Starting to ask really hard questions

I was reading Thomas & Johanna the extremely condensed version of "The Lion King" from this* book. We came to the part where Mufasa was telling Simba about how the kings of old will always be with him in the stars.

"What about during the day, when Simba can't see the stars?" asked Thomas.

*By the way -- why is there a picture of Dumbo on cover of this book, when there's no Dumbo story inside? I suspect it was cut by an editor after the artwork was complete. Too bad, too -- Dumbo is one of my favorites.

Well, that answers that question

Upon hearing these last few lines of "Over the Rainbow"

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Thomas said "Because people don't have wings."

Big brother & sister love baby Ava

More photos of Ava

It's a Girl!

Ava Christine Thvedt was born this afternoon at 4:02. She's 19 1/2 inches long and 8 lbs. 14 oz. Mother and baby are doing well. The rest of us are very excited about the new baby girl.

Brookings Marathon

As usual, we fielded a relay team for the newly-renamed Brookings Marathon, formerly known as the Longest Day Marathon. Race director Andy Stockholm, the Prairie Striders Running Club, and lots of volunteers made it a great event, despite the bad weather. It was a bit cool, which is great for running, but about the time my leg of the relay started, it rained. It wasn't really that bad while I ran, but once I stopped I was chilled to the bone.

Our team finished 3rd in the relay division. I think we were in first until the anchor leg (me). Two runners whizzed by me, and I'm pretty sure they were on the two top teams. I managed to pass about five marathoners.

The night before the race, Dick Beardsley spoke. Most famous for his duel with Salazar at Boston in 1982, he has led an interesting life. He had a short stay at SDSU here in Brookings. He finished fourth on Saturday.

Spring

Our crab apple tree is in full bloom, and it's crawling with bees.