Back to the Woods

It is nice how friends and family who nudge one to try things otherwise avoided. As a result, we have gone camping as a family 3 times, largely due to people who have convincing answers to the nicely stated objections. For example:

"We don't have a tent." That's okay, Reuben has an extra one.
"We don't know what is a good camp site." I know some great ones. And I have
booked you with the rest of us already.
"We are not big into hiking, etc.” But you love a good cup of tea. We will make some probably every 2 hours or whenever anyone gets a bit bored.

Add to this that the forecasters were wrong and we had good solid weather, even if the nights may have been more chilly than hoped for. All in all, a superb way to end another summer.


Group Shot,
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

We are great fans of our own jokes, 1 and 2

Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Chilling Out, 1 and 2

Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Set shot; Lounging around with dad

Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Kitchen Shift, 1 & 2

Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Morning Aerobics; Laughter
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Pancakes & Sausages, 1 & 2

Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Dinner; Relaxing after a hearty meal

Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Endless cleanup

Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Happy Camper; The evening arrives

Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Stories; Singing in the Arctic
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Trekking to the beach; Brothers
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Local denizen; Local denizens

Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


With dad...
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


Heading back, slowly (very slowly)...
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


Parting shot; Too tired for T-rex

Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Lessons From a Team Exercise

I came across a set of notes from a training session in which I had the good fortune of participating, where a specific breakout session spurred nice observations. The list will not look remarkable - - it could have come from a standard Fast Company magazine article. Of note was the sheer degree of improvement witnessed from the team task: from 28 seconds the first time we tried, down to 2.4 seconds after about 12 minutes of iterating, brainstorming, etc.

Here are lessons we jotted down regarding what spurred such terrific progress.

• Everyone is "heard"
• Provide coaching / take the feedback
• Ensure everyone contributed
• Maintain constant communication
• Incremental goals were perceived as realistic (as opposed to stretch goals that are viewed as unreachable)
• Continuous innovation
• Continual improvement
• Okay to ask "what if"
• Have permission to fail
• Truly challenge the norms
• Closely review of the rules
• Continually challenge the assumptions
• Make sure the trial and error is manifested in actual physical actions (and not "stuck in people's heads")
• Have a healthy awareness of the competition - not so little that you are aloof but not so much as to distract you
• Clear, measurable metrics that could be directly associated to each person
• Always know and try to beat your personal best
• Make it fun & interesting
• Ensure all are equal peers in people's minds (no politics and hierarchy to obstruct the collaboration)
• Laptops down - be a single-minded "kundun" in our discussions

"I Head Up Product Management"

"And what do you do?"

It's a question that people wind up asking one another at some point in an initial conversation. I have heard my dear wife Molly (and others in her position) answer, "I'm a stay at home mom" or something to that extent. This never sat well with me. While a true statement, well, it lacks the nuance, heft or breadth her role carries. I think a full-time mom or dad is one of the grander, elusive, frustrating and rewarding assignments one can have. Particularly those that go "whole hog" and home school their child or children. (As for those who juggle a career and raise children, that's sure looks like yet a different, intricate and at times nutty ballgame.)

Back to the original answer stated up front - it is too simplistic. Perhaps due to my days in advertising, I pondered how to re-craft it in today's language. If it was an advertising strategy, it would be something like this:

Convince: Friends and acquaintances (particularly those who don't have children)
That: A "full time" parent's responsibilities can be more challenging than meets the eye
Because: The role has many facets, similar to their own day job

The response that emerged is much different, "I head up product management at our place. That includes leading up design, development, build, test, pilot, launch, choosing the raw materials, more recalls than I care for, retooling, and re-deploying. Those are our 2 models, and I'm their mom."



Product Lead, and Her Works-in-Progress
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

"Seeing" More

Take a look at the following two creations. How would you describe them?

Most adults will say the one the right is a pretty cool vehicle perhaps out of Star Wars, or similar Sci Fi movie. The on on the left, well, it is some simple car.

When I ask this to our boys, I get the opposite answer. That is, the one on the right is a space ship, with many features, but nothing more. The one on the left is bundled details, laden with history and is actually pretty high in the current pecking order of all their toys. Both were created by Lego but the "simple car" has much of its details embedded far into their imaginations.

As such, I have gained a deep respect for what your average Lego brick unleashes in a child. What's dismaying is how this energy seems less evident as we get older, too much detail is handed to us, gets in the way of our own visions, and we see less of what is possible, and more often, only see what is here now.

