It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

Welcome to the World Claire Elizabeth Eken - my grand-niece and born one year to the day after my mom Hazel Claire left us to dance in heaven - and surely she is dancing her heart out today!

I could not have had a better day. Walked 7 miles, then took the light rail downtown with my walking friend to see Macy's Flower Show, attend a culinary event, have Izzy's ice cream and visit her daughter at work - life is good!

First walk at Mall of America to check on "Scott" who was peeling a cucumber - the guy who is spending 30 days in a glass apartment - 20 down 10 to go - looking good.

My friend Mardelle acting as tour guide at Macy's Flower Show - the smell is the aroma of field and flowers so welcome in the early spring....and no we are not in Italy - it is a replica of the Tower of Pisa in Dayton's 8th floor auditorium. Thanks Mardelle for the "kiddie" ice cream cone - perfect for a sunny day and a stroll down Nicollet Mall - we agreed it could have been Paris!

I love my city - always have - Nicollet Mall at it's finest - blue sky, skyscrapers and yes you can take the farm out of the farm girl - don't think I ever really liked the farm even though it was a good and healthy place to grow up.

Next - onto the "Frozen Four" - the alma mater of Chris and Amy UND Fighting Sioux hockey covering the next few days! - friends over for dinner tomorrow night, hosting the Bloomington Chorale for after-performance light meal Sunday - life is full and good and even though I miss my mom I can feel her happiness for all of us in this day! In fact, we are all feeling it!!!!!