Troop 249...1962, 2010

I can't adequately explain or communicate what happened Saturday morning in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Brownie troop 249 held a meeting in my parents' living room. Our last meeting was sometime in 1967 or so. As one Girl Scout after another walked through the front door, all I could think was, "We are all playing dress up!" We looked like grown women, nearing 60. Yet, we are still girls! We laughed and cried, sometimes at the same time. The memories and the tears flowed.

Let the pictures tell the story. You will note that all of the Scouts on the left side of the 1962 picture attended our Saturday morning tea. What does that mean? We plan on a gathering next summer, and would love to bring even more of the Troop together.

Stay tuned, I am putting together a short essay.

Mondial des Cultures, Drummondville, Quebec

Goddaughter Michaela Mae "Sunny" Powers and I adventured across the Canadian border Saturday, to see our Finnish friend, Outi Luukkainen-Markkula, dance. Part of the official dance troupe representing Finland at the World Culture Dance Festival outside of Montreal, Outi danced and jumped and flew and twirled across the giant stage with skill and grace. We can see a career in dance is well within her grasp.

Prior to the festival, we dined at Maria's, Outi's first Mexican restaurant. She and Michaela split spicy chicken and rice, baked in chocolate sauce. Lunch was followed by Indian Mango Smoothies.

With food and dancers from all over the world, we enjoyed experiencing a day of international friendship and celebration. Wouldn't it be nice if such cooperation and joy appeared around the planet? Shall we all dance, and practice peace?

My Dreamy Creamy Greeny Shawl

Have you ever felt the yarn made of Alpaca wool and silk? Today, I did, and ooooh, is it soft and cozy.
My friend Sylvia, an amazing knitter, offered to make me a meditation shawl, as payment for an oboe I had given her. Sylvia is both an oboist and an oboe teacher.
My oboe was sitting in our coat closet for years, and I decided it needed to be played. More than 20 years ago, I flirted with the idea of learning the oboe. I soon learned it was one of the hardest wind instruments to master.
Today, Sylvia dropped over and draped me. I am such a nut for Prima Vera...Spring Green. Without knowing it, Sylvia picked the color, based on having this special yarn available. What a fun surprise. I plan on wrapping up tonight and meditating...with the support of Alpacas, silk worms, Sylvia the knitter, oboes and oboists!

And Baby Makes....Me a Grandma!

Yes, all prayers are answered!
Since the September wedding in Iceland last year, we've been eager to have a grandbaby enter our lives. After all, Elliot found the most fantastic woman on the planet, so we know they are gonna make beautiful children and be incredible parents.

Though the Fourth of July holiday, we didn't need manmade fireworks in the sky. We were seeing sparkles and colors and glitter and glitz and stardust all around us. Ali has a baby bump! Yup, and Elliot asked us, "What are you doing for Christmas? Wanna be grandparents?"

So, we're expecting a Christmas baby in our lives...how cool is that??

All I want for Christmas is....that lil baby. Yippee!