Rosie and Her Dad

Gus emailed another photo gift and I can not resist posting it for the cuteness factor.  Rosie is 8 months now.

So I have to include one of my favorite Rosie pictures, taken November 22, 2011 when she was 4 months.

And I can't forget this one when she was brand new.

Sunday Skyping with Rosie on Tuesday

Rosie spent the weekend on the beach so we Skyped today.  She woke up from her nap and was very chatty - too bad there is no sound to  accompany the pictures.

Not sure why but she had her tongue out most of our time together.  Meara said that is something new today.  Maybe more teeth coming in?  She has 6 now!

As soon as I played peek-a-boo Rosie lifted her shirt up so she could play too.

She's not only standing but is dancing.

Note that even upside down the tongue is still out.

Gromma can't wait to see you all next week.

Beautiful!

I just found this photo gift in my email - yet another reason to appreciate technology.  Gus, Meara and Rosie spent the weekend on the Oregon Coast with a house full of friends.  Nothing makes me happier than to see my favorite three people happy.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Forty-some years ago I was introduced to F. Scott Fitzgerald by someone who influenced my life in profound, sometimes wonderful, and sometimes very difficult, ways.  I had always been a reader but he talked to me about books - what he was reading, what I was reading, what new books were coming out, why one story worked and another didn't.  No one had ever talked to me about reading and books like that before.  And then he told me to read F. Scott Fitzgerald, and he gave me The Great Gatsby.  After reading 'Gatsby' I went to the library and found everything by Fitzgerald.  One after another I read every novel and every short story.  I was blissfully obsessed. 


So why this post about Fitzgerald?  Because we have been having uncommonly warm weather and that has made the lilacs bud early.  And every year when the lilacs bloom I remember one of my favorite passages from Gatsby. 

As lovely as this passage is, early in Gatsby is the most perfectly written scene ever.  

The Beast

Today we had another record breaking high temperature - well over 80 this afternoon.  This gives us 7 days of record highs this March in Albany.  There have never been so many record highs in any one month in Albany.  Everything is sprouting, blooming, budding ...  So while I was out with Blackie I thought I would check the pond to see what critters were enjoying the oddly warm weather.

Garth the Gargoyle

After finding the pond full of tadpoles and minnows I started back to the house and that's when I located The Beast.  He was moving as fast as possible towards the pond.

Luckily fast for a snapping turtle gave me time to find a bait cage to stop him from actually making it to the pond where he would have spent the summer dining on the fish and tadpoles.  This particular snapping turtle is quite small but I can tell you, when pissed off he really did look beastly.  I did not have the presence of mind to get a picture of him with his mouth open - trust me when I say that it was sufficiently terrifying to keep me from getting my fingers anywhere near him. 

   

So The Beast has been humanely moved far from the pond.  And I am still in possession of all fingers.

A Little of This and a Little of That

This was taken on February 18th - about a month ago when we had one of the biggest snow storms all this winter season.  (Actually we had the biggest storm on February 29th, Leap Day.  Had there only been the usual 28 days, this February would have been in the number one spot for least snowiest February ever in Albany.)  This lovely little spruce is from Gus and Meara's wedding (2008).

Yesterday was exceptionally warm in Albany (another day of record breaking high temperatures).  I went down to the pond to check on the pussy willows and they were perfect for cutting - fully open, furry little catkins.

Gus and Rosie, ready for a walk.

This is a Lipstick Plant which does not bloom often so I figured now was the time for a photo. 

Sunday Skyping with Rosie

Some pretty impressive crawling practice.

A quick game of peek-a-boo.

More and more teeth coming in.

Rosie is teething on her current favorite book.  She has very good taste (sorry, I couldn't resist)
because this is actually the copy Gus had of Max's New Suit by Rosemary Wells - a favorite of his too.

Upside down Rosie.

Love to you all - bye til next week.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Rosie

Beets!

Here's Rosie after her first taste of beets.  Meara made the wise decision to dress her all in matching beet red.

Sunday Skyping with Rosie

Rosie entertained me with all sorts of new feats.  She now gives a big smacking noise - her version of a kiss.  Sorry that can't be captured in a photo.

Here's Rosie sitting without any support.

Laughing at Gromma playing peek-a-boo.

And now Rosie shows Gromma how she can play peek-a-boo too.

Where's Rosie?  Watch the slow reveal - priceless.

TA! DA!  There's Rosie!

And now watch as Rosie makes a human nose disappear.

Daddy gets revenge with a tickle.

Bye til next week.  Gromma loves you all!