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We Are Family

Sculpture created by Stephen Potter

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Kids Running Logo

I was walking around downtown Abilene yesterday in an area I don't usually walk in and I came across this sign for a Day Care Center. It's such a happy looking sign and I was able to photograph it without the words which were on the bottom of the sign.

It's been a very quiet day.  I went to church this morning, then home.  I read a little and am now watching TV as I write this blog.  It's 49 degrees right now (I should be outside doing something more constructive than just sitting in front of the TV-sigh) and it will be 72 by Sat. I'll have to figure out something interesting to do outside by the end of the week. 

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Horton Hears a Who

Abilene is the "Storybook Capital of America" and has many  storybook character statues scattered around its two parks.  

I'm happy that:

I was able to move some things into my new living space today

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Goldilocks & the Three Bears

Abilene, Texas is known as the Storybook Capital of America.  The town has the largest collection of Storybook Sculptures in America.  There are two different parks in town containing sculptures and descriptions.

 

This one is Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  (Goldilocks actually has two legs, the second leg just doesn't show in this image)

M heart is grateful for:

good children's literature

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Kids playing on the Beach

Dunedin, FL.  No other words needed.

My heart is grateful for:

Sunshine

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Eyes of the Lorax

Abilene has the nickname of "Storybook Capital".  There are a couple of parks in town where there are statues of storybook characters.  The parks are very sweet and very child-orientated.

These are the eyes of The Lorax. 

 The assignment of my photo club this month is eyes.  Ick.  I have no imagination so I figured I wouldn't submit anything for the assigned topic, then I happened upon the statue today during my walk around town.  

I love Dr. Suess and read a lot of his books to my children, but somehow I never read this one.

Apparently the book is about human greed being the cause of the destruction of the natural environment. 

The "lesson" is basically, "nothing will get better if no one cares".

My heart is grateful today for:

the friend I play racketball with every week

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The Toybox

The toys in the basket are a few that I brought with me when I moved and a few that I purchased at Goodwill after I got here. 

The grandkids don't come here too often, but when they do they head right for the toys.  It's so much fun watching them re-discover the items in the basket.  The toys aren't as creative as the ones they have at home, but when they're done the living room looks like a hurricane swept through.

Beautiful Morning at the Beach

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I decided to finally get going to a beach this morning.  I only have about 30 more mornings to do that before I head back to NY, where my toes will not touch sand for the next 9 months when/if I return to Hawaii next year.  Insert sad face.

My beach of choice was Ko Olina.  It's close, it's beautiful, and the weather there is usually wonderful even when it's pretty stinky elsewhere on the island.  I packed a book, my camera, a snack and a drink...

Ko Olina is home to Aulani--the Disney Resort.  After grabbing some rays and then walking around to get some photos, I took a walk through the grounds of Aulani.  It's one of my favorite places to be.  I know it's a tourist trap, I know it's crowded, I know it's not what you think of when you imagine Hawaii, but I love it anyway.  

It was designed with an Hawaiian cultural advisor on staff  and it's so NOT hokey.  I lucked out again and saw one of the characters, Stitch, wandering around looking for photo ops with the children.

I.   WANT.   TO.   WORK.   THERE!!

It will never happen, but it tugs at my heart every time I'm there.

Anyway, after several hours at the beach, I packed up, drove to the Y and swam my laps.

It was a really good day, praise God.