Iowa City Weekend

We had a weekend full of emotions in Iowa City. Friday night we met up with everyone at the Sanctuary for a little dinner. Here's Clara showing off her new purse. We (I) couldn't resist buying the matching one for Eleanor as well. The kids also got some Hawkeye necklaces from a vendor down the street from the restaurant.

 The next morning Henry and I went to the football game. Uncle Rob predicted that there would be little, if any, rain. It started as soon as Pete dropped us off and barely ever let up. I was joined for most of the first half by this friendly praying mantis. He sat on my head. I think he was too wet to fly anywhere. And where would he go? Henry and I decided to call him Marvin, after our favorite #7.

 I couldn't believe what a sport Henry was. He didn't complain once about the rain- even though I gave him every opportunity to cut out early. When we finally did go during the 3rd quarter I think we snuck out just before they called a rain delay due to lightning. But look at this face!!

 We had to hide out down below for a while once we left, because it was blowing and pouring pretty hard. Eventually we started walking and I was hoping we'd find a Cambus shuttle to get downtown. We didn't. But still, Henry didn't complain the entire walk to Java House. It may have helped that I promised him a hot chocolate when we got there. Pete showed up with several towels, per request. It was very nice to see him. We were wet all the way through. Look at my head.

 Sunday was a much sunnier day, if a little cool. Mom and I attended a memorial service for the son of her neighbor, someone I had been friends with in junior high and high school. It was an emotional occasion, but I was glad to have been there. (Frankly though, I would like the next memorial service I have to attend to be for someone significantly older than me.)
Later Sunday evening we went to the Hancher lawn to attend a farewell performance for the flood-damaged Hancher building. Again, it was a happy and sad event. The performers were Hubbard Street Dance, and they were fabulous. The kids really enjoyed it. There were even surprise fireworks accompanied by a song from Les Miserables, that somehow managed to feel just the right mix of corny and poignant.

 Here's a picture of the stage before it got dark out. Later we moved to have a better view. Obviously, Hancher has a lot of significance to Pete and I separately and together. We will be very sad when they start to tear it down.

The other sad note to our weekend was the passing of Oscar, Rob and Carrie's sweet dog. He had been ill for about a month, so it wasn't unexpected, but he was such a good boy. We will all miss him very much. As the world works, though, everything is life and death and life and death and life again. We loved having some time to hold little Penny and we got to spend some time with Amber and Jeff and their two little dears as well. We also are celebrating the birthdays this week of Anders (3!) and Vivian (1!) and Grandma Mary.