Elvis the Elephant swings by his tail,

And other amazing things...

There's a little magnet sewn into Elvis the Elephant's tail that lets it grab a pie tin. A wonder to behold. Almost as magical as when Grandma spins five plastic rings at once on the coffee table.

So much to learn. Grandpa learned this morning how quickly Grandma can spring from her bed, dash through the bathroom and closet and out the garage door, when she thinks she might be late to pick up Emily for our Big Day. The only thing sleepy, befuddled Grandpa heard this morning was "Oh My Gosh!," and then the sound of a tornado.

Kathleen hadn't overslept, she picked up Emily right on time. But now Grandpa has learned that Grandma doesn't need all that prep time to get ready to leave the house, after all.

So much to learn. We three gazed out on the pond this morning, where melted snow has formed a bowl for nature's performance. Trysting before us was a showy mallard drake and a hen. They paddled and preened and splashed at each other and then, what do you know, suddenly the drake mounted the hen. He pushed her under the water, had his moment of ecstasy, hopped off, then loudly beat his wings on his chest as if bragging to the world. All this before a wide-eyed Emily.

So much to learn.

Maybe today we'll just focus on spinning rings.