Still Life - but not really

This picture brings back some lovely summer memories. Maddie was busy chalking the sidewalk in the back yard. She knew it would all be washed away when the automatic sprinkler turned on, but she was very determined to color the whole thing. The vase holds part of the neighbor's tiki hut roof, which blew over the fence. It is very windy in this part of California. I was keeping track of the debris by placing it in the ball located in the flower pot on the table. Gracie was busy working in her Little Tikes house, so did not appear in the picture. What a great way to spend a summer afternoon.

Off I go to tell her

I am staying overnight with my grandma and Grandpa by myself. The first thing we did was go for a walk around the block. We always do that when I visit. I know it is because my grandma and grandpa want neighbors to say how cute I am - which actually did happen tonight. Then I played with plastic containers for a while and then moved on to my blocks, doll and Leapfrog toy. (I wish they would put new batteries in it, so it would make more noise.) Grandpa fed me dinner. And then they both tried to get me to go to bed. Good luck on that one. I could not hold out past 8:20, but I sure tried. It is fun to be here, and I want to come again soon.
I love you all. Lily

More Fun in California

When we journeyed to Southern California, we returned to The Kettle - one of our favorite restaurants in Manhattan Beach. After dinner we walked to the beach and out on the pier. It was a beautiful evening, and made a great memory of our trip.

Fun in California

I never thought I would spend so much time in California or have so much fun. It has been a great summer mostly because we have seen so many relatives. This picture spans four generations of a delightful family. How many people can say their aunt and uncle panned for gold for ten years, and are thinking about doing it again?

Book Assortment

It's always fun to think about books.

The book that changed my life: Reminiscences by William Morris Stewart.
It caused me to chase all over this country searching for my long lost relatives. Uncle Bill was my great-grandfather's brother and the first US Senator from Nevada.

The book I read more than once: The Love Letters by Madeline L'Engle.
I read this about every five years. It always fascinates me.

The book I would want on a desert island: Footprints in the Dust by Alice Cooper Bailey.
My 6th grade teacher read us this book. Alice B. wrote it in 1936. I found a copy in a rare book store a few years ago. Since it is about an island, I picked it for this category.

A book that made me laugh: Knots in my Yo Yo String by Jerry Spinelli.
It is his biography of life during the middle school years.

A book that made me cry: Small Steps; The Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret
This is a biography of another author of children's books.

A book I wish I had written: Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams.
This is a very clever YA mystery.

A book that I wish would not have been written: Pretty Birds by Scott Simon.
I love to listen to Scott Simon on NPR, but he definitely should keep his day job.

The book I am currently reading: In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith.
This is one of the #1 Ladies Detective Agency series. They are just fun to read.

I tag the Repressed Librarian and four other librarians who might be reading this.