The Momma's Doing Good

I'm doing better than I thought I would, in an RV with everyone, for a month...though it's only been 3 nights so far. Rachel is right, it can feel claustrophobic and I'm dying to go for a run. It is also very cozy and sweet, being all together. Taking the time to talk more/play more together was a lot of the purpose. Watching the 3...um 4 kids counting Daren, playing on the playgrounds together has been fun. Alena jumps right in the wrestling piles with them and runs aimlessly through the fields. I am disappointed in our school efforts. I admit I hadn't considered that trying to write while the "Arvy" (as Lena calls it) is moving would be difficult. So scratch writing projects of any length. I also hadn't considered that reading aloud would have to be very loud, as the hum of the motor, the noise from the wind, and the rattling of the items aboard would be competing with us. But, we're enjoying learning about Emily Dickinson and will also study Robert Frost. We plan to visit his home in NH and perhaps hers in MA. So, I'm easing off of some school onboard, but not giving up.

Following the San Diego Zoo, any zoo has a tough time living up to our standards, but the Columbus Zoo was nice. We didn't get to see Jack Hannah, though we did notice from pictures of him everywhere that he has aged since the videos we have were made. My favorite moments were of Rachel working hard to photograph Wilson enjoying the Reptile House. She was getting a bigger thrill out of watching him, than out of the animals. I know how she feels. He was in his element and puffed up with knowledge and thrilled to see many animals he had not seen before. The other favorite moment was of Alena interacting with the big silverback gorilla. It had been entertaining a group of people and suddenly came over to inspect her. He stood right before her, singling her out, looked her up and down as if for an inspection. She lowered her head respectively and cautiosly looked back up at him. He seemed to approve and then moved on.