To that end, I wonder if a serial entrepreneur is a child at heart (or in mind) packaged inside the shape of an adult. And how we can nurture this ability through their childhoods. One person who appears to have taken this to heart is Leonardo da Vinci. For a view into some of his practices refer to an interesting book called How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci.

The Unending Bouquet of Summer

Another summer is racing by, no different from life itself really and we are already falling out of July. How could this be so? One of the hallmarks of our house are the roses planted by a previous owner. When we bought the place, none were blooming as the renters at that time had taken no notice of this array of beauties right under their noses. (Again, no different from things in general, eh?)

But now, each summer these roses and a symphony of other bloomers come out in a fierce orchestration of colors and petals and thorns. I can see why people have such a fascination for roses - unlike other flowers, the whole summer is "their season" to show off. They don't care to be a "spring flower" or one that waits until fall or other narrow time period. Each day, another few shout to the world that they have arrived. And because we watch over them, water them, and chase away the aphids that like to dine on them, we can't but notice them. And suddenly all those roses at the florist are so bland and unremarkable, in part because ours are fairly exotic types but I think it is also due to our attachment to "our babies."

It is akin to the words in the Little Prince:

"Just that," said the fox. "to me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world. . ."

"I am beginning to understand," said the little prince. "There is a flower. . .I think she has tamed me. . ."

"It is possible," said the fox. "On earth one sees all sorts of things."


1. Looking right 2. Looking up
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


Standing out - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Uncaged Ideas

Sometimes the only way one realizes you've been "seeing the same old thing" is when you finally bump into a completely different, even outlandish, solution to the same problem. The City Museum in St. Louis, MO does this when it comes to children's museums (www.citymuseum.org). The hum drum children's museum solution has the same building blocks: train section; water works; kitchen; some manner of playground.

The City Museum breaks so many rules! For example:

• Don't obsess if what you create will nick / bruise the participant. Many of the exhibits just may scuff the knees and elbows, but how is that different from life in general (other than needing some excellent lawyers to protect your good work)
• Don't explain. There are many places where things are presented, like cavities that either weave their way into serpentine ceiling or basement passage ways for people to discover on their own
• Your best items are under your nose. Brilliantly, the museum staff scavenges old buildings about to be torn down for artifacts that create a rich tapestry of widgets, furnishings and exercises. For example, 2 spiral staircases that tightly wind upwards for 4 stories, sandwiching a spiral suitcase chute that looks like an Alice in Wonderland passage back to the bottom
  
• Non-child items may work phenomenally. You are thunderstruck by what you see, and after a moment it is so obvious why kids love the experience. Below are images of catwalks 3 stories above the ground, connecting to gutted learjets that are then interconnected by suspended bridges to each other and to a slide that takes you whizzing back down.
• Retain creative control. You've seen it before, be it Bramante, Michelangelo, or Jobs. One person with a vivid idea and uncompromising desire to see it come thru. In this case, it is sculptor Bob Cassilly who is fervently adding to the current work in progress.
  

The City Museum is a great lesson for anyone wanting to retool their view of what a fresh solution can look like. A close, analytically minded visit is among the best forms of adult education one can sign up for.


1. Catwalk to the Jets 2. Jet #1 (notice mesh bridge coming out of the cockpit)
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


Jet #2 (notice suspended bridge in background)
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


Colorful Spinning Bannister
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Flouting Time

“How old would you be if you did not know your age?”

That is the introspective question I have asked countless times to people on their birthday and therefore asked myself today. The answer is meant to illuminate the personal perception of one’s youthfulness. I have found the reality is more closely tied to the actions one demonstrates. Consider Mrs. Buehler, our neighbor back in the 70’s when we lived in the Mennonite prairie town of Winkler, Manitoba.

She was of consummately sturdy Russian stock, a widow in her 70’s but with the fiber of a twenty-something. My dad, one of the surgeons in town, was called to the emergency room one wintry Saturday afternoon. It was Mrs. Buehler, who had broken her arm. Here’s how: to keep active when the weather was too harsh to venture out, she would briskly walk laps in the basement of her small bungalow house for 45 – 60 minutes. Next, she would put a small chair in the middle of the room, step on, and step off. For 20 – 30 minutes. (That’s right, step aerobics. Before fitness clubs, danskin outfits, and protein shakes.) Only this time, she pushed things a bit, got dizzy and fell off, only to break her arm. Again, this is someone in her 70's, but that clearly meant more and something different to me than to her.

The years flew by but she stayed young at heart, of mind, and in the body. Finally, well after turning 100, she was considered to have "aged" sufficiently to be granted residence in the local old age home. She is now 107 and the oldest living Manitoban.

