tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61345251058378208712024-03-15T05:29:43.666-07:00The Gatannah FilesLaura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.comBlogger909125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-34940817743294554082024-03-15T05:18:00.000-07:002024-03-15T05:29:08.551-07:00Food Freedom, Kids' Edition<p>The other day, Google photos showed me this li'l gem from 14 years ago.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMERZrNzN7yMVidLz4T4N9xr2vqXPdmlLWj9VjKdCmo26JmkdiwVFqdW3o9mLLuS7eBTe_IfclxXqY1FK4e_41cf0kV7s1BuZySCUwHCCR6l1jQtXU6i5Sa0_ag10o77f5jNlz26l8XLDVpli20-O2yEs2uza0ns11TYiDVb9647rnROq1zyjBHmJ9D6nA/s1024/IMG_1676.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMERZrNzN7yMVidLz4T4N9xr2vqXPdmlLWj9VjKdCmo26JmkdiwVFqdW3o9mLLuS7eBTe_IfclxXqY1FK4e_41cf0kV7s1BuZySCUwHCCR6l1jQtXU6i5Sa0_ag10o77f5jNlz26l8XLDVpli20-O2yEs2uza0ns11TYiDVb9647rnROq1zyjBHmJ9D6nA/w300-h400/IMG_1676.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>This is D with their friend Morgan (in the background) at the Dallas Zoo. I noticed that D was holding a long twisted marshmallow (a much better choice than when we bought a popsicle in June at the San Antonio Zoo, and its rainbow immediately melted all over D and me, and then it just fell off the stick entirely), but what really struck me was the fact that Morgan also had one. </p><p>Morgan's mom Susan and I were different in a lot of ways, but we got along well and I always thought she was one of the most genuinely kind and encouraging people I've ever met. This picture made me appreciate the ease of parenting in Susan's vicinity. One or both of these kids saw the marshmallow and wanted it, and we both got them. Simple.</p><p>Mal has so many good friends whose parents very heavily influence what they eat. If we're somewhere and Mal gets a bag of cookies, those kids also want cookies... and it turns into a whole "thing." They ask their parent, the request is declined, they beg, the parent gets frustrated.</p><p>I'm sure the other parent really wishes that I wouldn't let Mal get whatever he wants. But letting my kid eat intuitively is a parenting philosophy I decided on when D was very, very young. I didn't want my kids to have weird food stuff to unravel when they became adults (or if they did, anyway, I didn't want to be the cause of it).</p><p>The more I thought about the ease of feeding D and their friends when they were small, though, I realized that relaxed eating was the norm pretty much everywhere we went. When we had lunch at enrichment classes, people had all sorts of stuff, and no one really commented on what anyone else was eating unless it looked good and someone wanted the recipe.</p><p>In fact, I remember vividly the exception to that rule when I was watching D's friend's sister once, and she was hungry. I asked if she wanted a grilled cheese sandwich, and she said, "I don't think my mom would want me to eat that much sugar." I was flummoxed. What did she think was in a grilled cheese?</p><p>I've heard this from one of Mal's friends many, MANY times. The thing is, I'm very good friends with her mom, too. We just have different food philosophies. But it makes her and Mal's together times around snacks and meals more stressful.</p><p>Whereas another friend of Mal's would come over here and eat whatever regardless of what her mom might think, this friend will often reject certain offers by saying her mom wouldn't like it. The other day, after she said no to a banana, an apple, and string cheese, I offered her a Lunchable. She said, "Oh, no, my mom wouldn't want me to eat that. She said they're so bad that even the creator wouldn't let his kids eat them!"</p><p>Mal asked me if it was true that they're "bad" and I just indicated that we weren't going to talk about it. But I had to know if that was the truth, so I looked it up. First, I did find a couple of websites that indicated that Bob Drane, who was one of the Oscar Mayer employees who developed Lunchables to help them sell more bologna, didn't let his kids eat the kits (which are not enough food to be a full lunch, in my opinion, but they're adequate in a snack situation) but they were all URLs like "healthvalues" or "eatingcleanforlife," etc. Not what I consider reliable sites, with zero citations. </p><p>I finally tracked down an article from Popular Science entitled "<a href="https://www.popsci.com/industry-insiders-dont-use-their-products-like-we-do/#" target="_blank">Industry insiders don't use their products like we do. That should worry us</a>," It's a bunch of elitist crap, like the fact that Steve Jobs's kids didn't use iPads. Listen, if I could outsource my kids' every moment, what they do in a day might be vastly different. But this isn't an instructional article for me. It's just saying, "Wealthy people don't have to live the same way that most of us plebes do."</p><p>Furthermore, it doesn't say that Drane didn't let his kids eat Lunchables. It says that one of his two adult children doesn't let her kids eat Lunchables because they're "junky" and "awful," and "we eat very healthfully." Barf. Or high five. Whatever.</p><p>Here's why I don't really pay much attention to "nutrition" guidelines or diet fads: I've seen them change too much over my lifetime. Eggs are terrible. Steaks are death. Butter will murder you. No, wait! Those fats are good, and protein is great, and margarine is fake and IT is the real danger! Don't eat fat and you won't be fat. Nevermind. Fat is good and satiating, but added sugar is something to avoid. Processed foods and things that are ultra-palatable is what's causing the downfall of our food society! Heck, even salt, which has been vilified for years, has recently made a comeback when studies have shown that the <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/9/3232">recommended intake of sodium that the American Heart Association publishes is actually associated with WORSE health outcomes than consuming moderately more sodium</a>. </p><p>When D was a baby and couldn't breastfeed, I fed them a bottle of formula. We'd only been home from the hospital for a couple of weeks, but initially, D was losing weight and becoming jaundiced. They were also very frustrated because they were literally starving. I made a bottle, which they slurped right up and were so content. I had been contacted by lactation consultants who offered to come help me figure out the breastfeeding thing, but I was just exhausted and ready not to have to worry about my newborn's health. The threat of being re-hospitalized was too much. I just wanted to know that D was getting enough to eat.</p><p>We visited the pediatrician a couple of days into formula-feeding, and I sheepishly admitted that I didn't have the will to try too hard to go back to breast-feeding, and did he think that D would suffer? As he continued D's exam, he asked me, "Is your baby gaining weight? Does your baby seem content? Is your baby thriving? Then I don't care what you do. Keep that up."</p><p>I guess that's been my feeding philosophy since. </p><p>Fundamentally, there is a difference between "nutrition" and "health." Nutrition is literally a measure of the nutrients in any given food item. You might say that spinach is more nutritious than a slice of cake, and that's probably true (if it's a real cake and not a fake "hide 'healthy' ingredients" recipe). However, calories are important to consume! And joy from having a treat is a mental health boost that goes a long way toward a total "health" picture. Health isn't just about maximizing every calorie for its narrowly-defined benefit to the mechanical function of your biological components.</p><p>Food is about joy and family and socialization and meeting your needs in a specific moment in time. I love a good salad! And I also appreciate a Cinnabon. There is literally no time when I could switch one out for the other. Nor would I want to seek out a "more nutritious" version of a cinnamon roll in order to biohack my body's performance. And I'm certainly not putting that weight on my kids' shoulders. When they're hungry, I want them to listen to their bodies, not to have my voice in their brains knocking around, nor to see my side-eye even if they can still that voice. </p><p>So... here's to those two kids in the picture with uncomplicated relationships with the stick of spun sugar and corn starch that they're carrying around during a fun day at the zoo. They and their moms are my heroes.</p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-52318518408942552202024-02-23T19:30:00.000-08:002024-02-27T06:07:35.656-08:00Mom and Mal Cruise -- Day 6 - Cozumel<p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Once again, I was awakened by the ship doing its thing. I was able to watch the ship dock from our balcony, which is facing the port; then I walked up on deck and saw both the moon set and the sun rise. I wish I’d had an adequate camera and the skill to take a good moon-set picture. It was GORGEOUS in person. Oh well. You’ll just have to believe me.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Mal woke up earlier than he usually does at home, but lay in bed and played on his computer for a while before getting up and dressed. We still made it down to the gangway by 8 AM and walked 5 miles in Cozumel, soaking in the sites, before it got too hot. I thought, anyway. As it turns out, it’s been overcast as the day has worn on, so it’s nice and cool (mid/high-70s?) with a breeze. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We were going to walk into old town but realized after we’d gotten a couple of miles down the seawall that the map I’d printed out originated from the norther port than the one where we’re docked. Oops! Regardless, we saw people swimming with rays, pelicans hunting along the shore, lots and lots of electric motorcycles (yay, Cozumel!), beautiful trees and flowers, and we even got boxed into a sidewalk by the most giant, twisted tree trunk that had supplanted the concrete (and the street side had two rows of scooters packed in too close to navigate around). </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We bought one of those ornamental signs made up of up-cycled license plates. Or so I thought. When we got back, I really examined it and think only the two edges are actual license plates. The middle strips have letters painted on white metal with things like parking stickers rather than what you’d get from an official government entity. Oh well once again! At least I can be confident that it’s a hand-crafted one-of-a-kind item.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I saw a pharmacy where the sign said they had Advair Disks. Turned out that they didn’t, but their Ventolin was $10 or 3 for $25. Man! I didn’t bring that prescription because it’s old, but that stuff worked for me and my insurance stopped covering it. The Advair works but it’s still $84 with insurance! Eeep! </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When we got back to the ship, Mal and I each drank one of our two last canned sodas (I really brought them for him and promised to buy him a Diet Coke tomorrow if he’d let me have his) then he got a hankering for a doughnut. We walked half a mile to try to find one (yes, on the ship) but it was 10:45ish and everywhere we ended up was switching out to lunch. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We went back to the room and I started watching “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” (Whitney Houston movie) while I gave myself a “manicure” from those Lily and Fox stickers. Mal did some Minecraft stuff, drew an accordion in a paint program, and performed “Polka Face” for me acapella.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He decided he was hungry around 12:45, so we went up to the pool deck to get him some pizza. Once we were there, he decided that he really wanted to swim… especially since it would be six minutes until his preferred flavor of pizza would be ready. A practical eternity. So we walked BACK to the room, he changed clothes, and we walked back to the pool, where he’s swimming now.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We’re going back to our cabin in about 20 minutes to meet Nana and Pappy and see if there are any dock-runners. Not hugely likely, but the potential for live entertainment, if there are any!</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This might get updated later; it might not! You can figure out the rest of the story from <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/T8NTKkvpHUt74tnu8">these pictures over on Google</a>!</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi93vrgNCel7cA9FPDs54ZG4SqFxCm2qXJPyAg1oCkSHpJ9UybWiAUWuKiRApvtEChsENZig7FJKRS505xhg8HS7YiyJsTFbQuUgzBIRncRl1MIFOiK9fdk93AuEcsFJ-G7ce8SPEEcdC2WvwR1GI2wKOLayBn1ckSyVHu6ewss0Bf7R5CYUj9HjPIrx3/s4000/8652DA20-6592-442C-B230-2DA26EE2EE53_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi93vrgNCel7cA9FPDs54ZG4SqFxCm2qXJPyAg1oCkSHpJ9UybWiAUWuKiRApvtEChsENZig7FJKRS505xhg8HS7YiyJsTFbQuUgzBIRncRl1MIFOiK9fdk93AuEcsFJ-G7ce8SPEEcdC2WvwR1GI2wKOLayBn1ckSyVHu6ewss0Bf7R5CYUj9HjPIrx3/w300-h400/8652DA20-6592-442C-B230-2DA26EE2EE53_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-34493427627208282482024-02-22T19:30:00.000-08:002024-02-27T06:07:24.051-08:00Mom and Mal Cruise -- Day 5 -- Belize City<p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I was awakened as we started the process of mooring about 5 miles off the eastern coast of Belize today. I watched from the balcony as we churned up a bunch of silt. I got dressed, drank my caffeine, and listened to a couple of podcasts as I took watched the sunrise and took pictures, of course.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I woke Mal up around 6:30 because we were supposed to start tendering around 7. When we cruised to Belize in 2019, the sea was very choppy and we didn’t eve try to get 4-year-old Malcolm onto a tender. This time, he was sure he wanted to go, water conditions be damned. Fortunately, it was practically glass out there and he was ready to step foot in Central America for the first time (for me, too!). </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We went down to the piazza to grab some breakfast, but spoke to a crew member and found out they were already boarding tenders, even though it was a bit before 7:00. We managed to get on one of the first two boats boarding simultaneously, and were on the mainland before 7:30!</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Although vendors offered to braid Mal’s hair, call taxis for us, and give us their own private walking tours, we had our route planned out and only caved in when a woman approached us selling necklaces with a crystals on them. Mal got a red one, and thus we contributed at least a little to the local economy.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Across the street from the Belize sign and the li’l light”house,” there was a wooden playground that Mal enjoyed for a few minutes before we backtracked through the marina and made our way across the swing bridge into town.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Mal mentioned that his stomach was kind of hurting, so we ducked into a bodega to grab him a soda. He picked out a Pepsi, and I got a 2-pack of Oreos and another individual pack of some Mexican strawberry biscuit-type things just in case he was hungry. He wasn’t, but we hadn’t eaten anything so I wanted to be ready. We were there so early, not much was else was open yet.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When we got to the register, he rang it up, and it was $4 (the prices were on everything). I asked him if he took US dollars, and he said yes, “As long as it’s dollars” (I’m guessing as opposed to credit, because he didn’t even have a cash register, but was just writing down totals in a notebook). I told him I had cash and he said, “$2.” I had forgotten the exchange rate and really wish we’d loaded up with more stuff! That would easily have been $5.50 or more at one of the gas stations in Jonestown.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">An interesting interaction in the store: Everything was pretty compact, so the walkways were extremely narrow. As we were making our way to check out, a man walking toward us reached across where we were to get something and Mal just kept walking, straight into the guy’s arm. I don’t know what Mal’s thought process or plan was, but it looked like he was playing Red Rover. I said, “Mal, you can say ‘excuse me.’” Mal did say it, and the man looked at me and said, “That’s why I stuck my arm out, to see if she [sic] would say ‘excuse me.’” Well, I guess we failed that test then!</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We encountered several street dogs (and a couple of dogs with people making their way around town). There was one following me hopefully as we exited the store, so I broke off a corner of the strawberry biscuit and handed it to him. He took it gingerly in his mouth, the spit it onto the sidewalk. That dog didn’t want my stupid cookie! He wanted MEAT! Looking at him, I realized he was an older puppy, but not super skinny. People probably fed him better than what I had, enough that he was choosy about what he gulped down.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In our two-mile stroll, we got to see the Belize High (Supreme, depending on what sign you were looking at) Court; St. John’s Cathedral, the oldest church in the country; and the Belize Government House. We also saw a really old cemetery which opened in 1792 and closed in 1881. We passed two schools, a primary school and a lower school, and could hear classes going on. We also walked past a beautiful newish church building, gleaming whitewash and tinted blue windows all tilted open to allow the breeze through. We could hear the congregants clapping and whooping (on a Thursday morning, so Catholic mass?).</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Mal’s stomach wasn’t a whole lot better, so we decided that two hours was a nice visit and we’d go back to the ship so he could rest. We got lucky in that a tender was leaving the moment we returned to the marina terminal (I did grab a cucumber water that the cruise line had as refreshment for people waiting to depart), and besides us, there was only one other passenger on the boat! There was also a ship’s officer, but this 100-person (minimum) boat was ours, like a private charter.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We got back to the ship before 10 AM, just as an announcement was sounding ship-wide informing passengers that the tender process was going smoothly and to enjoy their day in Belize. Too late!</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We saw that Nana and Pappy were in the Princess Live! venue and went to tell the that we were grabbing some breakfast at the International Cafe. We somehow missed them, and saw that they were in their room, so we called them and left a message. Nana ended up coming back down pretty quickly; fortunately, they were on their balcony when I called, rather than resting. Pappy came down as we were finishing up and was ready to get a light lunch in the buffet. Mal said his stomach was bothering him enough that he didn’t feel like walking around or even swimming (which is how you know he’s serious), so we came back up to the room and have been hanging out for the past hour and a half or so. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">(Later) Near 4:00, Mal perked up and was ready for some food. Of course, since dinner was about an hour away! But we went to the International Cafe, his favorite, and he had a Chocolate Symphony. And then he had another one. We hung out there and listened to some music, and then we decided to try to get an early seating at our main dining room, since Nana and Pappy had a reception that started about an hour after our scheduled seating, and since I hadn’t eaten since brunch.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I enjoyed two appetizers: vol au vent, and a chilled ginger coconut soup. We all dipped after the main course, skipping dessert. We had to go back to the International Cafe for me to try a Chocolate Symphony before Mal exploded in excitement. I tried one of their gluten-free options, which was a vanilla mousse kind of thing. It was pretty; looked like it was covered in gems, which turned out to be Jell-o jigglers, basically. Meh. But the symphony was creamy and delicious and probably felt extremely elegant to Malcolm.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We went to the shops to see if they had postcards (for one of Nana’s friend’s moms — they didn’t) and ended up buying a tumbler for D and a keychain for myself. James and I both have pretty nondescript key chains, so it can be a challenge to avoid grabbing the wrong one when rushing out the door.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We went back to the room to unload, and Mal was telling me about a TV show idea he has. He walked me through several episodes as we sat on the balcony enjoying the cloudy moonlight. At about 7:30, he wanted to go to the kids’ club. I was able to finish the book I was reading and get some stuff packed. I went to visit with my mom the last hour the club was open because I was afraid that I would fall asleep and forget to pick Mal up!</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He came back from the club with a chicken hand puppet he’d colored. We both went to sleep pretty soon after that.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/T8NTKkvpHUt74tnu8">More pictures</a>, in case you're in to that type of thing.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LMQ6-di4gWMQwRVIp8GXEhr7M6ECR_FW7yFL_B50_NvaT7NmE0i_jFAjt7xPR7z0b_-4Zf3al08K9joM_AJ5ubfh0SuOMbsgJP9hQFZb2OWw0C-oyNR0SQz42TbxH9z7wUYtc_ARRFIIbf1h-fgSNU-XEwNUkSnXJG6XQwZ3bAIibwe5EHC2lv44_pLh/s4000/06F1F752-C4EC-4B43-8277-C5560835C1F9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LMQ6-di4gWMQwRVIp8GXEhr7M6ECR_FW7yFL_B50_NvaT7NmE0i_jFAjt7xPR7z0b_-4Zf3al08K9joM_AJ5ubfh0SuOMbsgJP9hQFZb2OWw0C-oyNR0SQz42TbxH9z7wUYtc_ARRFIIbf1h-fgSNU-XEwNUkSnXJG6XQwZ3bAIibwe5EHC2lv44_pLh/w400-h300/06F1F752-C4EC-4B43-8277-C5560835C1F9.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-57209518436327067332024-02-21T19:30:00.000-08:002024-02-27T06:07:13.939-08:00Mom and Mal Cruise -- Day 4 -- Roatan<p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">This morning, we woke up off the coast of Roatan. I got breakfast for Mal and me from the International Cafe, and we ate in the room before packing up to get off of the ship for the first time in nearly 3 days.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We stopped by Nana and Pappy’s room to tell them we were going to take off as soon as we got the all clear. They were going to take their time and not go quite as far in as we were planning to go.