Fashion Rules

I heard on TV the other day that it's OK to wear white shoes year-round, now.  You can forget the whole "only from Memorial Day to Labor Day" thing.  I heard it straight from the mouth of noted fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi.  

That was a big relief for someone in this household, who sports white shoes every month of the year.

Run Bella, Run

Yesterday I caught Bella in this pose. It can only mean one thing. She’s doing leg stretches.

Okay, two things. She’s doing leg stretches and she’s about to go out for a jog.
Well, actually, three things: She’s doing leg stretches, she’s about to go out for a jog, and she’s training for the upcoming Fifth Third River Bank Run!
I can’t tell you how excited I am over this development. While I love Bella’s chub, for her health, she really could stand to lose a few. And I think training for a 25K is just the ticket.

But wait a minute. What’s this about?

Oh, cooldown, probably. Better be.

Chalk Flood

There's a kid in Grand Rapids who organizes these occasional "urban experiments" in the downtown area.  I think the first one was a giant pillow fight.  Then last fall, there was a zombie walk.  I was completely oblivious to the pillow fight, so I missed that event.  I'm not a big fan of the undead, so I passed on the zombie walk.  However, Saturday was the Grand Rapids Chalk Flood, and while I'd sort of forgotten about it, I happily stumbled upon it on my way home from the zoo.

Rosa Parks Circle and the surrounding blocks were covered with the pastel doodles of artists of all ages.

It was a gorgeous day for it.  There was such a fun, festive atmosphere downtown.  Lots of flowers.

Lots of color.

30,000 pieces of sidewalk chalk + A Lot of People = pretty sidewalks.

Dark Lights

There's nothing like a carnival for bright lights.  

Bright and cheerful as these pictures are, for some reason, carnivals (particularly at night) always seem sort of vaguely sinister to me.

It's a notion that's been reinforced by TV . . . it seems like on TV, horrible things always happen on ferris wheels, and fun houses are a near-guarantee for an awful experience.

This little parking-lot carnival had its own share of minor drama while I was there . . . the carnival lights weren't the only lights flashing.  Three cruisers were there, and the policemen were detaining a group of older teenagers for who knows what.  It only solidified my suspicions that carnivals are shady places.

Sno-Cone, anyone?

Happy Easter!

Bella was only too happy to dress up in her Easter finery.

She was, however, a rather reluctant Easter Bunny.  I guess one set of ears is enough for this cat.

Hope you have a blessed Easter!