Yet Another Road Trip

Did I happen to mention that the reason for all this traveling around is that we have a new graduate in the family?
Here she is, Grad Girl herself, aka Oldest Granddaughter Alyssa, just ready to run out the door with her cap (lavishly decorated in school colors orange and black) and gown (adorned with the red and gold cords of the National Spanish Honor Society).
Too bad Gramma isn't proud of her, huh? Well, she's a winner.
Heading for college come fall, for an interior design degree--the program is intensive, and she'll earn a BA in 3 years. She'll have lots of architecture, CAD, and drafting classes. She's been working part-time for an interior design firm after completing an internship with them.
Meanwhile her brother (last year's grad) is transferring to the University, where he plans to major in theoretical math.
I think #2 and Mrs. have done a great job with their kids!!
Fur therapy for kitty-love-deprived grandmother: Miss Kitty, all 17 or so lbs of her.
She's as pretty and mellow as she can be, and our relationship is cemented every time I see her--she adores being brushed, and I love brushing her. Purrr!
They have another cat, but I have never seen shy little Snickers. Maybe one day!

Massachusetts mountains--they're green. Northeasterners know this, but in SoCal mountains are either totally barren brown sand lumps, or black chunks of dried-out vegetation.
Me, I love the green.

This is one of the views from the hilltop whereupon sits the Soldiers Home where my dad is residing. At nearly 90, he's still feisty, still sharp as a tack, in spite of failing eyesight, failing hearing, and the residual effects of a stroke. He's planted a garden here--there is an area set aside for the residents with raised beds that are easy to tend from a wheelchair. The Master Gardener is growing (what else?) tomatoes.
Another view from the hilltop, looking north and east. Believe it or not, this valley is home to some major industrial zones--but the trees hide it all. Even along the interstates, and the major highways, there are few areas where you're aware of the city you're driving through. I drove 80-some miles through Conn yesterday (each way) and the only city I saw was Hartford. All the rest was trees, including a lovely watershed area.

Another flower picture. Isn't this pretty? I think it's astilbe, but I'll have to look it up to be sure.

One last "confession." Perhaps you can see the name on the bag? I just opened it and took a picture of the contents.

Yeah, it says Webs. After all--that mountain in the picture above? It's just a little way from Webs. I told you, you can't see the interstate for the trees. So I went to see my father today, took some pictures, and then ET steered the car on the Northbound side of I-91 instead of heading south. Bad ET. Bad bad me--oh, but that laceweight alpaca is the softest nicest thing I've ever ever felt. And the red Zarina? Well, I had one ball, and it was lonely. So I bought it some friends. And I hit the magic number for the Webs discount, so it's all good.

July is going to start my yarn fast. My clean-out-that-stash-fest. Think I'm just talking? Hah! I have found a resource that I think will be just what I need. As soon as I see if it works the way it promises to, I will share the info.

Promise. Until then, I have to go figure out how to get this into my suitcase... and then how to lift it all, since I'm traveling home alone. Wish me luck with the airline!