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Mal and I walked through the little commercial port area, stopping to pick up sunglasses for him because I’d left his in the room. Then we made our way to the beach. It was gorgeous, and after a bit of stepping our toes into the ocean (Mal barely did that; he’s not a fan of inserting himself into natural bodies of water), we walked further down behind their private cabana area and found a slightly more deserted area.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When we walked out onto a dock that jutted off of the island, a gust of wind knocked my sun hat right off of my head and into the water! The same thing happened to my dad on a cruise years ago. Oh well. I’d also dropped my phone on the pier, so I’m lucky my hat was what went flying!</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I tried to talk Mal into renting a giant water tricycle but, again, he doesn’t really like being in water, even in an open vehicle, it seems.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We walked up a nature trail and found some fun places to rest: A bench in the shade, a “porch” swing, and some hammocks. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We’d been ashore a couple of hours and Mal was ready to swim, so we re-boarded the ship, stopped by Nana and Pappy’s room to tell them where we were going, and I got into the pool with Mal, as I’d promised him I would next time he swam.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We had the pool to ourselves for about an hour! I started getting pruny and got out to dry off a bit after Nana made her way on deck. We chatted for a while and watched Mal swim, then Pappy came up and and we decided to grab our various lunches and eat in the shade by the pool. It was still practically deserted.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">My parents had burgers (I’ll get one tomorrow, probably; they looked great!), Mal had a couple of slices of pizza, and I went to the buffet and picked out a couple of things. The cream of pumpkin soup was fabulous!</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">After hanging out a bit, Nana and Pappy went down to the cafe to enjoy one of their premium desserts (they got the Princess Plus package whereas we did ours on the cheap), and we came up to the room. I got a shower and Mal’s been building stuff on Minecraft. Right now, he’s working on making houses and other buildings that look like instruments.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Our plan is to go to my parents’ room a bit before all-aboard to see if we can spot any dock-runners. I think we’ll run by the library on the way (or out of the way) to pick up Taboo and play for a bit before we go down to dinner. The library is right by our dining room, so turning it back in will be convenient.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">(Later)</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Taboo was checked out, but we made it up to Nana and Pappy’s to watch the stragglers board. It looked like there was a Princess tour that was late, because they got to the dock well after 4:30, the “all aboard!” time, and we waited for them. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It was time for dinner, which was fabulous, as usual. Mal was so full of energy, though, that we decided he should swim again to burn off some steam. He and another girl played together for about 2 hours while I read and then walked around deck for a while after my rear end fell asleep. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We were both in bed by 9:30 because we had an early call on Thursday morning!</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Interested in photos? <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/T8NTKkvpHUt74tnu8">Click here</a> for the full album!</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgI8jdJM2AGZtaXGb7bYKByUhtFQAye96QaabSnweY6T_phuCdZ3t03qRP4FSyBUqnTsZLT9mzSuxXgULkUaIrb8Jr9PRtSOsiK9Iw3J8I2-cVLOqve_LMw8tRk8QrfpJcxz6cL0bneZS7LM8qS7ciV6m9y_E7mgcKhu3uJxX2SjUm7gwO2xAftCCzj6M/s4000/89ACCD70-31FB-4B60-83E1-1035E1C8D479.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgI8jdJM2AGZtaXGb7bYKByUhtFQAye96QaabSnweY6T_phuCdZ3t03qRP4FSyBUqnTsZLT9mzSuxXgULkUaIrb8Jr9PRtSOsiK9Iw3J8I2-cVLOqve_LMw8tRk8QrfpJcxz6cL0bneZS7LM8qS7ciV6m9y_E7mgcKhu3uJxX2SjUm7gwO2xAftCCzj6M/w300-h400/89ACCD70-31FB-4B60-83E1-1035E1C8D479.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div><br /></div>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-31095177125558234492024-02-20T19:30:00.000-08:002024-02-27T06:07:06.322-08:00Mal and Mom Cruise -- Day 3 -- At Sea<p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">This morning, I woke up a little earlier and actually got to get dressed before going on deck. Today’s sunrise was cloudy and gorgeous. I got to talk to a couple of people while we watched the sunrise. At some point, I looked at my watch and realized it was 7:30. I’d promised Mal that I would be back at the room by 7:15, so I hurried back.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Mal slept a bit longer but woke up around 8, and we went to breakfast at the buffet with Nana and Pappy. Mal wanted to check back by the International Cafe to see if they had the chocolate mousse he’d had yesterday. They didn’t, but he got a doughnut and was pretty happy.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We went to the kids’ club at 9:50, but they weren’t open yet. They were supposed to be open at 9. We found a staff member and asked him about it… it was only 8:51! Apparently as we passed the Yucatán peninsula this morning, my watch reset to Cancun time, even though I didn’t have internet or cell service. I guess it just “knew” from GPS where we were. I reset my watch and turned off “automatic time set” and we “explored the ship” for an hour before trying again. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">While Mal was doing a scavenger hunt, I went to my parents’ room to visit. We did my mom’s hair and my nails (my first set of stickers started falling off yesterday). Now I’ve been in the room getting some things together and catching up on this. I’m going to get Mal and we’ll head up on deck for him to swim again. It’s time for me to try some of that famous Princess pizza, and my body is ready!</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">(Later)</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Success! </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We were out by the pool for a couple of hours, while Mal swam and we watched the ice carving demonstration. The pizza was good! </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We came back to the room to rest for a while and get dressed after swimming. There was a kids’ club event in the piazza, which started at 2:30 PM. At about 1:50, I opened up my phone to see what the dinner menu looked like. The app said that the ship’s time was 3:01 and that the event was in progress!</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">After the weird time thing earlier in the morning, I was confused. If it had said it was 2:50 rather than 3:01, it would at least have made sense. But what the heck??</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Mal and I got our shoes on and went out to look at the nearest display in the stairwell. I guess we could have looked on the television, now that I think about it. The display in the elevator bay said that it was 1:51. A man heard us talking and said he’d gotten some weird times in his app, too, so we just decided to go run around the ship for a bit. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The family event was fun. They had face painting, glitter tattoos, a couple of games, and some arts and crafts. Mal made a ship out of modeling clay to enter into a contest. He played a game and won a sucker. And he made a button he can take home.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We got ready for and had a nice dinner, then Mal wanted to swim some more. He swam for a couple of hours, and we would have watched the water light show because we were in the vicinity, but the fountain seemed not to be functioning. They tried, and I could see the light show and hear the jets opening and closing, but… no water. Weird.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s looking like a bit over 5.5 miles and a couple dozen flights of stairs per day will be the norm. My watch has no idea how to handle tracking sleep on a ship. We’re near the stern, and I’ve always heard that you feel more of the ship’s “movement” at the stern of the ship. It’s not the rocking that’s been… interesting. It’s that it seems like I can feel the machinery running the ship from our room. It vibrates the bed, and because of that, my watch thinks I’m waking up every few minutes and getting no deep sleep. It had that I was awake almost 3 hours during the last night, which isn’t the case. Maybe Apple Watch should make a “cruise mode” to correct for that.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">There are TONS more pictures<a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/T8NTKkvpHUt74tnu8"> in this photo album</a>.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8G_NSsmahKh1h8XARE8uf6vnxhbgFw_GuG-qZW1e-wRztQ9YF5_geyoX5MZ3V4dstuD0BM7fRLg2jsW2GMwV6rld7AvzV7PxzcK1Ih-t7QNs4XSsv0TtgiwfT-gEfUDThhvqUW5veTp5w8GL3MP0waaU7lpNv4mWtnAb0Q-6rkd1AnQq6FN3E9add3nq/s4000/827F678F-757D-4B4B-A652-4B2CEBFD27BE_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8G_NSsmahKh1h8XARE8uf6vnxhbgFw_GuG-qZW1e-wRztQ9YF5_geyoX5MZ3V4dstuD0BM7fRLg2jsW2GMwV6rld7AvzV7PxzcK1Ih-t7QNs4XSsv0TtgiwfT-gEfUDThhvqUW5veTp5w8GL3MP0waaU7lpNv4mWtnAb0Q-6rkd1AnQq6FN3E9add3nq/w300-h400/827F678F-757D-4B4B-A652-4B2CEBFD27BE_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-66625834762625806952024-02-19T19:30:00.000-08:002024-02-27T06:06:58.100-08:00Mal and Mom Cruise -- Day 2 -- At Sea<p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">This morning, I woke up a bit later than I meant to, thew on a wind breaker, and made it up on deck just in time for sunrise. We have a balcony, but right now the sunrise is on the other side of the ship.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;">I walked around and enjoyed an empty ship, then got back to the room around 7:15, where Mal was just waking up. He got dressed, we found Nana and Pappy in the Princess app, and went to say “Hi” at the International Cafe. Mal and I went to breakfast at the Horizon Court buffet, then went back to meet up with my parents.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We walked to the library where we played some Taboo. At 10, Mal went to Club Discovery to make a T-shirt. I got to read some of my book before it was time to grab Mal. Nana and Mal grabbed a snack and came back to the room while Pappy and I did a Crab Shack pop-up. It’s the only thing on this cruise I’m paying extra for (except the 5-photo package), and it was WORTH IT! So much protein and so good. We had hush puppies, shrimp, oyster chowder in a bread bowl, lobster tail, crab legs, shrimp, muscles and clams (no, thanks), and a dessert. Highly recommend.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Mal was ready to swim, and we spent about an hour and a half out on deck. It was busy, of course, but the DJ was awesome, and Mal instantly got a tan because of the native pigment he definitely did not get from me (his late grandfather was 1/4 Cherokee, so Mal is 1/32 and although he is extremely light-skinned, when he gets in the sun for two minutes, it’s on).</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We came back to the room to rest, and I read some more of my book. It was formal night, so I started getting ready an hour before, and somehow 45 minutes was over in 10 minutes! We got down to dinner 15 minutes late, which is something I never ever do (until now), but dinner was great, and Mal looked really cute in his suit.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He and I walked around the ship after we had a few pictures made. We weren’t interested in the Movies Under the Stars show, but it was cool to see the setup. We climbed up to the top deck and saw Orion and appreciated how quiet it is on deck when everyone is either at dinner or at a show.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">On Monday, I walked 5.8 miles and ascended 22 flights of stairs.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If you'd like to see the full photo album, <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/T8NTKkvpHUt74tnu8">click here</a>!</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkftYdDPTtxdqUvm-C16xz3lxzW2XOqmKMCC_Lc2WST41BL-YVNTs4VDfl5nXAKCW46jEm_iCPiVtH0jMDT0xMpHyoVuvJKeWBnw6NYpu4AOVC_1Qwx0JXxy1U60_Fg6_h09Aw2qkWg2VLdLqYFyBedZkrpWzvvceJTq81hwccez3hBEKEKZG_ASVI865l/s4000/5610BA82-0373-4B95-BA71-4330F6A6E6E6_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkftYdDPTtxdqUvm-C16xz3lxzW2XOqmKMCC_Lc2WST41BL-YVNTs4VDfl5nXAKCW46jEm_iCPiVtH0jMDT0xMpHyoVuvJKeWBnw6NYpu4AOVC_1Qwx0JXxy1U60_Fg6_h09Aw2qkWg2VLdLqYFyBedZkrpWzvvceJTq81hwccez3hBEKEKZG_ASVI865l/w400-h300/5610BA82-0373-4B95-BA71-4330F6A6E6E6_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div><br /></div>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-14729062341919116432024-02-18T19:30:00.000-08:002024-02-27T06:06:48.733-08:00Mal and Mom Cruise -- Day 1 -- Embarkation <p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Having visited Space Center yesterday (Mal, Nana, and I; Pappy had to rest his bum knee), this morning we got up, had a very limited continental breakfast at the NASA/Webster Super 8 where we stayed for free with points (yay!) and made our very easy way to the Port of Galveston. We arrived at about 10:15 AM.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Mal and I dropped all of our bags, including Nana and Pappy, off with the porters and then made our way to the parking garage. A brief walk later, we entered the terminal and snaked our way through security pretty quickly.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We were in the “green lane,” meaning we already had our medallions, which Princess uses to track your every move, but not in a creepy way. They verified our passports, took our pictures, and we were clear to board the ship by about 10: 45!</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Stopped in the terminal rest area to fill our water bottles, then up up up to the gang plank, and we were on board the Regal Princess for our first ever Princess cruise (Mal and me; not Nana and Pappy). </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Our first stop was, of course, FOOD. Mal and I opted for the International Cafe, which is the one food venue on board opened 24/7. I got what was basically a Caprese sandwich, and a slice of pistachio pound cake. Mal, on the other hand, totally understood the vacation mission. He had a slice of strawberry shortcake (green, for some reason) and some chocolate mousse. He was a fan!</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Next on the agenda was the muster drill. It’s DIY now, which is convenient and less claustrophobic than packing into small areas with a bunch of strangers. We found our muster station, and then planned to watch the safety video later on our stateroom television.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We walked around to try to start getting our bearings, and found the pools, the kids’ clubs (Camp Discovery), the sports decks, and shoulder aches from lugging around our backpacks! We had our electronics in the, so they were super heavy. Fortunately, our cabin opened up a bit before 1 PM and we were able to free ourselves from our technological burdens.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Our bags arrived in 2 waves over the next half hour, and by 2:15, we were fully unpacked and ready to relax! We ran some stuff over to Nana and Pappy’s stateroom, then went to make sure Mal was fully registered for the Camp Discovery. Also, we had to get him a replacement bracelet because I’d accidentally cut his in half trying to trim the excess plastic.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We walked around a bit and got to see part of the sail-away party. It was too loud for Mal, so I instituted a “carry your headphones around all the time, because I want to go to parties and hear music!” policy. We wandered around on deck a bit more, learning the places you can and cannot go through. It’s still kind of a mystery, but give us a couple more days and we’ll have it figured out. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We returned to the room to freshen up before dinner, and so Mal could experience sail-away from the quiet of our balcony. He ate the last of the granola bars he had in his backpack and was still hungry, so on our way to our first meal in the main dining room, we stopped back at the international cafe for a chocolate-chip cookie. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">After a couple of false starts, we found the Concerto dining room and got seated just a couple of moments before Nana and Pappy showed up. Dinner was delicious and luxurious. I had a mojito ceviche, mahi-mahi on a plate of quinoa pilaf and vegetable casserole, and vanilla marscapone with blueberry creameux. Mal had macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders, fries, and a banana sundae. For some reason, his stomach started bothering him a bit.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We pretty much packed it in after that. We returned to the room to chill before the youth club family night, but Mal’s stomach was still pretty icky so he wanter to stay in. I got a shower, and we’ve just been chatting and hanging out. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Now it’s a bit after 9 and I find myself getting drowsy already! That’s fine. I want to see the sunrise in the morning; our dinner time of 5:20 means we’re going to miss most sunsets, so it’ll be my only chance to see the that star on the horizon! </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Two sea days before Roatan, and hopefully by then we’ll have the layout more embedded in our brains. We walked 5.3 miles today and climbed 16 flights of stairs (we went down a bunch more than that, but my Apple Watch doesn’t track that).</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If you want to see all the pictures (that I uploaded, which is about 1/3 of the pictures I took), <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/T8NTKkvpHUt74tnu8">click here</a>!</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVyEUrK1zzlrYTp4_oF8Lwqhf2G8TM9wCl4ZfUn_iOsHBZCAM1z8C0touzfgTKJDHQoQySBHrmrIgzIE9YW0lMwEKinSbM-nRMgxfMoRgFFB3Rgq6URCSPCnHNl4y_aqpl39oLtSCsJ-BtrWvy26w3WtG20UHG02n92GlYdsMXJ0CCoZYxFjwippZOPvO/s4000/868FCA2B-7B0E-49BB-9314-56978BD777D6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVyEUrK1zzlrYTp4_oF8Lwqhf2G8TM9wCl4ZfUn_iOsHBZCAM1z8C0touzfgTKJDHQoQySBHrmrIgzIE9YW0lMwEKinSbM-nRMgxfMoRgFFB3Rgq6URCSPCnHNl4y_aqpl39oLtSCsJ-BtrWvy26w3WtG20UHG02n92GlYdsMXJ0CCoZYxFjwippZOPvO/w400-h300/868FCA2B-7B0E-49BB-9314-56978BD777D6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div><br /></div>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-21246599850332902262024-01-03T13:52:00.000-08:002024-01-20T13:55:36.304-08:00Holes<p>A lot of my sock have holes in them. Not tears, but actual holes. Places that have broken apart before, and I've sewed them, and a micrometer to one side or the other, they've burst open again. They're pretty old. I should replace them. But I don't. Why?</p><p>The other day, I was getting dressed when I dropped something. I leaned over to pick it up and James said, "Wait a minute... there's something..." and walked over to me to see what was going on with my drawers. I already knew. "It's a hole," I said. "Remember I told you I needed to buy some more?" WHY DON'T I?</p><p>This happened a few years ago when all of our towels were unraveled and messy; but they still did the thing, which is drying us off. It was a trial for me to bite the bullet and just get new towel sets.</p><p>We are not poverty-stricken. But James and I both grew up in homes where we didn't have much extra beyond what we needed. I hadn't thought about how that might affect my attitudes toward replacing daily-use items until he mentioned it this weekend. I'd asked, "I don't know how rich I'd have to be before I stopped feeling icky about spending money." He said he didn't think either of us would ever feel that way and tied it to our respective youths. He's probably right.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHSNwI1F-VNIG2qgxcyPlO_ML6mNx42EZaWxYOdwyZA5eYodNBOsppZLOwFQ0H-ACtoKZCHJuz_92C4z3AZbTr1YefNr1mthqdYUX7rWj_GP-oFCnnE6VITKTg2kdAFbaZChhOiRCQi8i4fjK6viV1ge4WKLPC7xfpHDD1u7ibhohugRG0nB2l4VIyz1Y/s4032/IMG_0520.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHSNwI1F-VNIG2qgxcyPlO_ML6mNx42EZaWxYOdwyZA5eYodNBOsppZLOwFQ0H-ACtoKZCHJuz_92C4z3AZbTr1YefNr1mthqdYUX7rWj_GP-oFCnnE6VITKTg2kdAFbaZChhOiRCQi8i4fjK6viV1ge4WKLPC7xfpHDD1u7ibhohugRG0nB2l4VIyz1Y/w300-h400/IMG_0520.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a holeless sock. Is it monogrammed for me??</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Edited 1/20/24 to add: Also, James's car's trunk handle is broken so to get into the trunk, we have to pull down the seats inside the car. And my car's driver side door handle is broken, so to get out, I have to roll down the window and open the door from the outside. WHY don't we get these things fixed? Just feels like a lot of work! And expense. And we are working around it, so... *shrug*</p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-29228070154485010152023-12-22T13:38:00.000-08:002023-12-22T13:38:16.830-08:00A Brief History of Christmas (for me personally)<p>My mom was telling me about the Advent series her church is doing, and mentioning how different that was to what the church of Christ (coC) has historically done.</p><p>When we were growing up, the coCs we attended all but ignored Christmas, since "it's not really Jesus's birthday, anyway," I guess? If Christmas fell on a Sunday, we went to church and heard a sermon that might be about Paul's travels, or about Nebuchadnezzar, or Jesus's friendship with Mary/Martha/Lazarus. There was some cognitive dissonance that I did not understand, but got the message that it was disingenuous to pretend Christmas was about Jesus's birth, since we know he wasn't born in winter at all.</p><p>I remember one winter when I was in 5th grade, we were drawing pictures in art class. We were supposed to draw a nativity or something, and I told my teacher that I didn't think I could do that. When she asked why, I guess I mumbled something about it being like lying, acting like it was Jesus's birthday. My friend Cindy Cole responded with, "Oh, Laura, don't be a fool," as she drew a spectacular three-dimensional star.