The sun is out.

It came out at the very end of the day yesterday and is shining today. Of course, it’s colder. I guess that’s the price we have to pay.

I was so desperate to post some photos other than the many I’ve taken of this apartment, that I ran outside yesterday after rehearsal and went to the park. I came up with these. Goodness, it was gloomy out there.

The city sets up an ice skating rink that lasts through the holidays and a bit beyond.

As I walked back toward the apartment, I saw the grassy areas where Scout loved to go when she stayed with me here in the apartment in the autumn of 2014. I must admit, I got very, very sad and that feeling stayed with me the rest of the day. I miss her. I wrote about it on Facebook and Instagram, so I won’t repeat myself here. Hartford is full of memories for me, and many of them – in the apartments, the hotel and the park – revolve around my girl.

The sun came out late in the day (after I’d taken these pictures, of course) and we were treated to a lovely sunset.

That’s the gold dome of the Capitol in the distance and the pond that’s in the park.

I saw two birds flying toward the sunset:

If you look closely, you can see them.

My little nephew, Z, called last night. He cannot figure out why I am here and not at home with Don. So he always says “Hi!” and then immediately follows with  “Is Uncle Don there?” I explain that Uncle Don is back home and this statement is greeted with “Why?” And then another “Why?”

Meredith has Z alternating his nightly calls between his Uncle Don and Aunt Claudia. He is fascinated with other languages at the moment. He said “Talk to me.” So I started yammering on about my day and he quickly interrupted with “No. Talk to me in a language.” So I said a few words in French, which he repeated and he offered some words in Spanish that he’d learned in school and we discussed how to say hello in Italian.

He is very smart.

Then, the best part of the call. He gave me butterfly kisses on the phone. He even took off his glasses to make it easier. Mere said he’s never done that before. Can you tell this Aunt was positively glowing? Yep. I sent some butterfly kisses his way, as well.

Hearing that voice on the phone makes my day.

Happy Thursday.