Now how do you think Mrs. Buehler would answer the original question above? And relative to Mrs. Buehler, I am at most an adolescent, with more dreams than memories.

Free Like a Bird, Part 1

For a baby or toddler who is all too often stroller bound, what is the opposite? The best answer I can think of is swinging! It brings sunshine, wind, and exhilarating, electrifying movement (vertical, forward and backward.) No wonder kids dig it. I would too.

Perhaps the 1st time I observed such stark contrasts was the summer after my freshman year of Undergrad. I had the great dumb luck to work at Touch of Nature's Camp Olympia, a summer camp in the Shawnee Forest for special populations. It was not just the many headspinning excursions - - such as taking a set of 18 - 55 year old, wheel chair bound CP's (cerebral palsy) rappelling down a 75 foot cliff - - but the calm glee of the campers, in this case as they bumped, scratched and scraped their way down the face of the cliff, (while others controlled their descent via belay lines). The upshot: an invigorating visit with one's old friend Fear, akin to what you see from Paul below.

Stretching Out - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2004 (click for larger image)

Another Reduction of Services

One observation I made a long time ago is the ingenious design of sippy cups. Here is a vessel that lets you drink lying down. So you can luxuriate with that warm cup of milk, ideally delivered not just to your bed, but to your mouth, without emerging from your equally toasty array of blankets (that are slathered with your favorite story characters, vehicles and other points of inspiration). So you can drink without leaving your cocoon.

Then you turn some age that your parents have arbitrarily pegged as "too old" for that toddler stuff and foolishly, you agree. Gradually, you are weaned to head all the way to the kitchen for your morning drink. The whole seductive appeal of your former habit is insidiously diminished. Just one more way that we leave the ridiculously stunning service levels of our infancy (they feed you, bathe you, wipe your butt at the drop of a hat or for the tiniest wimper) for the self-serviced ways of our adulthood. Ah what to do...


Morning Milks, In the Cocoon, and Out - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Time Continues to Fly: Paul turns six

So here is a shot of Paul a couple of weeks after turning six years old. Pretty remarkable how fast a human being traverses from being an infant small enough to fit on one hand, into an introspective, inquiring and inquisitive child.


"Dad do you see how big I am getting?" - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


6 and Very Proud of It - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


The 2 Brothers - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Seattle is Graced by Potta: Sweating the Details

Generally, if you want to make something look easy, work intensely and smartly on the planning and preparation. As Ben Franklin said, "Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." The work prior to the Potta retreat was no exception. I can only speak from the observations of an outsider but the many workstreams (music, location, equipment, food, childcare, publicity) required steady effort to tease out the details, practice on an extensive basis in some instances and this preparation greatly reduced the number of last minute fire drills that occurred. Central to all of this was prayer and reflection on the part of many. It was a classic example of a "growing experience" for those involved and proved out the strength of the relationships within our community's members.


The Choir Brought a Prayerful Tone to the Event - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


A Sumptuous, Impromptu Dinner at Sarah & Mathew's Home - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


Winding Down After the 1st Full Day - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


Wristbands to Ensure the Right Person Picks up Each Child - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Arts & Crafts; Ashwin takes some toddlers thru a story - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


Games - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Gazing into the Camera - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Seattle is Graced by Potta: The Retreat Sessions

Here are just a few shots from the actual function - - unfortunately I would say they do not do enough to convey the power and energy experienced by those who attended.


A New Day Starts - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


Leading with Prayer and Song - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


Holy Water, Petitions and Offerings - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)


Reflecting on a Passage; Leading in Song
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Seattle is Graced by Potta

At last, Potta came to town! After numerous practices and painstaking planning by the Indian community at the St. Louise church in Bellevue and participation by Joe Thomas on behalf of the local Mayalee association, a weekend retreat was held facilitated by 4 inspiring members of the Divine Retreat Center in Potta, Kerala, India: Rev. Father Mathew Naickamparambil (who founded this remarkable institution); Rev. Fathers Antony Thekkanath and Martin Kalamparambil, who have just launched a mission in New Jersey; and Rev. Sister Therese Varakullam.

For myself, who is unfamiliar with an evangelical manner of prayer, it was an eye opening and invigorating approach. I can see how on the one hand, it can be very appealing, much more personal, and drive people to be in the moment when it comes to prayer and one's engagement with their religion. For others, it is probably too much, as it runs counter to say, the highly organized structure of a Catholic mass. (The closest analogy that comes to mind is someone who plays trumpet under the strict guidance of a conductor in a symphony, then tries to shift gears to the largely self-guided improvisation of a jazz quartet.) Independent of the format, the weekend was packed with a great deal of thought-provoking content and scores of examples to re-affirm that a mystical side of life does exist to those who choose to believe and immerse themselves in the Catholic Faith.