</p><p>Later that season, I was asked to write a bit for the last school newspaper of the year. I barely remember anything about it, except that I ended it with: "We look forward to a break where we can celebrate Christmas and remember the birth of Jesus." </p><p>At some point later, my parents had received the newsletter and asked me about it. They might have just been interested to know why I'd written what I did, but since I was just a kid, I remember feeling like I was in trouble. So I did what I always did when I thought I was in trouble: I lied. I said I hadn't in fact written that, that I'd ended it after "celebrate Christmas" and that an adult in the office must have added on the end bit.</p><p>It never occurred to me as a child that my parents could very easily fact-check my story. But it never made sense to me that for some reason, a church would be anti-remembering the birth of their savior.</p><p>As an adult, I've attended a few more liturgical denominations, including Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Episcopal, and United Churches of Christ (which is decidedly NOT affiliated with the churches of Christ). And even the non-denominational churches in Las Vegas and Sherman had an advent season.</p><p>This year, I'm not taking part in any religious services as I've stepped away from church indefinitely. The further I get from it, the more I realize how traumatized I was/am by the way I was treated and the way other women have been treated by the way the church is structured and how "church discipline" is handled and how charismatic men can get away with murder, practically and maybe probably literally? And I get that none of this is Jesus's fault, but it's healing for me to walk the path I'm walking now so thanks for respecting that.</p><p>Speaking of the main man of Christmas, here's another one: Santa Claus.</p><p>Growing up, we did not believe in Santa. We LOVED Christmas, and it was a magical time. We always got a present "from" Santa but knew it was my parents. They still snuck around and saved the best surprises for Santa to creatively leave out for us to discover. We left milk and cookies out for Santa, and they'd be mostly eaten in the morning. We knew it was Dad who ate them, but it was a cool touch. This seemed an ideal way to treat a Christmas icon, so I did the same thing with my kids.</p><p>D was fine. Mal, at the age of 4ish, decided that there WAS a Santa, despite my telling him that Santa Claus is a fictional character based on Saint Nicholas, a gentleman who wanted to help children and needy families. I told him that Santa Claus is the embodiment of the spirit of Christmas, but not a real entity. He insisted that he was.</p><p>Last year, he straight up asked me, "Mom, tell me the truth: Is Santa real?" And I said, "This is NOT fair! I always told you the truth, but you insist that he is real, and now we're at this place where I have to break your heart by telling you the truth. THIS is what I was trying to avoid!"</p><p>Cut to this year; Mal is 9 and at the age that a lot of kids start growing out of Santa. I don't know if he blocked my revelation out or what, but he's still going strong. He wrote a letter to Santa and put it in the mailbox a few weeks ago. When I've mentioned that some of the stuff he's asked for is pretty expensive, he's said, "That's okay. Santa will get it for me!" (He's lucky because the most expensive thing he wanted WAS gifted to us by a friend who had an extra one lying around. Ho ho ho, Christmas miracle and all that.)</p><p><br /></p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-74549297885722514352023-11-16T08:13:00.000-08:002023-11-16T08:13:27.869-08:00One Way to Spend a Day<p>Do you have periods? Do you hate them with a burning passion? Do you wish you could STOP having them? Have you, in fact, stopped having them as often and are super excited that you're about to be done with them forever? Do you think that there couldn't possibly be anything worse or more demoralizing than having to deal with bloody bodily fluids for several days per month?</p><p>Good news! There's something that is WORSE! It is so dehumanizing and challenging that it will push you to the brink of depression in a mere 24 hours!</p><p>I can tell: You're chomping at the bit. You're ready to hear what this miracle torture is. Well, great! I'll tell you.</p><p>It's called a 24-hour urine test. And if you're a lady and you go to Quest Diagnostics, they'll just hand you the same thing that I assume they hand a man: a container that looks vaguely like what you keep in the trunk of your car for in case you run out of gasoline and need to walk to a gas station and bring a half-gallon of gasoline back with you.</p><p>No instructions.</p><p>No way to collect the sample at all except to figure out how to eliminate into a small circle on a large jug that you will have to lower into the toilet, resulting in your having to clean the toilet, around the toilet, and the jug EVERY TIME YOU GO TO THE RESTROOM.</p><p>______________</p><p>I started this blog post 2 weeks ago, just after I'd done this. It sucked. It also confirmed that I have hyperparathyroidism, so I'm going in for a throat ultrasound and a bone density scan this afternoon. Fun times. Even the surgery to remove any offending parathyroid glands would be better than that stupid urine test. Also, if I had to choose between doing that 24-hour urine test or colonoscopy prep, I'd pick the colonoscopy prep every time.</p><p>Furthermore, I went 155 days without a period and started up again the day before we left for Phoenix last week. Good times. It was 118 days last year; wonder what I'll get up to next year or the year after before finding myself pregnant at the age of 62.</p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-73917981079728127152023-10-29T07:44:00.003-07:002023-11-01T10:25:44.943-07:00October flew by!<p>Good morning, Flat Earthers!*</p><p>I can't believe that it's already the end of October! Lots has happened this month, much of it the typical stuff that happens every day, week, and month of the year. But let's hit some highlights, shall we?</p><p>First, and I'm cheating a little bit because this happened toward the end of September, but we need to remember it: Mal has always had sleeping issues. First, he wouldn't sleep if he wasn't touching my body. This made his infancy exhausting; I couldn't even put him down for a nap for more than about 10 minutes because he'd wake up. I had to wear him, or have him lying on top of me or right beside me. As he got older, he just wouldn't settle at night and sleep in a different room (except that one time Grandma Patsy visited, and he slept in his own room with her!), so he was in bed with James and me. A few weeks after we moved into this house, I decided to get him out of our bedroom and train him to sleep on a futon mattress on the floor of his room... which I did, but I ended up sleeping in there with him, and have ever since. </p><p>For a couple of years, we've had a hard cut-off of 10 years old. I've told him that he needed to figure it out because I was going to return to my bedroom by the time he turned ten. (Because even if he wasn't ready exactly at 10, pretty soon he'd want me out of his room and likely wouldn't feel comfortable telling me why, if you get my meaning.) Anyhoo, a couple of days before his 9th birthday, he told me he thought I could go into my own room when he turned 9! So that's what I did!</p><p>One side effect of this is that I sometimes snore a little, and D can hear it through the wall. James used to wake D up, but since he got a CPAP (I don't have apnea, plus I am a tornado when I sleep and not a good candidate) he's pretty quiet. James had gotten into the habit of closing the bathroom door and the closet doors to help insulate against noise pollution going into D's room, but we have a small wall that's still the only barrier between the rooms. So we invested in some acoustic tiles, and I think they're pretty cool-looking!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVd_sxC6QI1GFmc2PlXpLYYuHHJo0CjNBKK1t5h4BpXuuaQ1_E2qox_2POeKM5N9f4QAds9ZWLU6vJVsUWxJoPnJRjuF29SOp12VivHDBAh37YGRl9Sr6A4-Aa0tCDzulCSIuL7Wv_YZvPh3-ltOJLwjgoSdz7mKpeWXSLV_I_0HTkK2XvuPyOtN6KjUz/s4032/IMG_0293.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVd_sxC6QI1GFmc2PlXpLYYuHHJo0CjNBKK1t5h4BpXuuaQ1_E2qox_2POeKM5N9f4QAds9ZWLU6vJVsUWxJoPnJRjuF29SOp12VivHDBAh37YGRl9Sr6A4-Aa0tCDzulCSIuL7Wv_YZvPh3-ltOJLwjgoSdz7mKpeWXSLV_I_0HTkK2XvuPyOtN6KjUz/w400-h300/IMG_0293.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Next up, we went to trivia night at <a href="https://www.thegoodlotcp.com/?fbclid=IwAR3oJBBXgtFHgddME8T0zwn3RrD_FK2R5vZuTXfkIG0DyoylnxMHShAX72E">The Good Lot</a> for the first time as a family. Mal played with other kids while D, James, and I did trivia. We won one of the three rounds, and the prizes included a flight of beer (they had cider, too!) and a cute skeleton shot "glass" (plastic). We'll definitely go back; I might even make it an event for our Tuesday library/park group. (I just did. I'm such an overachiever.)</p><p>Since we hadn't been to the state fair since pre-pandemic, we went the next-to-the-last weekend it was open and, for the first time in about ten years, D went with us! It was a lot of walking (we stayed in an adorable 4-plex about a mile from the park, so we walked 4 miles just getting there and back twice the day we went to the fair), a LOT of people, and a lot of money, but what a great weekend!</p><p>First, I was trying to show Mal a video of Big Tex because he didn't remember him. We were surprised to see ourselves a decade ago in The Daytripper's recently-released (or re-released?) video!</p><p><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5xfOlgGfRng?si=wh5EnFJBgVrn_PED" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>We had our mandatory stop at the Hillsboro Braum's on the way up. We got to the fair just as it was opening on Friday, and we were able to try the fried sushi bombs before the food court got too busy (and no one got shot, unlike the next evening, where apparently two guys got into a fight in one of the lines and one of them shot three people, all of whom are fortunately okay). </p><p>As per usual, we enjoyed the Go Texan! sample area. My favorite was the flavored olive oils. They had salsa, chocolate, hot sauce, and this year the dairy sample was an ice cream sandwich instead of a small cone. I guess Bessie the Cow doesn't visit anymore, which is probably better for the cow, but I always loved seeing what I'm assuming is the most beautiful calf they could find.</p><p>Little Hands on the Farm is done, but the petting zoo is still around. They moved it into a much larger arena, which really helps both with the crowds and the smell.</p><p>Mal surprised us by wanting to ride the Texas Skyway, a gondola that runs from the front of the park to the back (and vice-versa). He never wants to ride anything, so James thought if there ever was a time to spend nearly $50 on a 7-minute activity, this was it!</p><p>We finished up our fair food purchases for the morning with tornado fries (for Mal, mostly) and a bao taco trio. Man, those were amazing. Definitely the best thing we had that half of the day. The taco "shells" were made of bao dough, steamed as bao buns are, and were each filled with a different meat: pork belly, pulled barbecue beef, and chicken. I could have eaten a whole plate by myself, but we shared because we do have a mortgage to pay off. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8DQcQ-8Q5Lw6Cduqmce0f-TutLavUQOQwVd5Ws4k4oMcC9yr1rJK0SGQdfHxVCrtKuO7-ks7u6-lB__x-BUV_erSQfGzUlY4XZHTQYjYQzDJw_oi2I2SlDN2DJhmr06pC6SAN4k7EmBC3TIdtp5Er-BVpdWF-pkayfpayqjDn7v37NHSNGIIkOTLiqcZ/s3164/420A3853-36CC-4E37-9C51-9E0E02BB1D57_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3164" data-original-width="2373" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8DQcQ-8Q5Lw6Cduqmce0f-TutLavUQOQwVd5Ws4k4oMcC9yr1rJK0SGQdfHxVCrtKuO7-ks7u6-lB__x-BUV_erSQfGzUlY4XZHTQYjYQzDJw_oi2I2SlDN2DJhmr06pC6SAN4k7EmBC3TIdtp5Er-BVpdWF-pkayfpayqjDn7v37NHSNGIIkOTLiqcZ/w300-h400/420A3853-36CC-4E37-9C51-9E0E02BB1D57_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9oH_o6ErupiUzsD97U2eqo1G-FS0OD3bXpinKrMLwQIPplKHhpgXFjDci7f_CYIYgyhtAVmLBbS_J4-VW3vJKbYcKoHxs0bOUEhGh3MCAMbPgRW8bIjetzYzyyTL-wAt6t1qa7UZI2GbTB9ClYx7vZU9jh7ayNjb20t3t8N9XTS7lvPv82vacDO0cEQT/s4000/F8680F2D-EF17-4D58-B945-BD75A3550821_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9oH_o6ErupiUzsD97U2eqo1G-FS0OD3bXpinKrMLwQIPplKHhpgXFjDci7f_CYIYgyhtAVmLBbS_J4-VW3vJKbYcKoHxs0bOUEhGh3MCAMbPgRW8bIjetzYzyyTL-wAt6t1qa7UZI2GbTB9ClYx7vZU9jh7ayNjb20t3t8N9XTS7lvPv82vacDO0cEQT/w400-h300/F8680F2D-EF17-4D58-B945-BD75A3550821_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHL33swy56niCm6ofAagdRVqOiJ0G8B0Ar2omBFSJmVd6P47H5_jvoEAUrypWyLNGnuI94_0Pq7WWwSKmTxlEU3NQPw6C5hw3aCHx60goeA9FtYxEAjiVvNcBLv2DCQNzgIFrRbrGOClmFdDWDMhedTt0OaaLbZ8Zc3XM91LLROR2tI0TSunI9gotLQK_/s4000/79485599-E128-4110-9E90-B9858C9F69D2_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHL33swy56niCm6ofAagdRVqOiJ0G8B0Ar2omBFSJmVd6P47H5_jvoEAUrypWyLNGnuI94_0Pq7WWwSKmTxlEU3NQPw6C5hw3aCHx60goeA9FtYxEAjiVvNcBLv2DCQNzgIFrRbrGOClmFdDWDMhedTt0OaaLbZ8Zc3XM91LLROR2tI0TSunI9gotLQK_/w300-h400/79485599-E128-4110-9E90-B9858C9F69D2_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqfWsByaoazSlIPZ8AmVFMNH_FUjaYT2kGHavFmTMYOhVFlZl2B8xzTs3VcxID-dUZSqx2bkv-rrjZj9k6pxgzSSN-EJTfWJcPDY5EcEbmVvW3GGNyHKfmwKtsnv_X6u3_RXY_JbfTP_fpwsIeQM1MPRg_QE7pSJYBNKBa8QR7YFx6wRUqinkBgjZ9bD4/s4000/F7169A82-8505-4A40-B603-FA446961B3AC_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqfWsByaoazSlIPZ8AmVFMNH_FUjaYT2kGHavFmTMYOhVFlZl2B8xzTs3VcxID-dUZSqx2bkv-rrjZj9k6pxgzSSN-EJTfWJcPDY5EcEbmVvW3GGNyHKfmwKtsnv_X6u3_RXY_JbfTP_fpwsIeQM1MPRg_QE7pSJYBNKBa8QR7YFx6wRUqinkBgjZ9bD4/w400-h300/F7169A82-8505-4A40-B603-FA446961B3AC_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUJlIOxdk8W266CM5rI7dnotZK7i0gPfesO1CXbBKOQ8QOfsLEvRBUYYjwTOV8h5BFom4IQOq95RoYg08-viaKMJJLNQ98ISArTSbpjHN_b0FGzFR0ckNsGhbkV8enZ8TiS2scq5OnHnBa5YRy0P1u0eFSoipNCfgNm_OLKFQdV3v3L3Hlr5kmKJTgI3M/s4000/2019FC26-9B6A-4A6C-A465-058AD3D62262_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUJlIOxdk8W266CM5rI7dnotZK7i0gPfesO1CXbBKOQ8QOfsLEvRBUYYjwTOV8h5BFom4IQOq95RoYg08-viaKMJJLNQ98ISArTSbpjHN_b0FGzFR0ckNsGhbkV8enZ8TiS2scq5OnHnBa5YRy0P1u0eFSoipNCfgNm_OLKFQdV3v3L3Hlr5kmKJTgI3M/w400-h300/2019FC26-9B6A-4A6C-A465-058AD3D62262_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Hxosa938wXDU0ulwc39f8qt2eMd09H8RWyS867ju6hj3EtW9emylfLw8XEaq1uRfmOcYovfKalhRcvwt6oMsfvxqOjkzU3aNQYE7AcD2kLOTJzT2cSnWsEQ8-Q83VoqRnY2IrtqxGxDS_1rHXHl7Hbjv2F7snpHEcBQ6UZQGCAxNykqcOgYodirFvMMM/s4000/BC83E1C0-CD83-49CC-8525-723748DFFADE_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Hxosa938wXDU0ulwc39f8qt2eMd09H8RWyS867ju6hj3EtW9emylfLw8XEaq1uRfmOcYovfKalhRcvwt6oMsfvxqOjkzU3aNQYE7AcD2kLOTJzT2cSnWsEQ8-Q83VoqRnY2IrtqxGxDS_1rHXHl7Hbjv2F7snpHEcBQ6UZQGCAxNykqcOgYodirFvMMM/w400-h300/BC83E1C0-CD83-49CC-8525-723748DFFADE_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>We decided to take a break as the park was filling up around 1 PM. We spent the afternoon at the AirBnB relaxing, and then went back at nightfall.</p><p>We hit most (but not all) of the things we'd missed in the morning; most importantly, the craft competition. I always love looking at the things the people of Texas create! Also, butter sculpture. </p><p>Then we tracked down the one food we'd been wanting to try but were too full to find in the morning: a strawberry cheesecake sopapilla. Aww, man. Definitely the best dessert I've ever had at the fair. Worth finding, fighting people in lines around the sopapilla kiosk, and sitting in an area with a bunch of gnats to consume. </p><p>I think the only thing we'd wanted to see that we didn't was the Dia de los Muertos museum, and maybe the carved pumpkins in the greenhouse with the trains (if they even still have those). </p><p>All together, a great day at the fair! I was happy to go back in the evening because whenever we've gone in the past, we've just left midday and gone home or back to a hotel on the other side of town. Definitely a benefit of staying in the vicinity!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxoYqFxuqt2wYbeXcFKnoM08CMXvi1O9156bRlT43VrmbAgAvF5vgdAdTqfMw9d12B39GsJsNBfD-8RMRaa0VeJGEPO6RnHPqonotAEulXCmdaXwC5bqQ9JyMV0qhDeYArS4-F201ssltmgNFCwhzMZYI4GXSeRDAhPs7rYu_DV2Yg6TZcrIrNZ_GYLdU/s4000/IMG_20231013_182440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxoYqFxuqt2wYbeXcFKnoM08CMXvi1O9156bRlT43VrmbAgAvF5vgdAdTqfMw9d12B39GsJsNBfD-8RMRaa0VeJGEPO6RnHPqonotAEulXCmdaXwC5bqQ9JyMV0qhDeYArS4-F201ssltmgNFCwhzMZYI4GXSeRDAhPs7rYu_DV2Yg6TZcrIrNZ_GYLdU/w400-h180/IMG_20231013_182440.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXimmbGW73YSLd__vJJ0DMHi7fyW_T-zCZ_N2YAfCyQlHAzLUVT9wL-jUDx5BGfbdnO0sK1Zq1ZO6w7fZiBnGeu0gM62RZRCaJCdibBD1bWhm7AGG8kuS4JIvlT-Y6KO-qIZCnvgBcXJItXYaEagLVyFDHl9qMtTn2mB-LJFZDyKkEZzM9vkYaI7wuAnTg/s4032/IMG_0398.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXimmbGW73YSLd__vJJ0DMHi7fyW_T-zCZ_N2YAfCyQlHAzLUVT9wL-jUDx5BGfbdnO0sK1Zq1ZO6w7fZiBnGeu0gM62RZRCaJCdibBD1bWhm7AGG8kuS4JIvlT-Y6KO-qIZCnvgBcXJItXYaEagLVyFDHl9qMtTn2mB-LJFZDyKkEZzM9vkYaI7wuAnTg/w400-h300/IMG_0398.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wm_U0iGXiABeqoEKF5qt-IgmBLcWuCD3n8B6rQlfv77H62qpsCFqZ_uCdOOEcxccNKQ3aaoR5CdiAna8FJ7iTL1JBk1UldXosAmhVW0BZZAiFV0h7WEnKZkKlYHRudPHdZqAxZlqEShVwgYFrIpTT4c8BYiVKqCX5xFDGDwr_d-YRgMPllk6_LMF37d6/s4032/IMG_0400.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wm_U0iGXiABeqoEKF5qt-IgmBLcWuCD3n8B6rQlfv77H62qpsCFqZ_uCdOOEcxccNKQ3aaoR5CdiAna8FJ7iTL1JBk1UldXosAmhVW0BZZAiFV0h7WEnKZkKlYHRudPHdZqAxZlqEShVwgYFrIpTT4c8BYiVKqCX5xFDGDwr_d-YRgMPllk6_LMF37d6/w400-h300/IMG_0400.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVEaZAb5ox-gJJpodnfSo-qFBDhTmlusOhd_w6KjZ2j40svSaGUCej3CXffUuGuuA9hrE0e0tQ-GiEO5pjugPgloAkh61iH9IeD_LVl6d0lx-34OOD1sc-uFhURv3T00DyY-y-ux0fR9490n49IjLMlQyzyM4_pPCwzFuBR0fEXtuFZvHe5xgCNXoE7Xs/s4032/IMG_0409.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVEaZAb5ox-gJJpodnfSo-qFBDhTmlusOhd_w6KjZ2j40svSaGUCej3CXffUuGuuA9hrE0e0tQ-GiEO5pjugPgloAkh61iH9IeD_LVl6d0lx-34OOD1sc-uFhURv3T00DyY-y-ux0fR9490n49IjLMlQyzyM4_pPCwzFuBR0fEXtuFZvHe5xgCNXoE7Xs/w400-h300/IMG_0409.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKnvfia2APht5ABcZThAL2n9zWb2kttQksjFH6wjljEuw8lm_lX3ru39_ta6pUzGoVWif8ZTlTUkPt2DL5UPT6zTUtaK0L7DU5np-QVYkvCYn95b1MwWM9a55GXLf84r3Ro0BF_7zS7JRx_sUJq0bL_tw7RtJu0VXlKhSMmUXYuWvEebZGHYZegkctfv9/s4032/IMG_0417.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKnvfia2APht5ABcZThAL2n9zWb2kttQksjFH6wjljEuw8lm_lX3ru39_ta6pUzGoVWif8ZTlTUkPt2DL5UPT6zTUtaK0L7DU5np-QVYkvCYn95b1MwWM9a55GXLf84r3Ro0BF_7zS7JRx_sUJq0bL_tw7RtJu0VXlKhSMmUXYuWvEebZGHYZegkctfv9/w400-h300/IMG_0417.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>D was kind of "peopled out" so stayed "home" to recover the next day. James, Mal, and I got up and took the bus to Cafe Brazil, where James used to have brunch when he lived in Deep Ellum. Delicious, as always, and we got to experience the solar eclipse with a bunch of other diners and staff. I was glad we had our eclipse glasses, as they got passed around throughout the dining room and kitchen. It was so much fun to be excited with everyone else.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3uRuESMEo4V4m43t_Wv7MK4oL7kJBr6eFXVwYtqolWaZAtOn581a_gRtXJ-8_gTQouTyCZxlnpXGERb-0XNDdOW4fBuQqPE6UQnh0igvDjVJR2goZWRkfMTRZ3EjI0DNc6E9yKWDFgu8lFuRLZkT7w_yH1HW__PGQ-WbvatUkTnZGqwxHayScv746jhN/s4000/6312710A-009D-4B14-9D2C-6499ECC46D33_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3uRuESMEo4V4m43t_Wv7MK4oL7kJBr6eFXVwYtqolWaZAtOn581a_gRtXJ-8_gTQouTyCZxlnpXGERb-0XNDdOW4fBuQqPE6UQnh0igvDjVJR2goZWRkfMTRZ3EjI0DNc6E9yKWDFgu8lFuRLZkT7w_yH1HW__PGQ-WbvatUkTnZGqwxHayScv746jhN/w400-h300/6312710A-009D-4B14-9D2C-6499ECC46D33_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_mFqGYAjFeFdOOi4Gm-t-vYUTJznos4oNycSmTGqKElq-aBU5Y9G0RYIETdK_wOzRzgmvXcQXLrBwdQx8ufg-tCCNXf21yM-62QIcBDX2CGPayEQZO6YW8ZP_axzvqnAEfoDSK_srIOOYo4O2d9AEAdycT_8rBBDFd2WEjnNViIXUS3q5ZyVbzKJ4GUh/s3684/1A7B5BF8-10A4-41D7-A5A1-A748005345E8_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2763" data-original-width="3684" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_mFqGYAjFeFdOOi4Gm-t-vYUTJznos4oNycSmTGqKElq-aBU5Y9G0RYIETdK_wOzRzgmvXcQXLrBwdQx8ufg-tCCNXf21yM-62QIcBDX2CGPayEQZO6YW8ZP_axzvqnAEfoDSK_srIOOYo4O2d9AEAdycT_8rBBDFd2WEjnNViIXUS3q5ZyVbzKJ4GUh/w400-h300/1A7B5BF8-10A4-41D7-A5A1-A748005345E8_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSd9eVO0tA1g-SbUDmQ9NZnEPBI1MWxFGW8sBCLDX571GJ35CNDNdqL0cE75yIUI81CdEZ1fIedaTPnRoqvG5Zxs9EFqZjWogKxQOBPyx7VYcfiesxw1jPzdaR4jPSC6cFvkXcvqGm05rZ42u40nvsLtWa6vfmC22PzuyWJyXUZaRb8FApK1Ad7oJVXOf-/s1187/9CE26914-2AC7-46B4-89FE-C742CD15F42B_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1187" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSd9eVO0tA1g-SbUDmQ9NZnEPBI1MWxFGW8sBCLDX571GJ35CNDNdqL0cE75yIUI81CdEZ1fIedaTPnRoqvG5Zxs9EFqZjWogKxQOBPyx7VYcfiesxw1jPzdaR4jPSC6cFvkXcvqGm05rZ42u40nvsLtWa6vfmC22PzuyWJyXUZaRb8FApK1Ad7oJVXOf-/w400-h300/9CE26914-2AC7-46B4-89FE-C742CD15F42B_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJ-37sp-OqSjcFS6t95nVL97Rtr3VryG6DnVy2AWh57kBTYni8lIkX5I9egeHBDgWQCZ2WrWyPYonnHth5dNht0WvjhG8IR_w5J7WT5nOnnJSUlW5jcjdFXrq20pPii8TS143_sgzd3bZfsUJYcuuZzHZH_J-oi6vxSGLPaNkAFM8_iA_bGtwRg1l0XWh/s4000/IMG_20231014_110315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJ-37sp-OqSjcFS6t95nVL97Rtr3VryG6DnVy2AWh57kBTYni8lIkX5I9egeHBDgWQCZ2WrWyPYonnHth5dNht0WvjhG8IR_w5J7WT5nOnnJSUlW5jcjdFXrq20pPii8TS143_sgzd3bZfsUJYcuuZzHZH_J-oi6vxSGLPaNkAFM8_iA_bGtwRg1l0XWh/w400-h180/IMG_20231014_110315.