It was a good day.

Took Nora to visit my dad today in NY. On our way we stopped in to see my friend Donna. Nora was thrilled. She talked about Donna & Donnas birthday & how she thinks big girls should have parties too & Donna's necklace for 10 minutes straight.

Dad was really happy to see Nora. He got a really big hug from her before she took off running for the play room (which used to be my room). We chatted a bit, then dad had me help him take down some of the storm windows on the back porch & carry them to the shed at the back of the yard. It's < a half acre, but it seemed strangely larger today. Probably because Nora was roaming around freely out there - and it made me realize how good I had it as a kid.

Behind the shed is ... woods ... as far as you can see. So many memories - all seasons. Deer. Dangerous sledding. Hiking. Forts. Tree climbing - sap always - stuck to my palms. Our pets are buried back there. Nora asked (pointing to the woods): "Can I go in there?" "Sure!" I said. As I followed her around, she explored the wonder of the spring woods. Branches cracking under her feet. Tripping. Laughing. Leaves. Things to look inside & underneath & up at. We were in heaven.

She found an old plastic sit-on airplane toy thing - we dragged it out of the woods, hosed it off, emptied it of the water that had infiltrated it - and she sat down. She sat on it for a minute - thinking. Then she said: "Burpy ... I don't know how to fly the airplane in the sky." I did my best to explain that it was a toy & she had to pretend to fly... That's when my dad saved the day. He came walking over - tied a rope around the front - and dragged Nora around the yard on it. As Nora 'flew' around the yard, looking up toward the sky & smiling, I had flashbacks of him pulling Krissy around. (Nora looks exactly like Krissy did at this age.) Then dad said: "so Barbra, you taking this home with ya?" No dad, lets leave it here. "OK then, I'll bring it to the car for ya."

Funny guy my dad. He pulled Nora all the way to the front yard on it, parked it next to my car. And now it's on my front lawn.

We ate. Well, Nora ate. I was gonna have some Hembolds hot dogs, until I saw the label that said "natural sheep casing" - so I couldn't do it. We played PlayDoh. And Nora slept all the way home.

All in all ... aside from the fact that Dor hogged ALL of the coffee this morning ... the day turned out great.

I would like to have a yard where cars don't fly by - with trees & woods ... Someplace safe - where the kids can go out & play ... and have what I had. It was awesome.