i have LOVED all of Kevin Henkes books and so have kelly and jen.  but Chrysanthemum will always be my favorite, probably because it was the first Henkes book i ever read them…  and i love the sayings on the grandmas shirts in several of the illustrations!

illustration in Kevin Henkes, Chrysanthemum

this is the last of the 5 baby bunnies, the sole survivor.  we released him into grandmom’s front garden.  he has really started using his legs, hopping around everywhere.  i think he needed the freedom from the box he was living in (with his litter mates).  between the fresh air, clean surroundings and being able to stretch his legs — he was starting to drag them in the box, almost as though he was paralyzed — he seems to finally be thriving.  we let him out before we headed to the beach.  he had disappeared when we returned, with a sighting 2 houses down.  by cocktails, he was back by the porch.  i think he may recognize it.  we gave him some lettuce and cabbage which he happily nibbled on.  and although he does not want to be handled, he does come right up to us, sniffing our feet or fingers.

he recognizes the house that saved him.  i hope he stays around for a while.

p.s.   he’s sort of smitten with the pink hibiscus flowers.  and by smitten, i mean pleased with how they taste…

walk, trot, canter, gallop, trollop and all!  🙂   6 grueling hours…

the trollop gait is based on a conversation i had with eric prior to jen testing:

eric: “so if her horse is cantering and wants to do a trollop…”
cat: “um… it’s trot or gallop, not trollop. and please don’t say, ‘do a trollop’ in front of the judges. you’ll probably get slapped.”
laughed so hard it came out my nose.  🙂

isn’t she amazing and cute and all adorable looking?

yay, jen!! yay, calvin!!