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>We then took the train downtown to poke around a bit before taking the train back to Fair Park and walking "home." </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzzpTBeby8SIwisNMUZ_9V0uyNapu7iBj-LbCWDVv_j7OdIJAK4h7YDGNoLbb8t3gJ_SbUunEEmGp17AKyW5pyKajt7d4Re1GlmaNzZzgGoelfXp5EtWCWtNdZPam0DoWhBRQSIeAxJ5HuNxIo3HxdGnCVEr960ALLTQbzO1lFhq2QZ2PJ_5DjBMsRbkC/s3469/6EE16309-7751-412C-BBCE-58FC98565E0D_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3469" data-original-width="2602" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzzpTBeby8SIwisNMUZ_9V0uyNapu7iBj-LbCWDVv_j7OdIJAK4h7YDGNoLbb8t3gJ_SbUunEEmGp17AKyW5pyKajt7d4Re1GlmaNzZzgGoelfXp5EtWCWtNdZPam0DoWhBRQSIeAxJ5HuNxIo3HxdGnCVEr960ALLTQbzO1lFhq2QZ2PJ_5DjBMsRbkC/w300-h400/6EE16309-7751-412C-BBCE-58FC98565E0D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEw6_kV9ZPk0TJC9YeEpBkMsAHMZvKo-r6wPH2-_PtGXqVCOKyelanojf6fqXamaCiUqnjpyFIlZRVoG8ArGcg7Dst4kULXG087W9xlqOqkO_1zSRm874CPxh3gCVi_GKr6a4MPTkMHQM6Vs09eqi5_x12vMAmtadOOkDtuOqE5IurYZHykGsob3FYSHne/s4000/282B7B11-A44C-4924-BBC4-4E4FF4B2B939_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEw6_kV9ZPk0TJC9YeEpBkMsAHMZvKo-r6wPH2-_PtGXqVCOKyelanojf6fqXamaCiUqnjpyFIlZRVoG8ArGcg7Dst4kULXG087W9xlqOqkO_1zSRm874CPxh3gCVi_GKr6a4MPTkMHQM6Vs09eqi5_x12vMAmtadOOkDtuOqE5IurYZHykGsob3FYSHne/w400-h300/282B7B11-A44C-4924-BBC4-4E4FF4B2B939_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1gxKZmt_wRQMmLSol0RDoxGqXI9WzbqIObWDJDM4zAeStBa3QGSK5-JJWazekV85l-fIxPp2hnJtA7ntRIRPc6VA4fUSR5pd6ntJeURYJuRI4HEOIX-k77wUkaA4VQRSCTyUhGsNhI1Oa3bkwUi25C_CyQwAVc6J77JpguV89h45ueUGMaZ8mhhR4CUR/s4000/B620E368-36F2-47EB-B827-257DBA0C889D_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1gxKZmt_wRQMmLSol0RDoxGqXI9WzbqIObWDJDM4zAeStBa3QGSK5-JJWazekV85l-fIxPp2hnJtA7ntRIRPc6VA4fUSR5pd6ntJeURYJuRI4HEOIX-k77wUkaA4VQRSCTyUhGsNhI1Oa3bkwUi25C_CyQwAVc6J77JpguV89h45ueUGMaZ8mhhR4CUR/w300-h400/B620E368-36F2-47EB-B827-257DBA0C889D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjdkHGuBcANV-2e_ah8MGZzTIJKN_4mlY80jHOC65IrENeoXQFXuhrjuqgfDjfTVSknYwYmo955LgygUoyRdNqK7ZxX67fvH67jZ_efFf-mE-y3ALTpsGZDWgOcYTWEWglEVNnqJ7QNeKw8StuZd3dUWi1jsXQFVkXAYetpbTki_s1lfN_IdldE-b0mVj/s4000/EF3B3EB4-1B58-45EC-990E-72E6651D37E2_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjdkHGuBcANV-2e_ah8MGZzTIJKN_4mlY80jHOC65IrENeoXQFXuhrjuqgfDjfTVSknYwYmo955LgygUoyRdNqK7ZxX67fvH67jZ_efFf-mE-y3ALTpsGZDWgOcYTWEWglEVNnqJ7QNeKw8StuZd3dUWi1jsXQFVkXAYetpbTki_s1lfN_IdldE-b0mVj/w300-h400/EF3B3EB4-1B58-45EC-990E-72E6651D37E2_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Believe it or don't, we had dinner that night at Cici's Pizza. It was like a block from our place and Mal wanted to go. Since James hadn't been to one in a while, he was down. </p><p>The next morning, we packed up and hit the Dallas Arboretum before we left town. I'd only ever been during the week, and holy cow was it busy. But it was a beauty, as ever.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa0JNvEKi6Iogn5hyaZbf3J9gzOYD-cNZ4Yy4UYLJRr2NUdOz6U0PZf3xSCVUsi49biinwgT4IIyUa1Ln8eo8InhCwCCeWKfLmvPoewRcIk19uSDxmveegLzmTzwL4ylrPCu3dpHwa7THQl7qnR48m005TZuct2YNQ_4DxuF_UMhZe42EdCwcw0-2pAx_/s4000/97DB76C5-27D1-43DC-AD93-88DD0E161B03_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa0JNvEKi6Iogn5hyaZbf3J9gzOYD-cNZ4Yy4UYLJRr2NUdOz6U0PZf3xSCVUsi49biinwgT4IIyUa1Ln8eo8InhCwCCeWKfLmvPoewRcIk19uSDxmveegLzmTzwL4ylrPCu3dpHwa7THQl7qnR48m005TZuct2YNQ_4DxuF_UMhZe42EdCwcw0-2pAx_/w400-h300/97DB76C5-27D1-43DC-AD93-88DD0E161B03_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCNcAGDmZ93oMFbgoU2lIqt0B-oX7KB8MpsLP9UXfi7_drb0Nf2jA9OVKHSvnIVfpTOLKPRJBCxwNQQnFsm6_qZFllrKwz7rnYh7tpm0IE4TK81Jejp5iSVrvv62SyzG8kquZ0n1Wvdeu_DHO6NQOAahhGf58D8CaDmviC2rav6Ln9UgOnfC8ACd3zg7b/s4000/845F56FD-D829-408B-AE14-0FC337D8841C_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCNcAGDmZ93oMFbgoU2lIqt0B-oX7KB8MpsLP9UXfi7_drb0Nf2jA9OVKHSvnIVfpTOLKPRJBCxwNQQnFsm6_qZFllrKwz7rnYh7tpm0IE4TK81Jejp5iSVrvv62SyzG8kquZ0n1Wvdeu_DHO6NQOAahhGf58D8CaDmviC2rav6Ln9UgOnfC8ACd3zg7b/w400-h300/845F56FD-D829-408B-AE14-0FC337D8841C_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcMVJJCGgdsR9sV6cqN7LpYqnRylksgapoS0iyD-ihtTdTFe_hyphenhyphenS6TPTnj19qANDWHnf07OhLHWQ3AFBuKn5Ey9CGE8CIXla6Dhu-DpMQyv8qzpRkqbphe3D5SqFd2GWbDE7wxfvBx5SkarMqS0RqhRVW_B02oCC3FuAmC7sKwkuu99Qjmpfco91Ei2Bl/s4000/4E2F8DDB-235B-4AB9-855A-0B729DB8B33B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcMVJJCGgdsR9sV6cqN7LpYqnRylksgapoS0iyD-ihtTdTFe_hyphenhyphenS6TPTnj19qANDWHnf07OhLHWQ3AFBuKn5Ey9CGE8CIXla6Dhu-DpMQyv8qzpRkqbphe3D5SqFd2GWbDE7wxfvBx5SkarMqS0RqhRVW_B02oCC3FuAmC7sKwkuu99Qjmpfco91Ei2Bl/w300-h400/4E2F8DDB-235B-4AB9-855A-0B729DB8B33B.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9unF-DQPAncls9DOB-O4Jx0JQvlAPod-GkCHA7P69dpXNCSsHTastlmO5UkBn0Psa0pBqeFe16f_2FSoRoG1CzHlW0PdzRmcOkS8SO-ufkp6bb0IbsJkqQwpoCXOsyGEnbaEzL69lvTR7W7IVeJi4aGDz4qYjteBng4vcIzGLT7BPBThRrp30D3EETme/s3768/6B35BAD1-655D-4B74-ADB0-A40C14821607_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2826" data-original-width="3768" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9unF-DQPAncls9DOB-O4Jx0JQvlAPod-GkCHA7P69dpXNCSsHTastlmO5UkBn0Psa0pBqeFe16f_2FSoRoG1CzHlW0PdzRmcOkS8SO-ufkp6bb0IbsJkqQwpoCXOsyGEnbaEzL69lvTR7W7IVeJi4aGDz4qYjteBng4vcIzGLT7BPBThRrp30D3EETme/w400-h300/6B35BAD1-655D-4B74-ADB0-A40C14821607_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WBK6eqFV356nCzYDrCFxfBWZWHXoYxzWRUdgZMXtpB-FtbxFaItmnZgNF6RHTG_if_GYUxL4FKBjCiIJJD1Lt2_-7d5Up1EaxfsjHksZephWO4qFklDtvJMKlDFaUs3EFuZpxhon4CKNmOuEoLhIpKeyjnliqbcet2l5krFfuDvR7gT4HYW13IsaO5ux/s4000/9CC786B5-7BB4-4582-A21A-27244D5ABBBF_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WBK6eqFV356nCzYDrCFxfBWZWHXoYxzWRUdgZMXtpB-FtbxFaItmnZgNF6RHTG_if_GYUxL4FKBjCiIJJD1Lt2_-7d5Up1EaxfsjHksZephWO4qFklDtvJMKlDFaUs3EFuZpxhon4CKNmOuEoLhIpKeyjnliqbcet2l5krFfuDvR7gT4HYW13IsaO5ux/w400-h300/9CC786B5-7BB4-4582-A21A-27244D5ABBBF_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDASx2Fxi9zy8HvqX75VC4WwjRxGHbx-vi-RNxz70NPqTfWY7rJ0lqJj5oul1vobDsvOj_uuiBk9RqY0nQQMmPDqYcE5zCZcw8ID7DjA6QD9FgFotxAKDqE-QFMeXoyY3XRs3uUisVPmh0LtoBJjWgf7kXdIgAu-aUEWucoTgafi63MzFpIAxFVs8iR7to/s4000/IMG_20231015_105129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDASx2Fxi9zy8HvqX75VC4WwjRxGHbx-vi-RNxz70NPqTfWY7rJ0lqJj5oul1vobDsvOj_uuiBk9RqY0nQQMmPDqYcE5zCZcw8ID7DjA6QD9FgFotxAKDqE-QFMeXoyY3XRs3uUisVPmh0LtoBJjWgf7kXdIgAu-aUEWucoTgafi63MzFpIAxFVs8iR7to/w400-h180/IMG_20231015_105129.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJoOiXBO_lhQvT0iKeXwa-cFUiMTQXrYpWBWMhZvFJe_FQzeLfqTgPRreyaOqceZ-57CU4TlzGis9syi79l6wQ3Z0DyBlG2WpOPkPvAj7SaC4NE35gQ3Sc8das5sciIiWHaML3FEzO5NvHCDaN4GCn7W3ojYwrnW849WRSnJeacW7aM5pttZZAqZa2GoJ/s4000/7822E731-BF8D-4E28-BA8A-4B19AB094C8F_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJoOiXBO_lhQvT0iKeXwa-cFUiMTQXrYpWBWMhZvFJe_FQzeLfqTgPRreyaOqceZ-57CU4TlzGis9syi79l6wQ3Z0DyBlG2WpOPkPvAj7SaC4NE35gQ3Sc8das5sciIiWHaML3FEzO5NvHCDaN4GCn7W3ojYwrnW849WRSnJeacW7aM5pttZZAqZa2GoJ/w300-h400/7822E731-BF8D-4E28-BA8A-4B19AB094C8F_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>On the way home, we stopped at Mal's favorite Hat Creek Burger in Temple for a late lunch and to say "howdy" to Nana and Pappy before ending our weekend away.</p><p>This weekend was the first time we've used <a href="https://www.rover.com">Rover,</a> a pet-sitting app/website, and we were very pleased! Our sitter sent pictures and updates every day, and was super conscientious and clean. I was surprised that I didn't need to sweep or vacuum up Aish hair when we returned. When they were younger, we'd have just left the cats alone for the 3 days we were gone. Alas, they're all teenagers and need a bit more maintenance.</p><p>In other news, Mal took an online assessment and qualified for a the regional semi-finals of a geography bee. We were supposed to have done that last weekend, but they had to reschedule for December at the last minute. </p><p>We're rounding out the month with Halloween, of course. Our little town has done stuff for Halloween ever since we moved here, but the celebration is getting better and better. Last year, a guy from Public Works built a few spooky decorations that were in the main park area. This year, they really let him go wild and used a small path across the way to showcase a half dozen of his creations. It was perfect in that it was pretty macabre, but also not threatening so kids were having fun exploring the "haunted walk."</p><p>And, of course, they had games for the kids, who were able to "earn" candy. It's the first year they haven't had a trunk-or-treat, but I think this is good, as they probably never knew whether they were going to have 4 participants or 15.</p><p>They also had hot dogs and chips available, which James and I especially appreciated because we both finished outside work (him: building a bed frame, me: mowing the lawn) right as it was time to walk down to the park.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq31FyxjlwDk4gnqDd0I2pGajNAcdyGsAehs_7HoYvlBbOkTExsPDtjGanZlvMPSx6KdIV1D9p7iWtBX12x2yIohRtAjnP6E8ktCRmXSFcVZVHpqFw5zZA4x-hCUL15cLPS9GQdL5J9ETRmcIL2wMXJctuGIS5DwIoFDmUtZ2vDpFHQQ3aEuF0dqTgggd1/s4032/IMG_0554.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq31FyxjlwDk4gnqDd0I2pGajNAcdyGsAehs_7HoYvlBbOkTExsPDtjGanZlvMPSx6KdIV1D9p7iWtBX12x2yIohRtAjnP6E8ktCRmXSFcVZVHpqFw5zZA4x-hCUL15cLPS9GQdL5J9ETRmcIL2wMXJctuGIS5DwIoFDmUtZ2vDpFHQQ3aEuF0dqTgggd1/w300-h400/IMG_0554.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphen4iA34XGZYI5gwkipnDylir-Q3UBWgVqQweLPC_AamniFjRruyaStXxEk4ZrCImc2K05cowy_CLS9xGKGgo6qdLOOupPRRcOFsCR7UP7HjZr0VOjKNqOUtrFccaOSX27l5Fq-TN4k_-6DkO0HKBV1aZaniVvzJq3s9vNoXOQiC2FakQVPq3HEBGDmODy/s4032/IMG_0557.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphen4iA34XGZYI5gwkipnDylir-Q3UBWgVqQweLPC_AamniFjRruyaStXxEk4ZrCImc2K05cowy_CLS9xGKGgo6qdLOOupPRRcOFsCR7UP7HjZr0VOjKNqOUtrFccaOSX27l5Fq-TN4k_-6DkO0HKBV1aZaniVvzJq3s9vNoXOQiC2FakQVPq3HEBGDmODy/w400-h300/IMG_0557.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqm8SMtsKBxPI2wYW8BPEt_DFrT8WEOcTFz1PugV3an8r3keNiAqRbm-WoYoVWNoZmqDwq4lbdUMH5HoAf8w8aWOzhYOkpcUZHIrTixqIRmHgWV71kRHgVLWXrQYejtOmVo_aX_b04i3YmRWQ-tIe6SuVxeWIByd00ljjf3BsSRTJvz7xJ0t481dwomRn/s3088/IMG_0562.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqm8SMtsKBxPI2wYW8BPEt_DFrT8WEOcTFz1PugV3an8r3keNiAqRbm-WoYoVWNoZmqDwq4lbdUMH5HoAf8w8aWOzhYOkpcUZHIrTixqIRmHgWV71kRHgVLWXrQYejtOmVo_aX_b04i3YmRWQ-tIe6SuVxeWIByd00ljjf3BsSRTJvz7xJ0t481dwomRn/w300-h400/IMG_0562.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Some more quick Mal things: Yesterday, he burnt himself on our tea kettle, which SUCKS, but it's because he was making himself ramen. It's the first time he's done it start to finish on his own. He swore off of using the kettle but I told him burning yourself is just part of learning to "cook." Next time he's going to use silicone gloves.</p><p>This week, he had his first dentist appointment in which he had ZERO cavities! His teeth are just prone to being meh, so I don't claim this as a win in terms of his dental care... but it is definitely a relief!</p><p>Finally, Mal played Scrabble with me for the first time Friday night, and although he is still working on figuring out where it's legal to place a word, he did really well in terms of pulling words out of scrambled tiles! After we played, he played once with Nana. When we got home, he played with his dad. Now that he has three practice games under his belt, we'll start keeping score. He told me, "Don't take it easy on me, Mom!" He should know that I would never.</p><p>This morning, we have all of the windows open and are just waiting on the cold front that will bring the temperature down from the 70s into the 40s. Normally, if it's going to get cold, I'd just try to keep the warmth in the house to stave off the heater coming on. But, dang, it's been so muggy and gross, I really want to feel the cold in all of its glory. I am wearing bike shorts and a tank top and can't wait until I need to put on pants and a sweatshirt! BRING IT!</p><p> *That's a joke. Clearly, the earth is a cube and the scientists are just trying to trick us because there are other planets that are also cubes very nearby and if we knew this, we could just hop around like Q-Bert without the need for commercial space travel and since no one can make money off of that system, they obscure it from us. Stay high, brothers.</p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-34871061420948966342023-09-23T17:19:00.001-07:002023-09-23T17:19:45.062-07:00The Lucky One<p>Sometimes I think about what it must be like... just to walk away and have zero responsibility for a child you brought into the world.</p><p>All of the hard times and tears you've missed. All of the difficulties. You just live your life as if you never had a child. And maybe that hurts, but you're still protected. Protected from receiving the vitriol and anger. Protected from having to figure out what to try this time. Protected from hoping the next thing you try actually makes a difference.</p><p>You haven't invested thousands of dollars in care, in clothes, in food, in insurance, in medication. You haven't wrestled with how to love someone well who carries so much resentment toward you. You haven't had to watch your child struggle with needing and loving you when they so do not want to.</p><p>You live your life. You pursue what you will. You might have the occasional nagging thought of "what if..." but you never act on it. Not one time. You are your own world.</p><p>But I am the lucky one. I am the one who abides. All of the battles that child and I have fought, all of the words that have landed softly here and explosively there, the days of silence, the unexpected hugs... They're all mine.</p><p>You've missed so much, and I don't think you have the capability to care. I feel sorry for you.</p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-72044187082307698932023-08-20T04:12:00.001-07:002023-08-20T04:12:10.487-07:00A Novel's Perfect First Sentence...<p>"I was 50 years old when I finally got my nose pierced."</p><p>That's it. That's how the novel opens.</p><p>I don't actually know what happens after that, but the mind reels at the possibilities.</p><p>No cap, though, before James's and Mal's plane had landed in Seattle, I'd gotten a new tattoo (small rainbow on my neck; first one with color!) and my nose pierced. They're my birthday present to me.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzundVFPd4FYw9iJoaYBzz2CkjjzpHqeKZ3Mn3TyiNiykgYQ-ZW-jsFV-kLo6iqgwoEOfOT7zROB9Ri_yyys3wUhJF0xe1pIBdANZKNQ8vQHsogHWgxVGYpKK07fA-H3LgX99gH96Wli4h5_wJRLA28bvoLbu1mONhgkh67fKNXz7U_iFg2J71UT5T3AVt/s3088/IMG_9857.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzundVFPd4FYw9iJoaYBzz2CkjjzpHqeKZ3Mn3TyiNiykgYQ-ZW-jsFV-kLo6iqgwoEOfOT7zROB9Ri_yyys3wUhJF0xe1pIBdANZKNQ8vQHsogHWgxVGYpKK07fA-H3LgX99gH96Wli4h5_wJRLA28bvoLbu1mONhgkh67fKNXz7U_iFg2J71UT5T3AVt/w300-h400/IMG_9857.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See? It's super subtle!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I said "No cap" so you'll think I'm hip. I did the nose piercing because I freaking wanted to; they're so pretty and I've wanted one for a while. I'm a wimp, though, so it's not a septum piercing. I don't see how my Sapphic sisters do that. Also, cool thing about the hormonal whirlwind that might just be "the change," I am getting acne now. Good times. The day after my piercing, I developed a zit right above the site. Trying to manage that whilst also not really touching my nose in order to prevent an infection has been a lot of fun.</p><p>My birthday's in a couple of weeks, and James and Mal are on a short trip to see James's brother's family, including Luke the whippet. Seems like they're keeping busy and will probably both just crash out when they get home Monday night. Fortunately, James took Tuesday off to recover, and Mal's a kid so he doesn't really have much to do but catch up on rest when he gets here.</p><p>Since they've been gone, I've had lunch with my sister (her treat!), cleaned and organized James's office, done the permanent body modifications, had dinner with my friend Elana (her treat!) and our older kids, streamed a lot of television content while I was doing other stuff, swept and mopped all of the house where that's possible, cleaned the kitchen and bathrooms, had dinner with D (my treat!), and am planning to enjoy a morning all alone tomorrow when D starts their new job. Oh, and I've kept up with my DuoLingo Spanish lessons.</p><p>James was remarking the other day that I don't just sit down and chill a lot. I've really not been doing too much of that since he and Mal have been gone, but I've been doing more of it than usual.</p><p>Another fun possibly-perimenopausal-hormone-related thing, I'm getting so much less sleep than I have for most of my life. I typically need a GOOD 8 hours to function, and I'm getting more like 6.5-7.25 hours per night. I think I'm doing okay, but just have to get used to the fact that I need less sleep. So far, I haven't been plagued by the insomnia that is often present in women of a certain age. Guess we'll see how that goes.</p><p>It's Sunday now, so it's D's work orientation. It might not be necessary, because D might have a short day, but I'm planning to pack a sack lunch just in case they need food.</p><p>Then I'm going to try to roll out the dough I made yesterday for some hopefully fun sugar cookies I'm putting together for our LGBT-friendly homeschool meet-up group we started exactly one year ago! We have a great little den of friends from that. They're awesome kids, and I feel like they would be the antidote to folks who want to avoid their own children knowing about queer folks to "protect their innocence." Our awesome kids are about as starry-eyed and wholesome as you'd want kids to be. There's not a bully or mean girl among them. They're not perfect, but they're all great people who care about and enjoy each other so much. I'm super lucky I've gotten to watch them grow together, work out issues between themselves, and really develop deep connections with each other.</p><p>One other kind of cool thing... When I had dinner with my friend the other day, she asked me to take a look at a memoir she's been helping a guy write for the past five years. She's asked me to read/edit some work before, but until now I haven't felt that Mal was mature enough for me to be able to try. I'm going to give it a go now, though. They should be finished in the next few months, and I'll see what I can do. </p><p>It's almost light enough to go walk this morning, so I'm signing off for now!</p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-20123490058543799952023-08-06T07:14:00.004-07:002023-08-06T07:14:29.901-07:00Mal's Birthdays<p>For those of you keeping score, you'll know that Mal is turning 9 next month! I took this picture of him yesterday, wearing his 8th birthday shirt and we're going to have to retire the shirt soon!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTv2rjREmc7HOezAHDYxlDeNOKWYvcPuTX8pABcRA-eVoUg2gXuIk1TEvUZ6ruxIHRcYxcjmuNrzGeXFyyC3sgMB0wORxesJ1SqimKJyfZbVJ5u0rgLacBaDG6L7WGCVpoZqIjwdi-DU38r5ic-sHh8dSoupM7Ln0RELWuszrq_BW0jFRss8OqyKdQ6VN_/s4032/IMG_9667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTv2rjREmc7HOezAHDYxlDeNOKWYvcPuTX8pABcRA-eVoUg2gXuIk1TEvUZ6ruxIHRcYxcjmuNrzGeXFyyC3sgMB0wORxesJ1SqimKJyfZbVJ5u0rgLacBaDG6L7WGCVpoZqIjwdi-DU38r5ic-sHh8dSoupM7Ln0RELWuszrq_BW0jFRss8OqyKdQ6VN_/w300-h400/IMG_9667.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>A couple of weeks ago, Mal said that for his tenth birthday (yes, in 2024; he has had party themes lined up for almost a decade since he was 5), he wants to go to California. The things he specifically requested were: Super Nintendo World, Disneyland, and Hollywood.</p><p>I really had to think for a while about what he wants with "Hollywood," because I'm not sure what that means to him. When we lived in Las Vegas, we went to LA at least once a year, and during those times, we toured the NBC studios, where we saw sets from some of the shows we usually watched. We went to live tapings of "Home Improvement" twice (thanks, Dad!). We drove past the houses where they shot exteriors for Beverly Hills 90210 and Brady Bunch. We went to a small, quaint amusement park called Universal Studios Hollywood (which was only 30 years old at the time... and when we go with Mal, it will be 60 years old... which means that I AM OLD) where we got to see props and set pieces from familiar movies.</p><p>The thing is, Mal watches YouTube, cartoons, and a few live-action shows that James and I choose (oh, and every Star Wars show, which we all agree on). He doesn't have the "everyone has seen this" experience that I did when television was three channels plus PBS, and most of the movies we see now have sets courtesy of CGI rather than huge, sprawling creations like the Psycho hotel (which apparently is STILL there, even though we're probably two generations removed from being able to assume that anyone has viewed that particular pelicula).</p><p>However, after some time, I had worked out a perfectly-crafted trip incorporating things I felt Mal would consider iconic, as well as moving into some more of that nature that California is famous for so that James and I would feel equally catered to.</p><p>Then a couple of days ago, Mal decided that we HAVE to go to LEGOland. HAVE to. Before he turns 13. Because you can only drive the little cars where you get a LEGOland driver's license if you're under 13. </p><p>We'd planned to hit LEGOland first thing for our planned (and paid for ) April 2020 trip. In case you don't remember what happened in that far-away time, I'll refresh your memory: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2. Remember that thing? </p><p>Mal would have been 5 for that trip, and even then, I thought we were reaching the end of the part of his childhood when he would find LEGOland interesting. One thing might be that he does NOT like thrill rides, so everything here will be his speed. But also, LEGOs. Or, more correctly, LEGO bricks. I know that's the proper way to say it, but it's so awkward. "Yay! Let's play with LEGO bricks!" Sorry, LEGO. It's just "LEGOs."</p><p>Anyhoo, I explained to him that I'd already planned a perfect trip that did not go that far south, and that trying to get that far south would mess everything else up. You might be thinking, as he did, "Why not just take one day and do it?" Well, if you're thinking that, then you're not the kind of trip planner that I am, and I'm not sure that I can make you understand.</p><p>But I'll try.</p><p>1) Have you ever heard of "crowd planner" websites? They're great. They let you know how busy theme parks will be on any given day, in general, your mileage may vary. I use them because I enjoy being able to have the most fun while avoiding the busiest days, thus making my big bucks that I spend on a trip go further. Because of those sites (my favorite is TouringPlans.com, and I'll join up just as soon as we're within a year of the trip so that I can get my personalized plan!), I know that in September, Disneyland has its Halloween party several times a week. On those days, if you don't have a ticket to the party, you have to leave the park at 5 PM. We did the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney World in 2018 and it was fun, but I don't think we're interested in this one. SO that means that we need to hit either Magic Kingdom or California Adventure on either Monday or Wednesday. Those are the only two days of the week that we will want to be in a Disneyland park in September.</p><p>2) We don't want to go to ANY theme park on a weekend.</p><p>3) We don't want to take any flights on Friday-Monday.</p><p>4) We don't want to visit a state or national park on the weekend.</p><p>5) Some hotels in high-demand places have 2-night minimums during weekends or certain times of the year (like if it's a college town and you happen to want to stay there on parents' weekend, which I've only learned because I PLAN EARLY).