We got a wagon at a garage sale! It cost us ten bucks. Worth every penny.

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We went down to Althea’s river. It’s a kind-of a magical place. It is a place of dreams. There are woods one might want never to leave. I didn’t stop while walking to take any photographs, so we will just have to remember on our own. But I can tell you. One thing that makes it magical is this. Iris chose Althea. It seemed to me to be a child’s crush upon a child she admired. A friend she wanted for her own. Her first friend chosen with no input from her mother. Iris chose Althea. Friendship. Woods and rivers. Magic!

And not one good photograph to prove it, so you’ll just have to take my word.

Iris wanted a party for her birthday.

We’d gone a long time discussing who would and

who would not be invited until, in the end, Iris decided the right thing to do

would be to invite over everyone from Terri’s Morning Garden.

As a gift for us, the sun shone sweetly after a week of rain:

I had no alternative plans to holding the party outside.

We meandered down to the river, played in the water, then returned to eat fruit salad and chat.

The worst part, according to Iris, was the fact that I asked everyone to sing Happy Birthday.

“It was too long after my birthday,” she said. “I just wanted a party.”

Iris was, as usual, correct. It had felt awkward.

Left to right: Althea, Iris, Ivy, Lottie, Eva, Enza. Missing: Hanna, located off-camera to the right.

I brought my two bears into the city and unleashed them.

They prowled around.

Exploring an overgrown ravine before the leaves come out,

before the wildflowers and grasses carpet the edge-woods,

we find an old dump.

Car parts, sheet metal, glass. Glass, glass, glass.

I dig through graves of glass, much of it broken, & chose a few to bring home.

Love.

Love!

Love.

Baby goat, New Village Farm.

It is not a very good photo of Chloe, because I was being shy about taking a photo of her.

It is not a bad photo, not in particular, but it does not capture her as we see her.

We love Chloe.

This is Akiva. I am not shy about taking photos of him.

He is not shy about hugging trees.

Do you see the look in his eye? He is looking at Chloe.

This is Iris. I am not shy about taking photos of her. 

She is also not shy about hugging trees.

Someday, before we move, I must get some lovely photos of Chloe.

I will have to be not so shy of asking.