EILONWY (PEAS IN A ).

Probably one of the most currently underrated classic children's authors I can think of is Lloyd Alexander. He wrote a bunch of books that were pretty good, but his pinnacle was the five-book Prydain Chronicles and the (for older readers) Westmark trilogy.

Delicious blends of high fantasy and adventure, comedy, sometimes dark and provoking themes, and a love of Welsh mythology and Dickens-channeling characters have kept him high on my bookshelf ever since I first read him many decades ago. So good. Also, I love a decent mystery and enjoyed the one John Green I've finished so far. One lifetime for so many books...

BIRTHDAY #5.

May you be smart enough to use the current when it's taking you where you want.

And may you be strong enough to swim against it when it's not.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE.
Our daughter and her cousins wanted to pool their money together to buy her brother a fifty-cent birthday present. They came up a little short.

Fortunately, her overly-kindhearted aunt was on hand to chip in the remaining two quarters.

NINETEEN YEAR-OLD POSING WITH TINY PEOPLE.

This is a posed photograph.
Bam.
Nailed it.
I believe I may have some interesting ideas for adding some
pizzaz to wedding photography, were I to pursue that as a venture.

MT. VERNON.

Rainy Day Selfies

Desolation of The Prince Bride & Elves.

...What are you listening to these days? (Jeff Buckley)

...What have you been listening to today?

I asked Lanessa.

- I was thinking of starting to listen to Jeff Buckley.
She said, skipping across the road. 
Jeremy said I should listen to him.

Yeah, that's a good idea.
I affirmed, as she reached for keys.

Into the automobile and she drove off. 

Ballerinas in Rehearsal (Tribute to Plisetskaya & Evdokimova).

Norman

Lanessa + Henry

Bit of a controversy brewing over Lanessa's continued referral to her niece as "Henry."Henry was the name given to the being in Becca's belly before we knew the gender.* This name was appointed by Becca's grandfather, Grandpa Vic, and received considerable use up until the ultrasound. Lanessa, however, kept up the nomenclature, and has received censure from a certain twerp brother of hers for still using it.
It should be noted she bounces between Henry and Maggie.

It should also be noted that this is the girl who has been faithfully writing to Magdelana every single night for the past several months. My rulebook says that earns you a Suez Canal-size exception in the nickname department.

Others?

*her father knew all along. seriously.

Listening
Mr. Charlie Parker

Daughter Book, Written by Lanessa

Early heads-up:

Lanessa has been writing letters to her Niece for the past five months. Hilarious. Every entry includes a section she's entitled "Advice for the Day."

I will be editing and perhaps co-illustrating a coffee table-style book revolving around these letters and advice. Specifically about the Aunt/Niece relationship. Will be four-color printed, published, and available for reasonable purchase sometime in the next few months.

Lanessa Finds Out

Click here to play video

Priceless. It dawns on Lanessa slowly - very slowly - that she is going become an Aunt.