</p><p>6) Since we're going to be bopping around so much, we will need to wash our clothes a couple of times on the trip (wash AND dry, because we'll have to pack them every or every other day), so I need to know that we'll have access to a guest laundry or nearby laundromat.</p><p>7. We're planning one night in a very popular national park that opens up reservations 366 days in advance, and they often sell out. Once I lock that reservation in, my ability to move things will be extremely restricted.</p><p>SO.</p><p>I happened to wake up at 4:30 Saturday morning, and my brain was telling me to get up and figure out how to squeeze LEGOland in. I worked out first, and then got to work. Two hours later, I had added, cut, and rearranged until I had another beautiful (if more road-heavy) trip worked out.</p><p>The night before, Mal had literally been sobbing about not being able to drive those cars before he turned 13. I try to treat my son as a fully-formed human with feelings that are worth of care, because he is and they are. But his crying about a still-pretty-hypothetical trip a year away (our last CA trip was canceled within 4 weeks of when we were supposed to go*) was a little much for me to absorb.</p><p>However, I felt he'd be so relieved to know that his good old mom made a way! So when I told him the next morning, he said, "Oh, okay." I was like, "WHAT? You were IN TEARS last night!" He said, "Huh? I don't remember that."</p><p>And that is why I'm not having any more kids.</p><p>Also, as aforementioned, I am old.</p><p>But also, he DID remember; he just thought I was saying that he cried in his sleep, and he didn't remember that.</p><p>But but also also, my early morning strategy session was greatly under-appreciated so I'm telling you in order to have my glorious accomplishment in writing forever, or at least as long as the internet lasts.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>*Something interesting: James's brother's family had a trip to California, and LEGOland specifically, planned earlier this year. They got to the airport and soon after, Delta canceled their flight. They were able to find a flight 2 days later, but then Delta was unwilling to change their return flight without charging them, so they just got full refunds and bummed around their home state for a week. We decided that this might mean that California doesn't want anyone in our family there -- and specifically LEGOland, which wouldn't be in play if my original plan still stood. Are we cursed? Will we actually get to California? Set your reminders to check back in 15 months and we'll see!</p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-68342096825187639722023-08-04T07:28:00.003-07:002023-08-04T07:28:59.874-07:00It's Staying Hot Out Therre<p> At the risk of sounding like a sad old person: Can we talk about the weather?</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgJsP4joVleX4i9WD1B19yFmq4ZCOlHR3UUGQAJ38BRr2BbxmalO0aA20Lza6RvVCap-nMZD2_u9tMvQCsC7jBZZLfVtccWz21edkvk1Wyq-rJfbQKFRF7V2gBGXuJQ8Q7OsTZcfv9wvNmOXwk45zCq_PoxNdAJJo6dxD3IWLu5TH8DA8BP2Iyq2vZTmV/s794/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-04%20at%208.07.24%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="764" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgJsP4joVleX4i9WD1B19yFmq4ZCOlHR3UUGQAJ38BRr2BbxmalO0aA20Lza6RvVCap-nMZD2_u9tMvQCsC7jBZZLfVtccWz21edkvk1Wyq-rJfbQKFRF7V2gBGXuJQ8Q7OsTZcfv9wvNmOXwk45zCq_PoxNdAJJo6dxD3IWLu5TH8DA8BP2Iyq2vZTmV/w385-h400/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-04%20at%208.07.24%20AM.png" width="385" /></a></div><p>We've had about a month of this, and it sucks. Las Vegas was hot, sure, but it WAS a dry heat. Here, it feels more dangerous. It's difficult to get outside to do anything but swim, though we are walking to the library and back for our weekly group meet-ups.</p><p>I look back and see pictures of us at the former-lake park year-round, including right now, and I am not sure whether it was significantly cooler or whether Mal was just small enough that he wasn't deterred by extreme heat.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbop-LtXMIrSAqFrnSSwA8KtS8rlPsveZzn-na6hNEtBEIAnf041riyZlwMF9fiV_yj25FZMSP6XhyaPnfHbqu8JV6dN-MlRyH3ksBJVRVsk9sByp8CDxEMBjd6bEubUF9Gc_Iw8ntuDjZG7mA7AfX2RpJ7Aysz3fdt3ZpeI2wUyLOQCMPkwqSNjK_NnwB/s4608/DSCN4119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbop-LtXMIrSAqFrnSSwA8KtS8rlPsveZzn-na6hNEtBEIAnf041riyZlwMF9fiV_yj25FZMSP6XhyaPnfHbqu8JV6dN-MlRyH3ksBJVRVsk9sByp8CDxEMBjd6bEubUF9Gc_Iw8ntuDjZG7mA7AfX2RpJ7Aysz3fdt3ZpeI2wUyLOQCMPkwqSNjK_NnwB/w400-h300/DSCN4119.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken at the park in July 2019<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVufG8V8whrJmdCJxya7We3jLQ7LI1-KmZevWZnWK9MnLK-VHwvtJrJTmACwdqgdIiAZ7hzqxkREE1pLgrYyGpi6kz9M9BvSTvFQc_P54YzOrXTlxJA9G8S3sG_NZnAmDV7FMfg0vZwfuTIjQhPsgbPQZ6LCXO_h9QZ0Wg_d_kKeDR2ZezDRQ5An7vnh5/s4608/DC5E1115-19F0-482B-B090-AA783E218F70_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVufG8V8whrJmdCJxya7We3jLQ7LI1-KmZevWZnWK9MnLK-VHwvtJrJTmACwdqgdIiAZ7hzqxkREE1pLgrYyGpi6kz9M9BvSTvFQc_P54YzOrXTlxJA9G8S3sG_NZnAmDV7FMfg0vZwfuTIjQhPsgbPQZ6LCXO_h9QZ0Wg_d_kKeDR2ZezDRQ5An7vnh5/w400-h300/DC5E1115-19F0-482B-B090-AA783E218F70_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken in August 2020 (see the water?!)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Between the politics here, and the increasingly uninhabitable climate, we might soon take refuge somewhere else. Mal has so many friends and my side of the family is all here... but good grief. </p><p>What do you guys think? Any hope regarding environmental changes that you want to share so I don't keep looking at rentals in Delaware?</p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-35034993338833951382023-07-09T14:22:00.000-07:002023-07-09T14:22:00.264-07:00Did I Tell You About the Car?<p>A <a href="https://gatannahfiles.blogspot.com/2023/05/fun-medical-week.html">couple of months ago</a>, we said goodbye to our white Fiat 500L. It had been mal- or non-functioning for months, and in the shop for several weeks prior to that. We decided at the time to see how we'd do with just one car, since James is still able to work from home and D doesn't have a job yet.</p><p>So far, it hasn't been too bad.</p><p>James has had to carpool with us on Sunday mornings, adding a little complication to his formerly carefree Sunday brunches. He just drops us off at the McDonald's where Mal meets his friend to play every week, then picks us up. Mal's friend went to California for a few weeks last month, so James got to relive his carefree dual car days. </p><p>We've taken a Lyft at least once (Mal hates it; he says he doesn't trust the drivers). D has needed to get somewhere last-minute when James was out buying groceries. Besides that, though, it hasn't been bad.</p><p>Plus, when we added D to our insurance, the premium doubled! I thought it might not be as bad since D was 21 instead of 16. However, when we took the second car off, the price halved, so we're back to our "normal" premium.</p><p>A few weeks ago, I had the idea to try to get to my parents' house using public transit to get to the Amtrak station. We'd need my folks to get us the last few miles, but it seemed like fun to try.</p><p>When I mentioned this plan to others, two different friends offered to drive us to the Austin train station. That was nice, but would the purpose of testing out our local transit.</p><p>So Thursday morning we left our house pretty early to be at the local bus stop by 7:05 AM to catch the commuter bus out of our neighborhood.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQ9K1ZMjZH_sB3XNRny_CPnQNRS6Cbi0n5opwgEZxTx0-jahds7rCcQu0rg_2p32AjJ4AKdHTMRjARESRkERRau27GoyhPQ0iAtBjs5wUJKm9XTSPAzxRH__LLgWFAxnVQ8VVSL0H1s9B83EV6XpmlercoNJEqNRTHTKZPuJ1dj-WG22unSPl0MI7lJPI/s4000/56DC43D4-87D3-4732-97B0-19D1C4A15E70_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQ9K1ZMjZH_sB3XNRny_CPnQNRS6Cbi0n5opwgEZxTx0-jahds7rCcQu0rg_2p32AjJ4AKdHTMRjARESRkERRau27GoyhPQ0iAtBjs5wUJKm9XTSPAzxRH__LLgWFAxnVQ8VVSL0H1s9B83EV6XpmlercoNJEqNRTHTKZPuJ1dj-WG22unSPl0MI7lJPI/w400-h300/56DC43D4-87D3-4732-97B0-19D1C4A15E70_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We got to the Lakeline Park and Ride in plenty of time to catch the 7:50 bus that would deposit us downtown at 5th and Bowie, which is only a few blocks from the train station.</p><p>We took a detour into Whole Foods to get train snacks. Mal picked some gorgeous fruit from their prepared food bar, and I got a multi-pack of chocolate bars.</p><p>We were at the train station by 8:50, which was 10 minutes before the station itself opens. When we could get in and sit in the air conditioning, Mal ate a bunch of strawberries, we used the restroom, and the bus pulled in at about 9:20.</p><p>We boarded and were on the final let of our trip just a little late, but made the time up at the only stop between here and Temple.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6kbGf9jc2nBBFAT7cf9TD9C_NeaZX5R0pjlFxtkYOUsdBl9UQ9KSiaKVUblVXtQpHrdg6ZzLGGQesXqBN5wMAUFcfoYRVGhvNtnxISl_pqYb4aBwUZ4zLcI0m5xshs54L2UAp7rFRa7sojU4uEjeI-jBNTpagIix6dSzlJ4whVVSVyI3J6HAeg3xfdCd/s4000/78B0D108-1D8D-4BD2-AD39-4F74F1D1A0FB_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6kbGf9jc2nBBFAT7cf9TD9C_NeaZX5R0pjlFxtkYOUsdBl9UQ9KSiaKVUblVXtQpHrdg6ZzLGGQesXqBN5wMAUFcfoYRVGhvNtnxISl_pqYb4aBwUZ4zLcI0m5xshs54L2UAp7rFRa7sojU4uEjeI-jBNTpagIix6dSzlJ4whVVSVyI3J6HAeg3xfdCd/w400-h300/78B0D108-1D8D-4BD2-AD39-4F74F1D1A0FB_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYW6-M0cEati6Gz_jaiAqW6_svOhpxwYbUZV22LmPz6-hsON0yYlQBzbXi5DrN4zajahnZZmYx2XCSp7Fppz5Gej-00jZ9Alwlg5Wl_IfGRNkyn3iJ74mGuQHAQoQD9LzS5QUdz-RgDuvXy9vANqZAHIraP6_2igiWAzZAldY0ilWJKuobvJpf1d3U9N-Q/s4000/5F8CE6BC-65C9-4905-8117-B90A4F9C810E_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYW6-M0cEati6Gz_jaiAqW6_svOhpxwYbUZV22LmPz6-hsON0yYlQBzbXi5DrN4zajahnZZmYx2XCSp7Fppz5Gej-00jZ9Alwlg5Wl_IfGRNkyn3iJ74mGuQHAQoQD9LzS5QUdz-RgDuvXy9vANqZAHIraP6_2igiWAzZAldY0ilWJKuobvJpf1d3U9N-Q/w400-h300/5F8CE6BC-65C9-4905-8117-B90A4F9C810E_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Door to door, this trip was almost 4 hours longer than it would have been if we'd just driven. However, we had lots of walking and breaks built in, and I got to really visit with Mal without having to focus on the act of driving.</p><p>Plus, the $30ish I spent on train and bus tickets (Mal was free as a companion to my fares) was more than gas one way would have cost me, but a lot less than the insurance and other amortized costs of owning a vehicle for the past two months would have been (several hundred dollars).</p><p>We'll eventually have two cars again, most likely. A lot depends on if D goes to the community college (which is easily accessible by the first bus Mal and I took; that bus is actually an express bus to the school), if/where they get a job, and if James ends up with a different job that requires him to commute.</p><p>For now, we're skipping along just fine. When it's so cost-effective to do so, we can deal with a little inconvenience, for sure.</p><p><br /></p><p>PS I asked James about this and he says he vacillates on whether or not it's worth it, mostly on Sunday mornings when his custom is to go alone to brunch. I guess he doesn't love being tied to the fact that we're out and dependent on him. How rude. </p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-29682080405386506362023-06-29T06:58:00.003-07:002023-06-29T06:58:19.729-07:00Flags of the World! (a thing about unschooling... but maybe not what you're thinking)<p>I posted several weeks ago about <a href="https://gatannahfiles.blogspot.com/2023/05/summer-school.html">Mal's obsession with flags</a>.</p><p>Since then, he's stayed pretty consistently interested. He's constantly saying things like, "Did you know that Chad and Romania have the EXACT SAME FLAG?" And the answer is always that no, I did not know that. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpTHR3IExaEPfCAY87luG5Yc-PDUhxENv_4vAb2DHWGDpAYXGeJbW9-h8C83KKKSpJLh5qxWIVCLVlmTwfXt7Z4k9EZUNJ04PDihCz9wbK4-GqmhHI4RClpHHH5p5sVVSyx6yyDGGbyy4mOeL6HhZsRm96KVPwoq5ivvV7gDMP4WQeNbYLP3k-VdTrcID/s798/Screen%20Shot%202023-06-29%20at%208.57.29%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="798" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpTHR3IExaEPfCAY87luG5Yc-PDUhxENv_4vAb2DHWGDpAYXGeJbW9-h8C83KKKSpJLh5qxWIVCLVlmTwfXt7Z4k9EZUNJ04PDihCz9wbK4-GqmhHI4RClpHHH5p5sVVSyx6yyDGGbyy4mOeL6HhZsRm96KVPwoq5ivvV7gDMP4WQeNbYLP3k-VdTrcID/w640-h338/Screen%20Shot%202023-06-29%20at%208.57.29%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>I've actually learned a lot from Mal's interest in flags, as well. I've always loved maps and globes, and since he's into that now. In fact, after having bought Mal a beach ball globe a couple of years ago because we didn't want to shell out $50+ on a passing interest, I did buckle down and buy him one that will arrive tomorrow.</p><p>But I digress... One thing I've learned is that South Africa has three capitols because its executive, legislative, and judicial branches are in separate cities. That's pretty cool.</p><p>One thing we did get him recently was a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Imagimake-Mapology-Capitals-Educational-Excellent/dp/B079SXW3WD/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1RE0EBUMS8HHC&keywords=foam+world+map+with+flags&qid=1688044832&sprefix=foam+world+map+with+flag%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-5">foam map puzzle with a bunch of flags</a>. He knew a lot of the flags, anyway, but since having put it together a couple of times, he knows all of them flawlessly. It's kind of a bummer because they didn't include any of the Central American or Caribbean countries (save Cuba), so we'll have to pick those up somewhere else. I did show him the Haiti flag immediately upon seeing it was snubbed.</p><p>Anyhoo, all of this exciting stuff to get around to my main point here.</p><p>One of my friends mentioned recently that unschooling never worked with her kids because they didn't take to "academic" stuff like what Mal is doing right now.</p><p>Now that I think about that statement, I see how a big idea in body liberation melds perfectly with the unschooling philosophy vis-à-vis the moral neutrality of most stuff in life. I believe it is <a href="https://danceswithfat.org">Ragen Chastain</a> who says something to the extent of "Running a marathon and having a Netflix marathon on your couch are moral equivalents." The world at large might celebrate running a marathon as the summit to a virtuous endeavor, but why? Vegging out, being lazy, and listening to your body when it says that you need a break is awesome. Running, if you like it, is awesome. Choosing to do one of those things over the other doesn't make you a better/worse person. It's just different people doing different things.</p><p>Getting back to unschooling and Mal: He has always taken a deep dive in the things he's interested in. His earliest obsession was probably the Disney Cars franchise. After we'd watched the movies once or twice, he could listen to the score and tell you what scene a piece of music was played. He knew the names of ALL of the characters, even background ones that might be shows once for three seconds in one of the three films. He collected hundreds of cars, he played with them almost every day, talked about it all of the time, found Cars shorts on the Disney Channel app on his own, noticed that some music was featured both in the movies and in the cartoons. It was two years of that.</p><p>He's also fixated on Unspeakable (which he still watches but not like when he was 5 or 6), Henry Stickman, NumberBlocks, Super Mario... and last year, Encanto. We actually have the play sets out on the kitchen table right now. He does bring them out to play and make scenes with occasionally. When the movie came out, though, he literally studied the songs until he knew all of the lyrics. In fact, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny-7XmHBSMk">his friend filmed him for almost half an hour once</a> (she's a better audience than I am!)</p><p>When Mal finds something he likes, he has the space to take the time he wants to pursue it. With NumberBlocks, he learned a lot about how numbers work together. Since he got over that obsession, he's lost some of the multiplication tables, but I know that since he learned those things at 5 and 6 years old, he can remember and/or relearn them again in the future. He's learning a lot of geography and kind of civics with flags. Many times he'll act out a superficial version of relations between, say, Russia and Ukraine or North and South Korea using their flags as almost action figures. He'll probably forget a lot of this when he moves on to his next big interest.</p><p>The question is: Are those subjects superior to the strong relationships he formed with Cars and Encanto or a YouTube channel or a video game? Or all they all valuable pursuits for the pursuits' sake? Is the only reason I or others see unschooling as justified because Mal is learning something that some educational decision-makers out there who have never met him have decided is "important"?</p><p>I would argue that this cycle of finding something enjoyable and then wanting to know more and delve into it more is worthy in and of itself. It's what makes life worth living. My sister likes plants. My dad likes trains. My mom likes to read. Some day James and I will have time to figure out what we like again, I'm sure of it.</p><p>But my point is that, as adults, we get the option of pursuing interests without the baggage of "but what use is it in life?" My dad can watch Virtual RailFan and plan vacations around trains without people accusing him of "playing" and suggesting that he reads more books, like my mom does. We get to like what we like.</p><p>I'm enjoying this geographical path we're on right now, but I loved Cars and Encanto, too (he was on his own with Unspeakable). Mal is who he is and he's becoming the person he will be. Without anyone telling him what is really important and what he SHOULD be spending all of his time on. I love that for him.</p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-12810732514871223672023-06-05T07:06:00.002-07:002023-06-05T07:06:19.123-07:00Yet another installment of Things Mal Said<p>My sister texted me yesterday as she was watching "Shiny Happy People," a docuseries about the Duggars specifically and the IBLP more broadly. Although we didn't choose to homeschool because of the reason a lot of super conservative Christians did, I was certainly adjacent to the Quiverfull movement and swam in the waters of top-down authority (like God, Father, Mother, kids; or God, male church leadership, female church leadership, members, etc.). And although I might have paid lip service to authoritarianism both as a parent and within the patriarchy, I always chafed against it and was pretty bad at submitting myself to basically anyone.</p><p>In honor of this most recent exposure of Bill Gothard and this whole establishment (I'm not linking because, honestly, let's not give them any more eyeballs), I wanted to share two things that Mal said this weekend that these people would consider a failure due to my parenting. Have I ever been more proud? It's hard to say.</p><p>Friday, we were at Urban Air with some friends. The kids pick a table where they can enjoy snacks and hanging out when they're taking a break, and the parents sit together at a different table. Mal had been jumping and come back with one of his friends for a drink. An 11-year-old girl was sitting where Mal had been sitting earlier, and he asked her if she could get up so he could sit down. She moved to a different table alone, and he just plopped down at the edge of the booth. </p><p>I said, "Mal, will you scoot over so that Abby can sit back down?" He just looked at me like I'd asked him to stab himself, and turned back around. I said, "Malcolm, you need to move over so Abby can have her seat back." Mal announced, "Mom, I'm not listening to you." I said, "Hopefully you'll start listening to me soon or you're not going to have any friends because you're being a jerk." He said, "Mom, I've listened to you my whole life, and today I'm just not going to do it."</p><p>After he left, the mom of the girl he had asked to move said, "I know it's not funny, but it's also so funny."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1EDCzSFjqEjPgDqhjrHB9q01JdxWQamTK0e2sYRXEcJQtbrK7qub-o0Vec5TiXSsrXjmdxxwizfULVF7envdoiefL0P5UN6J5SagolnUi28Yw-CkSKy5Z9Kgxwnlb4sHK8j7SoCA8naMVIueFpYiVm-5JqU3qvXAGXVLHfJ1PEFnWZecUFLi7vgCNQ/s4032/IMG_9030.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1EDCzSFjqEjPgDqhjrHB9q01JdxWQamTK0e2sYRXEcJQtbrK7qub-o0Vec5TiXSsrXjmdxxwizfULVF7envdoiefL0P5UN6J5SagolnUi28Yw-CkSKy5Z9Kgxwnlb4sHK8j7SoCA8naMVIueFpYiVm-5JqU3qvXAGXVLHfJ1PEFnWZecUFLi7vgCNQ/w400-h300/IMG_9030.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><p>The next day, we went to see Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse (so good!) and at one point, I thought I saw something fly in the air in front of the screen. A couple of minutes later, I noticed it again and it was just a moment after Mal had gotten a piece of popcorn. I realized he was eating around the kernel then just tossing the kernel into the row in front of us (where someone was sitting!) I said, “Mal, you can’t throw stuff like that.” He looked at me pointedly and said, “You’re not supposed to talk during a movie.” I said, “DO NOT THROW ANYTHING over there. If you have a kernel, just drop it in the floor and they’ll sweep it up after. Okay?” He just blinked and said, “You. Are. Not. Supposed to talk during the movie.”</p><p>I'm almost certain that I would have gotten a spanking for responding either way to my parents when I was Mal's age. It just never would have occurred to me. And I guess some people might say he's being disrespectful and shouldn't talk to me like that. But for me, the problem behaviors were the ones I was addressing, and I don't want to take focus from those by insisting on a perfect response to me, at the expense of having him think about what I was actually telling him. In the case of the movie, anyway, he didn't throw any more popcorn. </p><p>Plus, I don't always respond to people in a completely measured way, and I don't actually have a problem with his being frustrated with me and expressing it. So I guess I'm failing as a mom, but it feels right. I'm going to keep doing it.