Vist with Joseph and Gemma, May 2012

 The bucolic scenery amidst which Vashti and I walked every morning, crossing the slow-moving stream, 

and pausing to record cheerful yellow wildflowers.

 Someone should remind this elephant not to even look on the wine when it is red! 

Apparently he gets too drunk to walk, and they have to put him on this truckbed. 

I'd hate to have him tip over on me. Or upchuck on me, for that matter.

 The Children';s Museum in Indy. What some individuals will do to dodge paying an entrance fee.

 Although if I worked in the ticket office, I don't think I wouldn't argue with either of them.

Over ANYTHING.

 

 The air balloon that we didn't ride. I did see a toddler in arms riding it, though. 

But he probably didn't have to pay 14 bucks for the privilege.

 A friendly Indian interpreter at Conner Farms. 

He's retired, and can devote a good bit of his time volunteering here.

 The lady's chamber in the main the house. Pretty, although the decor is a bit busy,

and I would have added some color for beauty. 

I was sorely tempted at times to give the actors a hard time;

but I restrained myself by only making jokes with them.

 The petting part of the farm. I was diligently petting a couple of bulky ewes, 

but they pushed past me and demanded that Joseph pet them instead. I felt quite dissed.

 Chicago: we wandered through Chinatown for a while, ducking into a touristy shop and buying beautiful dressing gowns for Gemma and Grace, and then we stopped for lunch. The restaurant seemed more of a locals' eatery, judging from the lack of decorations. But the Chinese lady was quite nice, and she even let me charge up my camera while we ate. There was so much food--we ordered family style--that we took home boxes for another meal.

 Posing with the Willis Tower in the background. Instead of driving closer, we walked, which probably saved both time and stress, even with GPS.

 Looking down from the SkyDeck. It takes about an hour to get from the front door to the top. 

A book would come in handy for the long lines, although it would have to be examined by security.

 They take a photo of your group, for security and for profit--around $45 for three prints. 

How did I resist??

 Standing on the balcony, Joseph is a brave soul.

 The best I could do was sit on the floor and inch backward onto the glass, not looking down. 

Well, if I went too far out, the building might tip over!!

 My man Phineas, who is less than thrilled to have a strange woman clutching him in her arms.

There, hold your nose just like that for the most flattering shot.

I know all about photography--I'm the most photographed celeb around.

Once again the center of attention with Mom and Uncle Josiah. 

Oh, and someone's lips, we aren't saying whose. The crowd had a hilarious time with Bible charades.