Potta's success and scale is breathtaking.

From what I understand, each of the weekly retreats that occur in Kerala are attended by staggering 10,000 people, 52 weeks a year, year in, year out for 20+ years. The entity Father Mathew has created is on par with any globally known institution that has directly engaged millions of people. That one can interact with him at these traveling retreats is quite an honor, as at Potta the audiences are simply too vast.

Given that Molly was deep in the planning of the event, and led the childcare activity, I saw the fervent work that occurred in "the background" across the entire core team - - and it was indeed a boatload of work. As example, the folks who assembled the custom made choir practiced around 60 songs over the past weeks. And as proof of how well it came together, the attendees were able to simply worship, sing and focus upon the prayer at hand. All in all, the passionate words of the mission staff, and logistics undertaken by the event orchestrators, were a true labor of love.

Here's a few shots (I will add another post or two of the other aspects of the event)... I tried to capture the indomitable spirit of these Fathers and Sister but I can't say I pulled it off in the photos. All struck me as good hearted, extremely disciplined spirits, with radiant smiles and the ability to assess person in the blink of an eye. All were deeply prayerful people - - they were living examples of the adages "actions speak louder than words" and "practice what you preach."

Rev. Fr. Mathew Naickamparambil V.C. - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Rev. Sr. Therese Varakullam F.C.C. - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Rev. Fr. Antony Thekkanath V.C. - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Rev. Fr. Martin Kalamparambil V.C. - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Feed your mind, with.... YouTube

Now that we have two young inquisitive ones with an insatiable appetite for knowledge, the computer reigns fairly supreme in answering so many questions. What does it look like inside your heart? Where do whales swim? How fast can a train go? What does a robin look like?

The competition for who serves as the expert is stiff. For example, to the question "what does it look like inside the skin?" my dad was second choice, despite winning a gold medal in med school for Anatomy, and being a retired surgeon who is both Board Certified and a member of the Royal College of Physicians. "Hmmm... daddy... I think we should look in the computer first." The truth is that even I am only being included because they cannot type their own search phrases.

And YouTube is pretty much near the top of the heap. If a pictures is worth a 1,000 words, how about video? The range is ridiculous too. I like to show them things like Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. They like to see the TGV going at 570 km/hr and Shinkansen zipping by. We've watched sumo wrestling, hummingbirds in flight, (lots and lots of) Thomas the Tank engine, Tomy train sets that would make your eyes pop, "how to" videos on downhill skiing, and jumbos landing in stiff cross winds in Hong Kong's old Kai Tak Airport. What a world, eh? How different, how wonderful.

Paul Drives, Sidd Rides "Shotgun" - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Selecting the next video - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Immersed - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Going to America

Going to America- -
Malayalam Manorama, Copyright 1966 (click for larger image)

Knowing the implications of our very next endeavor can be impossible to know. Which, often, is for the better.

Back in 1962, when my mom was 6 months pregnant with me, the University of Edinburgh extended a slot to my dad for their surgical training program. Dad was thrilled to secure a competitive admission to one of the great institutions of the UK.

A great adventure began. Deeper into the world of medicine. Far away to a new continent, by air to London, then the famous Flying Scotsman train to Edinburgh. A new culture, new people, new life style. Oh my, oh my.

He fully intended to return armed with new knowledge to take a teaching post in Kerala, a lush coastal state in India. But once in Edinburgh, the faculty urged him to "go to Chicago" for hard core trauma experience, in a surgical residency.

So he shared the long term value of such a move with my mom, changed plans and sojourned to the Windy City. When I was around 2, my mom joined him and I was dotingly taken care of by my grandparents, particularly my mom's parents, I believe. Finally, just before turning 4, my father insisted that I join them in the U.S.

Given the price of air travel, the most prudent option was to arrange for Air India flight staff to chaperone me all the way to JFK. My dad's father, Chachen, a PR minded trial lawyer, implored the largest local paper to "see" the editorial opportunity right under their noses: the youngest Indian to EVER travel to America was leaving in 2 weeks. This idea sold its way on to the front page. That is the photo seen above.

