2nd hand snow memory (1967/68)

My mother's often told me this story, so it's very clear in my head. I think there are even pictures. However, as you can tell from the date, it would be a minor miracle if I actually remembered it.

My aunt and uncle came over to Bishop, California, where I was born and where we lived until I was one or so. Someone it was decided that a picnic in the snow was in order. Off we went, my dad, mom and I in our old white Ford pick-up (no baby seat for me!), and my aunt and uncle (and cousins?) behind in their VW bug. Now apparently (and not surprisingly to me) as far as my father was concerned, it weren't no fun without a little off-road adventure action. My mom says she remembers looking back at Joyce and Dick's dismayed faces as they strugged to follow the truck. When we "arrived", I was screaming, everyone else was fairly miserable, and my dad was happier than a pig when he realizes he's been skipped over at slaughtering time.

Flavia's baby book (1999)

While making my New Year's cards (a sample of which in the picture), I came across a 1999 calendar which I'd saved for wrapping presents and other creative activities. (It was a Millennium calendar given to me by Sarah with an H's mom and had lots of cool pictures.) I had recorded all the details of Flavia's first months on it:

15 March 1999 – abrió los ojos (opened her eyes)

18 March 1999 – Calpurnia/Luna nuestra (Calpurnia/Luna is ours - These were the two names we originally considered. I really wanted Calpurnia, a name I've loved since I saw To Kill a Mockingbird, but Pedro wasn't having any of it.)

29 March – 24 cm.

6 April – 27 cm.

18 April – 29 cm.

1 May – 34 cm.

19 June – 40 cm.

I've just sort of measured her (a little difficult when she's sleeping curled up in her bed). She's still about 15 inches.