​Much of life is mundane, punctuated by mayhem.  
 
This week, in addition to trying to deal with Mom’s failing health from across the country, we received the surprising news that Tyler’s instructors do not deem him sufficiently prepared for kindergarten, so they have rejected his plans to advance from their preschool into their kindergarten.
 
Mayhem indeed….like who was supposed to prepare him for your kindergarten if not you? And what about all those kids who – gasp – don’t attend preschool before your kindergarten??? (Will stop reflecting on this madness here and now as I need to start researching kindergartens. Clearly this school is not a fit). 
 
That is why it is so refreshing – and necessary – to plan for the magical amidst the mundane and mayhem.
 
When I was in 12th grade, my Godmother Christine Whelahan came to visit us in Paris after the tragic death of her husband. One day, my mom invited me to skip school and go to Giverney with her and Aunt Chris to see Monet’s enchanting gardens and charming house. I remember every thing about this day.  It was the only time I had a hooky day with my mom, and having my Godmother there was an added bonus. It made a huge impression on me.
 
So much so, that every year, since they were in kindergarten, I have taken the girls out of school one day a year for a hooky day: Ali in the Fall, Lillie in the Spring.  (I will do the same for Ty, should he ever make it to kindergarten…).
 
It is a day that we just focus on each other and splurge.  When we lived in LA and had Disneyland passes, that was our Day.  Then, we had Universal passes for two years. 
 
So I had to do some serious research for Hooky Day 2021.  I heard fantastic things about a Victorian Tea House in Albuquerque that has thematic seatings that last for two hours. April’s Theme? Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Perfect. I booked it in February, as the Tea House is operating at 25% capacity.
 
So on Wednesday, after the school counted Lillie Grace as present, I biked to school and released her for our Day of Fun. 
 
It was as Magical as we had hoped. Time did stand still in this private corner nook they gave us, with flowers brightly blooming outside the  windows in both walls and a curtain hiding us from the rest of the establishment. I was reminded of how much I love to spend time with this dear 10-year old girl. How funny, interesting and unique she is.  How much social drama there can be in fourth grade. How important it is to have a bigger goal for yourself, so the pettiness does not become all-consuming.  How fast time is flying. How delicious the scones and dainty Bucket family empanadas and Oompa Loompa Salad are. 
 
A chance to exhale and breathe in the moment, here, now with my precious daughter. To forget about dementia and school applications, and tests and bills and my impending second vaccination and the book project.
 
It was a golden ticket day in every way; one that I will well remember in my golden years.

Thought I’d start with the Buzz around town: The hot thing to do in Albuquerque is make a 4-hour Pilgrimage  to Amarillo, Texas (not far from where I lived for almost five years as a kid!)  If you can handle the drive, their Civic Center's vaccination program is nationally acclaimed: apparently no lines, or fuss. (as Cindy Kohler and I joke, Amarillo has been waiting for its Big Moment; who knew this would be it?).  
 
On Wednesday (Jory’s birthday) Albuquerque gifted us with a move from the “red zone” to the “yellow zone” (Phase 1 for Angelenos).  Schools open when we’re in the “green zone”. Grateful we are heading in the right direction, but remain as cautious as ever.  (Am I alone in always thinking of those who died in the last few weeks of any big war??!)
 
The other thing that’s trending in the Big A: the weather. It was a perfect 60 degrees for Ty to feed the ducks on Monday. This coming Sunday, it will be 23 degrees (high; low of 8) with 6 inches of snow forecasted. Perfect Valentine’s weekend by the fireplace with beef stew, movies, popcorn, and games.
 
Rounding out the Big A news, there’s a new locally-licensed driver on the roads (and after showing every form of ID known to man, my NM license will expire in 2029….when Lillie Grace is a HS senior!).
 
What boosted my focus this week: While I don’t usually do Facebook challenges, Lauri Lee sent one my way that brought me tremendous delight. She challenged me to post 10 photos in 10 days that bring me joy – no explanations given. This caused me to scroll through the thousands of photos on my phone for ten days and realize how much beauty there is, how much fun we’ve had.  
 
On a deeper level, it made me replan my day every morning, to be aware of how I can create moments of beauty or joy that day.  Sometimes I stumble upon these moments of happiness (finding Tyler singing his favorite song, “Beautiful Boy” to himself); often times I orchestrate them (special dinner with planned conversation topics).  The point is to give them the same focus and importance I give to the “must do” stuff every day.
 
I want to savor these small moments of bliss and try to capture them, as I see from so many of the photos on my phone, how quickly things change.  
 
Here’s a few photos of joy that did not make the 10-day challenge….