Welcome to the capital city

of the Nutmeg State

This sign greets you as you exit the highway. The thing in the left-hand corner is part of the van.

I snapped this Saturday through the windshield as Ralph was driving us to the University of Hartford. I was happy that it's not too blurry.

In the background you can see the shiny dome of our state Capitol. I wonder if it's real gold?

This is why we were on our way to Hartford: to see daughter Allegra playing in the pep band! She is the flutist on the left. Our son plays trumpet but he was busy with another activity with the college TV station, so we didn't see him.

Before the game, which the undefeated women's team won by the way, we were treated to lunch for donors. We can't afford the tuition (read student loans, parent loans, scholarships and grants) but at least we can make a small donation to support the university. This is the second annual lunch and we had fun.

We had another chance to chat briefly with the university president. Allegra was in a history class he taught last year, and he told us she is a very good student. Proud parents we are!

This is about half the band. I took this from a distance and had to zoom in on daughter and crop. Sorry to the kids I cut out. But they won't be reading this so it's OK.

Blog much?

I for one haven't been doing any blogging for a couple of days, but I'm back.

Yesterday we got to see one of our two kids playing in the band at a University of Hartford men's basketball game, as well as her boyfriend, who I guess we could call Kid Three. Are these two still kids when they are 20? I suppose so.
Our son was busy working so he wasn't able to play in the pep band. Dang. But we're happy he has a job!It was a beautiful and clear day in Connecticut, for a change.


Here is Ralph driving us up the Wilbur Cross Parkway toward Hartford. I kept busy taking photos through the windshield...

I never said this was going to be exciting!

Below we are heading into downtown Hartford, near the state Capitol.

Our team lost to Boston University. But it was fun to be there, and since Ralph uses a wheelchair, he, my mother and I get to sit at a table on the floor, right behind the basket and in front of the pep band. It was a tad loud for us (there were some boisterous students behind us next to the band) but we all survived it.
Normally the pep band wears uniform red shirts (perfect for Ruby Tuesday!) but yesterday everyone was wearing this T-shirt.
And they gave them out as well.When we got home the cats were waiting in the window for us. We had left them for almost eight hours! But they were OK.