Guest Commentary; The Bean tells a Story

Hi everyone. My Noni asked me to tell this story about our trip to the Martinez Marina. She said that you should start at the top left corner of each piture and go around like a clock goes.
When we first got to the lake where the birds and ducks were Noni was glad that Mommy gave me boots to wear because it was muddy all over. I loved walking in the mud even though Noni kept telling me to be careful that I didn't slip and fall.
Then we saw a whole bunch of birds . I chased them. They all flew up in the air and over the top of us. I laughed.
I ran over to the ducks but they went swimming. I found feathers and little rocks.

I drawed a picture in the sand and then I ran as fast as I could. I found a red twig and showed it to Noni. We took a hike to the river and Noni kept saying "Slow down." I ran in 5 puddles.
I fed the birds with chips that Mommy gave me and I made friends with a white Seagull. He wasn't afraid like the other birds. He would wait for me to throw a chip and then he came up really close to me. He was a handsome seagull.
I played on the swings and then I spinned on the thing that went around when Noni pushed it. I held on real tight. It made me giggle.

This was a good place. Noni and I had fun and we will come back when it's warmer. It was verwy cold.
We went and ate a Happy Meal at Mc Donalds and I got a special horse that lights up. It is an Avatar. It has six legs. It is a very handsome horse.

Merry Christmas, The Bean

Little Bean and the Brush

It's amazing to me..., with all the toys that my grandchildren have, it's the little things they find in a drawer that have so much more value. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised. I'm the same way. Maybe we all are. I go to thrift stores and look for the one, old, inexpensive object that has some mysterious appeal to me. The beautiful spoon or funky vintage knick-knack that only speaks to me.., the dog statue , the cup and saucer, the small McCoy wall pocket with a chip in it. An item that would be overlooked by someone else but when I see it I know that it's something I've got to have. Maybe it's the color or the shape. Maybe the lost art of generations that knew how to crochet, knit or embroider. Something says "Buy me". I know a lot of you understand what I'm saying.
Whatever it is, I understand why my littliest grandson found this wonderful brush; a special acquisition in the back of a drawer that is usually off limits to him. A pretty, easy to hold blushing brush that has soft brown bristles tinged with pink..., that smells good and feels wonderful, even "tickley", when rubbed on the face and hands. With his little two-year old sense of wonder, he had discovered a truly magical gift; a "find" worthy of a temper tantram if someone tried to take it away from him. He told me in his limited, matter of fact English that it was a "boush" and even more by the body language and satisfied look on his sweet little face, that this was his very special "chattel" of the day.
I may have to start Little Bean early in the fine art of thrift store shopping and , of course, share my expertise. Maybe he's got my shopping DNA. Between his Mother and I, he will have excellent training in the fine art of finding a good deal. See that expression in the bottom left photo? He has that " Can you give me a better price?" look already. The " I'm not leaving until we negotiate this deal." look...., that's it. That's the look!... He's a natural. I just know it.