climbed up the castle’s steep, dark steps. It was hot, and we were tired, but the views were so worth it.
“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” Samuel Johnson
At some point during our time in Spain (perhaps while sitting by the pool after our second pitcher of sangria) we decided we should go horseback riding. After waking up at a ridiculously early hour, getting terribly lost and finally finding Santiago (our guide who spoke no English) we wondered why we thought this such a brilliant idea.
I think at one point Aimee offered to pay us each a 100 Euros not to go. And Shruti (who is quite fluent in Spanish as long as it’s medical related) kept saying “somos asustado” or “we are scared.” Santiago’s helpers kept slapping their knees (literally), laughing at us. And Santiago kept saying “sea tranquilo” (“be calm”).
But we went.
And I’m so glad we did.
“A horse is worth more than riches.” —Spanish Proverb
The night before I left for my trip I told Sophie something that’s been said by many separated by distance. Should you miss me, I said, and should I seem so very far away, have comfort that the big, full moon you see outside is the exact same moon I will be looking at, only at a different time. I know she didn’t understand but still, I found comfort in it. And maybe, somewhere deep inside, she at one point noticed the moon and, for a reason she didn’t even understand, found comfort in it, too.
“You don’t have to be tall to see the moon.” —African proverb
Ronda is one of the largest white hill towns. An 18th-century bridge spanning a large and beautiful gorge separates the old Moorish quarter and the newer (and not nearly as pretty) Mercadillo quarter.
El Tajo—the ravine.
Our beautiful dresses.
The New Bridge (Puente Nuevo), which spans the gorge.
I guess we were feeling a little homesick because we decided to have pizza (but also sangria!) for dinner.
Like many European countries, it’s customary in Spain to stroll in the evenings. So many people were out—young people, old people, children and babies—and it seemed as if everyone knew everyone. It’s a lovely custom and one I wish we Americans shared.
“I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.” —Lillian Smith
