Happy weekend

[vaneramos]

Friday was movie night. Spending time with the girls makes me happy.

Saturday I took them to Radial Line Trail for the first time, with its eerie, long arboreal gallery following the old track to Toronto. The snow was still deep and clean there. The dense cedars sheltered us from wind, but it soughed softly overhead. City sounds vanished. When we reemerged into sunlight, Marian opened her coat to soak it up.

Someone had chained the path to the dam with a forbidding sign warning of health and safety hazard, but we went in anyway and found water pouring more powerfully than I remember. We stayed there a while, the girls sitting in meditation, me snapping some of my favourite ice pictures ever.

Afterwards we went to the mall for three hours. I bought candles, hand soap and hand lotion. Brenna bought candles, and both girls bought clothes.

Yesterday Moe and Sylvie & Sarah came over to play Settlers for the afternoon and evening. I didn't tell them it was a sort of birthday party, didn't want anyone to make a fuss this year, but Sylvie remembered and brought me Belgian chocolates. Moe won the first game.

Then we walked down to the pond in crisp sunlight, watched mallards and Canada geese, saw webbed footprints on the ice. Sylvie and I left Sarah and the girls trailing far behind. She has trouble fitting in with adults but loves teenagers, and the girls adore her in return. At 27 she is one of the wisest people I know.

Back here we dined on finger foods. I had bought springs rolls and meatballs, crudites and artichoke asiago dip. Marian made guacamole and Sylvie made vegie antojitos. I won the second game.

The girls sleep in every morning. Brenna just came to greet me. In a few minutes I will make German apple pancakes. Then I have to take Brenna to Lindsay and Marian to Toronto. It's snowing again.

Comments

[champdaddy.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday, Van

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you, C.

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

happy birthday! it sounds like you had a very good weekend. :)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes indeed, a very happy one. Thanks V.

[kent4str.livejournal.com]

Happy, indeed. Looking forward to seeing you so I can give you your gift...

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I can hardly wait!

[art-thirst.livejournal.com]

You're in my thoughts Van. Happy Birthday and lots of love your way. :-)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

With thanks and love in return, Jide.

[ghostsandrobots.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday, Van!

Love as ever.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Always. :-)
I'm fairly confident my 44th year will be marked by my first real visit to Pittsburgh (besides a not very memorable hotel stay on my honeymoon).

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

happy birthday, Van! glad it was a good one.~paul

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Paul.

[tim-e-bear.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday, Mr. Van. :)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Hugs and thanks.

[a-more.livejournal.com]

Happy, happy day! I know, its less than original at this point, but some things shouldn't be ;)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

For all the times I've heard it, I still like to. Thanks! ;-)

[missprune.livejournal.com]

Kyana says it's your birthday!! I hope it's a happy one and the doorway to a wonderful year.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I appreciate the wishes. I'll say it has lots of potential. :-)

[lichtgespinst.livejournal.com]

happy birthday, Van!
may your days be filled with happiness and creativity!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you, my creativity could use a little revival just now. ;-)

[djjo.livejournal.com]

Late day b'day hugs love! Hope your day is going well. Smooches

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Hugs and smooches back atcha, me dear.

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

these moments of family glimpses you sometimes post both break my heart and heal it with the gift of hope

love and light

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I think I feel something like that whenever you write about Elli.
Love,
Van