16.

The first fall tree we’ve noticed.

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…ernie… aware of autumn…bizzaroverlea…coloring books…st. francis of assisi…

So today was first day of watching niece. It went swimmingly.

We watched her favorite shows right when I got there, as she was still in jammies and waking. Bro and Lysa changed her and then left for work, so we just chilled in the LR talking and watching tv. Programming included Sesame Street, which was a nice trip for me. She got a bit restless of the tv (and so was I—a good sign for the future) so we colored a bit and read a few of her books, many times over.

After a small snack, we went outside and threw the soccerball at one another, then attempted a walk with all four legs of ours, but the two little legs gave way after half a block and wanted to be carried. So, we went back inside for lunch. About 11:30 we feasted on pbj and a coupla teddy grahams. Then we suited up for a long stroller walk.

Anna waited so patiently (pictured) while I figured out how to work the damn stroller. Figured it out, finally. Walked around the short block and then just kept going for about forty-five minutes. It was a gorgeous early autumn day. The neighborhood is pretty hilly for Baltimore, made of of mostly brick duplexes. I passed quite a few mowers of lawns and a jogger or two. Also, a guy just sitting in front the driver’s seat of his red pickup on the roadside. Some odd lawn ornaments. It was great to point out all I saw to Anna, who just sat and listened. Quaint and quiet neighborhood, long and tiring (in a fantastic way) stroll. Anna fell asleep once I switched from the bumpy sidewalk to the smoother roadside. Once home, she barely woke as I unhitched her, got her vest and shoes off, and carried her inside and over to the couch where she continued zonking while I brought the stroller up to the porch. Then, I carried her upstairs to her crib, gave her Giraffe and and her binky and let her nap away. I read on the couch, feeling as if I could nap myself. Lysa came home about 1:30 and Anna woke up with a cry when she heard the front door. But as soon as her mum and I appeared in the doorway, all was well.

All told, I didn’t stain anything or burn the house down and Anna is getting very good at saying a word that resembles my name. (Closer than most people get, really…) Can’t wait for next time!

See more progress on: Spend more time with my niece.

15.

newly planted puffs of pink

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14.

In the alley between St Paul and No Cal. Not just any pink, that pink. (I think it’s brick on the front—they all are, pretty much…)

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13.

We’re serious about our air conditioners in Baltimore.

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12.

runs along 26th street… hear the train sometimes in the middle of the night…

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11.

Doggy driving a car on St. Paul.

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other people

I thought tonight was a good night.
Target @ Mondawmin w/ H.
Then dinner w/ her @ One World.
Home to my Hubby.
We watched frasier, ate chocolates, shot the shit.
Hubby went to bed.
And suddenly it is 2:30 in the morning and there are hip twenty-somethings traipsing up and down the fire escape… directly next to our window. Which is RATHER loud. And they are saying fun things like “Wooooo!” and clinking bottles and shimmying up slippery ladders to the roof. At first I was like, wtf are these kids doing?! People are trying to sleep, fer chrissakes! (Well, other people, I think, not me…)

But once I stopped panicking for thirty seconds and realized they weren’t burgling me, I came to realize that I am grateful. Their impetuous and inconsiderate ways remind me to not be a curmudgeon at twenty-four. To erase the line in my forehead, (what Hubby calls my “heavy brow”) and enjoy their incessant clang clang clang as they drunkenly clamor back down to some unseen apartment below.

So, yay, Youths. You are probably the same age or older than I, but you keep me young. Young!

See more progress on: make the most of (the rest of) my twenties

10.

The Baltimore City Republican Party’s headquarters are in a basement on Charles Street.

This is not a joke. My city is that republican.

Also of note is their website, http://www.baltimorecitygop.org/ which has some info about a long-ago McCain fund raiser. (Way to keep your website so up-to-date 6 weeks before an election, guys!)

Please note that I am five years old and then note the contact person:

An Evening with Senator John McCain at The Center Club

15 Light Street
15th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

$1000 per person – General Reception

$2300 per person – VIP Reception
includes photo with Senator McCain

6:00PM – VIP Reception
6:30PM – General Reception

For tickets or more information contact:

Dick Hug
410-570-8836

www.centerclub.org

When: Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Who: Dick Hug
410-570-8836

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9.

Ivy on St. Paul

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