</p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-46675295692046371432023-05-30T10:14:00.004-07:002023-05-30T10:17:53.128-07:00Summer School<p>Mal will be nine years old soon, and would be going into third grade if he were in school (his birthday is late in September, so he'd be one of the oldest amongst his grade cohorts). He loves homeschooling and unschooling specifically, and has so far resisted any suggestion I've made about taking ANY kind of class, even something fun like dance or martial arts. In his brain, "classes" equals "school" and he wouldn't then be a homeschooler. He has little idea that his homeschool friends have at-home curricula and structured enrichment programs.</p><p>I am fully confident that he knows that he needs to know at his age, and he's obviously happy and opinionated about his educational path. But recently D has expressed quite a bit of resentment about how they feel I just threw my hands up and "Jesus, take the wheel"ed their later school years (which isn't how it went on my end, but I know that intent isn't the same as impact, and I am very sorry and regretful that I didn't, I guess, push more forcefully... which was my bent as a mostly "authoritarian" parent at the time, and which seemed to be making our relationship worse... but I digress. I should also add that I'm fully confident that D can succeed in anything they want to do; but they are on very insecure footing because of how I conducted things). </p><p>Also, I've been thinking a lot about how Mal is just quickly dismissive of trying things that he thinks sound "too involved" or of sticking with certain things. So James and I decided it would be a good idea for him to take something, anything, just A class next fall. Once a week is fine. And he freaked out when we told him. I brought up dance again, and he said, "I know how to dance!" I told him, "Sure, but there's something neat about learning specific steps, practicing them with friends, and then getting to perform a whole dance together." He was unconvinced. </p><p>He's since told me that he'd cry every single day of his life once he was enrolled in a class, which sounds exhausting. He's said that he doesn't want to take any classes until driving school (which is ironic since D just practiced with James and me and otherwise was self-taught). He has asked me why I want to ruin his life.</p><p>However, recently he's taken an interest in, of all things, flags of the world.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_e8PGPrPlwA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>I think it all started when he'd seen a YouTuber "rating" various countries' Emergency Management System alarms. That got him to look up the countries and see their respective flags. Now he has so many countries' flags memorized.</div><div><br /></div><div>When we were Montreal, we saw flag shops everywhere.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKV0MV0_Fp2cv4upzkA3Ei0NzDwJimXphX2JssuF0yJqFGvaI0ZqRLKvB6f0YiUFdYZtKTzrfXN8nQXBFQslFXW-IFtcPAN7kiwO92XLqZXhzGfRa4xLjGlxdo1YjJeejMOfSt_RP051kD2QFkjgtb8paKHtnMu0oCXaaBAPpClC_pnewPLq7IjR7oA/s4000/42AF11B7-76A9-4955-8152-4194DCA738CD_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKV0MV0_Fp2cv4upzkA3Ei0NzDwJimXphX2JssuF0yJqFGvaI0ZqRLKvB6f0YiUFdYZtKTzrfXN8nQXBFQslFXW-IFtcPAN7kiwO92XLqZXhzGfRa4xLjGlxdo1YjJeejMOfSt_RP051kD2QFkjgtb8paKHtnMu0oCXaaBAPpClC_pnewPLq7IjR7oA/w400-h300/42AF11B7-76A9-4955-8152-4194DCA738CD_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>We dropped into a little pizza shop on the McGill University campus, and it had a bunch of international flags hanging from the ceiling. Mal was able to name just about 70-75% of them. Then yesterday, we went to visit Nana and Pappy; they pulled up a video on YouTube where you try to guess what country a flag is from, and he was able to peg 37 of the 50!</div><div><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sicXkp-hvgY" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>So he has said that if I can find him a geography class, he's interested in that. He's very into continents, where countries are in relationship to each other and their continents, which countries are allies and which are enemies, and other things like that. Please keep your fingers crossed that we can find a robust elementary-aged geography class in the fall!</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, just because I was curious, I bought a Brain Quest 2nd/3rd grade summer bridge activity book. D used to love Brain Quest books, and we did a lot of them (pretty much every one through 6th grade). Mal's completed the first section so far and he's actually enjoying it. I just call it his "activity book," and he has some of the same hang-ups D did ("Why can't I do it this way instead?" Doodling all over the place so it's hard to see what he actually did. Kid stuff), but he's able to do everything easily. Even things like commas and apostrophes, which, again, we've NEVER "studied" because we don't, he understands how to use them. We'll finish the book because he's having fun, and so am I. I did get to spend quite a bit more hands-on time with D as a kid because of our "doing school" a couple of hours a day.</div><div><br /></div><div>All of that to say: The kid is all right. It's fine. I actually got him to go to an "open gym" by basically making him (I've asked all semester and he always said no, so I just did it), which he liked a lot. This week is the last session until fall, but that's another thing he can look forward to. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our summer is getting busy, already. Lots of activities, movies coming out, musicals, fun stuff. Hopefully it all involved a lot of a/c or a lot of water to get into, though!</div><div><br /></div>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-37754010467280396902023-05-17T15:00:00.001-07:002023-05-17T15:00:08.668-07:00The Rest of the Week in Montreal<p>This has been a fast few days! Mal keeps saying, "How can we be leaving tomorrow? We've only been here two days!" We have been fortunate to have lovely weather and even with James's bone spurs acting up and some rain and cold yesterday, we've been able to fit in a lot. I mean, obviously we didn't get to see or eat at 10% of the possibilities I'd highlighted on <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1804ueO9ARtNE3oh8uJNwFsTRySZXznc&usp=sharing" target="_blank">my personalized Google Map</a>, but we certainly hit most of the highlights.</p><p>Friday morning, we did indeed go to Old Montreal and kick around a bit. We visited the Notre Dame Basilica, which I was unable to go into 25 years ago as it was under refurbishment. They're working on one of the spires right now, but the inside was accessible and it's every bit as soaring and opulent as advertised.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq716Lqe_Z5KgaPYAXqLXBOa0k4Uc-RoiiSOUDO9nlf4B8CsS3yrxDQ3yZYvexOX0rEh2aTo0SDlQy1walLevAvaFqEVbktTXdExXgCMLycXJsP7pGEXNjUq_RTb6gpJO_mIVcqNuLUHIBhYqY1tDrY7W8e3udaZEVudsGBuE6bIssbdJKp4vOYIr2xA/s3752/B20D76AB-98A6-4307-A66A-7D7D8D53283B_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2814" data-original-width="3752" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq716Lqe_Z5KgaPYAXqLXBOa0k4Uc-RoiiSOUDO9nlf4B8CsS3yrxDQ3yZYvexOX0rEh2aTo0SDlQy1walLevAvaFqEVbktTXdExXgCMLycXJsP7pGEXNjUq_RTb6gpJO_mIVcqNuLUHIBhYqY1tDrY7W8e3udaZEVudsGBuE6bIssbdJKp4vOYIr2xA/w400-h300/B20D76AB-98A6-4307-A66A-7D7D8D53283B_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We walked to the Old Port, and Mal played on the small playground there for a while. We'd hoped to visit the "beach" at the Clock Tower, but it apparently doesn't open until June 16. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAt7JCLTHpc1Xuy0488N3aKOwSsTKcGuHwvAPGvYbEnwdWRgDZpcONafEXNJKLCsF1ipUMrCZM_6SQuKnVEgKqRiWZungAEwpeAKvsyXRKXSbtmd5S1EFehZ8NWgwc0tyeZHPm7bUr81WQaMtkggT94lG3uN9Qj4x1wHYU_o63Agj7wRbJ42NOxNEHA/s3899/740328BB-D00D-4F1F-B5EE-913C4F7BEB44_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2924" data-original-width="3899" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAt7JCLTHpc1Xuy0488N3aKOwSsTKcGuHwvAPGvYbEnwdWRgDZpcONafEXNJKLCsF1ipUMrCZM_6SQuKnVEgKqRiWZungAEwpeAKvsyXRKXSbtmd5S1EFehZ8NWgwc0tyeZHPm7bUr81WQaMtkggT94lG3uN9Qj4x1wHYU_o63Agj7wRbJ42NOxNEHA/w400-h300/740328BB-D00D-4F1F-B5EE-913C4F7BEB44_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mal was crushed about the beach, but rallied when he found Mamu! that had a strawberry banana Nutella crepe featured on the sandwich-board menu out on the sidewalk. We had an unplanned lunch there after visiting the Notre Dame de Bonsecours basilica. It's one of Montreal's oldest churches, dedicated to sailors. Some of the light fixtures were boats, which was neat, and it was much more understated than the church up the street. But it was still pretty fancy compared to modern-day pared-down modern church design. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-1H5o_AbaD2mmEoVrRoqcV0omfEAyvSPmk1IRFlXHaU4fDiWA2m5psJGwjv0D1fypmvbf8CgJyy4qjBJsoEFQHILwSmB_JGTVmM2Z7xnHaL2RDknbY3xbXlGjsDwLqSwTVS6aQCsU9PEpSN1FMMkbDoR0mHpmIzuXiVzf_h6fVf2mfNdVmnczbR6MQ/s4000/B6A34F31-397C-4EDD-9A27-A651227466EA_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-1H5o_AbaD2mmEoVrRoqcV0omfEAyvSPmk1IRFlXHaU4fDiWA2m5psJGwjv0D1fypmvbf8CgJyy4qjBJsoEFQHILwSmB_JGTVmM2Z7xnHaL2RDknbY3xbXlGjsDwLqSwTVS6aQCsU9PEpSN1FMMkbDoR0mHpmIzuXiVzf_h6fVf2mfNdVmnczbR6MQ/w300-h400/B6A34F31-397C-4EDD-9A27-A651227466EA_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We took our afternoon rest, then went out for dinner at Schwartz's Deli. We were seated at a table with a local family whose daughter looked like she was just about Mal's age. We chatted with them for a while and thoroughly enjoyed our Montreal smoked meat sandwiches.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZrKOox1clJelqp8UYB4GHrjIyYun23ruK_FDS_b2O7rWpqQXhPciPWYk9agh9gDG9QjpH6rcSxCdiPJqIJp0Xh7Mpe3PFOGrSTd5H5uTgbJKYb1dt6hu1_X80Gae2MVSsGIXzkCLycoGOT8x-D8l_hU7OhZZjl4u3qyiEtwq5GU_e9KfysKJMcF_nQ/s4000/3120B5B2-A712-43BB-B3F6-8A3D5E8A3FBE_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZrKOox1clJelqp8UYB4GHrjIyYun23ruK_FDS_b2O7rWpqQXhPciPWYk9agh9gDG9QjpH6rcSxCdiPJqIJp0Xh7Mpe3PFOGrSTd5H5uTgbJKYb1dt6hu1_X80Gae2MVSsGIXzkCLycoGOT8x-D8l_hU7OhZZjl4u3qyiEtwq5GU_e9KfysKJMcF_nQ/w400-h300/3120B5B2-A712-43BB-B3F6-8A3D5E8A3FBE_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was a playground nearby where Mal was able to burn off some steam before walking back to the hotel.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGJRuF3VgV3YAgk6z1hpbz2TZ2AOy52JRMylMmFcpFz6PJCAW_pZMbr_Z-atbBBFHFHVaq4DSIy-HqdWI-dYDFytJRrrzln7pdsr2XqG2PEtO57BOas_rGwRJXEG0aVzs-GNK6di4QwhpSekw3LBDAW7wm0_GY_BCk9iQhWRSrZNFhfkJZEEryvGNjA/s4000/P1000825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGJRuF3VgV3YAgk6z1hpbz2TZ2AOy52JRMylMmFcpFz6PJCAW_pZMbr_Z-atbBBFHFHVaq4DSIy-HqdWI-dYDFytJRrrzln7pdsr2XqG2PEtO57BOas_rGwRJXEG0aVzs-GNK6di4QwhpSekw3LBDAW7wm0_GY_BCk9iQhWRSrZNFhfkJZEEryvGNjA/w400-h300/P1000825.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Eiekgshi-LWKseUY1errYAVQyefC8EN7KvR6UHHWndkODJxW2TRe1CNY56pvsOssuGey5qoFUcd5caDG5-JnWGMZiah4r_hNx1J85HGfczIKj6KbnBt0YKtMiuhdXiSTYFqPF9navrEsmykTegqmSXBIrNLV-X9dmO4LEM8qpavDQLofJPRp31YKXA/s4000/P1000830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Eiekgshi-LWKseUY1errYAVQyefC8EN7KvR6UHHWndkODJxW2TRe1CNY56pvsOssuGey5qoFUcd5caDG5-JnWGMZiah4r_hNx1J85HGfczIKj6KbnBt0YKtMiuhdXiSTYFqPF9navrEsmykTegqmSXBIrNLV-X9dmO4LEM8qpavDQLofJPRp31YKXA/w300-h400/P1000830.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>Unfortunately, the next morning, James woke up with his bone spurs/Achilles tendonitis in high gear. We had timed tickets to a Van Gogh immersive experience (sorry, Hannah Gadsby; the only other choice was too "mature" for Mal), so he hobbled his way to that, then the plan was to take it easy until we were to meet his cousin and uncle (and their spouses and a new baby) at a park.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifv1HQVXpGv-5K67TADpPSEmHr7eAleumHQ0eAHY0rG4n6055hfAxwEylj1jQi5onfBGWxz2k4amb3011BrLzVu3RHZ2YE6wzObeQt4QIaNYuSPvBPVKpEhlQg5LmB-PxYnE6Q3qhcBSF5mvhC9ZxVzkLNC3IpDsMFEMkaMR68JsNilr_JJjZG21Izg/s4032/IMG_8690.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifv1HQVXpGv-5K67TADpPSEmHr7eAleumHQ0eAHY0rG4n6055hfAxwEylj1jQi5onfBGWxz2k4amb3011BrLzVu3RHZ2YE6wzObeQt4QIaNYuSPvBPVKpEhlQg5LmB-PxYnE6Q3qhcBSF5mvhC9ZxVzkLNC3IpDsMFEMkaMR68JsNilr_JJjZG21Izg/w400-h300/IMG_8690.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmYdRuehS_c_KYZsDO48qJpj39oUi6gcDx4kjxH8E0yNfdKdkBill71NLcTF-aJSbO6D9Esd6swiVwdmi4O3v5Ev4zeKquVh5wOeombaic5d_ZuZNZjwkM8-vyKw205eJ95biaf4K85ottcZiDjS2wf2wPQofQSpU-smGMN_BCtlWvnrl44IwJmyW6g/s4032/IMG_8693.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmYdRuehS_c_KYZsDO48qJpj39oUi6gcDx4kjxH8E0yNfdKdkBill71NLcTF-aJSbO6D9Esd6swiVwdmi4O3v5Ev4zeKquVh5wOeombaic5d_ZuZNZjwkM8-vyKw205eJ95biaf4K85ottcZiDjS2wf2wPQofQSpU-smGMN_BCtlWvnrl44IwJmyW6g/w400-h300/IMG_8693.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsrwKelcZOPPQwV-HQH9BguJCJJIaU3wBOo4eKHww1RZo0NlDiEGEtqf0sJMEFirDq6fT461pkJLARMiHifFd1lXxnbOGYkWxxcHMNCCligRsFLEioCvGwySmNCSqRtVglby0ePLNXQV1qiZ--TZrfX8_LwLgAV6teIDm-tUKE1-0k41OAsvZCJXQig/s4032/IMG_8710.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsrwKelcZOPPQwV-HQH9BguJCJJIaU3wBOo4eKHww1RZo0NlDiEGEtqf0sJMEFirDq6fT461pkJLARMiHifFd1lXxnbOGYkWxxcHMNCCligRsFLEioCvGwySmNCSqRtVglby0ePLNXQV1qiZ--TZrfX8_LwLgAV6teIDm-tUKE1-0k41OAsvZCJXQig/w400-h300/IMG_8710.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The show was very cool, and afterwards, James made his way back to the hotel while Mal and I found a cane for him, got Mal some McDonald's, and then got lunch for James and me from <a href="https://www.restonoodlefactory.com" target="_blank">Restaurant Noodle Factory</a> in Chinatown.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later, we went to Parc La Fontaine to meet James's cousin, Cynthia, who just had a baby a couple of weeks ago. Her parents, including James's favorite uncle, happened to be in town for the joyous occasion, so we got to see them. The last time James saw his uncle Kermit was back in 2011 when James was living in Dallas. Kermit and his wife, Cheryl, live in France, so they don't get to connect very often. Cynthia's husband, Fabrice, was kind enough to give James a ride back to our hotel (we've been using public transit, but you still have to walk to/from the stops, and the park stop is on the opposite side of the park where we met them, which is a good 3/4 of a mile away.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKQOnRtQRdZZGt24_bXMaub5811MxI85yxFmzzql76b9PObF-wJEsd9l80C0W2vF8r2YaGbti35Yz5O2NMy6BNGFe9yepL10PgznHYaFPY4FJsgy8OYHDz_qb5jcd8kQ4CH7dwLK44b1HetabbWevjClP8RqOBk5Tt0wMmOclrrtIRNthNpdAJE_gvg/s4000/DF949FEE-03BF-401B-9A1A-30B5005734E0_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKQOnRtQRdZZGt24_bXMaub5811MxI85yxFmzzql76b9PObF-wJEsd9l80C0W2vF8r2YaGbti35Yz5O2NMy6BNGFe9yepL10PgznHYaFPY4FJsgy8OYHDz_qb5jcd8kQ4CH7dwLK44b1HetabbWevjClP8RqOBk5Tt0wMmOclrrtIRNthNpdAJE_gvg/w400-h300/DF949FEE-03BF-401B-9A1A-30B5005734E0_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mal and I went off to do some more sight-seeing. We hadn't needed to ride the train for a couple of days, and Mal wanted to do that. After we'd gone all over town, I dropped Mal off at the hotel and got us food from <a href="https://sliceandsoda.ca" target="_blank">Slice and Soda</a>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39P2WrPx-uLoKSdtTrkDZcDEnn8xqyft9FqNv7hOwP9sC392JHzyU_ePXYh7p4TkVo0rEcakgARmkkRCNU0xtNldQeWkpBcjeZZwwdnGE8_cvEqttqOsgpkOJCr5dbR1DlGTcxN52H1aYzoH6vxyVQ92Yal-DEg4f940mFrh2nONNXtP1GRnRWbdmwg/s4032/IMG_8719.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39P2WrPx-uLoKSdtTrkDZcDEnn8xqyft9FqNv7hOwP9sC392JHzyU_ePXYh7p4TkVo0rEcakgARmkkRCNU0xtNldQeWkpBcjeZZwwdnGE8_cvEqttqOsgpkOJCr5dbR1DlGTcxN52H1aYzoH6vxyVQ92Yal-DEg4f940mFrh2nONNXtP1GRnRWbdmwg/w400-h300/IMG_8719.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Sunday we had reserved for James's rest day. Mal decided that he'd like to spend all day at the hotel, as well. So I got up super early, went across the street, and rented a Bixi to ride over to Parc Jean-Drapeau.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE946U9MldkcSyvYyW4D1OaRhPNDvuMhChHIl7hiHOwwTOfiDzzQq6y7PoDsgCq7dE9Tuox4Yv-QEZAzuInAdLxQa3m18kyk6GBxCtrnae305AjilgHdIk0R64unleZrOwAw4XhHaBqXbK9VZfZb08G-FuF9dHNED9K5h4ufnTrs360PIKkbA8-mLf7Q/s4000/52122833-8418-4833-98C4-B89FAACD7018_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE946U9MldkcSyvYyW4D1OaRhPNDvuMhChHIl7hiHOwwTOfiDzzQq6y7PoDsgCq7dE9Tuox4Yv-QEZAzuInAdLxQa3m18kyk6GBxCtrnae305AjilgHdIk0R64unleZrOwAw4XhHaBqXbK9VZfZb08G-FuF9dHNED9K5h4ufnTrs360PIKkbA8-mLf7Q/w400-h300/52122833-8418-4833-98C4-B89FAACD7018_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since it was before 7 AM on a Sunday, I largely had the streets (and the Jacques Cartier bridge) to myself. The Montreal skyline looks lovely from across the St. Laurence River. And I got to see the apartments built for Expo '67 up close!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTO3vAGmSFNEix1Uw5hLQ2IAHe5Ap1m9OKiEXbDpx1DTUtF9dlPMY1Gnh7DLR7XX9K33c51rkH_xVuS1HP-VY9HqEkMlR3d0k-mPJQy66F4J_b_BlRrzS9nWWlq7pum3hK21vYgt8iC2hI1LPqe0hJRhcP6ZTnOJOCldDkrOMDqIeDiJYzmpUl43oHLQ/s4000/011219B4-7557-463C-BD08-4EC3FC10A74C_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTO3vAGmSFNEix1Uw5hLQ2IAHe5Ap1m9OKiEXbDpx1DTUtF9dlPMY1Gnh7DLR7XX9K33c51rkH_xVuS1HP-VY9HqEkMlR3d0k-mPJQy66F4J_b_BlRrzS9nWWlq7pum3hK21vYgt8iC2hI1LPqe0hJRhcP6ZTnOJOCldDkrOMDqIeDiJYzmpUl43oHLQ/w400-h300/011219B4-7557-463C-BD08-4EC3FC10A74C_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQ8bScwCw6FU_QSFj0Uax9t03ZEb6fjqmRb0t1F5EZ0FQTlo3Hw_s38_oviUDMgewD5oh3RrRo1KCUtNHMrr9kOLlBr1h8pTiBe4VUuN0OK5NMYlLmmHNqD6gZFZR5A1UzcKXyvtuqiAcVS5fS66_qNg59hFrg1O_kjGdRs4vGZ3L-Ae1oIY9uRmgmQ/s4000/3AD6D75F-71F4-478E-9BE4-7B793C2E21CE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQ8bScwCw6FU_QSFj0Uax9t03ZEb6fjqmRb0t1F5EZ0FQTlo3Hw_s38_oviUDMgewD5oh3RrRo1KCUtNHMrr9kOLlBr1h8pTiBe4VUuN0OK5NMYlLmmHNqD6gZFZR5A1UzcKXyvtuqiAcVS5fS66_qNg59hFrg1O_kjGdRs4vGZ3L-Ae1oIY9uRmgmQ/w400-h300/3AD6D75F-71F4-478E-9BE4-7B793C2E21CE.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmCzbi_yn_5dmiRDXE1i6hKfD08unSdHol0Z7pXBAV7CR_psTItP_L0FawlHPWisavQpq4yhtuaaT-rO9lY4805fNo3Q8_d_wOt3HUOws0WJVzb-xGEkp7U_aiuNe5vsTxF0OBWY8O9269D0N8dsk5rRz5uAmpt6PNaLTeXCpwxiAIMSQxzR_knfHOQ/s4032/IMG_8735.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmCzbi_yn_5dmiRDXE1i6hKfD08unSdHol0Z7pXBAV7CR_psTItP_L0FawlHPWisavQpq4yhtuaaT-rO9lY4805fNo3Q8_d_wOt3HUOws0WJVzb-xGEkp7U_aiuNe5vsTxF0OBWY8O9269D0N8dsk5rRz5uAmpt6PNaLTeXCpwxiAIMSQxzR_knfHOQ/w400-h300/IMG_8735.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I rode the bike about 8.5 miles, then turned it in at a dock near the metro station, from where I rode back to the hotel. By then, Mal was hungry and wanted to indulge his Sunday McDonald's tradition.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFf6JmHJK89AIZvnQjrAp8ITpiHk4-1bDT2doKny3ANyYaKiTbNSdZJOfB7zL3lerqHeFUQWOGiHLrhCTTaF46reiQGyzK9ADZ1lP2u8JPPcS_7okYVVu5hVlC9PDrKRAVwa03EbGDxr6SrvPdAwXhGu-qJmaWw_k588FtPojTDoez-PzloD5fpuX-g/s4032/IMG_8738.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFf6JmHJK89AIZvnQjrAp8ITpiHk4-1bDT2doKny3ANyYaKiTbNSdZJOfB7zL3lerqHeFUQWOGiHLrhCTTaF46reiQGyzK9ADZ1lP2u8JPPcS_7okYVVu5hVlC9PDrKRAVwa03EbGDxr6SrvPdAwXhGu-qJmaWw_k588FtPojTDoez-PzloD5fpuX-g/w300-h400/IMG_8738.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We brought James some lunch, then I got out to visit <a href="https://leschocolatsdechloe.com" target="_blank">Les chocolate de Chloé</a>, which did not disappoint.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o3fjR8Y-oLDbV8qVdpZf-rPCxhCmimWFoMm2maFfx0H8BnmJ3jU6YFXe0QabFVnnVHC_-NdNWmPidiRzxbd-Ex7ZNm8DtmOgFFXQJ5rBBpIG5mKAzJMZmABzvL0W-tj9mEVvWiVzTilKGw-us9f2SXVmM9f28KgOcfQausJE-ENbGUxkXLURyOg5bg/s4032/IMG_8739.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o3fjR8Y-oLDbV8qVdpZf-rPCxhCmimWFoMm2maFfx0H8BnmJ3jU6YFXe0QabFVnnVHC_-NdNWmPidiRzxbd-Ex7ZNm8DtmOgFFXQJ5rBBpIG5mKAzJMZmABzvL0W-tj9mEVvWiVzTilKGw-us9f2SXVmM9f28KgOcfQausJE-ENbGUxkXLURyOg5bg/w400-h300/IMG_8739.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the time James had had a full day of resting, he was good to get out to our high tea reservation at <a href="http://www.thecardinaltea.com" target="_blank">Cardinal Tea Room</a>. It was really neat, tasty stuff, good service. And I knew Mal would not be remotely interested, so we took a big activity book and crayons for him. He stayed busy the whole hour and a half or so that we were there.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaV9lwgy0f7xiAF1IgfAH-dlz8HilMhTlK_qX34nFHaALzLnjltsC6iS8CE-IrCaL7Jt7OUH5rciLdLgJnUM9s26Wj6iTQnnIrGnRA5-ThWPeE4UF1KGQSKqQu5l0MfYv2px8My5dTjV0IWB0DL4jWxVpcUeWW2xCdQtupbNYvVf0S0X4Ar56WLdYwA/s4032/IMG_8748.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaV9lwgy0f7xiAF1IgfAH-dlz8HilMhTlK_qX34nFHaALzLnjltsC6iS8CE-IrCaL7Jt7OUH5rciLdLgJnUM9s26Wj6iTQnnIrGnRA5-ThWPeE4UF1KGQSKqQu5l0MfYv2px8My5dTjV0IWB0DL4jWxVpcUeWW2xCdQtupbNYvVf0S0X4Ar56WLdYwA/w300-h400/IMG_8748.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Monday, we took Mal by Parc Toussaint-Louverture to play (he says "I was famous there!" because there were a couple of preschool classes playing in the park, and they were fascinated with him), then took the metro to see the Barbie Expo! It was just hundreds of Barbie dolls dressed up as movie characters, dressed by famous designers, wearing outfits suggestive of many companies, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu278WV9PZzA6doIRYMAUr3nckRCtuvGVpUsNz-9Kg8A4fKXAAmfkPajrrkN2DClYOjZvHsoChLw_e8jRr9PAXmKllVsSxP2msKE-65IpRHKfVdlENLxhntIgPlD0IReCKjSWMC86agfUo9BiZB0byxpgrvTet5x4_zZsIcUTpdWgSCwvAksIYm5s6A/s4000/E656B5AB-9AA5-4C97-9B8B-9D6B4BF18122_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu278WV9PZzA6doIRYMAUr3nckRCtuvGVpUsNz-9Kg8A4fKXAAmfkPajrrkN2DClYOjZvHsoChLw_e8jRr9PAXmKllVsSxP2msKE-65IpRHKfVdlENLxhntIgPlD0IReCKjSWMC86agfUo9BiZB0byxpgrvTet5x4_zZsIcUTpdWgSCwvAksIYm5s6A/w300-h400/E656B5AB-9AA5-4C97-9B8B-9D6B4BF18122_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpGwqInmanK4wqSXov0pXRl7YsqmvIQ9yPEQpxQe8JPq57beZpiDFspcC1vT8ee66IGOcVYntrNrNgnsovD0saSyf9-oT4OFKYeWLokne_z3EHnTvxdZuDq6_kUJG6sQDxNoUfmRbPz7qa2h6fm7kT6q6iawV7cdytbzp20oYs1y79TlgStzJfRRjdg/s4032/IMG_8794.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpGwqInmanK4wqSXov0pXRl7YsqmvIQ9yPEQpxQe8JPq57beZpiDFspcC1vT8ee66IGOcVYntrNrNgnsovD0saSyf9-oT4OFKYeWLokne_z3EHnTvxdZuDq6_kUJG6sQDxNoUfmRbPz7qa2h6fm7kT6q6iawV7cdytbzp20oYs1y79TlgStzJfRRjdg/w300-h400/IMG_8794.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik640LEvKLDFmPTQp2qG5KMxbjZqSjGoPflV5-4HY6ecSkhdCJU_Dc1b3oLKtzDN3x5rySfAv2QIBlIHfNJnLwTTJhdus5Y-OedyguIufVqkCzqXcq_iz1KyARk2xFfk_UIJoaZG7YjnxG-r1LAroh6HEP4cYtHU9deaE6o6Pnd7ra_H6-o2P4ZF4C2g/s4032/IMG_8782.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik640LEvKLDFmPTQp2qG5KMxbjZqSjGoPflV5-4HY6ecSkhdCJU_Dc1b3oLKtzDN3x5rySfAv2QIBlIHfNJnLwTTJhdus5Y-OedyguIufVqkCzqXcq_iz1KyARk2xFfk_UIJoaZG7YjnxG-r1LAroh6HEP4cYtHU9deaE6o6Pnd7ra_H6-o2P4ZF4C2g/w300-h400/IMG_8782.