The Zoo!

It was at least a hundred degrees today and Willa wanted to go to the Zoo. That's the bad news. The good news is that we have an awesome zoo here in St. Louis so it's a great place to visit over and over again. A lot of people feel the same way so the Zoo draws a mighty crowd starting late Spring and lasting through the early Winter. But, if the weather is too hot, or too cold, the crowds thin out and that's when I usually like to go best. Like today. Did I mention that we saw a few celebrities?

Dans Soulard avec Dona

La dame et moi avons marché le voisinage de Soulard le vendredi passé. C'est un amusement, un vieux voisinage français avec un bon nombre de maisons fraîches, des barres, des restaurants, et des lieux de visites. Appréciez !

TGE and Compton Heights

Dona and I wandered around Tower Grove East (TGE) and Compton Heights recently. We've done this walk before so I'm going to assume that's why I didn't take too many photos. And, Colette, if you're reading, the Buddha's for you!

Benton Park

Benton Park is a really cool neighbor in St. Louis. The houses are awesome, the ambiance is super, and there's plenty to eat, do, and see. Makes me wish I lived there.

Farm in Summer 2007

We went to the farm on July 14. Good times.

My Yard Summer 2007

Green thumb? Not so much. But, how I do love to try. And, there's nothing better than when all things agricultural align and you walk out back and see the fruit of your effort: vegetables, fruits, flowers, vines, etc. This year started out promising (I swear) but the catalpa tree did what trees do (it grew leaves) and shaded out my flowers. Had I planted flowers for a partially shady area I would have been in good shape. But, I didn't. So just as I finally came to terms with my huge gardening blunder, the catalpa tree started to die (verticillium wilt). Although there is a small chance it will survive, it's not likely. And, the flowers? Well, they're mostly dead too. Oh, and look at our neighbor's tree (bottom photo, big maple)--is that how you prune a tree?

Hot, Hot, Hot

A few years ago, during a rocky patch with her now husband, Phyllis suggested the idea of having a book club. Since most of the potential members were eager readers and already knew one another from having worked together in various bookstores, the book club came to life rather quickly. Although it had a good run, the club is, alas, defunct. But, we did manage a book club reunion of sorts recently at the wedding of fellow former member Sarah at the Stupp Center in Tower Grove Park (TGP). Sarah is third former book club member to marry in TGP--me in 2000, Dona in 2001, and, now, Sarah in 2007--but the first one to have her audience warmed up by a fire eater.

Ted Drewes

If you're from St. Louis, you know Ted Drewes. The original south city location is along the famous Rt. 66 but we live closer to the newest site on S. Grand. I wouldn't call us regulars but we do manage to work in a few visits during the summer. This visit was our first for the season. As you can see by the ice cream glaze on Willa's face, the stuff is pretty good.

Lewis & that Other Guy

Dona and I have resumed our summer walks/hikes/exploring, the first of which led us to the Lewis and Clark trail off of Highway 94 near St. Charles, MO. We did 6 miles--in spite of some pretty pesky, and persistent, mosquitoes. I suppose we might have learned a thing or two about foiling those mosquito from Lewis or Clark had we consulted their journals. But, alas, we did not. One thing's for certain, they had a pretty good view of the Missouri River atop these bluffs.

Horsing Around Cedar Hill, MO

Colette and I took the youngins' horseback riding today at a farm in Cedar Hill, MO which is about an hours drive southwest of St. Louis. It was a scenic drive, especially once we got into the rural part of Jefferson County. Once we arrived, the kids took turns riding Isabelle the Horse. Afterward, they explored the barn where they saw a number of other farm animals, including Lefty the Farm Dog. We stopped on the way home at Morse Mill Park and had a picnic along the Big River. On the way home, Colette and I asked the kids which part of the day was there favorite. Surprisingly, Isabelle was a close second to Lefty.

Peoria, IL

When Bill and I were in grad school we both worked for Dr. Bob Williams at the Rivers Project. Bill actually worked there first but I was so excited and inspired by the work that was happening in that tiny little office that I talked Dr. Bob into taking me too. Well, after a good run, the Rivers Project is officially closed. We had one last hooray in Peoria, IL last weekend. Here are some photos from our trip.

Spring Break 2007

During our spring break, we spent five days in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It's about an hour drive south of Cancun. I found out, by way of the $5 T-shirts in the local tourist traps, that Playa is part of what is known as the Maya(n) Riviera. Ooh la la, tres chic. The sights, sounds, and smells were great and fun was had by all. My only regret was that I didn't take more photos of the scenery. If you want to see more, check out Willa's blog. In the mean time, here are some photos from the day we spent at Tulum.

New for Summer 2007

We're trying a few new things out in the backyard this summer. The first big, and sad, change was putting the vegetable garden to rest. It's been a staple of the backyard every spring and summer since we moved in 7 years ago. But, a garage was built next door a few years back and then we added a semi-private privacy fence the following year. Of course, the fence looks great but we were lacking one serious requirement that all healthy, thriving gardens need: ample sunlight. So instead of a garden, we now have grass. Or, as Willa calls it, baby grass. The second phase of the backyard transformation involved buying a sandbox and patio furniture. The final phase should be repairing the gates and capping off the walls around the garage, now patio, area. Or, that is what I hope.

Spring Flowers

The color in early spring is incredible. Too bad it doesn't stay that way.