Pilgrim Day!

Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol 1 p. 560

215.4 miles

cold, rain last night

 

356 recordings of 60 types, 3 old SVU, 45 old CPD. 25% clear.

 

Wednesday (the 13th) was another babysitting day. Bernadette dropped Padreic off and I left the dog in the back part of the house. I had him make a tree, as the older kids had. He was really careful about where he placed each of the sticker ornaments. Then, after a short time playing, we went off to Wee Wednesday.

 

 

This one wasn't quite as nice as the first one, but Padreic was into it and even contributed a little. The story was "It's Not a Box" and then we saw sculptures up in the galleries and made one with colored popsicle sticks and tape.

 

On the way home I tried to get tickets to "The Star" for Saturday with Gareth and Joanna, but had no luck. They were only showing it at 9:45!! So I decided I would take them to see "Ferdinand" at, gulp, Arden Fair instead.

 

Then home to give Padreic lunch and go to get the kids, play in the park, and read to them. And stick around till Rob got home. Padreic was much more awake and alert this time.

 

 

Thursday morning I headed out to Folsom to meet with other Sacramento Pilgrims to walk on the new Johnny Cash trail. I was wearing my Camino sweatshirt so was easy to find for the others. We were led by a lady who lives in Folsom and is quite excited by the developments here. They have some lovely art work planned. We walked 7 miles, and at a pace faster than I'm used to. It was fun sharing thoughts and memories with others. But I sure was tired coming home!
 

 

 

Back home, emptying the bag I took, I discovered my Renaissance nametag, the one I lost last spring so I got a new one in September!

 

I was so tired I nearly forgot the Posadas out at the Retreat House. Fortunately, I saw a post from Bernadette and remembered, so I called her to ask for a ride. We forgot about "Mexican time" (non PC term!) and were there shortly after it was supposed to start at 6. It actually started at 7:15. Father Clemente had written a nice meditation to go with the songs. One choir was indoors (running from door to door in the retreat house) and we were following Jose and Maria and another choir and singing with them on the outside. At the fifth door we were welcomed, "pilgrims" (oh, yeah, this was definitely a pilgrim kind of day) and went in to a fiesta. Yes, I had a tamale! The kids were funny with the pinatas. I remember in 3rd grade or so we read a story about children in Mexico and how at Christmas time they had a pinata. How exotic that was! Nowadays kids almost expect one at every party. I got home about 9:30.

 

 

Friday I was stiff, but never mind, I walked to the UPS store (about a half mile) and got my passport photo.

 

I was looking for nailless hangers, I know I have some, and opened one kitchen drawer and there was a spider in it! While it wasn't especially black, it was shaped like a black widow, and I didn't take a chance, but smished it.

 

 

Fishdom has a 12 days of Christmas game, but I'm going to wait till it's worthwhile. Right now I get the same prizes over and over, and am not winning anything else... I want the decorations that go into this "Fantasy" aquarium.

 

I did some digging of weeds. I see the dog has started on the gate. It's pretty high, and I don't think he can get a purchase so I'm guessing the gate will outlive him. It looked like the leaf bin was low enough to deal with the newly-fallen leaves. (Then the next day the wind came up and stripped the beds, and I wondered if the gardeners could find room, but it was OK.)