The season is here

The air is warming, the trees are in bloom, the birds are singing, the playground is a buzz and water ice is being served. Yum-o! I have been craving the cold treat that you just can’t get enough of. Today, I had the pleasure of having this sweet temptation for the first time this year. Oh how I’ve been waiting for this day since September when they closed the red doors on the building. Italian water ice is a cross between shaved ice and a slurpee. It is the best thing on a hot day and we love to have dinner and then walk down the street to our favorite place. There’s no debate that John's Water Ice, at 7th and Christian in South Philly, is the real deal. It is only open seasonally, and there are four flavors: cherry, chocolate, lemon and pineapple. On the weekends during the summer they produce an additional special flavor. My favorite is cherry, Leslie likes the chocolate, and Zane insist on only eating the cherry. On a really hot day I’ll get a medium with half cherry and half chocolate.

An Obama Moment

This past week we had the opportunity to get involved with the campaign activities here in Pennsylvania. On Sunday, I went canvassing in our neighborhood. It was interesting to see the dynamics and passion of various people. Some voters were adamant that they would not support Obama and others were on the fence. We did not knock on every door only those that were uncommitted (i.e. did not have a sign in their window).

Most people were very civilized but others were not as nice. The funny thing is that we were only reminding people about the upcoming election and whether or not Senator Obama could expect their support. If it was no, we thanked them for their time and went to the next door. It was very respectful. It was also funny to see people try to avoid answering the door. This was another first time experience.

On Tuesday we were invited to stand outside a rally, wave signs, and cheer for Obama. As the event was ending we had the pleasure of being where his motorcade was going to pass by. As he drove by us he rolled down his window and waved. I think I was star struck but Zane was just as excited. The rest of the evening Zane said, “Obama waved at me”.

Eli has also joined in the Obama movement. He has added his name to his vocabulary, well sort of. When he sees an Obama sign he says “Mama”.

Container Garden

Last month we started some seedlings in hopes of having our own little garden. We chose some of Zane’s favorite vegetables—tomatoes and bell peppers. We also grew a few herbs and some daises. We started the process when it was still cold outside and I thought that we would be able to plant them as soon as the weather turned warm. It is finally looking like spring but unfortunately my little seedlings still have a couple more weeks. I’m not sure who is more impatient the boys or me. So as we were waiting to plant our seedlings, I decided to grow strawberries in a hanging basket. I will let you know the fruits of our labor. I already have buds.

 

One of the things that I miss about Texas is having a yard, although I know I complained about having to take care of the yard. The next best thing to having shrubs, trees and flower beds is a container garden. I found a container garden that is unique and true to the spirit of living in Philadelphia—a vertical garden.

 

Circus

This past week we took Eli to his first circus. For the first 45 minutes I don’t think he blinked. This was Zane’s second time to the circus and he made it very clear that his favorite parts of the show were the tigers and elephants. 

Awakened to Stones on My Window

That's right, I woke up to someone throwing stones on my bedroom window. And my bedroom window is on the third floor.

Apparently I was a heavy sleeper this morning. Mike had to head out of town for the day and he started out early. So, after he left, I I went back to sleep. I'm normally a light sleeper but not today, I guess!

I thought I heard something hit our screen door and figured it was just a stray newspaper being delivered. Then I hear something hit my window. So, I jumped up and looked out the window and see Mike's rental car in the middle of the street. Realizing in my mind what I can only assume must be happening, I rushed down the stairs and flung open the door without even confirming that it was my husband outside and not some crazy intruder! Luckily it was my poor husband who had accidentaly forgotten his cell phone and was locked outside of the house!

And he'd been outside my door banging, ringing the doorbell, and honking his horn for 15 minutes! I just cannot believe that I was in that deep of a sleep! And I really feel bad for my neighbors because they were probably not such light sleepers at 6:30 in the morning.

I feel bad that this happened to Mike when I know he was trying to get on the road and out of town, but hey, I'm not the one who forgot my phone!

And he does get brownie points in my book for: a) actually hitting the window with the rocks and b) actually locking the door on his way out (something he never does).