BAD HABIT
Some people smoke, some do drugs, I thrift shop. It is hard for me to pass by a sign like this one. I don't spend a lot of money, but the hunting is deeply satisfying.

FAKE
I came upon this lush display at a local nursery. My first impression was "Wow!" But taking a step or two closer, doubts crowded in. Everything was too perfect. Not a dead leaf or broken stem in sight. Then, I didn't get the sensation you get when approaching real plants: humidity, and a faint whiff of chlorophyll and decay. A few feet away I had already categorized it: fake. Just like King Solomon's bee.

SOFT PAWS
Daisy has a soft heart too. She always seems to know when I am feeling a little low, and follows me around taking every opportunity to curl up next to me and purr hearteningly.

"H" MARKS THE SPOT
Henry's home assistant (TSS) hasn't been in all weekend and I guess he was missing his usual activities so he dumped several boxes of materials into his bed. Note the letter card in the middle: H. Almost wonder if it was deliberate, like the mark of Zorro.

When I meet nice, interested people in stores or parks and I tell them that Henry is autistic (because he is doing something very strange and they are trying to figure out what is up) I can usually predict the next sentence out of their mouths. They get this kind and sympathetic look on their eyes and they say, bracingly "Oh, wow, Autistic? Well, I hear that autistic kids are all geniuses at something!" I always just smile and bite my lip. The fact that around 80% of people with autism have mental retardation (depending on which study you read) is NOT what they want to hear. Besides, they are somewhat correct. Henry's genius obviously lies in the mess-making department.

A NICE HOT CUP OF COFFEE
to get me started on a chilly morning. Sometimes it takes more than one. Looking closely at this shot I see that my Winsor & Newton commemorative mug is from 1992. The gilt may be somewhat abraded but it has sure held up. Now that is quality for you!

FRUIT SALAD EXTRAORDINAIRE
My friend Eliza throws a wonderful Easter party every year. Everything is so beautiful. Passing by the dining room where the buffet was laid out I heard a small girl asking her mother,"Mommy, is this food to eat or just for decoration?"

STRINGSFEST 2005
Peter was recently invited to be part of something called StringsFest, a day when a diverse group of chosen kids get together for a full day of intense performance coaching. Culminating with, of course, a performance. I have to say, I went that evening with the expectation of ear mangling ahead, but I couldn't have been more wrong. It was VERY impressive. Henry was so thrilled that he kept bouncing up and down gently in his seat and turning his "I'm surprised!/I'm delighted!" face to us. He was quiet though, thank goodness. When it was all over he actually leaped up and darted away from us to rush up to the stage. He kept staring up at the arc lights and gleefully slapping the stage, obviously wanting the music to start all over again. Afterwards Peter was very tired, but happy. He felt, I think, that satisfaction you get from doing something really difficult and really beautiful.

LISTENING
Every now and then Henry stops what he is doing and stands there, listening to something unheard by those around him. My spiritual minded friends would say he is listening to the voices of the angels. My scientific minded friends would say he is just picking up some high frequency to which average ears aren't attuned. Maybe they are both right.

HAPPY EASTER!

TINY ARTIFACT
At the museum recently it was very dear to come across this little patent leather party shoe a child had left on the artifact table amongst the deer shoulderblades and chunks of brain coral. Of course, I'm sure the parent of the one-shoed child didn't find it touching at all.