If you are lucky enough to have these three in your day: a sunny October sky, a trip to Madison's Arboretum, and a grandchild to bring along for the adventure, then I am sure as anything that you wont be able to put your camera down. There is a promise of sensual beauty in the confluence of the three elements. I don't care what the child's mood or age, or what camera you have with you -- you'll strike photographic gold.
Okay, now let me roll back to the beginning of this gorgeously sunny day: breakfast in the sun room, for real!
I step outside. It's cool, sure it is. After all, it's mid-October. But who can complain! It's a brilliant day!
The robins are loud as anything, clamoring for the crab apples -- as if there was a limited supply!
Come on, quit fighting! There's plenty to go around.
After our morning meal, Ed suggests we try out our frisbees in the nearby frisbee golf range. I've played with a frisbee maybe two times in my life and this would have been perhaps forty years ago. Still, it's a gorgeous day and we have these frisbees and a course nearby. We go for it!
I never once strike par (though I do get close!), but it's shockingly fun. Oh, I suppose I know why: you could do anything outside today and you'd have a grand time. It's your most beautiful October day!
And then I have a protracted dental appointment.
But all is not lost! I have a few minutes to kill after the appointment and before it's time to pick up Snowdrop. I drive over to the Arboretum....
It's not peak color yet, but it sure is beautiful here!
I'm determined to coax Snowdrop to come with me here after school!
It turns out to be not such a difficult proposition. When I pick her up, she is in great distress. She had been forced out of a nap (and we know how hard it is for her to fall asleep in school) and she is in a delicate frame of mind. Though we go to the playground and she tries to rally, it is an uphill set of minutes for the tired little girl.
But the prospect of an adventure at the Arboretum excites her. Especially since I have brought along her new baby, some coveted snacks, a towel, a frisbee -- all important components of an adventure in the making.
I'm not going to say much more. I leave you with a trail of photos. Yes, it is a long trail. Remember, everything conspired to make this a most stunning day! I'm just the messenger.
Run, Snowdrop, run!
Do you know how to throw a frisbee?
You do!!
Playing.
Hugging.
Late afternoon....
She so wants to climb a tree...
It's a beautiful day to be a grandmother in Madison, Wisconsin!
Okay, now let me roll back to the beginning of this gorgeously sunny day: breakfast in the sun room, for real!
I step outside. It's cool, sure it is. After all, it's mid-October. But who can complain! It's a brilliant day!
The robins are loud as anything, clamoring for the crab apples -- as if there was a limited supply!
Come on, quit fighting! There's plenty to go around.
After our morning meal, Ed suggests we try out our frisbees in the nearby frisbee golf range. I've played with a frisbee maybe two times in my life and this would have been perhaps forty years ago. Still, it's a gorgeous day and we have these frisbees and a course nearby. We go for it!
I never once strike par (though I do get close!), but it's shockingly fun. Oh, I suppose I know why: you could do anything outside today and you'd have a grand time. It's your most beautiful October day!
And then I have a protracted dental appointment.
But all is not lost! I have a few minutes to kill after the appointment and before it's time to pick up Snowdrop. I drive over to the Arboretum....
It's not peak color yet, but it sure is beautiful here!
I'm determined to coax Snowdrop to come with me here after school!
It turns out to be not such a difficult proposition. When I pick her up, she is in great distress. She had been forced out of a nap (and we know how hard it is for her to fall asleep in school) and she is in a delicate frame of mind. Though we go to the playground and she tries to rally, it is an uphill set of minutes for the tired little girl.
But the prospect of an adventure at the Arboretum excites her. Especially since I have brought along her new baby, some coveted snacks, a towel, a frisbee -- all important components of an adventure in the making.
I'm not going to say much more. I leave you with a trail of photos. Yes, it is a long trail. Remember, everything conspired to make this a most stunning day! I'm just the messenger.
Run, Snowdrop, run!
Do you know how to throw a frisbee?
You do!!
Playing.
Hugging.
Late afternoon....
She so wants to climb a tree...
It's a beautiful day to be a grandmother in Madison, Wisconsin!
