Congratulations, Kyle!

My son, Kyle, graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo on Sunday.

We drove down to my dad's house on Friday.  Since Sunday was going to be all about celebrating Kyle, we celebrated Fathers Day Friday night.  I brought a rhubarb, strawberry and blueberry cobbler.  A huge one.  We ate it for dessert Friday night and Saturday -- there was only a small piece to leave with my dad when we left.

I made pork roast with crackling skin -- I know, so unhealthy; but SO GOOD.  I roasted potatoes, carrots, mushrooms and some summer squash with the roast.  Kyle joined us for dinner before running back to his house to pack up his belongings.

Saturday, we had lunch with our friends Heather and Steve who came up for the graduation.  We also found the artist who made our front gate -- he recently relocated to Cambria.  We commissioned a pelican sculpture for my mom's memorial garden.  My sister and I went through some more of my mom's stuff.  She had carefully labeled everything -- where it was from (my parents traveled extensively) and who gave it to her.  It was difficult being in the house without her there.  I felt her presence in the towels in the bathroom, in the African violets by the fountain, and in her spices in the pantry.

Sunday, Kyle marched into the stadium for the formal commencement ceremony.  Then we gathered with the school of computer engineering where one of his classmates gave a personal and funny speech.  Kyle's name was called; his diploma received; and then we celebrated further at our favorite restaurant -- Thomas Hill Organics.

After feasting, we drove up to my sister's house.  The back of our truck was filled with Kyle's furniture and bike.  His car was stuffed with clothes and other belongings.  Kyle will live with my sister when he starts his new job.  She lives in the next town over and it will give him time to find his own place.  Housing is astronomical in the Silicon Valley so it is going to take some homework.

Kyle with my dad

We got home just before midnight.  It was a long, but proud, weekend.

Yeah, he's tall.  I'm just a smidge under 5'9" and I look like a dwarf next to him.

What's Growing In March

We have strange weather this week but I suppose that is normal for March.  Most of this week has been clear and warm with nights that bring fog and frost.  This weekend we have a huge storm coming in, potentially the largest of the year.  Rain will start Friday night, Saturday will be a downpour, and then Saturday night through Monday we will have snow.  Lovely.  In the meantime, here is what is growing in the gardens.

Rhubarb!  (most important)

California poppies everywhere

Gophers busy by the artichoke plant.  If they kill it...  AARGH!!!!   You will hear me scream in New Zealand

Cala Lilies

Daffodils are still going strong.

Freesia

Hyacinth and pansies

 I've also decided to participate in a daily prompt over on my poetry/writing blog "Hoofprintsin my Garden."  There is a link in my sidebar (go to the far right and hover your cursor over the grey boxes.  One of them is a link) if you are interested in reading my responses for the next two weeks.  The prompt for yesterday was "Who Am I?"  and today I'll be writing about when I knew I was an adult, and how that felt. 

You've Got Mail!

I've been watching and waiting for a package to arrive from one of my good blogger buddies.  This afternoon it arrived! 

Rhubarb!!

...and ten minutes later, it was planted in the garden...

Oh happy day!  Okay, okay, I know its silly to be so excited about rhubarb but it isn't just any old rhubarb, it's friendship rhubarb!