october

Since we only have the weekends together, we really take advantage of them. Last weekend, we went to an aquarium in eastern Connecticut. We'd been there before, so this wasn't our first time to pet sting rays



but it was our first sea lion show



Afterward, we drove right on past our house and up to West Rock, one of the highest points in Connecticut. To give you an idea of how high that is, we hiked it in about 20 minutes. Only to discover that most people drive up. Oh, how I miss real mountains.

Still, the view of the leaves changing in late October in Connecticut is spectacular.





I can't help but take pictures of the leaves every year. Can I? Nope, I can't.

And who wouldn't want to spend the day with these two?

Jumaism, age 7

Juma: Did you know that when I jump in the air, it feels like time stands still?

a weekend in Baltimore

Justin and Juma made the drive down to see me this weekend. Walking around downtown, we happened on a big trucks expo, which Juma pretended not to like but loved.






We also went to the second-to-last game of the Oriole's baseball season. They've had a terrible season, but they won this time.










As I write, they are on their way back to Connecticut.



Juma said he's getting more used to saying goodbye, but it's still hard.

Yes. It is.