 

Just a couple of years ago one of my dad's sisters, Baby Auntie, shared more details of the actual day of departure. In truth, the excursion was probably pretty unpleasant (for me, that is). I was under the impression that all my dad's siblings, and his parents, were getting on the airplane with me. As my dad's family has 14 children and he is the 2nd oldest, many of these siblings were not much older than me - - and we played together all the time. So what a fantastic idea! Getting on a jet plane, with all of them?? I was out of my mind excited at such a prospect. My aunts and uncles were mortified by the reality, and no one explained what was about to happen. I was a bit puzzled when only Chachen walked on to the 707 with me. Shortly after the stairway was rolled away, they brought it back.

"This child is making a ridiculous fuss. He can't fly with us. No way." Having anticipated something a problem, Chachen purchased a big bag of colorful candy and walked back on board. He applied his charm and experience convincing juries, and convinced me to stay. Of course, the candy played a big role too. Damn that candy.

Side note: I do love air travel which I don’t understand. Shouldn’t I hate it? Perhaps it is the fact I had amazing family at both ends of the journey?

 

Upon landing in JFK, I vaguely recall a man walking up to me with a Tonka truck and saying, "Santhosh, I am your daddy." It was our first meeting. I was about to turn 4. What an unforgettable moment, particularly for Dad, eh?

 

Often, I have reflected on the sheer sacrifice my parents made. And the sacrifice made by parents across time. As I have two boys, one nearly 6 and one who is 4 1/2, the notion that I see them for the first time at such an age is breathtaking.

What if Dad had known that his 6 month program in Scotland would "take him 4 years forward" before he saw his child? I am not so sure he would have boarded that first flight. Nor reaped the benefits of that action for himself, his family and his many siblings. But we cannot see what the future holds. All too often, that may be for the better in the long run.

First Passport Photo 
India Passport Agency, Copyright 1966 (click for larger image)

Chant

So for the last 6 or so months I have been taking a shot at meditating each morning for around 20 minutes. After some exploration and reading, I have settled on repeating 3 passages, generally repeating the shortest one more than the longest one. To be clear, these are prayers, and for those who are truly atheistic in their outlook, this blog entry will probably be a waste of time. Two chants are homegrown and the last is a classic Catholic Prayer. The homegrown entries:

• I pray I am with you thru the baptism of today. The focus is upon me NOT forgetting in times of stress, that I for one, can begin to believe I have been abandoned by God, when in fact it is the opposite: I have abandoned my engagement with God. This insight was first brought to my attention thru the passage "Footsteps in the Sand." Ever since, I rarely say phrases like "Dear God be with me" as I know he already is. Baptism refers to the way we immerse ourselves in each day.
• I pray I will explore, discover, develop and appreciate the Talents, Treasures and Time granted to me, and optimize them in Your name and to your benefit. I was struck by the phrase "talents, treasures and time" the 1st time I heard Fr. Tom in our church mention it; it pretty much covers all that we have at our disposal, eh? What we are born with, what we earn or create, with whom we establish relationships, and the time we have in our hands to do all this. And it is so easy to take this for granted, to not look for and discover the gems placed under our noses, to not nurture them into greater fruition, nor fully appreciate it. And of course, to not fully apply them in an industrious manner. This chant is to elevate my awareness to such pitfalls and help overtly counter such missteps.
  

The "classic one" is the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. I have always found the words in this passage have profound weight and wisdom.

I am unclear how this has impacted me - - I did not determine any metrics by which to assess changes in my day to day ways, and cannot say for certain my behavior has really fundamentally changed. But I have come to greatly enjoy this morning tradition to settle myself before the day begins.

Full Flight - Basketball

One revelation to me is that at pretty much any age, we can show athleticism at remarkable levels. In watching Paul and his peers play basketball (and similarly soccer) I see bursts of intensity that are eye-popping in a manner not much different from what is demonstrated by a pro. Here is an example, a fast break (there are only fast breaks in toddler basketball). The rush of bodies down the court, in pursuit or in exhilarated observation of the ball handler was just pure joy for us spectators.

Breakaway - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Mementos from Susie Annie

Here we see the traces of a few doodling sessions that Paul, Sidd and Susie Annie had. It includes favorites of each party: Honey the bunny; bullet trains; balloons; more bunnies; and more bullet trains.

Standing by the Siddo/Paul/SusieAnnie Masterpiece - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Susie Annie's West Coast Bunnies

We had the good luck that Susan could work out of the local GAO office in Seattle and thereby make a trip out West to see us. All get-togethers that you look forward to are blustery ones, and this one was no exception. Given that the boys are old enough to hold their own meandering stories, she had her hands full hearing about friends at school, toddler luminaries like Curious George, and at times long-winded opinions about dinosaurs - - and this was in addition to chats with Molly and I about Hillary and Obama.

Susie Annie and Honey 2 and 3 - -
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)