A Great Neighborhood

I live in a great neighborhood. In September, we have an old-fashioned block party, with police barricades blocking off the cars even. Last year we all had such a good time, we had another one, impromptu without the barriers, but we still sat outside in Nancy's driveway/street with a portable fire pit warming our tootsies and melting marshmallows for S'mores.

From last year's block party:
Jan and Tim set up kid games in their driveway.

From last year's block party:
Warren, Sam, and Tim are playing "Pitch to Sam." Best game on the block!

Take tonight for example, I walked out to take some shots of my blooming daffodils and ornamental cherry tree.

My daffodils are out! You can see Jan with her cane in the background.

Out on our block were Jan and Tim, who live next door, and their darling grandson. Tim was trying to get his lawn mower working. I was glad it didn't work because even though their grass is long, it's so peaceful without that noise. Seems too early to start the eternal mowing racket. Jan was limping around with a cane, her arthritis acting up again. Jacob was trying to play softball with the "big" kids.

Nancy and her two "big" kids, Sam and Maya, and a couple more boys, cousins or buddies of Sam, were playing softball in the driveway/street/Tim-and-Jan's front yard ball field.

Maya in her soccer practice outfit. You can see Linda on the left. Sam in the red hat on the right.

Along came Linda and her little min-pin, Gretchen, taking their nightly walk. We firmed up plans for our weekend "Wine Chat" with Nancy. More on that later. Nancy and I made a gardening date for Saturday.

Before I went back inside--it was getting too cold to be outside without a sweatshirt or jacket--I reminded myself how blessed I am to live in such a great neighborhood.

Then I got cold and went inside, Linda and Gretchen went on down the street, Jan and Tim took Jacob inside, and Nancy and her mob went off to Soccer Practice. The street quieted down.

But I suspect we will all be out there tomorrow night. The kids will be batting more softballs, Jan and Tim will be trying to get their lawn mower working, Gretchen and Linda will come by on their nightly walk, I'll be outside taking more photos and itching to begin that gardening, and Spring will continue to warm our hearts and gardens.

Life is good.

The Creek Revisited

Warren is in St. Louis with our son-in-law, Dan, in the process of getting rained out of the opening game of the Cardinals. I talked to him on his cell phone at the end of the 2nd inning. We were ahead 4-1. Their tickets led them to the top of the top tier. Great seats with a great view he said, and since Warren hates heights, I was impressed by his attitude.

He could see dark clouds in the west and a good wind was bringing them closer, but they were happy just to be there. By the time I got home the game was on hold and was eventually delayed till tomorrow night. I'm wondering if Warren will stay since his tickets will be honored tomorrow night. I'm doubting it since he spent the weekend in the car driving to St. Paul and back, delivering my Dad home.

The Creek in back of our house was calling me when I got home today.

I ran upstairs, quickly changed into jeans and sweatshirt, grabbed my boots out of the garage, and slogged down the hill. I just HAD to get some video of the "raging waters!" I was tempted the last time and this time I was going to get that video!

Here are three videos. The first is upstream at the culvert that brings the water from higher up the hill, under the road, and past our property. The next is right in front of our lower property, by the fence. The last is further downstream, on its way down to the mighty Missouri River.

Here's a great shot of the tree branches that Warren put along the inside edge of the stream. It really looks like they are doing their job of saving that bank!

Here are some more shots of the creek. My buddy, Linda, who is in my Easter dinner photo, came down the hill from her house and we had a good chat. Would have taken a "Sarah" photo of us both, but my camera's batteries died.

Can you see the GREEN leaves sprouting on the branches? Spring really is here! It's not a fluke! My jeans are muddy, my cat's on my lap, and even though Warren is wet and happy in St. Louis, I guess I have found a bit of happiness here in the Capital City. :)