Driving UP to Granada Hills — and BACK in Time

Good Morning, God!

For the last three mornings this marvelous maidenhair fern has been what I’ve seen while I sipped my coffee and chatted with Suz. Yesterday (the HOTEST day of the year) the sunlight was just pouring through it. I am certain that a million dollar piece of art couldn’t seem more beautiful or more soul satisfying. Thank YOU, God! Thank You for ferns and for sunlight — and MOST of ALL for daughters.

This morning I’m flying off to Tucson and leaving LA with dear friends unseen — which makes me wistful. But I will be flying off to see beloved daughter, Sandy and grandsons Ian and Mark. Alas, Dave has already flown to Australia. Aaaah, God. The joy of daughters!

I have had such a good time with Suzanne that I can’t say I would have done anything differently. Yesterday we made a sentimental journey up to our old home in Granda Hills. I was taking photos as we were talking about all our neighbors — talking about the changes to our yard — the removal of her grapefruit tree she had bought with her allowance being the only really “sad” moment.

We drove to the elementary school and wondered if children walk to school today, or are they driven? The homes and hills looked very much the same — but childhood has changed considerably. I remember my childhood which seemed to consist primarily of playing outside — roller skating around our block, bicycling and playing Kick the Can — playing with neighbor kids. Imagine, God. No play dates, no Wii, no Nintendo. No computers even! Yet, even to my Geek eyes, it was a lovely Time.