Going to the Zoo

And with a few penstrokes this morning, we are no longer homeowners. It felt good to get that final signing over with – it felt even better to go to the bank and cash the check! Then we had to deal with the nuts and bolts of switching insurance, getting the various utilities out of our name, and all that other fun stuff. And accomplishing that called for a celebratory lunch at the local Mexican restaurant – which in turn led to seriously needing a nap. Instead we just returned from a brisk walk around the Square....cloudy, 57 degrees, and a breeze blowing from the north.

I know partly why I'm procrastinating on everything today – I'm supposed to be doing some research and writing a paper for my current online class. Luckily the deadline got extended, or I'd be in serious trouble! My mind just isn't focusing right now, which is kind of ironic since my paper is supposed to be on meditation and how modern psychology relates to that. After six weeks of class, we covered this “focus” business enough that I should have a better handle on it.

Instead, my mind is at the Kansas City Zoo with the five-year-old whirlwind and her day care. I know even though it's chilly, it's been an exciting day for her. A photo appeared on Facebook last night of her and the brown paper bag she'd decorated for today's lunch. It had her name, the zoo entrance, an elephant, a giraffe (both recognizable), and what I interpreted to be some water with a seal on a rock next to it. Maybe it was a penguin, but it was small and in the background. Tonight she has the end-of-year program for the Grain Valley School District Early Childhood Program. She's going to be one tired little girl by bedtime.

I have really vague memories of going to the Zoo when I was only three or four with Mom and Dad, my aunt and uncle and two cousins. I remember it being hot, asphalt, and I remember having a picnic lunch at a picnic bench. I really don't remember seeing the animals. And I do remember stopping at my great aunt and uncle's home in Hardin on the way home. I've never understood why I don't remember the animals since I'm sure they were the best part of the day.

The next time I went to a zoo was in St. Louis on our Senior Trip. It was great fun. And since there were only ten in the class, we all stayed together and enjoyed the experience. We saw so many things that day – not only the zoo, but we went to the top of the Gateway Arch, saw a show at McDonnell-Douglas Planetarium, and staying downtown in the Sheraton Hotel.

My favorite zoo of all times is the Washington Park Zoo in Portland, Oregon. Talk about a big, magical place! I lived in Oregon six years and had several opportunities to take the kids. The Portland Rose Garden was in that same complex, as well as a lumber industry museum. That was a really magnificent zoo – but then, it's in a pretty magnificent city.

It's too bad the Whirlwind has her school program tonight. Otherwise, I could give them a call and listen to the excitement in her voice while she talked about her day at the zoo. I need to make a point of calling over the weekend to hear all about it. Too bad we can't live next door to all the grandkids to get all this exciting news first hand!