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />Mal enjoyed hanging out at the mall for a bit, then we walked down to Mary, Mother of the World church.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6D5GntDTx5rz74wOKKEXQTV9NsEBbsH9bL77Vy87ieK8RcwSXSOVhBElV12GfY2pdiNo0PjQNW9YrExlcoh3E1MhCnEHGk-GKGD1h3YSC3pMFCW6wtGSp7t8si4OpsfzTAzRdsLHmTxjQ4ufSnHCwqo1zCWTB9vkuCBgqsmgaC4BYRnqfz2OyPQtRg/s4000/52204125-2387-490F-A7B5-DD0007718D4A_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6D5GntDTx5rz74wOKKEXQTV9NsEBbsH9bL77Vy87ieK8RcwSXSOVhBElV12GfY2pdiNo0PjQNW9YrExlcoh3E1MhCnEHGk-GKGD1h3YSC3pMFCW6wtGSp7t8si4OpsfzTAzRdsLHmTxjQ4ufSnHCwqo1zCWTB9vkuCBgqsmgaC4BYRnqfz2OyPQtRg/w300-h400/52204125-2387-490F-A7B5-DD0007718D4A_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-NjY5TpXJNzgjcG5NIVD5_cryUm1v1ZGZYrWqfvXOsWS6fZZM0USReStEw2DKcbk60XeoRcVP9LsQZ6Nl77jHN-IaryW0ZyqGTT0kMCdHTqHQAYAmu5Ha4fULetpw172b77NCPjkro9UxjUva-cpPfI72OF12fT9zyNzYgxvkwFfHWk6HVyjImMhlA/s4000/767A258B-E2E4-4C81-B791-641922F93269_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-NjY5TpXJNzgjcG5NIVD5_cryUm1v1ZGZYrWqfvXOsWS6fZZM0USReStEw2DKcbk60XeoRcVP9LsQZ6Nl77jHN-IaryW0ZyqGTT0kMCdHTqHQAYAmu5Ha4fULetpw172b77NCPjkro9UxjUva-cpPfI72OF12fT9zyNzYgxvkwFfHWk6HVyjImMhlA/w300-h400/767A258B-E2E4-4C81-B791-641922F93269_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>The wind picked up, ushering in a cold front, as we made our way to <a href="http://www.thecardinaltea.com" target="_blank">Campo</a>, a Portuguese chicken place, for lunch. I had the pork sandwich, James had the chicken, and Mal just had fries. It was all so good.</div><div><br /></div><div>We came back to the hotel for James to rest, and I went up to a doughnut place we'd been wanting to try... unfortunately, they were closed on Monday and Tuesday so instead I just had an afternoon sight-seeing jaunt.</div><div><br /></div><div>We elected to have dessert for dinner, as <a href="https://www.holychoco.com/en/" target="_blank">a place right down the road from us</a> looked amazing, but not the kind of place where you'd eat after you'd had a proper meal. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIfxOLBilumDRiBjA94rgUWypa2NmdGBuQZl9cY7q6hN5-bEQtb6hWLZpMReiOmGVhGBBJCT1TLU_tm22hXW6QNgyELgVov5jm4Uf0ZzmwZLNfRayG4OvLT2cPKmHqUOjQqNwTj-KVAGFWHUP0fS35F4cNjkmm2k40OQpl012q4IhWwnzQVmgTt9olA/s4032/IMG_8806.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIfxOLBilumDRiBjA94rgUWypa2NmdGBuQZl9cY7q6hN5-bEQtb6hWLZpMReiOmGVhGBBJCT1TLU_tm22hXW6QNgyELgVov5jm4Uf0ZzmwZLNfRayG4OvLT2cPKmHqUOjQqNwTj-KVAGFWHUP0fS35F4cNjkmm2k40OQpl012q4IhWwnzQVmgTt9olA/w300-h400/IMG_8806.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAshrQD4asYS6QSfAavS3IP2x6RUx1oCN9fH1Y-V2TYzUX3TkMaynSoWO5LUHj08wQdfTZP8G65wwDLyy7qJu1bXyF9_w-Bab8mT_P3BqVcZyOyJ3b-3_AHtuOWNJL9zk_D6PUyc_UoqpW8GcsY8_wJJvzjRxZpiYfi5G_i8in1u15elkgn-WLgv4w8w/s4032/IMG_8808.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAshrQD4asYS6QSfAavS3IP2x6RUx1oCN9fH1Y-V2TYzUX3TkMaynSoWO5LUHj08wQdfTZP8G65wwDLyy7qJu1bXyF9_w-Bab8mT_P3BqVcZyOyJ3b-3_AHtuOWNJL9zk_D6PUyc_UoqpW8GcsY8_wJJvzjRxZpiYfi5G_i8in1u15elkgn-WLgv4w8w/w300-h400/IMG_8808.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA56yAqQP-j2mntLWC2OnoeYdENd4yImCYL-PT0Xd5qwmaeRBYJSmuRxKn-A7bfEx_K5Qnx43JAH105_YrZn4h2gt_AG7hI2gd5S1juOs2q1jVMLf3mtgBLexUfZ1u-KC8oKvJGDMepyPal3TnhUPbFsfL-6zsTPj3185ghCQrg95zWAUPP2a8alHghA/s4032/IMG_8809.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA56yAqQP-j2mntLWC2OnoeYdENd4yImCYL-PT0Xd5qwmaeRBYJSmuRxKn-A7bfEx_K5Qnx43JAH105_YrZn4h2gt_AG7hI2gd5S1juOs2q1jVMLf3mtgBLexUfZ1u-KC8oKvJGDMepyPal3TnhUPbFsfL-6zsTPj3185ghCQrg95zWAUPP2a8alHghA/w300-h400/IMG_8809.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later that night, I got out to try to see the projections from Cité Memoiré, only to learn that they're only available Thursday through Sunday. Oh well! Next time. Again, it ended up being a general sight-seeing sortie.</div><br /><div>Wednesday, we went back to Old Montreal to the Montreal Science Center. Mal spent the first portion of the day mad that he couldn't go into the area that's reserved for the under-7 set. But then he found the water area and we ended up somehow losing the whole day there! When we stopped for "lunch" later and realized it was almost 4 PM, we were shocked.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmBqC5Tm3PN2jsBJsSLoAgBNSTV3VsaMLgtHuQpEATh4pc_mOpwOzugBm9UXQKrO36lnQQVzYWLNU537ITFj_aDystUbVf2Qg3YKCdtvPOfrMFxjebJuu01Dc_aKg7iBvuRIU1eLou5HHKiGqD4ZTE2s7S_AJs_-iacEHfEmnmwVhRQHxYbTd9OBP8w/s4000/2D22B420-45D7-4561-8569-8B9A868D4DCD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmBqC5Tm3PN2jsBJsSLoAgBNSTV3VsaMLgtHuQpEATh4pc_mOpwOzugBm9UXQKrO36lnQQVzYWLNU537ITFj_aDystUbVf2Qg3YKCdtvPOfrMFxjebJuu01Dc_aKg7iBvuRIU1eLou5HHKiGqD4ZTE2s7S_AJs_-iacEHfEmnmwVhRQHxYbTd9OBP8w/w400-h300/2D22B420-45D7-4561-8569-8B9A868D4DCD.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mal had, of course, McDonald's for lunch; but I got sandwiches for James and me from <a href="https://www.oliveetgourmando.com" target="_blank">Olive et Gourmando</a>. It was pouring rain and getting much cooler as we made our way back to the hotel. For dinner, we ended up eating all of the remaining snacks we had in the room. Mal had an apple and some cheese and crackers, I had a cucumber and peanut butter and crackers, and James had a bagel and some chocolate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today, Wednesday, is our last full day here. James wanted to go back into Old Montreal to visit a stained glass shop, and Mal and I headed the opposite direction to go to <a href="https://kazoomcafe.com/en/" target="_blank">an indoor playground</a>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJSlfd321g8Pn09XoloIb9xRqphsaAHEgytkgDCHmkwc11Jvs8n5onVUrIwzxJyxKcYFKjbVXN_6cXwpYj99ndjoAFIosFZYA1fKgh-3N80ZLErdLhkPaG-0FhT-cNloePylsuenZ5N7YiFXiIUvZqam1KRrOP0FY2ecwjkhapr7-UU-Z6Bx3PR7x_A/s4032/IMG_8818.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJSlfd321g8Pn09XoloIb9xRqphsaAHEgytkgDCHmkwc11Jvs8n5onVUrIwzxJyxKcYFKjbVXN_6cXwpYj99ndjoAFIosFZYA1fKgh-3N80ZLErdLhkPaG-0FhT-cNloePylsuenZ5N7YiFXiIUvZqam1KRrOP0FY2ecwjkhapr7-UU-Z6Bx3PR7x_A/w400-h300/IMG_8818.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCthdsbCtyYa46LSDe6om3ADyahsftiZwevxwOR_hl7j0opqngsRxhgSAf-DSje-p_FBIC0f7HM2uDKtao2lj2ZUHjfLuRx1Y2bjZs2XGXOU9y90-316CjyfFWY6bndfpFuFVNJ3klUeihyir2iprh3EVhbu9hVR37Nva6A-pOt5OKwqeO4wSDx-KDew/s4032/IMG_8823.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCthdsbCtyYa46LSDe6om3ADyahsftiZwevxwOR_hl7j0opqngsRxhgSAf-DSje-p_FBIC0f7HM2uDKtao2lj2ZUHjfLuRx1Y2bjZs2XGXOU9y90-316CjyfFWY6bndfpFuFVNJ3klUeihyir2iprh3EVhbu9hVR37Nva6A-pOt5OKwqeO4wSDx-KDew/w400-h300/IMG_8823.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As it is a school day, Mal was the only kid there. He played for about an hour and a half, then we made our way back to the hotel via first the McDonald's at the train station where we transferred from our bus (and I finally tried McD's poutine, which I understand makes me a garbage person, but I swore I would try it, and I did, and now I never have to again) and then to the doughnut place I'd missed on Monday.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeFpSVmFnGqusuY-octsu7CEIPaBEa4rZvf1hhjUT3HJIKTnLWhCayRX8Fq2K6pRycxoTNXQQSG-6PN1vbT5Ja8AmDHlFyJbsRDntAva92iAm2i76mzujLEV5GpyI7zFdLlDlcA2h4FCkth-kwXqUmw9_vO3UvZg-5ldfdnYb2ObeBR95ZRoiPCmDnw/s4032/IMG_8831.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeFpSVmFnGqusuY-octsu7CEIPaBEa4rZvf1hhjUT3HJIKTnLWhCayRX8Fq2K6pRycxoTNXQQSG-6PN1vbT5Ja8AmDHlFyJbsRDntAva92iAm2i76mzujLEV5GpyI7zFdLlDlcA2h4FCkth-kwXqUmw9_vO3UvZg-5ldfdnYb2ObeBR95ZRoiPCmDnw/w400-h300/IMG_8831.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Mal and I got to spend a LOT of time on public transit today, and I think that's one thing he's really going to miss about Montreal!</div><div><br /></div><div>We are getting packed up and ready to go tomorrow, and I'd love to order in, but Mal wants us all to go out to dinner together, which is sweet. </div><div><br /></div><div>We took the bus from the airport to the hotel the day we got in, but with James's bum leg acting up, we're probably going to take an Uber back to the airport tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div><div>James has to check a bag because of the stained glass stuff he got, so we'll have to wait longer to get that taken care of and get through security without TSA PreCheck.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over all, a great week that I'm sorry James had to pull the reigns on because of his leg. I've loved every minute of it, but know Mal will be excited to see his friends, and it will be nice to see D soon!</div><div><br /></div>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-19061637688735356872023-05-17T06:19:00.001-07:002023-05-17T15:05:01.937-07:00Vacation cultural notes<p>Just a couple of quick observations before we get home and I totally forget them:</p><p>1) There is a LOT more cigarette smoking here than we usually see at home. I see plenty of vaping at home, less here as a proportion of total smokers</p><p>2) Public spaces, and especially parks, are for all and are used by all. If you go to a little neighborhood square, you're every bit as likely to see mostly adults as you are to see kids running around. Larger parks look like the stereotypical college quad in a movie: blankets everywhere; people picnicking, singing, playing games, eating dinner alone enjoying the fresh air; pick-up "volleyball;" intense conversations; surprise meet-ups. It's very energetic and social.</p><p>3) Most of the dogs we've seen are exceptionally chill. Of the hundreds of dogs we've encountered, I saw a pair barking at another dog in a pedestrian-only street. They are just used to other people, cars, and activity.</p><p>4) I'm guessing it's because most urban homes are smallish and because it's been inhospitably cold for a long time, but there are lots of people hanging out on their stoops working, eating, just connecting with the people, activity, and warmth outdoors. It reminds me of the stay-home orders during the early days of the pandemic: We met more neighbors who were out on their porch than we'd ever seen before (or since). </p><p>5) People very neatly line up to get onto buses. There have been a couple of "cutters" who nonchalantly meandered into the already-existing queues, but I know that in many places, it's just an elbowing game to get on and get a seat. No one is lining up to use the metro, but they're still pretty polite and now that James is using a cane, if there are no available seats, people unfailingly get up for him. They've done the same for Mal and have tried for me, too. </p><p>6) There is tons of bike infrastructure here. It's awesome. Also, the pedestrian/crosswalk lights at many intersections often turn "green" before the traffic lights turn. And in really busy areas, the green light flashes a few times before turning yellow. Just a little extra warning.</p><p><br /></p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-55253751109753217042023-05-12T06:35:00.004-07:002023-05-12T06:35:33.689-07:00Settling into vacation<p> It's Friday morning and we've been in Montreal since Tuesday afternoon.</p><p>Although Mal cried walking down the jetway to get on to our first plane, as soon as we got seated and he saw that "Sonic 2" was available on the in-flight entertainment, he was pleased. He actually watched the whole thing without sound, captions on, as he said, "This is how Deaf people watch movies all of the time."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vXTieEEkh_EtxDNCUa9unEwV26EpZcyxAswgWf3GyMAYrlm0dczH9kV8aRHiNOlwByjFpTEG4FFqviMDFeRWKv6gH8kbdft-m8zTQ8fIaNb7cQx8BHjg5pe-behzpCwp9W5Zlq5RbFrDtmhAEJpXarECVRgu241hmJpS4YUJvTj4JtHVZA7_UcelAg/s4000/E227D89B-A27D-4482-8FF4-8D59B52BA38B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vXTieEEkh_EtxDNCUa9unEwV26EpZcyxAswgWf3GyMAYrlm0dczH9kV8aRHiNOlwByjFpTEG4FFqviMDFeRWKv6gH8kbdft-m8zTQ8fIaNb7cQx8BHjg5pe-behzpCwp9W5Zlq5RbFrDtmhAEJpXarECVRgu241hmJpS4YUJvTj4JtHVZA7_UcelAg/w400-h300/E227D89B-A27D-4482-8FF4-8D59B52BA38B.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The trip out (flying from Austin to Detroit, connecting there to Montreal, getting through customs, taking a bus to the city center, then walking about a kilometer to the hotel) was pretty uneventful, which is preferable to almost any other alternative.</p><p>We were able to check straight into our hotel, and after unpacking and resting for a while, we walked to get dinner at Ma Poule Mouilée, which is a poutine place that features Portuguese chicken (they also have food besides poutine, but this was our first meal in Canada, so when in Rome, as they say...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5E_v1pjHcZQ2PG5Jbe3tasOZZxVojGBOFmAARYMONMxiIBy4g8MM-F0AeG7AA0f85_wO6THTWk4G8EgpK_s9EZEJCdfG8qw6SR2ti4EfGOUKUKe6Y0YVmS47MI_z8b-N-ybWMFMlAa7jSW0UPp6vbNK1Y1uWFZREvatXYXv7cF4P7uP28p8yWbhT2Q/s4000/B4ED50E8-807B-4B59-AD8B-4A9DF621DE90_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5E_v1pjHcZQ2PG5Jbe3tasOZZxVojGBOFmAARYMONMxiIBy4g8MM-F0AeG7AA0f85_wO6THTWk4G8EgpK_s9EZEJCdfG8qw6SR2ti4EfGOUKUKe6Y0YVmS47MI_z8b-N-ybWMFMlAa7jSW0UPp6vbNK1Y1uWFZREvatXYXv7cF4P7uP28p8yWbhT2Q/w300-h400/B4ED50E8-807B-4B59-AD8B-4A9DF621DE90_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>We walked over to Parc La Fontaine to eat so Mal could play. He'd had a Subway wrap on our way out of the Montreal airport, so we was fine waiting.</p><p>After we shared some of our dinner (but none of our dessert -- a delicious cannoli and a bigger flan than I'd intended to order) with a very friendly squirrel, James and Mal walked back to the hotel while I went to McDonald's to get Mal his "usual": poulet McCroquettes.</p><p>Wednesday morning, we enjoyed a nice continental breakfast at the hotel before heading out to Mount Royal. We took a bus up to the top (I know, we are cowards, but it was our first day in town and I didn't want to ruin things for Mal by making him hike up) and found the playground... along with class after class of children there for what was apparently a kind of field day. It seemed mostly to be one long run around a pretty big area of the park, and it also seemed to be mostly English-speaking kids.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxePWWztHFkN4p9CRZi4OvSIExV1iB3XfjJa6ewv2aduHYBNXuNFvsmw4utA4aH02kBOMiyQDRZ1Qs59o1e-jhp1HC4xhj1HZowEJwKuNYFFyPrEypscIdF2fsukBWWDINHGt6XQwyi1CGTgVVXy32EbxFFMFyHZgpegdB2f1UKBOhvQVCafV-_oT6jw/s3753/963126E5-4782-494B-A8AB-FAE1698B2FCC_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2815" data-original-width="3753" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxePWWztHFkN4p9CRZi4OvSIExV1iB3XfjJa6ewv2aduHYBNXuNFvsmw4utA4aH02kBOMiyQDRZ1Qs59o1e-jhp1HC4xhj1HZowEJwKuNYFFyPrEypscIdF2fsukBWWDINHGt6XQwyi1CGTgVVXy32EbxFFMFyHZgpegdB2f1UKBOhvQVCafV-_oT6jw/w400-h300/963126E5-4782-494B-A8AB-FAE1698B2FCC_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Mal played for a while, then we walked around Lac aux Castors and meandered up to the Kondiaronk Belvedere to look out over the city. We did walk down the mountain, which I know shouldn't count, but James's and my calves definitely felt the use later. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhop9qCG_50G6hbbS7B10B-YAZCwaE3kL9NKKZaQ27aqbcSn-wBzrfzLYGF3hUkdCOJ87MJaPo-LEw0KAxSxfeBTMxcTuEkhlEcTSNP5ZG_kS_bSL3xXtEhNlzv_wbUHVI0hyFhP1KLe0ldiuuvf-pvhGSueDSfi1ZT7Fi4fsDCsNxOyjd5GahgKURapw/s4000/8D471AC1-F9A7-424F-A36F-C1C5EF1998D5_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhop9qCG_50G6hbbS7B10B-YAZCwaE3kL9NKKZaQ27aqbcSn-wBzrfzLYGF3hUkdCOJ87MJaPo-LEw0KAxSxfeBTMxcTuEkhlEcTSNP5ZG_kS_bSL3xXtEhNlzv_wbUHVI0hyFhP1KLe0ldiuuvf-pvhGSueDSfi1ZT7Fi4fsDCsNxOyjd5GahgKURapw/w400-h300/8D471AC1-F9A7-424F-A36F-C1C5EF1998D5_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho72TaiTyeLJX-SUwEEO-_cLaQRIlcA4tpGW0QxKfR6r3NF9LMt9dF-hWOpfkHmyXEy-fziavhX2NMKN6Bye6vr9vDlcqZ_kvOHLjxXFNMPanFzN5Aq-k-o_oinzMOtocy4OizhA6dY2WNjxMpATTE99EdeGVbH-vy48eaBPdOK_Hvs6aSEtW0i3AzhA/s4000/9D22B25A-B7A5-448A-A952-77E47AB7267C_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho72TaiTyeLJX-SUwEEO-_cLaQRIlcA4tpGW0QxKfR6r3NF9LMt9dF-hWOpfkHmyXEy-fziavhX2NMKN6Bye6vr9vDlcqZ_kvOHLjxXFNMPanFzN5Aq-k-o_oinzMOtocy4OizhA6dY2WNjxMpATTE99EdeGVbH-vy48eaBPdOK_Hvs6aSEtW0i3AzhA/w400-h300/9D22B25A-B7A5-448A-A952-77E47AB7267C_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrRkeWnB5H3ZBYzvac__DVccqQmHXI16Z-qW-OMN63FPIdRsQlXdSR4Obd781atEfWZqKoSDAiCpq2aUPfZ0QBmhh8AWnssfSUyCDnK-qM452YW0hGf38H1RNIv6XtXXGTD_FuU6aS3lEdyfLNOKRygkDLOlQ3Iwoeepgx-QD46GpqtuT-RUNnbgu_g/s4000/D1668193-F71D-46EA-A114-98AD36C08EE4_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrRkeWnB5H3ZBYzvac__DVccqQmHXI16Z-qW-OMN63FPIdRsQlXdSR4Obd781atEfWZqKoSDAiCpq2aUPfZ0QBmhh8AWnssfSUyCDnK-qM452YW0hGf38H1RNIv6XtXXGTD_FuU6aS3lEdyfLNOKRygkDLOlQ3Iwoeepgx-QD46GpqtuT-RUNnbgu_g/w400-h300/D1668193-F71D-46EA-A114-98AD36C08EE4_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>We were heading to a vegetarian cafe that we knew wouldn't have anything Mal liked, but it just so happened that a pizza-by-the-slice place was on the McGill campus about a block before Lola Rosa, so everyone got fed. James had this beautiful curry at the cafe. The menu said that it was spicy, but there was barely a tinge of heat under the deep coconut flavor. It was extremely tasty. I had a salad with chickpeas marinated in lemon confit... it was also good but I made the mistake of stirring the whole salad together before I noticed that the olives weren't pitted. Kept me on my toes, anyway.</p><p>We took a break at the hotel, then snagged the train up to March Jean-Talon. We got some produce for the room. We don't have a fridge or microwave, but wanted some apples, bananas, and impulse-bought a tray of cucumbers. Everything was so inexpensive! I asked for a kilo of apples, but got about 3 pounds, and it was $3.50C so about $2.60.</p><p>We would love to take some syrup home, but since we're not checking anything, we instead got some cute little maple candies. James and Mal had little hard candies in the shape of maple leaves. I got a little cone full of thick syrup. Then we got a few chocolates that had maple nougat. We ate those and Mal had an apple there are the market. I drooled over the many different types of baklava and am thinking I might go back for some later.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-jtQeFf07RjwZB4zG95zDaZUePnZqxeiUxmgiLN9yc55D-bznA5cWOONN0Fd8wQUlL3KNMG_9fq64WbJNbnQdGmVIB_hftIK92_gEA5Sp4SNzft9Dauc3YZsuGPnUWhu3KbI_DgxdOk168sUVjqhxZrJ6B6qOzoU7WZEo88Hsz33XnOXC0K-pQxZ0A/s2900/AAC314D2-5CAE-4FA4-9B3B-53026BD8B891_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2175" data-original-width="2900" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-jtQeFf07RjwZB4zG95zDaZUePnZqxeiUxmgiLN9yc55D-bznA5cWOONN0Fd8wQUlL3KNMG_9fq64WbJNbnQdGmVIB_hftIK92_gEA5Sp4SNzft9Dauc3YZsuGPnUWhu3KbI_DgxdOk168sUVjqhxZrJ6B6qOzoU7WZEo88Hsz33XnOXC0K-pQxZ0A/w400-h300/AAC314D2-5CAE-4FA4-9B3B-53026BD8B891_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcroh1t0dOodpsECxT_obg1wi90JtolMiJwl1yTjFnwh8nKerxuOdaAVN6nSQ8PJiZgeV3vu1mcjcz0JR0crMwcb_fgTFhEgw28QMSN7h-pw2ZRLqCr9dX8Fu1kj2OlBltWsT4i5kJ4vIolbm1pjWRxn2-OMibFuBwiqPiVDyQS97RP-2R_Zf8uD-zIA/s4000/613CF042-A68A-4926-967D-66E1FA73915F_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcroh1t0dOodpsECxT_obg1wi90JtolMiJwl1yTjFnwh8nKerxuOdaAVN6nSQ8PJiZgeV3vu1mcjcz0JR0crMwcb_fgTFhEgw28QMSN7h-pw2ZRLqCr9dX8Fu1kj2OlBltWsT4i5kJ4vIolbm1pjWRxn2-OMibFuBwiqPiVDyQS97RP-2R_Zf8uD-zIA/w400-h300/613CF042-A68A-4926-967D-66E1FA73915F_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReG6TzqqW5Ny7KmROt3tB3Dpj1Yd6l0WSOAmgV2N_5SNogpNjSfdYyWul2iKIitkKwNxSM8sy0Je6FP1Aqmp7P0WtxcV4gSVeAc9v5vyeBYP7a4hK78Q7vyiINbLwvfwuHKWPLM7JWKWfUpCCJJLYerybqqVQP_KNxZhu5o8uiLzUcfuRWqZUOEAcHw/s4000/D5E9C9D6-53E5-490C-BC8D-AAAA9FD47256_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReG6TzqqW5Ny7KmROt3tB3Dpj1Yd6l0WSOAmgV2N_5SNogpNjSfdYyWul2iKIitkKwNxSM8sy0Je6FP1Aqmp7P0WtxcV4gSVeAc9v5vyeBYP7a4hK78Q7vyiINbLwvfwuHKWPLM7JWKWfUpCCJJLYerybqqVQP_KNxZhu5o8uiLzUcfuRWqZUOEAcHw/w400-h300/D5E9C9D6-53E5-490C-BC8D-AAAA9FD47256_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Mal was happy to ride back on the train. He is enjoying the subway a lot.</p><p>By then, everyone was ready for a rest at the hotel, but I was antsy because I had packed with the idea that the highs would be in the low- to mid-60s all week. Literally the day we left, it showed that Thursday and Friday would be in the mid- to high-70s, and I had been plenty warm walking around in the clothes I'd packed for cooler weather. I know you're supposed to pack layers, but We have to build up a wardrobe of layers, I guess. The stuff I have is too heavy to wear under anything else, except for the tank top I wore on the plane on the way here. </p><p>So while James and Mal rejuvenated, I took the train over to a commercial center and bought a couple of things for Mal and me to wear until it cools back off. Now the big question is: Can get get it back into the bags to bring home? I guess we'll find out!</p><p>James brought dinner in from <a href="https://bergham.com/about-us/">Bergham</a>, and I'd picked up, you guessed it, McD's for Mal.</p><p>Thursday, we took the train out to Stade Olympique to visit the botanical gardens and Biodôme. There's a lot of construction going on around the stadium and at the gardens' main building, so getting started on that was kind of tricky. But we eventually got to walk around and see some beautiful tulips. We were hoping to see some cherry blossoms, but it looks like we're maybe a week early. The magnolias, which are also that striking pink, are in full bloom now and we've loved seeing those in the neighborhoods.