the last two days have been on and off torrential downpours. but today it is gloriously sunny and warm. lola and scout and i took an hours long walk. i got a latte. lola had a french puff and scout had a new mexican cheddar-bacon muffin. we saw tons of cats and dogs and squirrels.
we stopped to talk to this nice old bat for a while. i think she is lonely and was just happy to have someone to talk to. she told me her house is so full of books she can't have anyone over, and wants to clean it out but doesn't even know where to start. she really liked lola and let lola run all over her front yard playing with her dog. she showed me her plants and talked about her finicky sprinkler. she told me she was happy to see lola had tights on because she hates to see babies with cold bare legs. i totally should have asked to take her picture but didn't think of it in time. i think i could have gotten a really poignant one.
after that, we stopped by the park where lola got to swing and go down the slide. i let the mom-instinct that wants lola to be strong and independent over-ride the mom-instinct that wants her to be safe and let her learn how to climb backwards up the slide. she loved it. it took a monumental effort in distraction to get her out of the park without a meltdown.
now, we're home and have all the windows open getting some much-needed fresh air circulating. i'm in heaven.

i know i've posted a crocus blip before and old guy has posted a lovely blip of these varigated crocus before, too. but i just love how unreal they look. i never get tired of it. and they only last for such a short time. here is the colorful original, along with a shot of scout outside the little red bike cafe while i waited for my latte. it didn't turn out quite like i wanted and no matter how much i play with the levels, it just doesn't work. but i still like it.