This week's events

 

Me and my Leo friends!

Yes, my windows were quickly closed when the steam engine toot tooted by this morning around 9 am. They go up to Silverton almost on the hour in the mornings. I have less information about return trips because my west facing windows are shuttered by the blinds to keep out the bright sun in the afternoons.

My son, Russ,  is quite proud of his daughter who was in the Washington Post!

What do you think of Olive Oil Ice Cream?

Our air quality has gone down to moderate due to the nearby fires. But our wind is from the NNE so it's not directly coming our way. I went out before 11 (on Wed. when I wrote this) and didn't notice any problem...but I'm still adjusting to the altitude and using oxygen continuously.

It was delightful going out around 8 and not feeling hot at all! Air quality was ok too. (You may have seen some of these photos before if you ever read my musings on my other blog, Inner Workings.)

I got my exercise bringing things in from the car which were purchased the day before, most of the work is hiking down the long hallway to my apartment.

By Wednesday afternoon I could walk without holding onto the railing...and not be completely out of breath. This altitude of 6512 constantly makes my lungs work harder. My apartment is second from the end!

With windows open at dawn, I was cool enough to wear my Alpaca shawl!

I made buckwheat pancakes for last Sunday night supper. They were ok tasting, but crumbled more than regular wheat ones.

Silly little things to adjust to. 

A dark towel works to combat sunlight streaming along the bottom of the bedroom blinds,

I often nap around 2-3 when that sun just blasts against these windows.

The first train of the day is a diesel. The steam engine seems to pull the second one. I don't know if this is the pattern all the time, but it seemed to be this last week.

A nice fortune-teller type forecast! I do hope you have all these things come your way!

Continuing family updates

After the event...some more photos from Caroline's graduation last Sunday.

Her mom, Michelle, posted these on FB. I wouldn't see, experience many events were it not for FB. I am always checking and scrolling past the ads to see what's new with friends and relatives. My grandchildren say FB is for old people. OK, that's me!

"Congratulations Caroline for graduating with a double major in International Relations and Public Health with a minor in German from 3 colleges at George Washington University. It has been an honor and privilege to watch you grow over the past four years driven by your passion for international cultures and your desire to help others, particularly those disenfranchised. You challenged yourself in multiple ways we are so proud of and are delighted at the friends and relationships you’ve made. We could not be more thrilled for your future and the impact you will undoubtedly make in the world."

- Mom, Michelle.

Those who attended: my son Marty, GDaughter Kate, son Russ, GDaughter Caroline, D inL Michelle, GDaughter Audrey, Michelle's mom Joanne, and behind is her hubby, Gerry.

Mom Michelle, Kate and Audrey sisters of the grad

Caroline with her parents, Russ and Michelle

The celebration with a toast to Caroline. from front l. Marty (my son) Russ (son) Michelle (DIL) Audrey (my GDtr) Caroline (GDtr) Joanne (other grandmom) Gerry (Joanne's husband) and Kate (GDtr.)

I may not have been there in body, but I was in spirit. So sorry to have missed all the fun!

The George Washington University graduation 5.17.26

 Of course it would have been nice to be with Caroline for her big day of graduation.

But actually it was much more comfortable for me to stay home and watch the commencement on line. So glad it was shown live. A very good and only 2 hour performance, good camera work, and even though my laptop doesn't do HP displays, I did clip some photos of the event.

Live stream started a minute or two before the event began.

My two oldest sons, mother of the grad, the other grandmother and her husband all attended...way over to the side of the huge crowd of graduates.

The graduates were already seated, not in any organized way, but with friends. So I never saw where Caroline was.

It was held on the Mall in Washington DC. That must have been really spectacular. No mention of the reflecting pools being painted, so the only thing that made the site obvious was the Washington Memorial behind the stage...quite a ways away.

Each college had a banner, and this is Caroline's college...the Elliot School of International Affairs.

Parents and families were allocated seats off to both sides (here the left side)

Russ (Caroline's dad, my son) said they were sitting on the right side...which I think would have been this crowd just past the barricades.

The program went quite smoothly, though I admit to washing dishes while some of the honorary doctorates were distributed.

The Elliot School of International Affairs asked all its grads to stand and receive their official act of recognition at graduation. (Each college did the same)

 Somewhere in the crowd is my granddaughter...

The photographer on a Segway didn't capture much in my opinion...then it was on to the next group.

The grads had received the medallions on the red ribbons on another ceremony on Friday.

A college graduate

 I spent HOURS compiling a file of almost all of Caroline Heym's photos that I'd saved over the years.

Most include other members of her family, which is ok, because she's in a close knit kind of family. And many others include friends from school and teams she enjoyed swimming with.

Today she's having her special day! 

Graduating from George Washington University with a BA in International  Affairs.

CONGRATULATIONS CAROLINE! She's my granddaughter!

Caroline Cody and Kate in  front, Michelle, Russ and Audrey in back. 

Caroline, myself and Kate