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYZ6nSn5gNFTyk2UqXNbnP4nwDXI9aWkR7Cvek3IZ5DVgRgZMLz2fv9IWR6VdJCZHvInCl0q_w2CZJ_rJs8T3ArttZUVl-6DXeBXUkYWy343ZKm3ljo-oNkq7wv8My2gMGq7U0lxvcLKGklg3u9qe0UhFtgmIzUDrbQNkqNyTcXlOOL-DQee5XwJHdw/s4000/238686FC-AAA3-490D-A8A6-80153F2184F4_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYZ6nSn5gNFTyk2UqXNbnP4nwDXI9aWkR7Cvek3IZ5DVgRgZMLz2fv9IWR6VdJCZHvInCl0q_w2CZJ_rJs8T3ArttZUVl-6DXeBXUkYWy343ZKm3ljo-oNkq7wv8My2gMGq7U0lxvcLKGklg3u9qe0UhFtgmIzUDrbQNkqNyTcXlOOL-DQee5XwJHdw/w300-h400/238686FC-AAA3-490D-A8A6-80153F2184F4_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBYEWnqEngBj7JWDcfoBMsoK19chO0SfkJP8zaSTHX4pvNsZYgcxSxBzEw22z5qcoLBeRyP4Kg9JHAsg0fJvmhlJNPnGZLclQG7sZgNdftW3pGEkdF9E0VmovMGS3YuJKjdX23OlAmU10qjdG9u9w7PNt1pjzyeU1hmeFbhoc0fftbMLGY1KqKY_uqQ/s4000/376ED7E8-1F47-4CC5-9145-686F8EE108BD_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBYEWnqEngBj7JWDcfoBMsoK19chO0SfkJP8zaSTHX4pvNsZYgcxSxBzEw22z5qcoLBeRyP4Kg9JHAsg0fJvmhlJNPnGZLclQG7sZgNdftW3pGEkdF9E0VmovMGS3YuJKjdX23OlAmU10qjdG9u9w7PNt1pjzyeU1hmeFbhoc0fftbMLGY1KqKY_uqQ/w400-h300/376ED7E8-1F47-4CC5-9145-686F8EE108BD_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxMB6XE7mpfDl6DrqkOKhSVICdOvPm_EpNx0JCbp7MmmI2zeg58uqSTLFBcDxoQL2H47rvzelw7G-SycdJzYPdZmzb2YixTDxDEYiyr8GvU8i8Z_ppV7QmAJJeNQe_XyavHFr5O_FP4BxiPV1p8sjIVB6T46YkxvvNtoHNMCSBwMGSvmk-sSz2-n-bg/s4000/EE97BCCF-47BB-4FD5-B54F-17D0227755B7_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxMB6XE7mpfDl6DrqkOKhSVICdOvPm_EpNx0JCbp7MmmI2zeg58uqSTLFBcDxoQL2H47rvzelw7G-SycdJzYPdZmzb2YixTDxDEYiyr8GvU8i8Z_ppV7QmAJJeNQe_XyavHFr5O_FP4BxiPV1p8sjIVB6T46YkxvvNtoHNMCSBwMGSvmk-sSz2-n-bg/w400-h300/EE97BCCF-47BB-4FD5-B54F-17D0227755B7_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Between the gardens and Biodôme, Mal noticed what he thought were bounce houses, but I thought was construction stuff. Turns out he was right. After we went through the museum and he got to see both penguins ("This is my best day in Canada!") and otters, among other animals in 5 different biomes, he asked to go to the bounce houses. It was only $10C, so about $8.50ish, and it gave James and me a chance to sit down for a few while he got some energy out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5V0AvgTu5BEhHrFemg4YQkf9SQTEI_C5SyMX_nBaLhSS0dvPhooIYV4yC2qqcH0K1fJvhyHarAOwW_YBPSeJvuSsI-3gCWRXAyh7rNUgJY4B01bTA2s0tXvpLgpaQ6ZCoiZcFH_CckHyE5TDuWE6x-On3Ls2SWpTgGzzZl6e35NWpT4em91SZscMxrA/s3055/BB41B2A3-2B48-42D1-9502-542D323FC964_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2291" data-original-width="3055" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5V0AvgTu5BEhHrFemg4YQkf9SQTEI_C5SyMX_nBaLhSS0dvPhooIYV4yC2qqcH0K1fJvhyHarAOwW_YBPSeJvuSsI-3gCWRXAyh7rNUgJY4B01bTA2s0tXvpLgpaQ6ZCoiZcFH_CckHyE5TDuWE6x-On3Ls2SWpTgGzzZl6e35NWpT4em91SZscMxrA/w400-h300/BB41B2A3-2B48-42D1-9502-542D323FC964_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHHzIk9_tkxkYdxp29scrPqfdSEw56k-vGKuRiWK6qHv_0mn8xkynRGKUrB5YN7-8eeuOW2CC6juN_AV-iBPHeQ9eUyPX7NAVUCIQnoSEspW92f4KQd4nyAnrWFeJEwm6rB9VnQ3LZ-yfykr6nQFPe7cu4J1VgsyhPO2aoIIiyPmJh4pdGrnHVpKx8A/s4000/C40D65F2-CC64-4B78-83D8-123A0F6B947B_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHHzIk9_tkxkYdxp29scrPqfdSEw56k-vGKuRiWK6qHv_0mn8xkynRGKUrB5YN7-8eeuOW2CC6juN_AV-iBPHeQ9eUyPX7NAVUCIQnoSEspW92f4KQd4nyAnrWFeJEwm6rB9VnQ3LZ-yfykr6nQFPe7cu4J1VgsyhPO2aoIIiyPmJh4pdGrnHVpKx8A/w400-h300/C40D65F2-CC64-4B78-83D8-123A0F6B947B_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>When we went to Disney World, I'd read that people might think it's ridiculous for there to be playgrounds on-site when kids get so tired walking. Apparently, there's a difference in a forced march and being able to run and play. It definitely rejuvenated Malcolm.</p><p>We took the train and then a bus connection to a very late lunch at Wilinskey's. James and I had the special with cheddar, and lemon/lime and grape fresh-made sodas. Mal had a hot dog and ordered a chocolate soda, which they warned him he would not like. He still wanted it. He did not like it, which was lucky for James and me because it was spectacular. Even the people working there said it was a "special" drink that they doubted people actually liked. But we did. It was so refreshing!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIJi510yjmwAqiTGatg7lwRYUePFYhixbPZ3_pTf-MQYPAo7jN84-dx5UI1KcNBBMh4RfL91PcfcXPUGB7f0LaOf0MvR0HZAbos7CgUMiE07CDLo-x9QvsUsLJt_uFMmZRjspHAHeo--ML-1Pvyc-TtpL-IYvax6H7PtYMSY352-BzqmAvQgjf0i_PA/s4000/F816E974-33DF-4C9A-BB00-FEC98059B785_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIJi510yjmwAqiTGatg7lwRYUePFYhixbPZ3_pTf-MQYPAo7jN84-dx5UI1KcNBBMh4RfL91PcfcXPUGB7f0LaOf0MvR0HZAbos7CgUMiE07CDLo-x9QvsUsLJt_uFMmZRjspHAHeo--ML-1Pvyc-TtpL-IYvax6H7PtYMSY352-BzqmAvQgjf0i_PA/w400-h300/F816E974-33DF-4C9A-BB00-FEC98059B785_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Mal got some chocolate gelato just up the street, and we got a few Fairmont bagels. The "bozo" bagels (plain bagels with poppy seeds on one side and sesame seeds on the other) had just come out of the oven, so we had to eat one on the walk home. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEV7659OmpseK-y022jOHBhOuL79hg6NqEDBFjDDyZR9EtXqed4HPEgTBnUAdj1aVe1JcyWXzhOPS5sOKcmA_f6i9U_hP45XlHro35ek0K4ERDZq5IdLEZ3zfsKZNC3Hlie46Vp-EZ1fm8TZ4xsguQXWWwKBJgo8BkSGTwbvzfjQY5gFI77jl_xDu-vA/s4000/9FE081FA-17B3-47AC-BD9F-08896C7167F8_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEV7659OmpseK-y022jOHBhOuL79hg6NqEDBFjDDyZR9EtXqed4HPEgTBnUAdj1aVe1JcyWXzhOPS5sOKcmA_f6i9U_hP45XlHro35ek0K4ERDZq5IdLEZ3zfsKZNC3Hlie46Vp-EZ1fm8TZ4xsguQXWWwKBJgo8BkSGTwbvzfjQY5gFI77jl_xDu-vA/w300-h400/9FE081FA-17B3-47AC-BD9F-08896C7167F8_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>It was a longer walk back to the hotel than I had thought it was, but we got to take in more of the neighborhoods' personalities, which I really enjoy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIvUXuv0z-FSBPkz5CcSam4ggQum4ooNixaFw5v7jakyhKzA13oTBdC-MpCq90iChB6Uc3NS16Gg1Fzt9l1VQdeWRrWKqPj8o88KUHWlFb41M2NnZgskcx3MSpsuaTtTLaJdGklFW1sxFFpqeKYFTnAcpGlTrm3Oksq3V02I4MSB3vLWiTYDljw0nvA/s4000/96BD1907-A8AB-4DDE-B97A-08642CA9ED3B_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIvUXuv0z-FSBPkz5CcSam4ggQum4ooNixaFw5v7jakyhKzA13oTBdC-MpCq90iChB6Uc3NS16Gg1Fzt9l1VQdeWRrWKqPj8o88KUHWlFb41M2NnZgskcx3MSpsuaTtTLaJdGklFW1sxFFpqeKYFTnAcpGlTrm3Oksq3V02I4MSB3vLWiTYDljw0nvA/w400-h300/96BD1907-A8AB-4DDE-B97A-08642CA9ED3B_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKz7P-zgkyoMbZCSMR-3DZatBhX5LQvi4OwCy9jNn8EwSxRD-3z7RuqHTcVWDTbSVz9rVdhjIeASZqTiGIzzx-4c1y6p2OFSjGttz2oP3Z4G8XB1ZjqrNNXDDBsss1xLPA92R4lToyFSeMoWSJSo9HMGQPbyHHH_oPlJJ-jY9w-wZ3sdqtIRLXcYgk1g/s4000/3D1C810A-B1DB-4360-867A-42B8F49FE102_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKz7P-zgkyoMbZCSMR-3DZatBhX5LQvi4OwCy9jNn8EwSxRD-3z7RuqHTcVWDTbSVz9rVdhjIeASZqTiGIzzx-4c1y6p2OFSjGttz2oP3Z4G8XB1ZjqrNNXDDBsss1xLPA92R4lToyFSeMoWSJSo9HMGQPbyHHH_oPlJJ-jY9w-wZ3sdqtIRLXcYgk1g/w300-h400/3D1C810A-B1DB-4360-867A-42B8F49FE102_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>We rested for a few hours, then went out to find food. Our first choice stops serving children at 5 PM, so we opted for Frites Alors! where Mal was able to get chicken tenders and French fries. James got a guacamole burger, and I just wanted fries and sauce.</p><p>Now I'm up and have eaten breakfast. The guys are still asleep so I'm sitting out on the steps of the hotel writing this. They have a lovely terrace that is pretty quiet, even though we're on an active road. </p><p>Oh! Our room is a half-basement, and we have a large window that lets in natural light... and I'm shocked at how quiet it is! We've all been sleeping very well and I'd highly recommend <a href="https://manoirsherbrooke.ca" target="_blank">Hotel Manoir Sherbrooke</a> if you're ever visiting Montrèal!</p><p><br /></p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-45613059038110452592023-05-03T06:58:00.006-07:002023-05-03T06:58:55.597-07:00"Fun" medical week<p>Do you ever have one of those weeks where it feels like the only time you are sitting down is when you're driving? Last week was one of those weeks!</p><p>Tuesday was normal; we had our homeschool meet-up at the library then went down to the park. We had Mal's dental stuff scheduled for Thursday, and I'd had to change a dental appointment of mine to later the same day, so Nana and Pappy agreed to come down and spend a few hours with Mal as he woke up, shook off the anesthesia, and got used to his new mouth stuff.</p><p>However, Wednesday afternoon, just as I was getting ready to take Mal to a different homeschool meet-up, D came in complaining of severe abdominal pain. This was the third time it's happened, way beyond just a stomach-ache, and the general physician had told D to go to urgent care/ER next time. So I took D to our in-network E/R but had to drop off and drive over to the transmission garage where our bigger car had been for a week.</p><p>The transmission was out and needed to be replaced, but the replacement would cost a couple of thousands of dollars more than I paid for the vehicle several years ago, so we were donating it to our local NPR station. We'd left it at the garage because James noted that if Mal had to watch the car get hooked up to a tow truck and driven off from our driveway, he'd have a breakdown. The tow company was coming to get the vehicle at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, so I had to get the title to the transmission place before they got there.</p><p>D had several tests run, was given some pain meds, and a couple of prescriptions, as well as a referral to a G/I. We had to pick up groceries on the way home, so it ended up being the whole day. </p><p>Thursday, we had to be in Bastrop (which is an hour away with no traffic, so arrival at 8:15 AM was a slog through rush "hour" Austin) super early. Mal was fine until we actually headed back to the room, and he managed to put up a very good fight against four adults: James, the dental hygienist, the anesthesiologist, and me. His physical strength almost matches his strong will, so it took a while for him to nod off. </p><p>Two baby teeth pulled, two missing caps replaced (and nerve treatments for those two teeth, since they'd been exposed for two and three years), two existing caps removed and replaced, one new cap on a baby tooth, two small holes (no obvious dental caries yet) on 6-year molars packed with white filling, and dental sealant on remaining molars. Whew!</p><p>Mal actually woke up in the office after the procedure. He was loopy, but aware. When he went under anesthesia at the age of 4, he just slept for five or so hours afterwards. </p><p>We got him out to the car, and his biggest complaint, besides that it felt like everything was spinning, was that we'd reclined him in the front seat, and he's not supposed to be in the front seat.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-E2UgbuIbf_rK8P5uVgMBKD36o0PnCk-6jEMm57c8WKO0VwcS98V-RUdXxw9AQwAgAoWORDEZdRTMGseJrfnMynj4eCtrUDJv29l6rm8dq_iuAA91ep__x1Mx-bcdLH2UmLsj0mfDWv6UNZsSvxtvwhgvOx0R7gCZhmLcPkeZDlM8mi0Te--r6iJ6Q/s836/IMG_8528.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="836" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-E2UgbuIbf_rK8P5uVgMBKD36o0PnCk-6jEMm57c8WKO0VwcS98V-RUdXxw9AQwAgAoWORDEZdRTMGseJrfnMynj4eCtrUDJv29l6rm8dq_iuAA91ep__x1Mx-bcdLH2UmLsj0mfDWv6UNZsSvxtvwhgvOx0R7gCZhmLcPkeZDlM8mi0Te--r6iJ6Q/w400-h300/IMG_8528.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waking up (kind of) on the way home</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We got home about the same time that Nana and Pappy got here. I fed them lunch, then had to go to my appointment for the second half of my deep cleaning. It was very anticlimactic compared to Mal's morning, and he was awake and himself the entire time his grandparents were here.</p><p>Friday morning, we had a kind of last-minute trip to the vet for Carol, who we realized during the week was using the bath mat as a replacement litter box. The vet determined that she likely has a UTI and put her on antibiotics. D had the idea that maybe Carol doesn't like our Modkat top-entry litter boxes (blasphemy!), so I bought her a *shudder* open litter box (it does have some privacy panels, but the front is easy-entry) and... D was right. Between the meds (which James and D are administering like pros), the new litter box, and an investment in puppy training pads, things have gotten substantially less frustrating for everyone. Well, maybe except for the medication administration, which Carol does not appreciate at all.</p><p>Friday afternoon, Mal had his bi-weekly play date at Urban Air. While we were there, a severe storm moved through the area, so that was dramatic. Fortunately, I don't think there was any damage, and, as always, we can use the rain.</p><p>Saturday, I was determined not to go ANYWHERE. Mal was "bored" but I loved it, and he ended up thinking of a lot of stuff to play. Sunday, we had our morning play date at McDonald's with his friend, Ryan, then stayed home the rest of the time. It was super awesome not to have any unpleasant surprises or medical appointments. </p><p>Monday, Mal met with a speech therapist/feeding specialist to address the fact that he just doesn't want to eat a variety of foods. We'd made the appointment back in October but they're really backed up. It was kind of frustrating -- we had to wait more than half an hour after our appointment time, the session itself was an hour and a half, and she suggested several things that I am unwilling to do as I feel that they interfere with intuitive eating -- and interesting -- Mal has a mild sensory processing disorder, we should get him an electric toothbrush just to desensitize his mouth to new/unique sensations, and that studies have shown that if a child will put a food in their palm, they are likely to eat it.</p><p>I feel like we have some good starting points, but will likely not go back. They want one meeting a week, and for a half day, including the 40 minute drive there and home, it's just not worth it. Also, obviously, for any therapy to work, there has to be patient buy-in. It will shock you to know that Mal's just not that into it. Finally, I could tell in the intake paperwork that some of the people they help have a lot bigger issues than Mal does, and I don't want to take up an appointment that could be used by someone who genuinely just won't or can't eat.</p><p>Monday night, James and I voted (sorry LISD, but our property taxes are already ridiculously high, and it seems like your schools are pretty impressive without the three new bonds) then went to pick up food we'd ordered from <a href="https://piroshkybakery.com" target="_blank">Piroshky Piroshky Bakery in Seattle.</a> Apparently, they have come down to Austin annually for a few years but this was the first I'd heard of it. Holy cow, were those things good.</p><p>D has a routine medical appointment later this week, then I think we're done with doctors and dentists for a bit. I hope so. We've blown through our dental insurance this year. Plus, you know, it's my preference that humans and felines in this house feel good and are doing well.</p><p>Let's all keep our fingers crossed for a boring week, people! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4n3cKXgsdnp3gS9JEnoi6I-_fcRID5A_vdAq0fXZOwzyZ4yL7gFmfzJNCPdSuk1AXuFY0VlrzdhLBZqBhdV-qoghiARLevQYBDJIdivflEZu6tgHzN41LRnGIIK5wBP1iIdj3ABchI2XE9JhyHvNQKtEndOjwQYxnwi-GFuNvgLYVxVEKqAj4qYhQCg/s4032/IMG_8546.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4n3cKXgsdnp3gS9JEnoi6I-_fcRID5A_vdAq0fXZOwzyZ4yL7gFmfzJNCPdSuk1AXuFY0VlrzdhLBZqBhdV-qoghiARLevQYBDJIdivflEZu6tgHzN41LRnGIIK5wBP1iIdj3ABchI2XE9JhyHvNQKtEndOjwQYxnwi-GFuNvgLYVxVEKqAj4qYhQCg/w400-h300/IMG_8546.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-11495218236229646222023-04-13T10:44:00.001-07:002023-04-13T10:44:43.296-07:00Asking for Help (dental version)<p>Apparently, April is the month of dental work here at Team Dave's.</p><p>D got taken care of last year, but this is THE time for the rest of us.</p><p>First, Mal has a couple of teeth coming in fully in his soft palate. He's had "shark teeth" before, but they were always right behind the baby tooth, which eventually fell out. One of these top teeth has been emerging (and is fully in) for months. Mal has been wiggling the baby tooth for probably a year (because it's infected and likely has been ever since he got dental work done when he was 4 and they capped it without getting all of the rot out, thanks so much, jerks) and it's just not budging. When the second tooth started coming in, that was all we needed to take him down to our awesome dentist in south Austin. It's a 45 minute drive but they're SO good with him.</p><p>In fact, Mal let them use the electric polisher to clean his teeth for the first time! In two weeks, he's scheduled for full anesthesia so they can pull these two baby teeth (one is so small that I'm afraid his gums are going to grow over it), fix his effed up caps from several years ago (thanks so much, jerks), fill one adult tooth cavity, and two baby teeth cavities. Whew. This boy brushes religiously twice a day, and he flosses at night. He's just going to have "those" teeth, I think.</p><p>As a child, D brushed only at night, never flossed, and never had a cavity. After not having ANY dental care for about 10 years, they only had two small cavities and everything else was fine after a good cleaning. Some of us just get easier teeth than others.</p><p>Meanwhile, James had mentioned that it felt like one of his fillings was falling out. He hasn't been to a dentist since 1995. So we had an appointment scheduled here in town, but then not only did his filling come out, but his whole tooth crumbled. We were able to find an emergency appointment at a slightly-less-nearby office, where he's been now several times. First, they got the tooth and a second one cleared out and fitted with temporary crowns. Then he had to go back in to have the permanent crowns put on. He went back for a deep cleaning, then the next day for the second half of that.</p><p>Although we have dental insurance, a pretty good amount of this is still out-of-pocket. In fact, we have to pay in full for Mal's anesthesia, then we'll submit a bill for reimbursement to our insurance a couple of weeks after the procedure.</p><p>This morning, I had an appointment to establish care with the same dentist James went to. It hasn't been as long as James, but I think the last time I went to the dentist, D was about 5 years old. So 16ish years. I can tell my mouth is aging, but I don't have any pain or complaints.</p><p>After a bunch of photos and gum evaluation, I need a few things: First, I need the two-appointment deep cleaning, as well. Some plaque has gotten down under my gums and it can result in bone loss (James has some; not sure about me) if you let it stay down there. Like they won't do a regular cleaning until we get all of that out. Also, four of my molars that have fillings (I got them when I was maybe 12 or 13) are cracked, and one of my other molars has a cavity. The dentist said that two of my existing fillings are the priority, as well as the cavity. But the other two, we can do later.</p><p>I explained to them that we've exhausted our dental budget for the year. James has literally run out of coverage just in the couple of weeks that he's had to have intense stuff done. Between all of this and our recent notice that our mortgage is going up $265 a month (don't get me started on property taxes in this state), we're just maxed out. I know I need this stuff done, but...</p><p>And here's the cool thing about being honest and open: The front office did some things: 1) They said I could make 4 payments instead of doing it all at once. 2) They will start billing in May, even though I'm having the two-part cleaning done this month. 3) They're taking $200 off of one of the fillings.</p><p>I know it's all messed up how expensive medical care is, and especially dentistry, which just isn't fully covered by any insurance I've ever had or seen. But they wouldn't have offered solutions if I hadn't asked. Most offices have a sign up that says "Payment in full is expected at time of service."</p><p>So that takes a little of the pressure off, which is cool.</p><p>In other news, I got a referral to an oral surgeon because of some differently-pigmented areas in my mouth. I get to get those biopsied soon, which will be covered by medical insurance but, bleh. </p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134525105837820871.post-4685968739698245402023-03-31T09:03:00.001-07:002023-03-31T09:03:28.436-07:00The Struggle Continues <p>That sounds like an exciting sequel, but it's not. It's annoying and exhausting and I often feel like I'm over it, but then it sucks me back in, and this both disappoints me and pisses me off.</p><p>Mostly, I don't think critically much about how I look. I try to keep my hair brushed, my hands and face clean, and my clothes comfortable. Then I go about my day and it's fine.</p><p>But sometimes, especially at certain times of the month, and maybe especially especially because my body is making some midlife changes that I KNOW TO EXPECT... Sometimes, I just feel like I don't know the body I see in the mirror when I'm not expecting to see it.</p><p>The part about this that bothers me the most is that I am anti-feeling-like-crap about the way you look. I outgrew self-hate-speak years ago. I see pictures of myself from 15 years ago and think I look... insubstantial. I don't want to go back to that. Maintaining an artificially low (for me) body weight took up so much of my energy and attention that I have zero desire to go back to those days.</p><p>And yet...</p><p>My body is changing quickly and seems partially alien to me. I'm still flexible. I do the splits, I stretch, I squat, I bend. But now, when I try to touch my nose to the knees of my outstretched legs, I can't... because my belly is in the way.</p><p>I feel spry (mostly; I did a killer workout Friday and am just now getting over being sore about that on Sunday evening), and my body does what I want it to. I don't struggle with movement, and I'm strong enough to handle most tasks I set out to do on my own. In other words, I'm extremely functional, and probably more so now than I have been in years.</p><p>I'm proud of who I am, what I've learned, how I'm trying to improve, and of the life I and my people have built. It is absolutely profane that a chance encounter with my own reflection at an angle I wasn't prepared for threatens to send me spiraling.</p><p>Here's what I know: I'm not going to do anything about it. It's dangerous, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7485766/">mentally</a> and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4241770/">physically</a>. Usually, I just wait it out until the feeling passes. Fortunately, I guess, my life is generally too busy to get mired down in this sort of thing for very long.</p><p>Update: I'm past it now but wanted to go ahead and post this because... most of us end up in that space sometimes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmS1cOjOo8MBDRwJbUcKJEPwpsccNdhtlxGlQEIytbQ74j6u_VTnftR_QKqFv42enwggFjjR2whyEJ4yprRUKYfLUcNCfS6vsgr3-281myJYrqhLHcS9-R513WWSMSUoRvwBXkJ6Vx6itdq3EFniCNtKiABExCQLcal68soqpGNk67OL82HpHlAwp5w/s3088/IMG_8209.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmS1cOjOo8MBDRwJbUcKJEPwpsccNdhtlxGlQEIytbQ74j6u_VTnftR_QKqFv42enwggFjjR2whyEJ4yprRUKYfLUcNCfS6vsgr3-281myJYrqhLHcS9-R513WWSMSUoRvwBXkJ6Vx6itdq3EFniCNtKiABExCQLcal68soqpGNk67OL82HpHlAwp5w/w300-h400/IMG_8209.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>Here's a picture of me walking last week. I have to go VERY late not to walk in complete darkness since Daylight Saving Time started again. I hate having no time to myself when I get home, but seeing sunrises like this *almost* make it worth it.</p>Laura Gatannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11807688833332720139noreply@blogger.com0