Can I get summer back

School started yesterday.

Hurricane Bill passed right by letting Mother Nature show off her stuff. It even affected the travel and vacation plans of the First Family (News worthy, no?). I was awakened this past weekend at 4 am by the loudest thunder storm I've experienced in a few years and the sky was purple from all the lightening. Yeah, it was awesome and scary. And the rain came pouring down. Thankfully most of hurrican season was dormant this year.

School started...

I went home to see family twice this summer. I saw all of my nieces and nephews--played dinosaurs (each one had a different voice, name and character), legos and built roads for trucks and cars, made repairs and even made all the requisite sound effects. Not sure who the biggest little kid is in some cases, me or them. I love my family.

School started.

Walked and walked and walked all over DC this summer. My only regret is not having my camera with me, but when you're exercising and the heat index is unspeakable, it's just too hard to carry stuff with you. Although, water is a necessity.

School sta...

Oh, the seersucker suits that grown men wear in DC. Seriously, if you want a good laugh just picture US lawmakers wandering 'round the Capitol in pastel, seersucker suits. It made me laugh. Do real men wear seersucker?

School... marks the end of summer. At least it did when I was a kid. Now as an adult it's Labor Day that marks the end of summer. I'm not sure I like it. I think I want the summer holidays back, but does that mean I have to be student again or a politician in DC? Our lawmakers are still on holiday for two more weeks. That means I can find a parking space in front of my house. I'm not sure I want to be a full time student again or a politician. So, how can I get summer back again? Hmmm....

I can't believe summer is over. Although, you can feel it in the air. The temperature hasn't changed. It's still hot outside and humid too, unbearably so. I mean to say, there's a quickness, a sense of urgency in the air. It's as though, all of sudden, everyone is buzzing with busy-ness. The pace of life just picked up again. I'm a little sad, 'cause I was enjoying the slower moments of summer.

Slow is good. I don't want to go too fast, but time isn't cooperating. And next week September is here. I love September. It's not quite fall, not quite summer. The humidity quietly exits and the DC air thins out, mornings start arriving a little later, sweaters come out of the closet again and this season's boots go on the shelves. I love boots. Hot chocolate in the morning on the way to the Metro is good too.

Anyway, summer is almost gone. Here's hoping I can hold onto it for just a bit longer.

Glimpses of Kenya - The Great Rift Valley - Lake Baringo

Enjoy this first of more glimpses to come of Kenya.

The Great Rift Valley

Classic examples of Kenyan couches.

Baboons crossing--Can't you just see the crossing sign with this sillouhette?

I love this giraffe and his little bird friends on his long neck. He was the first one I saw in the wild.

Sunrise at Lake Nakuru National Park

Water buffalo - the meanest guy in the park.

Flamingoes!

Zebra walking here!

Along with animals you can see the town of Nakuru from the park.

For laughs

The caption reads, "The mascara brings out his eyes, don't you think?"

I'm still laughing at his expression. He was caught in mom's make up bag.

I love my nephew!