Last weekend we had the Summerfield girls with us while their parents enjoyed a quiet night away for their anniversary. This is the family who had our two while we were away hiking for our anniversary. We often trade kids for shorter times too–the kids are generally compatible and we’ve become each other’s surrogate family support network, as they are English and all their free childcare options are also overseas.
Sunday morning we took the whole clan to the “Arboria,” an inflatable walk-through art exhibit that uses different colors and thicknesses of plastic + sunlight to generate amazing displays of colors and patterns inside. It’s in Christchurch’s Cathedral square, where 5 years after the quakes the cathedral still stands in limbo, open to the elements and a prime pigeon roost. But see that crane int he background? LOTS of new building going on as well.
We waited in a surprisingly long line to get in, but the kids, incredibly, did well. I had packed sufficient food….barely. As I stood in line, 30 little fingers reached up, insinuating themselves into the container of grapes. “More?” “More?” their owners insist, quietly. Inexorably. This must be how mama birds feel, always in demand; not demand for one’s persona, but for services rendered. NOW.
We did, eventually, make it to the front of the line. We went through an air lock, and Milo enters a different world….
It looks a little sinister in this view, especially with Jeremiah’s menacing figure guarding the doorway. Actually, that wasn’t a doorway, just a colored panel that was hot from the sun hitting it, and Jeremiah’s soaking up the warmth.
But this view looks like a fairy palace, hobbit-style with the round passageways.
Amazing, the crew stayed still long enough to capture a non-blurry photo. Milo, Chloe, Amelie, and Ella.
The lacy shadow on the roof is cast by the chalice sculpture that stands outside in Cathedral Square.
gazing….
gaping….
…at the mesmerizing kaleidoscope of patterns.
Give It A Burl 
How cool…what an exciting day for everyone. The colors are gorgeous. Speaking of cool…fall is pretty much here in Owego…cool nights. We’ve been fortunate to have some beautiful warm and sunny days lately but the leaves are beginning to change. We’ve had pumpkins growing in the front yard – not intentionally – thank you birds, or wind, or…? but we have 3 big fat ones out there! Some houses being raised up about 6 feet here; the first was the second house from the corner of E. Front (completed in August) – corner house to be demolished – another at the intersect of E. Main and Fulton. (Marchewka’s) A really huge one with big pillars on Main St is really fascinating to watch sitting high up in the air. I believe there are something like 30+ scheduled. Tom said “no” … but I’m ambivalent. They measured our property but he didn’t complete the paperwork. I think we should build a “Mark Twain study type structure” above the paddock. I digress. Milo would love seeing the process with the house raising; it’s pretty neat! The field across the way is for sale again, as is all of the property on both sides to the end of E.Main to Davis and around the other side. Shudder. Mrs. Wurthing (on the corner of Farm) passed a month ago. We are the official old people on this end. Everett and Alden still like us (they aren’t teenagers yet!) lol
Spring and summer are heading your way…You live in a beautiful country with, evidently, abundant sheep! Gideon, Oliver and Rupert (the 11 month old) eat Canine Caviar…lamb from N.Z. (I know, that, from the vegetarian…but my dogs eat meat
). Be well and happy and thanks for keeping us posted. We enjoy hearing from you and seeing the children grow.
Supercool fun! I’m going to share this with the Alaska State Fair!