Did I say I'd post California pictures?

I think I made some vague comment about posting photos and an elaborate description of our trip to the Bay Area, where, for any of you who don't already know, we are going to pick up and move our soon-to-be four ring circus here in about six months.

Well. It turns out we just didn't take all that many pictures because it was a really short, and very busy trip. In sum: California is quite different than we are used to, it's so expensive it makes our eyes water, and yet we maintain a steady faith that we are going to like-- perhaps even love-- our new home out there once we get to the other side of the enormous change. I will say that we stood out absurdly in our sun hats and liberally applied sunscreen, in a land where most women my age are starting to look like old pieces of fruit leather.

The photo up top was taken in Palo Alto when I took Audrey for the morning to a playground and water park for toddlers. The one below is at our local supermarket where they keep a few farm animals on hand to distract shoppers who may be less interested in the display of pricey cheeses than they are in "oinks." Audrey is especially a fan of the llama who charms her despite his extremely crooked teeth and bad breath. And she actually does go for the pricey cheeses-- they pair so well with her favorite cocktail olives.