Diplomat

Good To Go

My daughter, in London, with vegan leftovers and pink hair.

I saw the rough coated bunny today, eating apples I'd left out for him. I just love these rabbits. God bless and protect these dear creatures through the winter.

Carroll in London

This is Carroll sitting in the World Food Cafe, a vegetarian restaurant in funky Neal's Yard court in the Seven Dials section of London. My daughter and I loved the food, my mother-in-law hated it, but it was a beautiful, fun day and one of the high points of the trip. I love how Carroll looked in her blue knit cap, sort of a latter-day Agatha Christie.

Chocolate Chip Cookie!

My latest cookie painting is of the wonderful chocolate chip cookie from the magical Queen City Bakery on North Weber Avenue. Just the thing to have in when the snow blows and the hot cocoa flows!

We Sing the Forest Electric

30 Below

Thirty below with the wind chill. BRRRR! We had to cancel two doctor appointments today. But oddly it is beautiful out and we really got off easy- just miles North and West a huge blizzard hit. Time to make the cocoa!

Redbeard

Red Velvet Cup Cake

More magic from the wonderful Queen City Bakery in downtown Sioux Falls!

MY Monkey!

Here is the latest in a long and noble line of monkey dolls I've owned.

My Chihuahuas think this is their doll, but they are sadly mistaken. Dogs should NOT get people dolls because they often contain non-dog-friendly substances.

And besides, THIS IS MY MONKEY!!

When I was a child I had a monkey doll named Pheobe Beegeebee. Loved her! When I was about eight I was bitten by a pet monkey tied in someone's yard on Siesta Key. My hand bled terribly in a perfect crescent. I loved Kong, Konga, Mighty Joe Young and in comics, The Golden Gorilla and Titano the Super Ape. My favorite Planet Ape was Dr. Zaius.

I loved the Kinks song Apeman and was fascinated when a genius childhood friend floated a theory about evolution and aquatic apes. My favorite crypto beast is Gigantopithicus Blacki, a huge gorilla that may be related to the Yeti. I frequented the Circus Hall of Fame as a child and would stare in wonder at the death mask of Gargantua.

I loved that we share our family tree with these strong, noble creatures with the huge hearts and long arms. They have so much empathy. Perhaps there is hope for us yet!